" This, That And The Other"

Alright, I'll admit it. I've had Blogger Brain Block. Go ahead, say that fast three times. Not so easy is it? My daughter Ginny, who writes for a living, says that you should write about what you know. This is funny to me because as I get older, I've come to realize that I really don't know much. And the older I get, what I do know, I forget, so this can be tricky! Ginny also suggested that I do a blog showcasing my crocheted items. I took a photo of one and then I didn't want to do it any more. So here is a photo of my favorite doily.

Crocheting was my favorite hobby. It still would be if my hands would allow it. It seems that arthritis doesn't care if you enjoy something or not, it's made it self at home in my hands,knees,feet and hips. So I can rarely indulge in my favorite hobby any more.

Since I have Blogger Brain Block, I decided that I would mention some things that I love and love to do. It's what I know, so here are a few of my favorite things. Now I will apologize if you have a certain song going through your head!

If you've read my blog at all, you know that I do not , I repeat, do not , like to bake or cook. What you don't know is that I love to make soups. All kinds of soups. I can make very good soups. My favorite is Split Pea. My husbands favorites are Potato and Beef Barley. This is something that I was born knowing how to do and do well. No recipe's involved. However I did watch people close to me in my life over the years and picked up some tips along the way.

Flowers are my favorite plants. I love flowers everywhere. I love flower patterned fabrics, which I would have more of if I didn't have a husband. But I do have to respect the testosterone! I really have no interest in growing vegetables, except for the fact that my husband always makes me grow tomatoes, all I would ever plant would be flowers. It seems I never tire of planting flowers.

I collect crosses. This is my latest collection that I still add to. I used to collect crochet books and magazines, of which I have hundreds. I stopped that collection because of above mentioned reason. I also have a collection of piggy's. I have little piggy's all over my kitchen. This collection made it very easy when my children were little and wanted to buy mom a gift! And this next collection I am consistently teased about. I collect wishbones. Chicken and turkey. I know it may sound weird but I have a pattern for a crocheted Victorian thimble holder, in which you crochet around a wishbone. I still have not made one but I have lots of wish bones "just in case". I know it's a little weird.

One of my favorite things to do is to get a movie that I want to see, buy a six pack of beer, make some popcorn, turn off all the lights and enjoy. This I like to do alone. And while I love watching movies with my family, it just feels like a mini vacation when I'm by myself.

Speaking of being by myself, I totally enjoy that as well. I didn't always. When my younger daughter, Katie, went with her dad over the road for a week once, I started to panic. I had never been alone, ever. After much thinking I realized that I should not focus on being lonely but enjoy having the house and time to myself. I discovered that week that I enjoy my own company! All I did all that week was sleep when I wanted, eat when I wanted and watch movies. I didn't do any dishes until I noticed the day before they came home that there were stacks of dishes all around my recliner. This was a major milestone for me as I cannot stand any dirty dishes lying around.

I have lots and lots of favorite movies. Too many to even mention if I were able to remember them all! But most of the ones that come to mind are "Inside Daisy Clover", "This Property Condemnded", "Splendor In The Grass", these three all star Natalie Wood who has always been my favorite actress. There are many newer movies that I enjoyed much but I must admit that I am a classic movie fan. In my mind there's nothing like that old time drama! And for the record my favorite actor has always been and always will be Burt Lancaster.

My favorite style is Victorian. My bedroom is completely, except for the air conditioner and tiny t.v., decorated in a Victorian motif. My daughter Ginny gave me the nicest complement about it saying that it looked like it came out of a page in a magazine. It is my private retreat.

O.K. now I am thinking about people. I love being around people that make me laugh and can laugh with me. I am forever an optimist and dislike being around pessimistic people. I think that most people take life much too seriously and that we should always look forward. My childhood was pretty bad. But I don't dwell on it, I use it to make me stronger. I love smiling and I just don't understand why more people don't. We are so blessed. All of us. Through all of the horrible things I have been through in my life, I realize, everyday that God has a plan for me. And while I don't know what it is yet, just the anticipation of it excites me.

So now you know a little bit more about me. No I'm not a very exciting person, just average. But I am happy, and my children are healthy. And I consider that to be one of the greatest gifts of all!