A Cheerful Thread About Keeping Busy

[naomi24]

Has anyone taken up new hobbies, pastimes or ventures in the past nine months? Anyone written their life story, learning a new language, discovered the joys of drawing or painting, joined in Zoom sessions with people sharing long-held interests, learning to play a musical instrument, or discovered new delights previously unconsidered?

I’ve been one with all good intentions but have discovered that whilst the spirit is willing, the flesh has turned out to be rather weak. Something to address with a new-found determination in the New Year perhaps.

Merry Christmas all - and a very happy and fulfilling New Year.

[woofgang]

I have been carrying on with the crafts I already do, reading loads....some new books and loads of the old comforting ones I have kept meaning to re read. I have made plans for the garden for next year and booked a local tree firm to come in and give my beloved trees a healthcheck and groom. I think the important thing is to do what makes you and others feel happy and comforted.

[jno]

family history and old films... Sadly, I'm not sure there will be a New Year till Covid is definitively dwindling (and not just through all the over-80s dying); I think we'll mostly look back on much of 2021 as being a very long 2020.

Which, looking on the bright side, means you can begin your new resolutions any time you like. Make the most of the company of what family and friends you're allowed to see and enjoy yourself.

[emmie]

i did watch The West Wing again, all 7 seasons, with 22 episodes a season which kept me off the tv news and stuff. But no new things planned, i just can't see that far ahead.

[ichkeria]

Merry Christmans Naomi
I am one of the happy - possibly minority - whose lifestyle and word has not changed one iota, so there have been no new hobbies, although trying to learn Mandarin to help keep up with ich junior's lessons is something I had an eye on.
You have highlighted a downside to our good fortune :-)

[Bobbisox1]

I love cheerful threads Naomi, No not really unless eating could fall into a pastime , a very pleasant one too :0)
Happy Christmas to you and yours

[Toorak]

Very best wishes to you Naomi. Like you, I had plans that I just didn’t get round to. I did, however, start to bake which is something I never seemed to have time for before. I am also eying my old saxophone in its case that I still haven’t learned to play - maybe a project for 2021?

[mallyh]

i took up cake making but now it looks like i'm wearing a pair of army jodhpurs so dieting is my next project x

[rowanwitch]

I have made two patchwork and embroidered quilts, knitted three throws and a floor rug, and put a poem on Facebook every day we were locked down. the afternoons not so busy.

[SparklyKid]

We do a family zoom quiz every week. Bit difficult to think of new topics.

We have three sections first, Countries airlines, band lead singers, TV soaps.

Then a picture section followed by an audio section ( last night we did animal sounds)

General knowledge to finish.

[Canary42]

I've taken part in several FutureLearn online courses, and had regular Zoom sessions with people with similar interest - it does help to lift the gloom. Musical instruments are out I'm afraid, but I've also tried painting, but not much joy there unfortunately.

(Passing on Christmas) Here's wishing you and all Abers a much better New Year.

[Mamyalynne]

More and more quizzing here, lots of crafts I love are getting harder to do due to sight, so have had to adapt.

Best wishes to all and a brighter better 2021.x

[Theland]

My two new sets of acrylics and canvasses are still gathering dust.
Sad really.
Been doing some study, but I'm not very much of anything really.

[rowanwitch]

I have always crafted, but now I am on my own causing chaos isn't such an issue so I am tackling bigger projects.

[royfromaus]

Building a small pub

[pixie374]

Do it, toorak....x I took up flute as a beginner just over a year ago... very much enjoying it. I've had more spare time amongst work, as not seeing friends etc.
Just going with positives, I've got a new dog, new pony and new grandson-on-way.
Did intend to decorate some of downstairs, but as it is quite open, with few doors and big archways, it means negotiating the assistance of four mad dogs... so that hasn't happened.
Wishing everyone the best Christmas and New Year possible xx

[youngmafbog]

I have taken up drinking more.

Going well at The Stay Inn so far ....

Seriously though I've finally got round to sorting out the 6 bed Edwardian house we have, another en-suite, re-boarding and skimming walls, total cloakroom rebuild including digging out the floor, kitchen will be next then a repaint top to bottom and finally re rendering outside and a patio. Taken me 20 odd years to get round to it, been too busy doing other peoples.

[windywillow]

I've had a clearout out of my craft room, found all sorts of stuff I'd forgotten I had and it's more organised now. It's great to be able to find what I'm looking for, should have done it a long time ago.

Merry Christmas to all - may your glass be forever half full.

[pixie374]

Let me know when you finish yours please, ymb :-)

[AuntPollyGrey]

Seasons Greetings to you too Naomi. This summer I've been making a new garden from scratch and its starting to look really good now - pond & rockery, waterfall, Rose garden, Hydrangea garden. It's the place that will be our garden when we eventually get our log cabin built, which has been put on hold by the Virus. This Winter I'm learning how to spin wool -I've bought some rare breed sheep that have wonderful lustrous wool and am going to try and spin some next year and sell the rest to Crafters. I realise we are very lucky to live where we live, in relative seclusion, and wish everyone who has to stay at home without family or friends the fortitude to get through what will be a difficult few days over the 'Festive' period..

[lady-janine]

Trying to stay patient and understanding. Does that count?

Otherwise no new efforts undertaken as I have enough to do already.