I recently had a reader email me to say that she loves reading the blog, but at times I am intimidating because it seems like I have it all together. That made me sad to think I may be giving off the vibe of everything is perfect around here–it so IS NOT. Just remember, certain pics,
like this one of my Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes, don’t show the sink right next to it that is full of dirty dishes. Also remember that inspiration posts I share, like this one on Organization, or this one, on New Year’s Eve, are inspiring ME too. Just because I share inspirational pictures on my blog does not mean I am doing it all myself.
Oh my dear readers, I’m just an everyday Plain Jane (actually Amy Sue) from the Midwest trying to make the best with what life brings my way. To drive this point home, I thought I would have a little fun letting you know a few things about me.
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~we only have 3 forks in the entire house right now. Yep, 3. For a family of 5. That is a problem. I ate pasta last night with a spoon. Where are our forks? I don’t know. I have a feeling little ones may have thrown them away along with their paper plates…which brings me to the next tidbit…
~ …we use paper plates sometimes because I just get so sick of doing the dishes. So not very green, but I justify it by being green in other ways.
~I really, really like fuzzy socks. In bright colors. With patterns. My husband does not, but he puts up with it.
~I REALLY like wearing fuzzy socks with my super soft and fluffy white bath robe. To top the sexy look off, when I am cold, I put the hood up and look like a boxer dressed in white, with rainbows and polka dots on my fuzzy feet. Yeah, hot.
~Said robe and socks = what I usually am wearing while blogging if I happen to write a post before 10 am, which is often. So, if you ever feel intimidated by what you read, just picture that. Problem solved.
~I use Photobooth on our Mac to check out the back of my hair before going out. If someone comes in while I am doing this, I feel like a dweeb…like… I am checking myself out or really in love with myself or overly concerned with how I look. I’m not.
~I love to polish my nails, but walk around with chipped nail polish 90% of the time. Oh, and my nails are usually stained with hair color because I am a hairstylist for those of you who don’t know. Ugh. I feel it advertises to all that I so don’t have it together, and lately I feel completely at peace with that. Cheers to chipped polish!!
~I always, ALWAYS have at least 4 loads of dirty laundry haunting me.
~I don’t make my own soap, like in this post. Not anymore. After my diagnosis, I bought soap and decided I really like buying my soap. I may delete that post altogether.
~I have a touch of OCD. The pillows on my couch need to be straight. Chairs at the table pushed in and straight. Cupboards need to be closed–nothing worse than walking into the kitchen with cupboards hanging open! Shower curtain, closed! Oh, and the toilet seat. Must. Be. Down. This is not a good thing. I get a little nuts about it, and my friends make fun of me and mess my pillows up on purpose, just to see me go straighten them.
~Sometimes I make coffee (really good, expensive organic coffee) and forget to drink it. I think down deep I use it as one would a glade plug-in, just to get a whiff when I walk in the room. That is expensive aromatherapy. I need to rethink this one.
~I have 1,349 emails in my inbox. Yeah.
~I have perfectly good pj pants of my own, but still prefer to steal husbands and walk around with the waist rolled up. His just feel right.
~I wear hats almost as often as I did while sporting a chemo bald head, but now the reason is laziness. Love my new hair, just don’t love doing it everyday.
~If I am pms-ing, watch out world. I get snippy and a bit gripe-y. I used to be a yeller, not anymore. God in His mercy helped me overcome that, but I do realize that quiet, snarky words can be just as harmful. {sigh}
~Yes, we eat very healthy around here. But, even in that, I give myself an out. Instead of calling myself “Vegan” (which I am 90% of the time) I say I am a “plant-based, whole foods eater, sometimes cheater.” Ain’t that a fun title. I wear it proudly.
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So you see, I do not have it all together. This is just a tidbit of my quirks and imperfections. There are so many more. It is great to be at a point in my life where I am getting over trying to be perfect, but instead, seeing myself how God sees me. I strive to make Him smile, and I know the way to do this is to lean into Him and rest in who He has made me, and is yet making me. I’ve got my eye on the prize, I am moving forward in this life race. It is such a beautiful one!
