Karma and crinoline

Yesterday I got a crinoline from someone on Craigslist.

I'd put an ad on last week saying that I need a crinoline, and only plan to wear it once ever under a wedding dress, once, no matter what, and so don't want to spend a whole lot on it. And so if anyone is getting rid of one, and wants to sell it cheap, I'd be delighted.

I figured why not try, and if that didn't work, I'd turn to eBay. I'd heard nothing, and so last night was going to buy one.

And yesterday afternoon I got an email from someone who said she'd read my ad, and had I seen this other ad with a wedding slip that might suit my purposes?

This woman was offering one free. She'd bought it for her wedding and then chose a different type that suited her dress better, and just wanted to get rid of it. If someone could pick it up yesterday, great, if not, it was going to Goodwill.

I emailed her and said I could be there within the hour. I also emailed the first woman and thanked her for telling me.

The woman getting rid of the crinoline replied, yes, come get it! So I did!

It was enormous - filled an entire garbage bag with its skirty floofiness. I pulled it out in Nick's living room and there was skirt everywhere. Mounds and mounds of white tulle.

Excellent!

By the time I got home, the woman who'd told me about seeing both ads had written back, thanking me for writing. I replied that the crinoline was going to work perfectly, and it was all because of her taking the time to drop a stranger a note.

And she replied again saying two things. One, that my profuse thanks had made her feel really good. And two, that she had been the recipient of a lot of anonymous kindness, and she believed in paying karma forward.

I love this. I believe in doing the same.

On a very frivolous note, I love the frou-frou.

Betty called a couple hours later and asked if it had worked out with the crinoline. I said it had. She asked if I was still wearing it around the house.

Me?

Oh, wow, does she know me.

I pulled it on over my clothes when I got home. And then kept it on for a good half hour. Because flouncing around in an enormous flouncy poofy tulle skirt? Turns out to be at least as fun as mincing about in new heels.

If you have any inclination for the princess-y, I strongly recommend it.

The only thing that could've made it better was this tiara and a sparkly purple magic wand I used to have. You know I'm not even kidding.