Frugal Girl Confessions
On Sunday, I was chatting with some friends at church, and my friend Karyn told me that I needed to trot out a few more of my failures here to make her feel better (and she's sure that the rest of you would enjoy reading about my flaws too).
So, here you go:
I haven't done a single, solitary thing to get ready for the upcoming school year.
I wanted to get my ebook finished and published by the end of June. Then I thought, "Well, maybe by the end of July!". But it's the 26th, and I don't think I'm going to make it (though I am getting closer to being done and I am excited about how the book is turning out.).
I haven't updated Quicken thoroughly in quite a while.
I regularly feel like not cooking dinner and getting takeout instead (most of the time I resist).
I am a sloppy dish-washer (Zoe even sends dishes back to me when she's drying).
I haven't been to the gym very regularly this summer.
My office is frequently a disaster.
My shower usually gets that pink stuff around the edges before I clean it because no matter how much I try to clean it every week, two weeks usually go by between cleanings.
I hardly ever make homemade desserts.
I also rarely make sweet breads for breakfast (danishes and sweet rolls and such usually only happen on special occasions).
I sometimes plan to serve salad with pizza on Saturdays but then discard the idea because I don't feel like making a salad.
My microwave has tomato sauce splatters all over the inside of it.
I sometimes get discouraged.
I am sometimes envious of people whose children go to school all day (even though I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am supposed to be homeschooling my kids).
Every August, I have a mini freak-out because I haven't done school all summer long but have still been very busy and how-in-the-world am I going to keep up when I have to do school again???
Sometimes I am discontent (I'm super tired of getting up before 5:00 am and going to bed at 8:30).
Sometimes I wish we had more money. Or a nicer house.
I wish my house was cleaner (no sometimes needed there!).
Sometimes I let critical words from other people bother me more than I should.
Sometimes I get upset with Mr. FG.
Sometimes I don't feel all warm and fuzzy about my children.
In other words, I am a normal person, with failings and flaws and an imperfect life.
But!
(because I'm going to be too depressed if I end the post there)
I know that God loves me with an unfailing love because Jesus died for me and I know that there's grace to cover all my sins. My standing with God depends on Jesus' performance, not on my own.
I know that my husband loves me more than he has ever loved anyone in his whole life.
I know that my children are somehow convinced that I am the best mom in the world.
I know that what I do doesn't have to be perfect to bless other people.
I know that my house, my husband's work schedule, and my financial situation are all perfectly planned for me by Someone who knows better than me what I need.
I know that people are more important than a perfectly clean house, and if making time for my husband means having a messy microwave, so be it. If having a picnic at the park with my kids means my kitchen floor isn't going to get cleaned, so be it.
I know that my list of blessings is much longer than my list of complaints.
I know that I have had more privileges in my life than most of the world's population has (simply having clean, running water puts me ahead of a lot of people in the world!).
Because of all the stuff that I know, I manage to keep going through life with a mostly perky outlook, even though I'm not perfect and my life isn't either. 🙂
I love this post.
Thanks for sharing!
My microwave is the same, I regularly find excuses not to do a ten minute workout, and sometimes I wish I wasn't going to school so that we can start a family.
Not that you asked, but you inspired me to come clean about a few things : )
Have a great day!
Thank you! I am a new stay at home mom (I have worked full time my whole life) and felt like what the heck am I doing wrong?! This makes me feel much better!
Love the post.
If we were perfect how boring life would be and I really don't think I could follow a blog by someone who believes they are perfect.
It highlights "perfectly" how life is a balancing act. As long as your kids, Mr FG and you are happy it doesn't matter if some of the little thing don't get done.
I have that mini-freakout every August, too:)
Oh, man. I'm glad it's not just me.
Fortunately, the freaking-out part is always worse than the reality of school starting, and I need to remind myself of that.
Freak outs aren't limited to home school moms. Hmmmm....why didn't we receive our school supply list yet? 😉
Oh here you go:
pens
pencils
notebooks
paper
coloring utensils
scissors
glue
ruler
compass
calculator
and books. lots of books.
good luck! 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I love this post! The honesty, and the sharing of your blessings, too. Thank you!
I really liked this post. If I had to do over again, I'd copy you. :)! Your lifestyle is exactly what I've always wanted but never had...well, except I doubt I would be a very good homeschooler...
