What are your hobbies-I need help!

[Octobermommy]

We were out to dinner with a group of people that my dh might work with. One woman asked me what my hobbies where. I literally froze, what do I do. I mean, I don't want to say "bargain shop" but besides that I have two small children and a dh that works a lot so I don't have a lot of "me" time.

What are your hobbies? And how often do you have time for them.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I tend to freeze up with that question too for some reason. I usually say exercising and reading. Sometimes I will throw in tap dancing because that can be a big conversation starter (I haven't tapped in over a year now though and I can't say I am wild about it).

For some reason it's such an awkward question when phrased that way. It just doesn't seem to flow well into conversation.

Say "bargain shopping." It counts and could lead to some interesting conversations. :)

ETA my answer to your 2nd part- I read daily and I exercise as much as I can fit it in lately, which isn't anywhere near enough.

Beth

[fivi2]

:) I have had those moments! I usually say reading (not sure it counts as a hobby). And then I have an acceptable book ready to mention (one that I have read). I do read a lot, but most of my books are ones that I am embarrassed to talk about with adults (nothing scandalous, I just read a lot of young adult fiction.)

Or I mention hobbies that I am interested in and don't have time for yet - like I really want to learn to sew or needle felt or whatever.

Or, if I have had a drink or two, I might laugh and say my hobbies are changing diapers and doing laundry! Just if I am in a snarky mood :)

I guess that doesn't answer your question! I read and I play on the internet. I plan to take sewing lessons in the near future...

[Fairy]

I'm an actor. I do community theatre, and every now and then, I get a paid gig. My DH travels Mon - Thurs each week permanently, so I'm only able to do this when the stars align just right. I do an average of two shows a year. If it's summer, I can get a sitter to watch DS in the evenings when I rehearse. If it's the schoolyear, it's harder, and so these have to be low-maintenance shows without alot of props or scene changes (hence, less rehearsal) or improv shows. Performances are always weekends, so that's not a problem. My parents and good friend help out when needed. I don't do any shows that require more than 2 rehearsals during the Mon - Thurs time period, unless it's a real big deal. Like I was in The Laramie Project and had a major role, so I made that work. But that's one show like that in the past three years.

I also write a monthly newsletter for my Star Trek fan club. However, that's really gotten lax. Monthly is more like quarterly now. DH and I got to monthly events/meetings for the club and usualy bring DS if it's appropriate. If it's not, we get a sitter or we just don't go. We used to be in charge of the club, but it got too hard with DS, so we stepped down. But we still go when we feel like it, if we are able.

I make hand-made boxed cards. It's not an every day thing. Every now and then. There's a holiday boutique at my son's school this year, I may try to do that. We'll see. Show has to come first, if that happens.

[egoldber]

My main hobbies are knitting and sewing. I usually also say cooking and travel. :)

I was knitting a lot before Amy was born, but since she was born I've had very little time. I'm hoping to pick it up again soon.

[randomkid]

Hmmm...let's see...hobbies...hmmm - laundry, cleaning, paying bills, running errands, playing with DD, taking her places, shopping for clothes for DD (out of necessity, not for fun) and working 20+ hours/week. Who has time for a hobby? Oh yeah, DH does. He's out in the woods all week this week.

I know what you mean. Whenever someone asks me that question, I have no answer. I used to read a lot, but now I usually just want to sit and stare at the TV or take a nap when I have some time to myself. I'm not artistic or crafty, so I can't say any of those things. It's hard when someone asks that, but I usually just say I'm so involved with DD that there's not much time for a hobby. Or, I tell them that I spend free time doing things with DD rather than a hobby. She is most important to me right now and that's what I want to do. I love taking her to dance class, going to Sea World with her and helping out at her school. DD *is* my hobby!

[Octobermommy]

Hmmm...let's see...hobbies...hmmm - laundry, cleaning, paying bills, running errands, playing with DD, taking her places,!

This is what I feel like saying. Maybe I will say it next time.

[elektra]

DH is the one with the hobbies. Reading or watching TV are the closest thing I have to a hobby.

[StantonHyde]

Reading, running, skiing, backpacking, wine & cheese appreciation ;) , travel planning. I used to garden alot more. I used to do lots of stuff alot more--didn't we all. I also volunteer once a month.

