It only gets better and better. I don't mean to sound corny but I have been there and I am tellin ya the truth.

Hey, did you ever get the yarn I sent you to smell? I sent it last Monday.

Knitting as therapy is awesome and sometimes cheaper. Glad your not wearing your bra on your head and directing traffic.
Love the orange hat.
My kids LOVE Roy and all his one fanged wonderfulness.

I'll bet your parents are proud too.

way to go aunt purl! knitting is the best thing in the world and the fact that it has helped you so much is completely awesome.

What sweater pattern have you picked out to make?

Yay for Laurie and meeting new knitters!

Janis -- I stopped my my mail place and it's there, but it was after hours so I just got the notice (have to go when someone is working). I am so excited! Also, I have your voodoo, but haven't mailed it yet because I am lame.

Lisa -- the easy-looking weekend sweater from "Weekend Knitting" which will probably take me seventeen months to make, but it looks comfy and simple.

Laurie- I think you need to take a picture of Roy that gives him justice for how big he actually is. People aren't going to take this whole "he's plotting to kill me" thing seriously if you don't show this. Roy is the biggest cat I've ever seen. He's the size of a small lion!

DUDE! Your blog remembers me! It's like we're friends!

No, it's actually more like me stalking you, but it wouldn't be a classic stalking relationship if I didn't also pretend we were friends.

Side note: I'm drinking very watery coffee that should not be allowed under any circumstances. WHY is there no quality control for the office coffee pot? On the other hand, a very cute gentleman made it, so he's forgiven.

ANYWAY: what was I saying? Oh yes, that I'm super, super proud of you.

DUDE! Your blog remembers me! It's like we're friends!

No, it's actually more like me stalking you, but it wouldn't be a classic stalking relationship if I didn't also pretend we were friends.

Side note: I'm drinking very watery coffee that should not be allowed under any circumstances. WHY is there no quality control for the office coffee pot? On the other hand, a very cute gentleman made it, so he's forgiven.

ANYWAY: what was I saying? Oh yes: that as your official imaginary stalker who pretends she knows you...I'm super, super proud of you.

My Dad worries that I'm turning into a knitting cat lady all the time. This from a man who's been depressed his whole life -- seriously, when he talks about his life he sounds like Eeyore.

So tell your Dad that not only are you doing OK, but that there are people all over the country who want to know you and check in daily for updates on the funny thing your cats did. (Seriously, if I didn't live in NYC I'd come stalk the Valley.)

I'm sure the blogging (and the amazingly friendly welcome everyone in the blog world gave you) helped you brush off the Cheetos crumbs and get out of the house too. I've been knitting for 15 years and have never really had "knitting friends" until I started a weblog. Suddenly, there are people! And they want to talk to me about knitting! And if I come to their town they'll let me sleep on their couch! It's an amazing thing, this little community.

Jodi, yes, that's it!! And also did you see that La is making your amazing Mariah? And any of ya'll can come stay on my couch, as long as you don't mind the cat hair heh heh.

I'm so glad that you are feeling great, and taking on new knitting projects to boot! Sweater is a good next step from hat, I think!

I had a blast on Saturday. I'm afraid my mouth ran away with me, and I ended up starving poor Michelle to death.

If the DH goes to be rentarded this NEXT Sat., I'll be up. I've got a Bob-like Moze story to tell you. Funny as hell

I'm so happy that you're happy! That's too awesome...I hope to get my ass out to the Thursday SNB and see the orange hat in person!...that is, unless you finish it between now and then, you knitting fool-io!

I just love your blog, Laurie. You're so real, and you make me so want to just be myself. I'm even working on starting my own blog, in hopes that I can be half as cool as you. I was a HERMIT for many, many years and I so understand how hard it is to get out and how incredibly dumb you feel when you finally do. Reading your blog is like therapy for me. It's nice to see I'm not the only one who embarrasses myself totally when I venture out in public. Cheers!

Yay therapy knitting!

I really really REALLY want to see a pic of you with your bra on your head.

I discovered your blog a month or so ago and I am hooked on it. And I am so proud of you for climbing out of your shell! I feel like your mom, or something. (And am probably old enough to be her.) Go, Laurie!

You're a great writer and funny and you have weird and wonderful cats and you're a knitter...how could you lose?

Laurie,

I am so happy for you...what an awesome weekend...and that sweater in Weekend Knitting...totally a fun knit...

Glad you're not turning into a crazy cat lady after all...

just a nice, kind, knitter who loves kittys...

You are inspiring me to try again to get over "what's-his-name" --the father of my two children...and MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE.

Thanks!

And also? Just wanted to say to Drew...don't encourage her to wear her bra on her head...please.

;-)

Okay, I don't feel so bad. I hid in my house for seven months after my marriage imploded and also heard the relief in my parents' voices when I finally ventured outside again.