Thanks for sharing!
Sharon
This post was just what I needed to read. I have been feeling a growing ball of discontent lately (even though there is a little voice inside me that reminds me of all my blessings). Sometimes it is just nice to see that other people don't have it all either. Your honesty is refreshing and uplifting.
<3
Kristen you are perfectly normal! I've been married for 30 years and I've had the same feelings as you. I think God gives us challenges daily to deal with and to me that makes us stronger. You are truly blessed.
Ahhh...a good freak-out every so often is a terrific thing. It makes you happy for the calm that you have the rest of the time.
I love this post. We all try so hard to be perfect and that just isn't Anyone's plan is it?
I can empathize on all the not-so-clean shower, microwave, floor, etc. Since I've been a stay at home mom just over a year now, my house has gradually decended to the bottom of my to-do list. It's rarely cleaned thoroughly, there are toys all over the place 90% of the time, and a clutter of coloring books, crayons, papers, etc. everywhere too. But when you have 3 little kids your dreams of a picture perfect house can no longer exist. I'm starting to embrace the messiness because it means I have kids who are enjoying being kids rather than worrying about keeping everything straight.
We do the best with what we have, we thank God for what he has given to us (because many, many, many others have much, much less), and we love our family as much as we can everyday.
As always, great post Kristen.
Yes. I know if I didn't have kids, or if they weren't here alll the time, my house would probably be cleaner. But I want my kids, and truly, I am glad that they're here and that I don't have to send them off to school. It's just hard to remember that sometimes when I see the messes! 🙂
Interesting comments. I have been reading your blog for 2 years now and while I understand the intent of your post is to show that you are human and imperfect, it has a bit of the Wizard of OZ, man behind the curtain feel to it. I have read your post about a day in the life of Kristen where you talk about wiping down the shower everyone morning and your recent post June 20/11 about baking and making yogurt weekly. My point is, by coming clean and being honest with today's post, it feels like you have been less than honest in how you presented yourself in the past. I know that your are not perfect, but something now feels different. I intend to keep reading daily and thanks for the wonderful pictures.
Oh dear, I'm sorry you feel that way. Nothing I've ever written here has been untrue, and my intent has never been to deceive.
I do squeegee my shower every day (I'd have to go back and read, but I am very sure that's what I said in my Day in the Life post), but that doesn't keep the water from sitting on the edges of the shower floor lip, and that's where the pink stuff grows. I definitely don't scrub my shower every day! 🙂
(it just occurred to me that perhaps I wrote that post on a Saturday, which is the day I scrub the shower before I get out. At least theoretically, I do. It ends up being only every other Saturday most of the time!)
I do make yogurt almost every week (whenever we run out), and we always have homemade whole wheat bread around for sandwiches and toast. I just don't bake desserts or breakfast sweets very often.
Anyhoo, the stuff I wrote down when I did my Day in the Life of posts is all true and realistic...I'd never fabricate something like that.
I try to regularly point out my flaws, but apparently this pointing out hasn't been regular enough if you are surprised at the stuff I wrote here. 🙂
Kristen, if Anne has been reading your blog for 2 years, she would know that you often remark that you are not "perfect". Sure, it may be gratifying to hear about a few "imperfections", but your blog line does indicate "cheerfully living on less" and not "wallowing in my imperfections and problems" (I think the world needs more uplift and less drag). To suggest that you are "coming clean" or suddenly being "honest" is insulting.
to cathy my thoughts exactly.. kristen has never once tried to make people belive she was perfect and im glad she blogged what she did today and i feel no different about her now than i did when i first started following her...even though that did remind me....my microwave is also caked with spagetti sauce!! lol keep up the good work kristen.=}
Ditto here. There are no perfect people. How clean my house is (isn't) does not define me. I try to be an honest, nice, "golden rule" type of person. There are always those people that nitpick. Keep up the good work Kristen. I love your blog.
Wow. This is one of those time you will have to try hard on the: "Sometimes I let critical words from other people bother me more than I should."
Dishonest? No. Inconsistent? Eh, perhaps. But I learned at a very early age not to throw stones since my house might be made of glass in parts. Perhaps the original commenter should go back and reflect on this wise proverb.
