Perfection Pending

By Meredith Ethington

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Five Things That Make My Blog Awesome. And By “Awesome” I Mean Boring.

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I want to be famous. No wait. I don’t want to be famous.

I want to be a writer that people love and admire. No wait. I don’t want to do that either.

I’m so confused.

You see, I have discovered several things about my blog that make it so “real” that it might just be boring.

1- I don’t have a cool camera. Therefore, my pictures are usually blurry. Or have bad lighting. Or are washed out by the flash. AND- I frequently find a dirty mirror in the background, or a crayon scribble on the wall behind the subject (I mean stuffed animal) I am trying to take a picture of. It’s OK. I play it off as “keeping it real”.

2- I don’t do DIY tutorials. I really don’t do DIY anything. I have become that Mom that microwaves hot dogs. I did that for the first time this week. I kid you not. I call my sister, “How do you microwave a hotdog?” She replied in a tone that was like, “You seriously just called me for this?” and said flatly, “You poke holes in it with a fork and cook it for one minute and make sure it doesn’t explode.” OH OK! Now I know how. Wait, did I just do my first DIY tutorial? You’re welcome.

3- I Know nothing about fashion. I wish I did. I got a pedicure yesterday. And, before you think I’m one of those moms that thinks pedicures are a necessary part of life, let me just say, I have medical reasons for why it is necessary. I swear! You don’t want to see that. Moving on. So, at my pedicure, I picked up a magazine. Glamour. It was chocked full of how to be a man magnet (there was literally a picture of a model with a magnet attached to her back and men attached to said magnet) and other such nonsense. And, I looked at the pages of “What’s in” in fashion and realized I’m not doing too bad. I mean, who knew that I was supposed to wear overly baggy tops with my skin tight jeans as a trend? I just thought I needed to lose a little more of that “baby” weight. Yes, I put that in quotations on purpose. So what if I wear normal jeans and call them “skinny jeans”. I mean, they’re skin tight, so I’m counting it. And here’s my attempt at the messy bun on top of your head that I saw in the magazine last night:

P1040059

To achieve lighting in this post, simply sit in a basement with bad track lighting. You’re welcome.

Doesn’t it look A-MAZ-ING??? I think so. I especially love my smeared make-up. And, the frizzies at my hair line. It’s all part of “the messy look” I was going for. Oh, and you don’t see the bun on the TOP of my head? Oops. And before I forget…what I’m wearing. My top is from Target. Take THAT Glamour!

4- I don’t have an amazingly heartwarming/heartbreaking story. I mean, I might. You never know. Things can take a turn for the better or worse at any moment. But, my story is pretty ordinary, and people need to die first before I can share it, because I’m too afraid of offending people around me sharing “my” story.

5- I don’t homeschool, do crafty things, or cook fancy meals. If you want to know how to make a laundry basket last that has a split down one side (tip-just keep using it anyway) I’m your woman. Or, if you want to hear me complain about public schooling but not really get involved to change anything, then yep, that’s me too. Or, if you are DYING for some recipes, I do have a few over here. But, that died off real quick when I realized how much work it is to type up recipes. And take step by step pictures. Nobody’s got time for that.

So there ya go. Some reasons why my blog is super awesome boring.

But, the other day, as I logged in to see what my stats, I saw that my normal 85 views for the day had skyrocketed to 400 in just a matter of a couple of hours. WHAAAAT? I did a double take and thought, “What the crap!?” My first thought was that I had somehow mysteriously logged into someone else’s stats. No wait, that’s not possible. Then, what? I do the same thing I do everyday. Write a post, share it on FB with my 59 followers, pin it to Pinterest where no one looks at it, and hope that if I write it, they will miraculously find me.

The thing is, when I figured out what caused the glitch, it made me a little depressed. You see, on Thursday, I shared someone else’s writing on my blog. Granted, it was hilarious. But, I had done my research. Several people had shared it on facebook, and SEVERAL more people had put it on their blogs. So, no biggie. I didn’t think anyone would care about it that much, except maybe my few loyal followers might get a chuckle. But, I guess no one had ever posted it to…..You guessed it. Pinterest. Anyone else see the irony there?

