WAY OT: So, what do you do for fun??

[Cat Dancer]

I used to be a weaver. I still have a four-harness floor loom that I built from a kit, and did a lot of weaving of coverlets and dresser scarves, head scarves, shawls, place mats, table cloths...

but now my legs are too weak to manipulate the treadles...so I've folded it up (convenient..it was built to fold! :) ) and have moved on to something I can do "from the waist up".

So when I'm not harassing and grumping at folks here, I'm busy with this:

http://community.webshots.com/user/uppitycats

What do you do for fun??

[gonnamakeit]

I make most of my clothes as it is easier than going shopping and exhausting myself trying on things. My closets are full of material and I am trying to get everything sewn before I die as my husband will be really surprised at all the material I bought and never used when he cleans out my sewing room.

Going to Las Vegas is one of my favorite things and we are headed there next week. We go to LV at least twice a year. Our younger son is meeting us there this time. It is one place to go and never have to worry about stairs and if I can get into the place. We are going to at least one show and then I am going to spend my time winning it big on the progressive slots.

gmi

[Mariel]

That is becoming one of the main problems in my life. What I used to do for fun I can't do any more. For me, walking outside was my main recreation, or just sitting in the car by Lake Washington, with my husband, who can't walk, watching the ducks dive and leap. Here, I can't walk outside except at night because the sun is too strong. I thought I'd be able to stand it with covering up, but that gets very old, covering up so much that it's hot. So I walk at night and see the clear moon and stars. I walk down the middle of the street so I won't get surprised by critters along the walks. There is little traffic.

The other fun is mostly TV, and that gets very very old. My husband watches too much. There are a few programs that are really fun, though, like the Colbert Report. I want to see Colbert interviewed by Tim Rustert on Sunday morning and I can't find a TV- guide! Isn't that odd? Used to be TV guides everywhere, but there are so many stations that I can't even find when Tim Rustert is on on Sunday.

I guess being on line is my main hobby, and I go many places on line besides here.
Having porphyria and now essential thrombocythemia, I go to their websites and correspond with a number of porphs across the world who have become friends, such as in Australia and Canada.

We used to find it fun to go to a social group in Seattle, and now we really wish we had stayed there because we are lonely here.

[Erin]

My main hobby is crocheting. I learned to knit last summer about 3 days before my vision in my left eye went weirdo on me (that was my first inkling that I had MS)

After I developed optic neuritis, I decided I needed a challenge, so I half-blindly taught myself a bunch of knitting stitches, and now a year later, I can almost knit something to where it actually looks good, or nearly resembles the picture on the pattern.

I also do some basic sewing. I like to sew gift bags for christmas presents. I like the fact that fabric wrapping looks just as good as paper wrapping, and you dont have to worry as much about it tearing, and you can use it over and over.

My other big hobby is reading. I LOVE to read! Lately, it's mostly been fan fiction on the internet for some now-defunct tv shows, but I'm also a big Harry Potter fan right now too. Just got the entire set in a neat box that looks like a chest from Amazon.com this week. I havent read all the books yet, so it's kind of neat that now I can read them all from the beginning.

I do miss one hobby that I cant do any more. Not because of the MS, but because I dont have my dog anymore. He died in March 2006. I used to love to train my dog (a Bouvier des Flandres named TinyMonsters)

He was always so much fun to train...he was a devious "little" thing (he weighed over 100 pounds until the last few months of his life) He was always stealing the tv remotes because he thought it was a fun game, or maybe he thought that we werent giving him the respect and attention that he felt dogs deserved and so he had to show us who was the boss over the tv.

This is a picture of my big-brave-protector (the pug is Tiny's best friend in the world, Pudge. My aunt's dog) I love this picture because it shows how Tiny just loved other dogs (especially Pudge) and how he was gentle with the little ones.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/ErinLindsey/TinyMonsters/pudgelikesit.jpg

I'd love to get another dog someday, but I think I might possibly be allergic (my allergies seemed to improve after Tiny died) and I'm just kind of waiting to figure out how to deal with the MS before I commit to another dog. Plus, it's kind of nice to be able to come and go whenever I want and not have to worry about feeding the dog and keeping him from pooing on the floor. First time in 38yrs I've had that kind of freedom. I had 2 other dogs besides Tiny...those dogs tho, were when I was younger and healthier and before I knew how fun dog training was...so I had the most fun with TinyMonsters.

