I was never going to be a mum that’s good at everything, it’s just not in my genes. There are mums out there cooking three courses meals that could rival Jamie Oliver, they keep their house looking like it belongs in a Vouge magazine, &  they have their children looking immaculate every time they leave the house. In this lil’house my family get one course meals, the house more often than not resembles a pig sty, & they are lucky if shoes manage to make it onto their feet before we leave to go anywhere.

So why on earth did I think it was going to be achievable for me to throw the best Mexican Fesita since Cinco de Mayo on New Years eve?

New Years eve has always been a downer for me, it’s always had a dramatic build up, & my expectations of what it should offer have never been met. Maybe it’s got something to do the time my so called boyfriend left me in the lerch on New Years Eve. I was left waiting for him to pick me up & take me to a music festival, he never came. I was so embarrassed, I not only had to spend it with my mum & her friends but had to keep t explaining why I wasn’t out with my friends celebrating.

The year of 2012 was going to be different, we were going to bring in the new year with family in style. I made invitations, spent hours cutting up streamers to hang, wrote out a mexican menu good enought to rival any leading resturant. The pressure was on,  & I’d fallen into the perfection trap. I had my blinkers on & nothing was going to stop me.

Whenever I get worked up or anxious I get rude & abrupt, it’s my major downfall & I hate it. I take it out on the people I love, & this is exactly what happened on New Years Eve. My wonderful family had flown across the country to spend time with us, &  to celebrate bringing in the new year. And all I could think about was making this fiesta picture perfect.

It all came crashing down when the ingredients needed for the menu couldn’t be found in the small country town we were staying in. I lost it, cried, & sulked like a three year old. The perfectionist monster had struck. And the only person to blame was myself. My step father was the only one brave enough to come near me, all he said was “come on, that’s enough”. And without saying another word he stepped into the kitchen & started helping.  The perfectionist monster disappeared, & it took Pinterest with it.

And as it turned out everyone was in bed before 12pm. It had been a stinking hot week & nobody could muster up enought energy to make it. It made me realise that the 12pm is just a number, a time that the hands point to on the clock. We had already celebrated bring in the new year, it just didn’t have the neon lights flashing to prove it.

 

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I’m linking up with Grace from With Some Grace for FYBF!

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02.12.2013 | categories: Uncategorized29 comments

29 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Veggie Mama says:
    February 12, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Sometimes I’d like to punch Pinterest in the face!

    Reply
  2. Shannon says:
    February 12, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Oooo Prue … this is just what I needed to read right now! I’ve been a ‘melt-down monster’ on and off for the last couple of weeks (more often than usual!! ;) ) and so nice to read about someones story that I can relate sooo closely to … Thank you hun … reading your stories & seeing your pics is always a highlight for me =) … and Veggie Mamma – I literally Laughed Out Loud to that comment – LOVE IT!!!! =)

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 12, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      I’m so glad there are more of us in this perfect world Shan, it’s so hard to keep up. We’re only human, I mean who in the hell can manage to stay sane with kids?
      Prue xx

      Reply
  3. Natasha says:
    February 12, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    OMG…… my heart just sank when you said “Whenever I get worked up or anxious I get rude & abrupt” this is me to a T. :( i really wish i could just learn to settle down & enjoy life as it comes, and not have to have everything “picture perfect”. Because from what i can see, your NYE looks AMAZING & we are all the same, so hard on ourselves wondering about how others do it better, when really we all have it pretty great.

    i really need to read this today……..Thanks for posting shanwa!! xxx

    Veggie Mama, seriously HIGH FIVES ALL ROUND!!!! that was brilliant……..

    thanks for making this drama queen mama feel better gals. :)

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 12, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      Your so welcome Natasha! Sometimes I wish we could just pack up & move to the country, I have a feeling it would be easier. It’s just a feeling :)
      Prue xx

      Reply
  4. Engineer Mum says:
    February 12, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Yes! Yes! Yes! I’m literally lolling on the bed sick and heartsick and my half written blog post on this same subject has been there for almost a week! I too turn into a monster and create perfect traps for myself. Glad to hear similar from you and the commenters! R

    Reply
  5. Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors says:
    February 12, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    Oh Prue I know exactly how you feel and so does my hubby because he loves me to throw a party but knows that means he will need to duck for cover for the lead up.

    Now you know how you couldn’t get what you needed that is me every single week. So frustrating!

