Starting the new year without a camera

Normally I would have a photo-heavy entry on any given day, but my camera slipped out of my hand, bounced on the deck and landed in the ivy, which was wet.  Don't know if the bounce or the damp did the damage, but it's definitely not it's old self.
 

Speaking of old, it's at least 8 years old, which in camera-years is about 80, with the way technology is leap-frogging into the future.  It's a little Casio Exilim, very reliable when not bouncing and it did lovely close-ups of dew-damp dahlias.  It wasn't very good for zooming into the distance, and I had some jiggle issues, plus the sound on the movies would include a little 'chunk chunk' when I'd zoom in or out.  

I thought of getting it fixed, but it's time for a new camera.

I'm going with something a little more sophisticated but not something that costs a kidney.  I think I won't use it if it's too big to fit into my (small) purse or if it's too complicated.  I don't need to change lens's and I don't need stop-action sports shots.

I need a nice little point and shoot that gives good knitting/spinning photos for less than $300.00, including tax and shipping.  I'm open to suggestions.