Have a great week, Kristen!
If you mean that I am consistently inconsistent in some ways, I'm right with you, Maggi! 🙂 My updating of Quicken is very inconsistent, as is my floor-washing. And cookie-baking. Hee.
If you mean that this post is inconsistent with some of the other things I've written, though, I'd definitely appreciate hearing about it so we can clear things up...I haven't meant to be inconsistent, but if what I've presented in the past is inconsistent with what I wrote today, I'd like to fix that.
Oh no, I mean you (like everyone else, I am sure) is at times inconsistent with our duties/routines. Hey, that's life! Life is unpredictable at best, and being able to adapt to what life throws at us is what brings about inconsistencies. Actually, I would be more concerned if you were so rigid that you couldn't bend when the wind blows...
Oh, good! I'm totally fine with being called inconsistent in that sense...I just don't want to live in a way that's inconsistent with my message.
Anne,
Of course Kristen isn't perfect. With or without a list, we know that. She's human 🙂
Suggesting that someone is "dishonest" because their life today is not a carbon copy of life 2! years ago is a bit rigid, I think. With two children, for instance, I was *honestly* much cleaner and more organized. My life LOOKED different then. As I've matured and added children, things that were once important have had to change with my season of life. In addition, I hope that I'm always growing and maturing, so that means the woman I am this very day is quite different from the woman of only two years ago. I really liked this post because blogs, to me, are very "snapshot" experiences. If I blogged, I likely would snapshot my great danish recipe instead of my dirty shower. Just sayin. 😉
THANK YOU!
I was just feeling frustrated about the state of my floors. It has been way too hot to vacuum, but the weather is cooling off, and I am inspired by your post. Not sure whether I will get to the floors today or not, but I will certainly be content with whichever choice I make.
I loved all of these bullet points, but I really really identified with the pizza and salad one! I always write "pizza and salad" on my menu plan, but it's almost always just pizza. LOL!
My big fault is a twist on your comment about letting other people's criticisms get to you. I am guilty of criticizing others. It's usually in conversation with my husband (about other people,) but I am sincerely trying to stop. Mainly because it is bad for me!
Also, I know you have been curious about this in the past... I am a Unitarian Universalist and was not offended by your discussion of your faith in this post. 😉
First paragraph cracked me up. Thanks, Karyn! 🙂
Kristen, I like you! Thanks for being real. Too easy to appear to have it all together on line but that wouldn't encourage anyone.
Like you, have had "school planning" on my to do list since May but still haven't done it, mostly because we are busy with so many unexpected thingsin the summer. After homeschooling for 12 years now, I know that it will all happen and I don't need to stress out for 4 months before school starts. My kids won't fall apart if I don't have every moment or subject planned for the first day back into our routines. It is actually easier to ease back into school as opposed to hitting them over the head with all the subjects at once.
Love your blog. Thanks so much.
I haven't even had school planning on my list, so you're ahead of me! 🙂
I like this post. Not because you may or may not have listed flaws. Not having the cleanest shower or microwave is not really a flaw. But it is kind of nice to know we might have twin microwaves! Your daily posts are positive, encouraging, and sweet. Sometimes, we dear readers get it in our heads that you love every minute of every day, every task, larger or small, that your children NEVER do anything to frustrate you, your schedule always flows perfectly to the minute. We forget that you are living a life. There are moments, just like in our lives, where you are late, frustrated, discouraged, or even angry. It is nice to see that you are human, but don't let anyone make you feel like you "have" to tell us.
PS, my shower stays at the bottom of my priority list. But my dishes are clean every night 🙂
Kristen, people may perceive you and your life based on what they read here. I like your writing and your honesty. I don't read your blog because "I am like you" or "I am not like you and want to be like you". Sure, it is good to know that other people have messy floors or they can get a lot done in a day. You only need to measure up to your own standards.
Great post! I don't want this to come out the wrong way, but I've read your blog from the beginning and I have never got that you live a "perfect" life. I think you are a naturaly upbeat person and it shows through your writing.
Keep it up you do a good thing here!
Oh, no...that doesn't come off the wrong way! I don't want to seem like I'm perfect, because that would just be discouraging to my readers, and I do NOT want to discourage people. 🙂
Love the post and I don't think you needed to show you're human - you have to be to write such a wonderful blog.
