Getting Some Luxury in Life

Long ago I read something from Erma Bombeck about not saving the good stuff for special events.   It hit home but took a few years for me to put in place.   Now I wear rhinestone earrings with my scrubs because I am not going to formal parties anymore.   I wear expensive perfume because how it makes me feel.   I learned a year ago that there truly is a difference from a well constructed expensive bra versus $20 version.  The quality eyeshadows depth of color is like an oil painting in a museum versus fingerpainting.  Quality clothes that cost more also fit better and make me feel better.

 

Small amounts of luxury go a long way to making me feel good.    I have been learning it is better to have one luxury item than a bunch of affordable  items of the same.   They never look right, do not last and do not make me feel special.

 

In the world of knitting this is why I do not go to big box stores for my yarn.   I get a lot of happiness out of wearing my knitted items but the time spent actually knitting the item with the yarn sliding through my fingers is full of joy.   There is a difference between a $3-6 skein and a luxury skein.   The feel, texture, color and how the knitted item will hold up is all very different.

 

Imagine my delight when Knitch decided to do yarn clubs.  Ah so many to pick from and I knew somewhere inside of me I was sliding into the no knitting zone.   But I decided to join their Luxury Yarn Club. 

 

 

I was stunned and thrilled when I opened the box and found Habu!

 

I have been wanting to try Habu for years but never have.    Part of the Luxury Yarn Club also includes a pattern.  

 

I have started to knit a Habu Merino stole.

 

If I Had My Life To Live Over

by Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out she had a fatal disease.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

© Erma Bombeck

 

Comments

[Jeanne B.]

Amen to that. :-)

[Bethany Hissong]

This is so true and I try to do the same. I realized that I always use my favorite things regardless of how much or little I spend on them so having more isn't really necessary. And you're so right about eye shadow! I think it's a wise thing to go for quality in anything. I want to see your stole when you are done! I've seen so many beautiful things knit from Habu... I don't think I'm good enough to even try it!