[cricket52]

Oh Cat - I remember looking at your dollhouses before. They are fabulous!

I used to play piano, organ, oboe. I could read a book a day. I could knit and crochet anything. I did rug hooking and embroidery and cross-stitching.

I enjoyed working and spent time there just because I liked it.

However, that's all behind me now. I work the MS bingo once every two weeks. I don't work on the floor, I help co-ordinate it so it's only three hours on my feet with little walking. Every few months I will play bingo with my friends.

I sat on a legal clinic board for four years and spent two years as chair. I served one year as past chair, Monday is the AGM and my last meeting. That was a great experience, it got me involved in politics in that I now pay attention to what's going on federally and provincially and around the world. I am a news junkie. All my reading is done online.

I enjoy some types of card games and puzzles online and will play with the Wii when I have the energy.

Is sleeping a hobby? I am good at that. :D

Your dollhouses are unique and special. What a neat hobby.

[Mariel]

Yes, I looked at the Doll Houses too. I hope some little girls get a few of them?
I loved doll houses when I was a little girl.

[nuthatch]

Wow! Your doll houses are quite something! Seeing your pictures, reminded me that there is a kit stored in a closet that has never been touched, that my mother-in-law gave to my daughter years ago. She never had the time or inclination to work on it, but I just may give it a go one if these days, after seeing the great job you've done on your's. It's the same brand as your large dollhouse, Greenleaf, but a different model, the Arthur.

Like gmi, I also have a ton of fabric that I NEED to sew or sell before I die!
My husband would also be shocked at how much is stockpiled around here.

I always have my hand in too many projects at once, from making birdhouses, woodburning, wood carving (that's a new interest), jewelery making, scrapbooking, sewing, ect. The list goes on and on and I'm beginning to think I have a severe case of A.D.D.
The internet has opened up a world of projects to me and I spend way too much time looking around on the web, ever expanding my interests.

One of my latest projects (I even completed it too!) was making a chainmaile vest/shirt for my nephew for Halloween. It was all made out of pull tabs from soda pop cans and it turned out great.:)

I also spend alot of time sitting out on my deck along with my cat, Cutie, bird/nature watching. The animals have become so used to my morning routine of filling feeders & birdbaths, and feeding the squirrels walnuts, that they seem unafraid of me now and come out when I go out on the deck!

I really enjoy doing these things I never seemed to have the time to do before MS took so much from me, but am forever grateful for what I can still do, and enjoy life, regardless of my limitations.

Joan

[jendie]

Erin-
You had a Bouvier that you named "TinyMonsters"? LOL

I know for a fact that Bouviers are anything but tiny... :D

I'm sorry to know that your beloved pet has passed away.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm a rock hound and I just love walking on our local beaches looking for little treasures- Rocks that look as good when polished as the looked when they were wet. I bought a rotary tumbler that I use to polish up the rocks I find. I have no idea what I'll do with the rocks after I've polished them, so for now I just put them in glass bottles, jars, and bowls... :D

On the days when my legs don't want to cooperate, I just sit on the driftwood logs and pick up the rocks that look promising. Sometimes you can tell which ones have potential to polish up nicely. :D

[Cat Dancer]

The point of my post (other than to pat myself on my back for having finished another house today, The Washington.. :) )

is to remind folks that we have LIVES in the real world...and they should not be solely and only around illness(es). Sure, we ALL have some labels, and degrees of disability..

but there are OTHER things out there, even if it is just on the internet, that DON'T have to center around illness, and illness boards!

Like, I spend time on a law board...I shoulda been a lawyer! :) And my church has an active e-mail list. And the dollhouse boards. And a couple of cat boards. This and one other small MS boards are the ONLY boards that are "blessed" by my presence, and even that is a very small bit of time compared to the rest of the internet stuff I do.

And I build and rehab dollhouses, build the furniture and stuff that goes inside them, tend to my 4 cats, cook and clean my house, feed my husband (and a couple of "forever houseguests" who can't seem to get their house built and so are living here now), and read, and...

a BUNCH of other things.

