Secret Pal 8 Questionnaire

This is a little late - I apologize! Thanks for the reminder to update Tammy! I promise I will get more regular with my blog!

1. Love all fibers!

2. I have a pencil case for crochet hooks and a "wine tube" for knitting needles

3. I have been knitting since I was 8 (too many years to broadcast!) and feel I am an advanced skill level.

4. No.

5. VANILLA!

6. Yes - anything chocolate!

7. I enjoy cross-stitch and embroidery. I do not spin.

8. Enjoy big band and classic country. I can play mp3's.

9. Love earthy colors. Not overly fond of yellow.

10. I am happily married with a daughter (19) and son (13).

11. Yes to all.

12. Sweaters and afghans

13. I have on my needles an afghan for my brother & fiancee, a sweater for me and mittens for a friend.

14. Yes - love handmade gifts

15. I use both depending on project. Mostly aluminum but starting to convert to bamboo.

16. I don't own a yarn winder and/or swift?

17. It was required for a Brownie badge and my mother and grandmother taught me.

18. I am embarrased to say I have the sweater for me mentioned above that I started in 2004?

19. My favorite holiday is Halloween.

20. I was a Brownie leader for many years and as a result collect owls!

21. Nothing that I am aware of right now! I am very lucky as I have 2 friends who work for a book/magazine distribution center who bring oodles of craft magazines home weekly that they share with the craft circle I belong to.

22. Wanting to try socks on circular needles rather than dp's.

23. Yes I am a sock knitter? I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe.

24. My birthday is December 22

Hockey everywhere I love spring!

GO FLAMES GO

Had to get that out of my system! I am getting lots of knitting done with all the hockey on tv. I am a real hockey nut. Have been all of my life- I guess it is one of the many perks of being "truly Canadian".

Meaghan has asked me to say hi to Rob in Wawa - too funny that this is what he ran across when you did a search on Katimavik! Hard to believe that her three months in Newfoundland is almost up! Next stop is Wawa! Maybe Chris Simon will bring the Stanley Cup to Wawa (major confidence in my team!) while she is still there!

Candy swap is scheduled for next week for sending out swap pairings - can't wait - Mariko does a great job.

This blog is all over the place so will stop for now - just got Avon to be bagged...

I've been delinquint

with my blog but work has been crazy! I work for federal government and have major financial responsiblities for year end but hooray the fiscal year is over - I balanced to the penny and now back to normal life!

I recieved a package from my SP last week - wonderful book that I dove right into - Knit Lit and a calendar which is right next to my pc at work. When I get stressed I just look at the yarn and things seem a little better! Thank you to my Secret Pal!

I signed up for SP8 today - can't wait to start again although I plan to stay in contact with my SP7 pal.

Spring has sprung - lots of yard work to be done. That should keep Cody (14 year old son) busy for a weekend or two! Great news for him - he is a card carrying soccer referee. He took the course and passed his test this past weekend. When I picked him up from the course he kept "red carding" my driving. Needless to say after the first few times it wasn't funny anymore!

Meaghan is still in Deer Lake working in an elementary school - having a great time. She loves Newfoundland and working with the children. She has decided to upgrade her high school marks (she has a bilingual high school dipoloma with marks in the 70's) in english and then pursue an education to become a teacher.

I have been busy knitting - my sanity valve for work stresses. I have finished a baby blanket, 2 baby sets for a colleague at work and have started the shrug on the cover of Knit It. Love the way it is working up. Next up I am going to start on my brother's wedding gift - he's getting married next September in Nova Scotia so a trip home! I have a beautiful pattern from Simply Knitting for a cabled afgan with matching pillows.

Phone Call from Meaghan

So I am sitting on the phone with Meaghan (she's now in Deer Lake). She just told me that she is officially a geek - I told her to be proud as she comes from a long line of geeks!!!

She arrived in Newfoundland a week ago and is having a great time! Lots of talk about Team Gushe (the men's curling team) who won gold at the Olympics.

