(Photos coming later)

When I have a bit more energy, I'll photograph (some of) my purchases.

But it was a very very good day. It's a pity Longview is so far away (then again, perhaps not a pity as far as my bank account is concerned).

It was also really good to get to see Laura, and to spend the better part of the day talking to someone who was neither a co-worker nor a fellow volunteer for something at church, which are the two groups most of my conversations these days take place in. Your friends really do remind you of who you really are....and I honestly like who I really am, and I wish I didn't forget so easily who that person is.

Both owners of Stitches and Stuff (Sue and Frances) were there. Francis hugged both of us....I don't even go there that often, but she still hugged me. I liked that. I've ALWAYS felt welcome in that store, but getting hugged....it made me feel special, and I don't often feel special.

I got some sockweight yarn (a Berroco multicolor in lovely and different jewel tones) for a shawl, and a larger quantity of the fine-weight Ultra Alpaca in an aubergine color* for a cardigan, possibly a cabled cardigan. (I *may* have a pattern that would work, or, I can envision a cardigan that is otherwise plain but with just a small cable running down each of the fronts....I might even design something up if I can figure out how much cables pull in, and therefore how many more stitches to cast on)

(*I know, some of the color names I used are a little Rarity-ish. But really - why say "dark purple" when you can say "aubergine"?)

We went to Barron's for lunch....they have moved their cafe, not sure if it has more space now or not. I got their special pasta, which had Kalamata olives and marinated artichoke hearts (two things I should not eat because salt, but oh well). It was different and very good and I even ate the mushrooms in it without bad effect so I wonder if some of my food sensitivities are abating a little.

And a trip to Hastings (Laura found a couple of DVDs of shows she is collecting) where I got a tote bag with a giant happy Pinkie Pie on it - it will be yet another knitting bag. And a quick trip to Books a Million and to the Michael's. (I found yarn for Frost Flower - I think I will try out the filly crochet pattern on her, first - but I COULD NOT remember if Diamond Tiara was purple or if it was just her hair that was purple. (Just her hair. She is "pale magenta," which may be a hard color to find in an acrylic)

I also found Christmas presents for my brother and niece, which is definitely a bonus. (I already have something in mind for my sister-in-law and I just have to find a nice one - my goal is to have their presents ready to go at Thanksgiving when I see them, so they can take them back to their house - they don't travel over Christmas)

And yeah, I think I WILL go to BPAFF tomorrow. I didn't spend all of my "textbook money" (from doing chapter reviews). I got my Sunday School lesson done tonight so I don't have to do it tomorrow. (I am going to wait to go until after New Pony - meaning I can (a) eat lunch at home and save the sodium of yet another meal out and (b) It's the one called The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows and hints at a 'secret' involving Cadence and Shining Armor. The fan consensus is that the "secret" is that they are having a foal, which seems to make eminent sense, but that COULD be wrong. (lots of fans were assuming the CMC were not getting their marks until the very end of the season. And I know I once said I thought it would perhaps be a good final episode for the series....)