wow, fabulous pics. am i first!?!?!?

Yaaa for Year of the Pig and you taking chances! What a fantastic evening. The smile on your face says it all!

You look so happy. Good living life!

SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

again, HOORAY!!

Oh babydoll!!!!

Fabulous!

Natalie Maines might be from Texas but she's got some New York-sized cojones!!! Apparently so do you, Laurie!!

What a great photo, too!

The Cardigan of Constant Sorrow is more flattering that Natalie's blouse, I'm just sayin'.

Hi there. I have been reading your blog for a while and wanted to say that this post totally touched me.
I am a natural hermit and would often rather hang out at home by my lonesome knitting and watching re-runs of Project Runway on Bravo than being sociable. So when I read this I was reminded again of all the fun times and memorable experiences that can be had simply by being out there in the world!
I will remember this the next time I'm invited to do something and I consider saying no so I can stay home and be hermity (is that a word?).
You are a rock-star Laurie and don't let anyone tell you different - even yourself!

Natalies the one on the left right?

Must've been soo much fun - my daughter would kill for the opportunity to meet a person who met a Dixie Chick; she's a bit of a fan. I taught her ;)

What an awesome - amazing - and unexpected evening! I'm so glad this is the year of the pig! Just goes to show there are unseen forces working behind the scenes.

I'm so jealous . . . I love me some Dixie Chicks too! It looks like you had a wonderful evening!

Was her yummy husband, Adrian Pasdar with her? I could have gone for a pic with him for sure.

I'm certain that Natalie found you as charming as we all do! You look way cute in that photo.

I have to agree with Debbie. What the heck is Natalie wearing? I'm sure it's much better in person. . . :)

Good for you, Purl. Go out there and take on the world!

Way cool Laurie! Life is just full of surprises when we're not looking for them :)

Also wanted to add that Audrey and Jeff are way cute and look like lots of fun too! What great friends you have!

Way to go taking the year of the pig by the ears! You must feel great. I'm one who moved a lot too, but don't have a Texas to say I'm from.

Yay you!

I'm glad someone took my place in the Dixie Chicks Fan club b/c I officially gave up my seat. However, I too would totally bury Earl if need be for my BFF!

Good for you for getting out there. And yes, that is a terrible shirt!

Yay, Laurie! You did it!

WOO-HOO! Go Laurie!!!!! What a fab picture! And yet once again, I am wiping the tears of laughter away-"Cardigan of Constant Sorrow"!!!!!
You are just precious, doll!

What fun! I love the Chicks too--but wondering if Natalie knows how fortunate she was to meet our Crazy Aunt Purl?

Yay Laurie! And hey, at least you in your cardigan do not look like you are wearing a homemade graduation gown for a catholic school....which, um, I hate to say it, but Miss Natalie definitely does... she might rock, but that shirt must go.

What a darling picture!! But what I want to know is, who's that girl with that beautiful Crazy Aunt Purl? I mean, she's sort of cute (kind of a lot of make-up) but Aunty Purl, now THERE's a sweet girl. :o)

Lessons come when due, my Dearling, and I'm glad that the Pig got you to give that little singer girl an opportunity to meet a genuine Knitter-Blogger superstar. Must have made her day!

GO SISTER GO! That goes for you and Natalie, because now Natalie can tell people she met Crazy Aunt Purl! I'm totally serious. :) That is an awesome story.

Your Trader Joe's has checkout eyecandy too? I bet they do that on purpose.

Good for you! This totally reminds me of when I met Julia Butterfly my personal hero. The beautiful thank you message in my head came out as a wailing sob as soon as she made eye contact with me. I sobbed I LOVE YOU like a girl at a Beatles concert and then she HUGGED me which made me so incredibly happy. Through the tears I managed to ask for a picture and it's similar to yours. Me with the huge ass smile, Julia with the smiling next to the stalker smile.

But it was totally worth it.

I'm less impressed that you met Natalie Maines than Natalie Maines met you! One day, she's going to remember having her photo taken with that crazy knitting girl who became a world-famous writer.

You're from COMFORT?!? Hon, I grew up just on the other side of "San Antone", in a little town called St. Hedwig (just down the road from the slightly less little town of La Vernia)!

I'm glad Ms. Maines wore her best church choir robe... heh. No seriously, too cool. And I'm glad they also made a psuedo-comeback and stood up for themselves. *pump fist in air for freedom of speech all Black Panther style*

I'm also glad someone else loves Texas as much as I do. I'm in Houston, and once a friend of mine asked me where i would like to move anywhere else in the world.

"Austin."

"No, like anywhere outside of Texas."

*gasp* "Why??" i've been to most of the Lower 48, and i always love coming back.

i won't comment on the Cardigan Of Constant Sorrow or the tacky sateen outfit worn by The Chick, but sweating under one armpit? now that is something special.

it must be the year of the pig...i'm about to head out and get a BIG BAG OF CHIPS! go me.

OMG! I love the Dixie Chicks too! I moved to California from Oklahoma and Wide Open Spaces was *so* my song. I would've been freaking out too. Yay you!!!

Way to embrace the pig and get your stalk on. I totally hear you with the Chicks, being from Huffman, Texas and now living it up in downtown Chicago. Way to go!

She is so beautiful, just as you are. The smile on your face says it all. Also - I didn't notice the blemish and your eyebrows are perfectly shaped!
Caridgan of sorrow = too funny!!
What is " Trader Joe's?"

You are Ahmaaazing (as Seth on Sirius radio would say!)! Good for you for breaking out of your hermit shell and going for it!

Soooooo jealous!!

Go girl! The chance came - you took it. I hope she realises what an honour it is to meet CAP.

Yeah Texas!!! I love it here (been 14 years.)

It's Natalie's privilege to meet you for sure. You're the superb writer - I think she needs some help with some of her lyrics but that's just one girl's opinion....

YAY for you, girl!!

OK - #1 - You should totaly send this to Trent-Pink-is-the-new-blog as Natalie is a huge trent fan and vice versa. That would SO be cool!!!

#2- Once I realized I was sitting next to Paul Simon on an airplane, I spilled every beverage I had (and the replacements too) and couldn't utter another word to him. He took pity on me at the end and thanked me for being such a "nice, quiet person"

ya. As IF.

I lurve me some DxyCks. You go, Laurie!!! You're my #1 hero!

By the way "Wide Open Spaces" was written and is performed by Susan Gibson - totally worth checking her out.

