CrazyAuntPurl: The one where I make up for not writing for a week.... you might want to get coffee.

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October 19, 2007

The one where I make up for not writing for a week.... you might want to get coffee.

It's Friday and I'm back home and my cats are attached to my leg right now like I am made of catnip and tuna fancy feast rolled into pajama pants. I missed them and would have brought them gifts of apology but I am so tired I have even lost the will to shop, and you know that is some t-i-r-e-d.

But before I go to bed in the middle of the afternoon (decadent!!! I am defying the laws of sleep gravity!!) I wanted to tell you all that people in the Northwest are very goodlooking and you should go there immediately. No one was rushed and pissed off, at least not by Los Angeleno standards. People are so nice! And laid-back and did I mention goodlooking? Why don't I live there? I wanted to stay in both Portland and Seattle for weeks longer, I didn't get nearly enough. I'm on this insane press schedule that looks something like this: "Wake up at 5 a.m. and try not to make an ass of yourself with many different reporters for a whole day then go read and not barf and also, your Spanx are showing." One of the things I am learning as I go along is that this whole touring thing is not what I expected (in so many ways.) Back when this was all first mentioned to me, I just assumed you flew to a city and waited around all day until your event, then you did your event and went back to the hotel. But instead you actually work all day, going from interview to interview, getting hauled all over town by a complete stranger who has to listen to you say things such as "There is no barfing in publishing. Right?" and also, "Do you ever have clients who talk about cat poop?"

And I got to see rain! And have actual Seattle coffee and mucho vino in Portland which I believe was obvious in my post late last night. I was celebrating making it through thirteen hours of talking to strangers. And apparently I have lived in Los Angeles for so long that I forgot what "cold" meant because I forgot to bring a coat and it was, you know, kind of chilly. But I had my Patons SWS hat and GOT TO WEAR IT FOR REAL (not just pretending in L.A. when it's 68 degrees in a cold snap) and that is all that matters.

So I'm just going to yammer on here, to better prepare you for when YOU go on your first book tour, because me personally? I was the definition of clueless! Like when you do these appearances in cities where Drew and Your Family do not live, you have an actual escort whose job it is to get you to places on time and help you not barf (Oh, sorry! I know that is not part of your job but thank you all the same!)

Did ya'll even know that there was a job called "author escort"? I had no idea! I asked Team Publicity if I could get a male escort (heh) named George Clooney but they said no. I guess they reserve him for special guests. But my escorts Sandra (in Seattle) and Elizabeth (in Portland) were awesome and should have gotten combat pay for all the nuttiness I bring in my wake. And since I can't really take too many pictures while I am reading I wheedled both my escorts to take my camera and snap away. Apparently, not only am I a picture-taking fool, but after some coaxing and promises of wine, I am turning my escorts into picture-taking fools, too! This Flickr thing is the best, I am right now uploading everything there so you can see the awesomeness of the Northwest. (Also, I am so exhausted right now I can't name them all, but I'll go back soon and add titles to the pictures, promise.) (Also, my connection is slow, so Portland pics are uploading one-by-one as we speak.)

Seattle was my first stop and it was AWESOME, that city is beyond beautiful. The plane came into town just as the sun was setting and the whole city was lit up and gorgeous and even though I have flown into some beautiful places in my life, it was Seattle that made me gasp. Also, it was bumpy and there was gasping. Planes are not my thing. I got into the hotel and ate dinner and went straight to bed, because at 4:45 a.m. I had to be awake and curling my hair (rain, why do you not love my hot rolleredness?) and ready to go on scary live TV.

Yes, LIVE TV. I called my publicist in a panic when I found out about the live part. "Are you sure?" I asked. "Have you MET me? Any old thing could fly out of my mouth!" And she said, "I've met you but they haven't, so HAH HAH." But it went well and Joyce Taylor was so friendly she made me feel less like a stressball than usual.

Joyce Taylor and me and we are apparently a hallucination

This is the cutest woman in morning TV: intern Dina Molina who walked me back into the studio and had to assure me over and over I wouldn't barf on camera. Dina, you need to be a therapist because you ROCKED!

Then right after that we were off to another TV station to film Northwest Afternoon, and I think my segment will air on Monday. I do not believe the male half of the interviewing team was loving the Drunk Cat Lady Book but I did the best I could. Also, they were not loving that I wanted to take a picture of the live studio audience:

I can't help it! I have never met a live studio audience before!

Before going out there, though, I was in the green room (which was actually green) with one of the other guests, Beth Holloway. Later after we were out of the green room and actually taping the interviews, I forced her to pose with me backstage after her segment because she about broke my heart in two while she was out there speaking. Whatever you may think of all the news coverage of Natalee's disappearance, her mother is one classy, amazing lady and she has a new book out, and she is lovely and strong and kind in person:

She is an amazing woman. It was an honor to meet her.

After all the Tvness, I got to stop by this amazing yarn shop called Tricoter. Had I known the ladies there were famous knitting book writers, I would have been more shy and tried not to go, but I'm so glad I did because they were fun and fed me apple slices and let me fondle the most gorgeous yarn.

L-R: Gorgeous Beryl Hiatt, cat lady, lovely Linden Ward

Also by this time I have yammered on enough about knitting that my adorable escort Sandra is getting into the idea:

That is cute Julie from Tricoter on the left and my awesome escort Sandra!

And I signed some books there and then Sandra took me off to Elliot Bay bookstore... apparently if you write a book you're supposed to stop in when you can and sign them and then the store puts a sticker on the book saying it's signed, etc. I was nervous, because I had never done it before and Sandra was with me so I asked her what is apparently the dumbest question ever asked by an author, which is, "How do they know it's you? Do they ask for ID?" And ya'll. They do NOT ask for ID! So I was like, "Hey, Sandra, can we say I'm Anne Rice?" and she said, "Well, she's a little too recognizable."

"How about Alice Munro? Can we say I'm Alice Munro?"
"Too Canadian. Your accent will give you away..."
"Anne Rivers Siddons?"
"Honey, just sign your books."

But it was fun, and I so plan on walking into some bookstore in the Valley and telling them I am Anne Rice. Hand me some books to sign!

And while we were at Elliot Bay Bookstore, guess who was speaking!!!

That Is Carl Bernstein! He was promoting his new book on Hillary Clinton. It was like stumbling on a treasure! We stopped to listen for a few minutes, then I had to get to my own reading at the Barnes & Noble on Pine Street.

This is Erin, possibly the cutest, most efficient and professional and fun person I have met so far:

She was AMAZING. I hope someone at Barnes & Noble Corporate knows what a gem they have in Seattle, Erin is one of the most in-charge, totally professional and personable people I have ever met, hands-down.

