Crochet Meeting

Getting involved with a craft you love will take over most of your life. You plan your day according to how much time you will have to enjoy the things you want to do - leaving just enough time to do the things you "have" to do. That is the way I have tried to live, but it seems to me that there is less and less time for doing what I "want" and need more time to do what "has" to be done. So, when the opportunity arrives to do something special for yourself, you spare no money, time and travel to achieve it.

When the time comes you make plans and then when you get there - the time goes by too quickly and there is never enough time to get everything discussed, shared and laughed over.

During my recent visit to Florida, I had the opportunity for the second time in so many years, to visit with another crafter-crocheter, Julie T. She is one special woman. Amazingly organized. All the thread, yarn, patterns and other crafting items are all stored in see-through boxes and can be reached without looking through everything. You see what you want and you get it. It is a rare occurance that you meet someone like Julie T.

Being with her is always fun. She speaks my language - crochet - that is. One of my passions is crochet. So is hers. She received my daughter Kathrina and me with a cool peach-tea drink and lots of hugs. It was difficult not to interrupt each other's words and sometimes all three of us were speaking at the same time. Then the giggles. There are always giggles and big laughs. She presented me with a beautiful white crocheted pillow, just right for my loveseat. I have no picture of it now, because it was too big for my suitcase and had to leave it behind. My daughter will mail it to me soon so I can take pictures and put it up here later.

Going out to dinner, great conversation, more giggles and lots and lots of crochet talk. We could have spent 4 days without stopping and that would not have been enough time to talk about everything.

Whenever I travel to Florida, besides my family, she is one person I have to see. I'm already working on the plans for my next visit - no dates yet, but I know I will see her again within 12 months. That is a given.

She invited both of us to stay the night, but due to previous commitments we could not stay. Now that would have been fun. So, on the drive back I have decided that if she asks me again, I will take her up on the invitation and spend more time with her. So looking forward to seeing her again. And maybe next time around there will be more time to visit some other crocheters who live in the great State of Florida. We shall see.

Thanks a million, Julie T, for your friendship, hospitality and gifts. You are a terrific lady and I feel privileged to know you. Thanks again.

Until Next Time,

Best Wishes, Always,

Nanabear

DILLON'S BIG DAY

Grandson Dillon had a special day on May 12th, 2007. He received his First Communion on that day. The whole family gathered for a special celebration in church and later, at home. Lots of presents, food, and friends gathered to congratulate him.

Florida is a "hot" state and this day was no different - warm and humid. The pictures were taken in front of the house in full sunshine and no breeze. Right after all the pictures were taken: everyone changed into shorts and t-shirts before tackling the food and cake.

Dillon is a very special child - he is the only grandson in our family and because I had 3 daughters, I spoil him to the point where the parents say: Nana, that's enough already..... Well, for Grandparents it's never enough.

Nana and Grandpa are put on this earth to spoil the grandkids and then tell the parents to take them home - and deal with the consequences. I have been there, done that and now it's my turn to do all the things my mother did when my girls were small. Love them but take them home.

Time spent with my family is always too short, but worth every minute we were together. Because they live so far away, our visits are few and far between. I try to make the trip at least once a year - got to see how fast he is growing up and make sure he will remember his Grandparents in the future.

Congratulations, Dillon, and we hope to see you again, soon. God Bless.

Until Next Time,

Hugs all around,

Nana

MY BIRTHDAY...

My birthday is at the end of April, but did not have time to write about a wonderful day - actually week of celebrations.

While my friend Audice was out of town we looked after her 2 kittens. They are so sweet & cuddly. When she returned we discussed that it was her birthday 2 days before mine and she decided we should celebrate it together by going to a Japanese Restaurant. Her family together with Michael, Kathrina and I had a fantastic meal. Watching the chef prepare the food in front of us was amazing.

At the end of the meal they brought me a plate of 3 different ice creams, deep fried bananas and shaved coconut. It was such a pretty presentation - and because I was not driving, I ate all of it. Yum.....

My husband presented me with beautiful roses - 6 red ones for each 10 years and 5 white ones for each additional year. Yea, this was the big one so now I can officially say: "I just had a senior moment" ... and that statement is "legal" now.

Lots of birthday cards, wonderful wishes from family and friends made this birthday very special and I'll remember it always. Thank you, everyone.

Until Next Time,

Best Wishes, Always,

Nanabear.

APRIL IS FOR BIRTHDAYS...

April and Birthdays for me equals to celebrating with friends the special days of our lives. This year I had the opportunity to celebrate the friendship of two wonderful ladies.

Elizabeth has been a family friend for over 35 years. My children grew up considering her as a "grandmother" and they love to visit her because she is a super cook and enjoy her meals whenever they can.

She has a large round table in her breakfast nook with a pretty purple orchid. So my gift to her this year was a matching purple doily for that table. She made a big deal out of the fact that she does not want anything from us for her birthday. So we waited for over a week and presented her with the doily. She almost cried because she did not expect anything and she loves doilies, afghans and handmade gifts.

Audice is a wonderful young lady, pretty, funny and very smart. She also has a round table for her dining room and it was just screaming for a pretty doily. So I made one for her too. We bought her some beautiful roses and a card and she kept saying - you shouldn't have..... But I know she was happy we remembered.

I'm so glad to have friends I can share the joy of making and presenting them with my favourite craft - crocheting. I will continue to design and make gifts for my friends as long as I possibly can. I get such pleasure of making gifts for others knowing that they will enjoy using them, therefore, remembering who gave it to them. So until I come across more birthdays in the near future I'll keep making pretty crocheted goodies for those who appreciate them.

Until next time,

Best Wishes, Always,

Nanabear