So, Thursday my blog got 613 views. Friday 994. And as I write this post, I currently have already gotten 824 views. Now, I know this is small potatoes to all you big time bloggers out there, but to little ole me, it felt huge. Into my mind flashed the fantasy of book deals, and podcasts, and TV appearances. Yeah, I’m looking at you Scary Mommy. I saw you on the Today show.

The depressing part? It was for a post that I didn’t even write.

So, yeah, my blog is pretty awesome.


54 Comments

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Comments

  1. win4eva says

    April 13, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Awesome…..

    Reply
  2. jennpower says

    April 13, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    If it helps, I think your writing is hilarious judging from this post. And remember write for you. When you start to write for others- you’ve lost your way. It’s not boring- look at your theme- it just screams “Fun!” to me. 😀 Never give up. And who knows, some of those people may keep coming back and follow you. (I know I will be.)

    Good luck!

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 3:52 pm

      Awww. Thanks!!! That was super nice. Full disclosure-I can complain and whine quite a bit. 🙂

      Reply
  3. cgparkin says

    April 13, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    You’ve got humour in bucket loads, and that’s going to count for a lot, especially when you realise that half the “don’ts” you have account for many very poor posts for others as their content. Loved the fun of this, smiling from about 11 words in and not stopping thereafter – great post!

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks!! So nice of you.

      Reply
      • cgparkin says

        April 13, 2013 at 4:24 pm

        Pleasure – I’ve just discovered your site view the Reader and am going over it now…

        Reply
        • fakingpictureperfect says

          April 13, 2013 at 4:26 pm

          click around a whole bunch and maybe you’ll get me to 1000 views today! 😉

          Reply
          • cgparkin says

            April 13, 2013 at 4:27 pm

            No probs! A few extra from Australia coming up!

  4. bensbitterblog says

    April 13, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    In order to avoid getting blurry pictures I am use other people’s or Google’s. So exciting that you got lots of views! Who cares how you got them?

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 4:22 pm

      way to be positive! I’m impressed. 😉

      Reply
      • bensbitterblog says

        April 13, 2013 at 6:33 pm

        Don’t tell people. I might get a reputation for being nice.

        Reply
        • fakingpictureperfect says

          April 13, 2013 at 8:06 pm

          Your secret is safe!

          Reply
  5. monk-monk says

    April 13, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    I’m so glad that I’m not the only non-DIYer out there. And we have tortellini with marinara sauce every night for dinner. And the most people who’ve ever read me is 43, so Ic annot even imagine 824! Congrats!

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 4:53 pm

      Do you want me to go to your blog and click a whole bunch? That’s my secret….half the clicks are probably mine 😉

      Reply
      • monk-monk says

        April 13, 2013 at 4:55 pm

        ahahaha, that’s awesome! I haven’t even thought of that 😉 Though I’m still bloggy-anonymous to most of my friends, so I can’t pin or post to facebook since everything is linked these days!

        Reply
        • fakingpictureperfect says

          April 13, 2013 at 4:56 pm

          yeah. Being anonymous I think would be awesome for lots of reasons. Which I can’t say here because I’m not anonymous.

          Reply
          • monk-monk says

            April 13, 2013 at 6:37 pm

            P.S. I’m really interested in your non-homeschooling choice. So many women (especially women of faith) seem to go the homeschooling route. Ever care to write a blog post about your schooling choices?

          • fakingpictureperfect says

            April 13, 2013 at 8:06 pm

            Hmmm. Never thought there was much to say but maybe I will think about that one!

  6. Robyn Gobbel, LCSW says

    April 13, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    Five reasons your blog is awesome:
    1. You
    2. JD
    3. Avery
    4. Kyle
    5. Sweet baby Chandler

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      aww. Love you friend!!

      Reply
  7. donofalltrades says

    April 13, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    Well I don’t read every one of your posts because this blog sucks, you know?! I like your “real” pictures and the fact that you don’t normally edit them and that your house looks like kids live in it! Photos that can make a pile of shit look pretty are ridiculous. It’s a pile of shit!!! You be you and I for one will always enjoy reading, even when you’re being bitchy or whiny, Lol.

    Reply
    • donofalltrades says

      April 13, 2013 at 5:36 pm

      And I didn’t know you had to poke hot dogs before you nuked them! I’m glad I read this.

      Reply
      • fakingpictureperfect says

        April 13, 2013 at 5:44 pm

        Glad I could help!! And thanks for being a loyal reader. sort of. Yes who knew you had to poke them before nuking!? When I read your post it seriously made me laugh because I had seriously just done that THAT day.