And Seattle was so much fun, I couldn't believe ya'll came out in force!

I love the Q&A because it's more like a conversation, like just sitting around with the family and telling stories, and in Seattle I talked everyone's ears off because did I mention I was up at 4:45 and also Seattle has GREAT coffee?

Right after the event I left the store and headed for the airport, which was no longer serving food of any kind, but luckily Erin had gifted me a bag of Cheetos and I found myself sitting in the Seattle airport actually being my own stereotype:

Dinner of champions.

I arrived in Portland at midnight and also, Dear Portland Airport: Why do you close all the bathrooms for cleaning at the SAME TIME? I had to practically beg my way into a ladies room, it was so sad.

The next morning I was off to the cutest yarn shop ever, Twisted in Portland. There I got to meet the Portland Oregonian's EXPERT Knitting reporters, Peggy and Mims:

For the rest of the day I went from one end of the city to another for interviews and got to meet some great folks and sweat a lot and not eat a damn thing (so sad) and finally at 6:10 the NPR reporter, Kerri, packed up and I brushed my teeth and headed out for Powell's in ... YES...yes, yes, BEAVERTON.

I had been a teensy bit (read: incredibly very) worried about Portland because every time I mentioned that event one person would comment and say, "I am so happy to meet you in Portland!" and then eleventy-nine people would carryon and moan and complain about it being in the Beaverton Powell's store, and it went on to such a degree that between me and Jen and Kim, Publicists For The Crazy, it became an issue which we began to call "The Beaver Factor."

Because while I myself am a pathological people pleaser and would gladly pack up and move the show to Powell's Whereverland just to make ya'll happy, as it turns out I have NO CONTROL WHATSOEVER over this schedule. And by "no control" I mean "control: so not in my hands" and also "control: merely a Janet Jackson album."

I am not fooling with you. It's not like I am telling Team Publicity to avoid your house because I don't like you. If I were in control do ya'll think I would be running around so much there isn't even time to pee? I'm just lucky to find an airport with a bar serving wine at midnight at this point.

Therefore it pains me each time someone says, "Why aren't you coming to my hometown/house/tailgate party/cat's birthday celebration?" because I myself would happily come to your houses and get you liquored up and read excerpts from the book but in Planet Publishing this is apparently not a cost-effective way to sell books. It is sad because I think we could get your cat hopped up on catnip, too, and call that a day.

And for a control enthusiast such as myself, having no control is frustrating enough without hearing what appears to be every single reader in the state of Oregon complain that to make the arduous journey to The Beaver they would have to find Laura Ingalls' covered wagon, hire a local guide, fortify for winter, cross the treacherous river valley for the New Territory and possibly fall into the same fate as the Donner Party if they couldn't find a fur trading station along the way to shelter them from the coming winter. But isn't Pa hunky all the same? And why is Nellie such a brat? And why are the Ingalls' family suddenly in Oregon?

It started depressing me, thinking no one would show up and get to hear my Beaver jokes. But then I just went self-helpy on my ownself and decided that if only me and my escort Elizabeth showed up for the event, it was part of God's master plan to get me back to the hotel expediently because that is where the wine is. Amen.

Of course I worried and gave myself Beaver Wrinkles (heh) for nothing, though, because Portland ROCKED:

Excuse me, correction. Not Portland. THE BEAVER rocked. I cannot thank you enough for driving out and braving the weather (weather! It was very exciting, and wet) and I LOVED Portland, too, even the Beaver. Powell's is a fabulous bookstore, and people in the Northwest -- at least all the folks I met and saw -- are warm and friendly and polite and just have a good vibe about them, more laid-back, reserved and yet incredibly welcoming at the same time. I loved loved loved this trip. Meeting people seemed so scary but ya'll have been so warm, I'm not sure I can ever tell you how much it has meant to me to finally put faces to names (pdxWoman! Aarwen! Rabbitch!) and to poor Christina in Seattle, I apologize for mauling you with hugs, I was just so damn happy to meet you.

OK, pardon the next part. I haven't slept in eight days, so you know. Emotions: running high!

But all of this stuff I have been doing is like it's happening to some other version of me, maybe Laurie 2.0. I spent a fair amount of time wondering if I would actually be able to do all the things they had scheduled for me, interviews and TV and speaking in front of people and I won't lie to you, I was kind of suspecting that by now I'd be checking into the Betty. But you know what? I did it. I actually showed up.

Part of doing this for me is not thinking it through ... just thinking about the next two minutes of time, not the next two hours or weeks or months. I know in my heart that other people are really good at all this and enjoy it and would stab me with a fork to switch places, and I am not being ungrateful, I have just been plain old scared. My real life is quite small and controlled, I speak to MAYBE three people a day and do my little job and eat my same breakfast every day and love my little new quiet life. So doing all these new things is ... well, NEW. And a little scary and exhilirating all rolled into one. I just try to breathe and think, what do I need to do in the next 120 seconds of my life? And my job is to show up and do the best I can and I hope it's good enough. So I just show up. Do the best I can. Sometimes I have done well enough that even I am pleased, and I am my harshest critic. Sometimes I goof up and could have done better but I'm learning not to hold on to the flaws too much. Sometimes you have to let it go, release the critique, know that just showing up is a good start.

I'm sure if I had it to do all over again I would have been more articulate or worn something cuter or whatever, a hundred times over, but I can't believe I am doing this, and actually enjoying it (OK, not the midnight flying but the rest is great) and it kind of has me in shock.

Right now I am sitting here on the floor of my living room in Encino-Adjacent, with Bob shedding on my foot, I'm home. And I'm wondering ... what else in my life can I show up for that I never dreamed I could do?

If I can do this, what else can I do?

I know it sounds dumb, but I always wanted to try a Pilates class, but I was too embarrassed of my weight, I thought you needed to be skinny to do something like that. Not coincidentally, I thought you needed to be skinny to do a book tour. And I felt really disappointed in myself just a few weeks ago, I knew I could have dieted myself down to a smaller size but I had made a sworn, solemn promise to myself last year that I was never going on another diet as long as I lived. I promised I would treat myself with dignity, and learn about nutrition, and eat healthy foods and do some walking, but I refused to diet ever again. I was tired of dieting. I had to keep that promise.

When I made the decision to renounce dieting, I was the biggest I had ever been, 22 on an elastic-waist day. I can tell you the exact day many months later when I knew my Not-A-Diet was My Real Life, it was a Saturday and I had gone to the mall to try to find something for a date (you know how you always feel prettier on a date if you're in a new outfit?) and I wandered all around the Bloomingdale's and collected a wide assortment of black pants in 16s and 18s, and I went into the dressing room and nothing fit. In a good way. I had been not-dieting for eight months at that point, just plodding along with my nutritious snacks and boring snail's pace of weight loss. I knew it was the best plan for me from a sanity perspective, but I never thought I would see 14 again, not without a diet. Could it be...? Really?

