The other day I was trying to figure out how I was going to print something very important that I need. (I don’t have a printer anymore). My first thought was to go to the library and use their printer but I also wanted to insert a graphic into my document and I don’t think my library allows any graphics to be downloaded from the internet, which is where the picture I want is located. There is another choice I have but I don’t want to go with that option unless *absolutely* necessary. So I put my printing thoughts on the back burner for the time being seeing as I still had some time before it needed to be done.

A couple of days later I was just leaving my apt building to drop a letter in the mail box when someone called my name. I looked up and saw an acquaintance (we’ll call her Betty) whom I hadn’t seen for about a year. We got to talking, getting caught up on what all was happening in our respective lives, when she mentioned that she was working on a website for a friend. Website? I thought to myself, I'll bet that means she has a printer and a graphics program! I asked her if she would do a great favour for me and help me print my document. I knew she liked the beaded necklaces I make so I offered to make one for her in exchange. She agreed wholeheartedly.

I hadn’t done any beading in quite some time (almost a year) so when I got home I started fiddling around with the various beads I have to see what colors would look good together and I started making Betty’s necklace. As often happens, I got sidetracked and revisited some instructions I have for making bead crochet ropes, for bracelets & necklaces. I’ve had these instructions for a few years now and I’ve always had a difficult time starting the rope because it’s technically difficult. For some reason I decided to search for other instructions on the internet to make these bead crochet ropes. There were only 2, slightly different, directions that I could find. One of them I had already printed out a couple of years ago. I read them over and thought to myself, Let me try this *one* more time to see if I can get it. I attempted it and lo & behold I was able to figure out an easy way to start the necklace! I’m so happy! Of all the beading projects I have read about or attempted in the past, bead crochet has always fascinated me the most.

My initial bead search caused me to look up other bead related sites and I discovered a bead store not too far from where I live. AND I found out they just happen to be one of the best bead stores in North America. AND they just happen to have a beaders guild that meets there once a month. Now I’m in Seventh Heaven! I can join the guild and learn new beading techniques and ask questions of people in the know. (People who know about beading in Canada are few & far between, unlike in the U.S.)

So all of this was set in motion because I don’t have a printer. Life is truly mysterious.