The Tumor Made Me Do It.

That's my excuse for everything. It seems I have a bit of a tumor, benign, and it makes a wonderful reason to do horribly self-indulgent things. Eating out, buying yarn, playing Sims2 until my eyes fall out or until there's no more sugar-free popcicles and Diet Pepsi (whichever comes first). I see the doc mid-July to see how soon I can serve 'T' its eviction notice.

So with that, I'm out of training for September's marathon. Not happy about it, but there you go. Once Fry is at Gran's, I'll be hitting the gym again. I know I should bring her and all that, but she's too young to work out or leave home alone, and too old to sit in the baby room. I'd like to run while she rides her bike alongside, but with T causing pains when I run, I'll just wait until the eviction. :P

Not only do bears poop in the woods, it seems they use Charmin to clean up. Who knew???

I ripped this off a knitblogger's website. It's to give your secret pal an idea of what gifts a gal wants, but, it's a good indicator of personality, too.

Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)?
I'm so not the snob. If it's knitable, I'm all over that bad boy.

Do you spin? Crochet?
I'm going to weave! I didn't have that much of an interest (no tools to do it) until Mom found a loom at a garage sale. Now, I have another way to use up all the yarn. :D

Do you have any allergies?
Nothing in real life. Contrast iodine and dioxycyclene isn't something I run into. If I were allergic to Dawn dishwashing soap and Comet, THEN I'd be hurting. Clean house, but itchy rash.

How long have you been knitting?
Five years, self taught.

Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do, but don't even know what's on it anymore. Don't know and trying to care.

Do you have a sweet tooth?
Oh yeah, you betcha! I'm South Beaching it, so it's really a sugar-free sweet tooth.

What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I'm a gal of all trades, really. Ponds, interior painting, installing faucets are the big things. Scrapbooking, writing, and rarely acrylic painting are my non-knitting hobbies.

What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
There's good and bad in all types of music. I can't rule anything out. I do love Falco and a-ha's non-American hits. Don't listen to the radio much, too many commercials, and country (which I usually love) has become too redneck-hick themed lately. I have a little MP3 player to run with and I love that, too. I found it on clearance and got it for my birthday. Wonderfully light and no skipping.

What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer?
Fave? Black. I feel most comfortable wearing that color. Other than that, I love the European traditional color palettes.

What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Married, one child, one cat, one guinea pig, one betta fish.

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Tough one! Sock yarns. Even though they're itty bitty, I love them. I like the cheap acrylics due to them being so slippery fast. That, and machine washable counts for a LOT. :D

What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Mohair. It's wonderful to knit up but a bitch to wear.

What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I joined the Summer of Lace group! Now I need a lace pattern that I'm in love with. There are still tons of sock skeins from the sock era that need knitting up. Since it's roasting in summer, great hot weather project.

What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
My triangle shawls. Quick, one-skein, tv-watchable pattern, AND lovely when done.

What are you knitting right now?
My Fry's afghan, here on my lap. It's Red Heart light and lofty buff color done in a wave pattern. Was working on another wave pattern for a shirt in Classic Elite, but am not sure about it. I think it's a do-over.

What do you think about ponchos?
By the time I knit one up, the trend will be over.

Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Depends on the project, usually straight. My cat it too lazy to play with yarn or needles, thank goodness!

Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Bamboo is what I'm using and loving at the moment. I'm not a needle snob, though, I'll use anything.

Are you a sock knitter?
(Looking at sock yarn stash....) I'd better be....

How did you learn to knit?
I saw a sweater pattern in Real Simple magazine, then ran out and bought "Teach yourself to knit" kit. It was all over but the stashing after that.

How old is your oldest UFO?
Four and a half years. I'll never finish it, the sleeves point up when attached, even after 6 tries. I don't know and after the sixth try, don't care.

What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Bugs Bunny. I love SpongeBob, of course, and Patrick Starfish, but Bugs is the best.

What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving. I love grocery shopping, fall decor, cooking, eating, and family (not in that order of course). Christmas, the usual answer, isn't my favorite. I LOATH Christmas shopping, turns people into supreme jerks. After a while, Christmas makes me feel as if I've been drinking maple syrup for hours while being poked in the eye with a sharp stick. There's nothing more festive than being mowed down during an ice storm in a department store parking lot by someone with a wreath on the front of their SUV and a cross hanging from their rear view mirror. Jesus loves me when I'm soaked and frost-bitten, right?

It's not even July and I'm feeling the Holiday hate. This is why all my Christmas shopping is done before I grocery shop for Thanksgiving.