I must apologize to my Secret Pal and my Hostess. I can't read!! That is the only excuse I know of! I was supposed to read and send back a reply to one of the emails - I only read it. Now I have my Secret Pal and am looking forward to SP11. Am thinking about all of the things I would like to get her - and in reading her blog, I find that we are a lot alike. So I think doing this will be fun.

I also have another pal to exchange with in the TeaTimeKnitters. We exchange tea or coffee, a teacup or mug, and a knitted kitchen item this month. I have a partner in MN - need her to send some rain and cool weather down our way. We set a record high for the 4th day in a row this week - 104 today, 103 yesterday, 106 before that and 100. We will end this month as the hottest month on record. Usually we only break 90 one or two times a month.

I see on other peoples blogs pictures of their flowers and yards - here even my hot weather plants have died - geraniums, begonias, and my yard is a dusty mess. Water is rationed so that the only days one can water are based on even and odd house numbers can water on the even or odd day of the week. I hope the winter is not as cold as the summer was hot. We need some cold weather to kill the insect pests and things. Mother Nature has played havoc with the weather across the US this year.

Since the heat makes me stay inside and one can only take so much of the boob tube, and my hands can only do so much knitting, I was playing on the computer and ran across this today. Scott McKenzie singing San Francisco in 1967 - I would have been about 12 or 13 - but I remember it. San Francisco sounded so....romantic, while from my parents it was a place of all evil in the world at that time. Listen to a little of the song.............aahh to be young again.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Week Awareness

Find more videos like this on Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network

SP 11 and Ravelry

I have heard from my SP partner, but haven't received my email from my hostess. Have left a comment, so hope someone will get to it in the next few days. As far as Ravelry...........

Secret Pal #11 questionaire

Here are is the questionnaire for SP11.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I like cotton, have started trying to do some lace knitting with some fingering weight yarn. Hate the fun fur stuff.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have 2 fabric roll cases made by a friend of mine. But I need something for my circulars.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I took lessons at my LYS about 1 1/2 yrs ago, and am an advanced beginner, maybe an intermediate depending on the pattern.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes at Amazon

5. What's your favorite scent?

Vanilla, am allergic to most scents but still like candles

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Oh a giant sweet tooth! Love anything chocolate, but do try to keep it in check.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I do not spin, have started some scrapbooking, know how to crochet but wrist arthritis made me stop

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Computer can play, like jazz, oldies, gospel, piano, Way behind technology - don't have an MP3

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favorites are the mauve to rose to deep fuchsia, love blues and purples, not a brown person

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

At home are just husband and me and our old Min Schnauzer. Very allergic to cats
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves and hats seldom cold enough for mittens, would prefer stole/shawl type over poncho

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Do a lot of dishcloths for family, scarves, baby items.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Dishcloths for my daughter's new apt. and the Tulip baby sweater

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I love to receive them - to me I know the work involved in something and I appreciate that someone took some of their precious time to make me something.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Use circulars almost exclusively, some bamboo, but most are aluminum. Am planning on ordering some KnitPicks

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No but would like to

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Not very since I am a new knitter - but do have an old crochet unfinished afghan that I just gave away a few years ago!!

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I love holidays, like to decorate for them with candles, wreaths, kitchen things, candy dishes

19. Is there anything that you collect? Barbie ornaments,

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I do not have any mag subscriptions - buy single copies now and then as budget allows

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Would like to learn how to adjust a sweater or top fit me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I would like to learn to knit socks. I wear a 9 1/2 WW - Lower calf is 13, ankle is 9", arch is 10", widest part is10"

23. When is your birthday? January 15th, 1954

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

No, but if they expand may try to get on.

What a nice surprise!!

I was late getting Monday's mail (like, Tuesday morning) and there was my first puffy! Oh how wonderful I felt! It was special and just for me! Deborah B. sent me a little goody bag full of .......what else, goodies!! I took some pictures but can't download them to my computer straight, so will wait until later to try to load a picture. So my description will have to set the picture in your mind! A beautiful rose pink dishcloth that she had knit - and she must have peaked into my closet, because if that is one of the color choices, I have it. Then comes the tea part - a cute canister of fruit flavored tea with the cutest little tea bag ... what do I call it? A tea bag retriever? A tea bag squeezer? Any way it is way cute, even my 21 yo daughter wanted it. And some bags of a vanilla flavored tea, a fall leaf notepad, and a Super Size skein of Sugar and Cream - I have not seen that size here before. And some dice beads - they will make some really cute stitch markers! Deborah B was so nice in sending this package to me. I was thrilled! Thank you Deborah B.

What I did on my summer vacation!

This is my essay already prepared for when I go back to school - if ever needed!! I have had an event filled summer and have the debt to show for it.

I have had 4 retinal detachments and surgeries to repair them. The last involved attaching a schleral buckle around the eyeball to try to hold it to one shape to keep the retina from having to stretch and conform to the macula. I even have a photograph of my "vacation" - but warning - it is not for the squeamish!! Not even for the almost squeamish!! It is even hard for me to look at now. I am still in pain from the last surgery and looking at the picture brings back memories of how really painful it has been.








So I have had a vacation FROM sunlight, the beach, baseball games, church because of the lighting, a little housework - but that only lasted about 2 days each surgery!!. So..........there you have it! All of the escapades of this one eyed woman!!

I have managed to begin a little knitting again. Earlier, when I had a little time and felt good it was taken up with dishes, laundry, etc and then resting meant shut eye sleep during the day. I am doing some easy dishcloths for Christmas gifts to get my speed back up. I have a gazillion baby gifts that need to be made so they are on my list.