Well I thought I would share what you probably already know. Not only am I not perfect but I have a most embarrassing moment to share with you. Did this happen in the distant past years ago? Oh no, it happened a few weeks ago. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
My house does not always look like it appears here.
I know you know. But I just want to let you know that I know you know that my house isn’t always neat and tidy. Meaning, my house gets messy, the laundry piles up, the plants die, the sink gets full of dirty dishes.
I just wanted to come out and say that you are not a failure if you have dog hair on the floor, at least not in my book. We have a collie. I had to make peace with the dog hair long ago. I want to inspire you, to encourage you, so I show rooms that are at their best. Who wants to come here to see a sink full of dirty dishes? I don’t show a mess because that is not what the blog is about, but I happily embrace my sometimes messy home. I don’t want anyone to feel that if their home isn’t pristine that in some way they are a failure. You can’t do it all, and neither can I.
Okay, I wasn’t going to tell this story, but we’re friends right? So I was sitting at my computer one morning. I was in my pj’s and robe. It was 10 AM, don’t judge! I hadn’t made the bed, the sink was full of dirty dishes, and I was not dressed. Then a freind of mine arrives out of the blue at my front door ooking fabulous! I was horrified. Of course the worst part was that it wasn’t actually out of the blue. Technically, I knew she was coing. I just forgot. Well I knew, but then I was distracted because a friend’s father had died unexpectedly a few days before. So I forgot she was coming that morning. I had no inkling until I saw her emerge from her car. Just so you get the full picture, I was wearing my big pink fluffy robe and my hair was a mess.
So here I was in fuzzy socks and pillow hair, no make up, dirty dishes in the sink, an unmade bed, and laundry piled up. (And no I don’t have a picture for you.) This is the sort of thing that would have just sent me over the edge in my younger years, but not now. I was pretty much unfazed. Of course Carol Sue is a gem, and laughed along with me at my predicament. We had a fabulous visit, and she even helped me make my bed. We laughed about the unfinished edges on the underside of the bedspread I made. (That’s one of the many reasons I don’t sew for others.)
The point is she saw my house at it’s worst and we still had a blast. After she left I wasn’t thinking about how horrible my house looked. I was thinking about what a great time I had with a dear friend.
So don’t compare your home to what you see on a blog. Just because my house looks neat and tidy on the blog doesn’t mean it always looks that way in real life. It doesn’t!!
Okay so I’m not perfect, but you knew that already didn’t you? Do you have any embarrassing moments yo would like to share?
Yes, I am not perfect either and though I am a perfectionist for the most part, my house gets messy at times too. I think my most embarrassing time was when I was having a birthday party for my daughter and had a lot of guests at the house. My young nephew and a few adult guests were sitting on the sofa when my nephew stuck his hand between the cushions and pulled out one of my husband’s dirty, smelly socks. That was pretty much a party ender. It wasn’t long before everyone started to go home. I was never so embarrassed in my life. I now make sure I check under all the couch cushions before entertaining guests of any sort. Hehehe.
I loved reading this post Anita. Although mostly inspired, there are those days that reading posts, whether it be on a blog or Facebook when I get a little down looking at the pics. I have 2 labs, 2 cats, and a 19 year old messy son…..that leaves me with fur, dander, dirty socks, underwear (ick I know), and shoes lying about in various places on more days than not. I can’t seem to keep the table free of clutter or the sink free of dishes at times and when I do, it is short lived….so I think it is great for you to share these days with us. I know one day my house will stay clean but it will also be quieter….when my son leaves and as my pets depart this world. So, I am grateful for those days that I remember this and am grateful for the small messes and particles everywhere.
Hope you’re having a ball at Round Top…………….
Yes enjoy the mess!
I am an envier. It’s wonderful that you shared this. I have always believed that the bloggers I follow are perfect. I look at the styled photos and feel that I can never measure up. House not big enough, not new enough, not open enough. I have been getting really sad. Your post helps me more than you will ever know.
Life is not a styled magazine page. We are real people.
Understanding your discomfort over being in a less than perfect scenario and still laughing and loving you – that’s a true friend. And – she jumped right in there and helped you pull it together. You already know this – but she is the one you can count on for anything.
If I visit a friend it is because I enjoy their company so it doesn’t matter if the house is messy. I hope they feel the same way about me.
Thanks for the chuckle Anita! If I haven’ said this once I have a hundred times. There is no award for housekeeping!
It’s refreshing to hear that others get caught off guard……when their home is a mess. I am a collector/clutter bug so that is my norm.
Love reading you posts.
Lol, it seems we only get company when our house is at it’s worse. So now I’m like ‘whatever’. I used to freak out when I was younger but not any more!
When you say you are running out to the store and your 5 year old granddaughter says “dressed like that?”
I would like for everything to always be neat and tidy, but, hey, it’s life and and that means everything isn’t perfect. I’ve had more than one of those days when I got a surprise visitor and I and all else was a mess. Oh well! Hope all is well and that you are recouping from Marburger. I hope to see you soon.
It’s really nice to hear that you’re ‘normal”. But I have to ask, why is it we notice the blob of cat fur under the entertainment center, or the long spider web hanging from the ceiling, when there’s a visitor?!
Loved meeting you at Round Top. And I consider myself fortunate that I got your book and your autograph just before you ran out!
Thank you Marsha! They are back in stock so we are shipping the books this week.
What a lovely, funny and inspiring post. Thank you for reminding your readers of what is really important. Thank you for hosting this week as well.
I’m like you I don’t get too bent out of shape in my later years…although I’m probably 20+ years older than you! Glad you’ve learned early what makes a home a home…sure isn’t “picture perfect” living. Anyway, my “little” embarrassing moment happened just yesterday…I usually have things pretty much picked up, and my Mama always said “As long as your kitchen and bathroom are clean everything else will be just fine”. Had a friend come by with daughter and her friend to pick up something for our garden club scarecrow, Botanical Betty. I’ve just had interior painting done, and everything is topsy turvy…and my kitchen floor was filthy! Of all places in the house my friend went into the kitchen to put back her glass…I haven’t mopped in over a week or so…you can only imagine. Didn’t want to mop with painters trapesing everywhere…she’s a doll and I’m sure it didn’t phase her, but my Mom’s words came back to haunt me! LOL