Thursday, February 19, 2009

Humble as Humble

I'm not a person blessed with oodles of self esteem. Okay, I've been known to call myself an undeserving worm. And that was on a good day. It drives Bill nuts.

I think the positive side of this is that I can make other people feel good about themselves in two ways. One, they look at me and feel instantly better about themselves. (I aim to please.) And two, I believe I am sensitive to other people's insecurities and can help.

When folks meet me, I like to put my best foot forward. And when they come to our house, I like to have it looking decent. (So why don't I keep it tidy all the time, you ask? Because I'm a worm, silly!) And when we invite people for dinner, I like it to be special.

Bill had a fun promotion going through his gallery. If you bought artwork valued over a certain amount, you got a fancy pasta dinner for two, fixed by the artist himself. So we've gotten to meet, or to know better, some great people.

Okay. Stage is set.

New folks come for dinner. House is spotless. Dogs are settled. They've been walked, fed, let out just before guests arrive, and tucked in with delectable chewies in the dog room just off the kitchen. They know the scoop: company of the non-dog sort for dinner. They don't mind. They have special treats, and they know we'll save the dishes for them to lick.

We're casual. Khakis, jeans. I have on a nice little sweater, handed down by a friend's fancy friend, and flattering earrings which were a lovely gift. Since it is a big deal night for me, I even have on some mascara and a little blush. Big deal night. I think I'm not looking too bad.

The evening goes well. The guests are gracious, interesting, and fun. Bill's pasta is delicious. The bread from Kirchhoff's is heavenly as always and my coconut chess pie pleases. We avoid discussions of politics and religion and some great belly buster jokes are shared.

After the guests leave, Bill and I congratulate ourselves on an evening gone well. High fives! The whippets delight in doing their best pre-rinse duties, and we head up to bed. I figure I'll wear my khakis again tomorrow for walking dogs, so I lay them out after peeling them off my full-of-pasta-and-pie self.

Humble.



(Swede William examines his handy work)

I had walked around all night, feeling a little fancy and worthy ... with a paw print exactly on my right buttock.


Humble.



Hug your hounds and bless their hearts

32 comments:

  1. Do you happen to know a beader? Someone who sews beads on purses, quilted things, etc? Have the paw print beaded, it will glisten and glimmer and look like a lovely little piece of art. Everyone (especially dog people) will want one just like it. C'mawn Patience!

    Jo (Stella's Mom)

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  2. That's just a fashion statement. Nothing to feel down about....a trend setter, even! (At least in my house....). The other day, after going home for lunch, I got to the office and had 4 puppy prints up my pants. Couldn't remove them, either!

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  3. We think it looks as though it belongs there -- the mark of an unconventional soul who lives for and loves her dogs and relishes their impimatur (as well as Bill's pasta, for which we have a credit!!)

    Hugs all around,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  4. Grammie says, it is one of those fancy designer labels. People shouldn't be looking at your butt anyway.

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  5. Well, you know that your guests were raised up right, and were polite enough that they didn't mention it. And you know that having the paw print there makes you special. And of course, you know that Teka wants that pocket!

    gussie

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  6. I like to wear a paw print on my bottom and a smear of snot on my shoulder. It is a sign of a well loved woman.

    H.

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  7. since it's a dog print, everyone would understand I think... Glad your party went well :)

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  8. At least it wasn't toilet paper

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  9. What a creative idea! And that paw print looked pretty cute ;) not the worst thing that could have happened. But I'm sure it was quite the surprise.

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  10. I love it. Thanks for the evening giggle. :)

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  11. It makes you look loved by dogs, and is there anything better than that?

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  12. we're with Moco! Eyes off the butt!!

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  13. Oh yeah, I love to put paw prints on my Mommy clothes. Especially when she thinks she is going to leave me for a fancy night out!
    Hugs & Snugs
    Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle

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  14. You love your dogs! We understand completely!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  15. omg, LOL, that is almost a stain!!! good job Swede William!

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  16. HA! Love it! I think I usually walk around with at least one of those paw prints somewhere on my clothing. If I avoid "goo" of any sorts, it's a good day.:)

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  17. A paw print in your right buttock! I like it a lot!
    Glad you had a nice dinner.
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  18. awww.... sweet story and funny ending!

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  19. Oh it doesn't get any better than that.

    I needed a laugh, thanks!

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  20. I love it! The story, AND the paw print. I think you could add a new line to the items you market - a collaborative effort made with Bill's paints, the whippet's paws, your creativity. "Patience Pants: the only pants with the ready-made paw prints".
    I'd buy some!

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  21. Great story! I was waiting for the other shoe to drop and it didn't. Good. Glad everything went well.

    I like your style, Patience.

    Lots of Koobuss Kisses,
    Koobie and Mom

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  22. but it's so perfectly formed and neat, it looks deliberate.

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  23. I agree with many others and suspect that they probably left the house thinking that they had witnessed an incredibly cool style statement. A new craze is born! People the length and breadth of the US will be walking around with carefully applied paw prints on their buttocks....

    Don't beat yourself up - you're a star!

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  24. How about one tattooed on the real thing! With Bill's artistic eye the possibilities are endless........

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  25. oh to be well loved by our pets, it is wonderful! i recently went to my husband's birthday dinner with a similar print smack on my belly. One of my silly pugs gave me a love pat right before we walked out the door!
    hugs,
    puglette
    :o)

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  26. It's the job of dogs to keep us humble.

    Besides I think its very artistic.

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  27. We think it makes the pants look FABULOUS!! EVERYONE WILL WANT ONE JUST LIKE IT!! pl2 does...Love A+A

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  28. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Some wear their hearts on their sleeves, others on their pants.

    wally t.

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  29. This is very funny. Something happened to my Jeannie at a party she gave, and it was very embarrassing, much more so than paws prints on your butt!!!!

    we been trying to comment on your blog for ages, but the word verification was playing up, it seems ok today though.

    lotsaluv Marvin xxxx

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  30. Oh now that is funny! DawgMom has been there done that ALOT! Head over to our bloggy, we left something there for you.

    Feather, Darla & Pappy, the TN Bull Terrors

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