hobbies

My earliest memories of hobbies are reading books and running.

As I got older, I gained more hobbies, such as Raggedy Ann and Andy (books, bedroom decor, jewelry, figures, and dolls, both homemade and store bought). Sadly, I do not have any of those because when I moved out, my mother refused to let me have them.

My hobbies grew to include my favorite, photography, after I got a camera in 8th grade. I am still serious about reading, collecting books, and running.

After I left home, I started a couple of new hobbies: cooking, and collecting stuffed animals and small trinkets.

When I married Thad, I started enjoying cross-stitch in addition to my previous hobbies.

After having Ando, I started collecting different kinds of cards and board games. I also helped with Ando’s hobbies, and I greatly enjoyed searching for and finding what he needed. (Remember, we did not have internet or online shopping until Ando was 9 years old, I believe.)

After our second son passed away, my mom (Thad’s mom, but I never call her my mother-in-law) gave me the greatest gift ever. She paid for a scrapbooking class, and it became my passion.

Way back in 1995 or so, I wanted to learn how to make a quilt as a winter gift for Thad after seeing one at a craft show with mom. She taught me how to use a sewing machine and then gave it to me. It had belonged to her when she was a teenager. I have made so many quilts since then. (Thanks, mom!)

That is how my hobbies grew and grew. Now I have a room officially called the Memories Room, which is full of my crafting, scrapbooking, button making, rubber stamping, sewing, and cross-stitching, along with trinket collections I have gathered over the years. I also have a dedicated game room that is absolutely full of card games, board games, logic game books, and sudoku.

I also enjoy:

• Outdoor activities
• Roller skating (yes, I own purple roller skates)
• Walking with my dog
• Thrift shopping
• People watching
• Traveling everywhere in America (road trips or flying to Arizona)
• Watching Netflix
• Running as a “couch runner.” If I see a race I want to enter, I do not train. I just do it on the day. I have finished many trail races (3K, 5 miles, a half marathon of 13.1 miles, and a marathon of 26.2 miles) and obstacle courses (Tough Mudder and one other whose name I forgot). I still enjoy running, just not on sidewalks. That is too boring for me.

That is the basic introduction to my hobbies page. There will be more detailed information and stories in different sections of hobbies.

Please check out updates for any new content.