Addictions

I have an addiction (depending on how you count/classify it could be multiple addictions). No matter what, I want more - more of everything. I can't stop....

When I started this blog, I was going to use it to document my withdrawal. I guess I couldn't admit that I had an addiction so I wrote about the train instead (either that or I was so furious at the MBCR / MBTA that day that I couldn't think about anything else).

Now a few hundred dollars later, I have hit rock bottom and will admit I am addicted to craft supplies. This is where the counting / classification comes in. I have a stash, multiple stashes actually. I have more stuff than any person could finish in a lifetime and I keep buying more. Sometimes I think my car knows the way to the stores and goes there on its own. It doesn't help that there are at least 5 nice quilt shops within 20 miles of my house or that Michaels is a mile away and Joann's is 3 miles. My brain says - you just need two green zippers and I walk out with 8 yards of Amy Butler drapery weight fabric (50% off - who could resist) and two each of every color 9" zipper the store carries (because if I have to go back for a yellow zipper I may just buy those beautiful quilting remnants for $3.59 yard).

So I'm starting resolution over again - no more stuff, use what I have, no zippers, trim, linings, thread, nothing. No peltex (although how I'm going to make that new bag without the peltex I don't know), batting, nothing. No craft stores of any kind until vacation in July - surely I can go two months?

No jewelry supplies - I have enough to make dozens of earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Sterling silver - nope, the bead show this weekend - absolutely not. Need more beading thread - make a chain necklace instead.

No knitting supplies - finish the bags, use the kool-ade dyed yarn, wind the beautiful brown yarn and make that sweater. Don't like the yarn - donate it to someone else.

No scrapbook supplies - start the boy's graduation books, use the paper, labels, stickers, ribbons, everything that I already have. Need something - make do.

No cross stitch - to be honest this one is easy, I have stitched in years but I still have all the supplies. This is the year I'm either going to start again or get rid of it...

The needlepoint canvas I bought because they were Boston landmarks will find a new home, I just don't like needlepoint enough to ever finish them.

The bucket o' buttons - maybe I can't go to auctions anymore. No more vintage tins full of trim, buttons, and thread.

The first step is admitting you have a problem - right?

Commuter Rail

I don't ask for much - I want:

A train that is on time. If its supposed to arrive in South Station at 7:23, it should. No more excuses - if MBTA / MBCR can't fix the problem update the schedule to be more realistic.

A parking lot that is free of ice and snow before the first train leaves in the morning. There are 373 parking spaces in Grafton, assuming that 350 spaces are used per day at $2 each that's $700 per day x 20 days per month x 12 months per year = $168,000. There should be more than enough money to pay for the upkeep of the parking lot and pay the attendant who picks up the money. The last two times it snowed the snow plows were working at 6:00 am - the train leaves at 6:18. Logic says its a lot easier to clean an empty parking lot than one with people driving around trying to find a parking space without getting hit by the plow.

The truth - if the train is going to be 15 minutes late say so - don't tell me 5 minutes. It can get pretty cold standing on the platform waiting for a late train. If you tell me the train will be 15 minutes late - I'll probably go sit in my car. I can't do that if its 5 minutes.