Thursday, January 15, 2009

A far cry from Southern White Trash and a shoutin’ distance from Southern Belle

It has come to my attention recently, that I am not a part of the White Trash America or the distinguished group of Southern Belles. I seem to fall somewhere in-between. Throughout high school, I had often thought of myself as being the sweet Southern belle-type. Considering my mom’s side of the family, the Watson’s, had been a well-established family in Levy County for generations. This was before cold, hard reality set-in. See, no matter how hard I try, I never can quite meet the mark of the “belle status.” Unfortunately, at a friend’s baby shower, this rang even more true. My mom and I showed up in our denim capris and flip-flops because it was only a “drop-in” and we would only be there for a few minutes. What we walked into was a room of well-dressed, tea-sippin’, lah-di-dah Southern ladies. The hostess was lovely, the shower was wonderful, but I have never felt so out of place in my life. Needless to say, I couldn’t have gotten out of there quick enough.
That being said, I am also not part of the day-after-Thanksgiving, tazered-at-Wal-mart crowd. I also can’t think of three people in my family that are currently on probation which is the ultimate standard. I, myself, have never been arrested, worn leopard spandex, or slept with my neighbor-in-the-trailer-park’s live-in boyfriend. But I’ve come close a time or two. I’ll let you guess which one. All I will say is my fat behind doesn’t need spandex stretched over it, I’m not a fan of STD’s, but my uncle IS the sheriff.
I do have relatives that fit in both categories. Some fit the Southern Belle mold so well that you could imagine them at Tara flirtin’ with Rhett. Yet, some very easily fall into the White Trash America, would fight on the Jerry Springer Show over determining who the baby-daddy be, category. My bunch goes from Ivory complexions to big ugly tattoo’s done with Indian ink. The spectrum is very broad ‘round these parts. Luckily, I fall somewhere in the middle. Maybe, just maybe, that grants me a little normalcy in life.

6 comments:

  1. Don't try to fool me...I saw you sporting that leopard spandex! :) Haha I hear what you are saying, but you know what...those uppity types (which I find those who fit in your "Belle" category generally are) never really know who their true friends are and it gets really tiring trying to be some standard. I just like to be who I am and if someone has a problem with it then tough for them. :-P

    I LOVE your blogs posts by the way!! :) You are so funny!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh! honey.... I hate that you felt uncomfortable at my shower!!! I promise you that you were not looked at as "out of place." EVERY and I do mean EVERY family has a few belles and a couple trashy people that we try to keep hidden back. We can bless their heart all day long and describe them as "colorful" to people outside the family, but that doesn't change the fact that they ARE our relatives! Don't sweat it. By the way, I think you are a belle! You are WAY sassy, cute, and you have good hair! Surely those are the qualities that count (:

    ReplyDelete
  3. well, dang it, I had my comment all typed out and it didnt post... what I said was, that i LOVE your blog! You are too much... and wherever it is on the "Southern Spectrum" that you fall, is where I wanna be, too! You're prescious and I am wondering why you arent writing for the GCJ?!? Well, on second thought, you may be a little too honest and colorful for the paper readers of Gilchrist county & surrounding areas!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aww...thanks guys. I appreciate the comments! Y'all are so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You shouldn't have felt out of place, just have come earlier...me & my momma and banchees left before you got there LOL!!!! I believe we fit right in with each other girl!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Aleta! I found your blog from Jackie's and it is very entertaining! I must say I agree with you on feeling pretty middle of the road when it comes to being southern...although the normalcy (which I'm beginning to doubt truly exsits) might be a bit of a stretch when you are surrounded by so many Watson's! :)

    ReplyDelete