My Fake Country Album and Other Fun Facts
I'm not sure if my friend would appreciate this picture being on the internet, hence the heart.
Have you ever taken the Meyers Briggs personality test? Well, as a touchy-feely social worker type I have. Many times. And try as I might on that silly test I never seem to end up with the personality I want.
I’d like to be soft spoken yet hard-as-nails. I’d like to be the kind of person who doesn’t get sick to her stomach in times of conflict, the kind who can speak her mind and defend her beliefs. I’d like to tell you that I’m super easy going and that I see things only with a level, unemotional mind.
However, that is not me.
I’m a weird mix of introvert and extrovert, private and open book. I like being the center of attention…until I don’t. I love meeting new people but there are times I hang onto the fringes of conversation until I fall into the abyss of awkwardness and insecurity.
I have very few skills but among them are: making an excellent pot of coffee, pointing out my own flaws, attracting strays (people and animals), and making up fake country songs (I have three fake albums already).
You see why crafting an effective resume might be a bit of an issue for me, right? Although I suppose I could be a self-depricating 1960s-era secretary in Nashville.
My blog, My 3 Little Birds, explores one dimension of my personality: the contemplative, introspective side. I love writing about all of the lessons I’m learning as a mother and helping others know they’re not alone. With notable exceptions, however, I use my writing voice on My 3 Little Birds– which is markedly different from the voice I use in my life.
What I’m saying is that I’m a walking contradiction. And that’s ok.
Have I piqued your interest? Here are 15 things you probably don’t already know about me.
If you want I can brew us some of that coffee and we can talk more about it…as long as you’re willing to sing backup for me when we take my fake country album on the road.
Cowgirl catsuit optional.
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Yes, Both Names
Hi. I'm Mary Lauren. Yes, I go by both names. I swear it's not weird where I come from. Growing up I knew a Mary Brooke, a Mary Grace, two Mary Katherines and more Mary Beths than I can count. And no, I'm not Catholic.
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I Love Him, But My Husband's Not My Best Friend
I have a great marriage. We support each other and make each other the main priority in our lives. But I don't need him to be my best friend.
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That's What These Girls Are For
My friends play such an important role in my life. I can't imagine being who I am without my close friends.
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I Lovely Love My Family
I'm convinced that these are the most hilarious people on earth.
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Twins
Well, we're not ACTUALLY twins, but people constantly assume this about the two of us. I take it as a compliment because I'm actually 7 years older.
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I Must Really Like Reggae
When I impulsively picked the name for my blog,My 3 Little Birds, I was not, in fact referring to the Bob Marley song. I named the blog in honor of the painting my husband commissioned the artist Sarah Faulkner to create for an anniversary present. (I told you that he was the best.)
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Pep Talk
My first year of writing My 3 Little Birds was like giving myself a daily pep talk. I found a community, found a writing voice, and found the courage to start a career as a freelance writer.
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Getting Real
I eventually starting delving into real issues on My 3 Little Birds. I began writing about things I'd always viewed as too private to share, but I have no regrets.
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Why I Blog
I love exploring motherhood in my writing. I love the idea that mothers in every culture throughout history have a fundamental sense of shared experience. Motherhood is a deep well of trials and lessons and love and fear and I get such a sense of community from writing about it and reading others' experiences as well.
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Photography: A New Passion
Thanks to blogging I started learning about photography. This is the picture I'm probably most proud of. It's haunting and emotional and tells a story in a single image.
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With Photography There Are Hits...
I love this picture I took of my daughter. It really captures her personality.
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...And Misses
All this one captures is my lack of manual focus skills.
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Using Photos to Complement My Writing
Sometimes photography is able to capture feelings that words just can't, like this photo of an empty nest in my post about finding out I was pregnant after a painful miscarriage.
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With My BFF Ree
Blogging has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn't have otherwise had- like the time I got to meet The Pioneer Woman. We're best friends. Except not really.
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A Love Story
Ultimately I write to hold on to the moments of motherhood. To remember. And because I'm crazy in love with my three little birds.
Mary Lauren Weimer is a social worker turned mother turned writer. Her blog, My 3 Little Birds, encourages moms to put down the baby books for a moment and tell their own stories. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Mary Lauren, I loved learning more about you! I feel I already know some of you through your blog, but this was great. And the painting from your husband? Just beautiful. Happy I know you.
Thank you Jennifer! I feel the same about you.
Love this. Perfect.
Great post! Loved learning more about you. I also love that your husband is not your best friend. I totally get that. Same for me and my husband – we have a wonderful marriage and friendship, but I need my close girl friends for my mental health and well-being.
ML! This was so sweet and funny…I loved the painting that your husband had made for you and your photography is beautiful. So are you and your 3 little birds. Loved learning more about you – thank you for sharing.