        Reply
  8. Ashley Austrew says

    April 13, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    See? THAT is what makes your blog interesting. You’re normal, but there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re funny. And funny things happen to you, and you retell them in a way that makes me laugh, shake my head, and think oh my gosh, thank God someone else out there is weird like me. haha

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 8:05 pm

      Thanks! The feeling is mutual.

      Reply
  9. TheAwakenedMomma says

    April 13, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Let the record show I’ve been following you before you were famous! Don’t forget us little people ;).

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      Hahaha! Famous. Not even close!

      Reply
  10. Amber Perea says

    April 13, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    Fame is fame, love, so take it where you can get it. That post may have gotten their attention but it’s up to you to keep it. Just be you. 🙂

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 13, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      I’m trying!!!

      Reply
      • Amber Perea says

        April 13, 2013 at 10:30 pm

        Well, silly, you can’t get a bunch of new people over to your blog and the next post be about how boring it is! 😉

        Reply
        • fakingpictureperfect says

          April 13, 2013 at 11:26 pm

          Hahah! It’s fine cause they are all looking at that one post. Not much exploring going on!

          Reply
  11. Adriana says

    April 14, 2013 at 8:06 am

    I think your writing is excellently hilarious! 🙂

    Reply
  12. mkstump says

    April 14, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Your blog IS awesome. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jo says

    April 15, 2013 at 3:10 am

    Live this! I am new to the blog world and this is exactly how I feel! x

    Reply
  14. Tatsat says

    April 15, 2013 at 3:57 am

    You did bring out a smile in this sunny afternoon here 🙂 I guess, that speaks a thing or two about your blog !
    Am here for the first time, but will be coming around more often.

    Cheerio !

    PS- We all have great stories to tell- you probably do not know it yet 🙂

    Reply
  15. Lindsey says

    April 15, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Maybe your blog should have a new subtitle that involves the word “help”. Then all the moms who are looking for help through blogs will be directed here. How about “Helping moms all over the world accept their lack of awesome.”

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 15, 2013 at 9:13 am

      Thanks?

      Reply
  16. The Hook says

    April 19, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Your blog IS awesome!
    And that’s all I have to say about that.

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      April 19, 2013 at 3:33 pm

      That’s a compliment coming from such an awesome blogger like you!

      Reply
  17. stunkard says

    April 22, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    Wait, you poke holes in the hot dog first? Your blog is so informative. 😉

    Reply
  18. sandinmytoestk says

    June 22, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    Well, you have another follower here! And I think your blog is pretty awesome! Your pageviews make mine look like small change…haha!

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      June 23, 2013 at 8:05 am

      Thanks for following! Can’t wait to check out yours. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Julie says

    June 23, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    Hopping over from Crazy as Normal’s blog hop! Love this post – hilarious. You’re my kind of humor. Will be following you!

    Reply
    • fakingpictureperfect says

      June 23, 2013 at 7:56 pm

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Making Memories in the Chaos says

    October 30, 2013 at 8:56 am

    Hey! I am SO PLEASED to have found your blog – it is totally awesome and has brightened up my afternoon 🙂

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

The Mother Load

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Mom • Author • Mental Health Therapist In Training
Grab my new book, The Mother Load, available now. 👇👇

Meredith Ethington
Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebblei Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebbleice #adhd #momlifebelike
Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. Here are a f Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. 

Here are a few things I’d tell you if I could call you all up: 

❤️ It’s ok to say no to things.

❤️ Your kiddos don’t need perfection - they need real. Emotional, Messy, flawed, etc. It helps them know their emotions are valid. 

❤️ Having anxiety or depression does not mean you’re an inadequate parent. 

❤️ Never be ashamed of asking for help or going on medication if necessary. 

❤️Kids can be draining. Take time for yourself. I promise you’ll be able to be a better, more present parent if you do this. 

❤️ Boundaries are your friend. People that make you feel like you’re not enough are not. 

