Shash

July 16, 2008: This is the first time on the computer for me in about 3 weeks...sorry for the delay. I'm not recovering as well as I had hoped and am taking more time than normal to get my swaps done. Please forgive me but also please be patient. I know I'm running way behind, but I love swap-bot and want to stay a member. More importantly, I don't want to disaapoint any of my partners. Know that I'll complete everything, please...

June 3, 2008: Sorry for the lack of contact--I've been in the liver center of UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama for the past 16 days. I had yet another attack on my liver and went down to Birmingham, where I see a specialist in my disease. I know I am behind on my swaps and will catch up as soon as I can--I'm really sorry, everyone. I did not have access to the internet while in the hospital, either. Again, sorry.

May 10, 2008: Well guys, another acute attack and another hospital visit. Went in last Saturday and got out late yesterday. I'm thankful for the care I receive but tired of going. I've never been sick this much before...sorry. Will focus. I know I'm behind in swaps and I'll catch up as soon as I can. I worry sick about falling behind and I know I should put it into perspective (people keep telling me, anyway) but I still am very aware I'm behind. I'm working furiously to catch up and will send out emails as well.*****

March 5, 2008: I have a very rare liver disease called porphyria and have been in the hospital for a week with an unexpected acute attack. I am still recovering but am home now. I will catch up on my swaps over the next few weeks. I am so sorry for the delay in getting some of my swaps out. Thanks for all of your understanding and your wonderful packages!

I LOVE TO KNIT!! I've been knitting for 39 years (yes, I did learn very young!!! :-), but have had some large gaps in my knitting years. I love color and texture and I hope to write my own patterns one day. I have also started flying again for an US-based airline as a flight attendant. If you don't receive a reply to an email or get rated for a package, I'm probably away on a trip!

I was born in the northeastern US and grew up there as well. I have lived in several different countries around the world in my adult life--travel seems to be part of my chemical make up. I guess I'm a gypsy at heart...Currently, I live in the midwest with my husband of two years and two cats, but I'd really like to move to Albuquerque, Denver or Santa Fe. We have a vacation home in Florida as well and try to get down there every month.

I became a flight attendant several years ago because I needed to get over my fear of flying (it worked beautifully!). I also got a ride in a hot air balloon at this year's Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I'd like to try that again, since I was quite nervous and don't remember too much of the ride...maybe I'll take a video camera next time, except I'll probably have trouble releasing my hold on the basket again... :-)

PLEASE CONTACT ME if you do not receive a swap package. I try hard to please all my swap partners and it would never occur to me to not send something, so let me know and I'll resend.

In the knitting store where I work, they call me 'Felting Queen', so besides knitting, I love to felt. I'd like to learn how to wet felt. I need to learn to crochet, too. I also like to do beadwork and have gotten my husband hooked on beading now, too.

I have no fiber alleries and love working with any natural yarn. I'm not a huge fan of acrylics.

For any sock yarn swaps, I love working on small needles with merino wool products like Koigu yarn. I'm not a fan of acrylics, but other than that, send what you think I'll like.

The Harry Potter series, but I have to confess, I have not read the last one--I've been too busy knitting! I read just about everything and anything, but I'm starting with books on tape so I can knit and listen at the same time.

I like romantic comedies. "Medicine Man" with Sean Connery and Lorraine Bracco is one of my top three favorites, along with "Love, Actually" (Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy are all in it) and "Immortal Beloved" with Gary Oldman and Isabella Rosselini.

"Grey's Anatomy", "Private Practice", "Dirty, Sexy Money" and "Cane" are all on my Tivo right now. I also really enjoy the late night comedian Craig Ferguson--he makes me laugh out loud.

I love classical, pop, opera, hip hop, jazz, spiritual and hard rock, not in any particular order. I'm not a huge fan of country, although I do listen to it, too.

I have my motorcycle license and my own motorcycle (hence the photo). I love to ride and do wear a helmet.

I also love to play tennis and snow ski.

I love coffee, tea and hot cocoa. We have two cats and I love them, but I'm not into cutesy cat things. Colored pens, pencils, magic markers and colorful erasers are all great. I love writing with pencil, even though I still hear my mother's voice saying I need to use pens! I am fascinated by all things that fly--airplanes, blimps, hot air balloons, and anything else that gets off the ground. I recycle anything and everything I can, and anything made out of recycled items are VERY cool to me! I love photographs, and postcards, preferably old, and I love to travel anywhere and everywhere. Send me anything that is local to your area and I will love it. I love lip balms, lotions and creams, but non-petroleum based, please. My favorite color is periwinkle blue, but I have to say true red is creeping in lately, too--I'm wearing a lot of red as an accent color right now. I also love autumnal colors--tans, deep oranges, greens. I love all things vintage/retro (fabrics, colors and styles) and have been a huge thrift shop shopper. Oh, and I'm 45 and have braces on my teeth. I've had them for 2+ years and there's no end in sight as to when they will be taken off, although my orthodontist told me 2 years when I got them on...I love small things and small gestures. They mean a great deal to me. Anything handmade will be very welcome!!! I read everything and anything.

Candy! I love candy, all types, but my true, all-time favorite are jelly beans (how convenient, at this time of year!). I also love anything chewy, which is a problem with my braces--I'm determined to slowly break off all the brackets with chewy candy and then won't have to wear them anymore... :-) The only chewy candy I don't like is black licorice, but red is lovely. I also used to eat grape licorice as a kid, and if anyone can send me that, they are guaranteed a heart!

Skulls, goth, paganism, anything 'dark'. I'm not a fan, so please don't send it.