Firstly, my heart goes out to sailingwest, who's had more than her fair share of sorrow in the past two weeks. *hugs*

Secondly, after spending way too much on costume pieces for Jonah and I at Target today (even though it was all good deals, it adds up), I started rethinking the financial reality of this trip. It seems like we're incurring a lot of extra expenses this month and I don't want to be the cause of a household financial shortage, especially, with the holidays around the corner. So, as much as it pains me to say, I'm not coming to Asheville tomorrow after all. I know, I registered, I promised people I'd be there, but I'm just not going to be able to make the trip. *super sad panda*

petullant, keep me updated on fun things going on in Asheville or Greenville and I will definitely have to try to make it over there to meet you guys.

jkg_vader, lordofhaladin, et al, I'll meet you guys at Dragon*con next year, if not before, somehow, somewhere.

As a consolation prize, I'm tagging along with Chris to his brew day tomorrow in the middle of nowhere just north of Huntsville.

Sunday, I'm hoping to go for a hike in the Warner Parks.

And tonight, as a bit of retail and horticultural therapy, I bought a new orchid at the grand opening of the new Trader Joe's in Green Hills. Just over a year ago, at the Whole Foods grand opening, I bought the Aspasia. Now, I've got a cute little Paphiopedilum (one of the slipper orchids) to join the family. It's not green, but it does have some neat green stripes. In fact, I stood there debating between four plants. There were two green and white Paphs and two burgundy, green and white ones. I felt the burgundy had more personality. I thought about it and picking out a new orchid for me is a little like picking a new pet from a pound. They all look so sad and cute and you want to take them all home. I'm still tempted by that lime green Dendrobium at the Kroger by our house though.