I'm back again....

Sorry I haven't been here in a while but I haven't been spending much time online doing "fun" stuff. I have been busy doing transcription work (read that as volunteering) for FamilySearch.org and I learned how to knit! I can knit, purl and yarn-over now. My last knitting class is this week and I am already looking at starting another one if my budget will allow. I have noticed that I have been much calmer since I started knitting and I am really enjoying myself. It was tough at first and I did contemplate giving up but I stuck with it and I am making some really cute things now. I'll have to take some pictures to post here.

I will be participating in 2 charities - one in Columbus call "Under the Bridges" that knits hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and socks for the homeless and another that is based in Boston that uses knitted or crocheted 9 x 9 squares to make make blankets. The finished blankets are then given to the formerly homeless that are moving on to a home program. 9 x 9 squares are easy to do and it's a good way to use up all those scrap balls that you never know what to with once you are done with a project.

I'm going to approach my pastor about starting a knitting/crocheting/loom knitting group at our church. It's a good way to fellowship with others and to benefit those in need. It doesn't have to be just knitting for the homeless but we could do prayers shawls and lap blankets also.

My schedule for my busy months will be starting really soon. I'll have rec softball on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Christian softball on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Filming city council on Mondays and the third Tuesday of the month. Plus I will be babysitting for 2 of my great nieces 3 to 5 days a week. In July, I will be starting my volleyball class for new officials and high school volleyball will start in late August and end in mid-October with possible tournament assignments till mid-November. Plus I will still be volunteering for the Marion County Historical Society/Heritage Hall, Celebrate Marion, the Marion County Fair and a few political candidates.

Speaking of Celebrate Marion - we are going to be doing something a bit new this year - a cake silent auction/contest. It will be open to anyone. Just think "Ace of Cakes" & "Cake Boss" but on a smaller scale. There will be 2 trophies - Judges Choice and People's Choice. Plus you will be able to put it a bid on your favorite cake to take home and eat. All proceeds will be going to Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter in Marion County that serves a 6 county area. They lost over $150,000 in state and federal funding, so any little bit of money helps people with keeping their jobs.If you are in Marion County and love to decorate cakes contact me at dodirt@gmail.com for more information.