KAY W

says

Suzanne D says

Hey there! Am going through withdraw, can't read anything right now, have to sew and knit for Christmas! And we have a bunch of new books in our library!!!
Have a Merry Christmas!

Suzanne

posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )

Claire E says

Oh, they are precious! I saw their photo on Facebook and they look absolutely adorable.

Thanks for sending the request - I found you on Facebook, but for some reason, it wouldn't let me send you a friend request. I looked through your KayKnits photographs - I absolutely love the pillow with the initial! It is gorgeous - how big was it?

I hope you have fun today! It sounds so relaxing - I have to start studying for an exam I have later in the week. Maybe as a reward I'll let myself look through knitting patterns, or make a trip to the library (though nothing good can come of that!).

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Suzanne D says

Finally remembered how to send an answer to your note! OMG, what's wrong w/me???? Am reading A Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler. Really like it.

How's the new grandbaby??? Hope all is well. Asked Evan how his phone worked on the weekends overseas, had an urge to call you.

Take care!
xoxo

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Claire E says

I'll be sure to find you! A friend request may be coming your way soon - it's great to have another way to keep in touch.

Test knitting is basically when you use up your stash in order to help others fine tune their patterns - there are groups on Ravelry (the knitting site I go to for patterns) that ask for "test knitters." Once you sign up, the designer will send you their pattern, and your responsibility is to knit the pattern and report back with suggestions for improvement (mistypes, clarifications, etc.). Overall, it can be really fun, and it's nice to try out new patterns, but they almost always have a deadline, so it can be a tad stressful as well.

Oh! The baby blanket sounds absolutely adorable - I love how something simple, like knitted squares, can turn into something beautiful and practical.

How are you liking Flannery O'Connor? She has been on my "to read" list for years, but I always shuffle her off to the side. Is it a good read? I've been reading anything and everything written by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - she's a Canadian knitter who is also an absolutely brilliant writer - some of her stories have me crying from laughter.

Claire

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Claire E says

Oh wow! What will you knit for the business? I've been debating becoming a "test knitter," but I'm somewhat nervous about all the rules and deadlines (trying to juggle fun knitting, test knitting, reading, and school makes my head spin!).

Congratulations on your soon-to-be granddaughter! What kind of blanket are you knitting? (Lace? Wool?) I've been on a baby-sweater phase recently, and am just finishing up my second. I post my photos to Facebook as well - could I try to find your Facebook page? I'd love to see the tea cosies! (They've always intrigued me)

It's so great to learn about another knitter!

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Claire E says

Oh wow! What will you knit for the business? I've been debating becoming a "test knitter," but I'm somewhat nervous about all the rules and deadlines (trying to juggle fun knitting, test knitting, reading, and school makes my head spin!).

Congratulations on your soon-to-be granddaughter! What kind of blanket are you knitting? (Lace? Wool?) I've been on a baby-sweater phase recently, and am just finishing up my second. I post my photos to Facebook as well - could I try to find your Facebook page? I'd love to see the tea cosies! (They've always intrigued me)

It's so great to learn about another knitter!

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

BTW, it was the cover of The Poisoned House along with the desciption of it that made me want to read it. That cover is super!

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

I haven't been reading much at all recently. It takes me months to get through one book! I've not been getting enough sleep and propped up in bed at night is where I do most of my reading. All that's been happening lately is that I end up falling asleep over my book after about one page. As Janet sings: "It's a drag getting old." You probably didn't find much of interest on my shelf lately. (I'll have to go check yours too.) As to The Poisoned House: I remember it being very good and it's possible you'll like it more (or less!) than I did. If your list is as long as mine and your reading time is limited (it's going to be very limited after the baby arrives!) I'd say probably skip it. I'm glad I read it though. Well, that's not much of a definitive answer to your question!

This evening Janet and I are going to Paul's church to see a musical he's in called "The Best and the Worst of Broadway." The folks in his choir wrote it. It should be a fun evening. Hopefully, we'll be able to go out for drinks (water for me!) after the show. I'm looking forward to finally meeting his friend Annie who is also in the show. She's the one who made us the SW t-shirts.

Here's something I found after science fiction author Ray Bradbury died. (He wrote Farenheit 451 if you know that book. It's a modern classic.) This is what Bradbury said: "When I graduated from high school in 1938, I began going to the library three nights a week. I did this every week for almost ten years and finally, in 1947, around the time I got married, I figured I was done. So I graduated from the library when I was twenty-seven. I discovered that the library is the real school." You know I love that!