Just one thing - if your daughter is standing on the white chair to dry dishes wasn't sure from the photo - please, for her safety, have the back of the chair against the counter or perpendicular to it. It will keep her from accidentally falling into it, losing her balance and toppling over (from experience and pediatric nurse's recommendation)
You're not perfect?
Now, you're going to tell me the tooth fairy doesn't exist either? 😉
I think the real trick is that we need to stop worrying about our image to the world--and comparing ourselves to others. No one on Earth is perfect...period. And I'm just as guilty as the next person of wishing for what I don't have, and comparing my life to other people's lives. Sigh...another imperfection.
Have a great one Kristen 🙂
The tooth fairy doesn't exist.
It's reality day for you. 😉
OK, I'll confess. I buy the daily shower cleaner that comes in the spray bottle so that i can extend the time between fully cleaning the three bathtubs in my house. The ~$4 month I spend it totally worth it for my sanity.
Since it's confession time, I have one of the automatic shower cleaners (you push a button & it sprays the inside of the shower) & I LOVE it. It is so worth the money!
Does it work if you have a shower curtain and not a shower door?
LOL! I am sure Karyn...ahem...appreciates this. I did, but still you are an inspiration to me. I had to be frugal for years since I was a single Mom for more than 10 years but I really appreciate other families doing the same thing and being able to read your blog kinda gives me the extra push to keep going. We are very blessed! Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for this posting. It is reassuring to know that we all feel less than perfect and comparing ourselves to others doesn't help. Mom's, in general, need to be reminded to let things go because we are all in different situations and are doing the best we can with what we have. No one is perfect and no one should feel they have to be.
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9
Let's list some of my faults:
I was supposed to make a sourdough starter last night in preparation for making bread this evening. Guess we're going without bread this week unless I make a more traditional loaf (which I may do as it's not 10 billion degrees out today.)
I also have a stack of dishes that I was too tired to do yesterday.
We went out for dinner last night because I was feeling tired and a bit depressed.
My car is a mess.
I'm extremely stubborn and pigheaded.
I can be quite pedantic about some things (I insist on saying "Debts and Debtors" when the congregation at my fiancee's church says "Trespasses")
I also stand like a ballet dancer in first position (or Charlie Chaplin)
and last night I whacked my fiancee in the head with my elbow (I swear it was an accident!!)
But I've got a great fiancee who forgives me when I turn over in bed and swat her in the head.
I have a great family that despite being a bunch of imperfect slobs at times love me and I love them.
I have a decent job in a time when many have no job
Above all, I know that I have the undeserved Love and Grace of God.
So, yeah I could get depressed about my shortcomings and the fact that I am not perfect. While I am humbled and embarrassed by my faults and shortcomings I move forward and try to look at life with a good and happy life.
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
Also, I think I spot Toad in the first picture. Further proof your kids are probably pretty rad.
"I hardly ever make homemade desserts"
"I also rarely make sweet breads for breakfast (danishes and sweet rolls and such usually only happen on special occasions)"
Ok, there, young lady - either you're cheating or you're way too hard on yourself! These "imperfections" are just the trade-offs you make to do the rest of the things you do.
"Sometimes I wish we had more money. Or a nicer house"
"I wish my house was cleaner (no sometimes needed there!)"
These two are just normal. If it makes you feel any better I get houselust also. I do have plenty, just not enough for a dedicated guest room. Which is silly on the face of it - who really needs a room that stays empty 75% of the time? And if it makes you feel any better I pay someone to clean my house once a week and I still wish it were cleaner. Please show me a parent who doesn't recognize that, in essence, children are messy and time consuming.
"I regularly feel like not cooking dinner and getting takeout instead (most of the time I resist)"
And this is the worst excuse for a shortcoming I've ever seen. After you implicitly admit to being tired, you say that you do the thing anyway - how is this a shortcoming? If you were a different type of person I'd think you might even be bragging... ; - P
1. I'm kind of responding to this idea that people have in their heads about me...that my home is perfectly clean, that I present Martha-Stewart-ish homemade meals (including dessert) every night, and so on.
2. Yes, but sometimes people don't get that I struggle with this stuff too...I'm not magically and perfectly content with my life or my stuff. I struggle just like everyone else.