How freaking cool was that?! I'm not from Texas but I am a huge fan of the Chicks. And was long before Natalie Maines uttered that infamous sentence (and I cheered her on loudly for it). That is just so cool Laurie! I already knew that you were tres cool but now you're TRES TRES COOL!

Two things:

1) My husband is from San Antonio. Hoorah for Texas!

2) I agree with all the others above who said this: ol' Natalie is the one who should feel luck/happy getting to meet Crazy Aunt Purl.

Well, one time a friend of mine who was a drummer in a christian band had a girl ask him to sign her BUTT.

Yes, embarrassing. No, he didn't do it. Always remember - you weren't that bad. :o)

Two beautiful Dixie Chicks!

Your smile says it all!

How fun! Someone should let Natalie know that she met THE Crazy Aunt Purl and turn her onto your blog. You just might be the one filing for a protective order :)
Love your blog. I had your easy roll brim hat recipe bookmarked for months (google search) before I actually read the rest of your stuff. Hilarious!
p.s. hi to the new Kathleen in Lima.

Yeah, what's with all the checkout guys at Trader Joe's being cuties? I mean in a granola, earthy, I wouldn't have to shave for him kind of way but still - it makes me want to shop there more!

You are so cute and sweet!

How cool that you met Natalie Maines!

I met Sarah Vowell once, and my whole face (and everything else) started sweating freakishly. No way could I have been brave enough to take a picture. You are awesome!

LOVE IT!!! I think we were separated at birth. No...really.

I am a total hermit and am getting on a plane tomorrow morning to go to a trade show in Texas. Not only do I have to leave my safe, comfortable U.P., but I have to talk to hundreds of people I don't know! This is my worst nightmare come true. Fortunately, I'm going with two people I know, so at least there will be someone there to drag me from my hotel room if necessary.

I guess my mantra while in Texas will be "What would Laurie do?"

You go girl ! -- from a sister from a bordering state (Oklahoma)
I can't begin to tell you how much your writings make me laugh, cry, think, and cheer you on day after day! It takes courage to get out of your comfort zone and you are one strong woman (I like to think it's because you come from a 'Plains' state !!

Viva the Year of the Pig! If it gets you outta your digs and knee-deep in adventure, I say "go, girl, go!" I'm *thrilled* that you got to meet N. M. -- I love her "I-don't-care-if-you-like-me, I'm-speaking my-piece" attitude. She's be lucky to have a stalker, err, FAN in you, Laurie! ;)

I would totally do all of that. I have probably said this already, but if you ever find yourself in the least danger of meeting me? Earplugs.

Cat update: the bad news is that the comfort zone is still pretty small; the good news is that its center is the food dish.

Oh, Laurie. I am so very excited for you.

W. :)

Whoa! The universe sure was good to you to make you drive! Awesome!

Mmmm - Trader Joes. :) Even better than that is the loverly Patrick at my Whole Foods. I always buy way more wine and/or cheese than I planned on whenever he's working. *sigh*.

Yikes - that sounded a little stalker-ish myself! But, you gotta love a man that knows his wine....

Yeah for you for getting the courage to meet Natalie. The real victory is in the long walk up to the stage, more than actually meeting her. And, I'm jealous that you only were sweaty in one pit - I'm almost always afflicted with bilateral perspiration!

Oh Purl, I'm sure Miss Natalie didn't worry one bit about you. I bet she was in fact charmed by you - how could she not be?? ;)

"The Ballad of Earl" is one of my all-time favorite songs. I played it during the separation/divorce. A lot.

And hey, no matter how silly you felt going up there, congrats on doing it from a fellow hermit. Besides, you can always comfort yourself in the knowledge that it could have been worse.

You could have mentioned PORN to Natalie Maines! ;-)

I so know what you're talking about - except my quasi-stalker moment was with Garrison freaking Keillor in St. Louis two years ago and I had him all to myself while he was waiting for his ride to the airport in the hotel lobby, and he didn't let go of my hand after he shook it for a whole three minutes, and I accidently misplaced my hometown 200 miles east of where it really is and he corrected me, but he was so polite & charming about it and me beign a huge dork and, holy hell, I still get woozy thinking about it.

I confess that I haven't listened to any Dixie Chicks music since they made that infamous statement and could care less if I ever hear it ever again, but all that aside I am proud of you Laurie for stepping outside that box and having a great evening for yourself.

And I agree with the earlier poster--the honor went to Natalie for meeting YOU, and not the other way 'round.

You go girl!

potato chips....augghhhhhhhhhhh...drool

DADGUM, girlie! What an evening. So glad you seized the day.

SHUT UP.
that is seriously cool. I would have done more than sweat in one armpit!
And I would totally be the same way-I went to a trade show and met some of my idols and was freaking out. I'm good at freaking out. I would freak out if I met you.
Not to burst your bubble, but I think it just became the year of the boar.
But you still rock!! Luv the DxCx!!

Well, there you have it....Karma is a sweetheart when you have paid some dues. I love that you got to meet someone you love and admire. I did the same thing when I saw Neil Finn (Crowded House) in the produce department at Whole Foods in Portland, OR. I gave myself about 3 seconds to get used to the fact that I was going to meet him, in person. The best part, he was sweet and gracious and let me tell him how much his music has meant in my life. (I am sure he hears that all the time!)
What a Great memory! It will be with you for a long time!!

Stalker-wise, don't you feel like you have hundreds?

That's what I keep trying to tell folks. Life happens while you're curled up in bed with the comforter over your head.

Boar = Pig

Wow! So exciting! AND the next time I don't want to leave my house to go to an outing -- like tonight and all this weekend for a celebrity-filled thing with my husband -- because I feel fat and unattractive and too nerdy for words and don't have anything to wear, etc., etc., I'm going to think of you and JUST GO! (After all, if it's horrible I can always come home and drown myself in beverages, yarn and the love of warm cats; right?)

OMG Laurie, that is so cool! I totally understand about Natalie. I felt exactly the same way when I met Bjork (who almost knocked me over with a feather when she complemented me on my eyeliner! Who, me?). Good for you for getting out of the house! I'm all for being a hermit, but sometimes you just have to take the plunge!

And how cute do you look? I see no blemish the sise of the Lone Star State hun!

OH. MY. GOD. I am so, so proud of you. Also, I think the same event is coming to Seattle (because We Are Cool and Artsy, you know) and I am SO GOING.

Oh yeah! What fun, Laurie! Very cool. Your smile says it all.

