"K" is for...

well Knitting of course!

I was trying to remember how long I've been knitting. I know it is over 10 years - probably more.  I actually knitted a few things when I was around 19 or 20.   But it wasn't "my thing" at that point in time....

I cross-stitched for over 20 years or so - and then it got to where I could not see the "little holes" in the fabric...  Since I had to have some crafting going on - I went back to knitting.  And never looked back!  I eventually got close up lenses and could see to stitch again and did it a bit here and there.  But I haven't cross-stitched in quite awhile.  I think about getting back into it again - and probably will at some point. But right now, my love for knitting (all the time) is too strong. My reading has even taken a back seat - and that is saying something!

My sister always crocheted.  I mean, for a long time.  But once she found out I was knitting, she wanted to do it too.  And she knits all the time now.  She still crochets things once in awhile, but she is mainly a knitter...  I've actually taught her how to do knitting stitches over the phone!  She is in Ohio. I'm here in Virginia. She catches on really quickly and is able to understand my directions while we are yakking.

About a year ago, she got a new phone and was able to get on Facebook. So we can send photos back and forth - and we also live video chat and can show each other the stuff we've made!

I'm so glad I discovered this "art form"...!

Random Ramblings...

Not all that hot out today, but very humid...woke up around 5 this morning to the sound of thunder and lightening and a steady down pour.  Now at 2 P.M.,  it is cloudy and gray - and looks like it could rain again....
I was thinking about going for a walk, but think "not"...

Last week, I was trying to figure out what the next book was in a series that my husband enjoys. He heard me mumbling to myself about it and said - you could just rotate the same four books.  Because he said, he never remembers anything, so would not know the difference - LOL!

Mailed a box of gifties to a friend the other day that lives in Wyoming.  The weight of the box - 4 pounds.  The cost to mail said box - $24.00!  I almost freaked out!  I told them - and you wonder why no one mails anything anymore!! 

When I am in the line at the grocery store and the lady is bagging my groceries - and I say - could you please double bag something, please don't tell me that it isn't that heavy... Just double bag it!

OTN...

 

 

 

I've restarted this pattern (Pincha shawl)...for the third, possibly fourth time!
For various reasons, I just could not "get it going" the other times I tried it...
I kept messing up - and having to start over.  And then found out I was doing the wrap and turns wrong - arghhh!   Aside from that...I didn't care for the yarns I was trying out on it - each time I started over!  So I set it aside for awhile. Then finally got out last week and found some yarn I love and it is working out perfectly for it!  I write up all the patterns I knit onto index cards - row by row.  And this one, I did the same - I have every single solitary row written down - even the repeats of certain rows!  And I'm slowly knitting along, with no issues - so far!  Keeping my fingers crossed as I really love this pattern!
 The book is one I'm re-reading - it is non-fiction. I recently bought the sequel. So once I finish my re-read of this one, I will get started on it!  I love books that take place in Paris!

"J" Is For...

joining....

joining groups that is - book groups, knitting or stitching groups, groups that are organized ones - like brownies and girl scouts, etc. etc...

I was never much of a "joiner" of groups when I was younger.  I went to Brownies and Girl Scouts - I believe...because my Mom made me go.
I vaguely remember semi-enjoying it...but never really getting into the whole "scene" like so many other of the girls.

When I got to High School, I basically got left behind by my close friends, because they were "joiners" and I was not.  I did join Spanish Club - not sure why...  and I tried out for Drill Team, because my friend wanted me to do that with her. She got in, I did not.  She joined the school paper group, and was in plays and musicals that my school put on throughout the year. Me, I just went to school and did my homework...

I think, if I were like I am now, back then, I would have joined more things.  Especially more of the things like the school paper. But no musicals or plays or anything that you had to get up in front of people to do!

