Have y’all seen the show, “Intervention,” where families trick their drug-addicted loved ones into attending an intervention to get them to stop taking drugs? Well, Mike just staged an intervention for me, for the website pinterest.com. I am currently refusing to go to rehab.
You guys, I am borderline-obsessed with it. Mike says having 2,257 pins is beyond borderline, such a hater. I have a board for every holiday. I have one for kid parties, grown-up parties, and hair styles. I even started a secret account so I could pin stuff without anyone knowing…you know, mostly relating to my Kermit obsession.
Source: transfixme.tumblr.com via Natalie on Pinterest
OK maybe I do have a problem.
It started innocently enough a year ago. I was mentally decorating every potential home we looked at when we were house hunting, and I somehow stumbled onto pinterest (that was before you needed an invite to join, if you want one let me know and I’ll hook you up). I made a board for all the things I wanted in my house. I was hooked. Then I got my mom hooked, and my aunts and cousin and friends…it’s the tupperware-scheme of time sucks. Except you can easily convince yourself that you’re being creative and therefore NOT wasting time. In fact, I use it to help me pass the time. Waiting in the Doctor’s office? Let’s pin something. Pictures are uploading? Time to pin! Stopped at a red light…just kidding.
Recipes, beverages, and craft ideas make up about 50% of my pins. And of those pins, I have made exactly…um…well I can count on one hand. This drives Mike crazy. “Why do you bother going through all these food sites if you’re never going to actually make anything?” Duh Mike, because when I stay up until 3am pinning things, it feels just as good as actually making something, but with NO clean up!. It’s sort of like when I put on my gym clothes but don’t actually go to the gym. I still accomplished changing out of pajamas, and I didn’t have to get sweaty! On my wild days, I get dressed for the gym and then I pin things.
I have one of those personalities that latches on and gets obsessed with things. It can be a problem when I start a new book – I usually get very little sleep until I finish it. And, just ask my friend Tara about the time I got obsessed with bread, and for months would bring only bread to school for lunch. I’m lucky I haven’t gotten obsessed with anything dangerous like drugs or white water rafting.
Anyway, the other night Mike and I were at dinner with some friends and one of them said, “Heather, I love your pins! They make me so hungry!” I looked at Mike and said, “See?!?! I am inspiring people! I am a culinary curator!” I am totally putting that on my resume. And then I’ll pin it.
Jenny says:
Pinterest is the rabbit hole of the Internet. I love it! My husband finally asked me what it was. I showed him my Basement board. I’m collecting ideas about finishing that sucker. He perused, hemming, smiling, frowning. Finally he looked at me and said, “Do you really think we need a hidden room?”. Dude, it’s Pinspiration.
http://pinterest.com/pin/218987600600735655/
Lisa says:
You need an invite now?!?!?!?! Hook me up?
Pinterest is looking better and better!
Kris says:
Hmm…should we pin this blog post?
I love the site, too. I have made a bunch of things that I’ve pinned. Got me through Valentine’s Day.
Jenn says:
Hey Heather,
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! We have at least 1 thing in common about today…we both go engaged on this day.
Okay so, I need to tell you something & I realize this might FLOOR you but it’s time to come clean. PLEASE DON’T JUDGE ME!!!
Okay….here it goes….Heather, i HAVE NO IDEA WHAT PINTEREST/PINNING IS!!! There I said….PLEASE DON’T HATE ME!!!! PLEASE DON’T QUESTION MY COOLNESS. PLEASE STILL BE MY FRIEND!!!!
Perhaps you could invite me so I can learn about it & be a “pin head” too? And, maybe you can give me some hints how to use it?
I know this news was difficult for you to hear but I am confident you can HEAL me!! I’m counting on you Heather….No pressure…just don’t let me down!!! ha ha ha
Becca says:
If someone invite me I will pin your blog… it completes my day if i
read your post. thanks for sharing.
Mary Ann says:
I Love Pinterest! When someone pins one of my ideas, ok one of the ideas i stole from someone else’s board I feel empowered. I don’t know why but it’s kind of like shopping for things you don’t really need without all the bills. I am so with you on the recipes – one day I may actually make something but until then it’s fun to drool over. I can’t wait to check out your boards. Happy Valentines Day!
