Introduction to my book.
Last year, my mother-in-law, Judi, and I had a girls’ day out. We attended a She Expo for women at the Chattanooga Community Center. We immensely enjoyed our fun-filled weekend. We saw a fashion show, watched cooking demonstrations, and met medical professionals. The best part was being able to meet Staci London from the show What
Not to Wear (which I’m addicted to) and Paula Deen, the famous cook and author. I loved the event, although spending quality time having a mother–daughter day meant more to me. While waiting for Paula Deen to speak, I told Judi that I wanted to write a book about what
the life of the American housewife was really like. She halfheartedly said, “Oh, what are the subject and the title?” I looked around at the fourteen thousand women in attendance and realized these are the real housewives of America. Most women are not rich and do not have a chef, maid, or nanny. We do not wear designer clothes or carry handbags that cost several thousand dollars. Nor do we wear a size zero. What we are… is real. Now, I’m not saying the ladies on the Real Housewives TV shows aren’t real people. I am sure they are fabulous women with great personalities, but let’s face it … the show is sensationalized. In real life, the average women’s earnings in 2009 are approximately $18,000 to $50,000 annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released June 2010. Most women come home from work to make dinner for our families, clean our own houses, and raise our children. We wear an average size 6 to 16, buy our clothes at the mall or outlet store, and buy shoes on sale. Somewhere in there we find time to take our children to their doctor and dentist appointments, soccer practice, and piano lessons. And, we never miss a school function. This is the reality of a real housewife.
Why are we considered average when we are the majority? A below average, average, or above-average stereotype should not exist. We should be proud of who we are, period! We should be happy and comfortable with our lives, our homes, and ourselves. So, how can we make our life look as good, as interesting, and as exciting as the women on the Real Housewives shows?
How many days do you wake up and say one of the following to yourself: I don’t have time for myself. All my energy goes toward my family. I’m so tired I just don’t think I can go through another day. I don’t have the energy to do another load of laundry. I can’t think of anything to prepare for dinner. I want to prepare a healthy meal, but where do I start? How can I afford to buy my son a new baseball glove when I can’t pay the electric bill this month? How can my neighbor buy a new car every year when I struggle to afford groceries? I feel that my husband and I aren’t close anymore; all we talk about are the kids. My husband and I haven’t gone on a date in years. My family drives me crazy. I’m tired of being unhealthy.
I don’t know about you, but often I feel that I am going through the daily motions of life. If any of these statements has gone through your head once in the past month, this book could possibly help make your life easier or at least give you a good laugh. Now, I am not a doctor, therapist, or a sociologist. What I am is a real woman with life experiences. In this book, I discuss the areas of life that women deal with on a daily basis. My hope is, as I share my personal life experiences through the pages of this book that this will inspire others to follow their dreams. We can find peace and happiness within our home and more importantly, within ourselves.
Last year, my mother-in-law, Judi, and I had a girls’ day out. We attended a She Expo for women at the Chattanooga Community Center. We immensely enjoyed our fun-filled weekend. We saw a fashion show, watched cooking demonstrations, and met medical professionals. The best part was being able to meet Staci London from the show What
Not to Wear (which I’m addicted to) and Paula Deen, the famous cook and author. I loved the event, although spending quality time having a mother–daughter day meant more to me. While waiting for Paula Deen to speak, I told Judi that I wanted to write a book about what
the life of the American housewife was really like. She halfheartedly said, “Oh, what are the subject and the title?” I looked around at the fourteen thousand women in attendance and realized these are the real housewives of America. Most women are not rich and do not have a chef, maid, or nanny. We do not wear designer clothes or carry handbags that cost several thousand dollars. Nor do we wear a size zero. What we are… is real. Now, I’m not saying the ladies on the Real Housewives TV shows aren’t real people. I am sure they are fabulous women with great personalities, but let’s face it … the show is sensationalized. In real life, the average women’s earnings in 2009 are approximately $18,000 to $50,000 annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released June 2010. Most women come home from work to make dinner for our families, clean our own houses, and raise our children. We wear an average size 6 to 16, buy our clothes at the mall or outlet store, and buy shoes on sale. Somewhere in there we find time to take our children to their doctor and dentist appointments, soccer practice, and piano lessons. And, we never miss a school function. This is the reality of a real housewife.
Why are we considered average when we are the majority? A below average, average, or above-average stereotype should not exist. We should be proud of who we are, period! We should be happy and comfortable with our lives, our homes, and ourselves. So, how can we make our life look as good, as interesting, and as exciting as the women on the Real Housewives shows?
How many days do you wake up and say one of the following to yourself: I don’t have time for myself. All my energy goes toward my family. I’m so tired I just don’t think I can go through another day. I don’t have the energy to do another load of laundry. I can’t think of anything to prepare for dinner. I want to prepare a healthy meal, but where do I start? How can I afford to buy my son a new baseball glove when I can’t pay the electric bill this month? How can my neighbor buy a new car every year when I struggle to afford groceries? I feel that my husband and I aren’t close anymore; all we talk about are the kids. My husband and I haven’t gone on a date in years. My family drives me crazy. I’m tired of being unhealthy.
I don’t know about you, but often I feel that I am going through the daily motions of life. If any of these statements has gone through your head once in the past month, this book could possibly help make your life easier or at least give you a good laugh. Now, I am not a doctor, therapist, or a sociologist. What I am is a real woman with life experiences. In this book, I discuss the areas of life that women deal with on a daily basis. My hope is, as I share my personal life experiences through the pages of this book that this will inspire others to follow their dreams. We can find peace and happiness within our home and more importantly, within ourselves.