I love reading blogs of women who photograph charming "still lifes" of their cute and cozy homes. A bowl of fresh fruit. A delightfully domestic breakfast nook, with hand-made lace curtains draped over a quaint little window. Some days I take up my camera and hunt for cute or charming arrangements in my home to share with the blog world. But there is little in the way of charm to be found in the corners of my home. Most of my "domestic bliss" photos come out looking like rejected freelance work for "Bleak Living" or "Depressing Nursing Home Charm" or "These Prison Walls Monthly Journal." Sometimes I coax myself into thinking of my photos, at best, are artistic and "Wyeth-esque."
Sigh. Today started out with the best of intentions. I woke up early and got all ready and prepped to take V. to her well-baby check up. I even gave her a bath. I even put on makeup, in effort to look like I was "one of those moms" who "has it all together." So I went with paper-work in hand, and directions to the new clinic... only to arrive and be told that I was late. V.'s appointment was scheduled 20 minutes earlier. This sincerely flabbergasted me, because I had it written down in several places that her appointment was at 10:40, not 10:20. But I didn't get upset or anything, I had no reason to because I'm used to making stupid little mistakes like this, though I avoid them as much as I can. Fortunately I don't think I'll be charged a "no show" fee, since it was our first visit to V.'s new pediatrician... plus, we were able to reschedule for next week. Then later on I tried twice, unsuccessfully, to put V. in the new silly, expensive, baby carrier contraption I just "had to have" because I was convinced it would end all of my housekeeping woes, parenting problems, help with weight loss and, while I'm at it, solve world peace. Even V. laughed at me as I wrestled with the straps and buckles... desperately fenagling my way to a perfect mother-child bond. Her laughing made me laugh, too, though, both at myself and at the situation. Here I am, angrily losing a heated battle with super-baby-carrier, just so she and I can be "in harmony" as I scrub the kitchen sink. I thought of the hippy woman on the instruction video who effortlessly shimmied her baby into the carrier... crazy A.P. people! ;)
Now, V. is sleeping, exhausted from her busy day of putting up with her mommy's unnecessary and crazy antics.
10 comments:
Oh Katie, it isnt so hard to parent. You have a sense of humor, which gets ahead of the game everytime.
Happy mommy happy baby:)
LOL! I think we are a lot alike Katie...Sounds like me when I tried to get Hannah in her Maya wrap on my back. She kept sliding down and I was so frustrated and sweaty by the time I figured it out I was too tired to scrub that darn sink!
LOL! I think we are a lot alike Katie...Sounds like me when I tried to get Hannah in her Maya wrap on my back. She kept sliding down and I was so frustrated and sweaty by the time I figured it out I was too tired to scrub that darn sink!
I agree with Susan.
And, I've lived in my house five years with nary a decorating touch.
Ha! I've tried to find a charming corner in my house to photograph. There isn't one. Or maybe it's my cheap camera's fault, it just doesn't capture character. If character means piles of laundry and a carpet in desperate need of vacuuming.
Next time just put a poloroid border around your shot and you can say it's in the style of Walker Evans.
He's one of my favorite photographers.
I just love you! As a closet prop stylist who spends a ridiculous about of time creating little corner still lifes, this post is highly refreshing :).
XK,
You are so cool. Seriously. BTW, i love little Froggy poking her head up in that picture.
the laundry piles on my dresser, chair and floor are WAY bigger than yours. and much much less charming!
i love the picture of you two :)
I love the picture you posted. It is very domestic and has a peacefulness about it. The way the light coming from an apparent window on the right lays itself on the wall.
I love the mix of colors on the table top.
Lovely. Just lovely. You should print it out and frame it.
I read this earlier but was never able to comment! Great post :) I agree with the "corners" photo bit. I usually just end up feeling discontent after perusing those and glare at my piles and under-decorated corners. I've realize though that those women have to clean up the danged corner and stage the shots. So maybe they have a better eye, or better taste or more money than I do but hey, messes and WORK are universal!
Post a Comment