If I spend too much time here, I start worrying about my MS. If I spend time at the dollhouse board, I engage in a ton of other conversations about things MUCH more interesting.

Anyway. My dollhouses are fun, solely for my own pleasure, and started out with "just one". Now I've got 3 done, another "in the works", two more in boxes stashed under my bed, a "row of stores" -- three "roomboxes" that link together as storefronts, and a couple of other projects pending.

24 years into MS, use a wheelchair full time, have all the "usual" MS stuff going on...but MS is NOT my life...disability does NOT define me...I just deal with it.

I'll stop grousing now.

I think the rock collection is fun. We have a tumbler too...but I haven't used it since it tipped over and spilled the muddy contents all over my rug, one day, and made a mess. Ugh. But we have a jar of pretty rocks! :)

[SuzE-Q]

You are very inspiring CD. Thank you for that very motivational ditty and glimpse into your life.

Sue

[jendie]

I think the rock collection is fun. We have a tumbler too...but I haven't used it since it tipped over and spilled the muddy contents all over my rug, one day, and made a mess. Ugh. But we have a jar of pretty rocks! :)

*ack I've done that a time or two... What's even worse was the time when the lid came off and there was a muddy mess all over the top of my desk. That was where my tumbler was the last time I used it. Unfortunately, there's no place to put my tumbler where we're living right now, but don't think that fact keeps me from collecting potential rocks. Right now I have about 30-40 lbs of untumbled beach rock. Hubby is currently using them to weigh down the base of the thing we're using for our patio umbrella. ;)

[Erin]

Erin-
You had a Bouvier that you named "TinyMonsters"? LOL

I know for a fact that Bouviers are anything but tiny... :D

I'm sorry to know that your beloved pet has passed away.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm a rock hound and I just love walking on our local beaches looking for little treasures- Rocks that look as good when polished as the looked when they were wet. I bought a rotary tumbler that I use to polish up the rocks I find. I have no idea what I'll do with the rocks after I've polished them, so for now I just put them in glass bottles, jars, and bowls... :D

On the days when my legs don't want to cooperate, I just sit on the driftwood logs and pick up the rocks that look promising. Sometimes you can tell which ones have potential to polish up nicely. :D

Yep, Tiny was a big oxymoron. :D

Actually, when he was born (Dec 26, 1996) the breeder had named all the puppies with Christmas names. Tiny's registered name is Tiny Tim - Misty Green Kennel...Oh, and Tiny was the runt of his litter when he was born. Nearly died because him mom wasnt capable of feeding all NINE puppies (she didnt produce milk) He got really sick for the first few days of his life. The breeder hand fed him and made sure he survived.

It was after we got Monsters home, that I realized there was more than one dog inside his body. He equaled about 3 puppies in puppy deviousness. It was like having a furry 2yr old running around the house, getting into everything. I told him he was a big monster dog one day after I discovered he'd chewed up some woodwork (that we'd just had re-done) and I think there was carpeting involved with it too.

It wasnt too long after that, that I'd added the "s" to "monster" and then added "Monsters" to the end of "Tiny". It took awhile to get people to say his name correctly, with the "s" at the end. He mellowed out a lot as he got older, and didnt eat large areas of carpeting unless he was stressed out, but occasionally the Monsters in him would come out to play. (he'd steal the tv remote, or try to get into my rather large yarn stash to "help me organize it the Dog Way")

I think his favorite game was "steal the human's stuff and make them chase me". He'd grab the tv remotes, and then come into whatever room you were in, show you that he had the remote and then once you moved towards him, he'd take off and make you chase him.

He now resides on the headboard of my bed in a beautiful little box with his name on a brass plate, with a framed picture of him when he was a puppy and 2 loose pictures of him standing in the wind in the yard. I need to finish working on a thing of pictures of him (what do you call it when you put a bunch of pictures together of one subject and then get it framed and hang it on the wall?? A mosaic???? argh...stupid MS brain!)