3. See #2...somehow people get this impression that I waltz through the house, cheerfully whipping up homemade dinners every night, and that's so not the case. I understand the temptation to get takeout or to go out to eat, and if you all think I don't, my words will fall kind of flat, you know? If I never struggled with this stuff, it would kind of ruin my credibility, I think.
I thought I was the only person with an intense desire for a guest room, even though for us it would be empty about 95% of the time!
And Kristen, I feel you on the urge for takeout. I usually just get over it and cook anyway, too, but I would be lying if I said I weren't sometimes sorely tempted to just go through the drive-through.
Yes. Especially lately I have been in a dinner-cooking funk. I have a post in the works about that, actually.
The funny thing about a guest room for me is that as time goes on, the visiting groups get larger and need more than one room. So I usually have to open the dreaded sofabed anyway.
I've been in a cooking funk also, which is not having a good effect on my fridge status, so I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the subject.
And for everyone: Idid my joking tone come through? I can be hard to tell online...
WilliamB, for those of us that have been around here long enough, we know what "tone" to read your comments in.....
You are extremely dry witted, through, and succient.
You remind me of another blogger from Yahoo360....astranavigo.....
I don't think you'd ever offend anyone intentionally....it's just not how you come across.
"I waltz through the house, cheerfully whipping up homemade dinners every night"...that phrase totally cracked me up!
Great post! I still think you are an awesome example, even if you are not "perfect"!
8)
I love this post. It's so nice to be reminded that even the people we most admire aren't perfect and have struggles of their own.
(I shudder to think of our master bathroom shower/bathtub. I try to clean it regularly but it's my most hated household chore, and it's usually absolutely FILTHY by the time I get to it. I'm working on that.)
I'd highly recommend trying the automatic shower cleaner. Push a button everytime you get out of the shower & it sprays the whole thing down & you can go a lot longer between cleanings without it feeling gross. It's not that expensive & you can get refills & they seem to last a decent amount of time (a couple months, depending on how faithful we are to use it every time after a shower). It's been awesome for me. Even my mom (who owns a house cleaning business) recommends it!
Thank you for voiceing what I feel so many times! You are truly an inspiration...I look forward to your blogs every day! Keep up your good work, Kristen!
Perfectly said. Thank you. 🙂
Wow. This post could have gone very wrong. But you turned it in to a blessing. Just for the record, your postings never had that "I am perfect" feeling to me. I enjoy what you share and recommend your recipes to young moms and love them too. Thanks for sharing yourself and God.
I feel now, and have always felt, that you are so real and down to earth. You are a role model for many of us. Thank you for this post and for sharing with us on a daily basis.
Thank you for sharing & being real!
long time reader first time commenter : )
what a blessing to be so honest & transparent! it is very admirable (not to mention refreshing) to hear in a culture that sometimes makes you feel that you need to be a cross between Mrs. Cleaver & Martha Stewart on crack just to stay afloat! lol
Yay! I love it when readers de-lurk!
"my list of blessings is longer than my list of complaints." So true! And a very easy way to remind ourselves to be grateful for all we have!
Thanks for the vulnerability in this post! I think we all feel that way sometimes, but I really love how you end the post with your blessings!
I am a sloppy dishwasher too 🙂 Glad I am not the only one whose dishes get rejected some times!
Mr. FG actually bought me a fancier dishwasher with chopper blades for Christmas about 7-8 years ago (I'm the sort of person who likes receiving that kind of gift!) because he was weary of having dirty dishes come through the dishwasher. Not only do I sloppily wash dishes by hand, I also am quite a fail at rinsing/scraping dishes before I put them in the dishwasher!
Me too. My husband swears that the reason why we keep him around is to 'prewash' the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher.
Thanks for sharing your post today. I know I struggle with a lot of the same thoughts..messy house, sloppy cook & dishwasher, etc., but you had the courage to share it with all of us. I look forward to your posts every day. You are one of my blessings!
Thanks for being real. There are many days especially this summer where I don't feel adequate and worn out. It is nice to hear I am not the only one.
Just keep on blogging like you always have. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." We always knew you weren't perfect--whatever that is.
Thank you! thank you! thank you!
