Weekend FTW

So, I've had a pretty awesome weekend thus far.

Last night was my final Happy Hour before I head out of town for the summer. I went out intending to spend time with people and enjoy the evening rather than heading home early as I often do, but things started out slow. I was on the edge of giving up and going home disappointed when the evening took a turn for the absolutely awesome. Somehow I found myself at a vintage/thrift shop owned by a friend of a friend; the shop is closing in a few days (boo!) and the owner has turned this weekend into a farewell sale/party. And I do mean party: Imagine, if you will, a thrift shop with an open bar and appetizers. (It turns out it's hard to shop for clothes with a beer in one hand. It is, however, a lot more fun.) I spent about $50 and got two adorable dresses, several shirts, some orange-scented organic sunscreen that I tested out today and can give a hearty thumbs-up, hair kerchiefs for fieldwork, and a pair of high-heeled suede boots that are terribly, terribly sexy. We hung out there till around eleven, chatting with folks and just generally had a good time.

Three beers in six hours, it turns out, is a good ratio for me: It doesn't get me drunk, which I don't really enjoy, but it's sufficient to get me over my shyness at speaking with strangers. I met some very fine folks last night.

Three beers in six hours, however, does not mean I shouldn't drink water before bed. I learned this in the morning, not because I was at all hung over, but because about 0.2 seconds after regaining consciousness, my right calf viciously cramped up. I sent the cats bolting from the bed with my scream, and they had to wait to be fed until I could hobble to the living room like an old lady to dish out their Iams. My damn leg is still sore. (Oh, yeah: Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps. Right. I'll remember that next time. :P)

Today was the annual Double Decker Festival: Arts and crafts and music and an all-round good time. I volunteered at the merchandise tent in the morning and at the candy shop in the afternoon, and had several hours in-between to visit the shops and eat fair food. (Yay, fair food!) whisperflight came down from Memphis to hang out and shop with me. Yay!

A lot of the crafts are out of my price range, but I don't begrudge the artists now that I've made a couple of baskets. The talent and the time that goes into those things are amazing! The coolest thing I saw today were wire-wrought spiders with polished-stone bodies, their legs tipped with tiny hooks so they'll actually cling to a trellis or hanging plant. I didn't buy one, but they were terribly clever. I did nab several pottery pieces that I fell absolutely in love with. I also got zoonut a belated birthday gift, and my mom an early Mother's Day gift (I think she just needs to resign herself to getting a handcrafted vase of some sort every year. Double Decker always falls JUST at the time I'm wondering what to get her...).

I went home for dinner and an OMG MY FEET ARE KILLING ME break, then got lured back out to the Square for the late-night music and dancing. I got to catch up with sonicshadow and urieloblivious - thanks for stopping by! - and I am now exhausted and slightly sunburnt and my legs are going to mutiny on me at any moment and I am just very, very happy.

And it is way, way past time for bed.

Tomorrow morning I play at church, then start packing for Florida. I leave town in less than a week! Ack!