And I just looked at myself in the mirror on that Saturday in Bloomingdale's. I was scared to go back out there and find some 14s to try on. What if it was a lie?

Now I have friends who would fling their tiny, skinny little bodies off the highest building if they ever thought they would one day be as fat as a size 14. I know that. I knew it even then, but for me it was the exact opposite, a thrill, a pants-sized high. I would have done a cheer right there in the Juicy Couture section if I could fit a 14.

I tried on seven pairs of pants and one skirt before I finally finally accepted I was indeed a size fourteen again. Then I sat on the bench inside the dressing room at Bloomies and cried. That unexpected happiness cry, where you shake your head and laugh at your dumbass self for sniffling over something so weird. I knew I was still just a sandwich away from being back in the Women's section, but for that moment I was finally the Average American Size. When you are five-foot-three and as wide as you are tall, being just average sounds pretty effing great. And I had gotten there so slowly, and with baked potatoes all along the way. I kept my personal promise. I had undieted, finally.

Then the tour happened. Because touring authors is expensive and logistically nightmarish, I never really thought HCI would send me off to the airport and want me to stand in front of folks. They saw what happened in New York (recap: Public speaking so bad they're showing a video of it at Toastmasters as a cautionary tale.) But there it was, a phone call from Kim, bookings from Jen, and me staring at myself in the mirror suddenly hating size 14, hating that I refused to go on Slim-Fast for a month, hating that this was what I worried about most. Why of all things was I so worried about the size of me? Why was this the part? Why is it always the one bad thing?

Fat is not a feeling. It is not an emotion. You can be sad about a situation, but you cannot be fat about it. Yet I do think "fat" can be a mental judgement call on our self-worth that we carry around with us, voluntarily encasing ourselves in a self-conscious prison cell, saying "I'll do that when I've lost a little weight..." or "I'll wear that when I'm smaller" ... or my ultimate downfall: "When I am thinner, I will have more confidence to do all those things but right now I will stay home and watch TV and one day, one day, one day I will live my life."

And even though I thought I was too fat, too old, too country, too scared... I showed up. I am showing up. I can't believe this is me. What else is hiding in there, what else am I capable of doing? I used to think I had to be perfect, look perfect, have the perfect marriage, work for the perfect goals, perfect job, perfect demeanor. I gave up on perfect somewhere around the time I started knitting and realized I loved it even though I wasn't immediately good at it. I gave up perfect tension, perfect stripes that had no holes at the join, perfect cables with no holes at the twist. I liked my scarfy imperfections, they reminded me of where I was that day, and I love them, I love being able to like a flaw. I am doing this and I am imperfect, I am a fourteen (and also, I am a fourteen!)

I finally fit in an airplane seat:

This is hard to believe. Also, hard to actually see but I do fit.

I did that. I don't know how. I don't know whose hand is at my back holding me even when I am most scared but I thank that hand everyday, say a little prayer of thanks to whomever, however I am doing all the things I thought I would do later, someday, off in my future life.

Thank you.

And especially thank you to the poor souls who had to go to The Beaver. You know you loved it. BEAVER LOVERS. All of you!

Posted by laurie at October 19, 2007 01:45 PM

Comments

Absolutely can NOT wait to see you next week at MOA!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!

Also- love the wine and cheetos picture!

Posted by: Nikki at October 19, 2007 01:54 PM

Laurie you rock :) Congratulations on a successful start to your tour!

Posted by: Justin at October 19, 2007 01:55 PM

I just got all sniffly reading your post. You rock. :)

And seriously, I'd totally dress all my cats in sweaters if the grand prize was you coming by my house and getting me liquored up. :)

Posted by: Gail at October 19, 2007 02:01 PM

love it. love you. love (as always) how you speak for like, all of us.

i feel like i'm living vicariously through you, and it's pretty amazing.

there's a saying at the comedy college here in sf (yes, there is one and yes, i've attended). it's "show up for your life." i brought up that phrase at my dad's funeral services, because he did, and the idea of it is joyous.

thanks for showing up. and thanks for showing us how.

Posted by: kristy at October 19, 2007 02:02 PM

Congratulations! You were born to be a jet-settingly famous author!!! If you come to Richmond I'll make you hashbrown casserole and my famous Carrot Cake (with cat hair, of course!)

Posted by: Liz R at October 19, 2007 02:02 PM

whoa. that was way more profound in my head.

sorry for the comment-barfing!

Posted by: kristy at October 19, 2007 02:04 PM

hi. i'm going to just keep on commenting, apparently.

i just ALSO wanted to say that you look like such a GROWN-UP in your pictures! like, a real fancy lady! beautiful!!

Posted by: kristy at October 19, 2007 02:07 PM

Your awesome Laurie!

Posted by: Jill at October 19, 2007 02:07 PM

oops, the profound tears made it difficult to see the screen. obviously, I meant to say, "you're awesome." Which you are.

Posted by: Jill at October 19, 2007 02:09 PM

Oh man, now I'll be calling it "The Beaver" and I think we might just start a new city-wide trend. Those who didn't make it because they were scared of the drive, shame on you, you big chickens! ;) The traffic was so light, I could hardly believe it. I made the drive from the far northeast end of Portland (past the airport, folks) in no more than 40 minutes.

Come back anytime! I have four cats who would love to meet you.

Posted by: hellahelen at October 19, 2007 02:10 PM

Reading this just made me very happy. You have no idea what a cool woman you are. (Yes, I really do mean "cool").

Oh, and I finally got a picture posted of the kids in the punkin hats over at the blog. It's the "Knits are for Kids" post. Hope you like how they turned out!

Posted by: Anna-Liza at October 19, 2007 02:10 PM

Dude, are you kidding me ... you're GORGEOUS! I even said so on my post about it. And it was so fun meeting you last night. I have the biggest Girl Crush on you now. You rock! And it seriously looked like you'd been doing these book tour things for years! Can't wait to see you at your next book's tour!! (even if it is AGAIN at The Beaver! ;))

Posted by: Kat at October 19, 2007 02:14 PM

You are prolific! Go you!

Ps: I think my kitten Ellie has a crush on your cat Bob. She sits on my lap and stares at the computer when I read your blog.

Posted by: Abbey at October 19, 2007 02:17 PM

I am so happy you are out of the house, Laurie. You look fantastic, hair issues, Spanx and all...YOU GO GIRL!

Posted by: Nancy at October 19, 2007 02:18 PM

I am so very happy for you. This is such a great question: "what else in my life can I show up for that I never dreamed I could do?" I need to ask myself that. I am not a hugger, and I SO want to hug you right now. (does that count as inapproprate hugging?)