Hang in there. It doesn’t get easier - like at all. But you get stronger.
I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process feelings of never measuring up and feeling lIke someone else would do it better than me. 
I don’t feel like this very often anymore. But I know that there are plenty of mothers out there that do. You aren’t alone. 
The experience of Motherhood is definitely something that humbles even the most confident mothers. 
I wasn’t one to have much confidence once I began but I got there eventually. 
If you’re in this headspace of wondering if you’re enough I’m here to tell you:
1. You are. 
2. This is NORMAL. 
3. This post is for you. 
Read it on my substack now and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ❤️ It supports me as I hopefully support you.
I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored
I see nothing wrong here. I see nothing wrong here.
Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ik Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ikeahack #jokesfordays
This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At s This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At some point it got passed down to one of her grandchildren. Then it made its way to my house and all three of my kids have used it too. 
My middle decided he was done with it and I had no idea what to do with it. It’s almost an antique at this point and I knew my mom felt sentimental about it. It’s heavy and tiny but it has good bones as they say. 
My mom lives too far away to come get it and the grandkids are all getting too big to want this desk in their rooms. 
I walked around my little house looking for a spot for it. There really isn’t one. 
Could it be an end table? Or swapped out for an entry table? 
But then I walked into my bedroom and saw this bare wall. It’s not ideal. My husband will hate it. But I’ve been thinking that I needed a study spot in my house (in a room with a door that shuts and locks) since I’m in school again at 46 years old. 
I’m hilariously too big for this little desk but also it seems just fine for sitting and writing papers. 
The older I get, the more I realize that this life is short and I’m sure it will make my mom happy to know I’m not only hanging onto this desk a little while longer but it’s going to be used for actual school work again instead of hoarding useless scraps of paper, half filled notebooks and dull crayons no one has touched in years. 
I’m breathing life back into this desk for a few more years and it seems symbolic of my taking something old (me) and using it for something new (becoming a therapist). 
I’m not super sentimental about furniture but I’m sentimental about the people that I love. 
She loves this desk so I guess I’ll love it a little longer on her behalf. ❤️
🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: 🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: "I feel depressed that it’s back, when I had been handling things so well.
I feel hopeless that although I know it will end, that it will come back again.
I feel embarrassed that I’m sometimes mean to the ones I love most.
I feel like I want to give up.
I feel tired.
I feel overwhelmed by the tiniest thing.
I feel alone. I feel like I’m literally the only one feeling that way in that moment even though I know I’m not deep down. But, anxiety makes me feel like that.
I feel like I just would be better off if I could disappear."
First day back after a week long vacay to the fun First day back after a week long vacay to the fun of carpool and the reality of being a responsible adult is kicking my boot-ay. Can you tell? 😅
Yup. 😂 @themumcrew Yup. 😂 @themumcrew
Best thrift find ever. 😂 Best thrift find ever. 😂
Mental health matters. ❤️ Mental health matters. ❤️
You get the full tour if you’re my friend. You get the full tour if you’re my friend.
Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑 Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑
Just like building muscles in our body, to have go Just like building muscles in our body, to have good mental health we need to build muscles in our brains as well. What does that look like? 

For me, it often looks like practicing things that make me uncomfortable. 
Saying no. Setting boundaries. Sitting in discomfort with feelings I don't like. Being OK if someone is mad at me. Learning to validate MYSELF. You get the idea. 
But, really it can be anything that you need to work on but makes you feel REALLY uncomfortable. So much so that it feels like your brain is literally rejecting it. If you want to build that muscle in your brain that is OK with disappointing people in favor of your own mental health, you have to treat it like muscle building in your body. 

1. Do it often enough. 
2. Start small, and work your way up. 
3. Go heavy when you're ready. 

Practicing it often enough is really when you're going to get big results. Soon you'll get used to those negative feelings that come along with telling someone no and knowing they're disappointed. You'll build up endurance to tolerate the feelings and be able to sit with them and let them go. And finally, it will become second nature to you to do all those things you didn't think you could do. Just like strength training for a marathon - consider strength training for your mind. 

One thing I'm working on is telling myself I'm OK. I struggle with seeking validation from others when really I need to be seeking validation from myself. Because MYSELF is good, worthy, and OK 99% of the time. 

What are you practicing right now? I'd love to hear if this is true for you.
Love this so much. @nellie_scales Love this so much. @nellie_scales
If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, conside If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack where you won’t miss any of my posts. Here’s the latest - link in profile. 

#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #mentalhealthawareness #stopthestigmamentalillness
For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. My latest on substack. ❤️ Link in profile
Truth right here. Truth right here.
Same girl, same. Same girl, same.
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