It took me a year and a half before I could even bring myself to put Tiny's box in my room. Made me sad, since Tiny slept on the floor in my room for most of his life. Whenever I got sick and laid around in bed, Tiny would just lay on the floor and sleep and keep me company. I miss his snoring...and him getting up to turn around and whacking his big body into my bed and waking me up...and getting woken up by him in the morning. He'd get a big mouthful of mattress and shake my bed...telling me that it's "time to feed The Dog, get up Lazy Human!"

[lady_express_44]

Most of the things that I do that require any amount of energy, center around my kids; watching soccer & baseball, tournaments, fund-raising, being a taxi, keeping house, etc.

The fun things I do for myself are gardening and moderating a MS board (I used to moderate two, but that was too much commitment). I like reading and yoga/stretching exercises too. I also like collecting rocks, but don't get to the beach or creeks too often any more.

I love meeting the people I've gotten to know on the boards, when health, $ and time permit.

Cherie

[Erin]

I almost forgot, I also moderate a crochet forum, two crochet Yahoo Groups, and two fanfiction Yahoo Groups (for the tv show Without A Trace).

[bluesky63]

What do I do for fun . . .

It's an interesting question. It forces a reality check, in a way, because what I *think* I do for fun and what I *actually* do for fun are quite different.

What I *think* I do for fun would be things that apply more to earlier phases of life (pre-disability, etc.). Not really worth going through the list. This isn't a resume. :-)

But I what I *actually* do for fun is quite different. I am sitting here with a wrinkled brow trying to come up with my realistic "fun" things, and here's what I can think of.

* Catalog Fantasy Island: I look at catalogs, carefully select my favorite products, and fantasize about how my home or life would be improved with those products. Each catalog is usually good for a week or so. (Note that I never actually place an order.)

* Magazine Makeover: This one's great for the doctor's waiting room. I flip through a magazine, look at all the photos and ads, and make original suggestions for what's *really* going on. Hard to explain why, but my kids beg for it. Edited to add: The very best magazine in the world for this is "Sky Mall." Someday you all will just have to sit with me when I do this and you'll understand. :-)

* Cookbook Fantasy Island (closely related to Catalog Fantasy Island): I look at cookbooks or recipes and imagine having a party in which actual people come to my house and enjoy the actual dishes I am reading about. Sometimes I even imagine the actual weather, clothing, and conversations. (Note that I never actually have the party, make the food, or talk to the people.)

* Writing: I spend a great deal of time thinking about the pieces I plan to write and trying to decide which literary market best suits my plans. I also read classic and contemporary poetry and consider its influences on my work, often having lively imaginary debates with the authors. (Note that I rarely actually complete any pieces or submit them.)

I think I live a fairly Walter Mitty-like existence at this point. Mostly in my imagination. Fortunately my imagination is a fun place to be. There it is. :-)

[Pegakafarmgirl]

Hey Cat,, good post,, and good reminder,,

okay, I am but a farm girl,, live in the country,, I have horses, and yes, I still ride,, Americas funniest video, getting on, with husbands help, but I get on,, used to barrel race/ and team pen,, I also will get back into training dogs,, our old dog { Fat Dog } is losing ground,, would love to train a pup,, used to teach 4/H dog classes..

I am a certified areobics instructor,, but those were the days my friend, I thought they'ed never end,,:rolleyes:

the best is being grandma to the most beautiful grandkids in Iowa,,;)

[Matthew's Mom]

Cat,
Love the dollhouses:) I am not artistic in the least and am jealous:D

Saw the pics of your cats. I have four. One looks just like your Cindy.

Her name is Patches and she is way up in years, but still acts like the kitten she was when we adopted her.

I love to read, but I actually do have a hobby, collecting football cards. Been collecting for 25 years.

Pam

[Erin]

Cat,
Love the dollhouses:) I am not artistic in the least and am jealous:D

Saw the pics of your cats. I have four. One looks just like your Cindy.

Her name is Patches and she is way up in years, but still acts like the kitten she was when we adopted her.

I love to read, but I actually do have a hobby, collecting football cards. Been collecting for 25 years.

Pam

I collect crochet hooks, magazines, knitting needles and Irish claddagh pendants and rings. (a claddagh is a traditional piece of Irish jewelry. It's two hands, holding a heart with a crown on top of the heart. The hands mean friendship, the heart is love, and the crown is for loyalty)

Collecting stuff is fun! I got to add to my claddagh collection when I went to South Dakota. Bought myself a Black Hills Gold pendant at Mount Rushmore. First time in about 6 years that I got to add to my collection.