Then I heard concern from them this weekend when I said I joined a knitting group. My dad asked "So you sit around with a bunch of little old ladies and knit?" He was very, very relieved that I'm not hanging out with the Geritol set.

Yes, there's hope for both of us!!

Your recent posts have put me in such a good mood! I'm a little tardy but dropping off MS&W goodies in the mail after school today! Have a great day! Jane

I betcha Shannon is thrilled you're finding yourself through yarn. It's amazing what some sticks & string will do for your life. Mine totally changed that's for sure! My yarn guru is now one of my best friends and I send her flowers on our aniversary :)

My friends think I'm a crazy divorcée cat lady too, even though to my face they say "no! not at all!" the liars (not to be confused with "lyers" which is how my fingers were insisting on spelling that word -- THREE TIMES).

One thing I realized after my divorce was that no matter how concerned family and friends may be about you, poking your nose out back into the world after an earth-shattering upset like the one you had, will only happen with YOU are ready. Obviously, the siren call of mmmmalpaca was to much to resist, yet another reason to smell and fondle it's wooly goodness.

*hugs* congrats girlie!

Good for you! Get out there and mix it up! WooHOO!

Yay! Yay for knitting! It makes you friends! Honestly I am having so much anxiety about my upcoming move, because I hate moving because I am scared of strangers, but more than once I have thought, "well, I can probably find an S&B to go to" and then I feel better. Because I know I will leave the house sometimes and talk to someone other than my dog.

Your poor sweet dad--I am glad he can be relieved!

Woo Hoo!!! You've got to love the feeling of success. I love that you are getting back out into the world. Go Aunt P Go!!

I too am venturing into unknown lands and slowing connecting with other knitters/knit bloggers. The journey is fun and rewarding! None of my non-crafty friends understand why I knit (especially when I knit for me!), but I'm finding that other knit-bloggers can relate. I'm glad I found your blog!

Laurie, you totally rock! I'm starting to think it's time to get out of the house and go knitting with other peoples.

Will you think less of me if I tell you your post made me cry? Now, I admit my day really sucked, and I was already on the verge, but reading your post was like watching a really good chick flick - but shorter and therefore not something all males would call a waste of time.

I envy your opportunities to knit with so many other knitters. They seem so few and far between where I am that I don't know many (my mother-in-law really doesn't count for me in that way even if se does knit). Remember how lucky you are for that.

hi! i wish i were there.

and bob's big boy! we don't have those back east. when i was little and lived in LA we went to bob's big boy as a special treat. i loved the big boy.

Yay for Aunt Purl! I am so happy for you! I feel the same way about knitting (it rocks) and knitting blogs (fun to read and make) and meeting new people (it's not so scary, is it?). You too have inspired me to try to be a bit more open with my blog (although it really isn't working as I don't have your crazy writing skills) and I never cease to be amazed at the kindness of fellow knitting bloggers. Woo hoo for you!

Isn't it wonderful how knitting brings people together? Before I found Stitch n Bitch about a year and a half ago, I was really missing female companionship. And when I first found out about SnB, I was nervous about making a fool of myself. But now, 1 1/2 years later, I am proud to go to two SnB groups every week (Santa Monica & WeHo). And the friends I've met aren't relegated to only two nights a week. We go out on weekends, we email every day. And now, I can't imagine my life without Stitch n Bitch. So I'm glad you've found the sister(and brother)hood of knitting. Bring on the yarn!

And so it begins Laurie... All these places you went and people you hung out with are fun, and there is more of that (and them!) to be had!! Just enjoy yourself, take life's pleasures where you find them, and all that sappy (but wise!) advice.

I must say though that I am insanely jealous of your wonderful LYS, since the ones we have here on Lawn Guyland (Long Island) are smallish and none of them have comfy counches that are conducive to long term hanging out.

When you're feeling more adventurous, you can come visit the northern part of the right coast =) Just say when!!

I'll bet you can deal with the yes-to-a-bra-on-the-head people with a judicious application of photoshop....

Hooray for you!!

And you've inspired me to come out of my hiding place and start knitting in public and even try make some knitting friends.

If it weren't 3000 miles away I'd totally stalk your SNB and pretend like I accidentally happened across it. What a great group!

Heh - now that I *AM* telecommuting (not really my choice, but hey, I'll give it a shot), I was a bit concerned about my Cancerinian tendencies coming out and doing a floor show.

Gladly, I not only have SnB, I have ren faire (rehearsal on Sat & Sun) and I go out for lunch or dinner as much as possible. I figure the added lunch expense is worth what I save in sanity points. Cause I gotta preserve the ones I got left, lol.

OH - and, in yarn-sniffing news...I had NON-KNITTERS sniffin' MY yarn on Saturday. THREE OF THEM. UNPROVOKED. How funky is that! *evil grin*

Good on you.

