Blackrocksrock Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 I try not to worry about it though - I won't be worrying whether I cooked enough cakes or baked enough bread on my deathbed, just whether I told everyone I loved them enough. That is the best answer so far - you have the correct philosophy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 There are so many clever people on the forum who are really creative and do fabulous things in the kitchen and make presents from nothing, I just wanted reassurance that I'm not the only person here who can't or doesn't: a) make jam b) make bread c) bottle stuff d) use new recipes all the time rather than the same old (easy) favourites e) cook meals for the five thousand (well, five) without batting an eyelid f) grow their own fruit & veg g) knit h) sew i) do their own decorating j) do their own DIY k) do their own car maintenance l) have beautiful gardens with actual flowers in them Any other inadequacies out there? Don't get me wrong, I'm in awe of these people. I wish I could be like that too (I probably could if I wasn't lazy ). Tell me I'm not alone . I don't really do any of that. I made lemon curd a couple of times in summer. Cook meals for 6 regularly but if I didn't the family would starve Sew buttons and that type of thing but don't have time/energy/inclination for more than that. We get someone in to decorate but more because we don't want to waste precious time doing it. Very few flowers in our garden, mainly shrubs. It's about priorities. My priority is spending as much time with the LOs and the OH when I can, for people without those needs I guess they have the time to do other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I do some of these things, but for one of two reasons: (1) I enjoy them (knitting, making jam etc.) OR (2) I have to do them because if I don't, "Ooops, word censored!"ody else will! I do think a lot depends on what you grew up learning, and whether you have someone else to do things. I was going to say that I would never have done DIY or learned to put things in the car if I hadn't got divorced, but a moment's reflection reminds me that my ex-husband was useless at most of these things (he didn't make pastry or bread either ). Life's too short to worry about what you don't do - do what you enjoy, celebrate your achievements, and pay, bribe or blackmail someone else to do the things you don't enjoy! (sorry, just remembered a third reason - I do some of these things 'cos I can't afford to get someone else to do them!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I admit to being poor at housework and gardens and don't bottle/make things as presents. Our garden is er a wildlife garden. The weeds with purple flowers have attracted butterflies but I have to fight through a hedge every time I get in my car. I managed to kill a cactus once and trying my best with a spiderplant. OH is a lot better and is very handy at constructing/fixing/cooking/winemaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Not sure I can do any of the things mentioned so far but I like to think I'm good for something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Phew I agree I feel totally inadequate when I look at the 'all things nice thread', but I can shimmy and whirl like a dervish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Not sure I can do any of the things mentioned so far but I like to think I'm good for something. making babies? Now that IS an achievement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 So I accept I'm never going to be a domestic goddess, however I've not killed anyone with my cooking yet and it's a good excuse to go out rather than stay in. I'm all thumbs with a sewing machine, hopeless if I've not had enough sleep, and patience is definitely not one of my virtues Things I'm good at? I'm calm and practical in a crisis, I'm a loyal friend, I love my family (especially the feathery and furry members), I can live with myself and I can usually be relied on to see the funny side and the silver lining, even if the lining is only of the "what are we going to learn from this" variety. I accept my inadequacies and failings as part of me - if nothing else, they give others a good laugh - and, on the whole, I'm actually OK Room for improvement, but life would be very dull if we were all perfect Still can't wrap presents without them looking like the dog chewed them though - thank goodness for gift bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 So I accept I'm never going to be a domestic goddess, however I've not killed anyone with my cooking yet and it's a good excuse to go out rather than stay in. I'm all thumbs with a sewing machine, hopeless if I've not had enough sleep, and patience is definitely not one of my virtues Things I'm good at? I'm calm and practical in a crisis, I'm a loyal friend, I love my family (especially the feathery and furry members), I can live with myself and I can usually be relied on to see the funny side and the silver lining, even if the lining is only of the "what are we going to learn from this" variety. I accept my inadequacies and failings as part of me - if nothing else, they give others a good laugh - and, on the whole, I'm actually OK Room for improvement, but life would be very dull if we were all perfect Still can't wrap presents without them looking like the dog chewed them though - thank goodness for gift bags All that strikes a chord with me too. Well said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Personally, I think we're all brilliant in our own way, and each of us brings something unique to the mix. I can't: Knit Look at spiders Go up ladders taller than 5' Play football refuse a piece of cake Ice decorative cakes Touch my toes Abide badly behaved children, animals or men do long coach journies Speak German eat shellfish (allergic) I can: Beat people 20 years younger around a punishing circuit routine Dressmake crochet make cakes cook meals from several different nationalities Speak/get by in 4 languages get my feet behind my ears Hold down a 40 hour week, bring up a child and manage a part-time career and look after my menagerie on my own. Tell you to 'kiss me all over' in Spanish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I can't make eclairs bake yorkshire puddings use electric power tools (they scare me) abide sloppy or absent manners open my petrol filler cap (OH says it's a silly design as he struggles with it too!) climb the ladder into the loft swim with my face in the water grow things from seed (except ornamental grasses) draw and paint speedtype but I can bake bread and cakes decorate knit, sew and crochet read music accept a challenge (I recently fed 110 people having never cooked for more than 10 before) walk with a book on my head remember where everyone's possessions are in the house at any one time (well OH and Son think I can) read a map touch my toes but I would hate it if we were all the same. God gave us all different gifts so we could help each other. And I've thought of something we can all do - keep chickens!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Oooh ooh I can read a map! oooh and read music though I'm not sure about the bass clef anymore. I can even read a little drum score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 So I accept I'm never going to be a domestic goddess, however I've not killed anyone with my cooking yet and it's a good excuse to go out rather than stay in. I'm all thumbs with a sewing machine, hopeless if I've not had enough sleep, and patience is definitely not one of my virtues Things I'm good at? I'm calm and practical in a crisis, I'm a loyal friend, I love my family (especially the feathery and furry members), I can live with myself and I can usually be relied on to see the funny side and the silver lining, even if the lining is only of the "what are we going to learn from this" variety. I accept my inadequacies and failings as part of me - if nothing else, they give others a good laugh - and, on the whole, I'm actually OK Room for improvement, but life would be very dull if we were all perfect Still can't wrap presents without them looking like the dog chewed them though - thank goodness for gift bags That is pretty much me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I've really enjoyed reading this thread - sometimes we all feel a bit inadequate but it's nice to focus on what we can do as well as what we can't. I can't Knit or crochet Keep my house tidy for longer than a couple of days run fast or far dance well stand being late keep track of my life without lots of lists stay off the forum when I should be working (!) but I CAN cook sing play the piano a bit motivate people be a loyal and loving friend make explosions and smells (I used to teach science) remember loads of useless information speak French reasonably well walk for miles and my ES says I'm crackers and he likes me that way, because life is never dull. I take that as an ENORMOUS compliment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
