My Martha Stewart dream
Posted by clariseng at 10:23 PM on June 25, 2008.
Even when I was a little girl, I wanted to be like Martha Stewart. I had no dreams of becoming a doctor or lawyer or teacher or what have you. I wanted to be a Stepford wife. I wanted to be a super homemaker and so I watched Martha Stewart Living religiously (it was my favorite show!) and read Family Fun and Family Circle magazines from cover to cover, absorbing every single word and detail, putting them to heart. I remember when I was about nine, my brothers would be out playing while I stayed in my room, by my lonesome, hosting my make-believe Martha Stewart show (embarrassing, I know). And then when I was about 11, I decided it was time to put my slipcover-making knowledge to the test and so I spent a whole weekend making one (albeit unsuccessfully) with scraps of leftover fabric from Home Ec class. It was also around that time that I started learning about which kiddie treats are both yummy and healthy. And then when I was about thirteen, I was already creating a complete detailed menu for my future family's everyday meals. I was such a grandma.
But of course when I grew up, I learned to put my Martha Stewart dream aside and decided to pursue other "realistic" dreams. I guess I realized that in order to become a super homemaker, I have to first meet a man I love so much that I would be inspired to dedicate my whole life and being to taking care of him and our family-- and we all know that could be quite a chore. Anyway, I have always been told by my teachers that I write pretty well, and so I figured I'd become a journalist or something. Sad to say, it seems as if my writing developed very little from when I was first given that compliment. Still, I was quite determined to pursue it. I took up Communications in college, contributed and interned for magazines, etc.
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my Martha Stewart dream again. Somehow right now it seems to be within my reach. I just got engaged you see, and there is just no other man in the universe that would inspire me to do his laundry and cook his food and make sure his house is always smelling of freshly-squeezed lemons (they smell clean) more. Sometimes, while I'm browsing the Martha Stewart website or searching for Katie Brown recipes in the middle of the night, I actually find myself in disbelief-- is this for real? Am I really going to be a Stepford wife? Will I finally get to put everything I learned from Martha to action? Wow. I am sure young Clarise would be so proud; she has waited so long for this.
And then, as if that isn't enough, just this afternoon, the wonderful executive editor of a housekeeping/baby magazine contacted me about a senior editorial assistant position. I had to decline (politely, of course) because of my little business but I get to be contributor! When I learned about this, the first thing that came to my mind was: "I hope they let me do DIY!" Wow, I really hope everything turns out well! I am dying to share my housekeeping expertise!
I am happy. 