A while back some friends of mine from college, each posted a list of ”Confessions” in which they shared some of the little secrets about them others most likely would not know; or at least secrets that they previously wouldn’t want people to know! While these weren’t deep inner thoughts that would be inappropriate to share with the rest of the world, they were parts of their personality or “not so great” habits they admitted they’d like to change. You know…those things we may struggle with feeling a little guilty about, but have not been convicted strongly enough to fix. (Or maybe I should say, we’ve not been obedient enough to change??? I’ll let you decide for yourself.)
While their posts certainly made me smile (let’s face it there is something kind of humorous in having a drawer full of wedding thank you’s that were written but never sent), I really admired these girls for their willingness to unveil the truth of their lives in an effort to bring accountability. So, I’ve decided to do the same. In no particular order, here are my confessions:
1. I never wash my face at night eventhough I know I should. I’m sure someday soon this will come back to haunt me, but for now I am simply so tired that I forgo taking care of my skin in an effort to get more sleep. That extra 60 seconds seems well worth it.
2. I am not a fan of pets. I like animals in nature. I like them even more in the zoo where I know they can’t touch me. And I LOVE the idea of a family Christmas photo that includes the good ole’ Golden Retriever. But, I am not one of those people who has a natural love for caring for one in my house. I get far too grossed out by the fur, slobber, and “other stuff”. And no matter how much you try and convince me that it’s just like having a kid, I’ll have to disagree.
3. I sometimes pretend that I am listening to my husband when he talks about work and tries to explain his latest “missile launching project”, when really he lost me after the first two minutes. (This is one I definitely need to work on! The poor guy!) Then, I try to justify it because I’m not an engineer and will never understand what he’s talking about.
4. I am worse than most men when it comes to going to the doctor. I avoid it at all possible costs, primarily because they scare me. I get nervous just pulling into the parking lot and I think I am more afraid of getting my blood pressure taken (I hate that thing!) than I am of the fact that I could be sick.
5. I sometimes try to coordinate my son’s outfits with my husband’s clothes or mine. Totally cheesy, but I think it’s cute.
6. I care way too much about what other people think of me and therefore frequently get caught up in the vicious cycle of comparison.
7. I still love to watch Beverly Hills 90210. (Ok, totally embarrassing. As if that show wasn’t a bad enough influence the first time around!) Thankfully I don’t get the channel that plays the re-runs of this teenage soap opera, but I love when I visit my parents and can find it on their t.v.
8. I can count on one hand the times I’ve left the house without makeup, even for things like exercising. Definitely working on the whole vanity/insecurity thing these days. Not that I think being able to leave the house without makeup every now and then would indicate I’ve overcome that obstacle, but it would certainly be a start in the right direction.
9. I think it’s kind of fun to lie. Now, before you think I am just awful, you must know that I am not referring to lying to avoid a consequence, to hide something, or to hurt others. I am more talking about making up stories just to see if I can get someone to believe me (particularly my husband, but he’s onto my game so it doesn’t always work.) I somehow get a sick satisfaction in knowing that I am at least a little convincing. Oh…and for the record, I am also notorious for exaggerating, which I guess is also kind of like lying. Paul thinks all of this is really just due to my inner desire to be an actress.
10. I hate Auntie Anne’s pretzels. Just the smell of them makes me sick to the stomach. I even avoid walking by them in the mall as much as possible. And while this may be a stretch to place in a list of “confessions”, my husband thinks it’s just plain sinful. So, I decided to include it.
There you have it folks. The real Kate. Definitely a work in progress…Thank you, Lord!!!
Zoanna said,
November 4, 2006 at 2:54 pm
” I sometimes try to coordinate my son’s outfits with my husband’s clothes or mine. Totally cheesy, but I think it’s cute.” I think it’s cute, too. One day when Joel was six months old, Sarah dressed him in navy and khaki for church to match her outfit. I didn’t realize till we got in the van that the older boys were also wearing those colors, which totally embarrassed them. So of course I made them all stay in those clothes while I did I photo shoot after church. (They insisted I do that indoors, which I obliged. I LOVE those pics to this day!)
. I care way too much about what other people think of me and therefore frequently get caught up in the vicious cycle of comparison.
I do believe this is a human problem. Even people who say they don’t care what other people think are often the first ones to make some of kind of statement to the contrary. Not always a verbal statement, but still.
I’ll probably copy your idea for a post of this sort soon. Is that OK?
Kate said,
November 4, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Zoanna…Thanks for responding. I totally agree with what you said about caring about what other people think. It is certainly hard to find the balance. I would love it if you wrote a similar post. I was actually going to encourage others to do so but didn’t want to place any pressure. It was definitely a liberating experience.:)
Danielle said,
November 5, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Yeah, I totally pegged you as a non-animal person!
I’m not too crazy about them in the house either, but I love animals. I grew up with them outside though. I feel bad about keeping a dog pent up in the house, they need room to run!
Yeah, I’m sure most people can identify with you about comparison and caring what people think. I think everyone struggles with that in different areas. I’m very competitive so I often fall into that trap too.
Danielle said,
November 5, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Hey, your avitar showed up, but mine didn’t! Hmm.
bethyoung said,
November 5, 2006 at 8:44 pm
This was cute. Most of it, I already knew and I don’t know you that well yet
You ARE easy to peg! It’s good, though, nothing bad. I feel you on the not leaving the house without makeup thing. Mine is because my skin is gross, you on the other hand have gorgeous skin and have no reason to always have make up on!!!! I should list my confessions but they wouldn’t stop at 10!
Vicki said,
November 6, 2006 at 10:10 am
Hi Kate. I loved the list of confessions, and thought it was time for me to share mine. My name is Vicki and I am friends with Brianna and Amanda Joy. I attend the Sovereign Grace Church in Indiana, PA. I stumbled upon your blog back in May (along with several of your friends… Dance by the Light, A Penchant for Pens, Kidbits, Joe’s Jottings, On an Enchanted Journey, and of course Bri’s and Amanda’s blogs.) I have wanted to write many times to let you all know that I have really enjoyed your blogs, and since I know some of your friends, I feel like I know you. I invite you to check out my blog (seems only fair, otherwise I seem like a stalker…) at http://mayberry4me.blogspot.com/.
(I use the name Tori on my blog and don’t write about information that would identify me because I have written about struggles on my job and didn’t want my boss to find my blog.)
Thank you for sharing your life with me (even though you didn’t know it.) You ladies have taught me so much. I am a 35 year old single woman and it is nice to hear family stories. (I also don’t take my make-up off at night. I did for two nights in a row recently and woke up with zits – or blemishes as my mother calls them – all over my face…) Now that you know who I am, I will comment in the future… Vicki
erin said,
November 6, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Kate,
I’m with you on the “not listening to your husband” confession… mine is just with computer/car lingo instead of engineering stuff, but the same general concept! I only *sometimes* get caught.
Erin
JenMom@lotsofscotts said,
November 6, 2006 at 9:04 pm
I just found you completely by accident, but thanks to this list I will be back. I could have totally written half your list: 1, 2, 3, 6 & 8.
Megan said,
November 7, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Seriously Kate – who would have a drawer of unsent wedding thank you cards? I don’t think I know anyone would do that!
You are beautiful inside and out – thanks for your honest sharing…
Amanda Joy said,
November 8, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Alright I must say… I can truly, truly, truly appreciate your honesty, especially 90210 : )
melanie said,
April 3, 2008 at 8:19 am
FYI: They are releasing a new 90210 TV show. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03202008/tv/plotting_90210_102730.htm
Just thought you might like to know!