I am wrapping things up for my very first official craft show this weekend. With everything that has happened these past few weeks, I am surprised I even want to go through with it, but strangely, I do. Zachary was so excited for me, and he genuinely loved my crafts, that I feel like I owe it to him to do this.
I know he'll be watching over me and I hope I do him proud. Aside from my son, my crafts are one of the few things that I am truly proud of. Not only do I wholeheartedly enjoy making them, I feel honored when someone chooses to purchase something I made for their home or as a gift. I have never considered myself an artist, but I have always had a tendency towards all things creative. Being able to not only make, but also sell the items I create, gives me a good feeling of accomplishment. One that no other job I've ever had (except being a parent) gives me.
I am dedicating this first show to my son, and I hope that it is a success. Although, I know even if I sell nothing, he would still be proud of me for trying. That's just who he was. It will be strange to do this without him, but I will carry him with me in spirit and in my heart, and I will do my very best to honor his memory.
Thank you, Boy Child, for always supporting (and sometimes helping) my creative side. It always made me happy to know that you thought it was so cool, and would brag about it to people. I will miss having you as my favorite crafting partner... Trips to Hobby Lobby will never be the same. Love you, kid. Wish me luck on Saturday...
I craft, I write, I collect gnomes and strawberry stuff. I am a grieving mother, a rally fanatic, a wife and a whole lot more. I share what's on my mind and I hope you appreciate it. Follow me on facebook to see more!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Grief
Wow... it's been awhile. So much has happened in such a short amount of time... Where do I even begin?
On August 3, 2012 (exactly 25 days ago) my son, Zachary was in a car accident. On August 4, 2012, he passed away due to his injuries. At 18 years old, he had his entire life ahead of him. He had just graduated high school (Cum Laude) and was preparing to start college in September. I could go on and on about what an amazing young man he was, and how many lives he touched. This is an endless list. But that is not why I am writing today. Today I want to talk about Grief. (Yes, I believe it deserves a capital G...)
When you lose a loved one, you go through a series of emotions. Anger, guilt, hurt, loneliness, etc. When you lose a child, you experience all of those same emotions, but they are hard to identify because they are overshadowed by one major thing. Emptiness. In one split second your life is over. Your reason for each breath is gone. The pain is indescribable, and only one who has felt it can understand. But above all that, looms a terrible, crushing emptiness. I know my heart still beats, because I am alive, but I am nearly certain there is a hole where that organ used to be. My soul is gone. I see the same face when I look in the mirror, yet is is vastly different. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, mine are closed. Permanently. I am followed by what feels like a physical black hole. It sits there, just at the edge of my consciousness, begging me to fall in and never come out. And it is oh so tempting... One of the very first things you experience when you lose a child is the contemplation of suicide. (And maybe this was just me.) The idea of never seeing, hearing or holding your child again is unimaginable and impossible to accept. The easiest and fastest solution to that problem is to join them in the hereafter. Sounds crazy, right? 26 days ago, I would have agreed. But in that moment, when your entire world falls apart, it seems as logical as breathing. For me, that moment passed as soon as I looked at my husband. In that moment, the only other person in the world I cared about was him. And the idea of hurting him even a little was just too much to bear. Had I known in that moment that he was fighting the same internal battle, who knows what would have happened. But luckily, neither of us knew that.
Now, don't get me wrong, we are NOT suicidal. It is just that initial emotional impact that sends you into a place so dark, it would be easy to never come out. We opted to fight back. I made a promise to my son that I would take care of his father. I promised him that I would keep living and keep fighting. I fully intend to keep that promise. But understand, this is not an easy road. Grief is the most unfair enemy. It plays by no rules, and it takes no prisoners. Grief takes its toll on every aspect of your existence. It effects you in ways you could not have imagined and holds on tightly. This is something that I want people to understand. When you lose a child, you do not just grieve. This is not a loss like a parent, a friend or a pet. (Yes, people try to compare losing a dog or cat to what you are experiencing.) This is a loss that has no equal. Period. So PLEASE do not try to tell a Grieving parent that you "understand" what they are feeling, unless you yourself have lost a child. While I am on the subject, here are a few other suggestions:
*Do not say "They are in a better place." To a parent, there is no such thing as a better place than with your child. They belong with you and that is it.
