Massaging Insoles and a Starfish

So, I went to the Washington Home and Garden Show last Friday for my annual ritual of looking at the beautifully designed garden scenes and shopping.  I have to say, I think the industry has been very hard hit in this economy -- this has to have been the smallest show to date :-(  Many vendors whom I had seen in years past did not return, and there were probably only 4 or 5 displays (down from at least 10 in years past).  But, of course, I still managed to have my wedding rings cleaned (with a jewelry paste that I ended up purchasing), to treat my feet to some massaging insoles (had planned to just get one pair for my husband, but of course the discount came when 2 or more pairs were purchased), and to get a starfish ring (quite lovely, isn't it?!)

Ugh, looking at my fingers in this picture, I probably should have bought the Moisturizing Aloe Lotion too, ha!

I should be saving my pennies for the upcoming Metro Area Yarn Crawl in DC/Maryland/Virginia from April 9th through 16th!  I've got to plan out how I'm going to hit up 7 out of the 10 participating stores and take advantage of my 20% discounts :-)  I'm probably going to be teaching a special class at Looped during that time also  The challenge -- Filmfest DC is going on at the same time, and I'm always running from movie to movie during those evenings too.  Such a shame that I haven't learned how to crochet in the dark -- mmmmmm.......

Combat Knitters

Great article in today's Washington Post about the "Combat Knitters" in Afghanistan and a group in Virginia who's been shopping at Fibre Space and shipping boxes of yarn to the knitters!  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030905233.html  Of course, I'm sad that we're not talking about "Combat Crocheters" (even has a better ring to it!), but hey, hard to complain in this situation ...

And, tomorrow is my annual pilgrimage to the Washington Home and Garden Show at the convention center.  I just love seeing all the beautiful gardens and landscaped backyard displays, then wandering through the marketplace looking at all the live info-mercials!  Yes, I admit it, it's a guilty pleasure to get sucked in by all these products that are going to change my life ;-)  I have to say, except for one or two duds, I usually come away with some useful stuff.  One year, I had to call my husband and have him come meet me with the car because I couldn't carry everything!  But, the last few years actually have been a bit sparser in offerings.  I think the economy has hit this sector pretty hard.  Well, I will report back about my finds.