[Annie123]

I collect and paint "Paint-By-Numbers" sets.

I've been trying to add more fun in my life, but it's hard because I cannot make any type of commitment -- my MS is so unstable.

Other fun things are: reading, movies, TV, CollegeConfidential.com.

Good post, thanks Cat -- love those doll houses -- what do you do with them when they're finished?

[Cat Dancer]

Hey, Howie, why did you delete your lovely car??? She's a beauty, and I AM gonna come one day and take a ride in her!!

The dollhouses right now just clutter up my house. One of these days I'll have to think about what to do with them, but for now, they're just my toys. As for "collecting" -- they take up WAY much more room than baseball cards! but I'm collecting Reutter Porzelan stuff for them -- very exquisite miniature furniture, brasswear and china.. some more expensive than the REAL stuff I eat off each day!! (Thanks to eBay and other similar sources, I can get some of it MUCH cheaper than retail!)

Thanks for looking at my houses. I'm not at all skilled, but it IS fun, all the same! :)

[ewizabeth]

Cat,

I love the dollhouses, something I adored as a child, but anytime I had something nice I broke it, roughhousing tomboy that I was...

Bluesky,

I also have a vivid imagination, but not as much as you. You remind me of when I read to our boys growing up, every day of their lives until they were young teens and they no longer enjoyed it. :) I also used to dabble in writing, and hope to try again someday.

My hobbies? Work :o , flower gardening and my houseplants, yard work when it's cool enough outside. I like to decorate the house economically, and hope to have time to do that again someday but I'll need help with the physical parts of it. I have a 1950ish Pfaff sewing machine my Dad gave my Mom when I was a child, I need to take it in for a motor checkup so I can make curtains and other house decorations. :)

I'm in an online class right now, and when that's finished, I'm going to make photo scrapbooks in my spare time, starting with our sons. I have some great photos that need to be sorted, identified and preserved.

[BBS1951]

This is a fun thread to read :) Love your doll houses Cat :)

My fun is:

Reading and posting on MS Bulletin Boards (3)
Reading mystery novels and other genres too.
Cooking, cooking, and cooking. And reading good cooking recipes
Talking with my loved ones who live out of town, by phone.
Playing Texas Holdem poker sometimes.
Going out to lunch with a good friend.
Working (this can be fun)
Swimming
Watching good TV shows and movies
Relaxing on the couch and doing nada when the Fatigue hits.
Taking care of my herb garden and bromiliads

[fahrmar]

What do I do for fun? Right now, I am in the throes of simplifying my life, which actually requires that I make sure to include fun things in my life! How cool is that?

When my finances are a little tidier (getting there slowly but surely) I plan to buy a new digital camera. I've practiced photography since age 12, and even taught for 10 years at a 2 year college. I'm very proud of my portfolios from when I was a guest student in a graduate fine art photography program. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art. My specialty was sculpture, and after graduation my art evolved toward mixed media paintings. Lately, I've been doing pastel and color pencil drawings. Really expressionistic and/or abstract.

My neuro said to me about 18 months ago "I can't know what this feels like". Now I have a drawing to show him that I think expresses it.

I am presently making sock monkeys for a church fund raiser. The hand sewing to assemble the parts is challenging, but they make me smile, so it's okay!

My vision made a major shift over the summer, and I need a new eye glass Rx, then I can resume reading who dunit's and books on spirituality.

I decided to treat myself, and this Friday went to a kick-@ss concert: Lee Amos (blues), Elvis Costello, and Bob Dylan. 4 hours of being charged up and absorbed in great music. Next month will be a B.B. King concert with 3 of my women friends. Bought a blouse and skirt just for that night, French and edgy styling. I'm counting it all as my Christmas present to myself.

Call my friends, especially Chuck who invariably gets me howling with laughter.

Great post!

Peace!

[Erin]

I am presently making sock monkeys for a church fund raiser. The hand sewing to assemble the parts is challenging, but they make me smile, so it's okay!

SOCK MONKEYS!!! I LOVE sock monkeys!

