Why do I read?

I read because I like to because I love getting to know the characters and see the plot unfold then find out what happens. I read because I want to be entertained, because I'm bored, because I want to be inpired or learn something new. I read because I think it's fun.

Just sharing my reaction a lists of book to read. I have read several of them a long time ago. There are so many on these lists that do not thrill me in the least. Sometimes I think I would like to re-read many of the classics I read when I VERY young to see what I think about them now and I just cannot get myself excited about them at all.

That's all.

I may not have been posting but I have been busy...

This week I've been doing lots of cleaning. I'm trying to get better at keep things clean AGAIN. I love the results but I have never been good at keeping up with it but here's to keeping up with it this time!

I've been de-cluttering like crazy. I have loads of stuff to take to the thrift store and I have been brutal in that I'm even throwing things away that have no use, things that I'd be embarrassed to give them away. I'm de-stashing yarn and fabric. I've decided I'm a yarn geek not a sewing geek although I can sew and do sometimes, it's more on an as needed basis than a love. I now admit to being a yarn snob. I won't refuse some acrylic if it's colors I love because acrylics do have benefits. I love yarns that drape and feel lovely to touch.

Now that I have made some room, I made myself a spinning corner in the living room.


Just above the chair you can see some recycled sweaters bags I finished a few weeks ago. They are a bit warm for the summer, but I will love using them this fall and winter to hold works in progress.



A current crocheting project in some absolutely divine yarn, Frog Tree Alpaca. It will be a spiral shawl.



Neither of these gets across the color very well but does show what it looks like in different lighting.

A cure for getting over you dang self - maybe

I've been thinking that maybe the best way to get over my dang self is to be more thankful. That's not to say that I won't speak up for what needs being spoke up for. My theory is the more we are thankful about things in our life, the more we pay attention to even the tiniest joys the easier it is to take all the yuck in the world. Since I'm having a hard time seeing the beauty through all the yuck in the world it's time to be more thankful.

Some things to be thankful for:

I've learned to knit and crochet and I'm learning to spin. I love this new fiber passion of mine and love that it has "stuck." It helps me when I'm down. I love seeing something become in front of my eyes.

I'm thankful for the local farmers here in Lawrence and all over the world who take care to grow things with care for the environmental so I might eat as locally as possible and eat yummy and nutritionally rich food.

I'm thankful for my husband who accepts and loves me for who I am. Who works hard for our family in a job he doesn't particularly like so may homeschool our kids and own our home.

I'm thankful he was able to find work in town so he can ride his bike to work in the summer so we save on fuel and it's kinder to the environment and we see him more often. He often works from home in the morning so we can chat here and there and the kids can get hugs and good mornings from Dad.

Thanks Tracy for getting us started. Heymom want to join too?

Swappin' Doilies

I started making doilies last year just after they started the doily swap on Crochetville so I didn't get to take part but this year I was ready.

Here's what I made for my partner:








From 99 Little Doily Book by Patricia Kristoffersen I need to look
up which "numbers" I did.
All made with #10 Opera thread


Here's what she made for me:



I love both of the them but I just love the colors in the blue one the best. She also sent but not pictured: lollipops that the kids loved, a skein of Bernat Cool Crochet and a mini-thread teddy that I just couldn't get a non-blurry pic. Thanks so much.

It's been a long time posting....

Yeah, I know. It's been a long time since my last post. I'm cranky and I don't want to share that crankiness with my dear readers. I do have some readers at least 18 who are signed up to see updates on this blog on bloglines. How cool is that ?!

Is anyone else a bit tired? I finished the Harry Potter book. Sigh, I'm sad to see the story end. It's been a good friend and inspirations for lots of creativity and fun in our home. I'm bummed that I didn't get pics of Jade dressed up as Tonks on Friday at the Borders party but she looked great.

I've been reading and listened to other books as well. I finished No, I don't want to join a book club by Virginia Ironside which was absolutely hilarious. I'm feeling a bit worried that I might be a a bit too much like Marie 20 yrs too soon. I'm finding I just don't have the patience if I disagree with others. I don't want to be a meanie either. Sigh. A few years ago I was in a good flow of my beliefs and just breathing through beliefs I disagreed with. I'm not talking about religion here, it could be parenting related or education related. I'm having a harder time with that lately. I don't want a what's wrong with the world blog or life for the matter. I want an optimistic but realistic enjoyment of life, but my reaction to other beliefs is just flat out incredulous sometimes. I wan't to say, you can't be serious! Other things I just "make" me sad.

I should probably just get over my dang self. It's hard. That's why I've been absent. If I don't have something positive to share I just don't share at all.

Here's to a better today and even happier tomorrow.