dakotadee

I am married with 1 daughter and 1 grand daughter, 4 fur kids..( 2 fat cats and 1 skinny yarn loving cat . ornery cat crossed the rainbow at 18 yrs old ) We added an other wild kittie to the household.(don't think he is really wild as he loves belly rubs). I retired in 2016 and now just a full time caregiver for my hubby.

I love swapping but sometimes taking care of my hubby gets in way of my rating,ect. A gentle reminder please when I am late on rating.

With hubby needing more attention, I am limiting how many swaps I do so I can get them out on time.

6-21-2026 update: Life in the household has gotten some more interesting challenges. Hubby officially now has Alzheimer's.

I am open to private swaps. If we talked about one but I didn't get back to you, recontact me. If hubby is being more challenging, I go into survival mode and forget my fun stuff.

Traveling now is on respite time...no worries about hubby then.:)

I'm a Christian. I like sewing with fabric creating quilts out of other people's leftovers. Most of my quilts go out to local needs.

I was a Girl Scout Troop leader from 1993 to 2019. I am born and raised in South Dakota growing up on a farm.I still live in SD. I have 5 sisters and 1 brother with 11 nieces and nephews and 3 great nephews.

10/30/2020 I lost the addy for 2 of my penpals. A gal in Australia and a gal in Texas. If you read this, contact me as I want to continue to write. the covid sent me in a tail spin and I lost your addys. :(

My respite time is spend going on guided tours creating a ton of pictures for 'wish I could create' paintings.

2019 respite was Iceland. Loved the country...air is so clean there!! saw the Northern lights..:)

My 2022 respite trip was Israel in July. (a bucket list item) Beautiful country in a desert way. There is so much history. After hearing Hebrew spoken for a week, hearing english at home felt weird. I would go back to visit again if able.

Hawaiian cruise, Feb, 2023 respite trip was a great trip. Well worth waiting a couple of years to get there. The islands are very green and warm. Seeing wild chickens running around seems weird in my eyes.

Ireland, Aug, 2023 respite trip. Ireland is a beautiful country with very narrow roads

. Alaska Aug,2024 respite trip. My 50th state to visit. Beautiful land.Ate my fill of salmon...lol. The only bad part of it was my knee giving out..replacement time is here.:(

August,2025 respite trip. England, Scotland, Northern ireland and Ireland. love most of the trip but not London....too noisy for me. I forgot to look the correct way to cross the street there..almost got run over.

July 2026 respite trip. Iceland for the total exclipse but it rained. Found big changes in the falls and black sand areas....way more tourists. But still loved the country.

When I watch TV, it is CSI type shows. Trying to figure out how they do the lab work interest me. Also seeing 'lab rats' taking down criminals is so funny to me as a former 'lab rat'.

I also like to watch home improvement shows that center on upcycling things. Gives me ideas that are affordable to do.too.

I love work with fabric..creating something of beauty and usefulness from scraps. The scraps make cool kid bags, pencil pouches for operation Christmas Child boxes, book covers and warm quilts for local needs. Sewing calms my soul.

I like to do crazy quilting with beads, lace & ribbons ect but that is in the summer. The cold here makes my hands hurt too much then.

I love using cotton yarn to make clothes and afghans for myself and family members who can't wear synthetic threads. The leftovers become wash cloths. Any color will work. I use yarn gotten in Good Will or rummages to make loom knit hats that are given away. The leftovers are put into colorful afghans that are also given away.

I took up painting after becoming an empty nester. Now that I am retired ..painting time is harder due to hubby's needs increasing.

I love beads, buttons, yarn,ribbons and fabric.

COLLECTION Funny goofy postcards

local color postcards map cards Postcards showing paintings national parks,

(love what you send as long as it is not x rated) As traveling gets harder for my husband, armchair travel by postcards is the way I fill my wandering spirit. At times now during respite time..I take bus tours now.

I love to get small coins and canceled stamps from international trades.

Lately I am finding goofy postcards funny...like the state bird is a 'skitter'. LOL. Or as an example...bears loving more tourists as they are tasty. One that I got in northern Michigan with gals in long johns posing as swim suit models give me a laugh.

In fabric swaps...I lean towards brights but can use all colors in my sewing

I am allergic to all perfumes, peanut butter, coffee and artificial sweeteners. Also can't eat wheat products now. My allergies...the gift that keeps on giving. :( So please do not send me any of these.) Please no Santa Claus's

I now can't handle wool yarn. It is very hard to breath around it. :(

for yarn swaps that make personal wear items, they need to be made of cotton please. Hobby Lobby carries a nice wt cotton that works up like a dream.... If it touches the skin, I need cotton. The rest is very uncomfortable for me to wear.