I'm Pining For Cookware, and It Scares Me...

I'm quite sure when the transition from sassy fashionista to belligerent mother occurred. I remember quite distinctly the days in which I longed for (and purchased w/o thought) a sexy pair o' stillettos and matching ensemble (always match outfit to shoes... not vice versa). Pots and pans were items rarely seen or used, and the brand, style, or fit of SHOES I was wearing to zap my meals was the only thing that mattered in the kitchen.

I'm certainly no domestic goddess (and I never will be). Cleaning is one of my least favorite tasks, but I'm not an idiot and I don't love FILTH, so I clean, wash clothes, and vacuum out of necessity. Pre-motherhood, I had done things in my own time, and domestic assignments (as I like to call them), were not my top priority. I had the basic materials and supplies needed to complete such tasks, nothing fancy or top of the line - just exactly what I needed to get the job done. (PS Thank god for swiffers).

So, now here I am. This semester (as a non-working college prof, I still think that way) I have no classes and I'm working very little OUTSIDE of the home. I feel somewhat obligated to step up my domestic game (if you will). I cook and clean on a regular basis - and while I still don't love it, I can't say that I mind it that much (thank god for the foodnetwork). I make *gulp* homemade cookies, well-rounded lunches for my husband, and dinners that I might actually feed to guests.

And then it came. I realized that I was pining after some good kitchen stuff. Like a nice big PAN or another set of tongs or some kick-ass cookie sheets. Or, the new vacuuming swiffer thing so I don't have to get the vacuum out all the time. AND, then I nearly fell over and slapped myself across the face. I mean, it is true - the stuff that I'm cooking with is the equivalent of those damn Dr. Scholls wooden sandal clog things. They were cool in like 1981 - but now if you tried to wear them with an outfit, sure they cover your feet, but they don't do you any justice. Hell, I JUST bought a set of tupperware... (yup, the AS SEEN ON TV SPINNER THING with the same size tops - it's genius).

BUT, what is this fear of turning into one of THOSE moms??? You know exactly what I'm talking about. The ones that discuss the new brand of LYSOL that really cleans shit stains of a toilet really well. OR the ones that discuss the new chopper that makes your cooking experience all the more enjoyable. OR, the ones that don't know that pleats and tapered jeans are JUST WRONG... I didn't want to be those moms! I wanted to be the cool hip mom that still had a life and a style and well, just did that stuff cuz she had to, not because it was her sole existence.

Don't get me wrong. This doesn't mean that I don't wish for some great shoes or a sexy top. Granted now I have to worry about whether my hips will hurt if I walk in the heels for more than 10 minutes OR if the shirt will look okay over my newly protruding midsection. But, it seems as though I'm now bridging the gap between sassylady and oldmotherhubbard.

I'm not exactly sure what that place is called, but I'm pretty surprised that it's really not all that bad. AND, I kind of like it.

Comments

[Jaime]

You know----I may have a solution for you! Check out my website and click on the "Taste of Home Entertaining" link on the right hand side----you can get your cookware (great stuff) AND start your own business to get you out of the house but allow you to stay home! Email me for more info: jaimebarnhart@gmail.com

[Isabel (Izzy)]

Pleats and tapered jeans...ROFL. I'm laughing and trying so hard to be quiet because my husband is snoozing on the sofa. I thought I was the only one wondering WHAT would make someone wear those godawful things. If you didn't look dowdy and mom-ish before, you will after putting those on. I will NEVER wear those. And neither will you, dammit! As for cookware, I crave Le Creuset and I don't even LIKE cooking that much. It's just so beautiful and retro. I always want stupid, impractically expensive things *sigh* But what would REALLY help me cook better and hate it less would be a nice BIG kitchen.

[roo]

The nice thing about buying cookware is that you don't have to worry if it fits.