Shan says:
I have recently become addicted to Pinterest as well! They do have such cute ideas….but I try to steer clear from all the delicious fattening food…drool. I love all the memes…snicker!
Leiah says:
I love me some Pinterest! I’ve made several of the recipes I pinned with the added bonus of blog material because I’ll write about whether it was truly pinnable or not.
I know, I know. I’m waiting to find out when the first meeting of PA will be held in my area.
Sara says:
I love your hair styles board. Now if only I would actually try them instead of just looking at them…..
Becca says:
“On my wild days, I get dressed for the gym and then I pin things”
hahahahaha!
Shawna says:
I currently have 2900+ pins…I have you beat!
More guys really should get on Pinterest….did you see how many creative Valentine’s Day pins there are floating around?! My husband would have gotten major bonus points if he’d taken the time to look there for ideas!!!
Sheila says:
Yea Pinterest is the ultimate time suck. Worse than facebook twitter. I refuse to do it unless I actually need an idea for something I am doing right then (i.e. valentines ideas). My husband does it at night and emails me pins & I say “great” go do it,otherwise stop sending them to me. They just make me feel bad that I’m not that creative nor do I have the time to do all those “fun” things or make those great meals!
Becki says:
Sheila – EXACTLY!
Heather – love your blog – have followed and prayed for your family and Annie brings me smiles.
But, IMO, pinning is a total waste of time. It’ s “imaginary”.
Think about it – if the site disappeared, or you had to pay and discontinued it – think about ALL THE TIME GONE. And one really is not directly connecting with people like one does with FB, tweets, blogs, emails etc.
I read about friends spending hours and hours and hours and wonder.
However, it does seem it could be wonderful for an invalid . .
Barbi Emel says:
I haven’t explore Pininterest yet either, I’m kinda afraid to I already spend enough time on the computer. But hey, sign me up
Staci says:
Is it bad the first thing I thought when I saw your title was, ‘Oh, I have to go find her’? Yes, addicted but trying not to go overboard. I want to use it to focus on projects and what not and if I get too many well … I won’t be able to read your blog.
You were also the second post in my feed this morning about Pinterest. Its not just you.
Jen says:
“On my wild days, I get dressed for the gym and then I pin things.”
Awesome. Thanks for the laugh! And yes, Pinterest is great.
Pattie says:
What?! Kermit smokes?! So disappointed.
I have maybe 80 pins so far compared to your bajillion. You are hands-down the Pinterest queen. All hail the Pinterest Queen!
Adria says:
I’ve got 2,803 pins and I haven’t checked yet today! You’re fine. I did a New Year’s resolution to challenge myself to actually do some of my pins. I’ve done 5 or 10, nothing major. But maybe set out to do one a month or something?
Also, my Pinterest addicted self is DYING to know what your other account is so I can follow it! Hmm, maybe I need my own Pintervention…nah…
Stacy says:
I’m happy to enable you… pin away, sister, pin away!!!!!
Emily says:
I am a total Pinterest addict too. I started in the fall when I was collecting fall decorations and recipes and styles, then I decided to use it for my Christmas lists, and now I use it for everything. I don’t even visit recipe sites anymore when I’m making a menu. I just go check my food boards (and everyone else’s in case I missed one!).
I once told my mom that when I find clothing I’d like to buy, I pin it to the appropriate board instead, and it’s sort of the same satisfaction as shopping. It makes no sense at all, but it works for me!
Kendra says:
“Why do you bother going through all these food sites if you’re never going to actually make anything?”
I call it food p0rn. I love nothing better than reading food blog after food blog and drooling over their creations. I’ve been at this Pinterest thing for a month or so and I’m proud to say I’ve made 2, 2!! recipes that I’ve pinned. Pinterest makes me want to be super crafty (even though I’m so not) and make all sorts of yummy goodies.
Now to go follow you….
Arlene says:
I have one of those obsessive personalities. Right now, besides Pinterest, it’s making bows and shoes for the new grand daughter (which Pinterst has helped fuel). To motivate more doing instead of only pinning, I’ve also started a “pinned it, did it” board, then I blog about the results. I’ve even had a Pinterest party with some of the girls I’ve pulled into the addiction with me. Great fun!!!