*Do not say "God works in mysterious ways." or for that matter, any trite religious quote. Not everyone finds solace in religion, or the Lord, and if you do, great, but do not assume that a Grieving parent does as well.
*Do not say "It must have been their time." Really? I didn't realize my child had an expiration date. I would really have appreciated that memo...
*Do not ask if we have other children. I realize your intention may be innocent, but all a Grieving parent hears is "Well... at least you have a replacement." On that note, it's also NOT a good idea to suggest they have more children. Like you can simply replace the one you lost. This may work with pets, but not with children.
*Also, this is one instance where silence is NOT golden. Saying nothing is worse than saying ALL of the above. Any attempt at comfort is better than no attempt. A simple, "I am thinking of you." or "Sending you hugs." or "I love you." is wonderful. NO ONE likes to deal with death. So don't use the "I'm just not good in these situations." to make yourself feel better about doing nothing. One thing a Grieving parent learns quickly is that people can be cut out of your life very easily. Suddenly, a lot of things (and people) are not nearly as important as they once seemed, and the fastest way to be on that list is to do or say nothing.
*Support means EVERYTHING. A call, a text, a facebook message, a drop in, a lunch date, a simple smile and hug mean more than you will EVER know. A parents Grief does not end when the funeral does. It NEVER ends. So just because you have moved on, does not mean that they have.
These are just a few simple suggestions to help people understand what we are going through. These are by no means accusations, or even black and white guidelines. Every person and every parent is different. And even Grieving parents understand that this is a difficult issue to deal with for outsiders. We do try to see past the faux pas, and try to understand where people are coming from. That being said, we are also human, and can and may freak out on occasion. Please don't hold that against us. We love you, and know you are doing your best.
It is also important to note that just because a Grieving parent is attempting to go about doing normal things, that DOES NOT mean we are back to normal. We no longer have a normal. We may smile, laugh, joke, work, go out to dinner, take trips, etc, but 99.9% of what you see is merely an act. We are TRYING to learn to live again, and we may have to fake it sometimes. Please do not take this personal. It is just what happens. We still want to do things, so please don't stop inviting us. Though we may sometimes decline, we may also accept. You just never know. Our emotions and nerves are well past frayed and raw and somewhere in the category of a live wire. You just never know what may trigger a break down. It could be something as simple as a word, a place or a type of food. We have no idea. And when it happens, it is out of our control. The emotions just take over. We apologize in advance for this. It will be awkward and embarrassing for everyone involved. Sorry.
I suppose I will try to wrap this up (for today at least) and just say this; Grief sucks. No one asks to lose a child, and NO ONE knows how to deal with it, least of all the Grieving parents. So just be understanding and patient and generous with the hugs. That is all we ask...
On August 3, 2012 (exactly 25 days ago) my son, Zachary was in a car accident. On August 4, 2012, he passed away due to his injuries. At 18 years old, he had his entire life ahead of him. He had just graduated high school (Cum Laude) and was preparing to start college in September. I could go on and on about what an amazing young man he was, and how many lives he touched. This is an endless list. But that is not why I am writing today. Today I want to talk about Grief. (Yes, I believe it deserves a capital G...)
