*hello* I'm Michelle, and I am okay


Last week was a struggle.  Nothing was really wrong.... some frustrations, but not anything big.  But, I found myself snippy and complaining and plain frustrated.  
I read so many blog posts about how to be, how to keep it together and *keeping it real*
But, they all still seem too perfect still....

It isn't perfect here... but I am not going to show you what my messy house looks like... I am not going to give you the token messy shot.  You want keeping it real... well, here it is.....

Sometimes I don't like deep, meaningful friendships...sometimes I want someone who will obsess over what color I need to paint the back of my secretary.  Maybe someone to drool over a celeb crush.  Or someone that doesn't want to analyze every. little. thing. Shallowness.... nothing wrong with it. 


I don't watch the news... I am not up to date with world happenings.  The news depresses me.  I don't want to hear horrific things... I don't want to shut my eyes and see death and dying.  But, when I read about a sick child or animal, I feel it.  In my bones.  I cry with you.  But, do I want to hear horrific stories?  No, I don't. 


I don't want to read "bettering" books.  Because, deep down, I really like myself.  Maybe not the extra pounds I want to lose or my frizzy hair.  But, my personality with all its flaws, I like it.  I know it.
I like that I know how to read a story just right to my little boy.  And, I like that I have excellent taste on music (or so I think.)  And, I like my style.  I enjoy going overboard for birthday parties and such.  For my baby and for us, because you know what... maybe the Mr. and I  will only get one 2nd birthday.
And, I like that I don't wear socks that match. 

I am just materialistic enough to like things like little blue boxes and designer bags but know that those things aren't essential and can live without them and still be happy. 

And, I wear perfume sometimes that I think smells good even though my husband doesn't care for it and my bff loathes it.  My sister loves it and says it is me.

I can't tell you when my monster last ate a veggie (except for guacamole.)


I don't need to have a girl's night out.  I know that I am okay without one.  That maybe my therapy and let looseness involves picking up a paintbrush and painting a chair my favorite shade of green.
I am almost 32 years old (eek) and I know myself well enough to know what I need and what is important.
And, sometimes that is reading Owl Babies several times a day instead of cleaning the blasted shower.


I truly would give up my right to vote if it meant staying at home with my baby.  Girls, I am not a women's lib type of lady... I am not a go-getter CEO type.  

And, you know what?  I like myself enough to even name a piece of furniture after myself.
Silly as it may seem... this chair is me.


*Michelle*
Green, not red,
Black and white 
Vintage and modern

So, while I hope you like her (and me)
I like her (and me)
Perfectly imperfect, unshaven legs and all.

Bye for now!
 

45 comments:

  1. You are wise beyond your 32 years...said from someone who often fights the green monster and is 6 years older. :) I LOVE this chair. Why can't I be bolder with color? Tomorrow I'm going to get some paint..and a few canvases. Look out world. I've been struggling with just finding my own way through the long days my 4 kiddos are at school. Silly as there were many a day when they were home and little that it was really tough. BUT I miss them, and it's a balancing act between feeding my soul, serving my family and others, and taking care of this old house. Ah...maybe I just need to paint a chair. Love it!

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  2. awesome post... I am trying to think back to 32 and whether I liked myself that much, I think I did but I am way more sure of myself and who I am and really love myself now, quirks and all at 49! I have never apologized to anyone for not wanting to be a career woman and as for my job well, I'm a mom, creator, lunch maker, home designer/maker, artist and jokester. I'm good with that actually, I'm great with that! Thanks for the post, and for allowing me to jump on your bandwagon of sorts! Theresa xoxo

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  3. Best thing I've read in ages! You are ahead of your time. Thank you...

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  4. Hi Michelle,
    Sounds like you got it all together and that's something to be proud of!
    Your life is all about you - live it how you want and love every minute of it. The more you like yourself, the better it is!

    I love the Michelle chair...bright, pretty, cheery and fun!

    Hope you have a great week ~
    Sarah

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  5. Perfection is overrated anyways...my kids like that i make mistakes and can learn from them. They are now old enough to have told me so. Stick with what you enjoy. The other stuff will fall into place.

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  6. I like you too, Michelle...just the way you are.
    ...and your green Michelle chair!
    :)

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  7. This is the most beautiful chair I have ever seen!

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  8. When my kids were little, I threatened to cross stitch this and hang it on my front door. On the outside. It may be paraphrased, but it's the way I love it . . .

    Cleaning and dusting can wait till tomorrow,
    But babies grow up as we learn to our sorrow.
    So go away cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
    I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

    :) I think you are a very wise woman.
    ~Debbi

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  9. I really found this post refreshing!

    Loved your post/Love your chair named "Michelle"

    Cindy

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  10. Couldn't leave without stopping by also to say hello as I play blog hop this evening. Nice to meet you ....I also don't watch the news on TV. Love the "Michelle" chair.....

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  11. Michelle....she is beautiful and so are you! Cant tell you without blabbering but you havent a clue sometimes that you will type something and someone, somewhere just needed to hear just that! Thanks so much...xoxoxo

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  12. this post only confirms my thoughts on you...that you are completely wonderful! i'm 35, oy vey, and i know myself well enough to know that i'm so happy i get to call you my friend. and your chair is fabulous!

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  13. You go girl. Be you, and heck, I'll obsess over color chips any ole time. :)

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  14. Glad to know that all is well, love the chair. I'm working on some chairs as well.

