Monday, October 24, 2011

It's Been a While

I know it's been a while since I've been here.

Lots of life changes have been going on in my life this year, most initiated by me, and, in my mind, most necessary.  Many of them weren't anything I could talk about till recently and some I won't talk about at all except to say that Ken and I have split and the decision was mine.

As if that isn't a big enough change, I took a position in our Plano Texas office recently. Yes that's right, I packed up a U-Haul with all my stuff, put the Explorer on a trailer and drove across the country.

The guys in the Plano office have been really helpful and making me feel welcome.

You already know that I lost Oscar and that I almost lost Cliff the Mutt. Even though he's apparently allergic to Texas, he is actually doing better and I'm glad he's still with me.

He and I have a little apartment in Allen. We like it even if I seem to be spending more than 50% of my time at work. I'm working on that.  Cliff gets to spend the day with a friend's dog, so he's not alone and it's working out well for both parties, because my friend's dog isn't alone now either and he and Cliff are just like the 'Odd Couple.'

That's them, Cliff and Jackson.
Some things don't change though.  I'm still knitting.  I still have way too many projects on the needles at once, but we all know how much I love yarn.

One of the thins I still try to do daily is read the Yarn Harlot's blog because she's just so funny and she really makes some gorgeous stuff.

I haven't missed one of her book tours since I found her in 2007.  She has a new book out called All Wound Up and I've already read it cover to cover and checked to see if she would be close by on this tour.

Since Plano is to Dallas as Petaluma is to Santa Rosa, it looked like she'd be close.  Then I looked up the venue, A Real Bookstore, and it's less than 5 miles from my apartment.  I was totally going.

There's only one problem.  Except for the folks at work, and they don't knit, I still don't know anyone here.  Every single book signing I've gone to of Stephanie's I haven't gone alone.  And I sure as heck wasn't ready to this time, but neither was I missing it.

So I sucked it up and went.  I've been following the current one.  And as usual, it seems, she's not always getting enough time to eat.  I try to give her something when I see her, even if I know probably half of it can't make it home, suitcases are only so big, so I figured to bring something she wouldn't have to pack.  I think a beer, a small box of good crackers, three cheeses (real cheese), some Nutella in a cool single serving package and a small thing of coffee (to take home) would go over nicely, and I made sure she had a little cheese knife in there too.

I hope she likes it.  It's always cool when she remembers me given all the people she sees on these tours.  She did say for a minute she wasn't sure she was in Texas, since I always see her in California.  And no I'm not stalking her.  She's genuinely nice and funny and grateful for the fact that she gets to do this for a living.  So when I see her I'll make darn sure she gets some kindness back and I'll buy anything she writes.

So I still don't know any knitters here really (there's a member of my International Sock Swap that lives close by but I haven't met her in person) and after tonight I'm sure the local knitting clicks wonder why the heck she took my picture.  

But I'm just me.  Another knitter, another Yarn Harlot fan, another person looking for friends in a new place. Maybe this will help. Maybe it won't, but, if nothing else, I took myself outside of my normal comfort zone and went even when I was terrified to go alone (painfully devastatingly shy am I).  And you know what?  I survived.  I had a mini panic attack, but I got over it and I didn't bolt, because, damnit, I was making sure she got dinner.

19 comments:

Kandi said...

Glad you made it, and enjoyed your time there

gemma said...

nice work chick.
ps with the internet you're never alone.

GerryART said...

Just jumped over from YH's post.
Think I'll stick 'round for a while.
hugs

akqguy said...

I just ran into you on the Yarn Harlot's site and noticed that she had a link to your blog. I look forward to catching up wit your blog. Anyone willing to take someone else dinner to assure she has something to eat on her book tour seems worth knowing.

Congratulations on the move. I'm proud of you. Some changes seem undoable at the time you make the decision but dang, they make you feel so proud when you look back on them.

Good luck,
Q

Leslie said...

Thank you for taking good care of Stephanie. It's hard being alone but when you go enough places alone you (1) eventually get to not mind it so much and (2) sometimes even hook up with other loners or a small group. Even though you're working, maybe you can find a knitting group through the Knitting Guild or Ravelry or a yarn store? And it seems there's a Stitch n Lit group right at that bookstore (only 5 miles away)...

At any rate, nice to meet you. I may grab you for my reader as you seem to have a really pretty blog.

