#78 DONE. It was pouring rain and about 47 degrees, but I went to Surfside's St. Patrick's Day parade and had fun. I realized when I got there that I didn't actually know where to go, and considering the weather, I was afraid it would be canceled. Nobody answered their phones to look it up for me, but I drove around the small town until I saw the parade route barricaded, then parked my car at the Jetty park and walked down. My umbrella kept the rain off my head, but did little else to protect me from the elements.

Note: On the Gulf Coast, St. Patty's Day is kind of like Mardi Gras remixed, but they dye the beer. I came home with a huge pile of beads, a couple of beach balls, and two beer koozies.

When I got back in the car, shivering, I just started laughing. These are the things that make me happy -- the strange, once-in-a-lifetime events that you just enjoy for whatever they're worth. I'm so glad I put this on my list. I might not have gone otherwise.

In other news, I broke down and bought a new sewing machine today. The chaps at FedEx did more damage to Sonny the Singer than I had thought, and so I gave up on it. My mom feels bad -- that she didn't pack it well enough, but I told her not to worry about it. I got the cheapest machine I found, and I think it'll serve me well for the time being at least. It was an expense that I'll have to make up for in other ways, but I'm prepared to do that. It's worth it.