I've been trying to crochet one, but just cant get the body and the head right, but I'm free forming it without a pattern...there's a crochet pattern I would buy if I could just find a copy of it.

My grandmother used to make sock monkeys for me and my cousins when I was little. (the real ones, made from real socks) I wish I still had those monkeys. With trying to crochet one, I just cant find yarn that looks right. I can come close, but it's not the same.

I can sew, just not hand sew (never did like handsewing) I just dont think I could make a sock monkey with my sewing machine.

I guess I need to just keep attempting my crocheted version until I'm happy with it.

[nuthatch]

I love sock monkeys too, and have the socks and pattern to make some in my pile of "to do projects"! Waiting for a grandchild to make them for.

Mary, your post reminded me of so much.
I took my hubby, and two adult kids to a B.B. King concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl for my 47th birthday. Great concert with Kenny Wayne Shepard (he was so young then!). It was very hot that day and I had trouble cooling down. The next day I woke up with numb legs and was diagnosed with MS shortly after that. That was over 8 years ago.

I'm sure you enjoyed the concert ( I love Amos Lee, Elvis Costello, and of course, Dylan), and you'll definately enjoy B.B., he puts on a good show, even though he's getting up there in years. Whose playing with him?

This may sound weird, but since I've had MS, I have done things that I had never even had an interest in doing before. For instance, one day I could suddenly see faces in the oddest places, for instance, in the grain of the wood in my cupboards and doors! I now draw those faces, even though I was never into drawing! Freaky!
I often wonder if the ol' brain activates new areas to try to make up for losses in other areas!

[BBS1951]

For folks who are liking this thread, join us at Pegs Chit Chat thread-- that's a great place to learn more about each others hobbies, loves, hates, joys and tragedies. For example, did you know Cherie is going to India soon with a group of professionals?

[Kittianne54]

I find I do less each year now, but I have to go for quality vs quantity!

I also have four cats. Three males and one female. When I fall, the 3 males run off, and the female comes over and licks my arm, as if she's trying to help because she knows I don't belong on the floor! They came to me at various times, all rescue/stray. They're all pampered indoor cats now, with regular vet visits, good food, good toys, catnip, and attention. -they are hosting a visitor right now, and have mixed feelings about it. My oldest son is in China for 10 weeks and I'm cat-sitting his cat.

I went to a fall craft fair with two of my daughters and grandkids today. One to push the stroller, and another to push my wheelchair. My right hand doesn't work very well anymore (I'm a lefty :D -then last year I fell and broke my left shoulder :mad: ). I loved reading fiction, and I keep buying books and have a stack I haven't got to yet. I think I need a new Rx for my bifocals, too. That print keeps shrinking, and my brain has to re-read to comprehend sometimes :confused: . I have to admit, my four main activities are interacting and caring for my cats, computer, tv, and sleeping.

I have six grown kids (3girls/3boys). Two are married, and two grandkids (so far). I only have a high school education, but the six of them all have various college degrees, masters, med school, engineering. I'm amazed by their accomplishments and like to think that I had a bit to do with their successes :rolleyes: .

I've only had MS for six years, but it progressed quite rapidly, so it's with me 24/7. With wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, braces, pumps, catheters, etc., there's no ignoring it, so I just have to incorporate it and adjust as I go along.

[MomtoM]

I like this thread! I do worry more about MS if I am reading too much about it. My main hobbies right now, of course, are making play doh sculptures, teaching watercolor techniques, reading many Dr Seuss books, and dressing in princess clothes:)
However, naptime comes and for nearly 3 hours I am free to pursue my interests!

Right now I am scraping paint off the trim in my dining room, spackling and sanding the walls in there and repairing some dents and holes. In addition to that, I ripped up the old avocado green and yellow linoleum out of the kitchen. Without a real plan, I just got so sick of it! My husband was a bit surprised when he woke up! So now we are working on the finishing touches of the new subfloor...I also took all the kitchen cabinets apart and painted them blue:rolleyes:
I think maybe I need to stop starting new things and wait till I finish some! But it is so much fun to just start them!

I love to read, especially spiritual books, but my concentration is low right now so I am taking a break from that.

