Perhaps a yarn diet

I am struggling with a hoarding addiction. It has taken over my thoughts. Sometimes my dreams. I waste precious work hours researching different varieties and their effects.

Two weeks ago, I made a sale with a local dealer. I made a connection with her last summer. She had some of her stash with her. She let me sample it. It was yummy. This month, I called on her to provide for me a specific order for a client of mine. Originally, I was to meet her at her business but we worked out a plan for me to meet her at her home at a specified time. I went to the bank because she preferred cash. I drove around a bit completing errands and got a little turned around while trying to find her house. When I entered her home she explained that her stash was upstairs and that I should tell her what I am seeking and she will bring to me samples. Someone else came by while I was there. The other customer went to the back door. the seller excused herself for a few minutes. After about 15 minutes I left her home with my Conjoined Creations hank for my swap partner.

I would love to write that I haven't purchased any yarn since. I had forgotten that I placed a bid on a hank of Ebay yarn for the same swap partner. Within a week, I had two hanks of similar yarn for her. What a mess. I should also admit that I bought a third hank for the swap early in January. It was this super cool artyarn. After I received her questionnaire I decided to purchase a different style of yarn for her. So three hanks later, I have to decided which one she will receive.

I figured that last year I spent more than $600 on yarn. Just yarn. If I combine beer, vodka and rum with shoe purchases for this year, I fall short. The only costs that rival my yarn purchases are my allergy shots and related appointments and meds. I have seriously considered giving up on the allergy treatment regimen. Definitely not the beer, vodka, rum or shoes but I could do without the shots and just take the pills. Despite this, for 2009 I have resolved to significantly cut back on my clothing purchases. Oh dear. I am talking about money when I began talking about yarn.

There is a reason for that. I have rationalized that I could have in my possession a new ceiling fan, a new floor rug, a new hair color, and a paid off furniture bill.

So along with my resolution to refrain from buying new clothes until I lose ten pounds, I have decided to stop buying yarn until I buy things that I need for the house or pay off a bill. The third resolution was to begin to use my stash before buying more yarn.

One resolution will probably remain unbroken until the department store inventory sales at the end of this month. The second resolution was never considered as viable. The third resolution was a lie.

I suppose if I continue to buy yarn, I could take the money from my lunch and grocery budget. I would lose weight and still have my fiber.

Admittedly all the yarn I have purchased in 2009 was for projects for friends, family and swaps. So technically, I am not hoarding additional yarn for myself. Oh, I forgot about the glorious yarn I purchased from Japan. It is so pretty. Here take a look at it. One day, one day soon, i am going to attempt those gloves.

I am terrible at holding back. I wanted to make a Dummy Clapotis for my mother. Instead of using stash yarn of which I had a lot, I ordered extra balls of a yarn that I liked from and Ebay vendor. Of course, I forgot that I ordered the extra balls, decided to use another stash yarn of which I had plenty on hand. Now I have yarn arriving next week that will be added to my still growing stash.

This weekend my aunt who is recovering from knee surgery asked me to take her out of the house. Cabin fever had hit her hard. We went to a tea shop. I thought fiber artists had an expensive habit. Tea enthusiasts spend crazy money. My aunt spent $34 in half an hour on I loose leaf tea. She purchased two ounces of this fabulous blend for me. I am resisting the urge to buy more because I can't afford another passion.