I am still knitting like mad on honeycomb mittens - everyone who sees them wants a pair and I haven't been able to say no to anyone. When I finish this pair - no more! I have also started a baby poncho for a friends baby and then some baby sets that a girl at work wants me to make for her. busy busy busy!

I placed two books on blogging on hold at the library - hopefully soon I will get pics and stuff up too!

I received a package from my secret pal today! Wow does she have my number!!! chocolate and gorgeous earrings which I am wearing and a cross stitch! I am truly blessed. Thank you thank you thank you VVSP!

Where does time go? Didn't fulfill my goal of getting pics on my website but I have found a teenager to help me get this figured out!

Don't think I have mentioned that alot of the knitting I have been doing is to send to my daughter Meaghan. She is 18 and currently living in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. She was selected to be a participant in Katimavik, a program for 17 to 21 year olds. She is away from home for a total of 9 months - 3 in Trois Rivieres, 3 in Deer Lake Newfoundland and 3 in Wawa, Ontario. If you want to find out more about the program - check it out at www.katimavik.org

She didn't believe her wise mother who told her that it feels colder in Quebec and Newfoundland because of the damp so she didn't pack enough hats, scarves and mitts. Mom to the rescue!

Here it is another Monday morning. I meant to dash off an update all weekend long but it's over! Lots of knitting and bowling! Managed to knit 2 ski hats with flaps this weekend - one for Meaghan and one for Cody. Finished sewing up the hat and matching mitts for Meaghan as well. Now I just have to get together all Meaghan's "requests" and mail them to her and of course I meant to mail before Canada Post upped the rates today - oh well best of intentions!

Busy weekend of bowling as well - regular league on Friday, coaching my kids on Saturday and a tournament yesterday. We won't talk about my scores which should let you know exactly how I bowled! LOL The kids are doing awesome! One more week to finish qualifying for the 4 steps teams. The kids, for the most part, have finally learnt that the score board is not the way to measure their success. Even though it is mandatory during 4 steps to post progress (stupid rule!) the majority of the kids aren't checking it. Instead they are on the lanes and focused on how they are bowling and having fun. I still say a happy ball gets more strikes!

I am hoping this week to figure out how to post pics to my blog - that's the goal of the week!

For Secret Pal - here's my questionnaires answers!

Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/ornatural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?

Definitely not a snob - anything on the needles and I am happy!

Do you spin? Crochet?

I don't spin but would love to learn! I do crochet especially larger items like afgans.

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

I keep them in a plastic case shaped like a large glass case (hooks & DPN's) and a container which used to hold a bottle of Black Velvet Whiskey for my straight needles.

How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I learnt how to knit when I was a Brownie around age 7. I have no problems attempting any patterns so I guess advanced.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No

What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Love anything vanilla or sandalwood

Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Big sweet tooth!!! My favorite is anything chocolate!

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

I also cross stitch and make my own greeting cards.

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

I like all kinds of music but my favorites are classic country and Crooners. Yes I can play MP3s.

What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favorite color palette is earth colors.

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

I am happily married for 20 years. I have an 18 year old daughter who is currenly away from home in the Katimavik program and a 13 year old son. We have a white manx (cat) named Snowball.

Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, not often, yes and yes

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Really enjoy Lion Brand homespun and natural wool.

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

None

What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Wool mittens and socks, ski hats with ear flaps

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

Socks and sweaters.

What are you knitting right now?

Ski hats with ear flaps, a sweater for myself, and mittens.

Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes

Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Depends on project - I am comfortable using both.

Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Mostly aluminum but use bamboo occasionally.

Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

No

How did you learn to knit?

My Brownie leader showed us the basics. My Mom and Nanny both knit and helped me along the way.

How old is your oldest UFO?

A sweater I have been knitting for myself since Winter '04.

What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh

What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween

Is there anything that you collect?

Snowmen!

What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

No subscriptions just pick up copies which interest me.

Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?

None that I can think of.

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

None that I can think of.

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

Yes - my foot is 9 ½ inches long.

When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

I am a Capricorn - December 22