Cheryl Flohe says:
The woman who colors my hair told me about pinterest a week ago so I signed up on it but after 2 days they hadn’t sent me an invite so I text’d her and begged for an invite and she got me on there. I love it!! I think I am way more inspired now and I did make a recipe I pinned! It was for weight watchers enchilada bubble or something like that and I almost never cook these days! It turned out good but not true weight watchers since I couldn’t find low fat refrigerator biscuits at the store and I used regular Mexican grated cheese instead of buying low fat. The woman who posted the recipe said she always uses Trader Joes enchilada sauce so yesterday I went to Trader Joes for the first time to get some and bought some healthy stuff. Pinterest is a good thing! I was hoping you’d be on pinterest too and was so excited when I got the link yesterday and am now following you amongst the other million people or so!
Cheryl (who always reads your blogs but rarely posts)
Kim says:
Help a sister out – I have been on the waiting list since forever for pinterest! I want to pin something!
Kim
Sara Mc. says:
While I don’t have near the pins/boards you do, I am so hooked it’s obscene. I can’t even open it at work or I’ll find myself an hour, or more, later still going through the pictures. I have actually made a few things (Christmas gifts) from there that, without Pinterest, I wouldn’t have even known about. Yay! I think it’s genius. Happy Hearts Day to you and yours.
MelIssa says:
I am totally obsessed with pinterest. I just joined three months ago but I have 1700 pins. But honestly, I have used so many of the ideas on my daily life. From cute meal ideas for the kids to makeup trends to room decorating, pinterest has given me a ton of useful ideas. I personally think its abnormal if people don’t get obsessed with it. “You have ten pins???? Weirdo…”
Keep pinning away! I’ve repinned a ton of yours!
Kristin says:
Pinterest is amazing, but I knew I was in deep when I had a very busy week at work and was upset because I hadn’t pinned anything all week.
stacey says:
can i have an invite please? I’ve been waiting and waiting.
I really enjoy your blog – thank you for taking the time to educate and entertain us!
Skye says:
I love Pinterest! I used to bookmark tons of stuff and even email myself links. Of course I never went back to those. With Pinterest I can actually find all the inspiring stuff I like.
Who is Suebob (from one of your pin boards)?
Holly says:
*I* have a Kermit obsession!! My personalized parking space in high school (nearly 15 years ago, ahem) was a giant spray painted Kermit wearing a Warrior headress (to fit the school spirit theme). AWESOME.
So I think I need to know your secret account so I can see your Kermit pins (and repin, of course). I won’t tell anyone.
Kristen says:
I need an invite to this mysterious Pinterest real bad! I keep hearing about it but haven’t been brave enough to enter yet!!
Karen says:
I am also addicted to Pinterest. Eventhough I don’t have as many pins as you!
Happy Pinning!
Deborah says:
I was on Pinterest just now when I remembered that I hadn’t read your blog this morning. How apropos!
Darcie says:
A few nights ago I couldn’t sleep so I opened Pinterest on my phone and immediately thought:
“Thank God Heather Spohr doesn’t sleep so I have something interesting to look at!”
Insomniacs unite!
Jen R. says:
YOU have a Kermit obsession? I HAVE a Kermit obsession!
Rian says:
Thanks for the invite! I was just telling my friend about it and saying that I feel like Pinterest has me thinking more creatively. Doesn’t mean I’m actually going to do most of the things I pin…but I feel good thinking about them
Britt W says:
I don’t pin bc I also have that obsessive personality. I looooove looking at other peoples pins tho. I suppose my StumbleUpon (<3) could my own version of Pinterest.
Happy Valentine's Day lovely Heather, Mike, Maddie and Annie!!!
Darla says:
Please give me an invite! I want to see what all the fuss is about! Thanks!
Tabitha says:
I’m addicted, too! Every recipe we’ve had for dinner this week came from Pinterest lol. I’m grateful for your addiction since I’m now following you
Lucy says:
No pintervention!!! I looove your boards!!
hdj says:
Kermit is a baller! I’m taking your picture, but cannot pin it because I’m not in pintrest – and I’m not sure I need to be. But I do need ideas for my new house. I’m stuck on my entry way…
abby mv says:
Can I get an invite from you pleaseeee????
