March 29, 2011

Ya... I get that a lot

A salesman came to the door the other day. There was no way to get out of opening it and talking to him since the herd of little feet sounded like a stampede as they pounded their way over and fought about who got to open the door.

Once it was open, it was like a dam had suddenly broken. My children flooded through, barely glancing at the poor, stunned salesman, and started running around the driveway yelling, screaming and frolicking (yes, we frolic around here) as if they had never been outside before.

The young salesman looked at me, then the kids, then back at me. Looking totally incredulous he asked, "Are all of these yours?"

"Yup, they're mine."

"Wow", he said with rather large eyes, "you look WAY too young to have that many kids. In fact, when you came to the door, I was about to ask if your mom was home."

My big pregnant belly saved him the humiliation of that question.

And then out came my cookie cutter answer, "Ya, I get that a lot."

As we discussed at my birthday trial last year, here, and here, and here, people seem to assume I am fresh out of high school. Which I think is pushing it a little.

I have wrinkles! I have stretch marks! (although I don't think people would appreciate me showing those off) I mean come on, do I need to point out the white hair and developing smile wrinkles gathering around my eyes?

So, with a shake of his head and disbelief in his eyes, they young salesman again said, "Wow" before launching into his speech.

I use to joke that I should pay myself a nickel for every time someone used the expression, "You sure have your hands full!"

But surprisingly, I haven't heard that one very often lately.

The new one is, "You look way too young to have five kids!"

Ya... I get that a lot.

I wonder how much money I could earn if I carried around a donation jar and got a nickel for every time someone said that?

You know, I think I just came up with a rather brilliant "get rich quick" scheme.

22 super cool people speak:

Charlotte said...

I remember when I got that a lot. Not so much anymore. Although lately I've gotten "You look too young to have teenagers." Which always, without fail, makes me smile. Maybe I've started looking younger now that I sleep through the night?

F e l i c i t y said...

Hehehehe. You do look really young, Serene. I was actually shocked when I first started reading your blog. . . . I'll probably get similar comments. I'm nearly eighteen, but seriously look like I'm maybe thirteen. Heh.

Love ya, girl! Hope you are doing well! :)

Jocelyn Christensen said...

What can I say to this? No one ever says that to me. In fact a month or two ago some woman about my age asked how old my kids were and then I said they were 18 and 17 months apart...she was like, oh you have an 18 and a 17 year old, how nice. I'm like UH, you better walk away fast before I punch your face lady. The end. I sure made a friend that day...by the way we were at a toddler playtime...why would I be there if I had teenagers!!!? duh!

Susan Anderson said...

These days, I am often told that I look too young to be a grandma.

Those who tell me that are either nearsighted, farsighted, or trying to butter me up.

;)

Laura Lynn said...

Funny! Hang on to it while it lasts. I didn't even start having kids until I was 27! Although people still tell me I look too young to have 5 kids and that it's a nuclear family - I think that's the most shocking to people.

Nice blog!

JennaK said...

I actually still get that a lot too. In fact, when I had my fifth baby a few weeks ago, the nurses at the hospital were all shocked to learn that I had FOUR other children at home because I didn't look old enough to have four other children. Of course, if you sat me down in a room full of high school girls, you could probably tell that I'm at least 15 years older than them!

Neisha said...

well, you do look great for having 4+ kids :)

Stacy said...

This post really made me giggle. What is it about salespeople that get all the kids running to the door like a stampede? And I always feel bad for whoever is on the other side of that door when it gets opened because they always, always get trampled.

Good luck with the donation jar idea. Looks like you and I have the same ideas when it comes to get rich quick schemes! I only wish mine involved looking younger than I actually am!

*katrina* said...

If it makes you feel better, I've had smile wrinkles since I was like 12. :) I'm actually rather fond of them now...

Rachel Sue said...

I get that a lot too. In fact, it has gotten to the point that I do not reveal my number of children unless it is necessary.

gigi said...

You are just to cute!

CB said...

You are beautiful!
I think I would bask in those compliments as long as possible!

Valerie said...

You definitely are young-looking. It might be annoying to hear a lot, but I think it's nice. :)

Pitterle Postings said...

yep, just sit back and enjoy the awe!! You deserve it and sometimes it is just nice to hear!

Not so Molly Mormon After-All said...

Send me your address, I've got a nickel for you! :-)

Cassie said...

you know that salesman was on our street on friday. He came 3 minutes before I had to go get Jordan from school. Before he even started I said well sorry I have to go!! That way he didn't even stary his speech, I thought hmm maybe I should say that more often so that they go away and then pile the kids in the car and just go somewhere.

And we are the same age this is what I say, I just wanted to get them all done with!

marcie said...

I think I have the oposite problem. I remember when I was 15 I was on a plane and the stranger next to me asked me what I did for a living. I told him I finish high school and play soccer for a living. You really are young to have so many kids! I always thought you were a few years older than me because of how many kids you had, but we are only like a year apart..I think. You'll be the young hip mom of teenagers someday. I just said hip. Does that make me a minivan mom? Oh man...

Stef said...

Mostly I get, "Wow! You must be tired." "Do you ever get to sleep?" "I can only imagine how much laundry you have in your house." Not quite as flattering. So the whole jar for everytime I hear it may just ruin my self esteem.
But you do look very young!

TisforTonya said...

I was going to say "yeah... me too!" and then I realized, about 3 years ago I suddenly stopped being told how young I looked... people stopped asking for my mother when I answered the door...

and y'know... I'm not even sure I miss it :)

Carrie said...

you are such a show off;)

gotta love ya.

Cheeseboy said...

You do look very young and vibrant indeed, but are you sure he wasn't just trying to butter you up for the pitch?

hjsmith said...

hehehehe, that sounds so much like our house only we dont frolic(: and I dont get told I look too young to have 6 kids...well not too often anyways. But if I could make money on how many times I hear "are they all yours" "gee, you sure got your hands full" "you're done right" and so forth(: And yes when anyone comes to the door the kids are the first to get to it and escape from it too leaving me chasing and the visitor watching the happenings(:
Nice to hear I am not the only one.
Hehehe, I love reading your blog and knowing I am not the only one.
Thank you for always sharing your "fun" and keeping it real.
Side note the other day talking to a girl having her first baby saw I was buying a bunch of diapers. She asked how many little ones I have. I told her I just has my 6th and she was like , oooohhh wwwoooowwww, ooohhhh,mmmmmmm and some groaning like sounds....she said I love kids but wow 6 is sure a lot(: too funny. Have a super duper day and keep the updates coming(:

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