What have you taught yourself?

I think that is really cool!!!! Like I have always been interested in bee hiving.... I would be interested in getting more info on this. Not that I could ever do it, i would be afraid of getting stung.

Wow, that is so interesting! I know beekeeping is something that I'd probably never do, but it sounds very neat! So, do you sell the honey and make money from that? The thing I find the most interesting is that you're from Canada and you are a beekeeper. I'm from Michigan and would've never thought of doing something like that. I live in the city, so I don't know if it'd be possible to have a bee colony. Of course, we have a gazebo attached to our deck in the back of our house where there are so many bumblebees that congregate there in the summer. The man who re-did our deck last summer got stung by them eight times! I'm sure it takes true talent to keep the bees and avoid being stung! Thanks so much for sharing. That is a very cool thing to do! You'll have to tell me how it is on the income end also.

I already know how to play the piano also because my mom taught me (she's a piano teacher, band director at my old high school, and our church piano player) when I was really young. I've always wanted to play the guitar for the same reasons you learned, but I've never been able to teach myself, even with a good book. I actually took a guitar class that ended up being a waste of money since the teacher didn't really make sure his students knew what they were doing. It was sad because he basically just had the class to make money off of us. It was sad. Maybe someday I'll get up enough courage to try to learn again! My parents both got matching guitars when they were first married, so I already have one I could use...hmm...I think you've inspired me to give it another shot!

Hi there, Dutchess! It's great to read your response. I had an interest in HTML also while I was in college taking a course that merely skimmed the surface of the subject. While I had a great time learning, just like your situation I would hate to do that for a living. It's very interesting, but I prefer knowing just enough HTML and code to get around on the Internet posting messages and graphics on social networking websites here and there. It's more for fun and for my friends. I'd never be able to make a living off it. I know there are resources out there to where I could learn more about the suject, but as you said, it's something that can get out-dated very quickly since technology turnover is every year and a half. (That's probably how your site got out-dated so quickly, unfortunately.) It's also hard to keep up with all the "lastest and greatest" stuff out there like that. Your response was very interesting to read and I'm certainly glad you were able to get into HTML to find out that it wasn't for you. Most people would just say that they don't want to do whatever before even trying it. It's like they say, "You never know until you try!" Thanks for your response, my friend.

I love the piano and think it's great when people can learn to play by ear, just be listening and figuring out the right notes to every song they learn. My mom is a piano teacher and actually taught me to play when I was very young. I also learn sign language from a book. I don't remember much of it, but that's very neat that we share those similar skills! Thank you so much for sharing.

Wow! You seem like an individual who is very well-rounded in skills. Those are some really neat things to learn. I love computers as well as software programs, so I think that's very neat that you taught yourself how to do that. Not everyone can learn that kind of skill! Many people get frustrated with sitting at the computer and figuring things like that out, but you and I definitely share that unique interest! Computers are so handy and necessary nowadays. You'll go far with your knowledge of technology. Cooking is definitely necessary also. That's something I should get better at. It doesn't seem too hard looking at a cookbook and creating a dish from that, but sometimes it's harder than it looks! That's very neat that your grandmother taught you also. I think it's most profitable when a person can learn to create their own dishes as you have. Thanks for sharing what you have learned!

I absolutely love your response because it was a true encouragement to me. I'm glad I started this discussion because it really does help others to see that they really haven't wasted their time in attempting to teach themselves something even if perhaps they didn't succeed and may think that they're a failure. Every experience is one for learning if nothing else! It sounds like you are a very efficient person with many things that occupy your mind as well as your time. It's a wonderful thing! Wow, having two daughters get married six months apart (perhaps even in the same year) is pretty tough! I told myself I would never do that to my parents if I could help it no matter how bad I wanted to get married. I realize that just because they offered to pay for it doesn't mean that I can't at least be sensitive to their budget and schedule! (LOL) I believe learning to homeschool and potty-train your kids is a wonderful skill! You have to do what works best for you and for them. That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad you never regret anything you learned from any one of these experiences you had. I love the sentence that ended your response, "Now I see that even the little things in life matter." I couldn't have said it better myself!