I was in Jobs Daughters. So was my sister.  Again, she really got into it and actually was "Queen" one year.  She is an extrovert, I am an introvert. I did go to the meetings each week and was okay with that.  My parents were into the upper clubs - like Masons and Eastern Star.  So they were always at the Jobs Daughters meetings with us.  We used to have "progressive dinners" which I really enjoyed!  You would start out at one house for salad, and then move onto other houses for the appetizers, the main course, and dessert.  Sometimes we had long rides in between courses - depending on who was hosting. But that just gave you time to rest your stomach!

As an adult, I've tried, from time to time, joining book clubs, knitting groups, stitching groups.  I just never fit in - or maybe I just never found one that "fit me"...

What about you - are you a joiner of groups/clubs?

Random Thursday....

I'm thinking....  That it is way too hot and humid out there for me today!

I just finished....Going to the grocery store and cleaning the bath tub!

This morning...I restarted a knitting pattern that I've tried several times to knit before.  I'm determined to conquer it (Pincha on Ravelry)!

I am....Just about ready to finish a book I'm really enjoying....The Hundred Gifts

For dinner...I'm fixing an easy dinner - fresh broccoli and fried shrimp (the shrimp is frozen from a box).  I just felt like doing easy dinners this week - ones with no preps before hand!

Watching on tv... not a whole lot right now!  So many of my normal shows are off right now. Finding some here and there to watch - including some new ones that are not very good in my estimation!  When we can't find anything to put on - I dig out a movie!

Trying very hard....to not get angry at friends and family who do not have the same political views I do.  But then again, I guess they feel the same way!

"I" is for...

Well, "I" couldn't think of anything for this... so I will just tell you 10 things about me...

1.  I would rather have pearls than diamonds...

2.  I still sleep with a night light...

3.  I moved away from Ohio in 1974, and am still homesick...

4.  I take a walk around the same block most days and never get bored of it...

5.  I have never owned a cell phone...

6.  I really hate having my picture taken....

7.  I am afraid of butterflies...

8.  I only eat catsup on onion rings and sausage links or patties...

9.  I dip my French fries in mayo...

10.  I am addicted to buying notepads, coffee mugs, and umbrellas!

H is for...

Halloween. 

When I was growing up, Halloween was so fantastic!  We used to go out with pillowcases - fill them up - and then have to run home to get a second one.  Not because we went to houses twice (LOL!) - but just that every person in our subdivision gave out stuff - and lots of it!  Big full size candy bars for one.  This was in the day also where people gave out unwrapped food - cookies, candy apples, punch, popcorn balls, and on and on. No worries about poison or razor blades or something else awful - being put inside of the food! 

People really went all out in decorating too. They would fix their garages up with scary stuff - or funny stuff - and let us stand there and look at it as close up, and as long as we wanted.  Everyone was always so friendly too - and just really seemed to enjoy us coming around.... 

People from out in the surrounding rural areas would drive to our subdivision and go around trick or treating also. I can remember my Mom giving out over 400 pieces of candy each year. And then more kids would still be coming to the door!  So me and my siblings would go through our bags and take out stuff we didn't want and pass that out.  We didn't want anyone to come and not get candy!  But eventually, my Mom would have to turn out the porch light and shut the door!

After that, we kids would go through our stash again and start playing trade off with each other - switching candies that one liked better with stuff we liked better!

I do remember one year, not sure how old I was - but I was fairly young. I went out with my sister and her friends and they ran off and left me.  I cried all the way home!  I think she got into trouble - can't remember - but I hope she did - ha! LOL!

OTN....

This is one of the lovely projects I'm knitting away on right now... It is called "Dryads" (paid pattern on Ravelry).  I love the way it is so adaptable to various yarns.  It calls for sock yarn, which I'm using for my first one. But I plan on making another one in a DK or worsted!  And you can knit it as long as you want - just keep "making leaves".....

The book "Lawyer for the Cat" is the second in this series.  I read the first one "Lawyer for the Dog",  and really enjoyed it.  Was pleasantly surprised to see this second one on the shelves when I went to B & N last Friday. I really hope the author continues on with these books!