Yoga and meditation are a big part of my life. I am only practicing in my mind right now, but that is rewarding also. In November, I am going to NYC to a workshop by Matthew Sanford! A great inspiration to me and anyone who has a disability.
http://www.matthewsanford.com/

Cat, love the pics from your house, you live in a beautiful setting.

I used to try to knit Erin, but I stink. I still have a scarf unfinished that I started 3 years ago and a pair of socks that has one complete and one 1/2 also from 3 years ago!
I crocheted a baby blanket for my niece (for the baby shower) that I finally was able to give to her when she was 1 1/2 years old!

It takes a lot of concentration for that work.

Bluesky, I have felt that way before too. Where I think of great things to do and almost think I actually did them with the kids. And dream of being able to fix this house the right way.
I wish you could be somewhere that you would be able to be happier. But I guess at least if you have your imagination, that helps.

Well, fun to talk about this instead of MS.

Deb

[Erin]

I used to try to knit Erin, but I stink. I still have a scarf unfinished that I started 3 years ago and a pair of socks that has one complete and one 1/2 also from 3 years ago!
I crocheted a baby blanket for my niece (for the baby shower) that I finally was able to give to her when she was 1 1/2 years old!

It takes a lot of concentration for that work.

I've been crocheting since I was 6. So, I dont really need to concentrate much when I crochet. I've only been knitting for about a year tho.

I have to concentrate a little bit to knit (still not that good at purling) but I dont have to look at it as much any more. I can watch tv and knit now.

[renee]

I'm a high maintenance woman who has a hard time planning fun in advance.
Geez, I actually watched two really good movies this last week. Wag the Dog and Frida. Had never seen them.
If an opportunity comes up and I am awake enough I'll take it.
Have taken a few art related classes after work but I'm usually so beat I don't do enough outside of class to develop ideas and techniques.
I'll be more interesting when I retire.

[fahrmar]

I'm a high maintenance woman who has a hard time planning fun in advance.
Geez, I actually watched two really good movies this last week. Wag the Dog and Frida. Had never seen them.
If an opportunity comes up and I am awake enough I'll take it.
Have taken a few art related classes after work but I'm usually so beat I don't do enough outside of class to develop ideas and techniques.
I'll be more interesting when I retire.

Those are two of my favorite movies! What about your art classes? My next challenge is to try to teach myself watercolor. Eek! Pastels as a medium was a huge challenge, which I have not mastered, but can make it look like something a little more than what a third grader might accomplish. Progress.

:)

[sgoethe]

Well most of our fun is our kids..we visit the zoo, play outside, go for walks. I love to read and do photography. Ourp pets i guess can be fun :D we have two sphynx, a lab, 2 birds, 2 snails, 1 shrimp, 2 fish. :D DH is beggin for another dog but lord i dont know if i can handle anymore..

Dh loves to hunt, fish and golf that is what keeps him busy all year round..needless to say i dont do any of those things so we have fun apart a lot of the time :rolleyes:

[fahrmar]

SOCK MONKEYS!!! I LOVE sock monkeys!

I've been trying to crochet one, but just cant get the body and the head right, but I'm free forming it without a pattern...there's a crochet pattern I would buy if I could just find a copy of it.

My grandmother used to make sock monkeys for me and my cousins when I was little. (the real ones, made from real socks) I wish I still had those monkeys. With trying to crochet one, I just cant find yarn that looks right. I can come close, but it's not the same.

I can sew, just not hand sew (never did like handsewing) I just dont think I could make a sock monkey with my sewing machine.

I guess I need to just keep attempting my crocheted version until I'm happy with it.



I don't crochet, and I use a sewing machine to make the main parts out of the original Rockford red heel socks. They are fairly close to being a traditional sock monkey, except I sew bits of yarn on their heads for funky, 21st century hair styles. I will look for a sock pattern online, and maybe you can adapt it to crocheting. I'll poke around, and let you knw.

I like poking around on the internet.

Peace and smiles!

[Erin]

I don't crochet, and I use a sewing machine to make the main parts out of the original Rockford red heel socks. They are fairly close to being a traditional sock monkey, except I sew bits of yarn on their heads for funky, 21st century hair styles. I will look for a sock pattern online, and maybe you can adapt it to crocheting. I'll poke around, and let you knw.

