Economic Infusion

My best friend Fanette and I gave the economy a transfusion yesterday.  We bled money while the shop owners at a local outdoor mall smiled and joked with us.  Everywhere we went, we were offered on the spot credit cards for a 20% immediate discount.  Huh?  In part, isn't that how we got into this economic debacle to begin with?  We politely declined the strong arm tactics of the sales staff.  In the end, it always costs more than the savings to go that route.

Perfect shoes were high on Fanette's wish list.  She wanted to exchange a pair of black,  pointy toed stilettos for a gray pair.  I'd have returned them for something clunky and comfortable.  In the end, she kept her original purchase.  While wandering through one department store's shoe section, she was heard to gush the words, "I love shoes."  There was such affection in her voice that I had to laugh.  It was as though she were talking about the perfect man.  Yes, she really does love shoes, with a capital L.  I used to love shoes too, but now, I mostly just love yarn.

How awful is it that I've not seen my best friend since a quick dinner one night in July?   Or maybe, it was June.  We talk all the time but now that we're on opposite work schedules, there just isn't enough time to hook up.  In August, her dad got sick while they were on vacation in California.  Since then, she's burned the candle at both ends taking care of her business and her dad's.  I recall that squeeze myself and it's so tough.  We didn't even get to meet up for her birthday in August.  Gee, I'm a pathetic friend.  I tried to make up for it by knitting the perfect pair of socks.  I also got her the perfect bottle of perfume.  I think it's all good now.  Those are her socks in Mountain Color's Bearfoot in the Ruby River colorway.  Bearfoot is incredibly luscious stuff to knit and wear.  She gave me a skein for my birthday in the Crazy Woman colorway.  I'm going to use the Crazy woman to knit these same socks for my own feet, thinking of the friend who gave me the yarn to create them when I do.  

Better than all of the spending and immediate gratification that shopping provides, was the time spent with a real friend.   It's important to keep our friends close and cherish the times we do get to spend with them.  As usual, it didn't seem like it was all that long since we got together and we made a promise that it wouldn't be this long before we did this again.  We had perfect summer like weather and a great time.  It really doesn't get better than that.