Cupcakes & glitter

You would be surprised how many times I have heard gushy-gooey compliments of this sort: "You are such a great mom!"

No, never from my own children. Or from their friends.

Only other mothers or parents, who through their own mis-guided perception or saint-like kindness, have seen something other than what is reality.

Just having five children does not qualify me as a 'great' mom. If quantity earned that title, then just to place myself in an even more solid standing, I'd probably opt for a few more. But the number of offspring has nothing to do with my 'greatness' or lack thereof. If the sheer number of deliveries impresses you than the compliment more fitting might be: "You are great at making & delivering babies!"

I can name two reasons why 'great' should not preface my title.

Glitter and cupcakes.

I can think of only one thing worse: glittered cupcakes.

I hate both. You read correctly. H.A.T.E them. And don't get after me, mom, because I am not speaking of a person---so I can say hate.

Now tell me...what kind of 'great' mother says things like that?

*For a complete list of things that I hate, strongly dislike, please stay tuned.

...the eye of the beholder

I have tried to present myself in a way that cannot be misconstrued as frumpish. Or depressive. Or homeless. Of course, that isn't a 24/7 kind of appearance. Within the confines of my home and whilst I am exercising, fashion goes by the wayside. And yes, I have been known to drop off the kids at school (when I know I will not be exiting the vehicle) in pj pants and slippers.

My point, yes I do have one, is that USUALLY, I enjoy dressing well.

My life takes me in many directions. This time of year, it is frequently the bleachers at a weekend basketball tournament. And although I am not donning heels and a skirt, I still usually at least throw on a sweater and jeans.

Recently one morning while readying myself and family for a game, my son came into the bathroom and asked: "Why do you get so fancy, it's just a basketball game?" (Mind you, fancy meant for him that I was putting on make-up and wearing boots.)

A well-balanced individual would have laughed the comment off.

I fretted and stewed as to what he might have meant. Was I embarrassing him? Am I being vain? Oh, Lordy! With slightly shaky voice, I ask, "What do you mean, how should I be dressing for basketball?"

"I don't know, just regular clothes."

"These ARE my regular clothes. Do you mean like your regular clothes? Wind pants and a t-shirt? I don't own that type of thing!" I defended myself.

"Whatever mom, you look great. Forget about it." Great, now I'm being therapized by my eleven year old. Forget about it!? Does this kid KNOW me at all?

Taking his comments into consideration, the following weekend found me in a more 'casual' outfit. Still jeans, a layered t-shirt look, no make-up, and WAIT.FOR.IT....tennies! I know, seriously? Tennis shoes are for the gym, the trails, camping! I was WAY out of my comfort zone.

Guess what. Three members of my family, at three different times, went out of their way to compliment me which, let's be honest...happens very rarely here.

Husband: "Look at me... your eyes look really blue today, really pretty!"
Oldest daughter: "Mom, you look really pretty today!"
Son: "Hey mom, you look nice."

My confidence is soaring, right?

Wrong. I look good to these people in jeans, t-shirt, no make-up and tennis shoes? All of my usual primping and planning gets nothing-but scorn-and this? Really?

Pinterestly enough....

So, I have decided that Pinterest is the place people go to look at and pin things that they will probably never actually do.

No? That's just me? Ahem, alrighty then.

That is not entirely true, I guess. I did make the 'Acorn' donut hole treat this past Fall, and I even tried the 'Owl' cupcakes. But truthfully, the other 999 pins I have done could all fall under the category, or if you're down with the Pinterest lingo, board--of "Things that are cool but highly unlikely that I will ever own, bake, or actually do."

Most recently I have been scouring pins for neat Valentine's ideas for the kids. And let's just say, depending on your Martha Stewart ability, there is something out there for everyone.

I compiled a list- a real list...like one on actual paper- of some that I found along with a few that I came up with on my own. I was excited to go over them with my kids to see which they would like to use for their particular classmates and teachers.

Surprisingly they were not nearly as in 'awe' of my cleverness as I was, but whatever, they think popping a huge bubble and leaving gum all over their face is cool.

Thinking that my oldest would surely share my delight with these ideas I ran the list by him again, making sure he 'got' each pun.

Very innocently he asked, "Mom, why are you planning all this?"

"For Valentine's Day, silly! We don't want to just give out pre-made valentine's do we?" I mean, DUH!

"You do realize that no one reads them, right? They just rip off the candy and toss the rest. It's the candy that's gotta be good, not the words."

"Yeah, well--mom's look at them." I so smuggly replied.

"They won't get that far, mom."

Why is he so much smarter than me?