Secret Pal 13 Question of the week

The next question is: Are you doing any Christmas knitting?

NO - have not been able to do much knitting at all for the past several months. My eyesight has not returned as I had hoped and has kept me from knitting very much. I have real difficulty in seeing sometimes. So no knitting for anyone this year - other than a hat for me that is almost finished. It was put aside for a few days for another little project that is finished.

When is a secret not a secret?

About 2 years ago, I created a yahoo email address solely for the purpose as a secret identity for Secret Pal's, Swap-bot, etc. Have used it ever since as such, thinking it was secret and showed the email address – that I thought was cute – and used as other ID's. But……………last week, I used the post to a Secret Pal on my KnitTalk list and got a surprise. When she replied to me on the post, I saw my name there, big as could be! Not the cute ID I had created or expected, but my big fat name! My current hostess in Secret Pal 13 tried to give me a hint, I see now, and I didn't catch it about my name showing. Soo, it has taken me several days to find how to change the name shown with the email address – so it is finally done! And I am sorry to all of the SP's of the past, taking away a little of the surprise!!

Here again!

I have lapses in posting - seems the cause is always the same lately - another eye surgery, and my vision is not rebounding like I had hoped. Makes knitting a little difficult. Started a cute little women's lace hat - Ravelry pattern here- have almost finished the lace edging - so the body part should go fast. But am having difficulty seeing clearly enough to do the lace part - and it is real simple.

Time to get to laundry and housework - doesn't take much vision to do that!

Secret Pal 13 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like to knit with soft, flowing handpainted/variegated yarns. Some natural yarns (wools, cotton) mixed with some acrylic ok. No box store acrylics, fun furs etc. No bling for me.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Everything from a sewn needle case, to a wine bottle cover to a plastic storage container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? About 5 years - off and on, depending on my RA - I am still at probably the Intermediate stage.

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

5. What's your favorite scent? Allergic to many scents - I like vanilla, but can tolerate candles in small doses

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? A big one, front and center! Love Chocolate, but also like many other Christmas favorites. Don't like licorice - but people probably wouldn't send it!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Don't spin - but can crochet, have dabbled in a lot of other needle crafts -

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Behind the times - only can play MP3's on my computer, like Christian gospel, Smooth jazz, classical piano,

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Love jewel tones-favorite is fuschia, but really like purples, magenta, teal, turquoise - no pastels.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Just hubby and I - lost our Min Schnauzer last fall - I am looking for another one - husband is not!! LOL

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves, hats - a lot of hats, head wraps - I have trigeminal neuralgia and an eye that is very sensitive to the cold air. No ponchos - I am fluffy and don't need more than I already have! Love stoles, shawls

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now I am learning to knit lace shawls so that is my favorite at the moment

13. What are you knitting right now? Dishcloths for Thanksgiving gifts, shawl, and Tudora and a hat for Christmas gifts

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Love to - I enjoy thinking about the person who would put time and energy into making something nice for me.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circulars, bamboo, but am also loving my Knitpicks

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I would love a ball winder

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Recently cleaned up my UFO stack so probably only about 2 weeks

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? Love holidays, like to decorate, Observe Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect? Angels

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Need some tips for my Knitpicks, currently not subscribed to any mags

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Socks are next on my list if my hands can handle the small needles

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? not yet - wear a size 9 xw

23. When is your birthday? Jan 15

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? kn1tg1rl - working on getting my personal things in - can spend hours window-shopping!

Nice people in the world

I had to drop out of SP12 due to eye surgery. However, my partner sent me a great little box any way - shows that there really are nice people out there - Wendy is one of them!




Some really nice cotton yarns, plus being in the summer, some Welchs fruit snacks.

Then in another swap, with the TeaTime Knitters we had a final swap as the group closed.

I got a really cute little teapot for one, plus some yarn and tea. But the greatest thing was a cute little wrap that Deborah had knit for me. Deborah and I have hit up a great internet friendship that I wouldn't trade for anything. And she knit this shawlette while suffering from rheumatoid arthritis as well as other things. So it is really special to me. Now just waiting for some cold weather to wear it!

Pre-Halloween Fun

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics

Last night was a nice night for family. The "boys" of the family were in CA on a Sales Meeting for the week so that left the girls here alone all week. So we got together last night and had dinner at our house. One had to work and the addition of our daughter made a fun time. It was also pre-birthday for the Dad of the house - he is a Halloween Baby - so we had a good time.

To me - things like this are what makes good times. It doesn't take dinner out, or a movie or a trip somewhere to warm my heart - it is family that brings the warm willy's to my heart! Just a little softy!

Happy Halloween to all! And Happy Birthday to my Honey!!

Dear Diary…uuhh Blog,

I have been a little AWOL, recovering from another eye surgery, but all is well. Waiting on healing to let me know the final verdict on vision – some improvement but nothing spectacular!

Fall is slowly creeping down into the south. Temperatures went below 70 and saw the sweaters and sweatpants and jackets start appearing – the early birds so to speak of fall. Always kinda laugh to myself at this – is it a race to see who wears the first sweater? Sometimes it seems like it. I will have to get my container of misc fall things down from the attic and put up the shorts and some of the crop pants for their winter sleep. Sure that they are looking forward to a nice long nap. Sounds good to me about now too! Husband woke me up when he was getting ready this morning, not sure why he wanted me up. Guess he felt like it was time for me to get up.

So on that note, will end for today. So have a nice day ya'll – and come back soon! Will promise to write again soon!