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Claire E says

You guessed correctly! I'm a knitter and a reader! I go through "spurts" of obsessions with each one - and right now, I'm trying to use up the massive amounts of baby yarn friends have gifted me with (I knit for charity), and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee is one of my favorite knitting writers.

What do you knit?

posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Hi!!! Speaking of neglecting folks! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. Sometimes I just forget shelfari and facebook too. I really don't have much to pass on and I need to leave for a library meeting in 30 minutes.

Peru was fabulous! My friend John was great to travel with. I knew he would be since we went to China together a few years ago. I took lots of photos--mainly of the people, which I love to do.

But, lately, my life has been even more wrapped up with Soundworks. Janet and I went to Roanoke, VA (bit of a drive) to watch them in a competition. They came in 2nd which was pretty much expected. They couldn't have out scored the top chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers. AH has 80 men in the chorus and the judges love that "wall of sound" that 18 men (Soundworks) cannot put out. Although what they do belt out is very impressive. Also, SW is NOT barbershop and this was a barbershop competition. SW is a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) but the judges don't really know what to do with them because they don't fit the mold. Paul's good friend Annie made us t-shirts with Soundworks and their logo (it was embroidered.) Paul, Annie (who wasn't in Roanoke,) Janet and I are the only people to have these special shirts! Paul is trying to convince the chorus to have Annie make them but they are dragging their feet. He wanted us to be the only ones to wear them "so you know how special you are" and so the rest of the SW guys could see how great they are. After the competition and the concert there is an "afterglow" when the top finishing quartets (and small choruses) go to the rooms (suites) in the hotel and sing for folks. We felt special all over again because we were the only fans to follow SW to every room. They sounded so awesome in those small spaces. It was a great weekend.

Soundworker Bob who I have been emailing more and more is taking us to Alexandria, VA (bit of a drive) to watch an Alexandria Harmonizers rehearsal at the end of this month. It should be fun!

Can you believe I went to Peru and I'm talking all about Soundworks???? Crazy!

Your week at the cottage sounded lovely! Neat that you saw pheasants. I think I've seen pheasants twice in my life. It is a real treat.

I don't think I received your gift in the mail. At this point, maybe you should spill the beans and let me know what it is so I know if I got it!! :) I've been ordering a lot from eBay and I may have thought it was something I ordered!! :)

The baby will be here before you know it! Then you'll REALLY be busy! And I'll really feel neglected! Just kidding. I know it will be hectic.

I must close. I am not going to re-read this before sending so forgive misspellings and poor grammar.
Kat

posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Just thought I'd check in briefly and let you know I've been back from Peru for 6 days. It was a fantastic vacation and my photos look pretty darn good. I'll send you a couple of them unless I figure out how to post them on facebook first.

I saw your post on facebook about the wood in Jude's wound. That gives me chills just typing it! How's he doing? What kind of surgery did they need to do? Where did this wood come from? Was it there initially or did he pick it up later? Has he been out of the hospital at all since the initially accident? All my best to him.

I'm at work on my lunch break right now. Actually, I should probably finish up early with lunch since I'm getting off at 3:30 this afternoon to meet my Peru traveling buddy at the camera store so we can print his photos. I printed all of mine that I wanted to. We're going to edit his photos, have dinner, then pick up his photos all this evening. I think he's being optimistic that he can get it all done in one evening. It took me a couple of afternoons.

Please pass on any news you might have. Have you been on any trips recently? Are you reading anything good right now?
More later,
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Sorry to hear about Jude. How's he doing now? I'm quite sure he's out of the hospital by now.

WOW! You sure know how to compliment a gal! Thanks for the nice sentiments about my Glamour Shots. It was so much fun to do the photo shoot. I looked like that for about 2 hours of my life! :) I'd love to see photos of your various hairstyles over the years. That should be a hoot!

Happy anniversary a bit late. Flowers, chocolates and a lovely card sounds pretty darn good.

What else is going on? Not much here. One of the Soundworkers, Bob, sent me an Instant Message last night. We chatted back and forth for about 30 minutes. It was fun!

One week from today I leave for Peru!!! I'm nowhere near ready! I've got some things done. I've figured out most of the clothes I want to take. Now I've just got to see if they will all fit in my suitcase! I always take loads of clothes, but unlike other folks, I usually use almost everything I take. I'm really excited about this trip. It's been great emailing my friend Betty who went on the exact same trip--same company--last year. She's given me some great advice. She had some great photos. I hope mine are half as good. I probably mentioned to you I bought a nice camera. It's not a real expensive one with loads of lenses but it has a built in 36X zoom. I've used it a little but not a lot. I'm a bit nervous about having my photos in focus. It's really hard for close ups because of camera shake. I'll do the best I can and hope I get some decent shots.