I am a new 'follower', so each posting is a new experience. This one I loved! I'm sure for me it's also about the day to day, week to week chores, but I have monthly freak-outs. Reading through your confessions and others comment, it's a reminder that I'm not alone. The funny part is that when I got to the second half (acknowledging what you know), it brought tears to my eyes. I believe it's because these are truths we all possess, and are what we tend to forget at times. It always a real relief (emotional and otherwise) to remember these. Thank you for the embedded encouragement!
Thanks for the post. Just the kick in the pants I needed. I was/am being really hard on myself this summer and need to focus on what's important. I always look forward to your posts.
And as a back to school mom I'm also stressing about how not ready we are to go school as well.
Kristen this post really cheered me up!
Knowing that sometimes the going is tough or we get tired or fall off the delicious salad making wagon or have spotty floors and yet we still do so much and have so much!
I think that others probably could have lived without knowing the fact that your floor is a little dirty instead of that you make great food and have such a wonderful family but it makes me realize I am not my spotty microwave (because we all have something we're not doing/not perfect at), I'm part of my loving family and my adventurous life.
Kristen,
First off, let me say this: I absolutely LOVE your website and receiving your emails-the photos are fantastic, the recipes are invaluable and I feel as though you are a friend, sharing your life-good, bad and indifferent.
When I first started my website-I ONLY shared the "good" stuff. Well, over time, I realized how "plastic" or unreal that was. So, now, within reason, I share everything. The Good, Bad & the Ugly. People need to know we are real people, living a real life. (Especially in today's economy.) And you do exactly that. You are human. We all are. Sometimes, people have such unrealistic expectations from themselves and others. It works best when the standards are the same for both. It's terribly unfair when people hold others to a higher standard than they hold for themselves. But, that's life. Human beings are flawed. But I am grateful that I serve One who knew that, had a plan and gave me the Grace to grow in that on earth.
Keep on keepin' on, Kristen. I have never felt you have been dishonest. Your sharing and writing etc has helped me so much in so many facets of my life. For that, I am truly grateful.
Blessings to you and yours,
Michelle
Blogging is inevitably subjective. The blogger exercises complete control over what s/he leaves in ... or out. And, because we all want to be appreciated (why else would we blog?), we choose, quite understandably, to emphasise our attributes whilst playing down our faults. So I've never believed you're superwoman Kirsten. Indeed I'm quite prepared to believe that you're just as wonderfully human as I am. I think some of your followers would do well to do likewise. I also think that you should stop worrying so much about what other people think. It's your blog. If readers like it, fine. If they don't, that too is fine.
Though my motivations for blogging are not completely unselfish, at least some of the reasons are that I want to serve my readers, offer help to people who are struggling in this economy, and encourage frugal people to keep on keeping on. It's not just about being appreciated, at least not for me. 🙂 I mean, I'm always encouraged when people appreciate what I do, but the appreciation isn't the sole driver for me.
I *am* delighted to hear that you always knew I wasn't perfect. Yay!
Amen!
Kristen,
I love reading your post. Of course it has to be upbeat otherwise we would all just get a little cranky!!! Your blog is certainly a ministry and you open yourself to verbal attacks and your responses are worded very carefully. Good job. I always look forward to Mondays, Wednesdays, fridays and saturdays!!!
I have been reading your blog for about six months...okay lurking. In addition to learning how to make bread and yogurt for my family you have inspired me to work harder to achieve my goal of staying home or at least cutting back to part time. I think this was a wonderful post. It's just not possible to be perfect and that's okay. Please keep up the good work. I also have to say that I appreciate you listing all your "flaws" and then following it up with the blessings for which you are thankful. Most people stop at the flaws and wish lists. And, that is pretty annoying.
In order to legitimately accuse you of being dishonest, K., one would have to be able to present evidence that you'd been portraying yourself as perfect. And you haven't. End of argument.
However, even with all of what you listed, you are still like twenty times better at being a SAHM than I am. LOL. And I'm okay with that. 😉
Thanks for doing this. Sometimes I DO feel like you do everything perfectly (though I know in my heart that that isn't true...we're ALL sinners!) and it's honestly kinda nice to hear that you struggle with things too...especially money. I try really hard to be content with what we have, and for the most part I am. But sometimes I'm frustrated that we don't have the money for things some of my friends do. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wishes I had more money 🙂 (Even if I'd probably spend it on things I don't need in the first place!)