When you lose a loved one, you go through a series of emotions. Anger, guilt, hurt, loneliness, etc. When you lose a child, you experience all of those same emotions, but they are hard to identify because they are overshadowed by one major thing. Emptiness. In one split second your life is over. Your reason for each breath is gone. The pain is indescribable, and only one who has felt it can understand. But above all that, looms a terrible, crushing emptiness. I know my heart still beats, because I am alive, but I am nearly certain there is a hole where that organ used to be. My soul is gone. I see the same face when I look in the mirror, yet is is vastly different. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, mine are closed. Permanently. I am followed by what feels like a physical black hole. It sits there, just at the edge of my consciousness, begging me to fall in and never come out. And it is oh so tempting... One of the very first things you experience when you lose a child is the contemplation of suicide. (And maybe this was just me.) The idea of never seeing, hearing or holding your child again is unimaginable and impossible to accept. The easiest and fastest solution to that problem is to join them in the hereafter. Sounds crazy, right? 26 days ago, I would have agreed. But in that moment, when your entire world falls apart, it seems as logical as breathing. For me, that moment passed as soon as I looked at my husband. In that moment, the only other person in the world I cared about was him. And the idea of hurting him even a little was just too much to bear. Had I known in that moment that he was fighting the same internal battle, who knows what would have happened. But luckily, neither of us knew that.
Now, don't get me wrong, we are NOT suicidal. It is just that initial emotional impact that sends you into a place so dark, it would be easy to never come out. We opted to fight back. I made a promise to my son that I would take care of his father. I promised him that I would keep living and keep fighting. I fully intend to keep that promise. But understand, this is not an easy road. Grief is the most unfair enemy. It plays by no rules, and it takes no prisoners. Grief takes its toll on every aspect of your existence. It effects you in ways you could not have imagined and holds on tightly. This is something that I want people to understand. When you lose a child, you do not just grieve. This is not a loss like a parent, a friend or a pet. (Yes, people try to compare losing a dog or cat to what you are experiencing.) This is a loss that has no equal. Period. So PLEASE do not try to tell a Grieving parent that you "understand" what they are feeling, unless you yourself have lost a child. While I am on the subject, here are a few other suggestions:
*Do not say "They are in a better place." To a parent, there is no such thing as a better place than with your child. They belong with you and that is it.
*Do not say "God works in mysterious ways." or for that matter, any trite religious quote. Not everyone finds solace in religion, or the Lord, and if you do, great, but do not assume that a Grieving parent does as well.
*Do not say "It must have been their time." Really? I didn't realize my child had an expiration date. I would really have appreciated that memo...
*Do not ask if we have other children. I realize your intention may be innocent, but all a Grieving parent hears is "Well... at least you have a replacement." On that note, it's also NOT a good idea to suggest they have more children. Like you can simply replace the one you lost. This may work with pets, but not with children.
*Also, this is one instance where silence is NOT golden. Saying nothing is worse than saying ALL of the above. Any attempt at comfort is better than no attempt. A simple, "I am thinking of you." or "Sending you hugs." or "I love you." is wonderful. NO ONE likes to deal with death. So don't use the "I'm just not good in these situations." to make yourself feel better about doing nothing. One thing a Grieving parent learns quickly is that people can be cut out of your life very easily. Suddenly, a lot of things (and people) are not nearly as important as they once seemed, and the fastest way to be on that list is to do or say nothing.
*Support means EVERYTHING. A call, a text, a facebook message, a drop in, a lunch date, a simple smile and hug mean more than you will EVER know. A parents Grief does not end when the funeral does. It NEVER ends. So just because you have moved on, does not mean that they have.
These are just a few simple suggestions to help people understand what we are going through. These are by no means accusations, or even black and white guidelines. Every person and every parent is different. And even Grieving parents understand that this is a difficult issue to deal with for outsiders. We do try to see past the faux pas, and try to understand where people are coming from. That being said, we are also human, and can and may freak out on occasion. Please don't hold that against us. We love you, and know you are doing your best.