Oh, wow, Laurie, I got so excited for you just reading that you got to meet Natalie! Your day may have started out on the wrong foot but what a fabulous ending! Good time, good friends, then meeting a celebrity! Gee, I'm STILL excited, can't you tell by all my exclamation marks? heh heh. I still love the Chicks myself and I love Natalie's gumption. I'm from Texas and I remember their early days in Dallas wearing cowgirl outfits - yikes! Natalie wasn't a member at that time, though.

Yay, Laurie! You go girl! How fun!

From one ex-pat Texan to another--what you said about being born Texan is so true ("Being born in Texas is like being born Catholic... you just are.") I spent about a thousand years trying to escape Texas, only to find the Texan in me popping out all over. Nine years in Boston and I still haven't lost my accent, or my love for enchiladas suizas, or my Texan vocabulary (words like kittycorner, fixin-to, and of course, DADGUM!), or my longing for the wide open spaces of the prairie I grew up on.

GOOD FOR YOU that you seized the day! Carpe diem!!!

So fun! I miss Comfort sometimes too. The year after I left, I guess, the High School was in a whole brand new building and I missed it all. My bus ride to school was around an hour long because we lived all the way out in Sisterdale. I would have to get up to get ready for school at 6 a.m.! Walking up our driveway added a lot of time to my "commute" as well because it was so long. I miss our big red gate! My family moved around as well, but we mostly kept it in Texas. My mom was a crazy moving fool, bless her heart.

I can't tell you how in awe I am of you and your gift of voice. At least you got to tell Natalie what her music meant to you, ok, so it was all in one long run-on sentence but at least it came out of your mouth.

A few years ago I got to meet the love of my life, Jackson Browne. HE walked up to ME and thus I had no time to prepare myself for breathing the same air as he so when he asked me how I was doing I stood there. With a freakishly HUGE smile on my face, trying not to cry or faint. I had so much to say to this poet, musician, political activist and yet I just stood there. He stood there probably wondering when my physichiatric center day pass was going to expire, then excused himself and walked away.

I will never recover from that lost opportunity.

Holy Shit Batman!

BTW - I'm from MesaTempeChandlerGilbert when people ask me where I'm from - same thing - moved all over hill and dale within a twenty mile radius.

I must delurk to tell you that I am SO FREAKIN' JEALOUS!

Sorry. Even us Minnesota Girls love us some Chicks. :-)

That is so rockin' awesome! I was so excited for the chicks at the Grammy's! And most of the time, I'm not ready to make nice either! :)

I really think the reason that Miss Natalie isn't smiling very big is because when she woke up that morning, she forgot who she was. She forgot that when she goes out in public people are going to want to take pictures of her. And there she stood getting her picture taken with a gorgeous blond and just realized that her shirt was a total atrocity. I mean my gosh, who puts gathers right above the boobies? Especially when there isn't much there to accentuate? hehe

Seriously, congrats on taking a big step and living life to the fullest.

I completely understand what you are saying. My get out of the house and be somebody is "If you get the chance to sit it out or dance, dance. Words I like to live by but I am more of a sitter than dancer. I pray my daughters are dancers. Love your stories.....Southern is Good from here in Duluth (DuuuLuuuth) Georgia

P.S.
Good table manners are a must

Speaking of hair cuts, you could totally do your hair the same as Natalie's. Look at that picture again, your coloring is almost the same too. Why don't you collect some pics from the internet and see what a stylist can do? I think you'd look good.

Holy crap, that's cool!

And you could NOT have said it better about being from Texas . . . I totally agree. It's just someting you are.

I AM SO JEALOUS OF YOU! I am also a gigantic fan of the Chicks, ever since I saw them perform on some stupid morning show when their first album came out.

I was going to write them a letter after Taking the Long Way came out because I was so moved by it, but after this one summer where I wrote Balthazar Getty a letter EVERY SINGLE DAY, I'm a little shy about writing to famous people.

It sounds like you had a fun time. I think the reason Natalie isn't smiling is because she's standing next to a woman who looks about ten times better than she does, with a ton less makeup. I know that's snarky, and I have nothing against Natalie (her attitude ROCKS!) I'm just telling the truth.

Also, I wanted to ask you - I'm going to be in L.A. in May for a long weekend, and I have the go ahead from my husband to sneak out for an evening and do something fiber-related. Do you think your knitting group is the type that would welcome a random knitter from Minnesota for an evening?

That's so awesome! You're my hero!

Ok, Laurie,

You are officially becoming my guru for embracing change this year!!

I've already NetFlixed Shut Up And Sing.. (how I wish I could see it at a library with other folks.).. and I am thrilled that a Texas gal got to actually meet Natalie!

You met a real, live celebrity!!! *squeals!!!

THAT is one of the best stories I've heard in a long time! Go you!

And I think the Dixie Chicks should totally work "Cardigan of Constant Sorrow" in when writing the lyrics for their next album.

Shelly, we would love a visitor!!

I cannot believe there are so many Texans here (and nomads, also) ... represent!

Juliane, thank you so much for saying this:
"The real victory is in the long walk up to the stage, more than actually meeting her."

I did feel victorious to just do it and walk over there, even though I was in my frumpiest work outfit ever and had been awake since 4 a.m. and apparently misplaced my lipstick LOL. I did it! Go hermit power!

p.s. I was so wound up last night that I couldn't fall asleep until 2 a.m. I am about to plop over on my desk right now!!!

You are my cult!!!! Good for you!

I used to be a fan of the Dixie Chicks...havent listened to them since NM made THAT comment. But, I think it's totally cool that you got a chance to meet someone that you've admired.

I've had my stalkerish moments too. I once stood behind a stage in a mall and stuck my Polaroid disk camera between the curtains to get a photograph of Davy Jones (of the Monkees) backside. (I have the picture around here somewhere) That was after standing in line for 3 hours so that I could get him to autograph his book "I was a teenage Monkee", and I actually got a kiss from him! I also was one of the several hundred girls who chased him down the escalator to the mall exit. It was during the mad dash to get one more second to tell poor Davy just how much I loved him, when I realized I was a 18yr old stalker. (this was late 1980s, when the Monkees reunited for awhile)

I'm now nearly 38yrs old, and I've occasionally had relapses into stalker-hood. But, I've mellowed out a bit with age. I think I calmed down on the stalking when I ended up being on the wrong side of stalker-hood. Ever have a 400lbs+ guy who looks like Andre the Giant (who's nickname was ironically "Andre"), sit in his car in the parking lot of the McD's you work at, staring at you for 3hrs...waiting for you to get off work so he can either kidnap you or run you down with his car? (he was big into D&D, so maybe he was trying to cast a spell on me and that explains all the staring and the look of intense concentration? meh...maybe it was the Big Mac he bought from me just before he screamed at me because I called the cops on him at the Star Trek convention because he threatened me??)