Philippians 12:12-14 Message version, says it perfectly, spoken by the Apostle Paul:
12-14I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onwardβto Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Andie_Emmett
March 18, 2013 at 12:26 pmWhat a great post, Amy! I think if we are wise, we can relish our “little imperfections” as part of who we are–just as you have done. Love it-thank you!
Anonymous
January 28, 2013 at 11:40 pmGod bless everyone but I don’t think you need to explain anything because no one is perfect!
Donna
Amy Bowman
January 15, 2012 at 2:10 amYou all rock! I have the best readers. Thanks for your encouraging words!
erin
January 15, 2012 at 2:04 amI. LOVE. YOU. π That was a fun post! You are so cool!
The Pennington Point
January 14, 2012 at 1:34 amIt’s so fascinating how we all see things in a different way. I read you because you do NOT seem like you have it all perfect and I have always appreciated that about you. You just keep being yourself. We all occasionally think everyone else has it all together and we are the biggest mess, but it’s not true. By the way, I’m on my second week of drinking lemon water in the morning because of you! Thanks a million! Lisa~
lawrence
January 13, 2012 at 7:10 amRight on Ashley,have unsubscribed from a lot of blogs for this reason, gave me :blogblues: definition being {blogs that leave one with a feeling of envy and discontent}
New Nostalgia is not one of them. Shine on Amy.
Tricia South Africa
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
January 12, 2012 at 9:05 pmThanks for being so real! I think we all need a reminder of this every once in awhile in the blog world π
Jenn
January 12, 2012 at 4:58 pmlove it! Thanks for sharing and being real. I just read on another blog earlier this week, “don’t compare your behind the scene’s footage to someone else’s highlight reel.”
Anonymous
January 12, 2012 at 1:19 pmI only know you through your blog, which I love to read π Funny, I have read blogs that leave me feeling intimidated but never yours! Actually, I tried your sweet potato fries with vinegar recipe…not sure what happened but mine were blackened, smoking twigs by the time I pulled them out of the oven…nothing like your photo…THEN I felt like a loser…but that’s the only time π Have an awesome day!
lawrence
January 12, 2012 at 6:18 amThis post made me sad!You do not need to justify yourself Amy,anyone reading your posts who feels intimidated should maybe visited some where else, your imperfection is what keeps me reading your posts, keep em coming!
Love and Prayers Tricia
South Africaxx
Ginny
January 12, 2012 at 6:02 amOk, I’ll admit it. I’m a bit OCD, too. I (try to) insist on the exact same things you mentioned! And about a few more things, but I’ll deny it if you tell anyone. (My hairdresser says it’s how I cope with the chaos and uncertainty that is so much a part of my life since my hubby’s cancer diagnosis six years ago.) I’m glad to know I’m not alone!
shellycoulter
January 12, 2012 at 4:00 amDon’t even know you…but I love you and love reading your blog. Thanks for blogging! I’m always inspired and encouraged! π
rkbsnana
January 12, 2012 at 2:55 amHon, that is my favorite post of yours. I wanted to cry. I never thought you perfect and now you are are just real. I kinda’ like that you stage your pics.
Queenie
January 12, 2012 at 2:14 amLet’s hear it for imperfection. Right there with you, sister. My verse: “God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong, so that no one may boast before Him!”
the Mrs.
January 12, 2012 at 1:49 amI love the transparent honesty. π It is a great blessing to be comfortable with yourself right where you are at. Thanks for sharing all the tidbits and photos! You are too cute in all your stripes like Cindy Lou Hoo! π
Blessings!
Heather
January 12, 2012 at 12:58 amThanks for sharing your reality. It’s pretty much mine too. Life is so not prefect around this house…how fun would that be?
adventuresindinner
January 12, 2012 at 12:52 amI also get pmd, steal my husband’s robe, sometimes fall asleep with my make-up on and VERY often have the laundry done but it doesn’t make it’s way upstairs. Imperfection makes people fun and interesting π
Cheryl
January 12, 2012 at 12:15 amSometimes I do a photo to the left or right of something to “just keep it real” Most people know of the clutter that is not to be shown lol…. I worry about those who think someones life in photos is really as sparkly as the photo shows π
Alison
January 11, 2012 at 11:17 pmI love your “plant-based, whole foods eater, sometimes cheater.” That describes me perfectly as well. Great post. There’s no way we can all have it together, all the time.