Expand Your Expectations For Other People

I’m not much of a baker (I have a tendency to disregard recipes and make a mess), but I decided to try my hand at being a domestic goddess, if only for a day.

I made some vegan banana walnut bread for Chris (it’s got to be healthier than that Captain Crunch cereal he normally eats for breakfast). I think it came out pretty nice. And, of course, I spilled some batter on myself almost instantly, so it was lucky that I had my new apron on!

My friend Molly sent me the apron along with a couple collar flowers for my new dog, Skyla. Chris loved them and attached them to Skyla’s collar immediately.

But here’s the thing…I think I’m a bit prejudice against girlieness. I’m not a tomboy, but I definitely shy away from things with too many ruffles, bows, or flowers. When we got Skyla, I was determined not to let her turn into one of those prissy Legally Blond dogs.

But she is girlie…really girlie.

Chris wanted to buy her a Chicago Bears collar at first, but he ended up getting a purple collar and harness because “she looks better in purple.” Everyone she meets says how pretty she is. Her name is very girlie too, but she already recognized her name when we got her from the shelter so there was no good reason to change it.

It’s so absurd—the feminist in me is annoyed that my dog is getting by on her looks! When Skyla gazes up at me, I feel like she’s pleading, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful!”

I think I need to work on expanding my expectations for the new year, especially in regards to Skyla. I may have had gruff, tough dogs when I was younger, but I need to accept that she’s a girlie little angel.

Hey, if people can accept me even though I’m not exactly what they’d like me to be, then maybe I can be more accepting too…even to my dog.

Have you ever had to broaden your view of someone close to you? Was it hard? Do you still hope they’ll change someday?

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7 Comments

  1. Tinfoil Tiaras on December 28, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    You look adorable in your new apron and as an awful chef I would say you’re more of a domestic goddess than I! Skyla is beautiful and I love the flowers- even if it means she’s turning into a Legally Blonde dog (which has it’s perks too!) 🙂



  2. Anna on December 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Numi, my Shih Tzu puppy, is getting by entirely on her cute face (and cute sock chewing, shoe ripping, napkin stealing, surprise jumping, tail wagging, and face licking) – and we’re perfectly alright with it. She’s not really a girly girl at all; she’s a tomboy in a princess’s body. I thought a Shih Tzu would be more mellow but I was wrong and it was a bit of an adjustment. But now, she’s my little asshole puppy (her new nickname in the family). Your Skyla is lovely and absolutely worth of all the ideological inconsistencies you may be experiencing 🙂

    Your attempt at domestic divinity is very impressive. Chris is lucky – I fancy me some vegan baking too!



  3. Molly on December 27, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    You look adorable in the apron! Skyla looks quite smashing with her flowers, too. 🙂 I’m not very girly, either, but I do like some pretty things.

    I’ve come to accept people for who they are as I’ve gotten older. I used to hope they’d change, and although it would be nice in some instances, I’ve made my peace with the fact that most people just don’t change. It was really hard for me to get to this point, but now that I have I feel much more relaxed and I’ve found that I no longer care so much what others think of me. If they expect something of me and I don’t meet those expectations, then that’s their problem, not mine. So there. 😀



    • Sage on December 28, 2011 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks so much for the apron and collar flowers, Molly. You’re right about becoming more accepting as we get older. I was really snotty and opinionated as a teenager!



  4. Xvavaveganx on December 26, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    Great post! First, the apron is soooooo cute! I love my skull apron I was lucky enough to win from Molly and yours looks great! You rock it girl!

    Skyla really is a gorgeous pup, I don’t know how anyone can resist her perfect little face. 🙂

    I feel like I’ve been trying really hard not to have specific expectations from people other than they be decent, honest, respectful human beings. I know someone that is a miserable, obnoxious, mean person but I don’t expect her to change because those traits have become so ingrained in her personality. I used to take it personally but now I don’t care.

    I’m not a very girly girl but I have my moments. I k ow my parents wish that I didn’t like tattoos or piercings and whatnot but it’s who I an 🙂 I think they’ve accepted it…although it is too late anyway 😉

    Hope you had a very happy holiday!



    • Xvavaveganx on December 26, 2011 at 5:31 pm

      Ugh sorry I’m typing comments on my phone so there are tons of typos! Oops!



      • Sage on December 28, 2011 at 12:38 pm

        I need to work on not taking other people’s obnoxious attitudes personally. And I don’t mind typos at all! You should see my posts before I run the spell check. 🙂