i can't be first... can I?

The one thing better than donating a knitted square to this project is having appreciation for the work expressed over it!

And Grandma Purl's group would fit in perfectly to my local SnB - y'all are welcome anytime =)

That letter that was attached to the blanket from Heartmade Blessing was a REAL tearjerker! What a sweet thing they are doing for people. I will look into that project.

Farmgirlnow

Okay so I was first... wow. On to my real comment- Laurie I am so glad your Grandma enjoyed her blanket, and that you had fun at the Stitch 'n Giggle (actually it sounds totally right up your alley) and hey- where did your grandma get that neat little walker basket? My mom is handicapped and uses a walker and I've been looking for something like that for her....

Angel, she said she got it at the 99cent store (her favorite!!) and then I think my uncle fitted the metal rings on it. Someone ought to make those and go into business!

What a wonderful group of ladies, you should definitely go back again and again!

Hee-hee. Stitch and Giggle. Sounds pretty much like what we do - WHEN I CAN GET THERE. Sheesh. And when I do, and when YOU do, YOU definitely "bring the giggle"!!! :) Apple. Tree. Y'know.

The note that came with the afghan just seems so right. I can't imagine being faced with something like that. Life just goes on merrily while you are in turmoil. You could have all the friends, sisters, mothers, spouses, around you with support, then there are those times when you want to be alone and have that afghan to ' catch your tears. ' I had the best night after reading your post. I enjoyed my husband and children and reminded myself of all that is good and right in my life. Thank you so much... Oh yeah, you have your mothers smile!!!

The phrase "Viagra sauce" is so fabulous, I will no doubt be muttering it under my breath and chuckling all weekend.

you know, you (not *YOU*, but the universal you) could learn a lot of awesome stitchin' stuff from those gals. i myself am self-taught, and haven't found too many people in Houston to knit with so i can kind of have an S'n'B group for inspiration/competition. i bet they made some beautiful pieces. i guess i'm the only person who now wants to actively seek a Stitch 'n Giggle at old-folks homes.....

and the 'pill'... one time my parents started laughing and giggling about their 'Weekender,' and i immediately started screaming and gagging. i may be in my early late-twenties, but i DO NOT have to be mature after hearing about my parents' sex life >:p

BTW, good luck to Grandma Purl, and she and the blanket are beautiful ;D

"I told him hell yes, I'd call the doctor! I'D CALL EVERYONE I KNOW!"

I cannot stop laughing even long enough to comment.

Oh y'all! Stitch 'n Giggle! I love it.

Laurie, I was wondering about the scrapbook: does it contain all the postcards that came in with squares? Or only the postcards that came in with the squares in Grandma's awesome blanket?

Oh, hey, that Anonymous at 12:05 was supposed to be me. I thought I signed in. My computer sez I didn't, but I think it is lying. :) Oh well, here I am again. Hi!

The scrapbook contains ALL the postcards and pictures of ALL the squares! It is truly a beautiful gift, and it really does make folks speechless. Saw it with my own eyes ;)

Then my message back was for you, Julie, not for Anonymous! LOL

cool.

very cool. laurie, as much as you like to humourize your family, its clear that you have something tres special.

me too. Thanks for the reminder.

Oh - and pictures of all the squares! That IS an awesome scrapbook! I was just wondering because I don't think my square made it into Grandma Purl's Blanket of Awesomeness (it will be in a Blanket of Awesomeness Yet to Come! Hurray!), and I wondered if she got my postcard, or if the recipient of BoAYtC would get it. :)

Oh Lord, I hope I'm that much fun when I'm my Grandma's age. Can't stop giggling...

Two crying bloginations in a row... a new world record... sheesh...

When my brother had a car pull out in front of him while he was riding his mo-bike, and couldn't walk for a couple of months unsupported, we decorated his walker with a beer can holder and some Texas longhorns.

And I don't think he's ever been in Texas in his life.

I have picture proof... LOL

laurie,

I don't stich or knit but I do LOVE to laugh...I would attend the SnB or the SnG anyday!!!!

Does anyone know of something like that in the Orlando area of Florida?

