(no subject)
Some families/ people have their look together. The house is pristine. The car is flashy. Dad mows the lawn every second weekend, drinks beer and cooks BBQs with his polo wearing 'mates'. The mum has nutritious Donna Hay inspired meals on the table each night. The 2.5 kids and the family pet. In Nyah West when I was 5, it was the Beinda Sides', Michael Correnti's, Tanya Jollie's. Their parents were young, friends with each other and lived in town. They rode their bikes to school with their proud red triangle flags. In primary school it was the Carly Rose's, the Lauren Davies', the Michelle Briggs' that had my envy. THey lived in brick houses on the same street in Pialba and were always dressed in cute clothes. My mothers priority was not taming our hair or dressing us in cute frocks. Her mission was spreading a thin budget to give us every opportunity she was denied. Swimming/dancing/piano/guitar/brownies/athletics. We moved 'into town' for the first time when I entered year 9. I was excited, I thought I was nearing the domain I envied - but I never felt I got there. We had a brick home, a new holden. The home was big but the 1.25 acre garden was seldom in control. The car was an aqua green that I was a little unsure about. Our Dog was a mutt that would never pose in D&G gear. My parents were that little bit too old.
As an adult, those desires seem laughable. I am typing this in my old room. Jenny is home for the weekend and is pleasing mum with her attendance at church. I am puppy sitting Dudley, the prized toy poodle, who dislikes me and the attention I steal from his 'mummy'. While Carey, my adored mutt sits uncomplaining outside my window on this dank, gloomy winter's day. Dudley wears D&G and is ferried around in the Lexus 4 wheel drive, head outside in the wind.
I am nearing the age of some of the parents of my primary school friends. It puts a different spin on things!! If I reflect on the families I envied, I can summise a few things. They were young, working class and had a good network of friends. They were not loaded, but mum put energy into presentation. They made good choices with the bank accounts they had.
I no longer want the picture perfect life I once envied. A football loving husband, 2.5 kids, a maltese terrior, a 2008 holden commodore in a little suburban brick house would make me claustrophobic and nauseous. I desire a more colourful life.
But I do value the presence of friends and good presentation.
It is easy to be slob. It is easy to focus on work and leave looks on the back burner. What do you get in the end? A haggard, tired, boring life. Alternatively, you could invest in your look. It's more enviable than a bank a/c.
As an adult, those desires seem laughable. I am typing this in my old room. Jenny is home for the weekend and is pleasing mum with her attendance at church. I am puppy sitting Dudley, the prized toy poodle, who dislikes me and the attention I steal from his 'mummy'. While Carey, my adored mutt sits uncomplaining outside my window on this dank, gloomy winter's day. Dudley wears D&G and is ferried around in the Lexus 4 wheel drive, head outside in the wind.
I am nearing the age of some of the parents of my primary school friends. It puts a different spin on things!! If I reflect on the families I envied, I can summise a few things. They were young, working class and had a good network of friends. They were not loaded, but mum put energy into presentation. They made good choices with the bank accounts they had.
I no longer want the picture perfect life I once envied. A football loving husband, 2.5 kids, a maltese terrior, a 2008 holden commodore in a little suburban brick house would make me claustrophobic and nauseous. I desire a more colourful life.
But I do value the presence of friends and good presentation.
It is easy to be slob. It is easy to focus on work and leave looks on the back burner. What do you get in the end? A haggard, tired, boring life. Alternatively, you could invest in your look. It's more enviable than a bank a/c.