Arts and Crafts - not just for kids

When I started pinning on Pinterest, I was a mad woman. I pinned and liked everything I could click on. As time progressed and I still hadn't completed ONE THING from all my pins and boards, I lost interest. It no longer gave me the rush it once did because I was depressed that once again, I was not completing lists. (I LOVE crossing things off lists and completing projects).

However, slowly...Pinterest crept back into my life. Opportunities came up for me to actually do some of the projects I had thought about pinning, but didn't and only bookmarked on my computer to later use because I didn't want to be a Pinterest poser. 

Pinterest Poser: pin-trest/po-zer 
Noun: a person who constantly pins items to boards but doesn't know if they'll work or how to do them.

But now I can pin them! And I can write comments below stating their use and how they worked! Success! This was so exciting! So many exclamation points!

Remember how much fun you had in elementary school when your teacher would have you create some very cool project and how good it felt to see it come to life and know that you, yes you, were the mastermind behind it? No?! Well I do! I have been having so much fun doing arts and crafts the past little while I've contemplated creating an Etsy account. (Not really).

Below please see my Pinterest creations and I've included the original website so you too can create these magical wonders. Note: I am not a photographer. In fact, all these pictures were taken from my phone so yes, they are of poor quality. But be aware, everything tasted awesome. Looked awesome. I am awesome.

The first pinterest project. Marriage Survival Kit. So much fun to do and so easy to make. The original found here is great but I made changes, additions and adjustments to make it work for me.

*This is very important in any relationship.

Yes I made the 52 Reasons I Love You Cards. Yes I am a sap. But they turned out so well thanks to the detailed information on this webpage. The only thing I did different and it turned out REALLY well was printing them on labels! No glue necessary and easy to do.

I did this for my friend's birthday with her and her new husband's wedding song. They turned out beautiful. They are pretty easy to do too. The only issue I ran into was the program I was using. I don't have In Design as the original post suggests, but I made it work...In Excel nonetheless!

These Funfetti Cake Balls were delicious! My G Man just had his birthday and confetti cake is his favourite so I wanted to try something new. I did come across a few hiccups though but they were my fault. For one, don't try to add milk to melted white chocolate chips. Also, make sure you have enough candy coating.

These Turkey Lasagna Rolls don't look good from this picture I know. But oh man...they were! Plus I made them a little lower in fat - bonus! I actually merged 3 different recipes so they're all listed below. I can post the recipe but I'll save that for another day. 

 

 

 http://www.turkeyfarmersofcanada.ca/recipe/20108-Tasty-Turkey-Lasagna-Rolls/

http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.ca/2010/08/lasagna-roll-ups.html

http://picturetherecipe.com/index.php/recipes/lasagna-rolls/

So just do it! Tap into your inner Martha Stewart and whip up some of those Pinterest ideas. Some will fail, but the successful ones make up for it. Plus it feels really good when people ask "You made this! Where did you get this idea/recipe?!" And you get to reply back enthusiastically "PINTEREST!" It never fails to impress.

Check for Cheddar

Quick little update. I successfully crossed off a bucket list item and raised $200 for a great cause.

September 30th I ran the CIBC 5k Run for the Cure. I have been wanting to challenge myself for almost 3 years now to enter and complete a 5k race. What better cause than for breast cancer? It is near and dear to my heart as one of my Grandmothers is a survivor.

I did some training, probably not as much as I should have but my goal was small, run the whole race. I didn't care about time (cause it wasn't really a race in the competitive sense). Not only did I run the whole thing, I did it in under 30 minutes. I could not have done it of course without the love and support of my fabulous friends, family and G Man. My small fundraiser goal of $150 was also surpassed and raised $200. Thanks so much for everyone who donated, not only to me, but to the cause.

For my strong surviving Grandma! xo

G Man is very supportive! He's a keeper.

The running crew post run.

Run, Cheddar Bob, Run!

Well I did it. I signed up for my first 5k run and there's no backing out of it now. I signed up for the CIBC Run for the Cure Run September 30th. I haven't really been training like I should be. I know what you're thinking...5k is nothing! You don't need to train for that. Well I do! I have never been good at running long distances so I need to build up my endurance. Plus I'll have friends running beside me so I have the motivation to keep going.

