Ingrid has tagged me (just means that she did something - usually a post about themselves - and now has told me to do it). And it’s a hard one!!! Made full use of thesaurus.reference.com, and some of them are technically duplicates but what can you do???

Adventurous - Always up for any adventure. It usually means leaving the kids at home (going to London) or taking them somewhere by myself (plane ride from Hawaii to Munich ALONE!)
Bend it Like Beckham - One of my all time favorite movies
Cat lover - even though we don’t currently have cats, I love them, especially orange tabbies!
Disorderly - I let things get to a really bad point before I clean it up really nicely. It stays like that for a day or less. My desk is usually the one that is last to clean up. Everything gets put on it. Michael dumps his junk on it as well until I dump it back onto his desk.
Even tempered - I’m pretty mellow most of the times, even during tantrums, that is the ultimate test. But it’s interesting that little things will set me off, but I’m usually calm through the big things.
Fatigued - most of the time!!!
Grateful to have my health, a wonderful family and really great friends.
80’s Hair - Yep, I had it. In the 80’s and a little in the 90’s.
Internet-a-holic - I am so addicted to the net. I don’t think a day goes by without me checking my mail.
Jolly Ranchers - I forgot about these, do they still exist? They were THE candy at doctor’s offices (obviously not dentist) and other places where you do business.
Knitter - especially as of late!
Lazy - I really am a super lazy person. Really, really lazy.
Mom of twin boys, Rowan and Elijah
Noodles - Love ‘em! Asian, pasta, you name it!
Open minded - I like to think that I am tolerant of most things
Picky eater - I am so weird when it comes to food. I eat only “normal” food - beef, chicken and sometimes pork. I rarely like gourmet food, and if I do try it, it most likely has to be vegetarian.
Quiet - I used to think that I was loud, but compared to my husband, I’m quite the quiet one.
Resourceful - I am pretty good at doing internet research and can usually find the things or info that I want.
Stubborn - very!
TV watcher - omg, I am so addicted to TV (now iTunes). My favorite shows are Heroes, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Prison Break, 24, Bones, Numb3rs, and more if I could afford it.
Ulm - I have to go there one day for 2 things - a yarn store that shows promise that they have imported yarn as well as the big baby store (jako-o).
Value - Always on the lookout for the most bang for my euro.
Writer wanna-be - I wish I could write as well as my husband. He has a real talent when he’s not writing about technical climbing.
Xtreme - Not exactly an X word, but we like to do things outside of “normal” boundaries. Not crazy, just normal to the extreme - rock climbing, paragliding, moving to europe, you know, stuff like that
Yarn-a-holic - How many addictions do I have? Geez.
Zealot - for anything that I’m interested in at the moment! Is there any other z word???

So that was probably more than you ever wanted to know about me! Don’t know too many knitterly people to tag, so just going for a broad group. I’m tagging michelle, michael, and the Pagaragans

Hey folks, I am officially signed up to do SP10! Here is the questionnaire that we are all required to fill out.

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

I love Lorna’s Laces and Mission Falls yarns. I do not like acrylic yarns at all!

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

I have a set of Knitpicks options that I keep in the case, and then I have needles kind of all over the place in various locations, some known, some not known.

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

I started knitting in 1991, so it’s been gosh, 16 years! But it’s been an on and off thing for me. I learned from a knitting book and a friend of mine corrected my stitches since I was twisting them. I would say that I am an advanced knitter, but now I only knit quick and easy things due to price and time commitment!

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

Yes, I have a kaboodle list!

5. What’s your favorite scent?

Hmmm…that’s a tough one. I like pretty much anything that’s not overpowering and too flowery.

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

Uh, do you even have to ask? Chocolate, of course!

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

I sew and would like to learn how to dye yarn and spin with a drop spindle

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

I’m not too particular with music, mostly listen to pop and rock

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

I like dark colors, I’m not a fan of very bright colors

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

Married with twin boys who are 2. No pets.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I wear scarves, hats and gloves, no ponchos

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

I like to knit kids stuff, hats and as of late, socks!

13. What are you knitting right now?

A pair of socks for my husband - From the book ‘Socks soar on two circulars’ the Bavarian twisted stitch sock in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Blackwatch colorway.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course! Who doesn’t?

