Watcha' Doing - 2023

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sarah, it is definitely a long trip. We usually fly. The only time we usually drive is Christmas because of all the gifts.

Sandra, last year was the only time we had a problem. Thank goodness. We see each other several times a year. We go up at least every June to pick up our grandson for a visit and attend other gatherings. We already have three different events to go to next year in that area, but fortunately we will plan to fly and they're quick flights.

Esther, that is a long trip for a brunch. We've done things like that before. I do think that our acceptable "day trip" driving times are longer than a lot of other people.

Rus, funny! As I typed that I was thinking if they don't already. lol The comments I was making to my friend referred to my mom's "older" women behaviors. You know, those things that older people do (and get away with!) that aren't acceptable for younger people. I hope I haven't started too many of those yet. lol

Sorry to hear about Lexx getting sick now too. That's crap timing. Hope he feels better soon.

[Peggy]

I'm with you Sarah. We go to my brother-in-law this Christmas and it's a 2-hour drive (2.5 if you count the detour we have to make to pick up Rob's parents). That's far!

The furthest we have ever gone was 8 hours I think (but that easily makes an actual 10-12 hours considering traffic jams, road works, detours, toilet breaks etc.), for holiday. But we split that in 2 days. I don't drive so Rob has to do all. He doesn't mind, but 12 hours is a bit much. And I really don't like being in a car for long so I definitely am done with it for the day after a few hours.

Many people here go to Spain or Italy or south of France by car in summer, which would be 12 hours if you just drive. But then there's so called black saturdays when all the roads to the south of Europe are congested and you have to wait 3 hours before entering certain tunnels and basically, that sounds like hell to me.

[Sarah]

Sorry to hear Lexx is down. I second Janice's suggestions of hot toddies! I hope it doesn't linger too long. You'd think that after covid, people would be more inclined to stay home when I'll and/or employers encouraging it, but seems like it's gone back to the way it was before on that front.

[Margo]

Rusalka wrote: "Thanks everyone. Been a week! I'm feeling so much better today, although woke up to the good start of a migraine - because why not tick all the boxes! Managed to fight it off, and the rest of the s..."

Although I'm on the other side of the world, your bug sounds very similar to one I'm just recovering from. I'm also at the stage of not really feeling sick anymore but waking up every morning with a headache. I have stuffy nose and a bit dizziness. It's not the worst bug I ever had (covid before the advent of vaccine still wins that prize!) just something you could do without in the fun up to xmas.

I hope all our members enjoy a peaceful christmas and that Santa brings everything you wish for ✌️🕊️❄️

[Sandra, Moderator]

Hope Lexx gets better soon!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "I'm with you Sarah. We go to my brother-in-law this Christmas and it's a 2-hour drive (2.5 if you count the detour we have to make to pick up Rob's parents). That's far!

The furthest we have ever ..."

The 14 hours is total with traffic, stops etc. We have split it into two days before too. We've actually made the trip there stayed for two days and made the trip back. That is rough. Both of my daughters have made the drive before, though they dread it.

The worst was when Covid hit and the kids couldn't go to school and we could only use interstate roads for necessary travel. Hubby made the trip there to pick up G, slept on my daughter's couch for a few hours, and drove back with G the next day. The trip was a lot quicker than usual. It was under 12 hours each way, I think closer to ten, which was unheard of, but there was no traffic due to the travel restrictions. Also, I remember there were certain states where he couldn't even stop to get out of the car because there were isolations regulations in place. Regardless, there and back in about 36 hours. Crazy.

[Saar The Book owl]

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you can spend it with your loved ones/friends, have lots of delicious food and great presents. Maybe books, who knows...

To the ones who are sick, I wish you a good health very soon and hot beverages, a blanket, a book and lots of comforts.

To everyone who needs to travel, be careful on the roads to your destinations.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Merry Christmas, everyone! I got a weaving loom and spent part of the afternoon watching tutorials in youtube. Loving it already.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Oh fun, Sandra! You'll have to share pictures of what you end up making in the what have you made thread. Just realizing that we haven't seen anything in there for a long while.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I will! I also spent more time working on my embroidery today, since I decided that I have to finish it before starting anything in the loom. I have enough half finished projects as it is.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I always have a bunch of half finished projects. lol

[Sandra, Moderator]

It can't be helped. Lol

[Janice, Moderator]

I specialize in half finished projects.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I didn't think there were any other kind of projects...

[Janice, Moderator]

LOL!

[Peggy]

Lol, too funny!

[Peggy]

I would love to see what you'll create with the loom Sandra!

[Margo]

Rusalka wrote: "I didn't think there were any other kind of projects..."

Oh, I have an other kind. The "one day I will ........" kind. I've got all the materials for that kind!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "I didn't think there were any other kind of projects..."

Oh, I have an other kind. The "one day I will ........" kind. I've got all the materials for that kind!"