That's enough to make you tear up your Stalker Club membership card.

I dont think what you did at your meeting with Natalie Maines amounted to stalkerish behavior. It was fannish behavior, and I'm sure NM is used to that type of behavior from the fans.

But, there is a fine line between fannish behavior and stalkerish behavior. Just dont break into Natalie Maines' house and steal her car and claim that your her soul mate and that she lets you borrow her car all the time. That would cause a problem...

OMG! I LOVE me some Dixie Chicks, too! Half my iPod is Dixie Chick goodness. I'm soooooo freaking jealous!!!! ACK!

Yay for you for getting out! See what you might have missed had you stayed home????

Hey... some of y'all (did I do that right?)are being kind of hard on poor Natalie. She is a super cutie non-Hollywood type. "WE" don't care so much about packaging, even if it is extremely nunish, right?

Laurie, I would like to propose that the Cardigan of Constant Sorrow is BURNED... yes BURNED, have a party and burn the sucker. Set the date and we will all burn something with you!

p.s. I too hermit, you ROCK.

Yay Laurie! Take the bull by the horns in the Year of the Pig!!!! dadgum! LOL!

Wow, Laurie, this is so cool. And I totally admire your courage. I wish I had been as dadgum gutsy as you when I sat next to Three Doors Down.

And, of course, now I'm listening to "Wide Open Spaces." Go Dixie Chicks!

ZOMFG! I have envy! I bet you're on Top of the World right now! And? YAY! I'm a big Chicks fan myself, and am looking forward to seeing "Shut Up and Sing" soon. Woo.

hi! you are so cute! i miss you!

(i was in LA again and thinking of you muchly.)

*hugs*

that is a great lesson! loved the story - love the way you write - love my daily fix of Crazy Aunt Purl! thank you so much for the laugh out loud moment you provide each day!

i also love the chicks too - know all the words to most of their songs (havent bought the new album yet). i would have been on stage with ya!

You are awesome just the way you are!!

I'm glad the goodness of this year is rollin all over ya!

Love and Laughter,
Amy

Honey, you had your picture made with one of the Dixie Chicks. ;^)

I'm so proud of you. Leaving that comfy spot is not an easy thing to do. *hugs*

Totally Freakin' Awesome! That is SO COOL! Yay you for getting out! I bet if Natalie knew about your blog, she'd be reading it.

What a *fabulous* story. I'm so happy for you! Your smile is absolutely wonderful!

Good on ya! I have not been to Comfort but my sister loves it and if you ever want to visit TX again I fully volunteer to provide wine and cats and yarn.

glamour is usually evenings involving some combination of Tivo, wine and yarn while a cat sits on my foot. I 100% agree!

From a girl who's been living in Austin for 14 years I have one thing to say to that:

You GO COWGIRL!!! That's awesome!!!

Why are you so shy? You're so pretty! I love reading your blog, you're a great writer.

I am so jealous of you! I am going to have to check out those Young Literati series. Good for you, getting out there. I have the same problems as you, not wanting to leave the comforts of home, but when you do get out there, wonderful things can happen.

Go, year of the golden pig!! Woohoo

THAT IS SO COOL! This Year of the Pig stuff is really working out well for you, huh? As always, keep up the good stuff!

on the bright side...you WEREN'T sweating in the other armpit, and that's always a good thing.

So awesome that you grabbed life by the horns and I can I just say that you look awesome with such huge smile on your face!

I am also one who sits at home with the pets and knits while listening to TV. Your wonderful experience is a reminder to all of us that we have a really good time if we just go out and meet all of those other "just like me" people. Hurray for your friend's husband and hurray for you!

Carpe Diem!! How cool.

Natalie Maines totally strikes me as someone who knows excited goofiness and we KNOW she understands saying something you might not have if you thought about it. You look adorable and what counts is you had fun and got to do something most of us haven't.

Yay Year of the Pig!

Natalie is not smiling as much as you because she's trying to work up the nerve to ask if she can come to your house to meet the Amazing Cat Posse, especially Roy. You can almost see that little thought bubble "geezum, do I dare ask?" - at least I can. :)

I'm so happy to took Audrey & Jeff up on their offer. They were really sweet and I'm certain you thanked them profusely. You go, Laurie!!!

How awesome! Sometimes,(as you said) leaving the dadgum house is a good thing indeed :)

The same thing happened to me last year when I got to meet one of the OBC members and star of the movie RENT, Anthony Rapp. I'm painfully shy and it showed when it was my turn to meet him "Um, hi, Idon'thaveanythingforyoutosignbutcanIpleasegetapicturewithyou?" To which he politely replied "Of course". I've got this picture up on my fridge at home to remind me that good things can happen if you just break out of your shell.

Yay again for getting out there!

You are so my hero! Way to put yourself out there. You've done us all proud! Can't wait to see you on America's Most Stalking! Smile big for that picture too.

It was a direct line of destiny: divorce to stitch-n-bitch to meeting Audrey to Pig Year to missing the bus to meeting Natalie!!

Oh, Laurie! It was FATE!!

I love me some Dixie Chicks for every conceivable reason!!! Yay you!!!! And she was lucky to meet you.

I love women who are not afraid to say what they think. I just wish they wouldn't apologize when they do.

I wonder what church choir that robe came from?

And did you notice you got so excited you forgot to take they picture over her right shoulder, like you are supposed to?

well, being from texas you might relate to the 1 hour i waited outside a dallas JC Penny's for a signed picture of Charlie Waters ( a dallas cowboy hottie)
And when i got to him i let out some stalker preteen
"HI", and he gave me the one eyebrown 'are you nuts?' look. *sigh*

But he was HOT.

In order to get myself out of the house, I have to repeat my mother's words of wisdom "Just go. You might meet someone" And, see? You DID!

And don't worry about the stalkering tendencies....cause even big-time celebs do it to each other. I bet there are a few artists that Natalie Maines would make herself a fool over if she got to meet them. I've gotten to meet a few people myself living here in Nashville....and have given up on trying to be "normal" and saying something smart and profound. I just spurt out the usual "oh my god! I love your music!" and move on...

I am so proud of you and your bravery!
btw,
You, my darlin are a superstar and she was equally lucky to have her picture taken with you!

but.. as far as stalkers go? check the comments on my blog for a scary-real taste of that. yikes.

I totally love that I can see every one of your teeth in that picture. You done good, honey!