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  15. Were you reading my mind when you wrote this?? And guacamole is very good for you :)

    -Rene

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  16. michelle, i just turned 32. i believe in women's rights and am all for women taking charge and so on, but for me personally... it' not me. i am also not CEO material... don't like the corporate ladder or having to step on people to get up to the top. i believe in staying home with my kids. and i just shaved my legs, but only for myself because they were getting kind of prickly and itchy. ;) love your honesty.

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  17. great post, i can relate. and i LOVE the chair!

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  18. I knew there was a reason I like you so much and this post just says it all....and I would rather obsess over a paint color then world politics or what is deep down in the bottom of my soul screaming to come out too!! And the chair, fantastic, I absolutely love it, the green is perfection...now are you keeping it or selling it?? I am so glad that you know yourself and to be completely honest cause we are doing that, right? I don't like self help books either and I think if you have to preach how perfect you are, or expect others to pat you on the back for everything you do, then you are not alright with yourself...uhem...sorry, honesty! xo

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  19. I love this post! I don't normally comment here, but I adore your blog and have enjoyed shopping your etsy shop (grey transferware plate on its way to me as we speak...yippee!). Your chair looks fabulous, and I agree with your sentiments. I'm so glad I have a couple of friends who don't need to be heavy or serious all the time -- it offsets the ones who do!
    Have a lovely day, Michelle!
    Amy

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  20. I absolutely, totally, 100% love this manifesto you've created here!

    You keep being you, because you are marvelous just the way you are.

    Hugs a'plenty,
    Anne

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  21. I knew there was a reason I kept coming back to your blog! Love this. And love you for putting it out there.

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  22. What a great post! It really spoke to me & I completely get where you're coming from!

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  23. I enjoyed reading your post. Great insight into yourself ;)

    By the way, I have a giveaway you might like :
    http://www.lifeologia.com/category/giveaways/

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  24. LOL...love this post...we are so alike, it isn't even funny! ;) Love the chair friend.

    Smiles,
    rachel

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  25. This is my favorite post!!! I love everything about it and i adore your chair... YOU!!!
    xo,
    LuLu

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  26. Couldn't have said it better myself. Great post. Love the fabric on Michelle too!

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  27. If not for the distance, I am utterly convinced that we'd be best friends. Thank you for all the tips and advice with my random projects (that are total copies of your projects).

    If I were perfect, I would have emailed you the pictures I promised by now AND I would have figured out how to re-cover the chair in that blasted robin fabric. (When things calm down over there, maybe you can fill me in on your approach. I'm pretty sure it's the exact same chair with exposed springs on the bottom. I was totally prepared for recovering a cushion, but this is over my head.)

    Love the new chair!

    ~ Andrea

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  28. I just found your blog and it is so refreshing to see someone that does not need to impress anyone but herself and her family. Family is what counts and you have it spot on enjoy reading to your little one. Get some chicken just for fun and be happy. Join Down to Earth and find out how to live simply.

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  29. From one unshaven girl to another...I so get this post...and I get you...and like you just the way you are ;o)

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  30. i absolutely love this post! Great writing. Love the chair, everything about it!!!!

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  31. From one Michelle to another...I am at home with my kiddies while many of my friends go to work, daycare, work, meeting, rush rush rush and feel utterly out of control. While I can't say I feel I am in control but I am happy and feel content to be at home and be ME!!

    Cheers, Michelle

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  32. I am new to your blog, which I found after clicking through various links from Southern Living. I am loving Vintage Junky and have been perusing your archives instead of working!

    I live in Seattle, but am a Tennessee native. This October, I will be visiting my hometown in TN for the first time since we moved away in the late 70s (!!). I would love to get some recommendations from you on where to eat and shop for vintage goods while I am there. I'll send you an email so that we can be in touch, if you don't mind.

    What you've stated in this post is lovely. I agree--just be yourself. Didn't Dr. Seuss say there is no one alive who is youer than you?

    jbhat

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  33. Michelle,

    Life is messy. It's as simple and complicated as that. Anyone who blogs otherwise is writing fiction.

    I emailed you.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

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  34. Oooo.... pretty....

    So glad I'm not the only one....

    Hearty greetings once again from sunny South Africa!

    Cecilia

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  35. Thanks everyone for all the positiveness! I love it! I feel like I put myself out there and have gotten to know some of you so much better.

    ~jbhat~ yes, please email me and let me know what area you will be in and I would be happy to suggest some places to eat, and more importantly SHOP!
    michelle@vintagejunky.com

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  36. Oh my gosh, I love this post so much! And Michelle the Chair too :)
    Thanks so much for writing this. I am nearing 32 also and am just now starting to accept the things I can't change :)

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  37. What a fun post. Love the green chair. I love visiting here. Have a wonderful Thursday,
    Sherry

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  38. One more thing forgot to mention got stuck on the chair. I love your over the top parties. I am keeping notes you are so creative. Might copy a couple of your ideas. K?

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  39. Amen, Michelle! :)

    xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

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  40. That chair is TOO DIE FOR! But I am not surprised, everything you touch turns into a jewel.
    You are number one!! Remember that always.

    kisses and hugs from Coco!

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  41. I couldn't have said it any better. It's good to know what is important in life, and you found it ;)

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