GerryART said...

Just noticed you and I share the same blog background.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tiny-

Like AKAGuy I found you through the Harlot's blog and want to first say a big "Howdy" and welcome to Texas. I'm part of the Meetup group In Stitches which mainly meets in McKinney not far from you and there's also the Stitch 'n Lit at the bookstore you went to last night every 3rd Thursday. Come by one evening to one of our meetups when you get the opportunity. You will find some warm and friendly faces (and also an obsession with yarn!) Hope to meet you soon!

Jill said...

I followed YH's link too. I'm glad your dog made it through last summer, and good for you! going someplace even though you were panicky. Knitterly applause from MA.

Anonymous said...

Good for you for going,and I hope you meet some Dallas/Plano knitters soon.

Holly said...

I also came here from the Yarn Harlot blog. It's hard to make so many changes at one time---even when you know you are doing what is right for you. I'm looking forwad to following your blog. Best of luck!

jamelle said...

How sweet of you to bring her something to eat. And its a good thing, too. Otherwise her dinner would have been a wedge of iceburg lettuce with no dressing!! Enjoyed your blog. Hope you make some new knitting friends.

~margaret aka dragonflysock said...

Followed the link from the YH's blog. From one loner to another-good for you! Sounds like you've made some major changes. Takes courage.
Nice that you were thoughtful enough to take care of Stephanie. I'm sure you'll be able to connect with local knitters. Just keep looking for the opportunities.
Good luck, and I'll be following your blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tiny! Found you via YH's post and thought I'd say hello. I moved to a new city a couple of years ago, so I empathise with how you are feeling. Keep going, and keep taking yourself out and about. You'll meet folks in no time. :) Best of luck, and I look forward to reading your future blog posts. Lots of blog lovin' from London, UK. x

Peggy H-R said...

Gotta remedy the not knowing anyone in Allen issue! Although I don't live in Allen (East Dallas), I've written for the Allen Image magazine for years and am up there all the time. There are some really nice folks up there!

Anyone who would bring Stephanie cheese and stout is all right by me! And her recounting of this on her blog gave me a smile because I was still pouting over not being able to make it Monday night.

I would recommend you check out Jacob's Reward (jacobsreward.com) in Parker (just a couple of miles southeast of Allen). Cindy has a fiber CSA plus she offers a meeting place in her AC/heated barn for spinners, knitters and crocheters on the 3rd and 4th Saturday of every month. It is a wonderfully diverse and incredibly friendly group.

--Peggy

Sharon said...

Another fun yarn home in Dallas it the Woolie Ewe. Tons of yarn, nice warm people. It is in Plano, so not too far from you. I moved to Dallas alone and lived there for years. I moved back to MN (call me crazy!) but Texas is my home of choice and I go back as often as I can. You will find your way. It is a good place.

Anonymous said...

It's really good to see a post from you! I am so sorry to hear about the split; no matter what the reason, it's never easy. and WOW, what a big move!

How wonderful you were able to push yourself out of your comfort zone to see Stephanie! You always HAVE been such a thoughtful & considerate person so it doesn't surprise me you'd think to take her something to eat!

You've been on my mind. (((hugs)))

Livestrong said...

So glad you went! Stephanie seems genuinely touched!

Liz G. said...

I sat right behind you! (I wasn't the loud redhead - that was Amy):)

Welcome to Texas and the Allen/Plano area! I live close by, too and wanted to let you know if you ever need suggestions of where to go or the best way to get somewhere, feel free to get in touch with me. (I'm HappyTexan on Ravelry.)

Hopefully you've found our great yarn stores - The Woolie Ewe and The Shabby Sheep are the two big ones.

Keep your eye out for the DFW Fiber Fest March 30-April 1 of next year. It's our 7th event and we've got some great classes and vendors for next year. We're at dfwfiberfest.org. (Not trying to be a commercial here...)

AlisonH said...

I'm so sorry to hear you guys split up, and I'm sorry I won't get to run into you at the occasional northern California booksignings now--but you are such a good person to think about and look out for Stephanie like that. Blessings on you, and may you make many good friends in your new place.

I almost got to that one myself, and wow would it have been a surprise to run into each other again there! But the relative with cancer we need to go visit decided that wasn't the week for us to come after all. Missed it.

Take good care of yourself, hon. Thinking about you.