It is also important to note that just because a Grieving parent is attempting to go about doing normal things, that DOES NOT mean we are back to normal. We no longer have a normal. We may smile, laugh, joke, work, go out to dinner, take trips, etc, but 99.9% of what you see is merely an act. We are TRYING to learn to live again, and we may have to fake it sometimes. Please do not take this personal. It is just what happens. We still want to do things, so please don't stop inviting us. Though we may sometimes decline, we may also accept. You just never know. Our emotions and nerves are well past frayed and raw and somewhere in the category of a live wire. You just never know what may trigger a break down. It could be something as simple as a word, a place or a type of food. We have no idea. And when it happens, it is out of our control. The emotions just take over. We apologize in advance for this. It will be awkward and embarrassing for everyone involved. Sorry.
I suppose I will try to wrap this up (for today at least) and just say this; Grief sucks. No one asks to lose a child, and NO ONE knows how to deal with it, least of all the Grieving parents. So just be understanding and patient and generous with the hugs. That is all we ask...
Monday, July 9, 2012
What is the World Coming To?
I remember growing up and hearing my parents and grandparents say that the world was "Going to Hell in a handbasket." Well... I still have no idea what a handbasket is (Do you collect hands in it?) but I have to agree with the going to Hell part. With all the amazing advancements in technology and medical procedures, I am grateful to be a part of this day and age, but that doesn't mean I don't miss the simple ways of the past. Even for me, a mere 32 years old (Yes, I said mere.) I can see the changes, and they aren't all for the best. With the new technology, we are forgetting the basics. When was the last time you received a hand written note? Seriously, take a moment and think about it... It's probably been awhile, right? Invitations are now via email or facebook, Birthday messages are by text or voicemail and I can't remember the last thank you note I received. I'm not even sure kids are taught handwriting in school anymore. If they are, they are doing a terrible job at it, because this younger generation has the handwriting skills of a drunk doctor having a seizure. It's pathetic. We use technology so much that we rarely use our actual brains anymore. Now don't get me wrong, I rely on a calculator to do my math for me, but I could still use my fingers (and toes) if I had to.
And don't even get me started on reading and grammar skills. "b rt thr" is NOT a complete sentence. And what's with all the acronyms? I get it, they're faster to type, but now we use them whilst speaking?? I mean, WTF? I'm not even sure kids these days know what a book is. I don't mean a Kindle, I mean a real life, paper paged, actual book. No one even reads them anymore. Now they read the shortcuts or skim the electronic version. OR, they just Google it and find out someone else's opinion and claim it as their own. And coming from someone who had to suffer through "the classics" in school, I find this highly offensive. Would I have preferred to shortcut through them? Sure. But I am glad that I didn't have that opportunity, because now, as an adult, I not only have excellent reading and comprehension skills, but I can quote lines from literature and it makes me sound smart. (Not that I am stupid, mind you.)
But I digress... These are just a few of the basic skills that the younger generations have lost. There are SO many more. Dressing oneself, for instance. Now, I am all for expressing your own style, but there is a time and place for it. Weddings, funerals, work, etc. are all NOT the place. It's called tact. You dress (and act) in an appropriate manner for certain occasions. If you want to look like a homeless hooker, that is your right, but the rest of us have a right not to see it. And parents, seriously? It is OK to tell your children no from time to time. Like when your 11 year old wants a spray tan, or to dye her hair for example. It is a parent's job to teach your children what is appropriate. You aren't "Stifling their creativity" or anything by telling them that their underwear shouldn't be hanging out of their pants. Give them a belt and an art set and let them express themselves in better ways. We as a society have gotten so soft that we are afraid to upset anyone, including our own children. Well it's high time we got over that. Disappointment is a part of life. People will tell you no and mean it. You will NOT be good at everything you try. You will not always be accepted by everyone. People can be cruel. Learn to deal with it. You know why it's good to learn these lessons? Because they help us grow and learn. If you try something and fail at it, that's ok. Try something else. Eventually you will find your niche. People will be mean to you. It's not the end of the world. Those people will wash your car someday. Suck it up, toughen up and move on. Find people who are kind and treat you right and cherish them. If you never learn these lessons, then you will never become strong, independent, motivated and empathetic adults. Life is not all sunshine and roses and the sooner you learn to accept that, the better off you will be in the long run. Childhood is merely a stepping stone in life, so unless you want your 45 year old child living in your basement, playing video games and "expressing themself" forever, start being more realistic as a parent. I'm not saying you should be abusive or brutally honest, but you can tell your child no and that it's ok not to be perfect. Will they be mad? Probably. But being a parent is a hard job, and like life, it isn't all sunshine and roses. But someday, when they are happy, well adjusted, successful adults, they will thank you. Or at the very least, live in their own homes and do their own laundry.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is this: Life doesn't have to go to Hell in a handbasket. We can raise a generation to be proud of. We can BE a generation to be proud of. If we just started living simpler, working harder, being more understanding and using our God given brains, we could do even more amazing things.