Not only is this on my bucket list, but it's for a great cause - all proceeds go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This is near and dear to my heart. Some years ago, my wonderful Grandma Ronnie developed breast cancer. Our family is one of the lucky ones because she survived and is still kicking around today. She is one of the most positive and strong people I know so I am running to support her and the many others breast cancer affects.

I am only part way to reaching my goal and if you should feel so inclined, please donate to this wonderful cause. If you would like to support my run you can click here. There is also the option to make a general donation if you wish. 

 Bras aren't the only way to save your boobs!

Relating to Relationships

Does anyone else know this little tune that we were forced to sing during choir practice in elementary school?

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold."

We had to sing this little ditty in a round to warm up our voices. I still remember it. It's burned in my brain.
I never really thought about the lyrics until I was a little older. I have to admit I completely agree with the first part of it. Of course you should make new friends! As often as you can. Meet new people, learn new things, expand your world. However, the second part of the tune...a little trickier. Maybe ranking your friends a la Olympic style isn't so great. But of course, don't take for granted those that have been in your life for years.

I have to admit, lately I have been a not so great friend. Or least felt that way. I have been completely preoccupied with a new relationship. Yes we are in the honeymoon phase and most people shrug that off but I feel guilty about it. Although I love my G-Man and spending time with him, I have had no time for the other loves of my life - my friends.

It's really hard for me to be on this side of the fence this time because for most of my life I've been the third wheel. The single friend. The one that experiences 'absent friend syndrome', not the one causing it. It's probably extra strange for my friends to not have me out and about because I am ALWAYS the party-goer. You want to do something? Name it. I'm there. It might be hard for my friends to get used to this side of me because they've never had to. A couple of buddies asked what I've been doing and why I haven't been around. Honestly, I'm busier than ever. I have been out. I have been doing things. I'm not locked away somewhere. I swear! Making room in your life for not only your friends and events, but his friends and events is hard! There is only so much you can do.

I read an article some time ago that said when you enter a new relationship you will lose 2 friends. That is the most depressing thing I have ever heard. Yes, inevitably there will be changes. There may be less days and nights spent dissecting a love interests' texts or hanging out at the beach. You won't exactly be out on the prowl with your single girl friends. But I never say no to a couple drinks with friends. Or a free drink for that matter. I'll take that. Thank you. The thought of losing a friend simply because you are no longer a single seems ridiculous.

I'd like to think that my friendships are strong enough to last a little MIA. It won't last forever. I've had to go through with it with the majority of my friends. You know they're a good friend when you pick up right where you left off. And even if you haven't seen them in a few weeks, they will be there when you need someone's shoulder to cry on or rant about something stupid he said or did. Golden friends stay golden.

I couldn't have said it better.

Oh the Humanity

There are times, more often as of lately, you read a news article, hear a radio clip or watch a video and think "What is wrong with people?" Most recently a friend of mine told me about a news headline that made us laugh reading it out loud.

"Daycare staff charged with running toddler fight club"

A toddler fight club? I cannot even imagine those cute, little 3 year olds whaling on each other, let alone what the rules would be for this fight club.

#1. You do not talk about toddler fight club.
#2. You DO NOT talk about toddler fight club.
#3. If someone cries, you still fight.
#4. No pinching. Only punching.


Most sane, rational and moral people cannot fathom this as a real thing. Sadly it is. The news article can be found here: http://www.lfpress.com/news/weird/2012/08/21/20124111.html

The Hands of our Future will never be the same.

Summer Lovin'

When most people are asked their favourite season, probably the vast majority say Summer. (Especially all my teacher friends out there.) I can't wait for 2 months of freedom and debauchery when I am finally a professional teacher. That is after all why we become teachers right? (Don't worry I'm kidding. I'm not one of those.)
Summer is when us Canadians crawl out from the darkness, blinking into the sunlight and spend 2 glorious months frolicking in the sun, splashing around in the water and shot gunning beers. Ah the simple pleasures in life.