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

Depends on the project. I generally prefer straight but since I knit socks, I love circulars. I am a huge fan of Knit picks and addi needles!

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

Yep, ever since I started knitting!

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Ahem. I have no (cough! sputter!) UFOs.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

My birthday! Does that count? Second would be Mother’s day.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Fabric and yarn. But I didn’t buy them because I’m a collector, more like a person who has and idea of what to do with it and then doesn’t and it just sits there and collects.

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 have some books on my kaboodle list. As for yarns, I just can’t get enough of Lorna’s Laces and I would like to try some Posh Yarns. Dee has some great colorways!

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

Not so much for knitting, but I would love to learn how to dye yarns and spin.

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

YES! My SP8 spoilee made it look so fun, I decided to give it a try and I made 4 pairs of socks since then!

23. When is your birthday?

In April, email me for more specifics

OK, so despite the long day I had today (see other post), I thought I should write about the great package I got from my secret pal (SP8). She is one amazing knitter I can’t believe this package she sent. I got a huge ball of silk yarn, 1 hank of Cherry Tree Hill yarn in the Serengetti colorway, a large vat of breakfast tea “of finest quality”, a bar of can’t-stop-eating green and black’s almond chocolate, “head to toe knits”, 2 candy canes (for the boys), a tea candle and an amazing green lacy cashmere scarf!!! I am totally NOT worthy! She also *FINALLY* revealed herself - her name is Ingrid, she lives in London, and she has twins too (as well as an older child)! You can read about who she is and her amazing knitting projects at http://talesoftheknitty.blogspot.com.

Here it is all wrapped up!

I’ll have you know that the chocolate is almost gone! I LOVE Green and Black’s, they are my favorite chocolate now. Besides, it’s organic, so it must be good for you right?

My first sock yarn.
Look at these amazing colors!

Look at this beautiful silk, what should I make with this? A scarf perhaps???

Head to Toe Knits, perfect for me!

The cashmere scarf - look at this tremendous detail! And it’s super soft too. She told me it will get even softer the more I wash it.

Of course I had to try it on! Sorry about the in-the-bathroom-mirror shot. Couldn’t wait for Michael to get back to take a proper picture.

So that’s it. This was the 3rd and final package. I have been so lucky to have an awesome secret pal who spent so much time on making my experience special!!! The yarns that she sent inspired me so much that it made me go out and buy some double pointed needles (despite Elijah’s protests) to try knitting socks. I don’t know if the one hank can do a pair though, maybe ankle socks. I have to find a pattern now and instructions. I think I’ll start with something simple. I’ll keep you posted on my progress (hopefully this weekend!).

Thanks again Ingrid for inspiring me and pushing me to knit! I am always happy when I knit, but sometimes I just need that extra nudge to take the time out and do it. I have added you to my blog list so I can keep up with with you’re doing!!!

So when I got home today, I had a special package waiting for me from my SP8. She is from England. It arrived a couple of days after I left for Hawaii so it’s been sitting around for about a week. I told Michael not to open it because I wanted to get the “full surprise”! And a surprise it was! She sent me an awesome package with a vintage knitting needle box filled with vintage needles of all different sizes, an organic handmade sweet smelling soap, Mission Falls “Just Kidding” book (I’ve been wanting this one forever!), TWO, count em TWO adorable sweaters (knitted by her) for the boys, a framed “R” and “E” hand colored letters ready to hang in their room, and 3 Mission Falls yarns! What a great SP8 I have! I am so lucky!!!

On first opening, look at how pretty everything is!

ooooohhhhh, Mission Falls Yarns, my favorite!!!

what pretty colors!

Look at these vintage hand colored letters!

And the most incredible of all, she knitted these TWO
sweaters for the boys!!! Aren’t they the coolest?

Here is the whole package unwrapped

Today I woke the boys up at about 9:30 or so. I usually let them sleep in, but 9:30 is kind of late. It was a big mistake to wake them up. They were soooo fussy all morning, and they looked tired too. I tried playing with them, but Rowan would just cry and cry over every little thing. He is so sensitive sometimes. I could only imagine that his throat hurt or that his nose was too stuffed up. They are still coughing and have super stuffy noses. Elijah hates whenever I wipe it, but he doesn’t mind me picking at the edges, which is so weird.