I have loads of those too. I definitely have more ready to start projects and half finished projects than I do completed projects. lol

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Rusalka wrote: "I didn't think there were any other kind of projects..."

Oh, I have an other kind. The "one day I will ........" kind. I've got all the materials for that kind!"

I've got lots of those projects too, Margo.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Oh, I have an other kind. The "one day I will ........" kind. I've got all the materials for that kind!"

I do have many of those too! The most famous are pyrography (I got a pyrography kit a couple of birthdays ago) and mosaics (I have tiles, plies, and everything). I want to do step stones for my garden with mosaics, but it is an idea that I had during the pandemic, and still hadn't even started!

[Esther]

Sandra wrote: "Merry Christmas, everyone! I got a weaving loom and spent part of the afternoon watching tutorials in youtube. Loving it already."

oh,,,,,,, I have been thinking about getting one. what size did you get?

[Esther]

i think you cannot get into any craft without having a few "WIP", if only that you need a few to work on depending of your time, mood and location. What I am trying to avoid is abandoned projects, the kind that you know you will not going back to for whatever reason.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Esther, I got a 25.2 x 19.3 inch one (64 x 49cm). It looks kind of big to me right now, but I'm sure that is because I haven't tried anything yet. of course you can do smaller projects on it.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sandra wrote: "...I do have many of those too! The most famous are pyrography ..."

Oh my gosh, I read this as pornography. lol 😳 I quickly went back to reread. So glad I read it wrong the first time. 😂

[Kristie, Moderator]

I have a fairly large variety of craft projects that I have put aside for "when I have time." I see something new, want to try it, get supplies, and... put it all aside.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Lol. That would have been unexpected. Hahaha

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Soooo many not safe for work jokes...

[Margo]

Haha, that would be very different kind of webside!

[Cherie]

I just got done catching up with all of the posts here. I hope everyone is better/well now and enjoying the week before New Years. I have been in the office the last three days and it is slow and really quiet. I like it because I can catch up and clean out old email.
My oldest daughter (AmyK) taught herself to crochet in the last couple of weeks and has been making little projects. She wanted to see what I had for yarn and I dragged two bags of stuff over to her house on Christmas Eve for her to look through. I have not crocheted for a long time, but I had been thinking to pick up knitting again. (I am a queen of unfinished projects too. In my bags of yarn, while I was trying to find a pair of size two knitting needles, I found one fingerless glove/hand warmer, and a bag of slipper pieces that I had almost finished for my youngest granddaughter when she was 10yo - she is 21yo now. I seem to get all of the pieces of things done, but then never finish putting them together or I do not like them and never touch them again.) Since Christmas day, I have been knitting dish washcloths. I found a booklet of patterns in my stash of yarn that I never tried out. I finished one, so far.

[Sarah]

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I had a good one, spent with family, friends and my boyfriend. Played lots of board games, ate day too much, and got lots of nice presents. One of which is a cold water immersion pod. Can't have it in my flat and I don't have a garden so it's set up at my boyfriend's. Looking forward to using that regularly. I went in my cousin's one on Christmas day which was a good way to start the day. One piece of exciting news, I finished my book! So I'm planning 1 a month for 2024.

Rusalka, are you and Lexx feeling any better? We're you able to have your rearranged Xmas?

I too have lots of unfinished craft projects. I started a quilt before I moved onto the boat and would love to finish it. My sewing machine has broken though and needs fixing before I can do that though.

[Kristie, Moderator]

So glad you had a nice Christmas, Sarah. We had a nice day too, but very quiet. We are on vacation now at the beach with our daughters and grandson. I love the ocean.

[Sarah]

I hope you enjoy your holiday Kristie. Yes i love the ocean too. I dont go often enough.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Last time I was in the ocean was in 2013! I have to fix that quickly, I guess. Enjoy, Kristie!

[Sandra, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I had a good one, spent with family, friends and my boyfriend. Played lots of board games, ate day too much, and got lots of nice presents. One of which is a c..."

The cold water immersion pod sounds like a perfect gift for my husband. I will take a look at it.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Thanks. It is pretty cool where we are, so no going in the ocean, but they do have a heated pool and a hot tub. :) Mostly we are just relaxing and walking on the beach, picking up shells, etc.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Walking on the beach is what I enjoy the most, tbh. Sounds wonderful to me. :)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Me too. ❤️

[Kristie, Moderator]

I brought my last physical book that I needed for the annual challenge with me on vacation. I have been reading it bit by bit. Fortunately, the place where we are staying had a dance party for a few hours and all the younger people wanted to go, so I used the opportunity to finish my final book for the yearly challenge! :) I just now realized that I didn't bring another book with me, so I will only be able to start a new audio. I probably won't do that until we leave in a couple days, but it feels so good to have completed the challenge that I had to comment!

[Sandra, Moderator]

Great, Kristie!