So even though, yes I love summer, this blog is dedicated to everything I hate about this time of year.

1. Too much is happening:

I have not had a weekend to myself since the beginning of June. Every Friday and Saturday night has been booked weeks in advance for various events. So even if something cool pops up unexpectedly, the chances of me being able to attend are slim. That cool festival I wanted to go to? Sorry - I've got a shower that day. That band I've wanted to see for years? Can't - family reunion. Summer is prime time for random road trips and crazy adventures. But I can't go, I have baseball. At least most of the events are in fact fun and I have a good time. It's just slightly stressful to have so much going on. It's tough being popular. 

2.  I can't save money:

Saving that ever important dollar is hard in the summer. There is so much fun stuff happening and so much to do (*see above) and it all costs money. I thought happiness was free? Well not in this case.

3. Bathing suits:

Yes, I'm pretty sure everyone has this fear at this time of year. In the Spring the gym is busier and people are getting their bikini bodies ready for the beach. Well, Summer is also the time of year when beer has never tasted better. Especially my new love of Somersby. Have you heard of it? It's so delicious and full of sugar apparently. YUM!

But beer is not your friend during bathing suit season. You can be like me and drink as much beer as you want and avoid the beach at all costs. It's really the only solution.

4. It's hot out there:

Yep, it's summer. Yep, it's hot. I'm not complaining about the heat (how cliche would that be?). I do hate what the heat does to me though. I am a very sweaty person. Two minutes outside in humid weather and I am dripping in places I didn't even know had sweat glands. Wearing makeup is useless. There's no point in making my hair look all pretty. It's going to be in a ponytail in a few hours. Needless to say, I am very attractive in the summer.

5. The beach:

You are sitting in the hot boiling sun (*see #4). You are forced to wear minimal clothing (*see #3). There is sand everywhere. It gets in everything. Stuck to you, in your pockets, in your bag and somehow in other very strange places. Sand is the devil's handywork.

6.  Work:

The pace slows down at the workplace. I get distracted easily (this blog was in fact written during work hours). I have to work very hard to look busy.

Also, our hours change and we have to start earlier! Sure we get finished earlier too but it is surprisingly hard to get up and going for a 30 min change in time. Plus, I don't holidays yet and work really gets in the way of all the fun things I have planned.


So there it is. My grinch/scrooge take on Summer. Love it or hate it.

Sing a Song of Love

I'm at that particular age where my weekends are consumed with weddings, bachelorette parties, showers, stag and does, etc. Lately my life seems to have been consumed with celebrating the lives and loves of friends and family. Which is so exciting. Yes, my schedule for the summer is already pretty much booked up, but I am so happy to be a part of these special days in any way. Celebrating the good fortune of the loved ones in my lives is something I look forward to. (Except, as stated in a previous post, long-drawn out showers where I am obligated to seem excited about heart shaped dishes). I've never been good at faking it. I'm glad you like it and will use it...but it's not clap-worthy.

I'm not sure when it happened but I've become a little more emotional as the years progress. I find myself getting weepy at sentimental speeches or getting teary eyed at romantic or sad commercials. The tin girl seems to have grown a heart somewhere along the way.

This past weekend I was able to celebrate a great friend's wedding and have to admit, some tears were shed. I know what you're thinking - what happened to you Cheddar? I can't relate to some mushy girl. Yuck. But wait! Before you go, please note that heavy drinking and dancing still happened and I kept the tears to a minimum and hid it as much as possible. Better? Thanks for sticking it out.

The sentimental stuff has to be said. It has to be acknowledged that you are happy your friend has found happiness and love and that they deserve it. In fact I was so overwhelmed with joy I sang a little song. I thought I'd share it with you.

The intro got cut out of the video so I'll say it here:
"For those of you that don't know me, I have a little hidden talent and love of singing. I usually try to keep this to the car or in the shower. But Mego was there the first time I performed at karaoke and have since performed a favourite song of mine over and over. So I thought it appropriate to share a little diddy on her special day..."

Maybe next time I'll choose a shorter song.