November's Siren Song, revisited

Purchased a few days ago, from a local discount/closeout clothing store (think TJ Maxx, only better):

1 lightweight windbreaker/rain jacket, in Carolina blue
1 reversible trench coat, with matching hat

Both (all 3?) for under $40. Woo-hoo!

The gf will be so impressed! After buying new shoes several months ago, I've moved on to coats. Ok, I've moved back to coats (remember this post or even this one?) I now have a reasonable winter coat, a casual rain jacket, and a "grown up" 3 season rain coat. So long 20 year old coats! My wardrobe is moving into the 21st Century.

Yay me!

Friendly Knitting, Part I

Today I went to my office to catch up on paper- and lab-work. I was excited to finish, because I wanted to go to a local yarn shop which I learned about on Ravelry. The shop has a lovely website and I was eager to check it out, and perhaps even to pick up a nice pattern book or novelty item.

HOWEVER (and you knew this was coming, right?), that didn't happen. Oh, I made it to the shop with no problem. Mapquest was accurate, for once.

It was a small, homey shop just as I'd expected. It was even busy- full of women sitting in comfy chairs and on sofas, knitting. 2 young women entered the shop just before me, full of purpose: one of them needed help with a project.

I strolled in, and began looking around. The shop has adorable buttons and some metal needles I hope to get in the not-too-distant future. But not one of those women spoke to me. And no, I didn't sit down and try to engage anyone in conversation. I did loiter a bit, hoping to be noticed. Alas, everyone was too busy with their own project/conversation.

I didn't find yarn I felt compelled to buy. I'm not ready for the metal needles. I don't need buttons. So, I left.

There are a couple of other yarn shops in the area. I'll check them out too, just to see what other my other options are. Maybe I'll find someplace a little less busy and less, well, intimidating.