All because you stepped out in faith and took that opportunity when it came knocking, sounds like something from "the Secret" if you ask me!
I have got to do that sometime, too!
Way to go!

That is so awesome!!!! I'm so glad you went. I love "Wide Open Spaces" as well. That was my first country CD purchase ever -- and for some reason it was my move to LA that made me start loving country music, when I'd always been adverse to it before. Weird.

So, I take it a step further and TOUCH celebrities. (Dick Clark? Does not want to be touched. He was rather jerkbally about it.) I put my hand on her shoulder & told Martha Stewart we were "behind her 100%) (pre-prison). AND the coup de grace was touching Bryan Adams on the shoulder & somehow telling him I'd had a sex-change operation b/c I was getting a CD signed for my boss (Jim) and then for me (Jen) and well, that's what they called me before the operation HAHAHAHAHAHA and he looked at my boobs and said, well, they did a great job. (He knew I wasn't actually a sex-change recipient. Not that there's anything wrong with it!)
So, I'm just sayin'. We'd be excellent taking on the celebrities together. And then we could share a cell after the stalking catches up with us! Jailhouse knitters, unite!

holy crap!!! GOOD ON YOU!!! One of the horrible things I had to learn (horrible because you just don't "DO" stuff when you have an anxiety disorder) is that I regret what I DON'T do wayyyy more than I regret what I do! And she might not have been smiling too wide because she had dark lipstick on and was afraid some was on her teeth....coulda happened....

She is not smiling because she is wearing that shirt and hello! Audrey has a great haircut. I'd forgotten you'd said that and got to the picture and thought, "Wow, a great haircut!" and then went back to confirm.
Now you make me sad because I didn't go chase down Leo Kottke that one time.

Awesome! I was thinking the same thing as Shannon was about the lipstick smile.

You never know, you could have been freaking her out. She might read your blog and she was so awestruck by meeting you that she couldn't say too much (the stuttering, don't you know) in case you thought her a fool/stalker.

Congratulations on meeting Natalie Maine. Your writing cracks me up! I do have those hermit tendencies as well, but after my recent breakup, no more! I'm getting out there!

And doing some knitting at home in front of the TV, too.

Omygodthatissoooocool!!!

WAY. TO. GO!

What a great thing to remember next time you're tempted to not take the risk of going someplace.

WOOOHOOO!

{{hugs}}

See - good things happen when you leave Chez Spinster!

De-lurking.
First of all...you are beautiful.
Second...I'm always quite surprised when I hear/read someone doesn't listen to the Chicks anymore because of 'that'....(I actually felt like some proud mama when I read what she said but please, no apologies)
I got to see them in Winfield,KS in '91, beyond fabulous.
Good for you taking that piggie by its curly tail!

woohoo! congragulations Laurie ;) Keep shaking life with both hands (it's surprising what falls out)

Echoing the sentiment of the Cardi of Constant Sorrow is sooooooooo much better than the Blouse of Coffin Lining Satin.

And you rock the casbah once again for all us hermits.

You look so cute in that picture! You look like you had a blast!

This is a great story and good lesson and believe you me, if John Cusack is ever within three miles of Bossy she plans on driving her Honda straight into his Q&A and proposing. And Bossy has never used "believe you me" in her long tortured life.

Aw, that's just wonderful :) I'm not a fan, but I think it's awesome that karma and destiny and timing and everything worked out just SO, and that you got up your gumption to say hello - that's something you'll remember for life!!

Laurie, you are awesome! Go on with your bad self girl!

I just started reading your blog a few weeks ago and can't help but de-lurk. How awesome that you met Natalie Maines!! I'm a Texan myself (lived in Vegas for four years and was miserable so I'm back - whew!) and love me some Dixie Chicks.

I've passed that love to my girls and I can't wait to show them your photo. :) They think that any band who has three girls is way cooler than silly boy bands.

So freakin' awesome Laurie, I LOVE the Dixie Chicks. While most be people I know would vehemently deny it if I was described as shy,(I put on a good act I guess) I would be shakin and sputtering, and sweatin' right alongside you. I am so happy to hear that your gettin' out there and havin' fun, wahoooo!

Just one more good thing about getting a divorce--you'd never have met a Dixie Chick.

Here's a thought: replace the "half is missing now" photo in the "About Me" section with this one ??? Ain't no half missin' now, for sure.

OHMYGOD!!!! You are so freakin' lucky!!!

I love me some Dixie Chicks too!!! Congrats on the meet and greet and btw - thanks for the
A-dorable pics of Mia (aka Gene Simmons) they are the best!

So cool for you!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Laurie, I'm sorry this doesn't have anything to do with today's post, but I need to ask you a question. When you are making the Brangelina hat, and you are working on the brim, how do you keep your purl stitches from looking loose when you go from a knit stitch to a purl stitch? I can never make my purl stitches as tight as my knit stitches. It looks like a gap after the knit stitches, and I do knit as tight as you do. Also, thank you for answering my other question in the past, concerning working on circular needles. I am use to them now. Now if I can only get my purl stitches to look halfway decent. Ha! Thank you, Robin

So jealous...Now you know how we feel when we are stalking you. I actually wonder if you will walk in when I am at Unwind on a Saturday.

If I ever got a chance to meet Hugh Jackman I would so totally pee myself.

Post #095686509487094584095yunhgkjfgh99f075760495z!!
I love Natalie Maines, and I swear to you, woman child, she was JUST about to smile when the picture was snapped. I can *feel* it! Wahooo!! How magnificent!

Robin, are you moving the yarn to the other side of the fabric when you start your purling?

Also, I will ask Annie about this, too, she often has excellent advice about purling issues. So glad you are making the Brangelina hat!!!

Laurie, you are so cute when you talk about being shy. I'm the same way, where I have to kick myself in the ass to leave the house (and right now, without a job, if I don't have a reason to leave the house, I DON'T). The only difference seems to be that when you open your mouth and say something you think is silly, it's really just mildly awkward and can be laughed off.
My problem is that I'm naturally very sarcastic, so when I shut my eyes and force myself to say something, I blurt out something horrifically insulting, hoping that it'll be laughed off, but IT JUST HANGS THERE IN STINKING SILENCE. People I've never met before (and who will probably go out of their way to avoid me in the future) think I'm such an asshole.

I will gladly trade my awkward Roseanne-Barre-esque social skills for yours. Yours get you callbacks from acquaintances and photo ops with famous people.

that is super amazing and totally inspiring!

i love, love, LOVE the chicks!

you should have invited her to s-n-b!

