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Personal Presentation: What am I advertising?

Emma from Charming the Birds from the Trees along with Elizabeth from A Merry Rose have started an online Ladies Finishing School.

I’ve known about it for a while but had simply forgotten that it started last week. This morning (with my extra time from getting up way too early), I toodled on over to Emma’s to read the very first week’s posts.

And became convicted that I need to be doing a bit more work in the personal presentation department. Well, I’ve known for awhile that I need to update my wardrobe. I’m one of your average sahms- the largest part of my wardrobe is dedicated to jeans and T-shirts. Now that I have lived through birthing 3 children I have gotten rid of all but 4 pairs of shorts as I believe it is best not to be showing the world that part of my legs (well, to be honest- I don’t want to see that much of my legs- no one ever told me you’d get stretch marks in oodles of places other than your belly!!) so I have collected an odd assortment of Capri pants in place of shorts.
Again, as your average sahm, I am the last person I buy clothing for- someone else always needs something more than I do- even Mr. Steady. I own 3 pairs of presentable blue jeans, Capri pants, and lots of, lots of T-shirts. It seems I can’t throw a T-shirt away. Yesterday, I found I have 5 T-shirts that are stained or faded funny and at the bottom of my drawer are 4 more T-shirts that I don’t like to wear because they aren’t long enough [to suit my long torso]. And yet there they sit- taking up space. Sigh. I should have looked in that drawer before the yard sale. Since I am not planning on a yard sale again any time soon (can never come too soon?) and I just can’t throw them away- I tossed them in my rag box in the laundry room. Out of sight, out of mind.
So I know I need wardrobe help. Thanks to the Goodwill Queen, aka my mama, I have 5 pairs of khaki pants in my dresser- 2 of which I actually wear, but only to church and going out. What average sahm wears khaki at home? One smear from Mr. Conductor and I’m done. But wait . . . . I’ve been smeared many a time and life goes on- I change if we leave the house or just wear the smeared clothing . . . . perhaps I should branch out and wear those khakis- so what if they get stained? What good are they doing me all clean and folded at the bottom of a drawer? Today I say to myself, wear ‘em or get rid of ‘em.

Yes, I do have more than jeans and T-shirts but that is the bulk of my wardrobe. I’ve got a few nice dress shirts, a couple of blouses and a few skirts and dresses. But I must admit that I only wear about half of what is in my closet. I need to purge (again, should have looked in there before the yard sale). I plan to make a list of items I think I need to add or update and then in an effort to continue being frugal, I will ask the Goodwill Queen to be on the look-out and help me find what I need. [Bless my mama- she’s my personal shopper and she loves it!]
Reading more of Emma’s writing, I find that not only is my wardrobe in sad shape but I’m slacking in personal grooming. Wow does that sound bad. Now, I brush my teeth, comb my hair and all that- and remember to check my eyebrows in the mirror every Sunday before church (LOL). But I am terrible about getting my hair trimmed, keeping my nails nice and moisturizing. And let me just say that I am not a big fan of shoes- especially in the summer and my tootsies sadly reflect my lack of care (which I really realized the other day when Mr. Conductor said the "bottom of my feetsies were ouchie").
This statement by Emma really struck me, “. . . . And we need to make sure that we take that enthusiasm for our personal presentation throughout our lives. We have to realize that we are walking billboards for ourselves and our families.” 
What does my billboard say? “Takes great care of her family but doesn’t spend time on herself” or "Tired and worn out". Should it say that? I don’t think so. I would rather not look like a martyr to my family but rather be a pleasing accompaniment to a well groomed, well taken care of clan. And more than that- what does my presentation say about God- my relationship with Jesus? Do I want others to think that being a Christian makes you look tired and care-worn? No I do not.
Why is this on my mind today? My sister, my lovely darling younger sister, who is aware of our financial issues and the fact that I would not spend money on myself right now . . . . is taking me to get my hair done tonight- her treat. I am in great need of a good hair cut. When I am under stress it shows in my hair- it breaks off, becomes oily then becomes dry etc. etc. And I’ve been under a lot of stress. My sister murmured something about me looking “scraggily”. Which makes one wonder what image they are presenting when going out and about . . . so I’ve been wearing my hair up in a clip lately . . . .
I don’t deny what she said nor do I deny that she, perhaps, could have phrased it a bit better . . . .
Bottom line- taking care of me- my personal presentation- is not vanity or self-centeredness, especially not when you consider that you are “a walking billboard for yourself and your family”. So, I will be thinking on and working on the following to better my personal presentation:
New Hair cut
Update wardrobe (truly get rid of the stuff I don’t wear or is outdated)
Wear something other than T-shirt and jeans/capris.

Soak my tootsies and give myself a pedicure [try to do at least once a week]
Keep my polish looking good- no chips

Wash my face before bed.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize.
Wear gloves in the garden.
Clean my jewelry that I wear daily.
Please take a moment to wander over to Emma’s to read last week’s posts on Personal Presentation. Elizabeth is sharing snippets about different leading American ladies this week (a bit of a break due to the holiday this week).

didn't forget Proverbs 31

Looking deeper at the words

Proverbs 31

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. KJV

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. NIV

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. NLT

I just couldn’t leave this verse alone- I looked it up in my 3 favorite translations. And here is why The Message is not my favorite translation- I think it can stray too far from the original meaning at times. Look here- to me there is a lot of difference between doing my husband good and never being spiteful! While I cannot say I have never been spiteful- I can say I do him good not evil.

See- this is where digging deeper into it proves helpful. While we’re at it lets look up verses 10 and 11 in these translations.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. [KJV]
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value. [NIV]
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
      She is more precious than rubies.
 11 Her husband can trust her,
      and she will greatly enrich his life. [NLT]

Obviously a noble, virtuous and capable wife is worth more than any jewel. And the heart of verse 11 is that such a wife not only has her husband’s trust but in doing so will be a blessing to her husband [greatly enrich his life.]

My husband calls me his “joy and crown,” which is from Proverbs 12:4a A worthy wife is her husband’s joy and crown. I am learning to become a wife of noble character, a virtuous and capable wife (I know I’m capable but I question virtuous at times!) and my husband can trust me. I pray that I, daily, greatly enrich his life. I love my husband and dearly want to continually show him just how much.

That Proverbs 31 woman creeping in

I try, at least once a month or so, to re-read Proverbs 31. Not as a reminder of how I am failing as a wife and mother but as a reminder of how far I have come. There was a time, way back when I was first married and full of myself, that I, in no way, shape or form, resembled that woman (at least not to my own self).
Lately, I have taken to traveling on over to Biblegateway and pulling up the chapter in different versions of the Bible. Today I looked it up in both The Message and NASB. NASB has some wonderful notations on various corresponding scripture that I hope to look up during my quiet time in the next couple of weeks, but today, I am really looking at The Message.
How about reading it with me . . . . .

Proverbs31: 10-31 [The Message]

A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
   all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
   and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
   and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
   for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
   then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
   reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
   their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
   and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
   when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
   brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
   and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
   and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
   but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises!

Interesting take on it, isn't it? Hmm. I will be adding thoughts as I think about it . . . .