Friday, September 5, 2008

Amen Gina

My cute neighbor Gina Catenzaro totally inspires me. She posted an eye opening and inspiring blog about putting away Mrs. Jones. She talked about how easy it is to get caught up in the unimportant things in life...I think we can all attest to that. Zacc and I constantly are comparing ourselves to our neighbors and trying to keep up. We both drive cars that are over a decade old and have quite a bit of character to them. The mazda's windshield wipers are so broken that when you turn them on high, they actually leave the windshield, wrap around and hit the driver's side window...it's loads of fun to drive in a rain storm, but both of our cars are paid for and I need to do a better job of remembering that's what is important.

Zacc and I both feel stupid when we see the Darling's and we are both wearing hand-me-downs from Katie and Stephenson (I don't know why...their hand-me-downs are still way better than anything we have). To be honest, I love Katie's hand-me-downs, I just wonder if it's weird for her to see me wearing them.

I tend to be a slow learner and have to learn most lessons several times before they finally set in. Often times it feels like two steps forward and one step back. I guess we just need to always try our best and then cut ourselves some slack when we fail. So Amen Gina, here is to a more fulfilling and honest life.

14 comments:

Brooke said...

That's funny about the windshield wippers. I thought I was the only one! Cruzing down the road hanging my head out trying to get it unstuck...great sight!

Great post.

Paul*Cat*Hallie*Ty said...

You are so cute, don't feel bad--I'm rockin' some Darling hand me downs this very minute! I'm just grateful they are such awesome giving people (with amazing taste!) It's so hard to keep things in perspective. Very refreshing, amen to YOU and to your non-existent car payments!

Brooke S. said...

How brave of you to post this Michelle. Such profound words.

Chris and Tara said...

I agree with you both.
I laughed about the windshield wipers. Chris and I had quite an experience driving through a massive rainstorm in North Carolina with the drivers side wiper completely broken off. Yikes! I was in the passenger seat telling him when to exit and what not. What a memory. Ü

J.Frey said...

Thanks for the post Michelle. It's true how we need to remember the important things! PS I LOVE hand-me-downs! I still get the best ones from my sisters!

tracy layne said...

Amen again! Looks like I need to read Gina's blog. I am so so guilty of comparing myself to others. I have moments of clarity when I realize I should be happy with how I look and what I have because I am so insanely blessed... but I usually fall back into my bad habit pretty. Thanks for the reminder!

PS that picture of Macey you were telling me about is SO SO cute! Oh I love her! Thanks for letting me hog her whenever I am in the same room. :)

The Watson Family said...

Michelle! I can totally relate! Macey is BEAUTIFUL! We need to see her soon! We just love you guys!

Jordan said...

Never under estimate the power of a car that is paid off- exactly what I am driving! Cracked windshield, spilled milk that ended up on the roof (no need to explain), and a steering wheel with the leather coming undone at the seams- gotta love it more than a car payment. Now for the hand-me-downs, I only wish I could find somebody who would give me some clothes, as all of my sisters are younger and quite a bit smaller!

The Shupes said...

So I swear I already left a comment, but I must have done something wrong. I am all about the paid-off cars!! I don't know what we are going to do when we need a new one!! I don't ever want a car payment. But I needed to see if your mom could email me the addresses of everyone for Erin's Shower, since I was nominated!! I'm just assuming you mom has them since the sweet lady has done like all of them! I have some, just not all! Thanks!! How's that sweet baby? I love the picture of her smiling, oh so so cute!!

Gina said...

You're so cute. You ARE Mrs. Jones...what are you talking about? :) Hey wanted to let you know that I tagged you. Check out my blog. And Macey looks like so much fun. (Except for in the middle of night, right?)

Stephenson and Katie said...

That makes me feel horrible if you feel stupid when you see us! We love seeing you in our clothes- except for the fact that they look WAY better on you guys than they ever did on us! Trust me- we only have clothes cause we work in retail and get most of them for practically FREE! We love you guys!

Stephenson and Katie said...

P.S. I SO wish we had both our cars paid off. Unlike you, I'll have to go back to work and leave my cute baby home so we can pay for our stupid cars. Being able to stay home with your kids is SO much better than any car!

Lindsey M said...

Thank you for that post! It reminded me why I wanted to be poor when I first got married. Yes, I always wanted to start out poor. I think you are able to work through so many things and you learn how to really appreciate the things that you have, mostly each other.

P.S. Delaney really likes the music on your page. She's dancing like crazy right now.

Tiffany said...

Well put Michelle. I love that picture of Macey to the side of her smiling. That is precious. It was fun to play with you guys today!!