Posted by: Jennifer at October 19, 2007 02:18 PM

Oh Laurie honey I am so proud of you and I don't even know you. Women everywhere applaud you. and damn, 14 is me on a very very very good day (where things are vanity sized).

Posted by: Dena at October 19, 2007 02:19 PM

i am SO glad you liked it here in the PNW. it's a great place to live (hint!).

hope you catch up on your sleep.

p.s. the barnes & noble erin was a real spitfire and she complimented me on my glasses. i feel so special! :)

Posted by: sizzle at October 19, 2007 02:22 PM

Congratulations Laurie!
You are on the path to an inner peace of loving yourself.
Enjoy the journey.

Posted by: angie in CA at October 19, 2007 02:24 PM

Laurie, It was the greatest pleasure to meet you and I was proud of myself because I refrained from wanting to ask you to be my best friend in Seattle. Also - thank you for staying to sign all of our books. I hope you weren't late to the airport. And you're right - Erin is an amazing person - professional and nice and sincere and caring.

I'm really happy for you. I know I don't "know" you, but I am just really happy for you. You're awesome.

Posted by: tana at October 19, 2007 02:27 PM

You were amazing and wonderful in Seattle, Laurie. My friend Elizabeth and I were two of the Canadians who drove down to see you, and it was totally worth it! I'm so glad to read that you are getting a lot out of your book tour. :)
xox

Posted by: Mandy at October 19, 2007 02:27 PM

You are amazing, and beautiful, and ballsy, and brave. What an incredible post--thanks for the inspiration!

Posted by: Pam at October 19, 2007 02:33 PM

That made me tear up a bit for you! I'm so happy you're enjoying this and that you went ahead and showed up for your life. :) Keep on keeping on dearie!

Posted by: Tracie at October 19, 2007 02:35 PM

I mostly lurk. I've read your book and do wish you were coming somewhere on the East Coast/DC area...

as a larger lady myself (14-16) - I LOVE and swear by pilates. My pilates friends are like your knitting friends - we all cheer when one of us finally masters something new! Do give it a try :)

Posted by: Jennifer in DC at October 19, 2007 02:37 PM

You all - sorry, y'all - are officially waaay too nice to me! It was such a pleasure to have Laurie (no vomiting! no hives!), and the whole crowd was just awesome. I want it to be like that every night. Only with wine. And Cheetos. Thank you all for coming!

Posted by: Erin at October 19, 2007 02:38 PM

You kill me, Laurie! Oh man, now I live in "The Beaver"! Looks like loads of fun, sorry I couldn't make it, didn't want to spread my sicky germs.

You look positively radiant in all the pictures! Congrats on the book and tour.

Posted by: akimbo at October 19, 2007 02:40 PM

Can't wait to see you in Nashville- YOU ROCK! We're so proud of you, and Mike says he hopes mr. ex is eating his effing heart out (Mike, not me, so karma can jump on him)
I read the book right through and I am looking forward to an slightly naughty,inappropriate inscription from you at the signing!

Posted by: Dollie at October 19, 2007 02:41 PM

what a fun evening, well worth hitching up the horses!

i came in a little late, did i miss beaver jokes?

Posted by: smokeyJoe at October 19, 2007 02:41 PM

I am so with you on the happy-to-be-downsizing-even-if-it-takes-me-a-year-or-more. I, too, will never diet again (thanks Dr. Oz & Roizen!). I went out and bought a size 12 a few days ago and did a happy dance right there in the dressing room. Do I want to be slimmer? Sure. But, you've inspired me to live my life today, no matter what size I happen to be... Love you Crazy Aunt Purl!

Posted by: Laura in OKC at October 19, 2007 02:41 PM

Laurie,

You're the best, and I'm so happy that things are working out for you! I finished your book, it was great (hope the sequel is already under contract) :)

Hearty congratulations on your successes and I really look forward to reading more about your adventures- you're an inspiration to all!

Posted by: Amie at October 19, 2007 02:42 PM

Cheers to you and your future life! And may your real future life even better!

Posted by: Jeannie at October 19, 2007 02:52 PM

Laurie! There I am in the front row looking hugely fat! (The one in the white sweater that you said you loved and NO I didn't knit it! Get it at Nordies!) I promise you the camera puts on 100 lbs, as I am a size six and weigh 128! That photo CLEARLY does not show that (and yes, I am vain enough to point that out to anyone that will read it!)

You were so wonderful and I felt like I was at a therapists office. There *is* someone else out there who wore their sweatpants backwards and cried to the pizza guy. I did similar. And I wore my pjs (not the nice ones neither) to the 7-11 at 3:30 am when I was crying for yet another pack of Marlboro Menthol Lights! (is something wrong with that?)

Come back, come back to the PacNW! Not only did I have to drive to Beaverton but I had to drive there from Salem, so I wasn't exactly feeling sorry for the PDXers who had to leave the city!

Come back and we will take you on a PDX yarn/wine crawl. There are lots and lots of vineyards here too...tastings a-mund-o! And yes, lots of good looking guys (not that I'm dating anyone right now...) I'm proud of you for doing that but I'm still in the pass the wine kthks don't need to date right now stage.

God Bless You! You go girl! I'm glad you loved our NW! I'm so proud of you! You inspire me! If you can do all this and show up and be, maybe I can too!

Posted by: Sandy at October 19, 2007 02:52 PM

Sandy, you know I actually made a mental note to find that free people sweater right? It looked so chic on you! It was lovely, awesome meeting you and God bless you gal for asking the first question!!!!!

I want to come back, I cannot tell you how much I loved the Pacific Northwest, it was like exhaling after a long tense moment. It felt so good to be there ... and as far as the dating thing. Oh yeah. I think it took me two full years to go on a real date. Don't rush. No one's timetable matters but your own. If you decide to date Noro for the next ten years and that makes you happy? you'll be doing what's right for you and that's what matters.

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 02:55 PM

yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are all so proud of you! continue on Rock Star!

Posted by: robinv at October 19, 2007 02:58 PM

I'm so glad it's going so well! Can't wait to see you next week!

Posted by: Allison SuperCrafty at October 19, 2007 02:59 PM

Glad to hear you liked the Northwest... I've lived a bunch of places, and while I'd like to eventually go back to the south (lived there 11 years and miss the sweet tea!) I'm loving the Northwest too.

Beaver Lovers... I love it!!

Posted by: Sandra at October 19, 2007 03:01 PM

Alison, me too :) We will have a ball!!!!!

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 03:02 PM

oh my god, i love you. what a great post. i feel inspired to go do something i thought was undoable.