I like poking around on the internet.

Peace and smiles!


Cool.... :D

[fahrmar]

Cool.... :D

http://lennytaylor.freeyellow.com/Monkey.htm

http://breezeb.tripod.com/crafts/sockmonkey.html

http://www.supersockmonkey.com/catalog/howtomake.html


Each site has a valuable component. Let me know how it goes! What FUN!!!

:D

[Erin]

I'm going to have to find someone to help me with those...I'm not the best cutter in the world...

altho, I did work as a fabric cutter at WalMart. But they had the nice table with the metal groove down the table, so I could cut straight...as long as moronic customers didnt yank the fabric off the table while I was trying to cut...making me cut myself...because then they get all offended when I get blood on their fabric and then give them the Glare of Death for making me cut myself...because then they go find my manager and lie about what happened and nearly get me fired.

Thank goodness that I dont work for WalMart anymore. But, I think it has something to do with me not being the greatest fabric cutter now. I think I was traumatized or something.

Maybe I can ask my Brother-In-Law if he'll make some sock monkeys. (he's an excellent sew-y type person) Maybe if I buy several sets of socks, he can make the monkeys for my nieces and send me one too...I think I'll go email him.

[renee]

I bought the socks then I started wearing the socks.
Now they would be holey, stinky sockmonkeys.

[venice*]

So when I'm not harassing and grumping at folks here

What do you do for fun??

Cat- You made me LOL.
I used to play tennis and prune for fun. Now I come here and have fun seeing you harassing and grumping at folks. :D Just kidding, gosh I guess I don't have much fun, I'll have to read this thread for some ideas!:)

PS. After reading a few posts I had to laugh about the rocks. I thought I was the only one. I LOVE going to the beach and swimming and sitting with my chair 1/2 in and my feet buried and the waves and wind splashing. And then collecting rocks. I have a bunch still sitting on my kitchen table in a bowl of water.

[Jakaloke]

And then collecting rocks. I have a bunch still sitting on my kitchen table in a bowl of water.

Have any of them ever sprouted for you? :)

Scott

[PattiLee]

Gardening.

I have almost 400 bulbs to go in this fall.

They give me something fresh to look forward to in the spring. I love to plant and see what happens.

[fahrmar]

I'm going to have to find someone to help me with those...I'm not the best cutter in the world...

altho, I did work as a fabric cutter at WalMart. But they had the nice table with the metal groove down the table, so I could cut straight...as long as moronic customers didnt yank the fabric off the table while I was trying to cut...making me cut myself...because then they get all offended when I get blood on their fabric and then give them the Glare of Death for making me cut myself...because then they go find my manager and lie about what happened and nearly get me fired.

Thank goodness that I dont work for WalMart anymore. But, I think it has something to do with me not being the greatest fabric cutter now. I think I was traumatized or something.

Maybe I can ask my Brother-In-Law if he'll make some sock monkeys. (he's an excellent sew-y type person) Maybe if I buy several sets of socks, he can make the monkeys for my nieces and send me one too...I think I'll go email him.

Like I said, I don't crochet because it'd make me NUTZ. I have incredible respect for you to do something so meticulous. It'd make me homicidal. I thought maybe you could figure out a crochet pattern from the sewing pattern, but sewing is a new adventure for me, so what do I know from crochet patterns, much less?

[mark53]

casinos,gambling,racetracks(greyhound&horse)watching Pro football,going for rides with my wife(36 years)haveing the grandkids over.playing around online. going outside to watch the birds.

[Erin]

Like I said, I don't crochet because it'd make me NUTZ. I have incredible respect for you to do something so meticulous. It'd make me homicidal. I thought maybe you could figure out a crochet pattern from the sewing pattern, but sewing is a new adventure for me, so what do I know from crochet patterns, much less?

Seeing the monkey in pieces does give me ideas how to make him with a crochet hook. The gray yarn I have isnt quite the right color, but it's close...I have red that's about the right shade for the mouth...

I think I could figure out how to make him from the drawings most of those sites showed. I'm bored today, so I think I'll go dig thru my stash and see if I have enough yarn to work with.