And I'm jealous. I need knitting friends.

will you come teach me to knit? cause I'm tired of being a hermit and if all the knitters are as sweet as you then I'm all for it.

-one more of your stalkers, Grace

p.s. I used to crochet, does that count? :)

Knitting in public is great, I've never had any wierd remarks. A few weeks back I was knitting at the local coffee shop (Sacred Grounds - isn't that a great name) and a couple of Judges from the Courthouse walked up to me to find out what I was knitting, and how difficult it was.

Oh and if you knit while your waiting for food your food will come much faster I have found then if you leave your knitting in the car.

You rock, Laurie :) Yesterday was so much fun, I can't wait for snb on Thursday. Don't forget to show your yarn haul from unwind in your next entry!!!

Wow, what a great weekend! I feel a wee tad jealous, though I did give up a chance to KIP and instead weeded and mulched part of the garden.... OK, I am a LOT jealous. There you go, Laurie, someone is jealous of YOUR LIFE!

Longtime reader, first time commenter. I was in LA this past week with girlfriends, and seriously, I thought everyone who talked about LA was kidding.

You aren't. The people are freaky and wow - um, lots of pretension. I can't imagine being there as you - wonderful you! - and suddenly alone. I'm so glad you discovered knitting. And that you are not only doing well, you're thriving. How thrilling for you!

Don't feel bad you don't have a kid to knit for. If you had a kid, you wouldn't have time to knit. I've forgotten how. I have on occasion crocheted something really simple that I can put down at the drop of the hat, but I just can't knit...lose count and severely F things up. So I'm living vicariously through you!

Glad you're coming out of your shell!

I've been reading your blog for a while now and love it. I'm glad you were able to get out of HermitLand! Even better that you're knitting- keep it up and if you're ever in The OC ('specially the South part) let me know!

I've been stalking, and loving, your blog for a while. And I haven't commented because, you know, you have 43 comments already, right? But today's post made me teary-eyed, so I have to speak up. I'm in the middle of a rough patch right now. It's good to know that somehow things will get better. Thanks for the reminder.

And the crazy not-so-old cat women and knitting freaks shall inherit the earth!!!! I'm sure it says so in there somewhere...

Before you know it, you might find yourself flying on airplanes to meet other knitting bloggers. na noo na noo....

:)

I'm so glad I found you via someone's blog fairly recently. I enjoy your raw expression of life. What a very strong and beautiful spirit you are! Yay!

I've been reading your blog for some time now. I too was a fellow hermit years back. Forcing yourself to get out in the world and engage is the only therapy. Good for you! Go for it, and as you keep creeping out of the house and down the block, it will get easier. Plan your weekly calendar and stick to it! Remember, we are all behind you!

Like the 2,343,879 others who read your blog -- I LOVE it and think you're great. You've inspired me to venture out to try to find a stitch'n bitch in my area instead of sitting at home alone knitting every night. It would be so awesome to have some real life, flesh and blood knitting friends who understand what the heck all the fuss is about. And please keep on with the kitty pics, they are too funny and soooo adorable.

Bravo!!! I've been reading for a month now...you're addictive!! In a good way! Really! Makes me really miss SoCal. Bravo on leaving the Hermit Life; I think I'm still fighting it, myself, but I swear I'll go to my local SnB.

How odd to see pics of Unwind - it's like, "hey! There's the guy who showed me where to find the sock yarn!"

I'm still very hermit-like, but it's great to read that I'm not the only one who feels like this, and it seems like knitting is a great opener of doors.

Good on ya. Never know by reading that you was evah a Hermitgirl!

Wow, I'm glad to hear that yarn therapy has worked for you (as it has worked for so many).

Reminds me of a line from a Jimmy Buffett song "Therapy is extremely expensive; popping bubble wrap is radically cheap."

But seriously, you never know when a small decision (like your first knitting lesson) will lead to a major change/expansion in your life.

I've been pleased to read about your progress; you're doing well.

the sweater project sounds like fun. just think of all the new curse words you'll invent as you go through the process of "your first sweater." if you need a few doozies, just ask. I've got a zillion since my first sweater is still "in progress!" month two. approaching month three...

i hope you had the hot fudge cake at bob's big boy. ooooh. i wish that little fat kid in the checkered overalls had restaurants in the bay area....

Scary blog stalker girl here! I just started reading your blog and because of it (well, in part) I decided to start knitting. So I'm on like, week two of sucking muchly at the knitting but having so. much. fun. that I've stitched this wonderfully multi-colored thing that I've named Practice. Practice goes with me everywhere. It's kind of like my security blanket.

So uh, thank you, Person I Don't Know, for being witty and brave and intelligent and KNITTERY.

You have found your peeps, and they are knitters. You know, this is phase one of drawing you into the cult, um, I mean fold.

I, too, am feeling relieved and happy!