@Megg - I feel this way too sometimes. But then I try to remember that I don't know the details of my friends's financial situations. They may be spending more than they have. Or they could be skimping on other things that I find really important. So hard, I know... but maybe it helps to gain confidence in your own choices.
I do not believe what you wrote.lol Even though you have difficult days, in your spirit you really count it all joy. We know you are normal.
love you frugal girl.
One of the most appealing aspects of your blog, Kristen, is that it reflects your real life. There are many other blog authors out there who have taken on enormous challenges to own only 100 things, eat only local foods, cook everything from scratch, buy a house without a mortgage, and so on. I don't mean to minimize the challenge of raising four kids, sticking to a budget, keeping the house clean and embracing the joys of life, but it's really refreshing to hear about the every-day successes and failures. Thanks for your honesty in this post.
Beautiful post. Thank you for your honest, uplifting attitude.
I just love this post Kristen.. I admire you for being so open and honest about your personal life.. it really helps us readers feel like we know ya, therefore trusting your advice!! 🙂 Youre AWESOME!
WHAT??????????????????????????????????????
You're not perfect?
You don't bake sweets everyday?
You don't wash the floor everyday ?
The kid's schoolwork is not ready?
SHUT.THE.FRONT.DOOR.
For shame....for shame....what is the world coming to?
I'll tell you what it's coming to:
Jeanine actually knows how to make a meal plan. And USE it!
Jeanine can show her children how to be grateful for things like clean water.
Jeanine can make her own yogurt.
Jeanine can be content with what she has.
Jeanine is extremely happy that she does not have to get up at o'dark o'clock each morning.
Jeanine can make strawberry freezer jam. And blueberry. And mulberry.
Jeanine...well, this is long enough as is.
I your blog, and I love how much I learn when I leave away from here. The rest? Meh...you're human.
That's very encouraging to me. Thank you...I so appreciate hearing how my blog has practically helped you! 🙂
Bless your heart, dear girl. The days of home school have come and gone in my life, and my children are married, two of them with children, and I still don't have it all together. <3
I was fortunate enough to be a full time mother for seven years. During this time, I learned to be very clear in my priorities: people are more important than things. I applied this when I chose to do an enrichment activity with my child rather than deep clean an area of my house. This focus also helped me walk away from buying things, which might have required me to return to work sooner than I was ready, as being a full time mom was a higher priority.
This is my way of saying that your love and devotion to your family come through loud and clear in your blog. Your "confession" of not being perfect and not having a perfectly clean house totally fits with how you are living your life and living your values.
I love your blog! Keep up the good work! You are making the world a better place.
As a fellow homeschooling Mom of four, I identify with most of what you say. BTW I haven't done anything to prepare for next year either. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your summer!
You sound pretty normal to me. If you were perfect, who would even read your blog or even like you? God doesn't make us to be perfect but loves us anyway. I am so unperfect you seem like you have it all together all the time.
I loved that! lol
I honestly thought you were perfect all the time. I mean I read your blog everyday and as much as I try to be inspired I always felt I could never come close to.
I think you are great!!
Your honesty is refreshing.
And please do NOT let people bother you about what you write. I think it takes tremendous courage to write a blog, with pictures and open your life to complete strangers.
Keep up the good work!!!
Liz
Oh my! Imperfection?!?! No! I'll not have it!!
Seriously, I loved this post, but as someone above said, I already knew there was a real person behind the curtain -- wait -- I never SAW a curtain since you consistently present a real life with all its wonder, frustration, struggle, delight, warts, transcendence, sadness, delirium, and oh yes, beauty. I love the cheerful, funny tone, and that you know lots more about a lot of stuff than i do (and can't wait to share it). You never preach perfection -- just "cheerful frugality." I always finish a post feeling a little more energetic, thankful, and happy -- that's my takeaway. Thanks for providing a peek at your wonderfully imperfect and joyful life!
Love the post! I'm grateful that my kids attend a Christian School as at least for me that is one worry out of the way! (homeschooling is not one of my talents!)
It's funny how God looks out for us isn't it? I just so, so needed this post today. I am going to print the last part out and put it in my household management binder so I can look at it regularly.