That is a great group of women your grandma hangs out with. :)

Why is it that slightly risque jokes told by little old ladies in walkers are tons funnier than the blatantly dirty ones told by my peers? I think it's the surprise factor. One never suspects a little old lady of 'naughty' thoughts but my friends? Well, a *clean* joke is the suprise!

That is such a wonderful gift, and those ladies! What a hoot!!!

Lori, have you given any thought to changing careers? You never seem to say anytig good about your current job...but damn, you seem to derive so much joy from hanging out with these ladies. I see you as a wellspring of happiness and comfort, just waiting to bust out into wacky dance moves, purposefully crazy hair-jinks and knitting encouragment...all for the sake of others.

Maybe it is time to get out from that desk and start living for your delightful goofiness?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7230038@N05/423347566/

In case you anyone wanted to see my brother's walker...

Sorry, the above career posting was mine.

These posts about Grandma Purl's blanket have absolutely made my day (or I guess that should be days).

Those ladies remind me so much of my grandmother---she loved a dirty joke, but not too dirty, you know. Ones just like the Viagra joke.

Okay, going to go have a little boo-hoo now!

A stitch 'n giggle sounds like the best darn party ever!! I bet those ladies have a whole lot of stitch wisdom to share.

Oh Laurie! Can I come and live with you and visit your granma and the SnG girls and have all the lovliness you seem to be in all the time? I love cats, I can cook and I crochet and I always giggle in my wine and sometimes I eat my hair too.
Oh and I'm southern too - well south Texas, ok far west Texas but it's close enough. :)

Well, truth be told, we do a whole lot more giggling and guffawing than bitching at the ol' WeHo SnB. However, the conversation is rarely as tame as Viagra jokes.
Now when are we going to the Wizard of Bras? My girls need more support.

Ariel, I don't mention my current job much because I don't want to violate the privacy of my employer -- I love my job and don't want to be escorted out by security LOL.

But it is true that I have so much fun hanging out with the retirees, I love older women especially because they remind me all the time that life is short, love it while you got it, do the best you can and enjoy your life. They make me feel alive, because they take more pleasure out of just living than most folks I know.

So who know what the future holds! :-)

And Laurie Ann we must take a trip soon, I also need support... my folks leave in a few weeks and I'll have more free time then. And hi everyone!!!

I am going to start bringing the giggle.
That may possibly be the best thing I have ever heard.
I love your Grandma!

I have to tell you how much your last two posts have just made my day(s) which otherwise have been not been all that great. Your grandma is just fabulous, she reminds me so much of my grandma who died about ten years ago and who I miss all the time.

BTW, whenever I hear one of those commercials I just wait for them to get to the "four-hour condition" part - it cracks me up every time! (unless my dad is in the room, of course, then I just have to pretend I didn't hear it).

Oh, man. Now I want to go to a Stitch 'n Giggle. Do you suppose your grandma's place lets random outsiders in? If we promise to behave?

Dang, your grandma has a much more active social life than I do.

It is nice to know there are people out there who are doing such kind things for people. Sniff. Need.Tissues.Now.

Hey, there, Ms. Fine Photographer! You obviously just wanted to show the world what gorgeous smiles you and your mother have. ;)

Goodness, I need to get me to a Stitch 'n Giggle, and quickly, between this post and the last one, you've got me crying the big ugly tears all over the place.

And Grandma, so freakin cute. Can I adopt her?

What precious pictures of your grandma! I just love her! And I don't even know her. I never had much of a chance to get close to my grandparents. Hm, that viagra sauce sounds like something to play around in, not eat. Or maybe that, too, depending on what you do with it. Or maybe I better stop right now before this gets too R-rated! ;)

I am so excited to see the blanket with your grandma! What fun that she brings the "giggle" to the SnG's, teehee!

OtherRuth, I saw that photo of your brother's walker, that's hilarious!

Definitely a hoot.

I love the ending in the post...she would call everyone knows!!! Too funny!! Knitting and giggling are two things that just go together. I have never been to a SnB that was not full of laughter and amazing stories. The ones at my house typically include beer and wine and lots of dogs running around. Soon it will be time to fire up the grill and add yet another dimension to the SnB get togethers.