But traffic can be really bad at 6th and Main! ;)
I'm glad your day had relief in his voice - I so know that sound! But I'm even happier to see you sound happy.

Knitting has always gotten me through the most difficult times of my life. After we got married, we had soooooo much stress in our lives that it got seriously crazy. I couldn't have survived, I don't think, without the Northcoast Knitting Guild in Cleveland and Susan Yarns in Cleveland Hts. Those Thursday night knit nights and guild meetings got me through many hard times when we lived in Cleveland. I've not been able to find or create a similar group here in Kalamazoo, but I've discovered the internets.

Knitting (and the groups that form because of it) is solid--it's a way for us to connect and re-connect with what's important. I'm so glad it's working for you. Blessings.

Knitting - it saves people, you know?

I tell everyone that it keeps me from smoking (even though I have never smoked a cigarette in my life). It also keeps me from shooting up, being promiscous, and robbing banks (well, then again, there is a lot of pricey yarn out there...).

Yay Yarn! We're all glad it brought you out of your hermitage and into our wooly world.

You've inspired me. I'm leaving the house to go meet some knitters. Right as soon as I finish this comment. :)

Hi Laurie!

I've been reading your blog for quite some time, and I feel it's finally time to comment... good for you for getting out and having fun! It sounds like you are on a great path. I'm excited that you're going to start making a sweater - I am finishing the sleeves of my first one, and I couldn't be happier.

Yaay for Yarn Therapy! =)

Hi Laurie- I'm a new visitor to your blog and I'm really glad I came! I love your writing and your wit and your willingness to share who you are!
I'm so glad you are a knitter because even tho you are a new friend and miles and miles away, we share a common love that brings us together.
Isn't the camaraderie that knitting evokes completely amazing?
Ex-hermits of the world, go out and KIP :)

Just started reading your blog about two weeks ago and I gotta tell ya girl -- I LOVE your blog. Now I'm old enough to BE one of your parents, but let's not let THAT get in the way -- there's no age limit on enjoying fun writing! Anyway, I appreciated this post from several perspectives. I totally related to shopping at the 7-11. Did the same thing when I went through a bad breakup many a year ago. I've also walked in your parents' shoes when my daughter went through a bad time and her phone calls consisted of reports of her cat's antics. So keep writing. And keep knitting. It's the best therapy ever.

Thank you for making me laugh so hard my stomach hurt!!! I needed that! Knit on!

Lucky for me, I happened to find your blog through Grumperina's blog.

What a great post - and one that many people have obviously related to.

I was married when I moved to the East Coast, and all the friends I met here initially were couple friends. When my ex-husband and I split, I found myself with no social life and no one I could really talk to. I met a new man, and I started knitting, and now I've met so many wonderful people through blogging and knitting (who'd have thought?) that I feel more connected to my community than I ever would have thought.

Thanks again for a great post. I am so glad I found your blog!

Don't worry about the lack of kids (I don't have em either) or a Wonderhub (trust me, when he lets his blood sugar get too low, he's er, less than wonderful) get you down. You are always one of the best blogs to read, and if ever you're in TN, you should definitely look me up!

Hi, Aunt Purl! I just wanted to congratulate you on doing all those things that were so scary because I know how hard it is to not be a hermit, and assure you that even a wonder-husband and an adorable kid sometimes aren't enough to stop hermitness, and that you definitely don't need them because your blog is great, and say that you're my hero for doing all those scary things, and oh shit, I'm getting all sappy on the internets, 'kay, bye.

Aww, I'm so sad I missed it! And I won't be at SnB for TWO WEEKS. Do you want to come knit with me and Carrie on some non-Thursday night next week?

Have you ever thought about writing a book with this stuff?
Seriously. I love the blog, and hope someday to also have knitting friends.

Laurie, from one hermit to another, I feel comforted and inspired by your tale. I have to fight my natural desire to stay shut away indoors with my cat and books and computer so knowing others are able to go out and do new things with new people inspires me to do the same. Thanks!

I so love your site, have I mentioned that? What a terrific entry. I've been there, girlfriend, in the Fear Life. And I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who thought that way! :)

We love your blog way down here in San Diego, you're practically famous! I'm rooting for you as you rediscover your strengh and overcome this 'bad patch.'

You just said a mouthful about the Fear Life. Wow! That was how I felt after my divorce, I just wanted to curl up and never leave my house. Having friends and a job that required me to leave the house helped, but knitting, it saved my life. It helped me keep my sanity when things were tough because all I had to focus on when knitting was just that one stitch and nothing more, it really makes a difference. Man, just reading your post, I totally remember that place where you feel your life is hopeless and feeling sad because your husband left, but as someone else said, as you get yourself back together and you are funny, beautiful, vibrant and creative, your ex will want to come back, but you will just keep rising like a phoenix above him and keep going! I know you will do it! I'm so proud of you.