And don't even get me started on reading and grammar skills. "b rt thr" is NOT a complete sentence. And what's with all the acronyms? I get it, they're faster to type, but now we use them whilst speaking?? I mean, WTF? I'm not even sure kids these days know what a book is. I don't mean a Kindle, I mean a real life, paper paged, actual book. No one even reads them anymore. Now they read the shortcuts or skim the electronic version. OR, they just Google it and find out someone else's opinion and claim it as their own. And coming from someone who had to suffer through "the classics" in school, I find this highly offensive. Would I have preferred to shortcut through them? Sure. But I am glad that I didn't have that opportunity, because now, as an adult, I not only have excellent reading and comprehension skills, but I can quote lines from literature and it makes me sound smart. (Not that I am stupid, mind you.)
But I digress... These are just a few of the basic skills that the younger generations have lost. There are SO many more. Dressing oneself, for instance. Now, I am all for expressing your own style, but there is a time and place for it. Weddings, funerals, work, etc. are all NOT the place. It's called tact. You dress (and act) in an appropriate manner for certain occasions. If you want to look like a homeless hooker, that is your right, but the rest of us have a right not to see it. And parents, seriously? It is OK to tell your children no from time to time. Like when your 11 year old wants a spray tan, or to dye her hair for example. It is a parent's job to teach your children what is appropriate. You aren't "Stifling their creativity" or anything by telling them that their underwear shouldn't be hanging out of their pants. Give them a belt and an art set and let them express themselves in better ways. We as a society have gotten so soft that we are afraid to upset anyone, including our own children. Well it's high time we got over that. Disappointment is a part of life. People will tell you no and mean it. You will NOT be good at everything you try. You will not always be accepted by everyone. People can be cruel. Learn to deal with it. You know why it's good to learn these lessons? Because they help us grow and learn. If you try something and fail at it, that's ok. Try something else. Eventually you will find your niche. People will be mean to you. It's not the end of the world. Those people will wash your car someday. Suck it up, toughen up and move on. Find people who are kind and treat you right and cherish them. If you never learn these lessons, then you will never become strong, independent, motivated and empathetic adults. Life is not all sunshine and roses and the sooner you learn to accept that, the better off you will be in the long run. Childhood is merely a stepping stone in life, so unless you want your 45 year old child living in your basement, playing video games and "expressing themself" forever, start being more realistic as a parent. I'm not saying you should be abusive or brutally honest, but you can tell your child no and that it's ok not to be perfect. Will they be mad? Probably. But being a parent is a hard job, and like life, it isn't all sunshine and roses. But someday, when they are happy, well adjusted, successful adults, they will thank you. Or at the very least, live in their own homes and do their own laundry.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is this: Life doesn't have to go to Hell in a handbasket. We can raise a generation to be proud of. We can BE a generation to be proud of. If we just started living simpler, working harder, being more understanding and using our God given brains, we could do even more amazing things.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Redneck Chic
So I have been crazy busy the last month or so planning my son's Open House. But now that it is over (and was a huge success) I am ready to get back to creating new things.
I started a brand new line to the Berry Favorite Things collection. It is called Redneck Chic. It is an assortment of accessories, jewelry & more made with caps from your favorite beers. I am just getting rolling on this line, so there isn't a great deal out yet, but I am very excited and have TONS of ideas.
