It's no secret that I'm a bit of a klutz. I'm not particularly refined and if it all, only a little sophisticated when I try to fake it. I'm okay with this however and have tried to appreciate my own strengths and improve my weaknesses...one of those being that I'm a bit like a bull in a China shop.
Growing up, I somehow managed to break at least two or three pieces of each set of Corell or stoneware my mother would acquire. I even managed to destroy some of my mom's favorite Tupperware. AND TUPPERWARE IS PLASTIC!
In the refinement and sophistication department, I've always struggled. Beautiful Mary K. moved to my hometown and immediately was called to work with the young women over the age of 12 and under the age of 18 in our church congregation. She was a southern belle and the epitome of grace and dignity.
It was for this reason that mom recruited her for help when I decided, as boorish as I am, to try out for the "Miss Teen of Utah Pageant" as a sophomore. Remember, at this point I'm still hopelessly girlie just not quite feminine.
Mary helped me immensely that spring and when the pageant rolled around, I was able to avoiding tripping on my long Pepto-Bismal Pink, puffed sleeved get-up and proclaim for all in attendance, "I'm Trishelle from Dugway, where the wild Mustangs run free!" (No one else needs to take responsibility for that one.) and proceeded to throw my fist in the air not unlike Judd Nielson at the end of 'The Breakfast Club". There went my attempt at refined femininity.
Growing up, I somehow managed to break at least two or three pieces of each set of Corell or stoneware my mother would acquire. I even managed to destroy some of my mom's favorite Tupperware. AND TUPPERWARE IS PLASTIC!
In the refinement and sophistication department, I've always struggled. Beautiful Mary K. moved to my hometown and immediately was called to work with the young women over the age of 12 and under the age of 18 in our church congregation. She was a southern belle and the epitome of grace and dignity.
It was for this reason that mom recruited her for help when I decided, as boorish as I am, to try out for the "Miss Teen of Utah Pageant" as a sophomore. Remember, at this point I'm still hopelessly girlie just not quite feminine.
Mary helped me immensely that spring and when the pageant rolled around, I was able to avoiding tripping on my long Pepto-Bismal Pink, puffed sleeved get-up and proclaim for all in attendance, "I'm Trishelle from Dugway, where the wild Mustangs run free!" (No one else needs to take responsibility for that one.) and proceeded to throw my fist in the air not unlike Judd Nielson at the end of 'The Breakfast Club". There went my attempt at refined femininity.
I've gotten better though and that clumsy awkward phase has thankfully passed. But I still regularly run into walls, smile with food in between my teeth and fall up stairs.
Perhaps this is why I have NEVER had the ambition to own or be responsible for China Dinnerware.
But this weekend, as I was visiting my beloved friends, Diana, Vern, Judy and Jean, they bestowed upon me a very generous gift: a pristine 48-piece set of China. After her husband died, Jean relocated to be with her sister. Her daughter did not want it so she has given it to me.
I was so incredibly touched and terrified at the same time. But, the moment she handed me a dinner plate, I finally realized why people love China. It is beautiful. It made me want to be sophisticated and refined.
Upon returning home, I called my mother to tell her about the sweet gift and in turn, she recommended that we use it every Sunday. Good idea...unless my history of clumsiness takes a turn for the worst.
So, we ate our first Sunday China meal. He-Man commented on how this is a great opportunity to teach our little girls about good manners. I whole-heartedly agreed and secretly thought, "Hey! Me too! Maybe this'll teach me a thing or two."
As a side note, the first thing I pulled out of the box was a sugar bowl and it's lid. 2.2 seconds later, I dropped the lid and chipped the top. Luckily, it was nothing superglue couldn't fix.
If there only there was a superglue for being a klutz.
Perhaps this is why I have NEVER had the ambition to own or be responsible for China Dinnerware.
But this weekend, as I was visiting my beloved friends, Diana, Vern, Judy and Jean, they bestowed upon me a very generous gift: a pristine 48-piece set of China. After her husband died, Jean relocated to be with her sister. Her daughter did not want it so she has given it to me.
I was so incredibly touched and terrified at the same time. But, the moment she handed me a dinner plate, I finally realized why people love China. It is beautiful. It made me want to be sophisticated and refined.
Upon returning home, I called my mother to tell her about the sweet gift and in turn, she recommended that we use it every Sunday. Good idea...unless my history of clumsiness takes a turn for the worst.
So, we ate our first Sunday China meal. He-Man commented on how this is a great opportunity to teach our little girls about good manners. I whole-heartedly agreed and secretly thought, "Hey! Me too! Maybe this'll teach me a thing or two."
As a side note, the first thing I pulled out of the box was a sugar bowl and it's lid. 2.2 seconds later, I dropped the lid and chipped the top. Luckily, it was nothing superglue couldn't fix.
If there only there was a superglue for being a klutz.
7 comments:
I love it!! I'm sure that pregnancy butter-fingers have a little to do with current clumsiness. At least that's what I blame my butter-fingers on. :o)
China dinnerware IS elegant and how fun to have your very own set!
I love it. The best part is if it breaks you can almost always find it on ebay!!! I did.
I love using beautiful dishes! I bought my china over 23 years ago when we bought our house for $10 for each full service for 4. Little did I know that it is actually a very expensive set that was mismarked on the back with the wrong name. Surprise! I love it all the more cause I got such a good deal...and I don't care what is printed on the back!
Using nice dishes on Sundays is a great idea! You will have wonderful memories with your kids, and your kids won't inherit your butter-finger fears!
Wow! What an awesome gift. I grew up with a beautiful set that my mother used on a fairly regular basis, and I learned how to be careful AND mannerly. Now I wish I had a set so I could infuse some manners into my boys. It's a constant struggle.
And I wish I'd met you one year sooner. The more you talk about this pageant, the more I wish I'd been there. :)
China on Sunday- good idea! I have China from when we got married and have never used it. It just sits in my ottoman/chest upstairs.
-Alyssa
So cool, those are beautiful. And I love your idea of working on manners each Sunday at your special Sunday dinner. You guys are brilliant.
And I'm soooo with you on the klutz thing. About a month ago I managed to break 6 of our 10 IKEA bowls all at once. The same day I bought them. I wanted to just go bang my head against a wall for a while. :)
Post a Comment