August Birthday Swap questionnaire

So, perhaps you've begun to fear that all my talk of new directions was a ruse, or another example of my frequently Waylaid Good Intentions.

Not so. Instead, I have been... "vacationing".

I put it in quotation marks because rarely do vacations involve lone-wolfing the twin duties for a few days before driving down to spend a weekend with my sister, who is a full-time lone-wolf parent to three boys ages 10, 6 and 3. Rarely do vacations include spending a morning trying to keep tabs on five rambunctious boys, one of whom is NOT pleased to discover he has lost his title of "youngest" to not one but two boys who get to share the title. They also rarely include spending several days trying to keep twin toddlers safe in a house that is undergoing massive renovations.

In fact, often these are the kinds of things one seeks a vacation from, now that I think on it.

But me? Oh no, I must do things oddly, and so... yes. That is how a solid week was spent in my life, and we are just now finally home and safe and sound and the cats will hopefully forgive us soon for abandoning them (like they suffered so terribly at the hands of our friend the cat-adorer... snort!). Hopefully, at least, this experience will teach my mother-in-law to be more careful of how she layers on the guilt when expressing her desire to see her grandsons.

Anyway. There is much more to report, many thoughts which have been percolating in my head (beyond the oft-repeated, "Spugwort, get DOWN!"), but for now? I needs me a nap. Oh, and I need to remember in the future that Trader Joe's is not kidding when they say "cheese popcorn", and so if I want to eat it, I really ought to take a darn Lactaid tablet before I begin. That is, unless I like burping Zima, which I can assure you, I do not. (Sorry for the TMI - did I mention I'm exhausted? The Propriety Filter is always the first to go....)

So, for now, I shall at least answer the questions for the August Birthday Swap I'm participating in. Before I forget, or lose track of any more days. Oy!


What day is your birthday?

August 7

Are you crafty?

I have great aspirations. Unfortunately, I also have a smallish apartment and two toddlers, so most of my craft-urges go into knitting these days.

Would you enjoy things like: Buttons, ribbons and embellishments?

I love looking at those kinds of things, but they're rarely the kind of thing I actually find use for, I'm afraid.

Do you dye your own wool?

When I'm able, yes. I've been sticking to Kool-aid and Wilton food-color dyeing so far (again the toddlers and the small apartment). I do hope to some day branch into acid dyeing and the like.

Do you like to scrapbook or make homemade cards?

I don't, really, though I love looking at the supplies for them.

What small project would you be interested in making?

I love knitting socks. Hats, mittens, baby items and wash cloths are on my to-knit list too, though.

What are your favorite scents?

I looooove verbena, and I like citrusy and fruity scents as well.

Do you like stationary and cards?

Love them.

Do you like hand lotions or soaps?

Soaps, definitely. Hand lotions I'm picky about, but soaps? I loooove soaps.

Do you like to sew or embroider items?

I keep thinking about sewing, but haven't made it part of my life yet. I used to do cross-stitch, but it's kind of fallen by the wayside in recent years.

Do you like beads?

I love the idea, but have yet to use the ones I've already purchased (fickle me!).

What kind of mail-able snacks do you like to eat?

As my waistline can attest, I like just about all of them (black licorice is the only exception that comes readily to mind). I'm not nearly as well-traveled as I'd like, though, so I love to get things from other parts of the country/world - things I can't get here in Madison, WI, or things that are a specialty somewhere else.

Do you like to wear costume jewelry? Necklace, earrings, bracelets etc.

I don't wear jewelery as much as I used to, though funky casual things make me pretty darn happy.

Do you like to play cards or board games?

Oh yeah. We're gamer geeks around these parts, so cards and board games are always welcome here.

What are your favorite colors of yarn?

All of them? Seriously, I like pretty much all colors - though I am not fond of pastels.

Do you like solid, variegated, heathers, or self striping yarns?

Yes yes yes and yes. I like 'em all!

Do you like kitchen magnets or key rings?

I love kitchen magnets. Can never have too many.

Do you like picture frames?

Ooh, that reminds me, I should get those frames out of storage and put some photos in them finally... um... yeah, I think I'm good on picture frames for a while. grin.

Do you like to make/or use stitch markers?

I use stitch markers, but have never made any.

Do you collect anything?

I have been known, in the past, to say things like, "Oooh, it's got a turtle on it!" Also thistle-things. And canoe-things.

Do you have any allergies?
Smoke is not my friend. I'm technically allergic to cats, but don't tell my two calicos, all right?

Do you have any hobbies?

I dream of canoeing and swimming like I used to at camp, but mostly I read and write and knit. Oh, and I'm a total sci-fi nerd. Well, perhaps not TOTAL, but... no. Total. Total sci-fi nerd.

Do you like scented or unscented candles?

In theory, I'm very fond of candles of all sorts. In practice... I never light them unless the power has gone out.

Are you a fiber snob?

I do have an aversion to acrylic, mostly because it makes me smell bad (oh how I wish I were kidding!) So, um... I guess the answer is yes to this one.