The line will include hair accessories, jewelry, purses, shoes & more. I can't wait to see the response this brings.
The Redneck Chic line is for ladies with a great sense of humor and unique style. The pieces are all handcrafted and make excellent conversation starters. They would be perfect for concerts, bars, ladies nights, bachelorette parties and more. The prices vary based on the item, but they are very affordable.
To see the line, along with other items I make, please visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Berry-Favorite-Things/168231363272448
Thank you for supporting local artists and crafters!
I started a brand new line to the Berry Favorite Things collection. It is called Redneck Chic. It is an assortment of accessories, jewelry & more made with caps from your favorite beers. I am just getting rolling on this line, so there isn't a great deal out yet, but I am very excited and have TONS of ideas.
The line will include hair accessories, jewelry, purses, shoes & more. I can't wait to see the response this brings.
The Redneck Chic line is for ladies with a great sense of humor and unique style. The pieces are all handcrafted and make excellent conversation starters. They would be perfect for concerts, bars, ladies nights, bachelorette parties and more. The prices vary based on the item, but they are very affordable.
To see the line, along with other items I make, please visit my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Berry-Favorite-Things/168231363272448
Thank you for supporting local artists and crafters!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Jewelry
I am a big (big) fan of fun, funky, gaudy, chunky, bright colored, shiny, blingtastic jewelry.
I have at least 1-2 pieces of it to match almost every outfit, and I get it everywhere from jewelry stores to garage sales. Sometimes jewelry makes or breaks a look, and it can take an emsemble from drab to fab or casual to elegant instantly.
I have been making my own jewelry since grade school, and though I don't make it as often as I used to, I still get the occasional itch to whip something up. Lately, I have been making bracelets out of lace, ribbon, buttons and random odds & ends. They range from elegant to funky, and I am loving them.
Here is a pic of my latest (and current fave) one.
I have at least 1-2 pieces of it to match almost every outfit, and I get it everywhere from jewelry stores to garage sales. Sometimes jewelry makes or breaks a look, and it can take an emsemble from drab to fab or casual to elegant instantly.
I have been making my own jewelry since grade school, and though I don't make it as often as I used to, I still get the occasional itch to whip something up. Lately, I have been making bracelets out of lace, ribbon, buttons and random odds & ends. They range from elegant to funky, and I am loving them.
Here is a pic of my latest (and current fave) one.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
May Projects
Here are just a few of the projects I whipped up this past month. :)
This is a magnet board with several hooks, that a customer requested to display her jewelry on. I love the colors in this one.
These are some lace & button bracelets that I made for my niece and I to wear for Memorial Day. They were such a hit, I will definitely be making more.
Small, lighthouse cork board for my Mother-in-law. She wanted one that she could use in her RV. The colors are so classic, and I love that some Michigan lighthouses are visible. :)
I am such a huge fan of bright, bold colors and patterns. This fabric is to die for & the deep purple board is gorgeous. The jeweled detail along the bottom adds just the right touch. This cork board will look great in any room.
Red and black are my favorite colors, and they look so classy together. The pattern in the fabric is so classic, and paired with a bold color and the glittery black trim, it is just stunning. Another gorgeous cork board.
The retro colors and fabric in this cork board are so fun and funky. I can see this in a kitchen, or dorm room, or really anywhere. I just love this one.
Handcut & handpainted with embellishments. This decorative wall art with hanging pegs is so cute and full of whimsy. Would look great in a girl's room or nursery. The combination of the pink & green is so popular right now, and I love it.
