But Everything Is a Dollar!!!

I'm a sucker for the Dollar Store.  And, with the holidays upon us, I'm even more easily seduced by its siren song.  No.  I don't do my Christmas shopping at the Dollar Store.  Although, I must admit that if I thought I could get away with it, I'd probably do it in a heartbeat.  

But, I know I'd get caught.  This is sort of how things work in my world. 

You can't beat it for boxes, ribbons and cute little package toppers, though.  This is the kind of place that satisfies my need to embellish with wild abandon and still have money left over for purchasing gifts that reflect my true affection for people.  That would be more than a dollar, just for the record.  I like my friends and family for the most part. 

However. I am in between paychecks at the moment so I decided to put my disposable income towards food and kitty litter rather than wander through the Store Of Cheap Goods.  The plan was to go to the grocery store bright and early, thus avoiding the temptation of the Dollar Store that lurks next door but which doesn't open until 9:00.  I would triumph over my desire to purchase irregular tube socks and oddly shaped plastic tree ornaments.  Yup.  My new motto is:  The Early Sheep Catches The Penny Saved And Eats A Worm...or something like that.

But, I got a little distracted by the joys of lolling about in the early morning hours, I'm afraid.  I enjoyed that second cup of coffee.  I chatted with the engaging Rabbitch.  I watched a few cartoons.  In short, I let the morning get away from me and, before I knew it, the 9:00 hour had arrived.  I'd missed the early shopping window.  

Which is how I ended up spending $25.00 at the Dollar Store.  But, I found some really cute little tins for packaging up edible goodies and some cinnamon sticks that will be perfect to go with the oranges and lemons I'm drying right now.  What can I say?  I am weak in the face of a dollar-based pricing system.  And besides, can you really put a price on a nice, relaxing morning?

I'll find some sort of support group after the holidays.  Meanwhile, let's set aside this unpleasant addition to my list of obsessions and look at a sock, shall we?  

I may be a Dollar Store addicted lay-about, but I can still make some progress on a sock if I put my mind to it.

It's a bit more clear now how the decreases in the cuff change up the patterning a bit.  But, I still think that the fit will more than make up for that.  In theory, I'll have a less constricting experience at the calf, while still enjoying a smooth fit at the the ankle.  I do hate ankle baggage, you see.  This, of course, remains pure theory.  I haven't tried them on or anything crazy like that.  And I do believe that Sockotta's cotton content is going to lead to some loss of fiber memory no matter what I do.  But, I love the crisp look of the stitches and I think that these will ultimately be pretty comfy even if the fit doesn't quite work out as planned.  You can't get that for a dollar, that's for sure!  Even I can admit that...

Lastly, thanks for the good feedback on Thursday's post regarding children and the protection of personal information.  That's one of those topics that sort of fell into my lap that day, frankly.  It is also one that might lead readers to think we should all live in a state of high alert and fear.  But, that is never my intention.  Quite the opposite, really.  I have been an educator and counselor to families and children for many, many years now.  In that storied career, I've worked with both victims and offenders.  (and many who fall into both categories by the time they reach adulthood)  It's kind of my job to be a little paranoid.  But, I don't teach that.  Instead, I preach empowerment.  I think that the whole point of living smart is to avoid having to live in fear.  The world is a pretty good place (yes, I really do believe that) and it doesn't have to be scary at all.  

Unless, of course, you are me and have given in to your two great obsessions in one week.  For those of you keeping track, there has been one Underpants Purchasing Incident (bringing my current total back up to somewhere around 40) and a Dollar Store Detour.  This is scary, indeed!

SA