Awhile back, Girlfriend and HWWV left to visit his family far, far away. The first day I cried a lot and then I decided to buck up and get. things. done. Get lots of things done. You know: like, clean the closets, vacuum a lot, finish two chapters of the book, keep things really pristine, read a lot. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Go to the gym every day. Look glamorous.
I should know better by now.
Let's just say I didn't accomplish much of anything that I planned.
I did sew stacks of cocktail napkins even though the last time I had a cocktail party was, oh, uhm, never.
I completed those Mitini Mitts from Blue Sky Alpacas. Remember how I said I weighed the yarn before, in between and after? Folks, check your gauge because this was a nail biter. I actually enjoyed the suspense. The mitts are adorable. I had just one gram of yarn left over. (My gauge was a bit loose so the drama was my fault.)
And I was glamorous--never--but in my mind, heck yes.
Oh, and I taught a class and did a book signing. The class was all about semi-circular shawl construction. When I walked in, one student said, "Hey, I thought you'd be, I don't know, maybe less serious, in person. Then another student said: "Yeah, and I always pictured you with a southern accent, or maybe like a southern belle."
?
So, the class was fun and everyone was fantastic. We had a great time. But the comments about me not being the way others thought I would be in person baffled me.
And then it hit me as I was driving home: They were confusing me with Crazy Aunt Purl!
Other news: I'm doing a Custom Knits Accessories KAL on Ravelry, in my Knit and Tonic Group. The kick-off is tomorrow. This time, we're encouraging lots of customization and there will be lots of yarn prizes as well as a Pattern Fairy who will stop by and shower Knit and Tonic patterns on participants. And yes, the Pattern Fairy is me. I won't try to fool you like my neighbor whose son is at least 13 and is still bamboozled by his parents who insist on keeping Santa and the Easter Bunny alive for him.
Like I said to Girlfriend when she asked me about the Easter Bunny while driving home from school a couple months ago (age 9): "Mom, is the Easter Bunny real?"
"Think about it and decide for yourself." I said. "Do you really think a bunny can deliver hard-boiled eggs and candy to everyone who celebrates in one night?"
"Maybe," she said.
In my defense, I asked her an honest question.
But when it comes to yarn, a gram is a gram is a gram. Check your gauge and go forward and be fabulous.
My oldest son, who is now 15 still has not admitted out loud that there is no Santa, although we both know that he knows. He smartly decided one year that it was in his best interest to believe, because Santa doesn't have the excuse of being broke, lol. Smart smart boy.
Posted by: Cambria Washington | July 16, 2012 at 08:44 PM
I know exactly how you would be.
Posted by: Donna | July 16, 2012 at 08:58 PM
@ Donna. : )
Posted by: Wendy | July 16, 2012 at 09:01 PM
I love that someone thought you would/should be less serious. Granted, you are a pretty laid-back, natural writer, so I can understand the assumption, but don't people know how much easier it is to sit and type yourself out from behind a computer? It's so much harder in person... at least for me.
Posted by: flossie | July 16, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Ha, I was reading, and thought "did they think you were Crazy Aunt Purl or something?", scrolled down... yup.
My cousin's son is 13, and she can't tell whether he still believes in Father Christmas or not, and is just keeping it up for the sake of the younger children (he's 13, it's definitely the latter).
Posted by: Sarah | July 16, 2012 at 11:28 PM
I think Cambria's son is brilliant. I don't think my parents would have automatically skimped if we had decided there was no Santa Claus earlier on, but for many kids that is not a chance to take (because hey, presents are fun!).
Posted by: Seanna Lea | July 17, 2012 at 02:23 AM
LOL! I LOVE IT! My 9 year old is starting to be skeptical about Santa Claus and Easter Bunny. He said, I will believe in anything that brings me goodies!
Posted by: Sonya | July 17, 2012 at 08:14 AM
The perspective on the leftover yarn photo made me think for a moment that you had an awesome woven rattan rug. I'm kinda slow sometimes.
Posted by: Vickie | July 17, 2012 at 08:19 AM
I don't like to do gauge....I pay for it later...
I do however go forward...
and always tell myself "You Are Fabulous"
because...well,,,nobody else does...
I have a fan club of one - me:-)
I plug ahead anyway...in So. Cal. I don't use much of what I knit and mail it off to distant relatives who are so cold they'll wear anything..even handknits off gauge:-)
Posted by: lapdogknits | July 17, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Hi there, Just signed up for the group on Ravelry. I usually read the blog through a feed reader, and was pleasantly surprised to see the pretty colors and layout of your blog.
Also, presents are presents! My niece is 10 and Santa still exists at my parent's home, and not only just for her. ;)
Posted by: maineknitter1975 :) | July 17, 2012 at 01:01 PM
So throw a cocktail party. I think some of us would show up...
Posted by: Samantha | July 18, 2012 at 03:38 PM
My daughter is 22 and I still do Santa with her. Now OBVIOUSLY she doesn't think a fat guy comes down the chimney but a. I get Santa presents which means I get at least 1 really awesome gift and b. it is a BLAST to find new and different ways to get Santa gifts delivered without her knowing how they got there - and she has NEVER caught "Santa". C. it is usually the ONLY gift she gets (from me)that is store bought - she puts in her orders all year for handmade stuff so Santa's gift is always unexpected.
Posted by: Lisa | July 20, 2012 at 01:01 PM
I picture you with a sort of Valley Girl all grown up kind of accent with a slight Southern charm, not full blown Southern Belle. Good luck with the to-do list, I am ready to just clear the house and start from scratch.
Posted by: jomamma | July 20, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Ha, Jomamma. I am told I have what they call an "Ohio Valley Accent." Which means to say, that I speak with no accent. Unless, of course, I'm conversing with someone from Canada or Minnesota or from Texas. Then the accent gets going!
Posted by: Wendy | July 20, 2012 at 06:24 PM
I have to say....your blog...just brings a BIG gynormous smile to my face!!...even some LOL is accompanied with the reading. I read about your flight to Ohio and several other posts and the comments were closed. But, as I walk on my treadmil (my trusty tredz) this morning...you've brought some cheer...and "tonic" to my day!! thanks for taking the time to so enjoyably share your life's tidbits. =)
hugZ,
annie
Posted by: annie toy | July 25, 2012 at 08:11 AM
I think you are totally glamorous!
And I get the kid thing. Mine drive me absolutely insane (one of the girls just started the "Why? Why? Why?") and I can't wait for bedtime, etc, and then I wish they were still up so we could play.
Posted by: June | July 26, 2012 at 06:43 AM