I’m Beautiful Like Me.

Today, my friend P and I hung out for the first time (I swear it is the very first time ever) sans children while also being sober. We have such a hard time collaborating our schedules to hook up. She’s on vacation this week, though and promised to kick it with me, even if just for a bit.

She called last night and we planned to check out one of the local yarn stores (LYS) since she wants me to knit her a pair of socks. We also intended on getting coffee and perusing the nearby Goodwill.

We head out to the LYS. It was delicious in there! So many yummy yarns to touch and I wanted to take them all home. The air in there was a bit stiff, however, and I got a couple of sideways glances from the lady running the place ’cause I just had to touch everything. P held back and I looked at her with sheer befuddlement: “Why aren’t you touching?!”

Afterwards, we went to Java, a little coffee shop just next door. The owner was super friendly and made a damn fine mocha latte. I was disappointed that I couldn’t smoke on the patio, though. I quickly drained my mug and we decided to hit the other yarn store across the bridge in Indiana. We had such a hard time deciding on yarn. Plus, earlier this week, Sonnie sent me an email invite to the Knit Night at the LYS where she works part-time, complete with 20% coupon for yarn. We didn’t have the coupon with us, but I planned to attend the Knit Night later and this way, we could make a more informed decision about yarn for socks.

The word about town is that Grinny Possum is the place to go for all one’s yarn needs because it just the best place.

Well, that is not entirely true…

We walked in to this comfortable (and delicious!) place after calling Husband for directions and I looked for Sonnie. A friendly face waved from the back to welcome us in. I inquired about Sonnie and was told by the lady that she was off today due to an appointment. I asked the woman if she was the owner of the place and she smiled, nodded and introduced herself as Anne. I introduced myself and the rest, as they say, is history.

It was like coming home!

We had a quirky banter between us and she was kind enough to indulge my lust for the texture of yarn. I’d find something I really liked and she would run off to get something similar she knew I’d love. I even got to meet the beautiful Mach 1 in person! Before it was all said and done, I offered to move in and work for yarn. She simply warned that it would be “dangerous.”

Poor P must’ve felt so left out after the first half-hour passed. I really appreciate her patience with me today considering how hard it is for us to find time to get together.

P decided on a yarn and gave me some cash for later and gave me extra for buying myself some sock yarn as a birthday gift (wooohooo! …erm, but that means choosing. Damn! There are so many great ones!)

P and I went to lunch, chatted a bunch and wrapped up our time together. I love you, girl. Thanks for hanging out with me.

Around 7pm, I headed out for Knit Night. It started at 6pm, but I wanted to wait until the downtown traffic abated. When I arrived, it again felt like coming home. There were a whole mess of women-folk in there knitting and crocheting, including several of the usual Tuesday night crowd. It was a great and sisterly atmosphere.

And there was food! And diet coke!

I told Anne that she was never going to get rid of me.

Sonnie, Anne and one of the other ladies helped me continue my sock. I turned my very first heel *squeeeee* and learned how to pick up stitches for the start of the gusset. It is dorky as hell to be so thrilled about a little cup forming before one’s eyes, but good gravy, I’m excited! I stayed until about quarter ’til 11pm. I had a great time and wish it happened more often than the last Friday of every month. I can’t wait until next month!

So you see, Grinny Possum isn’t *just* the place to go for all one’s yarn need. It really is so much more. It’s like coming home.

Having just turned the heel - it really is happiness!

Having picked up my gussets (where I am now).

With Anne