Those are the two words to describe me for the last five days. I was run over by a very nasty cold and haven’t been able to function since. It started out as a “yucky”-feeling sore throat and developed into a blowing and hacking cold. I had no idea so much junk could come out of one head. I’ve used up almost three boxes of Puffs Plus with Lotion and numerous cups of water and tea. Bryan has been so sweet, despite the sleepless nights. I’m ready for this to be over, I’m ready to function like a normal, healthy human being and be able to lie down in bed without coughing so much that I wake up my husband every time. It’s been a very bad cold and I have one way I know I’m really sick – I don’t feel the least bit like knitting.

Once I am in my normal state, I will post again. I have things to talk about: 1. My sister visited over the Labor Day weekend; 2. My job at the bookstore; 3. Knitting progress before illness.

I’ve joined Secret Pal 6 and am very excited about it.

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Yes and not afraid to admit it, admitting your a yarn snob is the first step to glorious fibery feasts. I try to avoid anything that I hate knitting with. After learning to spin my tastes have snobbified even more.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I spin. I bought a spinning wheel in mid-April and it’s become my new obsession and it’s a different kind of relaxation that knitting isn’t. My ideas of Sleeping Beauty as a child are much different now.
I only crochet when necessary but I don’t hate it.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Smoke and strong perfumes.

4. How long have you been knitting?
It will be 10 magical years in October. Goodness, I’ve knit nearly a 1/3 of my life.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Oh, I have an Amazon list that keeps growing.

6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, orange, grapefruit

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
A bit, but I have to avoid sugar and any “unnatural sweeteners.” My husband and I use brown rice syrup and maple syrup for sweeteners. Yes, it is possible to live without sugar, NutraSweet and Splenda despite all of the cute ads on tv.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I also do rubberstamping, but all of that is packed away in a closet in a box from our recent move. Who knows when I’ll actually get my stamps out again. I’m enjoying an office that is clutter-free at the moment.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Alternative/Modern rock/College. None of these labels really describe what I like. In college, it was alternative before alternative became “cool.”
Currently listening to: Metric (!!-they have a new album out in late September!!), Stars, Eisley, Ron Sexsmith
Favorite bands: Throwing Muses, Kristin Hersh, Metric, Stars, Postal Service, Patty Griffin

10. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
Green. I LOVE the rich colors of fall – deep greens, burgundy, blues. Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the colors of the leaves and the coolness and crispness of a fall late afternoons.
I’m not fond of basic pale yellow, although, it’s lovely if mixed with green.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I’m married to a wonderful, bald, library student. We celebrate our first ever wedding anniversary on September 18. Being married is more wonderful than I imagined. We have to absolutely crazy kitties who allow us to live with them as long as they are fed on time.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
I, too, want to be a librarian. I applied to school for this fall, but didn’t get in. That won’t stop me from volunteering to prove that I really want to be a librarian.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
This is hard, I used to love Rowan yarns and love the Rowan yarns that I own. The crazier Rowan yarns aren’t my favorites. I love classic yarns. I’ve yet to knit with my own handspun yarn but I’m sure it will be my favorite. If this question asked fibers I like to knit with – I would have to say, soft wools/merinos, cashmere and silk blends are lovely too.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Acrylic. Polyester. Eyelash yarns. I still don’t get the appeal of some of the “furry” yarns but some new knitters can’t wait to knit with them.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Shawls and socks. I am still working on a shawl that I started three years ago, but it will be done eventually. I love the look of shawls more than knitting them but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming. To fulfill my lace desire, I’ll knit little things like a lace headband, a shrug for my sister and the ever quick scarf.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Unfortuately, I don’t have one and have many different items in the works. I love making sweaters, scarves, socks, mittens and hats.

17. What are you knitting right now?
Um, let’s see.
A secret blanket.
The warmest hat ever for my husband is nearly finished, I just need to do the seams.
A pair of socks for my husband, they are a “Congrats on getting a great library assistantship” gift.
A green sweater for me out of eight different hand-painted yarns, it seemed like a great idea at first but now I’m more than 3/4 finished with the back and can’t stop now.
A shawl for me that I started in August 2002 before I met my husband.
The Hobo sweater that will eventually get done one of these days. It’s a beautiful sweater and I love working on it but I can’t make myself work on it for some reason. Something is always more exciting.
It’s the shortest list I’ve had in years.

18. What do you think about ponchos?
They wouldn’t look good on me and I would much rather knit something that will be in style in a few years.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular. Straight needles make my hands hurt.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Used to love bamboo, moving towards an addiction to Addis.

21. Are you a sock knitter?
Oh, yes, and I have the sock yarn to prove it.

22. How did you learn to knit?
Ten years ago, my senior year of college, one of my roommates wanted me to take a knitting class with her. I wasn’t sure about it because only old ladies knit. Boy, was I wrong, the oldest person in my knitting class was about 40. A wonderful Brazilian woman named Angela taught me to knit in my first knitting class at the Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas. I have such fond memories of the snow in Lawrence and going into the cozy store to knit.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I have more long-term things going right now than ever before and I hate to admit how long I’ve been knitting them. My oldest UFO is the Hobo sweater – I started it in May 2002.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I love Gromit from Wallace & Gromit, I love that Gromit knits. Does he knit Wallace’s vests? And only Wallace could invent the Knit-o-Matic. I also love Curious George, my cat is named after him. I also love sheep now that I’m a spinner.

25. What is your favorite holiday?
September 18. It’s my wedding anniversary. The first is coming up and it’s been a wonderful year. That day was truly a magical day.

26. Is there anything that you collect?
Books, fiber and yarn. We don’t have the space so the collecting has had to be cut drastically. That doesn’t mean I can’t make space for a few more things in the shelves. :)

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Rowan, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and Knitters

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
A Gathering of Lace
Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. I love the bag on the front.
Twisted Sisters
25 Bags to Knit
You can see what books I own in my knitting library. And what books I would love to have on my Amazon list.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven’t bought for one reason or another??
I do love the new ChicKnits Cutaway sweater. Several of the lace scarves from HeartStrings.

30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I wear a size 5 – 5 1/2 US (8 1/4 inches, 21 cm).
Check out this cool foot-sock calculator.

My heart goes out to everyone who has been effected by Hurricane Katrina. The people of New Orleans and Mississippi are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I’ve never visited New Orleans but am so sad to see what has happened to this great city. Bryan and I have already done what we can by donating to the American Red Cross. You can donate through Amazon.com.

I have been very busy with my bookstore job. I will post after the Labor Day holiday.