Overcoming perfect Pinterest world

As a social media savvy communications professional, I’m not sure I should admit that I tend to avoid Pinterest like it was a flu-like virus, but it’s true. However, my disdain mainly stems from a very real inferiority complex that curses my non-professional roles.

My “complex” grew to its worst when I had my first child. It was then that I began my love/hate relationship with social media and the internet in general. I loved that I could google every little oddity coming from this little human being I was expected to keep alive and find someone who would assure me it was normal and give advice about how to deal with it. However, I hated that everywhere I looked I was overwhelmed with reasons to doubt myself and feel like the world’s worst parent because I ____ (you know, fed my baby formula or sent him to daycare or fill in the blank).

If Pinterest was my only measure of success, I’m certain I would win a loser parent award. You see, I’m not crafty, and I barley stumble my way around my kitchen. I finally sought out Pinterest when I was in need of some fast, easy, healthy yet kid-friendly dinner ideas (which I’ve since learned is basically an impossible formula). But what others labeled as “easy” seemed impossible for me or took me twice as long to prepare. Welcome, again, to loserville.

I guess the key for me is to not allow Pinterest (or really anything outside of the B-I-B-L-E) to be an unrealistic standard against which I measure myself. The same, then, is true for the judging moms in online discussion forums. And the Facebook posts from people who make their own laundry detergent or seem to have no problems getting their kids to gobble up vegetables. ‘Cuz here’s the deal…I do my best and I love my family. And where I fall short, I now know there is a lot of grace from the people who matter most in my life. So take that, perfect Pinterest world!

Oh, and if you can remotely relate to my feelings above, I guarantee you these funny Pinterest fails will make you feel better!

Homes sweet homes

There was a time in my youth when I loved paging through catalogs looking at toys and games—daydreaming that I was the owner of whatever the “it” item was. At some point though, I became less interested in wanting a trampoline and paging through the JC Penney Christmas catalog. Instead, I found myself browsing Sunday ads for home furnishings and looking forward to catalogs from West Elm. Now I shop primarily for towels, rugs, pillows and just about anything for my home—and I love it. But with a small condo and little room (and cash!) to spare, I've taken to dreaming instead of redecorating.

To support these daydreams of mine, I’ve become addicted to HGTV. I’m not much of a do-it-yourselfer like many of my crafty friends, but it certainly provides inspiration. I absolutely love looking at other people’s homes. Not in a creeper way, of course, just in a “someday I want to…” have those countertops, buy that bedroom set, paint a room blue, or whatever fill-in-the-blank applies kind of way.

I’m obviously not the only one because we have model homes galore in this city. I’m a sucker for the Parade of Homes every fall and spring. This month, I’m also hoping to hit the Luxury Home Tour.

If I sound too materialistic, let me assure you that I have no desire for even half of the amenities these million-dollar homes offer. I much prefer a small, cozy place to call home. Just give me a front porch and a few big windows overlooking an idyllic little neighborhood and my daydream is complete!

So what does your dream home look like? Or what HGTV-inspired project would you like to take on? I’m always looking for more ideas to add to my “someday” file.

Actually, as I sit here at my “dining room” table (it’s part of my living room), I feel a nice breeze through the window and am looking around at all the ways I’ve made this place home over the years. I’m pretty content. I like being home.

Clean sweep

I’ve been waiting for a perfect spring weekend for awhile now and finally got one just a couple days ago. The sunshine and spring temps meant it was the perfect opportunity for me to open the windows and let the cool breeze cover the scent of bleach as I deep cleaned my home.

That’s right folks. Equipped with allergy medicine and blaring iPod, spring cleaning is one of my simple pleasures. Of course cleaning is still a chore. I’d rather be doing any number of things, but as chores go, cleaning is tops for me.

This is most definitely an inherited trait. My sweet grandma was militant about cleaning. And growing up, Saturday mornings were spent helping my mom wash and vacuum the floors. At the time, I hated it. I vividly remember cleaning the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, complaining that I was being treated like Cinderella. Not to mention the fact that I was unable to give my full attention to the latest episode of Saved By the Bell.

I didn’t fully appreciate this cleaning obsession until I was an adult. Now at home, everything has its place. (My desk at work is another story.) And while things aren’t always in their place, you can be sure I’m going to do my best to keep things in order.

I think part of my fondness for cleanliness comes from wanting to be in control. When everything else in my life seems out of my control, I get to have my say about the amount of dust on the floor. (Let’s just say, Swiffer has a loyal customer in me.)

For that reason, cleaning is sort of like therapy for me. Nothing kicks stress like scrubbing the heck out of the kitchen floor.

Has anyone else had the spring cleaning bug lately? Or, what sends your OCD into overdrive?

And for those of you wanting to pay a visit soon, please do! Just remember to remove your shoes, avoid fingerprints and don’t splash water on the counter tops. I jest...mostly.