What is the next group knitting project? I want in!

Of COURSE your Grandma brought "The Giggle"! Sounds like we all need to crash this Stitch N Giggle Festival.

I'm giggling right along with y'all!! I can't help it!

OMG, I loved the viagra story, it reminds me of something my 76 yr. old mom said in public.

She and my dad were standing in line at one of the casinos in Vegas while waiting for the buffet.

She says to my dad "you know that Viagra stuff really works great. I have so much more energy and my joints really feel great"

My dad thinks he misheard her so he says "what did you say?"

And then she repeats it only louder so everyone in line could hear.

My dad turns about 6 shades of red, bends over and says to my mom "honey, you don't take Viagra...you take Vioxx !!!"

There is nothing like a knitting group to bring out the best in people! :-)

ROFL at lucie's comment!

Laurie, The apple doesn't fall far from that tree because you sure do bring the giggle! Thank you for that!

Love it. I love the Grandma stories, they're my favorite. You tell her that the Innernets love her.

Thank you, I love your stories, I love your spirit, I love that you take time to share, and I love that you make me (and lots of other people) smile and giggle. Thank you, again.

I have read your site many times but when I saw the entry about your grandmother I started tearing up. That is so sweet and I wish I would have found your site earlier so I could of sent a square in. My favorite Grandmother is no longer with me and truth be told it made me ache for her.

I loved the Stitch and Giggle. I used to volunteer at local nursing homes and it made me want to go and do it again.

Again I love your site!

This is exactly how I want to grow old. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Laurie, I told my husband if he ever got THAT condition for more than four hourse we were calling for a hotel room, not any doctor! HA!

And for Ariel, Laurie doesn't want to get dooced!

What a great bunch of gals. And how fitting that the Blanket of Awesomeness has gone to a grandma (and progenitor) of Awesomeness.

I meant to add that I wonder if you could put those metal shower curtain hooks (the teardrop-shaped ones that clip open and closed) onto a basket or box to get it to hang from a walker? Or maybe binder rings? Or something meant to hang from bicycle handlebars?

Call everyone? I'd blog about it!!

Laurie -- I was just recovering from looking at Steph's willie warmer (yeah, yeah, she says it's a sock) and read your post. I love your grandma too, and honestly? I feel like making sure there are Stitch-n-Giggles around here. Your sharing that story made us all feel like we were there (and I can't imagine a better place to be!) Then - Lucie, I had to get a kleenex for my laughy-tears from your story. My DH came stumbling out rubbing his eyes saying "what on EARTH is so funny?" Friends - between our dearling Laurie and "all y'all" this is one of my favoritest places to be. (Did I just say "all y'all"? I'm from North Dakota!)

When I had my knee surgery I used a walker (I'm not good with crutches) and had a basket for it. I got it at a local sickroom supplies place, where I'd seen it when I was picking up replacement upholstery for my husband's wheelchair.

It was wire, covered with white plastic, and it had a clear plastic insert with a cup holder. It stuck on with Velcro straps. It wasn't very expensive, as I recall, back in 2001.

I really liked it because I could carry stuff with it. Using a walker or crutches means you can't really carry anything in your hands, so having a basket was great. I also have a small egg-shaped table on a five-wheel pedestal that I used to transport bigger things, like folded laundry. I'd nudge it down the hall with my walker, as it rolls very easily.

Hi, I love the story about the afghan. That is so cool. I was wondering why your grandma doesn't knit or crochet. I loom knit, and in my yahoo loom groups, there are tons of eldery ladies who loom knit because of arthritis problems, or wrist, neck or shoulder problems. I loom knit because I could never quite get the hang of needle knitting. You might want to introduce loom knitting to your grandma, so she can partake in the stitch part of her stiich n' giggle group. You can make almost anything on the looms that you can on needles. :OD
Sara

Okay.. that totally sounds like the kind of knitting group I want to find. I've figured it out - I should just check out the local retirement communities here :D what a great time that must have been =)

Sniffles and snorts in the same post! She'd call EVERYONE! Rock on!

