August 22, 2011

Perfection is overrated, and the Entitlement Trap

I bet most of you didn't see the comment Marcie left on my last post. So I thought I'd re-post it here.

My primary president stopped by at 9ish the other day, all 100 pounds of blonde perfect hair perfect clothes perfect makeup of her. Her knock on the door got me out of bed, I ran and threw on the first clothes I found (this is why Owen is afraid of the doorbell, it always makes me run) and answered the door. Owen in a diaper, house a DISASTER with a capital D, and no bra. Trying to play it cool "Hi! What's up?" Long story short after she left I looked around my pitiful abode and Audrey said "What's wrong mom?" "I'm just embarrassed that my house is such a mess right now." "It's okay mom. The house is a mess because you play with us!". I felt better. Well just a little. :) But seriously would a phone call have KILLED her!? It's times like those that it's hard not to compare. I just try to think of how good I made her feel that day about herself. haha. And try not to be judgemental if I'm ever on the other side of the fence of getting it together. We women can be so hard on each other, unintentionally I think but the appearance of perfection is not the same as the perfection of character we are supposed to attempt. Holy cow, sorry for the novel. Love ya!

Oh girl, I've so been there and done that, more than once... or twice... or twelve times... or..... eh hem, anyway, you get the point.

The most embarrassing time for me was when two maintenance GUYS (yes, an in members of the male species) rang the doorbell as I was getting out of the shower.

I threw on whatever clothes I could find, I can't remember what concoction it was but I'm sure it was something the lines of a formal gown tucked into some sweats. I didn't have time for a bra as I dashed over toys and books, dodging diapers and clothes on my way to the door.

Yes, the flushed red face that I exhibited that day was from more than just exertion. It was from down-right embarrassment.

It wasn't until after they left that my eyes fell upon a bra I had left on the couch in a horribly conspicuous place for all the world to see.

Oh... so awkward.

I suppose I could consider myself lucky seeing as I've been forced to move beyond the appearance of perfection a long time ago. As this blog is unfortunate proof of.

I mean, come on, let's face it. Most of you read this blog because it makes you feel better knowing someone out there is WAY less put together than you. Am I right, or am I right?

Oh, I'm right. I'm always right! I just can't quite seem to convince my Hubby of this though. Hmmm....

Anyway, just yesterday, I started cleaning up the kitchen after lunch. A couple HOURS later, it was finally decent again. As I was sweeping the last of the cheerios, cracker crumbs, bread chunks, paper scraps, etc. into the garbage, some friends swung by unexpectedly.

I was so happy that I had decided to clean up the kitchen I could almost taste the relief.

See Marcie? Now don't you feel better?  Ha ha! 

~~~~~~~

Now, on a total and completely different note, I just wanted to make you all aware of this:


NYTimes bestselling authors, Richard and Linda Eyre have written an exciting new book called The Entitlement Trap: How to Rescue Your Child with a New Family System of Choosing, Earning, and Ownership and they invite you to join them in the cause to stem the tide of entitlement that is causing so many problems in today’s world.

August 22nd is National Entitlement Awareness Day. On this day, we invite you to help us spread the word about The Entitlement Trap and pre-order it yourself. You’ll get a book that may very well change the future of your family and your children - plus you’ll get a chance to win some exciting prizes.

To find out more, or to pre-order the book at a discount and enter the giveaway with your receipt, have a look at http://www.entitlementtrap.com/giveaway.htm

Enjoy! 

10 super cool people speak:

Amy said...

I grew up with a motehr who actually made us pretend we weren't home if the doorbell rang and the house was too messy! My husband shared her fear-of-being-caught-messy until I explained my philosophy to him. "If people don't want to be our friends because our house was not perfect when they showed up unexpectedly, then they don't deserve to be our friends." We agreed that when we invited someone the house should be clean and he hasn't had a freak out in about 6 years!

CB said...

OK I laughed and laughed at the comment because really, hasn't that happened to all of us.

About 10 years ago I got smart and just stopped answering the door. I mean if I was not prepared for the day to see someone, and they had not called ahead I am not obligated to open the door. I will tell you in all seriousness I have NOT opened the door many many times now. People come back...they do!

I have been waiting for this book to come out - It will be good!

marcie said...

Amy that's a good philosophy. Correction serene: I read your blog because it makes me laugh out loud-every time. Formal dress tucked into sweat pants! (actually laughing in real time..) And because you keep it real!

marcie said...

oh, and I would totally pretend I'm not home but the loud kids trying to pry open the door give away my dirty little secret...

Susan Anderson said...

Actually, I read your blog because it is laugh-out-loud funny.

Having said that, when I'm not ready for company (especially when its someone selling something, which I do not enjoy), I just don't answer the door. That is one of the boons of the empty nest...no kids to give you away!

;)

Anonymous said...

You're not alone. We don't have any kids, but the first thing I do when I get home from work is change into pj's. My husband takes off his (coughs) dress pants.
You should see him rush around when someone knocks on the door! Or ask why there's a pile of pants accumulating in the dining room!
All I have to do is grab the closest blanket and wrap it around myself to make myself decent.

Angel Day said...

Haha I think the best part is when you realized your bra was on the couch for all the world to see haha that made my day :)

JennaK said...

I'm with Marcie on the door-opening thing. It's hard to skip opening the door when you have a dog barking and several little kids clamoring at the windows looking out to see who is there.

Valerie said...

I'm with Cherie. I don't answer the door and my kids know they can't unless I'm ready to see someone.

I went to several of the Eyre's classes at BYU Education Week last week! Funny couple that has lots of ideas.

Kazzy said...

Hey look, I am in my late 40s and still kind of freak out when someone knocks at the door. It's not Cheerios and juice for me, but sweaty boy socks and long boards laying about! We are all on the same train, sister!

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