Wine and wine related items are so popular right now. This is the third wine themed cork/magnet board I have made this month. The rich colors in this fabric are gorgeous, and the matching cork tacks are just too cute.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Pinterest Addict
For those of you who are not on Pinterest, I am so sorry. For those of you who are. Hello, my name is Teena, and I have a Pinterest addiction. (insert chorus of "Hi Teena's" here)
Pinterest is a place where you create boards for everything you could ever fathom and 'pin' things to them. Sounds simple and almost silly, right? WRONG! It's pure genius! Have you ever wanted a giant cork board where you can pin every recipe you would like to try? Or maybe a place to store pics that make you laugh, or inspire you to work out? Planning a wedding or a party & need a spot to not only find great ideas, but save them too? PINTEREST IS IT!
Whatever brilliant mind (It had to be a woman.) created this magical, wonderful world... I bow to your superb wisdom. If Pinterest was a religion, I would be baptized in its glory. It is a slice of birthday cake, wrapped in a hot caramel sundae, dipped in sprinkles with a side of bacon and cookies. It is pure, unadulterated joy. I login and in seconds I am laughing, crying, starving and ready to run a marathon. No other website has the ability to not only suck me in so deeply, but to do it for such incredible lengths of time. There is a phenomenon that occurs the moment you log in to Pinterest. Time no longer makes sense. I call it the Pinterest wormhole. A wrinkle in time, if you will. I start pinning, and before I know it hours have passed. Hours that felt like mere moments. But what joyus, blessed hours they are. It's like a peaceful cocoon of pleasure that wraps around your brain and makes you feel creative, beautiful, smart, funny and a little out of shape but inspired to change.
Then something happens...
You log off and realize that your clothes are hideous, your house is in desperate need of redecorating, you do not have any of the ingredients to be a master chef, your abs look more like a gallon jug than a 6 pack and your children have been waiting for lunch for several hours. The pinning high is gone... It's like a switch has been flipped and suddenly this amazing life you have created on imaginary boards isn't really real. (Although the craving for dessert somehow manages to linger much longer than the inspiration to work out does...) So what do you do? How do you get that feeling back?
You log back in and start pinning. This is the vicious Pinterest cycle. Sadly, there is not yet a 12 step program for this, though I imagine many of us could use it.
If I find one, I'll be sure to repin it...
Pinterest is a place where you create boards for everything you could ever fathom and 'pin' things to them. Sounds simple and almost silly, right? WRONG! It's pure genius! Have you ever wanted a giant cork board where you can pin every recipe you would like to try? Or maybe a place to store pics that make you laugh, or inspire you to work out? Planning a wedding or a party & need a spot to not only find great ideas, but save them too? PINTEREST IS IT!
Whatever brilliant mind (It had to be a woman.) created this magical, wonderful world... I bow to your superb wisdom. If Pinterest was a religion, I would be baptized in its glory. It is a slice of birthday cake, wrapped in a hot caramel sundae, dipped in sprinkles with a side of bacon and cookies. It is pure, unadulterated joy. I login and in seconds I am laughing, crying, starving and ready to run a marathon. No other website has the ability to not only suck me in so deeply, but to do it for such incredible lengths of time. There is a phenomenon that occurs the moment you log in to Pinterest. Time no longer makes sense. I call it the Pinterest wormhole. A wrinkle in time, if you will. I start pinning, and before I know it hours have passed. Hours that felt like mere moments. But what joyus, blessed hours they are. It's like a peaceful cocoon of pleasure that wraps around your brain and makes you feel creative, beautiful, smart, funny and a little out of shape but inspired to change.
Then something happens...
You log off and realize that your clothes are hideous, your house is in desperate need of redecorating, you do not have any of the ingredients to be a master chef, your abs look more like a gallon jug than a 6 pack and your children have been waiting for lunch for several hours. The pinning high is gone... It's like a switch has been flipped and suddenly this amazing life you have created on imaginary boards isn't really real. (Although the craving for dessert somehow manages to linger much longer than the inspiration to work out does...) So what do you do? How do you get that feeling back?
You log back in and start pinning. This is the vicious Pinterest cycle. Sadly, there is not yet a 12 step program for this, though I imagine many of us could use it.
If I find one, I'll be sure to repin it...
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