Well, it's getting late and I wanted to do some more packing so I'd better close. Hope all is well across the pond!
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Hi. I saw your facebook post about little Jude being in the hospital. What's this all about? Did you tell me about this and I forgot? I hope not! That's too important to forget. How's he doing?

I miss you! But understand it's hard to write right now.
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Hi! I know it's your "turn" to write but I'm flying high from the Soundworks concert I went to and will never get to sleep so I thought I'd write. Janet and I are staying in a nice hotel with a business center so I can write emails. The concert was out of town so Janet and I decided to take one of our "mini vacations" and spend two nights close to the concert venue and go shopping in thrift stores. But, the concert!! WOW! It also amazes me that most of the guys in SW talk to us and thank us for driving "all that way" after the concert. We get hugs all around. It is so much FUN to be so close to the group. The concert tonight was a fund raiser for the school where one of the SW guys teaches. His high school students got a real charge out of watching him perform with SW. He has a fabulous solo on one song--one of the very best they sing--and his students loved it. Of course it goes without saying--they got a standing ovation at the end. It is so wonderful to see young people (about 16 or 17 years old) enjoy the kind of "older" music SW sings. Well, mostly "older" music. I wish you could hear them--you'd love them! Must run, it is 12:40 AM, after all.

Have you received those photos yet???? I sure hope you get them. I'll be so sorry if you don't.
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Hi! Not sure if you're at home right now. Please note I sent you something in the mail approximately 5-7 days ago. Since a CD I sent you once didn't make it to you I'm nervous about whether you'll get this. It's some photos. I'm anxious to know what you think of them. Please let me know when you get them, even if you don't have a lot of writing time. Just knowing you received them will be fine.

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

I laughed over your rant about the pubs closing for the mauaurding fans of sporting events! You're pretty good at ranting!

Yes, exercising IS boring! Years and years ago I got into swimming and enjoyed it. I like to watch some sports like tennis (although it's not as good as it used to be) and American football. I like them but I don't watch them as a rule.

Yes, please take photos when you go to the cottage in May! It sounds soooo fun with spring flowers and a log fire. Sound perfect for reading and reading and reading!

Good for you with the knitting! I'll try to remember to "like" KayKnits. My mind is like a sieve--I forget everything. Feel free to remind me, I really want to "like" it.

I'm sorry about Emma's bad news. That really stinks. Hope things work out for her.

Went to see Soundworks guy Paul at the museum today. He is working on a big plan to change the computer system at the museum. Hope it all works out for him. We'll know by August I guess. SW has a concert this Sat and we'll be going. It's out of town (not far though) so Janet and I are doing another of our mini vacations and spending two nights in the area. We'll shop at stores in the area, including Goodwill, my favorite thrift store.

As of yesterday, my trip to Peru is one month away. I've got so many things I need to do to get ready!

Must close as it's after midnight and I need to go to work tomorrow.
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

I soooo want to loose weight so I can wear really nice clothes and LOOK good. One of the worst things is my double chin. I hate it! I joined the YMCA and I've been about three times only. One of the trainers (built like a brick wall--I try not to melt into a puddle) has been helping me with the weights. They give you 3 sessions with a trainer and he will get a regimen in place for me at the next visit. I just can't find the time to go. I either have doctor's appointments, concerts to go to or extra work I have to do. Yeah, I know, excuses, excuses. HA! I just thought of something. I'll send you some of my "Glamour Shots" photos. You'll have to remember they were taken 17 years and 30 pounds ago. I'll dig them out.

I am so happy Dave is doing so well! When do you go on your week away at the cottage? Sounds absolutely wonderful! I'd love to vegetate and read and watch films! So cool that you are doing a lot of knitting.

Did I mention to you that Janet and I were going to a barbershop contest this weekend? It is NOT the big one, International, but a District one that qualifies quartets to go to International. The district where I live (and Soundworks is in) is the Mid-Atlantic. SW wasn't at this, it was just quartets. They will go to theirs in May with other choruses. They probably don't have a chance of going to International but they will make a good showing. Anyway, the contest we went to this weekend is over. I'm writing this in the hotel business office. The competition was outstanding! We really enjoyed it. The singing was so good! Janet and I are total barbershop junkies! Or groupies, or whatever you want to call us. We won't be going to International in Portland in July but we're hoping to go to the 75th convention in Toronto in 2013 and take some extra days and go to Newfoundland where our Mom was from and do some genealogical research.