Posted by: emilyb at October 19, 2007 03:02 PM

Dude, I SO can spell ALLison. When I have sleep. Yikes.

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 03:03 PM

I think you just started your next book-Laurie 2.0. I love it and you and you continue to be an inspiration.

Posted by: Jann at October 19, 2007 03:04 PM

I LOVED your book! I don't drink, but I've been married three times, have five cats, and I'm usually covered in cat hair.

I liked what you said about wondering what else you can do, now that you've done the book tour thing. Many years ago, I was a secretary in an insurance company, afraid to do anything else. My boss gave me an assignment that involved me making two speeches to rooms full of people. After I did it, I realized I COULD do anything I set my mind to. I'm now an attorney, and I'm not afraid to do jury trials, speak my mind to a judge (carefully, of course!), or wear socks with kitty cats on them in a courtroom (I have a lint brush in my briefcase to brush off the cat hair before I go into the courtroom.)

Yesterday, knitting, today, book tour, tomorrow ... who knows? If you want to run for President, I'll vote for you!

Posted by: Nancy at October 19, 2007 03:04 PM

Oh my goodness Laurie, you made me cry... I think I'm going to print this post out or put it up somewhere because it just touched me so much. I've worried about my appearance for my entire life, mostly due to a horrible elementary school year where I literally had zero friends. If I'm stressed I eat. Then I get this little bug in my head that says "you need to diet. You will be smarter, more attractive, more successful, more... whatever! if you lose 5, 10, 30 lbs" Basically everything will be better if I just change... So to know that you, who I think is totally funny, who I think has the most awesome carreer (really! to be able to fly off places and promote something YOU wrote, YOU created), and have people show up in droves to meet you... You have these same insecurities, yet have rose above it for these occasions. And you've taken chances and met new people and even though it's been hard, you've done all that... I just think it's great. I wish you were coming out here to Denver so I could meet you in person, but the book I had my friend sign will have to do. Hope you have a good weekend.... and thanks so much for sharing yourself with us.

Posted by: Kristina at October 19, 2007 03:04 PM

...I'd come see you speak...if you ever made it to Australia, that is!!

Yay for the showing-up-for-life! Great motto.
(uh, sorry: I should say I'm de-lurking, too. Ahem.)

Posted by: tamara at October 19, 2007 03:10 PM

Welcome back! Don't you love how the cats miss you so much when you're gone? Okay, now I'm going to go read the rest of the post.

Posted by: Tami at October 19, 2007 03:21 PM

Laurie, I know you'll never have time to answer this, but I wanted to know how you started knitting - did you go to a class? Or did you get a book? I used to knit a long time ago, but now that I'm a gramma, I want to knit sweaters and stuff again. Please let me know if you get a minute. Thanks, Mary Jo

Posted by: Anonymous at October 19, 2007 03:22 PM

Reading about your week has made me tired. I think I need a nap.

Luckily this week was Educator's week at B&N. And they finally had your book in stock. I finished it last night. It made me want to do a road trip to L.A. so that we could hang out.

Oh, and then I thought of you in Lucky's today. I was buying wine. (I know. Suprising.) Anywho, then now give out these cute little reusable totes just for wine -- four bottles. The bags have dividers so that the bottles don't clink together. It was one of the highlights of my day. I'm so excited about it that I'll probably post a photo sometime in the next week.

Posted by: Dagny at October 19, 2007 03:24 PM

I started knitting my going to a class. But I learned to purl from reading the Stitch 'n Bitch book -- cannot recommend it highly enough!

Dagny, I love those carriers, too, girl :) Come to LA. I have wine!

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 03:28 PM

I feel like I should know you since I am a faithful reader of your blog, and it was so nice to finally meet you in Seattle. Love your book so far and it is even more fun to read having met you in real life. You are beautiful and humble and totally down to earth and no one would suspect you were new to this. Hopefully this will be the first of many book tours! Wishing you all the best.

Posted by: Marcy at October 19, 2007 03:31 PM

Laurie, this is such an inspirational post.

"And even though I thought I was too fat, too old, too country, too scared... I showed up. I am showing up. I can't believe this is me. What else is hiding in there, what else am I capable of doing?"

I want to print this out in huge letters and put it on the inside of my front door. So every time I leave home, you speak to me and ask me what else I am capable of doing.

I don't know you and have never left you a comment before, but I love you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Posted by: verylisa at October 19, 2007 03:32 PM

Glad you enjoyed Seattle...we enjoyed having you!

You know our nickname is the Emerald City? So Dorothy...click those ruby red slippers (or fancy boots) together and say "There is no place like home" and get back up here ASAP!

Your comments about if I can do this what else can I do...Wow! And the undiet...I may just have to get my act together now too! Ha!

Thanks!!!!!

Posted by: studio sister lisa at October 19, 2007 03:37 PM

That was beautiful Laurie. I'm so glad you had a good time in the NW!

Posted by: Sara at October 19, 2007 03:40 PM

Now I really want to visit the Northwest too!

I am glad the book readings/signings and that the travelling isn't so bad. It looks like you will get to wear your hat again in MN, and don't forget a coat!

Posted by: -R- at October 19, 2007 03:44 PM

Big Fat Hugs to you!!!!! You did it!!!!

And, if you come to the SF Bay Area, I'll tell you a funny story about a "slightly" overweight woman (me) who took Pilates for the first time at the Columbus Ballet. It was hilarious and humiliating at the same time. Classic!

Posted by: Nell at October 19, 2007 03:48 PM

SHOOT!!! I should have said SKINNY Hugs. Sorry! You know what I mean.

Posted by: Nell at October 19, 2007 03:49 PM

I love big fat hugs :)

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 03:49 PM

Laurie, definitely try Pilates. Pilates is all about control and power and gradually getting to where you want to be.

The studio where I study has clients and instructors in all shapes and sizes. I recommend you find an actual studio with certified instructors rather than just a class at the Y or such, if you can afford the higher cost. It's really a complex system with something for every body.

Go for it. Be the best size 14 you can be. You're worth it. You're an author who's done a tour.

Posted by: KarenJoSeattle at October 19, 2007 03:55 PM

Laurie - guess what? This IS your future life! And you can do anything! Now that you know that, feel free to conquer the world.

Maybe you should run for office - under the Fiber Arts Party. (Cat hair IS a fiber too.) And as Bush Sr proved, there IS barfing in politics.

Posted by: Tami at October 19, 2007 03:56 PM

Yay! I'm so glad your tour has been a blast and that you are now showing up for your life. It's so funny that a size 22 was your largest size because my goal pants were a size 22 and I felt just like you did in your size 14's when I could wear them again.

Posted by: PastaQueen at October 19, 2007 04:03 PM

Congrats on the not-dieting 14!!! I hate to tell people that I know how they feel, because I don't, but I think that I have a reasonable idea of how you feel, but I won't bore you with the details here. I'm proud of you!

Posted by: Rachel at October 19, 2007 04:08 PM

I'm so proud of you Laurie. I know people who would kill to be back down to a size 14. I wouldn't kill for it my own self, just slightly maim. But you did it. And you took some great pictures and you rock!

I'm sorry I didn't get to see you myself. I live in Everett. Which is the red neck notrh end of Seattle. But seeing all the pics and reading the blog makes me feel like I was there.

Posted by: Robin Jacobson at October 19, 2007 04:08 PM

Damn. Now I'm crying. Beautiful post, Laurie!

You CAN do anything you want. You are proving that to yourself right now. I'm so proud of you!

I'm so glad "Mr. Ex" decided he needed to "get his creativity back" . . . because it allowed you to find YOURS!

You ROCK! :)

Posted by: Liz J at October 19, 2007 04:10 PM

Jennette, that's another reason you're so lucky to be taller! I looked the same at 22 as you did at 28, I know because you have the rockin virtual tour... not that I stalk or anything. Also, this is another reason why I wear heels like 24 hours a day.....

Posted by: laurie at October 19, 2007 04:11 PM

In last-post's comments I said you were our knitting rock star, but I've changed my mind: you are our knitting country star. Reba McIntyre, maybe, or Terri Clark, somebody who tells a good story and makes us cry a little and then makes us laugh a lot, and then we think "Day-um!" and put the record on again.

Hurray for a wine & Cheetos picture!

Posted by: jules at October 19, 2007 04:11 PM

You go girl! I love how you are stepping out of your comfort zone and apparently doing a bang-up job of it. Wonderful story telling.

Posted by: Amy in Louisiana at October 19, 2007 04:17 PM

I was nearly the last person to get my book signed in Portland/Beaver Land, and you let me come back and have my daughter snap a pic, which has been emailed to my knitting group chums, and you could not have been nicer to this Montana woman visiting Portland. Then your post was so sweet and poignant -- I'm loving your book and want to know where in Montana your friend moved to!?

Thanks for a nice hug and being just as nice in person as you are in your blog.

Posted by: Judy in Montana at October 19, 2007 04:22 PM

I GOT LOST!!!! I am so so so so so disappointed. I could not find the damn bookstore. Where the hell is that thing? Laurie, I love you and I did not get to meet you and that sucks!! I may just have to fly down to LA. I need a hug!

Posted by: Coral at October 19, 2007 04:25 PM

And wine!!

Posted by: Coral at October 19, 2007 04:25 PM

That was, quite simply the best blog entry I have ever read. Ever. And you are not even paying me to say that (not that you would of course!)

Wild WILD applause...............

and dammit, you are still living my life but that's okay. Well, sort of! :) You know what I mean!

Posted by: tina at October 19, 2007 04:28 PM

So very happy for you, all of this is so well deserved.

My daughter went to the book signing for me in Beaverton (I was there in spirit), and I even see her in some of your pictures. So jealous!

Would you consider writing a knitting how-to book? I'm a spas at most crafts, but on some of your blog entries, you've put pictures and descriptions that make me think I could knit. I think you'd do an awesome job.

Best wishes on the rest of your tour. You rock!

Posted by: Rhonda at October 19, 2007 04:32 PM

what an inspiration you are!!! just keep showing up. i love it!!

Posted by: Judith at October 19, 2007 04:34 PM

I finally got a chance to read the entire post. I hope you know that you are an inspiration to me. I too have a very small life and don't leave my house very often. My husband and my kids are my entire world. I am so unbelievably proud of you and feel honored to have watched you go from the depths of despair to your wonderful and well- deserved life now. Just take it one day at a time and remember that you are your own worst judge. The rest of us adore you for your humor, sweetness and the fact that you share yourself with us. That's a really hard thing to do, especially for me.

Have a wonderful and restful weekend and bask in the love and adoration that you so richly deserve.

Posted by: Liz R at October 19, 2007 04:39 PM

I live in what we affectionatly call the "backside of no where", down on the south coast of Oregon, and I laughed so hard at your description of what those of us not blessed with a residence in the greater Portland Metropolitan Area (also known as the PMA, sort of like PMS but with less bloating) have to go through to get to any event in Portland. And remember that Portland is (gasp) the cultural epicenter of the state. *Nothing* happens outside the PMA...at least that's what they would have you believe. I love Portland and would probably live there if it wasn't so damned beautiful, peaceful, and inexpensive to live where I am. Your book seriously rocks and I hope all your other events and author escorts are as wonderful as they were in the PNW.

Posted by: Linda in Oregon at October 19, 2007 04:41 PM

Amen, sister, amen.

Posted by: Anna at October 19, 2007 04:46 PM

"There is no wagon to fall off."

Still written on my monitor.

Still lived by Laurie.

You Go, girl! This post made me cry. A good cry.
.

Posted by: The Other Ruth at October 19, 2007 04:50 PM

Laurie, you were just WONDERFUL yesterday in Beaverton. Absolutely charming. My favorite parts were the Q&A and getting to talk to you in person - you're so funny and down-to-earth! Thank you so much for writing your fabulous book and touring and taking a picture with me! (You can see it here: http://tinyurl.com/2k84hu )

Posted by: Meggan at October 19, 2007 04:56 PM

Your post is so inspiring! "And I'm wondering ... what else in my life can I show up for that I never dreamed I could do?

If I can do this, what else can I do?"

I will be thinking about this often and come up with some answers for myself.

Thank You

Posted by: April at October 19, 2007 04:59 PM

Love you Laurie!

Posted by: Sophie at October 19, 2007 05:05 PM

I just want to say that I am proud of you.

Yes. A complete stranger, but still. I read your blog every day, and I love the way that you are stepping outside of your comfort zone and just going for it. You never know what you can do until you try. Thank you for reminding me of that.

Posted by: Celticangel at October 19, 2007 05:13 PM

Laurie, honey -- you ROCKED at B&N in Seattle. :)(My dear muggle boyfriend who was standing practically in the kitchen of the B&N cafe thought so, too.) We are both loving the book. (I keep reading him snatches of it. He keeps trying to snatch it from me.)

You are hereby officially invited to come back to the Seattle anytime for a yarn crawl -- and hon, do we have yarn stores to crawl! More than ten, all within easy driving distance of each other. (Well, except for Churchmouse Yarn and Tea -- you have to take a ferry. But hey, that's an advantage, you have to take a ferry. And it's flanked by the most amazing bakery and the most unbelievably wonderful ice cream shop.) Then there's Little Knits (bring cash -- you'll get a discount), Seattle Yarn Gallery, Weaving Works, Fiber Gallery, Hilltop Yarn West, Hilltop Yarn East, Acorn Street, So Much Yarn, Full Circle, Village Yarn and Tea Shop, Cultured Purls, etc. I have a huge guest room which you would only have to share with my stash. :) (Better hurry though, it keeps...growing)

Or you might want to come back for the Madrona Fiber Festival: madronafiberarts.com.

Anyway, come back! :)

Dina (The one wearing the really long Lady Eleanor scarf.)

Posted by: Dina at October 19, 2007 05:18 PM

Holy Crap Dina! A yarn crawl? I so want to do that! What an awesome event.

Posted by: Tami at October 19, 2007 05:26 PM

Oh, I heart you.
Thank you for being honest about your fears and feelings so that the rest of us can have faith to keep on going, too.

And I have to share that traveling (especially by plane) will make you want to blog more than anything I've experienced...observations and experiences in airports make you want to rant and share in uncontrollable ways...not to mention the hours of time you have to reflect on your own life.

Thank you again, Laurie, I wish wonderful things for you.

Posted by: Kim at October 19, 2007 05:35 PM

So glad you liked the PNW. Isn't Joyce Taylor a doll? I just loved watching her on the news.

Glad you are back in the Valley, safe and sound. Let's get together for drinks!

Posted by: Molly at October 19, 2007 05:38 PM

I am so proud of you for venturing out of your comfort zone. Encino-adjacent and cat hair are still going to be there after the tour. These memories you will have for the rest of your life.

Posted by: Debbie at October 19, 2007 05:40 PM

Awesome! You are awesome, and this post once again shows your extreme awesomeness. I'm going to be asking myself that question a lot now: "I can do this. What else can I do? What else can I show up for?"

And it's past time for some "What Would Crazy Aunt Purl Do?" t-shirts, don't ya'll think?!?

Posted by: Lyda at October 19, 2007 05:56 PM

What good reading, Honeybunch. You done good. This is a blanket statement regarding your life process, here. I'm not even yer Mum....but I'm so proud of you.

*hug*

Posted by: Jillie at October 19, 2007 06:05 PM

Yay! Laurie, you rule!!

I just came back from a trip to Portland, and fell in love with it too. Being from L.A., it reminded me that people can be really nice to complete strangers! I'm working on plans to relocate up there soon!!

Posted by: Vicky at October 19, 2007 06:16 PM

Laurie!

By the photos it looks like you were a sensastion! I never had a doubt. Congratulations on your book tour and it was wonderful meeting you here in Houston! I was the one in the mime outfit asking too many questions! I get that way when I'm nervous.

Posted by: Norma at October 19, 2007 06:25 PM

That last part has to be the most inspiring thing I have read in a long time.

Thanks.

Ruth

Posted by: Ruth at October 19, 2007 06:30 PM

Laurie!
I'm SO BUMMED OUT that I missed your Seattle (and Beaverton) stops! I had planned it for weeks, but evil money (or lack thereof) reared it's ugly head this week. Hopefully with hubby's raise this month I can catch you in another city. I plan to watch NW afternoon and I'm googling your Joyce Taylor interview. I'm so glad you loved the Northwest. We lived in MI for 5 years and couldn't wait to get back. (not that MI isn't nice. It's just....flat.) I'm with Dina: please plan another trip up for fun. All of us from Seattle promise to make it a lot of fun for you! I fully admit to being a blogstalker, but I'm a reasonably sane person who just enjoys your writing and I know we'd get along great in person. Plus, my friends and I make our own wine, so we can't be all bad! I know you'd love our Friday night cocktail hour(s).

One word, and I haven't read the other comments entirely so I may be repeating what others have said.... I know how it is to want to look your best (weight-wise). Please know that NOT ONE of us coming to see you is looking at your scale or your pant size. We are ALL coming to see you. Laurie. The person we admire, read about, laugh with, grieve with, and love to death. I know you want to look skinny and svelte, but we wouldn't care either way. We've all gotten to know the you inside of YOU and that's who we are coming to see.

Enjoy your weekend!
Heidi

Posted by: Heidi at October 19, 2007 06:38 PM

Oh man, now I've got "Don't Fear the Beaver" running though my head (to the tune of Don't Fear the Reaper). Thank you for coming, and I'm so glad things are turning out for the good. Hopefully I will join you in your 14-ness someday, and you will already have way surpassed me to even smaller sizes.

If you ever feel like visiting Portland again, I've got a guest room and a tortie, wine and an open door.

Posted by: BigAlice at October 19, 2007 06:46 PM

Huzzah! There are lots of people who are very all excited about you, and for a damn good reason-- you rock :) and it's all because of you!

Posted by: jelaina at October 19, 2007 06:53 PM

I am so tempted to rent a car, cross the border and drive 8 hours to see you at MOA, from the other comments.

I wonder if I can get the time off work, or would I have to call in sick? Sounds like it would totally be worth it.

Posted by: Misstea at October 19, 2007 07:02 PM

My friend Corrine and I were at your Seattle book signing and I just had to let you kow that it was the highlight of my week. Apparently I was too shy and nervous to tell you anything other than "thanks for liking my scarf but Kenneth Cole made it, not me..." and about a million "thank you so much"s(damn you nervous talking affliction). You are so personable and genuine, it was a pleasure to meet you. What I wish I could have told you: Corrine and I happened upon your site a about 2 years ago and we've been hooked ever since. I truly enjoy reading all the words you write, you really inspire me. You are brave to share so much with the world. You are so talented and I hope you continue to write and write and write. (so one more time) Thank you SO much! I hope you will come back to Seattle again! Oh...and also...will you be bringing back your horoscopes? Love those as well!

Posted by: Ursula at October 19, 2007 07:14 PM

Congrats on everything! You've definitely earned it! I'm one of the ones who is just utterly jealous that you're not coming to my city! I can't wait to hear about more of your book tour! :)

Posted by: Ashley at October 19, 2007 07:34 PM

Thanks so much for coming out to Beaverton. I'm glad that it wasn't downtown. I'm the one with the two little one's. The tallest little one said that you were so nice that I now had to go to Powells everytime that they have a famous person there.

Posted by: kathleen2 at October 19, 2007 07:35 PM

Wow. You just know what to say to make a gal tear up, don'cha? I have been saying those things about my own weight for years, and while, yes, I have joined Weight Watchers, I'm definitely going about it the right way this time - not a diet, but a lifestyle change. I need to do it because of some new health issues, but I'm enjoying it, too, because I finally feel like I'm in control (so there, Janet!) and I'm losing weight slowly and enjoying the fact that I'm being proactive about this new health issue. And a lot of it has to do with you, reading your blog, seeing you put into words so many things that I've always felt or thought but haven't said. So thank you. And also? Portland is my DREAM! One of these days!

