Thursday Thirteen: Guilty Pleasures

I don't really have guilty pleasures, mainly because I think guilt is a fairly useless emotion, so I work hard to squash it down if it ever shows itself. When people talk about guilty pleasures, I think they are talking about their own indulgences or things that society as a whole or more likely their own peer group would not approve of. So keeping with that definition, here are my thirteen guilty pleasures.
1. Purses-- I have tons of them. Beaded, leather, hand knitted, felted, sequined, quilted, you name it, I have a purse made of it. My very first knitting project was a simple felted bag, and I've made three more since. Generally, I never carry the same purse for more than a month or so. I love to buy purses and switch them out. I am about purses the way TV show women are about shoes.
2. Romance novels-- Most women my age don't read romance novels and even look down on other women who do. Whatever. I like emotional stories and I like happy endings. I read widely, in almost all genres. I read fiction primarily, but I like some nonfiction as well. I don't get why people have no problem telling others that they watched a romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan, but won't go near a romance novel. Is it the covers? Most of the books I read, I get from the public Talking Book Library, so I am never exposed to the covers, but I guess I can understand how those might put a person off. I like good writing that tells a compelling story. I'll read that book regardless of its genre or cover.
3. Telling people off-- I must admit, I get a twisted pleasure from putting the smackdown on some asshole who really deserves it either because of his/her attitude, behavior, or general stupidity.
4. Bloghopping
5. Sappy Christmas movies-- I already mentioned here that It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol are my favorites. I also like 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the cartoon with the mice, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
6. Classic country music-- It's awful, I know, but I love Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Sr., George Jones, and Loretta Lynn. I think that since I'm from Kentucky, this is acceptable.
7. Yarn-- The only kind of yarn I like is expensive, relatively speaking. I don't buy from the giant crafts stores, I prefer smaller, locally owned yarn shops that sell quality yarn. I take it by turns to by novelty yarns, 100% wool, specialty blends, and sometimes just whatever strikes my fancy. I am something of a penny pincher by nature, but when it comes to yarn, I know no limits. Fortunately, most of my family gets me gift certificates to my local yarn store for my birthday and for Christmas. That's how I support my habit.
8. Kid's sugar cereals-- I know that I should be eating total or Special K or something equally flavorless and fiber filled, but I just can't stomach it. When it's my turn to pick out the cereal, we are coming home with Cocoa Puffs, Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, or Fruit Loops. It's immature, but I can't help myself. Well, I probably could, but I don't.
9. I have a housekeeper-- Society tells me I should feel guilty about this, even though I don't. Michael and I both work full time, and vacuuming isn't tops on the list of things we want to do in our free time. I love my housekeeper. She is perhaps my favorite person in the world.
10. Cheese fries-- I know, I know, but yum!
11. Napping on the couch-- There is always something I could be doing, but sometimes there is just nothing like a cozy nap. This is perhaps my only truly guilty pleasure. I'm an overachiever, and there's just always some task to be conquered. I sometimes really do feel guilty about lying around on the couch for an entire evening, especially if Michael cooked dinner all by himself. He says he doesn't mind it though-- one more reason I love him.
12. Just now, I am seriously craving a chili dog, and I don't even think I like chili dogs. If I do have a chili dog, you can bet I will feel guilty about it.
13. Blogging at work-- Obviously, this isn't stopping me.