    On a better note I hope the Tequila was good.

    Reply
  6. Housewife in Heels says:
    February 12, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I love this post! Firstly, I saw your New Years watermelon tented pics earlier this year- and thought it was definitely pin worthy. But, I definitely relate to being rude and abrupt when anxious/ under stress. I too hate it about myself. I once remarked to my older (and incredibly wise) sister that stressful situations brought out my true colours. She told me that wasn’t true- my true colours were when I was relaxed. Happy 2014!

    Reply
  7. Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says:
    February 15, 2013 at 9:01 am

    I’m the same when I get overwhelmed. Plus I’m only ever rude and abrupt with the people who least deserve it – my husband, my mum and my girls!

    PS. I know I’ve said it before but I love love love that tent! :)

    Reply
  8. Toni - The Aussie Hausfrau says:
    February 15, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I’ve been known to crack under pressure on the lead up to stressful events too….. All the build up and then afterwards I’m left thinking “WTF was all that about?” LOL

    and yep, I LOVE that tent too ;)

    Visiting from #FYBF :)

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 25, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      I’m hearing ya Toni!! Seriously why do we do it to ourselves, it’s just punishing the ones we love. I’ve taken a step back, & not organising anything else, until Mr Nomads 40th.
      Prue xx

      Reply
  9. Lisa Barton-Collins says:
    February 15, 2013 at 11:59 am

    That looks like a perfectly lovely Mexican Fiesta! I love to obsess over party preparation, but heaven help anyone that steps in my kitchen or gets in my way. xx

    Also, WTF loser boyfriend? His loss ;)
    xx

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 25, 2013 at 12:49 pm

      Total looser Lisa!!! I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my kitchen too, especially when I’m under pressure.
      Prue xx

      Reply
  10. Annie says:
    February 15, 2013 at 12:16 pm

    I think NYE has a whole lot of pressure attached to it (real or imagined pressure, I don’t know). And then putting on an extra special feast – well, that comes with its own unique pressures.

    Put the 2 together, and I would need a double dose of anxiety-meds!

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 25, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      Guess what Annie, it’s camping for us this NYE. I’m had enough of the pressure that comes with it, real or perceived.
      PRue xx

      Reply
  11. Karen says:
    February 15, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    Ahhhh Pinterest, I love it and hate it. It gives so many great ideas, but often the reality does not match the expectations. Have you seen the pinterest fail photos!! They will make you feel lots better!
    I fall into the perfection trap too, and usually just end up stressed and unable to enjoy the time myself!
    x Karen

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 25, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      I seriously have a love hate relationship with Pinterest, & it’s beautifulness.
      It’s time we started enjoying Karen, away with the perfectionist traits….well we can only try right?
      Prue xx

      Reply
  12. Sonia @ Natural New Age Mum says:
    February 15, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Oh my dear, I am so like you! I get worked up and snappy when hubby and the kids do not help me with my perfect entertaining plans!! I am learning to let go of the perfection and just go with the flow.

    Reply
  13. Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says:
    February 15, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I know what you mean about the perfectionist monster. Mine comes out every year at Christmas. NYE is always a huge let down for me, too. Everyone always sends messages about what everyone has planned, we all decide we’re doing nothing, then when it comes time I’m bummed we’re doing nothing…vicious cycle! Love that last picture ha ha

    Reply
  14. Lara @ This Charming Mum says:
    February 15, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    It’s hard not to get stressed about planning, but it looks like you achieved something magical! How gorgeous are all those colours?!

    Reply
  15. Parental Parody says:
    February 16, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    Pinterest is a nasty, evil device sent to make us all feel inadequate.

    A vapid time sucking device that I often defer to when asked what I’ve done all day, and why the house is still a bomb site.

    Clearly, Pinterest is trying to down play my awesomeness on the domestic front. Pinterest and Vodka.

    Reply
  16. Emily @ Have a laugh on me says:
    February 19, 2013 at 9:32 am

    I totally know that feeling of trying to be great at everything, because as mums we’re supposed to right?! I get like that when things don’t go my way, sometimes I just randomly disappear so as not to look like a bad sport – which I admit I can be when things don’t go my way – lovely pics!

    Reply
  17. Grace says:
    February 21, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    This is the very reason why I stay well and truly away from Pinterest!
    New Year’s Eve is always a let down meltdown for me.
    And you’re right Prue, 12pm is just a number!

    Reply

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