I don't know about Dixie Chicks or Natalie Mains and I live in Portland, OR where we have way too many trees for wide open skies which, even when you can see them, are usually dripping rain but... I DO have a Trader Joe's hottie (hey you wanna be my) boyfriend! As with so many of your posts, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

How absolutely wonderful -- you rock!

And yes, you inspire many, including me. I am being more adventurous this year, and while I have not met a Dixie Chick, I did go to the salon and tell them "Do as you wish" with my hair that is the same style it has been since I was 14 (and I'm 42) (it turned out great), and today I went to the fancy Clinique counter and treated myself to the eyecolors that the makeup technician showed me would be wonderful on me -- freakin' purple! -- which I've never done before. Small steps, but big for me, inspired by you. Thanks!!!!

Once upon a time, long ago in a faraway place (also known as Lake Conroe, TX), it was the Fourth of July. And in our hotel there would be some musical entertainment for the Fourth of July (my best estimate of the year would be 1990 or thereabouts). The musical entertainment was Asleep At the Wheel. And opening? Dixie Chicks. WAY BEFORE they were *THE* Dixie chicks. I just remember being so impressed by them being so young and so talented at such a young age (and being inspired as I was ummmm in the high school band and all). I chatted with them after their set... they were (And are) so cool. We've had a close brush with the same fame! See -- now I've turned all stalker on you hehe.

Great stories!! I LOVE the Dixie Chicks!! Really nice picture--great smile and you can barely see the sweatie arm pit at all!

Laurie, that is so cool! I'm glad you got there. I know how awkward you felt. When I was 17, I met Steve Perry (Journey) whom I still love to this day and would marry in a heartbeat (even though he's an old guy now ha ha). Got my picture taken with him and a kiss on the cheek (his lips, my cheek (*sigh*). I'm sure he remembers me to this day because in an attempt to sound knowledgeable and cool, I commented on his recent vacation to Hawaii (it was mentioned in an article in Teen Beat or something).

Then, trying to be complementary, I said, "Nice tan." Because he had such lovely brown skin. He gave me a funny look but said "uh, thanks".

It did not occur to me until much later... he's Portuguese. Um, that's his natural color. Dork. Ooops...

You Go Girl!

I drove home today from work,in my brand new car with the windows down (75 degrees here in the wilds of Arkansas--awesome)playing me some Dixie Chicks as loud as possible. Ah--if my foggy old brain remembers right the Chicks have not always had very good taste---in cloths that is. If I pitched out every CD or DVD of every artist I did not agree with--not much good stuff left!!They make great music. And girl you look GREAT just like you are. What a great evening for you!!

OMG!

Best.

Blog entry.

EVAH!!

Rock on, Laurie.

I'm delurking to tell you how jealous I am of you!

I saw the movie last night and I really think I could be friends with the Dixie Chicks. But probably the law would be involved. :)

Yes!!!
I went to a Christine Lavin concert, and to her 'pre-concert knitting circle' and afterwards got a picture taken with her wearing the knitted wristies I made.
Carpe celebrity! (No, no, that really would get a restraining order against us, wouldn't it?)
Just do it!

She's only not smiling as much as you are becuase her blouse is choking her and she's jealous of the cardigan of lost sorrow, or whatever it is named. That is so cool that you got a chance to do that!!!! i am some what of a foister if the occasion requires, but i think i would have fainted in this situation and i'm not much of a fainter. she took a huge risk by exercising her american born right to an opinion and i admire that. not to mention i agree with her, but that's jsut icing on the cake. :o)

I have to say, that your "freshly scrubbed" Texas face looks amazing next to Ms. Maines overly made up, frozen one! You definitely outshine the best of them. Congrats on taking that deep breath and giving the inner agoraphobe the heave ho!

OM FREAKING G!!!!! I would have died too. The song, Not Ready To Make Nice, is MY song! They think they wrote for the country music industry but really they wrote it to all those that abandoned me when my child died (because our society does not deal well with grief & isolates those that are living with it. rant sorry). Anyway, I LOVE those ladies & I hope Natalie NEVER shuts up. Them texan's are perfect in my book!!!!!!

CAP! I think I've missed something - why is it the Cardigan of Constant Sorrow? Poor little cardigan, what evils lurk in its weavings?

And yay for that walk to the stage, indeed. I did it once, and got a kiss from Jack Lousma for my efforts. Hee. Yay for Pig Year Bravery!

Yay! Good on ya, for going outside the comfort zone. It's a beautiful picture, and what a great memory, eh? You rock!

So freakin' cool! Way to get out of the house, Laurie! :-)

Regarding some folks' comments about NM's appearance--she's not overly made-up at all, if you realize she was on a stage, and it looks like there were some pretty bright lights there. Any less makeup, and you wouldn't be able to make out her features very well in the glare of the lights.

But that top she's wearing is hideous. Just sayin'.

Oh man, that's awesome.

By the way, you look great in that picture, and she's doing the "I'm a celebrity" practiced smile that makes her look pretty. But wow. Wow!

That Earl song, seriously one of the best songs ever written.

Smile...it makes people wonder what you've been up to! Looks like you had a great time!

Awesome! Looks like you were meant to miss that bus that day :)

Wide Open Spaces was my theme CD after a really bad breakup. I love that CD.

Yay for you! Yay for meeting Natalie and getting your picture taken and getting out of the house. Yay for you!

Hey, isn't Comfort one of those old German towns? I'm writing a paper about them right now! Wheee!

I want to say something clever to start like "long time reader, first time typer" but it's not quite the truth. I have recently discovered you and am so glad I did.

As a fellow 30something it's affirming to read that you too are still growing and moving in a direction that will someday be the real you. I just had this conversation with my closest friends...where were we supposed to learn all these things, the lessons of life you so beautiful share with your readers? Take a chance on yourself? Fill yourself up with good stuff even when the cruddy stuff is enough to overflow? Surround yourself with people that support you not ones that make you want to be something you're not? Love yourself to better love others? This is great stuff...why wasn't it a part of my life for the last 20 years? I've been on my own journey this last year. I've lost myself in my beautiful family and suddenly realized that I was gone...I'm climbing back and remembering to fill myself back up with things that matter to ME. I wish I would've stumbled on it sooner but now that I have I think I'm gonna make it after all!

I teach High School and I can't tell you the number of times a week I try to get the point across to kids that they need to break out and DO THINGS that really meet their own needs...things that matter in the scheme of their own lives not just the things they think that their friends want them to do...that life's a journey and if you're not growing something's wrong. If they could really see that just saying yes to a random invitation like you did could lead to an encounter that will stick with them for a lifetime...what a great lesson to beable to treat someone to.
Thank you Laurie, Thank you.

