Darn (Kn)It!

I've picked up knitting again after a hiatus. It's funny, I had absolutely no interest in knitting but was forced to learn when I company I used to work for began a knitting catalog. I'm still not very good (though we have many lovely scarves around the house), but am determined to learn to knit socks. I've always heard how comfortable they are, and since I can rarely find socks without bulky seams at the toe (which drive me absolutely INSANE), I really want to learn this skill. After much research, trial and error (MANY errors), I think I have it! I actually made a sock. Well, almost....I made MOST of a sock...then I ripped it out. I meant to take a picture of it to post before I ripped it out BUT I FORGOT! Why did I rip it out? Well, it was clearly a sock, but not necessarily a sock that I would want to wear out in public. It was a learning sock, a first sock project, so it had its "quirks," shall we say. But I am determined, and will cast on another sock tomorrow.

SCORE!!

I hate to shop, but I desperately wanted to start a new knitting project today and did not have the right size needles, so off I went. First stop--knitting store. I decided to splurge on the good, expensive needles, because they can make knitting so much easier. Then I spotted a book that I wanted--an easy, humorous read that would be the perfect break from reading all those boring textbooks. So I decided to get that as well. After spending twice what I had planned I left the knitting shop and headed home. On the way, I thought about some shoes that I have recently seen three different women wearing. They are the same shoes that I owned, loved, and wore to death several years ago. I remember being very upset when they wore out, because I couldn't find a replacement. Since I would be passing by the outlet mall where I bought them years ago I figured I would stop in and see if they were selling them again. Surprise! Not only did they have them, in TWO different colors, they were were also having a huge sale! 60% off the lowest marked price, and then 20% on top of that. I picked up a black pair. When I got to the register the cashier mentioned that if I donated a dollar cash to breast cancer I would get another 25% off! Having a breast cancer scare myself just a few months ago I gladly donated $2 in order to get the extra discount off both pairs of shoes. When she rang it up and I saw the total I nearly died...$50 for two pairs of shoes that originally went for $70 each! On my way out the door I spied a pair of boots that looked a lot like some that I had admired in a magazine a few days ago, so I ran out to my car to search for some change (since I had spent the whole $2 cash I had in my wallet), ran back into the store, and bought the boots with all the same discounts. I got $110 boots for just $39!
OK, I'll admit that the shoes are fugly, but they are comfy as heck and I'm on my feet all day. The boots are really cute with jeans and they're weatherproof--good for these New England winters.
It was a good shopping day!

On-line Friends

It's amazing to me that many people still don't realize how close you can become to people on the internet. I have two dear friends that I have been corresponding with for several years now on almost a daily basis. We all met on a weight loss message board and it took off from there. We began emailing each other separately from the board, and it quickly turned into a close knit friendship. We confide in each other, give each other advice, and pray for each other. I honestly would be lost without these two beautiful women in my life, even though I have actually never met them in person. I know one day we will!
On the other hand, there is a whole group of women that I met on a scrapbooking message board whom I have met in person several times. Once or twice a year we meet up at a scrapbooking shop in CT (the others seem to think this is a mid-point for our meetings, but being one of the northernmost gals I know this is not the truth--I am happy to drive the distance though!). We spend 12 hours laughing, talking, laughing, eating, laughing, scrapping (a little), and shopping (a lot). I look forward to these visits and am never disappointed!
The internet--some people believe it is responsible for the demise of social behavior as we know it--I know otherwise.