I so need this....

Wow. So glad to find I am not the only one with a growing stash... I had reality hit a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to put away all the boxes of yarn and I had to go out and buy under beds storage containers. When the first two didn't contain things, I had to get two more, and that doesn't count the two large tubs I "allow" myself. Clearly things are a little out of control. My excuse(s)? My beau decided to return to school and has moved. I am staying put with housemates to hold down the fort (the house we own together) until this educational thing is over with (we aren't splitting, just living apart for a while). So now that I don't have to answer any questions about the boxes that show up (did I mention that I was stashing the stash so there wouldn't be any comments from him on the, um, robustness of my yarn collection?), and to deal with the stress of change, I started buying LOTS of yarn. Unfortunately, I am a miserably slow knitter....

My weaknesses:
1. As I said, miserably slow
2. Job that has me in front of a computer all day long - who can resist a quick scan of the sales?
3. Many friends having babies..... I want to make cute things for them ALL!
4. A lot more enthusiasm than time or skill (substituting yarn, changing stitch patterns, etc - I always give it a shot, and end up pulling things out or being totally lukewarm about the results).
5. I buy lots of yarn on sale, thinking, I can make something with this!! (without a pattern in mind, so I end up looking for patterns in that gauge, which require more or less yarn, etc.)
5. Alpaca and llama fibers, silk, merino..... yum.

My goals:
1. To knit from my stash all summer (with the much needed support of others!! THANKS!)
2. To build skills and increase speed so that I can actually finish those baby sweaters before the child is in college.... and knit something more interesting than scarves and hats....
3. Find a use for or get rid of the stuff I don't like...

My exceptions:
1. All bets are off on yard sales.... some of those bargains are just too good to pass up.
2. If I really need another ball to finish a project in progress...
3. That's it. really.

My reward:
1. Hmmm. Seems counter productive to go on a yarn buying spree, though that is what I would really like to do.... Perhaps I will reserve my decision until later and decide between a yarn spree or a body wrap at my local day spa.... (though I find the yarn lasts much longer.....)

This weekend I made the great discovery that ripping apart projects you are no longer interested in can be a GREAT experience. I ripped out 2 or 3 things that were just dogs and not going anywhere. It's one way to finish a project!!