Thursday, August 02, 2007

Things I stink at

I am an eternal optimist. It is just the way I am programmed. I don't have to work at it, I just naturally look on the bright side of things. This is true about my self-image, too. I choose to focus on my good traits and try to ignore my weaknesses. This can be good to a point...but I tend to overdo it sometimes. You know when you listen to a conference talk, especially at the Women's session of general conference, and we hear about how as women we shouldn't beat ourselves up? We need to accept ourselves for who we are. We are good enough! Yea, I've never felt like those talks apply to me. If anything, I need to be harder on myself and acknowledge more of my shortcomings!

Anyway, this side of me comes out in my blog. I choose to highlight the good, fun, happy experiences and focus less on the things I struggle with. But then people read my blog and think I'm some superwoman. Wrong! So, I'm compiling this list of things I stink at to help keep me humble and so everyone else knows that I am NOT the bionic woman that I sometimes make myself out to be. (And I am not fishing for compliments here--trust me, my self-esteem is just fine...or maybe too big.) :)

*I am a bad cook. I can follow a recipe most of the time for easy things, but I can't even attempt anything fancy. If you're coming over for dinner, expect something SIMPLE.

*I am even worse at baking. There was a woman in Winslow who made THE BEST chocolate chip cookies. I asked her for the recipe. Hers were soft and chewy...mine were crispy and flat. I swear, I followed the recipe.

*I am a lazy housekeeper. I try to keep things looking decent, but rarely dust and usually only vacuum when there are visible crumbs. Dishes can pile up pretty high before I wash them. I better stop there before I gross everyone out. Yes, this temporarily changed while our house was on the market, but didn't last.

*Andrew and I keep a very detailed budget every month. I can never get it to balance out. Usually I'm only off 20-40 dollars or so, but lately I'll be off by hundreds of dollars and can't explain why. I promise I am not buying designer shoes or luxury cosmetics off the budget!

*I hate confrontation. This can be good to a point as far as keeping peace with others. But I often accept poor quality service or merchandise rather than returning/asking for a refund because I'm afraid of hurting someone's feelings or getting rejected.

*I am not good at doing my hair. It takes SO long to blow dry it and I usually choose not to spend my time on that. So I take the easy way out and either leave it curly or pull it back.

*I yell at my kids over dumb things. Some days I think I'm a really nice mom and then other days I'll just be in a foul mood and get mad about the smallest things. I feel bad for my kids on those days.

*I'm terrible at negotiations. Soooo glad I have Andrew around to help whenever I have to barter with someone. I'd get ripped off every time.

*I don't know how to make a spreadsheet on the computer. Where was I when everyone else learned this skill? They didn't teach it in dental hygiene school and I really feel like I'm missing out on something.

*I am bad at comforting people. If a friend of mine is crying or upset, I have a tendency to try to ignore it or avoid the situation. That's terrible! What kind of friend am I? I realized the other day that part of the baptismal covenant that I have made is to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort." It made me feel bad. I really need to work on that one.

*I am the worst at buying jeans. I have two pairs of jeans that fit the way I want them to fit and probably 10 pairs that are hideous. I think this is a combination of me trying to get the cheapest clothes possible and also not being very perceptive in the dressing rooms. I'll think something looks fine while I'm in there, but then I get it home and IT DOESN'T!

*Grammar. The title of this post is Exhibit A. I know I learned proper grammar somewhere along the way, but it didn't stick.

*Understanding politics. I didn't used to care that this was a weakness. I was ignorant and happy about it. But, now I'm starting to think I should know more about politics and be more actively involved. At the same time, I'm not ready to start listening to Andrew's talk radio stations.

*Fixing things. I wish I could repair things that get broken around the house, but I can't. I can't even plunge the toilet. Andrew was gone for a couple days this week and I had to lock the powder room door from the inside because I couldn't get the darn thing to plunge! Grrrrr.
There are many, many more, but that felt like a good place to stop. It can't get much worse than blogging about the toilet. Sweet.

14 comments:

Greg and Nicolle said...

Yes, Andrea, you are missing out. Speadsheets are the best.

Greg

Natalie said...

Oh Andrea! You are too funny that you felt you needed to make this list. I think I suck at politics too. I never have any idea of what is going on and feel clueless when it comes up in conversation. I feel your pain.

I am also a very bad speller. No spelling bee championship for me!

shelley said...

This was my favorite list. He he! I can identify with cleaning and cooking. These are not my strong points either. And I think sometimes not getting all emotional to comfort someone is a good thing. That's why we were a good companionship - I'd cry enough for both of us and you could keep a level head!

Ang said...

"Things at which I stink?" Ah, those prepositions are so tricky, and you end up sounding like a pompous dork half the time when you do it correctly anyway. So don't worry about the grammar thing--your grammar is dandy. I thought I had pretty good grammar . . . then I got my manuscript back from my editor! :-)

I'm the same way with spreadsheets. How did I miss out on learning this skill? I have no intuitive understanding of them at all.

Well I think you're wonderful, Andi, and the most wonderful thing about you is that you're so happy and positive--it's infectious. So don't apologize for it!

Anna Smith said...

My world is crushed with this new blog. Ever since I met you in high school I have strived to meet the perfection of Andrea Sweat.

I still think your pretty darn perfect, but excel is fabulous (I can give you an over the phone tutorial if you need me to :)

I also think if you can live in a happy bubble in this world than why not.

Anonymous said...

Hey that whole jeans thing... so not your fault. Its a conspiracy that jeans always look great on you in the dressing room mirrors but once you get home they never look the same!

Joey/Denny/Emma said...

Andi, you are the best. To write a whole entry about things you're bad at is so refreshing. And though I know you're not fishing, you truly are absolutely wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Great looking shoes!

The Normal Mormon Husband said...

Honey,

After having been married to you for 10 years now, I think you were right on with a couple of these (spreadsheets, negotiations, and politics) but too hard on yourself in a couple of areas (cooking, baking, cleaning, and patience w/the kids).

You have been in Charlotte all day and I have really missed your cooking. I had peanuts, Cheese Nips, and Hershey's Kissables for lunch today. I'm not even going to mention what I fed the kids. Hurry back! Please, please, please hurry back!

Jayne said...

People who are too into cleaning make me nervous.

Anonymous said...

If Seinfeld has taught us anything, it's that department store mirrors are magically able to read the innermost desires of a woman and make her look good in whatever she's trying on, only to come home to regular mirrors and find out theye just got ripped off... In the house of women I grew up in I heard this complaint all the time.

Anyway, don't forget you do have a friend who works for one of the largest jean companies in the world...I'm sure I could help you out.

Anonymous said...

Did you know Dave doesn't wear jeans? Loved your list, love you - I think I related with every single thing on your list - it was so much fun to read and laugh along with you. I'll never forget the first day you came over to meet us after you and Andrew had started dating, and Dennis met you first and came upstairs to get me and said "I like her already - I can tell she's a happy person!" He always had uncanny intuition about the important things.

XO
Mom Sweat

Anonymous said...

Thats so hilarious what you said about the jeans. Because lately Ive totally given up shopping for clothes. I'm sick of wasting my money. The best thing to do is to take a relative with you shopping,a girl relative. If they love you enough they will tell you the truth.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I was going "Check! Check! Check!" for most of your list (it all applies to me!) - great blog entry, but don't worry, I still think you're superwoman:)