Life with Pinterest

Y'all, whatever did we do before Pinterest? I pity our parents who grew up in a world lacking in free exercise tips, 1000s of chicken recipes, dollar store crafts, and pictures of places that only Brad and Angelina can afford to visit. Not to mention the inspirational quotes that keep me smiling as my children destroy the house, keep me running every morning despite the dastardly temps, and encourage me to add a little sarcasm to my Facebook posts, text messages, and face to face conversations.

How ever did they do it? My mom had to shell out 38 bucks a year for a Southern Living subscription to figure out how to rearrange her decades old furniture, all while her perfectly seasoned pot roast simmered on the stove for HOURS. Nowadays, thanks to innovative pinners who share their wisdom via social media, moms can "fake" the taste of an hours long piece of meat and decoupage a trash bin find to make an old dresser look like an antique piece of art. Talk about living the good life-all for the measly price of monthly internet connection:-)

I must say it didn't take me long to develop a slight little addiction to all that pinning has to offer. When I tell the boys to leave me alone because I'm "pinning," they start putting in requests for decadent brownies. When Coach comes home to an unfamiliar meal on his table, he immediately asks, "Pinterest?" My girls at the gym look at me with glazed eyes when I tell them we are trying something knew. Most of them (fellow pinners) will just sigh and ask, "OK, which Pin is it?"

But after many months of a Piniful (plentiful, piniful, get it?) existence, my rose-colored glasses are getting a little foggy. I mean, sure, who doesn't want to be the perfect Mom and spout a timely Bible verse for every parenting moment? Who doesn't dream of popping out perfect, original(oh, the irony) valentine goodies for the kids' classes? I don't know any girl who doesn't want to walk into her closet and come out sporting a kick a** outfit with the stuff that has been hanging pre-pregnancy. But how much is too much? Just how AWESOME are we supposed to be?

Here, A few of My Favorite Pins:

25 things Moms should do with their boys. What a GREAT idea, but unfortunately our quality time these days boils down to me with my hands on my hips, pointing to piles of clothing and an unmade bed, shouting something like "we aren't leaving this room until it is spotless!"

The Mom pooch. What a relief to know that the pooch at my belt has NOTHING to do with my Coca-Cola addiction. There was, in fact, physical trauma in those three pregnancies that requires more than just crunches and cutting back on sugar. So although it isn't an excuse for muffin top, at least it's a REASON for muffin top.

Victorian character captions. Most of these pictures capture dapperly-dressed men and women, dancing around and suggesting that I a)drink more wine b)critique everyone's grammar c)drink more wine and
d)defriend anyone who doesn't do a, b, or c.

Baking soda uses. Seriously? Baking soda is one of the cheapest things I can pick up at the grocery store, so I'm all in. But I'm a little concerned with the fact that the same thing that whitens my teeth and eliminates toxins from my body with a bath soak is the same stuff that can take the red sharpie out of my carpet. Oh well, at 99 cents a box, I'm stocking up.

Of course, I'd be remiss not to mention my "lists," the little reminders Pinterest offers to suggest that as a wife and mom I'm not quite up to par. According to my boards, I have things to do with my kids, things to do with my husband (in case after 15 years I'm at a loss), things to do before I go to bed every night (we're talking squats and lunges; nothing to do with the husband here), and a delightful list of foods I promise not to eat for a month, which will insure that I'll look good but everyone else will be living with a witch.

So maybe I don't Pin every day like I used to, but there's still plenty to be gleaned from Pinterest. While I'm scrolling through ideas, hints, and suggestions on how to improve my life, I can look around and see see that my life is plenty Pinworthy already. It's the boys wearing mistmatched clothes eating Kraft mac n cheese from bowls I did NOT make myself that assure me of it.