Well, it's almost midnight so I'll close. I drank so much coffee late tonight so I'd be awake for the singing that I'll never get to sleep tonight! I'm wide awake! I'll be sleepy tomorrow driving home in the sun. It was a bit of a trip. We'll listen to barbershop music on the way home and sing at the top of our lungs--where no one can hear us! :) Dammmit, do I ever wish I could sing!

Have a great week in the cottage!
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

Well, that card sure did play hide and seek with me. I didn't find it until days after receiving the package. As I said, I thought it was just to keep the package stiff. it is propped up within reach of me right now. It is just beautiful.

Well, we still haven't seen The Woman in Black. I really wanted to but I doubt it will still be in the theatre when we get around to seeing it.

Yes, I am daring to wear skirts, considering I'm overweight. Yes, yes, yes! Long, flowery and feminine! That describes mine perfectly. I also hate tight. Ha! If pulling at tight clothing was the only thing women do. I'm sure it is not like this in England but in America (as I know you've heard) incredibly fat women wear tight clothing. We are overrun with incredibly overweight people. It is just disgusting and downright gross. Right again--only those handful of women who can pull it off and look good wearing tight clothes should do it. When I was in high school I was skinny as a rail and I did wear tight jeans and such. Now, I don't even own a pair of jeans! I remember a banquet I went to in high school. I told a friend of mine I was going to wear a plain blue dress. Yes, the dress really was plain and blue. But, also form fitting. I'll never forget my friend's sweet comment: "If that's a plain dress then it must be what's in it that makes it look so good." Wish I knew where Lynn Jones was so I could thank her (again) for saying that.

No one in my family made it through Black Beauty. Not my sister, brother or me. Mom tried to read it to all of us. I couldn't buy into the horse talking. It's no big deal for animals to be talking in books but that was one I couldn't get into.

Don't be nervous about your knitting party! Good luck with it. I'll want to hear all about it!

Janet and I will be going out of town Fri, Sat and Sun. I probably told you--we're going to the preliminary contests for the quartets that will go to the big convention in July in Portland, Oregon.

Oh, so many days have passed I don't know what I did on my day off or even which day off you're asking about!! OK, I looked at the post below and saw what I said. I still can't remember what we did that day but I don't think we did much.

Well, it's late and I wanted to be in bed by midnight. I've got 20 minutes. Good luck on that I say!
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

You'll see my question in my post below. I went to throw out the packaging of my gift and found the Josephine Wall card!! I initially thought it was just "backing" to help make the package stiff! I'm soooo glad I found it before I threw it out! It is BEAUTIFUL! Definitely a keeper. I've never since that Wall card before. Thanks!

My day off today. I go to the YMCA this morning to get a refresher on the weights. I also meet with a seamtress/friend at home so she can take up some of the skirts I've bought recently. I plan to live in skirts this Spring and Summer. I haven't worn them much in recent years because I'd gained so much weight and didn't think I looked very good in them. Well, over the course of the last year and a half I had lost 17 pounds (I'm sure I told you) and even though I'm still overweight I'm so happy to have lost the weight I'm celebrating by wearing skirts. Later, Janet and I may go see the Woman in Black. I haven't decided. There's always so much I want to do on my day off and not enough time to fit it in!

Well, let me get my day started. Hope you have a good one!
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )

Kat M says

A jingle bell wrist cuff! I was pretty sure that's how it was worn. Janet thought it might be something to hold back my hair! I have to ask though. Whatever became of the Josephine Wall card you said your crafty friend Gill was making????

I loved your Disney description!! Why in the world can't I wax poetic like that about an episode in my life? I just spit out the facts, with no flowery language. I also talk that way too. I am surrounded at work, home and in life by people that talk and talk and talk and all I want to do is spit it out and move on. All the talking wears on me most days. Problem is, most of those people--if not all--are sometimes interesting and you've got to cull the good stuff out of the boring stuff. All these folks are extroverts and I'm the lowly introvert among them. I do have some friends that are introverts as well though. I had coffee with a friend recently and we were both amazed that we talked for 3+ hours. It was an actual CONVERSATION, with both of us contributing. Not just one person doing all the talking which is what the other folks I just mentioned do.

I'm hoping to see The Woman in Black with Daniel Radcliffe this weekend. Have you read that Susan Hill book? I loved it! I started it once and set it aside. Then, I went back to it and really enjoyed it. I love her books. Oh! I think I remember sending you Howard's End is on the Landing. I liked that one as well.

I don't have much news to report. Nothing interesting going on at the moment. The next weekend Janet and I will be making a trip to Northern Virginia to go to the quartet preliminary contest which chooses which quartets go to the big convention in July. Two weeks after that will be a Soundworks concert which is out of town.

Well, my dinner break is almost finished so I'd better close.
Kat

posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )