The local yarn store is where you go when you want high-end stuff--or if you have money and want to support local. Michael's and Jo-Ann's will get you decent stuff cheap, especially if you look for sales and coupons. Signing up for their rewards programs is very lucrative.

Are you sensitive to all acrylics? There are some very nice, soft, snuggly ones out there.

edit: also consider looms, if you have trouble with the needles. My arthritic hands just can't cope with the needles.

also re: knitting--if you have nice discount places like Til Tuesday, check in there. I picked up some silk/cotton yarn for a third of what the yarn store would ask.

Home or work?

Me? Home. We have a tiny glassed-in front porch that I think would be just fine with some bats and stuff on it. But then also should I try to carve a pumpkin elaborately?

My department is basically falling apart. The big boss just came and grabbed me as a senior person to make a decision, because he couldn't find anyone else and he's trapped in a huge project. It had literally nothing to do with my job or areas of expertise, but dammit, I made that decision!

Sewer tomatoes: [link] Just awesome. I guess you feed them to ninja turtles?

It's a C.H.U.D. garden.

I guess you feed them to ninja turtles?

Or CHUD who like a side dish.

Ooh, glassed-n porch with bats, yes! And I say go for the pumpkin with the caveat that if you don't like it or whatever you can just compost it. Or eat it. Whatever.

I don't have a plausible explanation for coworkers as to where I have been for a month. Advice?

And now for something completely different: Socks That Look Like Intestines Are Wrapped Around Your Legs and Feet

Allyson - undefined health scare that you don't really want to talk about? When DH went into rehab he came up with an elaborate story to tell his co-workers, some rare syndrome needing a hyperbaric chamber or something. That always struck me as way more effort than he needed to put into it. It's not really anyone's business.

I don't have a plausible explanation for coworkers as to where I have been for a month. Advice?

It's none of their damn business.

I say word it like this, "Thank you for your concern. I had some private health issues."

I would just lean on the private and hope that they are clueful enough to understand that's a Do Not Enter sign conversationally.