Pretty or Smart?
So here's the deal. I'm simply nutzo for sewing. Allow me to illustrate. This is a picture of my very first plush creation in January (it's a manatee, awful, but a manatee no less):
And this is the basset hound I made yesterday:
It turns out that practice really does make perfect. I'm unstoppable. But that by no means implies that my life as I otherwise know it simply stopped the second I plugged in my sewing machine.
For example, Pixie has been up to her usual foolishness. She's obsessed with her long hair and insists that it's her one, divine quality. I was attempting to straighten up her hair after a windblown day at the park and pushed her overgrown bangs behind her ear. "Mom, stop that! You're making me look like a short, little man!" I asked her what she meant. "Princesses always have their hair in their faces like this," she said as she raked her bangs back across her eyes and peered seductivly at me from behind the hairy veil. I swear I didn't teach her that.
Which reminds me, I should probably be teaching her more because the other evening my husband Spike asked her, "Pixie, would you rather be pretty or smart?"
"Ooooh, pretty! It's so embarrassing to be smart!"
Ever since then, my bedtime stories have detailed how the princesses use math and linguistic skills to defeat the evil dragons rather than a handy prince. Let's pray to the heavens it isn't too little too late.
My all time favorite answer to the "pretty or smart" question came from my nephew when he was five years old. "Sam, would you rather marry someone who was pretty or someone who was smart?" He replied without a second's hesitation.
"Pretty. Because if they are dumb you can just teach 'em stuff."
So life rolls on at the Flake house. I apologize, (as usual) for the pathetic posting. I'm going to punish myself by making a big batch of turtle stuffed animals this morning. Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Oh, and I'd rather marry someone pretty as well. Spike is a total hottie.
And this is the basset hound I made yesterday:
It turns out that practice really does make perfect. I'm unstoppable. But that by no means implies that my life as I otherwise know it simply stopped the second I plugged in my sewing machine.
For example, Pixie has been up to her usual foolishness. She's obsessed with her long hair and insists that it's her one, divine quality. I was attempting to straighten up her hair after a windblown day at the park and pushed her overgrown bangs behind her ear. "Mom, stop that! You're making me look like a short, little man!" I asked her what she meant. "Princesses always have their hair in their faces like this," she said as she raked her bangs back across her eyes and peered seductivly at me from behind the hairy veil. I swear I didn't teach her that.
Which reminds me, I should probably be teaching her more because the other evening my husband Spike asked her, "Pixie, would you rather be pretty or smart?"
"Ooooh, pretty! It's so embarrassing to be smart!"
Ever since then, my bedtime stories have detailed how the princesses use math and linguistic skills to defeat the evil dragons rather than a handy prince. Let's pray to the heavens it isn't too little too late.
My all time favorite answer to the "pretty or smart" question came from my nephew when he was five years old. "Sam, would you rather marry someone who was pretty or someone who was smart?" He replied without a second's hesitation.
"Pretty. Because if they are dumb you can just teach 'em stuff."
So life rolls on at the Flake house. I apologize, (as usual) for the pathetic posting. I'm going to punish myself by making a big batch of turtle stuffed animals this morning. Bwa ha ha ha ha!
Oh, and I'd rather marry someone pretty as well. Spike is a total hottie.
Comments
That is, in fact, a fine basset hound. This reminds me, I need infant appropriate toys! A certain someone (no, jeez... not me!) is in a family way and I need to start stockpiling things to send!
Watch out for that girl of yours. She sounds really dangerous, especially in another few years!
I say why settle for pretty or smart when you can get both!
Your basset hound is amazing!
Smart. As long as didn't have to be trollishly ugly.
Good to see a post from you :)
However? Guess which answer I'm drilling into my kids' heads? Yeah: smart.
Wow! I think your creations show marked progress! Of course, I think the manatee is magnificent, so don't think I'm disparaging it!
...a lurker :)
In my wisdom I answered that a wife is a cross between a mother and a girlfriend."
All the while John had just been driving, seemingly oblivious.
He finally responded, "I'd rather have a girlfriend."
I interpret, "Pretty."
Aunt Anne
I think the most threatening trait in a woman from a man's perspective, the single most, is to be smart, fearless, pro active and assertive. Men don't like that. They seem to like submissive, cute, little, dependent things. And those who worship them. Am I wrong guys? This is the impression I get from careful observation. Tell me if I'm wrong!
For ladies, we often shy away from really handsome men for the simple reason that we don't want the chick bait hanging out to be stolen from us. We just need a faithful, healthy, not-butt-ugly provider and friend. No six pack needed. No football history need shine in your past. Bring home the bacon and be nice, and you're set.
I'm stayin' anonymous on this one...
As far as the price of re-making that hound, I hate to say it, but I wouldn't do it for less than $45. It's a pretty big project and he's good sized. I bet that will shut up all you would-be buyers. Sorry.
Anyway, the whole pretty/smart debate's been on my mind lately too. I have a boy, but my husband's bro and his wife have a five year old. When I'm around I can't help but notice how often my SIL tells her daughter she's pretty. I mean, not that she shouldn't tell her that. But I think it's at least 2 or 3 times an hour...however I've never heard her tell her she's smart. It just makes me worry a little. But I don't have a little girl, so who knows.
Great topic! :) Cute sewing projects!
that is an interesting comment. funny thing, though. i don't need someone else to tell me i am smart. i find it patronizing. i know exactly how smart i am. i do, however, like to hear that someone else thinks i am good-looking, since it's in the eye of the beholder and all that. (i really can't tell by looking in a mirror whether i am good looking and i don't think other people can either--it's just to hard to view yourself objectively.)
as for whether men find smart assertive women threatening: i don't think they do. i think a lot of women who are overbearing, selfcentered, self absorbed etc, think of themselves as smart and assertive, hence the confusion. (not saying that the particular person who made the comment is, of course, since i have no idea who you are.) most guys absolutely LOVE a truly smart girl. and even more than that, they LOVE a girl that is really, really funny. extremely hard to find, though. it's girls that have to show you they are smarter than you (and if they have to go out of their way to convince you of it, it's a dead giveaway that they aren't 96% of the time), don't need you, know how to do stuff better than you, etc., that grate.
i guess what it boils down to for me is that i like women who are comfortable and happy with who they are, regardless of how smart/pretty they are. insecurity/dishonesty is incredibly unattractive. if someone is really truly smart, confident, etc., i always like them. if they act like they are trying to convince themselves that they are, its repulsive. and once again, i am not saying that any particular commenter has that quality (since i don't know any of you). just a general observation.
:)))))))))))))
You need to put J.R.'s picture up here. He is seriously cute, and sooooo many folks wanted to take him home while we were in Utah. I hope I sent some business your way!
Slainte~
Rachelle
The Well at the End of the World by Robet D. San Souci
It's a good one about just this sort of thing!
1. The Basset Hound toy which is so cute!
2. Your adorable toddler looking at the Basset Hound.
3. The glimpse of princess/bridal veil behind the Basset Hound.
4. The Golden Books on the table.
I found you from Charlie at MS&L (the Weight Watchers thing)-nice to "meet" you!