You made me laugh when you said you "accepted defeat." Mastering a foreign language on your own is a really difficult thing to do! I give you a lot of credit for trying. I've never taken a foreign language class and never had the desire too. Fortunately for me, I didn't need a foreign language class to graduate from high school or college. That worked out well. I know it might come in handy, but why waste the time learning? I think knowing English as my main language is good enough! I'd say that there are more people trying to learn English than any other language. What do you think? I'd say our native tongue is also the most widespread language in the world, as in, the majority of people across the globe at least know and probably speak English. I'm not so sure how true that is, but it sounds good. I'm mostly German and haven't even tried to learn the language. It's not us. I will probably never go there although I'd love to. My dad has been there at least twice on business trips and really hasn't had too much difficulty communicating while he doesn't know any foreign languages either. That reminds me of a funny story he told me about his trip. He said while he and his fellow employees were driving (and reading all of the German signs) he said he kept seeing signs with the same city name on them. They drove for quite a while to get to their destination and he kept seeing these signs with the city's name on it. By then he was thinking, "This must be one populated city! I keep seeing the signs for it everywhere!!" Finally his boss couldn't hold in the laughter anymore and told him that the sign said, "Exit." Thought I'd share that laugh with you. If a joke can be made on someone who doesn't know the language, so be it. I'd rather have it that way then learn a language I may never use! Thanks for sharing your experience.

I think its easy, it is a form of stitching. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needlepoint After I needlepointed for years I picked up some counted cross stitch kits and learned from the kits how to cross stitch. I glanced at a book about stitching on waste canvas and most of my projects have been on t-shirts, gave them as gifts, very popular. Now I'm beading. I did get some brief instructions, but took it from there and have made lots of bracelets and stuff.

Very neat! Thanks for the web reference also. "Needlepoint" just sounds interesting so I was curious to know what it's all about. You're very talented! The thing is, you didn't just stop with needlepoint. You continued to expand your horizons and learn even more skills. I think beading is awesome. I did a little bit of that when I was younger. As young girls, my sisters and I were always amazed at the many things we could create using beads. It took patience like anything else that involves that much detail, but it was worth it when we came up with beautiful pieces of jewelry. I'd love to see your work sometime. Thanks again for your additional comment. I learn something new every day!

That sounds really neat, but I'm not exactly sure what needle pointing is. Does it have to do with sewing? Perhaps you could enlighten me since I'm really familiar with it. Thanks for your response also.

You seem like a very smart person because you seek to challenge yourself in learning new things. Personally, I love learning computer programs too. I think you've got some wonderful goals for yourself. Keep up the good work!

I'm very jealous of you! I was 15 years old when I get a sewing machine for Christmas. It's been almost 8 years and I still haven't figured out how to thread the dumb thing! (LOL) If I could get past that part, I'd love to learn how to use the machine. (I'm sure that's the easier part.) Wow, you must save a lot of money on PJs knowing how to create your own. You are an inspiration! I'm going to have to bring out the ol' machine again and try it all over. I'll have to let you know if I make any progress this time! Thank you for your response.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Your response is absolutely beautiful. I never thought of success that way. You have to see the bad things before you can appreciate the good things, and of course, a person will never learn without seeing both sides. Wow, I'm practically speechless. I love your response! I'm not sure that I have a best response to give for this discussion anymore, but it's the thought that counts if I don't, right? (LOL) Thank you for adding the Bible verse as well. That really helps put your entire response in perspective and does a great job of backing up exactly what you stated. I look forward to reading many more of your responses! Thanks so much for taking the time to contribute to this discussion.

Good for you in trying to learn how to play the keyboard. I know how to do this, but I agree that it's very difficult to learn from a book and by teaching yourself. I'm happy to hear that you tried to learn, though! I'm glad you like surfing the Internet. I think it's the future for everyone, so if you know how to do things online, you have it made! Good luck to you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Very cute idea! I know what you mean by there not being many online instructions for your basic balloon do-it-yourself designs and things like that. It's like everyone who posts those online instructions assumes that the people reading them already know the basics. Of course, I've tried to make those balloons, too, and have never been able to get past the first part of blowing up the balloon and tying it so the air won't escape! (LOL) So I give you a lot of credit for even being able to make the balloons in the first place. Teaching yourself sounds like it was the way to go for you. I'm glad you were able to learn and hope your daughter or son's birthday turns out to be a great success. Oh, and I have to tell you that I think balloons are always a thing that kids like. You mentioned that "balloons are not in style anymore for little kids," but I really think they still are because there are several events that I've participated in lately where the kids are just dying to get their hands on those balloons. Keep up the good work!

Those are excellent and essential things to have in your life. I believe those are some of the greatest character qualities a person can have. What an honor it must be for you to have taught yourself such wonderful things. Thanks for sharing. It is people like you who possess great attributes such as the ones you mentioned who brighten this world and lighten up the lives of others. Thank you for your honesty.