:-)

Once, I was in the post office about two weeks before Christmas. A tiny, elderly lady was in line in front of me with a big shopping bag from the Gap. When it was her turn, she went up to the counter and, in the sweetest little-old-Southern-lady voice, said "I need to mail a package to my grandson in college. Do y'all sell boxes?"

The postal worker smiled, and gestured to the mailing boxes displayed on the wall, and said, "Yes, Ma'am, what size box do you need?"

The lady hefted the shopping bag onto the counter and, just as sweetly, said, "Whatever size box will hold all this crap."

P.S. -- How can Granny be from Texas and not crochet?

ONE more thing: baskets like that are cheap everywhere -- Dollar Tree, etc. Just get a couple of metal shower curtain hooks or velcro strips (the wrap-around kind, also available at the Dollat Tree).

Shirley is one funny lady. Hilarious.

Love the Stitch 'n Giggle! I want to go too.

How sweet of Heartmade Blessings. That is beautiful.

Awwww...that was such a heartwarming post! I love the idea of Stitch and Giggle and just hope I can find one when I am that age (much closer than I care to think!).

I used to play UNO with my Gram and her friends. I swear I never laughed harder. Do you think that the Stitch n'Giggle would be open to young ones. I live in the Real O.C. as you call it...wonder if I'm close enough to visit those ladies.

I'm so glad your grandmother is enjoying the blanket and the scrapbook! I was so proud to be a part of this! And my mother commented on my blog the other day, that she read your post of when you gave grandma the blanket, and she SOBBED over it.

Your grandmother truly is lucky. And naturally she'd be bringing the giggle!

You and your Mom look very happy. That's really all the photo had to have!

And Grandma is so cute, with all of her basking in the glory.

Sounds like a hot time at the Community Center!

Cute as a button!

Laurie, we are blessed to have you. I'm so glad that you write the way you do, and that you share your life with us. Every time I read your blog, I learn something about life. All my best to your beloved Grandmother.

Ahhhh, too funny! What a great bunch of girls!

It's wonderful to see how far out the ripples of CAP love spread.

i love your mom's blouse!

"I bring the Giggle"
One of the more important things in life to bring along. May we all "Bring the Giggle"!

My Dad has a baseball cap that says, "Sex after 60 is like shooting pool with a rope". Guess he doesn't use the little blue pill.

"I told him hell yes I'd call the doctor. I'D CALL EVERYONE I KNOW!!"

ROTFLMAO Viagra sauce indeed.

Those Stitch n Giggle girls got it going on! :-)

Thanks for your story! It reminded me so much of my Grandma and when I used to go visit her at her assisted living place-she died 3 years ago before I finished HER blanket I was knitting and I miss her so much-thanks for the walk down memory lane...we can just gain so much from a relationship with the elderly-keep going to that Stitch and Giggle!!

Oh my! Looks like you had a really great time at the stitch n' giggle. I'm glad i've stumbled on this cute blog of yours:) Nothin better than southern knitters.... i'm glad i'm not the only one floating around here in cyberspace.

Lori,

I've been lurking around your blog for ages. I live in Nashville, (southern - though a transplant)am divorced, (happily - though not a first) own several highly talented and frequently photographed cats, knit sporatically, and most of all LOVE your blog! I was turned on to Crazy Aunt Purl by one the the funniest, smartest women I know...so there ya go. Love you, your cats, and your grandma. Thank you!

Laurie - I can't belive I misspelled your name - sorry - I'm a dork and I get nervous even on the internet with people I don't actually know. Oh well...what are you gonna do?

You girl, you crack me up.

I love the ladies of the Stitch and Giggle. Grandma sounds so pround. She will probably be the bell of the ball for weeks.
Your duct tape story made me crack up.

If you get a chance to go to my website, go to the yarn page. There is a story about a yarn - Angelina in the Grass - a yarn pornstar.... it was a discussion by some ladies, roughly the same age as your gigglin' gals!! I just wrote it down. They were so naughty with their gray haired selves talkin about my yarn.

I guess that is who we will be in 30-40 years. The 80 year old grandma (or aunt in my case) in the corner that they don't let go anywhere cause she has such a potty mouth! :)

I am so proud for you and your grandma.
Holly