It was a little easier in class today since I’m getting back into the swing of things. But I still had a runny nose and it’s so embarrassing to have something coming out of your nose when you’re trying to read some German text and then have the teacher get a kleenex for me…

So pretty all wrapped up!

Look at all the cool stuff I got!

When I came home, I had a surprise package in the mail from my Secret Pal! Remember I mentioned the SP8 thing that I was participating in? Well, my SP spoiled me early! And it was the right day to do it too, when I have two irritable kiddos hanging off of me! I took some pictures and will post them soon. All this time I thought she was in the States, but it turns out she is from England! I am so lucky to have a nice and thoughtful pal who has the unfortunate task of reading all of my mundane daily business. So, in the package…She got a really delicious bar of organic dark chocolate with some orange in it. I have never had that before and now I’m officially hooked. It’s good. I have to eat it quickly before Michael discovers it. Darn…too late. She also got me a couple of knitting magazines and a kid’s knit book, as well as a book of literary shorts about twins, cute potporri hearts that are now hanging in the kitchen, and a set of matching necklace and ankle bracelet that reminds me of Hawaii. They were all carefully wrapped in pretty wrapping paper! I’m so lucky, thanks again SP!

Elijah has really gotten good with “Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. I usually sing it pretty fast, but today I sang it really slow and he could follow along pointing to his body parts. I was so surprised! Usually he just points to his head and that’s it. But when I sang slowly, he pointed to his head, knees and toes and also to his eyes, ears and mouth. He still has a hard time with nose, I don’t know why. Rowan thinks it’s a dumb song and it is beneath him.

We also finished 24 tonight. Kind of a lame ending, but whatever. It was a nice distraction from the disappointment that we’ll have to wait 3 months for the next Lost episode. Man, where did May go? Can’t believe it’s over already.

Here are the questions and answers for my secret pal. In case any of you are wondering, here is how it works. On the secret pal website, I sign up and tell them I would like to participate. Then they choose a pal for me to give gifts to and then someone else to give gifts to me. That person will read my blog from time to time to get to know me and my likes/dislikes and send me something that they think I will like. It could be hand made or books or whatever, but this particular “swap” is for knitters only so we have that in common. This is my first one to participate in so I’m really excited!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love Mission Falls yarns, although I haven’t tried some of their “new” stock, supposedly it’s differnt. I also like Rowan yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have an old needle storage case, that is still buried in boxes since I moved. So for now, it’s just in a pile on my bookshelf.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting for about 15 years, off and on. I go through phases where I knit fiercely for a few weeks (or maybe months) and then I put it away until I get the next urge. I wouldn’t quite consider myself advanced, so I would say high intermediate.

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

5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Hmmm…I do like Bath & Body Works Cucumber melon, but in general, anything non-floral

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Sadly, yes. I love dark chocolate, gummi bears, and caramel.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I also sew when I have the time, and like to make little crafts here and there.

8. 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, of course my tastes change all the time. Yes, I can play MP3s. My favorites right now are Rihanna, Rob Thomas, The Beatles, Bjork, 80’s music (of course!), Lisa Loeb, Madonna.

9. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I like any earthy colors like brown, green, beige, khaki, those types. I don’t usually like really bright things, but again, it depends what it is.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with 2 kids (17 month old twin boys), no pets. We used to have 3 cats and I love anything with a cat theme.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear scarves and hats in the winter.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Children/baby stuff. I am concentrating on hats right now just because they are so quick and there is minimal amount of weaving and seaming.

13. What are you knitting right now?
Nothing at this moment, but will probably start another kids hat (Mags Kandis/Mission Falls) soon.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
But, of course!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight needles, I love addi turbos.

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

17. How did you learn to knit?
From a book, can’t remember which one it was. I also had a friend who knitted and she corrected my twisted stitches.

18. How old is your oldest UFO?
UFO? Ummm….????

19. What is your favorite holiday?
Does my birthday count? If not, then I guess Christmas.

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really, I do have a little “cat” collection. They are all tiny cat statues (?) from all over the world.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don’t have any magazine subscriptions (live overseas). On my list of books to get are “Mission Falls Just Kidding”.

22. Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn?
I’d like to get better at fair isle. I can do it and follow a pattern, but it’s not nice and even. I knit in a weird way that’s comfortable for my fingers/hand, but it’s bad for stitch tension.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
No, haven’t attempted socks yet.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
04/23