Snuggle in - we're schmoozing!

I've been Schmoozed!

"Schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection. Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogsphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship".

I'm so touched to have been nominated for this award by the lovely Riggwelter(http://jazzycrafts.blogspot.com). Pop over to her blog and you'll quickly see why I feel that she's in a different class to me. I view myself as a 'maker' ... I can follow a pattern and produce reasonable results. However, Riggwelter is a crafter/artist. I love the scope of all the crafts she undertakes and how she 'sees' potential, whilst I am still stumbling around searching for the blessed pattern!

In turn, I'd like to nominate the following blogs:

1. Notwithstanding Nicola (http://notnicola.blogspot.com). Nicola, like me, returned to the knitting fold whilst studying (or in my case, avoiding studying!) for her Masters. Her socks are to die for!
2. All fingers and thumbs (http://allfingersandthumbs.blogspot.com). I've just newly discovered Sarah's blog but will be visiting often to catch up on our shared love of socks and Norah Gaughan's patterns. And just check out Sarah's plum cake!!!
3. Skein Queen (http://skeinqueen.blogspot.com). A fellow ex-pat Scot ... which is grounds enough for nominating;) But have a look at the gorgeous yarns, SQ makes in her Etsy shop! Just stunning!

All of this has really made me reflect on the importance of the camaraderie of the knitting and blogging communities and just how much I value having you in my life - both in terms of inspiration and support. I've mentioned my health issues in a number of other posts and feel that these have made my contact with fellow bloggers even more significant. As an OT, I spend a lot of time with clients looking at the well-being benefits of meaningful activity, social supports and a healthy work-life balance... The chronic fatigue that is a part of my conditions impacts my own ability to do those things for myself - most nights I come home from work and then am in the land of nod within 15 minutes of walking through the door (NOT a helpful strategy in terms of maintaining a social life!). My contact here with warm, creative folk who share similar interests ... who inspire me and help keep me motivated and focused on things other than joint pain and tiredness (here, I'm selling myself well in the 'cyber mate' department, amn't I???) .... helps keep me sane (even if I do 'chat' with you in the middle of the night!).