HOW COOL! I love the Chicks. Drove 4 hours to see them in concert once, and even sat in nosebleed seats!

Broke up with my last boyfriend over them, too.

So worth it.

What a great surprise ending to your outing!

I can relate to your wide open spaces and big sky and small town. I grew up in Western MN - flat, open prairies and a town of 300. Had 35 in my graduating class and I look back and wouldn't want to change where I grew up for anything.

Do you have daydreams about moving back? I do.

You know that once you mentioned Comfort, Texas, Natalie was as excited as you were. I mean, both of the other Chicks live in the HIll Country - Emily in Bandera and Marty somehwere around Austin. So it was like old home week!

Oh - and Comfort has a lot more than 200 people now. I think it probably has 200 'antique' shops.

That is SO. Freakin'. COOL!! TOTALLY worth a sweaty armpit and a restraining order.

Fantastic!! Breaking out of a comfort zone takes courage, and you did it. I am sure Natalie Maines was happy to meet you and did not consider you the least bit stalkerish, I'll bet she was thrilled.

I am so proud of you!
And a whole lot of jealous!!!!!

Yay Laurie! You go girl. You have a MUCH prettier smile than Natalie.

OMG! Congratulations on keeping it together when faced with fame! You even managed to get a photo.

When I met my famous person, the lead singer of Jesus Jones, I just said 'hi'. I didn't know what to talk about or say or anything. I blanked. And I didn't get a photo.

This was back in high school in the early 90's, when they were popular. And he was hot! But so much older than me. But hot! With a husky voice :) My younger brother's friend's uncle worked for EMI or something, so we got to hang out backstage after the show and wait to see them.

OMG, that is so awesome!!

Okay, here's a funny Dixie Chicks story. I was the business manager for a couple of radio stations during the '90s. One of them was a country station. We were an Arbitron reporter (which means we were sort of important to artists trying to get airplay). The Chicks were new and nobody was playing the Dixie Chicks at the time. Their record company sent us 4 pizzas, each with a letter spelled out in pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms and something else... C H I X

I don't remember if we gave their tune some spins after that, but the pizzas were good.

WOW,way to rock Laurie! What an opportunity grasped!

Wow! What a night: I have a photo of my Mum with Dame Judi Dench. Mum is all-over-smiles, Dame Judi less so. I think it's a tactic to avoid smile lines (which are the nicest lines in the world, and I want to have lots of them). ~x~

Dadgum Grrrl! You are SO ready to make nice with life.

I'm so proud and so jealous cause I love me some Dixie Chicks too. Silent House just cracks me wide open.

Holy Crap! My jaw just kept dropping farther and farther the more I read...that's just the coolest thing ever. You earned that treat in the most basic way ever, karmically speaking. Nice!

I'm from Ohio and use 'dadgum'. I learned it from a college prof that was from Texas, dadgummit!

jonny19

I think Leah has stumbled on to something great for 2007....
WWLD? What Would Laurie Do? I see bumber stickers, key chains, sweet tea glasses, coozies, tshirts!
Congrats on getting out and getting such a nice surprise! Way to go!

You look great in that photo! Love the hair color! Natalie looks kind of on the tired side --she looks good as a brunette -- Natalie has no idea she was talking to one of the most popular bloggers this side of --well -- Texas!

Dear Leslie,

You have a talent for writing!
Seriously!

I borrowed a book from the library called 'The Incredible Shrinking Critic' yesterday, as I was reading it, I kept thinking, 'she doesn't write as well as Crazy Aunt Purl..and she is not near as funny'!

Thank you for writing!
You make me smile and nod along and want to be a staker too :o)

Donna

I'm sorry Laurie.
I messed up your name.
What a loser.

Donna

Me.
Not you.

i think that's a record big smile, that alone is very very cool.

In that last picture you totally look like my cousin Jennifer. Love it, made me smile to see pure joy on someone's face. Oh, and totally jealous of you. I listened to Wide Open Spaces religiously when I moved to the south from the Pacific Northwest on principle, and my sister and I will listen to it when I move back home this summer (gonna be the best road trip ever). We'll have to check out the town you mentioned, cuz we're totally going to Texas. (we've both got a thing for cowboys)

Hey! Audrey and Jeff are MY friends! Harumph!

Yes they are highly influential and good people to know. Natalie Maines...yeah, sure, but AUDREY and JEFF are the ones you should be stalking! They go everywhere and know everyone!!!

Glad you got to meet your hero.

Woooo-weeee, girl! (Best imitation of Texan drawl inserted there - my ex is a Texan) That's an awesome story! And the Cardigan of Constant Sorrows is not that bad either. :)

"you just are" Yepper, me too. I know just what you mean.

Good on you, CAP!!!

Best.Post.Ever! You are a genius storyteller and OF COURSE you met NM - that does not surprise me one iota. She should feel as lucky. Shut Up and Sing cheered me so much. Those women are incredible, just like you. I do think, however, that they are in need of a stylist. Possibly someone who could knit them something. Maybe a Roll Brim Hat or a clapotis - heh.

Did you tell her you were posting the picture on your knitting blog? That's what I told Gillian Welch and she leaned over to my DH and asked, "what's a knitting blog?" Ha! If she only knew...

Ooooh, I love that you went AND got to meet Natalie Maines! So fine!
(When I met one of my heroes at a book signing, I almost cried with joy. AND I made her sign everyone of my 8 books. Some of which are paperback.)

LOL - Cardigan of Constant Sorrow!! I LOVE it. I have one of those myself that I wore "pertineer" every single day of the recent 3 months I was unemployed :-) I love your picture - You look so happy and your skin is gorgeous!!

Wotawoman!! I feel like a stalker when I write on your blog...I can only imagine the satisfaction of just getting up and walking up and speaking to a hero type person. Bravo. What a pretty face and fabo smile you've got too. Personally I've wondered what I ever would do if I spotted YOU out in the big world. BTW, NM is wearing a strange type shirt...cross between a 60's peasant blouse and a choir robe sounds about right. I love the Cardigan of Constant Sorrow - I have articles in that category and was honestly thinking of replacing one of them today as I have to join my boss and her team for dinner tonight...(offering up a prayer to the mall-goddess and do a little lunch hour quick-shop).

nice! i cried like an idiot when i met naomi judd!