Oh I hear you on sometimes being discouraged! It's so nice to know I'm not alone in that (or my not so tidy microwave oven, or the fact that I've been having my homeschool freak out for at least 2 weeks and its still July!). The one thing that keeps me reading is your optimism in spite of the daily realities and occasional shortcomings that get in the way! Enjoyed that you ended your post in such a positive way!
I had been following your posts for a few years but had to stop because I was getting in the trap of "If I were as together as Kristen . . . " Thanks to your post, I now realize I am quite ahead of you! I honestly believe the scum in my shower is making it more waterproof. When we moved 6 years ago, the carpet was a sort of eggshell color. I am starting to like the beige.
Honestly, thank you. It keeps it in perspective to remember that when we read 'we had a picnic in the park today . . . ' we are only seeing a small part of your day. I think we sometimes assume that when someone does something 'right' that everything else is also that way. If we read between the lines, it will probably say something like, "I ditched cleaning AGAIN and we had a picnic in the park today." 🙂
Here are a few funny things I do. I hit the alarm button when I don't want to get up and sleep a little longer. Sometimes a little trash piles up in the car. Sometimes I get mad and say things I do not want to but, I always try to say I am sorry. Nobody is perfect but we try.
Just a thought from an older woman reader...your posts remind me so much of my life growing up in the 50's...you seem like a modern version of my mother and I mean this in a very good way. I love reading about your daily family life.
you are definitely a blessing to your many readers.
you are an inspiration, but a realistic one. i love that you show that you aren't perfect and that life doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
Loved this post!
Here's a tip for cleaning the microwave: Place a large measuring cup filled with water inside and run the micro for about three minutes. Let it sit with the door closed for a few minutes and then run it again for a minute or two. When you open the door, splatters of all types will be easily vanquished with just a swipe of a sponge (or frugal rag). I did this to my BF's microwave yesterday (it was fairly gross) and he thought I'd tackled a really big chore.
I can't begin to count all the blessings I have received from TFG. Please keep doing what you're doing at whatever pace suits you and your family.
I seriously admire you even more for being willing to paint the not so picture perfect persona people are always trying to show off. God has blessed you so well it's no wonder your willing to always look at the good.
I thoroughly enjoyed!!
Oh Kristen don't shatter the illusion haha! 🙂 Only joking! Nobody's perfect nor is anyone's life, but just checking in on your day and seeing how much you put into your family life inspires me to do the same! 🙂
I read your blog because of the great tips and also the upbeat-ness. I've stopped reading so many others because every second post is about how down and troubled life has them. And when i started reading this post i was weary that that bug had bitten you and i'd have to stop reading. But it was so wonderfully redeemed by the second bit.
Sure, there's room for encouragement by relating to daily struggles... but why dwell on that in a forum like this? People soon get stuck in that mindset and think, because Kirsten feels that way, that it's okay to be that way.
I read blogs to be inspired and energised, not wallow in and validate my negative experiences.
So many things on this post are me... too many to admit really!! LOL Good to know I'm not alone.
I'm so glad I have inspired your confessions of a REAL PERSON Post!!! I feel better about myself already! 🙂 Especially since I fell asleep on the couch the afternoon and REALLY don't feel like making dinner tonight. But since I know that you're in the same place as I am I will have a little bit of a spring in my step and get to making dinner.
Thank you for being honest that you aren't perfect. You still rank pretty high on my amazing people list though! Maybe you should have your readers email you a few of our favorite things about you. I think you'd be surprised at how wonderful we all think you are.
🙂
Karyn
Thanks for posting, I am so glad that I am not the only mom who gets envious of others who send their children to school, and has not yet gotten everything together for school yet.
This was very encouraging to me, your friend was right. Even though we all know you are normal it's nice to have it in writing, so we actually believe it.
You're a mess! ..... just like the rest of us. That's why I'm so thankful for grace! Hey, it's usually two weeks between bathroom cleaning here and I don't have any kids at home anymore. Keep doing what you're doing. Love your blog.
Wow!
I really needed that today! I think more people should be honest in this world. It's easy to feel like you're on an island until other's share that they feel exactly the same! It's too hard to be wonderful at everything, but yet, it seems that we women/mothers put this on ourselves.
Thanks again!
Have a tremendously great day!