Random Bits of Etiquette

"One is apt to think of Etiquette as being of importance to none but brides or diplomats or persons lately elected to political office. As a matter of fact, there is not a single thing that we do, or say, or choose, or use, or even think, that does not follow (or break) one of the exactions of taste, or tact, or ethics, or good manners, or etiquette--call it what you will.

Considering manners even in their superficial aspect, no one--unless he be a recluse who comes in contact with no other human being-- can fail to reap the advantage of a proper, courteous, and likable approach, or fail to be handicapped by an improper, offensive, and resented one. And certainly the greatest asset that a man or woman or even a child can have is charm. And charm cannot exist without good manners--meaning by this, not so much manners that precisely follow particular rules, as manners that have been made smooth and polished by the continuous practice of kind impulses." ---Emily Post


This is will be my recurring theme. As I prepare for the arrival of my baby, I'm thinking of the things I will need to teach him or her. Good manners and proper behavior, also known as etiquette, should not be overlooked. I've seen too much of that as a teacher.

In 2002, my sister and I were antiquing, and I picked up the official book of Etiquette by Emily Post. The original copyright date is 1922. Amazing. Much of what she says will not apply to us, such as the entire section on Domestic Help (maids, butlers, cooks, etc.) But the bits that do apply, that we're all lacking, I'm going to post.

May we all learn a little bit more etiquette.

"It's Not a Tumor!"

"It isn't at all!" It's also not the 5-week flu. I really, truly am pregnant. 10 weeks and 3 days, the doctor says, putting my due date at January 22, 2008. We went to the doctor this afternoon....finally. I've been waiting forever! Well, 10 weeks, I guess. It was a pretty uneventful appointment. The Doctor heard ONE BEAT of the baby's heart. We didn't know what we were listening for, so we didn't hear anything. We go back to the doctor on Aug 2nd--the day before I have to go back to work! At least I'll have some news for everyone! Yikes!

What a funny guy!

On Wednesday evening, I needed Bryan to make some cinnamon rolls for my last class of the summer (thank goodness!) I bought a couple of the Pillsbury containers because they're the easiest. I could hear Bryan in the kitchen, getting things prepared, when all of the sudden, he hands me the containers of cinnamon rolls. I gave him a questioning look, and he explained that he does not open those exploding containers!! I asked him what he did on his mission, and he said he'd just peel the corner and grab it with tongs and shake it until it opened. (I wonder where his companion was....?) What a funny guy!

Bryan's Beautiful Bookshelves

I don't mean to be a copy-cat by blogging, but it seems to be the only way I'm going to be able to get out of the "dog house" with Bryan..... Plus, this way I'll be able to keep a record of our family life, since I hate to scrapbook.

These pictures are of the awesome shelves that Bryan built. He's quite handy and likes to build all kinds of things. He really does a great job, but I forget how sensitive he can be sometimes.

We had the basic frame of the shelves put together. It was just a few sheets of birch plywood thrown together, nothing special. He asked how it looked, and I told him it looked like a couple of newlyweds built it. I only meant that it was just plywood nailed together, but it REALLY hurt his feelings. I knew he wasn't done, and I told him I was sure that his finishing touches would make it look great when he was all done, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

I explained to him that I was referring to my parents. They were very poor when they got married, and my dad built a lot of the shelves and other furniture. He also did (and does) a great job, just like Bryan. When my dad builds something, it's tough enough to last through the Millennium. Seriously. He helped me build stairs for my dogs to get in and out of bed with me, and they are so sturdy, I can climb around on them. So comparing Bryan's work to my dad's should NOT have been an insult to him, but I did hurt his feelings.

To make it up to him, I promised to create a Blog for our family, and the first posting would be in honor of his bookshelves, which really turned out great once we got all the detail work done. Please make sure and let Bryan know if you like the shelves he built; post a comment here or send him an email: bryankw@gmail.com

By the way, the bead board-backing was my idea. :)