How one thing can fix a mess

It's been a cruddy few weeks. Mack got sick and I got sick and then I went to the doctor and had a biopsy and the car's been going down hill so, suffice to say, all those conjunctions made for a long stretch of "Ugh!".

This is why it was a GREAT surprise to go to the mailbox and find a package from my Coffee Swap partner, Simone.



Here's what it looked like after being opened. I almost didn't get to open it myself. Why?



My inspector. As soon as I got in the house and he saw the package, he was up on his hind legs sniffing with profound intent. These were new scents. Imported scents. As soon as he inhaled the outside, he began beating on the package with his forelegs, demanding I put it down and let him open it. Sadly, his request was denied as, we've discussed before, only creatures with thumbs get to open packages. He'd also like it if everyone ignored the little semi-naked spot on his right foreleg. He's a touch selfconcious of where the vet had him shaved for his IV.

I love socks. I love socks a lot. I have at least one pair of socks in the works at all times. This yarn is destined to become Jaywalkers, I think. Not only did I get kickin' colors, but I got something I'm amazed I've managed without this long.



See the little jeweled bits? Those are stitch markers. I've been knitting since I was 12 and I've never owned markers. It's not that I haven't thought about it. I see them in the shop and I tell myself I ought get a pair, but never do. I don't know why. I do that a lot, though. Little things I never buy for myself. Big things I grab at whim, but little things that make life easier and, hell, are just fun, I skimp on. Up until now, I've been marking my stitches with leftover yarn tied in slip knots. Pfft. No more! I have pretty, schnazzy markers.



Since it was a coffee swap, I of course, got coffee. Not only that, it's South African coffee. I brewed the Peacock brand just an hour ago and have killed a pot. And since I have two other packages to go through, I'm thrilled. I love samplers.
Also, there was a packet of shortbreads. Note the past tense. Gone. Eaten and enjoyed.



I also have two packages of South African specialties. One is of biltong and the other package is of droewors. The inspector has inspected both and is looking forward to a more solid investigation tomorrow.



I also got bookmarks. I read like a fiend and keep marking pages with paper scraps. Much like the stitch markers, another thing I skimp on. No more, once more!


I did not get as proper a photo of this as I wished as the envelope is just clever.

All in all, this erased a bad week. I'm taking notes, because this is how to do a swap right. I'm spoiled and thrilled and thankful!