I’ve spent way too much time looking at other people’s boards. I think its time to make my own.
Kay says:
Would it be possible to hook me up too? I love pinterest, but keep forgetting to look for an invite.
Wendy says:
Can you hook me up with an invite!
Heidi says:
How many invites do you have available? Cuz I’d luuuurve one!
Meg says:
Oh, Pinterest . . . I’m totally with you on this one! And I enjoy seeing all your pins, so tell Mike you’re bringing joy to the masses. I’m particularly bad about pinning recipes and nail polish — my secret shame. I’ve made a few of the recipes and really enjoyed them, so that keeps me going!
Aubrey says:
Thanks to the amazingness (it’s a word, cause I am a mom and I say so) I made my kids their valentines this year! Well and thanks to your amazing templates! I made half with your template and half I made up myself. THEN I made my daughters valentine box thanks to an awesome idea I got from Pinterest! So while it may be a mind suck. It has inspired me to actually do some things.
Also, am I the only one who wants to be invited to follow your super secret Kermit board? I love me some Kermie!
KaraB says:
I’m on pintrest and I have some boards and a bunch of pins of stuff that I like, but I have no idea if I am doing it right! Is there a wrong way to do it? Eh, I’ll figure it out, or not, but at least I have pretty pictures to look at!
Irene says:
I would love an invitation. . . I’ve looked at your site and would like to “pin” over half of the things you’ve found. . .
Brooke says:
I laughed out loud at you putting on gym clothes and pinning things on your “wild days.” I know the feeling. There IS a weird sense of accomplishment that comes from pinning, and the ratio of what I’ve actually made to crafts/recipes that I’ve pinned is VERY low. But one of these days…
cynthia says:
Heather,
Do you have a crock pot? I’ve got a bunch of recipes pinned and I figured I would start slow/easy since I have never been much of a cook. Like you, we have a new house/kitchen and it’s too expensive to have take out 7 days a week! The crock pot recipes are usually pretty easy and they make your house smell awesome!
(I, too, made a “Things I Have Actually Done” board to motivate/remind myself. It’s mostly crock pot recipes. )
Keep up the pinning!
arlene cloud says:
cynthia, how do I find you to follow? We can compare “done it’s” and I want more crock pot recipes. I have a friend who is chronically ill and I freeze crock pot meals for her to cook on her bad days. I don’t want to burn her out on my cooking!
cynthia says:
arlene,
Sounds great!
http://pinterest.com/ussince94
Happy pinning, and cooking, and EATING!
arlene cloud says:
Thanks! Here’s mine. http://pinterest.com/acloud/
I look forward to sharing ideas!
jeannine edwards says:
I would love an invite to Pinterest. Hopefully the site has instructions as I have no idea how to pin anything. I do love visting other people’s site to see all of the neat stuff.
Thanks a bunch. .
Tami says:
Ive heard about pinterest AND I dont have a clue about it so I clicked on your invite link. Thanks!! :0
Leslie says:
You are responsible for getting me hooked on Pinterest! Does that mean you get to pay for my pintervention?
Leigh Elliott says:
it’s so addicting and I love it!
Ashley says:
Hello, My name is Ashley and I am addicted to Pinterest (hello, Ashley!)
Well, I got my husband hooked, too… so maybe Mike will get involved?
Ashley says:
Hello, my name is Ashley and I’m addicted to Pinterest….
I keep saying if I get fired it will be b/c I pin too much instead of working!
Becca_Masters says:
I too am addicted to pinning. it’s so awesome! my husband says its stupid. i tell him he’s stupid, then i show him what i’m pinning. sometimes he laughs. othertimes he just looks at me like i’ve grown another head.
i love pinterest. i want a t-shirt that says “pin this” on it.
Lisa says:
Because I’m THIS cool (and on a Friday night no less)…care to hook me up with a pinterest invite??? I’ll soon be obsessed too I’m sure. *sigh*. Thanks
Mandi says:
I know you’ve gotten a whole lotta requests for invites– but if you have any more, please think of me?
Thanks sweetie.