[lizajane]

my hobbies are:

sewing
smocking
crafts (like handmade halloween cards or fabric covered button magnets)
running/spinning- because i ENJOY exercise and think it is FUN to work out and sweat
gardening- i used to have a big ol' veg garden, but i had to take a year off. but i still get into tending my plants.
baking/cooking- i love to do cakes or cookies with elaborate decoration and i love trying different combinations or new recipes that have wiggle room

less official:

cheesy, girly TV
drinking wine with friends on moms' night out
being active and outdoors
dining out with DH

can't find time to:
learn to knit
read

[Ceepa]

I think asking about someone's hobbies is a dated question like asking about someone's sign.

Not meaning OP, but rather the person at the dinner party.

[JTsMom]

I usually say something along the lines of, "I like all sorts of crafty stuff- scrapbooking, sewing, card-making- but I never have as much time for it as I'd like. I also love to read, and bake."

I go through spurts when I do more of that stuff, but I'd guess I average a couple of hours a week at my peak, and once a month when I'm not.

I've been doing a lot of sewing lately with Halloween and our Disney trip coming up. I haven't looked at anything for scrapbooking since May!

[AngelaS]

I say sewing, smocking, scrapbooking, reading, etc. :)

I use nap time, early mornings and after they're in bed for the night.

[Octobermommy]

I think asking about someone's hobbies is a dated question like asking about someone's sign

Now that is funny, I never thought of it like that before.

[Fairy]

I hadn't thought of that either. I actually list mine on my theatre resume as "Personal Interests & Skills"

Star Trek, Presidential History, Marine Biology, Medicine & Human Anatomy, Musical Performance & Study, Regular Volunteerism & Charitable Causes, Animal Noises, Impressions, Pop Culture, Being Funny Whenever Possible, and Completely & Utterly Worthless Trivia

I hadn't actually looked at that in quite some time. I don't, however, list my sign. And I admit, whenever I am in the position to say, "what's your sign," I usually do it with a hippie, high as a kite accent and put "man" after it, like "what's yer sign, mee-aan" Cuz I think that is a kind of silly question :-)

[lizajane]

I think asking about someone's hobbies is a dated question like asking about someone's sign.

Not meaning OP, but rather the person at the dinner party.

somehow, i find the word hobby to be a bit dated. but "what do you like to do in your spare time?" is not dated. of course, most people just say they have no spare time...

[carolinamama]

I was just thinking about how I don't have any hobbies at the moment other than bfing a baby, changing diapers, potty-training ds, and general care and raising of two boys. I will go back to working 24 hrs a week hopefully by the new year, but that is certainly not a hobby. Am I the only mom of little kids who feels too overwhelmed and exhausted to have specific hobbies?

Past hobbies include travelling, reading, walking/running, yard-work (too utilitarian to be called gardening though), and cooking. Hoping to get back into travelling when dcs are older and the economy turns around. And I will put together a Thanksgiving spread so maybe that counts as cooking. Yard work and planting flowers has been relegated to dh for the time being though.

[ellies mom]

I think asking about someone's hobbies is a dated question like asking about someone's sign.

Not meaning OP, but rather the person at the dinner party.

I disagree. Some hobbies like knitting can be very social. Knitters like to meet other knitters. Scrapbooking can be the same way. I love meeting other people that sew. Sometimes people have really cool hobbies.

I knit, sew and scrapbook. I love to read but for some reason, I never thinkg about that when listing off hobbies. As for time to do hobbies, yeah as a mom that gets tricky. It kind of sucks that it can take three days of 5-10 minutes here and there to make a bib that should only take 30 minutes. I usually keep a "car" knitting project or two. I work on it while waiting to pick up DD from preschool, while DH is driving, at the doctors, maybe the coffee shop if the baby cooperates.

[tarahsolazy]

I knit and spin (make yarn from wool, not stationary biking). When I can.

[HIU8]

reading, exercising (is that a hobby or a lifestyle choice?), crocheting, playing piano, photography (I used to have a darkroom in the house) organizing (I count this as a hobby because I get so much pleasure from it--I would do it for others). Or course, I have not had time to read, play piano (we no longer have one) or crochet these days. I mainly, exercise and take digital photos and crochet if I get more than 10 minutes to myself at night.