I just adore your blog, especially your cat pictures and knitting patterns. I grew up in and around Austin and sometimes I get homesick for Texas. Then I remember that my horrible stepfather and half-sister live there and not even that large state is big enough for our togetherness.

Anyway, I'm about to cast on your roll brim hat (circular needles for the first time!) and I'm saluting you...thanks for the pattern.

Laurie, that is dadgum brilliant! Way to go!

Wahoo Lauri!

That's very, very cool and we're all very proud!!

my mom-in-law's family is one of the founding families of Comfort, Texas. Her 90-something-year-old mom lives downtown(?) Comfort and she and daddy-in-law live in Centerpoint.

I, myself, grew up in Austin and now live in McQueeney and work in Seguin, Texas. Always lived in Texas, prolly always will. It's a Texas thang.

I once had a bf from Oregon - he remarked that when people fill out their address or the return address on mail - if they're from Texas, they write the whole word out as opposed to using those Post Office abbreviations. Like it's a sense of pride. I think about that every time I write my address. not that I'm thinking of him anymore. But still....

And what IS UP with Natalie's blouse??!! LOL!

Love ya!!

-Dana

The Chicks ROCK! Wide Open Spaces got a lot of air time whenever I'd headed to my small town college. I love their music.

AND did you know that Natalie is married to the actor who plays Nathan Petrelli on Heroes?? Now everytime I watch Heroes (Tivoed, of course!), I can't help but think how cool he is just because of who he's married to. Not to mention that I love Heroes and get worked up EVERY Monday over a show! Luv it. :)K

Just to comment on how much I enjoy reading your blog. I'm not sure if I have ever left a comment here in the past but I guess its' time to acknowledge my appreciation of having Crazy Aunt Purl to read when I go out visiting blog land.

dd/sandy

Woot! Way to get out Girl! Im working on going to the mall... you've inspired me!! -S.

oh man....that is so awesome! you met a dixie chick! do you know that i didn't even listen to the dixie chicks until nathalie told the whole world that the emperor indeed was buck naked? i'm a dyed in the blue yankee (except for when it comes to baseball when i'm a redsox) liberal democrat communist hater of texas(i'm afraid that our president has made me so). but i like you...so maybe i'll have to not be so judgemental. (my brother was born in texas by the way.) and i lived there from the age of 3-6.

anyway. i'm so excited that you got to meet the chick. and more importantly that you WENT OUT!!!!

ok my comment makes me sound like i'm crazy blogger stalker.

Woo to the Hoo! You done good. Keep up the hard work of getting out of your comfort zone!

Isn't life rich?? Every day has the possibility of providing those once in a lifetime moments. Good for you!

My daughter is a huge Sarah Jessica Parker fan(in nearly a stalker mode). I noticed SJP would be in Chicago to introduce her perfume, so I let her skip school(sorry to all the diappointed teachers out there) and we took the train down to "meet" her. We waited in line nearly 3 hours, and had to buy a $60 bottle of perfume just for that privilege, but my Sarah was one of the last allowed the few seconds face to face with SJP. Sarah nearly came unglued in the moments before- she actually started sobbing hysterically and couldn't get words out-SJP handed her a kleenex and stammered, "You Chicagoans really know how to make some one feel welcome". I think she was afraid Sarah might throw up on her. I,of course, stood off to the side(only 1 person per bottle)and sobbed like an idiot while watching my daughter sob like an idiot.

So Sarah now keeps SJP signed bottle in her shrine. And you got to meet Natalie for free:)

Thanks for always making my day. You bring alot of joy to so many people.

You're totally right about Texas sticking with you. I grew up outside of Houston, and never realized how much of a Texan I was until I went away for college and realized that everyone else said 'pop' to mean cokes and pronounced the h in words like human and Houston. It's weird how things become clearer when they're removed, you know?

That is so cool! I am impressed that you just went for it, and now you have this amazing memory with a photo to go with it! I had a similar moment as a 15-year old Stephen King fan back in 1982...I spotted him walking out of a bookstore, and actually went up to talk to him. I have no idea what possessed me, but my Stephen King fangirlishness couldn't be denied despite my very shy personality! It's so worth it.

Oh. My. God. Natalie.

I adore their music and think that the new album is amazing! It is by far their best..

My teeny tiny Alabama town had a viewing of the movie in our old fashioned theater. I'm sure that nobody showed up, as our state is all kinds of red. If not for my job, I would have been on the front row. Clapping loudly.

I am so jealous of you for meeting Natalie. I admire her a lot for sticking to her guns and her opinion.

I, too, would not have been able to get a sentence out. But, dangit, I would have gotten the picture.. sweat stains and all!

You're so awesome, Laurie. What a great entry about your great surprise evening. :)

Yay, Comfort, TX! My daughter goes to camp there every summer. It's wonderful. I'm so glad that of all the places you have lived, you call TX home.

But, this will be the true test of your "Texanna-ness." Do you put beans in your chili?

Pats to the kitties!

That's awesome!!!

Good for you! and you look cute as a bug.

Oh so cool! I know I am comment 221 - waay at the bottom of the list but I had to comment! I love it - what a cool surprise!

i effen LOVE natalie maines. she kicks all kind of ass. lucky!

Yep - you get that chance and you take it. Anyone who is famous is used to people getting all over-excited and practically peeing themselves. They are usually nice to fanboys.
If all works out ok we are going to grab our chance and take it and move to Colorado. From Australia.

Ditto what Neil said.

Keep that picture, so you can look at it the next time you wonder if you want to not be a hermit, and remember how good it can be when you're not one!

Sounds like you had an AWESOME night! Good for you for getting out and doing something spontaneous.

Not a fan of Natalie, but I have to say that I think that the Chicks are very talented and brilliant as a music group. I don't agree with one iota of what she says, but I would have given up a night to have been able to see something so rare as some famous people doing an open forum in public, and of course, the movie!

I have been to Comfort, Texas! They have a really cool winery there these days. One of their wines is like drinking koolaid. After trying all 8 to 10 of their wines, I was ready to go. I do mean that too, I nearly fell on my bum in front of my Aunt's house. I keep telling her that she needs to get that sidewalk fixed and she tells me the same thing, the sidewalk is fine, there is nothing wrong with it. That should tell you how much wine I had! Ha!

DUDE! That smile just made it stop raining here in NYC!

:o)

Glad you had a great time!

My ex-husband is from Texas - New Braunfels, to be exact - and while I am not on speaking terms with him, I have to say his family, particularly his mama, are all classy folk. Love the Lone Star State - just not its weather.