Posted by: Amanda at October 19, 2007 07:36 PM

Laurie - Thank you for this beautiful post. Truly wonderful.

Posted by: Jene at October 19, 2007 07:53 PM

Oh, I also wanted to say you definitely do not need to be skinny to do Pilates. I started doing them before I even fit into the size 22 pants and I weighed 230 pounds. Some of the moves are easier to do now that I'm thinner, but at least part of the reason I am thinner is because of the Pilates. And yeah, it's great to be tall! I get to eat more than shorter people too :)

Posted by: PastaQueen at October 19, 2007 08:03 PM

Dear Laurie,
Please come to the east coast. As in, Richmond, VA, or DC. Also, I think I went to high school with Mims in Portland, because she had red hair too, and how many Mims are there out there anyways?

Posted by: Amanda in Richmond at October 19, 2007 08:24 PM

Aaarrgghhh! I went to the wrong Powells and missed you! I would poke myself in the eyes with some #8 aluminum straight needles, like some giant knit voodoo doll, but then I what would I use for back up needles in case I can't find my 5 other sets of #8's.

Posted by: Autumn at October 19, 2007 08:29 PM

I'm sure you hear this all the time - I think we were separated at birth. Or at least I feel like I've known you my whole life. Your revelation(s) are awesome - I am so glad you are showing up for your life. I've just decided to do that as well... and messing up is an option. It's OK - no matter if you barf or not, or if you have a booger hanging out of your nose (not that you do!), or if you are so afraid of other peoples' thoughts about you (this is me) - what's important is that you're doing it and that you're there. Actually present. nice...

And I second Amanda from Richmond's request. Come to Richmond, VA. We're a nutty brand of Southern here as well. And we like wine. Well, I like wine. Amanda and I will show you a good time. I'll find out who she is and make sure she's nutty, too, and we'll make sure you'll have a blast. You can wear your woolen knits here if you come before April.

Leigh in Richmond

Posted by: lmilla at October 19, 2007 08:37 PM

ok...if you are Laurie 2.0, I'm having an identity crisis...

Posted by: Laurie (too) at October 19, 2007 08:44 PM

Hey, just saw an ad for your book on icanhascheezburger.com - you're in the big-time now! (Ya know, in case Wal-Mart wasn't impressive enough.)

Posted by: heather t at October 19, 2007 08:45 PM

Laurie, you are just the sweetest pea, you're gorgeous and funny as hell, and everyone loved you to pieces!

I know the fearfeeling, and actually I was thinking about it today after reading your book, thinking that you proved that you can be amazing...and, I guess, so can I. I used to be fearless, and I can be again; no more of that 'fraidy crap for me OR you OR the others reading this - I mean, we're all in this together, right? And look what can be done.

Thanks again for sharing you! You're really truly an inspiration.

Posted by: Tsipa at October 19, 2007 08:47 PM

Your entries like this one are my absolute favourite. They make me so happy for you. You deserve to be happy. I'm glad you found some fearlessness. Do you think you might come to Vancouver?

Posted by: karen at October 19, 2007 08:50 PM

So, yeah. Grab coffee? Yeah, got the Seattle metaphor. V. Nice. But, girl, after a week without a post, I brought out the Port. You are the bomb. Just wish my lil' sis had introduced me to you sooner so I coulda met ya' here in the Emerald City....knit on & frog hard, girl!

Posted by: Teri Donnelly at October 19, 2007 09:12 PM

We Seattleites were thrilled to have you! And I'm glad you got to see the rain, but you just missed the REALLY EXCITING windstorm of last night. It came complete with rain that sounded like a giant sheet of aluminum foil crinkling over the roof, and wind that made the smaller trees bend at acute angles.

Good stuff.

You're such a fabulous person. Look at all those people standing at your signings because all the chairs are taken. Don't let yourself believe you have to be any different than you are to be loved and admired!

Posted by: Alyssa at October 19, 2007 09:28 PM

I wish I could have been in Beaverton to see and hear you and have you sign my/your book. I was planning to go but I have a cold and couldn't chance giving it to you. Plus I didn't get your book from amazon until today, the 19th! Plus I didn't want to drive to Beaverton and hour and a half drive for me and then have to drive home in the middle of the night! I am a wuss! Not as brave and strong as you! At least I have your book now. I am so proud of you! Offer the cats some salmon for me, Northwest Salmon, of course. Come back soon. Congratulations, Laurie.
Jan

Posted by: Jan at October 19, 2007 10:04 PM

Hi Laurie,
I came to your reading in Seattle and sat up front on the kiddy bench. Thanks for complimenting me on my pink scarf. (I awkwardly muttered something about it being a Leper Bandage pattern, but I really didn't expect you to know what the heck I was talking about.) And you didn't talk too much, that's what we were there for! You were so fun and funny and it was a pleasure to attend your reading. And did you see how many people had to stand and the store sold every copy they had out of your book? That store was not fully prepared for your awesomeness!

Posted by: Sasha at October 19, 2007 10:13 PM

Laurie, it was fan-frickin-tastic to see you in Seattle. Hearing your voice read your book was absolutely delightful. Please do come visit again. Please enjoy the rest of the tour - and remember that you CAN do this!

We love you!

Posted by: chelsea at October 19, 2007 10:24 PM

If you want to do a Seattle yarn crawl, check out http://lystour.com/ the site for the annual 3 day crawl with free patterns and a prize drawing for those who make it to all twenty stores. Yes, we have 20 LYSes within an hour's drive, plus a few who weren't on the tour. We even have LYSes during the down years when knitting isn't hip. The tour site has a map of last year's participants.

Plus there's the book thing. People here love books, and authors, too. Oliver Sacks was at the library tonight. I got within 5 people of making it in to see him. Over 200 people behind me also didn't get in.

And in the summer you can actually wear those cute little lacey sweaters and cardigans.

Posted by: KarenJoSeattle at October 19, 2007 10:31 PM

I am so happy for your tour and so glad that you could see the Northwest, which is where I'm savin' nickels and savin' dimes to retire to. It IS gorgeous, and the people are lovely. It's like the South, but with jobs and good weather. I could spend every day in the Zen Garden in Portland. It is a divine place to sit and knit a sock.

Success becomes you, mi'lady.

Posted by: dez at October 19, 2007 10:35 PM

It sounds wonderful! I'm doubly-extra sorry I couldn't find a couple hours of babysitting to make the drive to Portland, I mean Beaverton, to see you.

Glad you enjoyed our fair (or soggy) state.

Posted by: Lia at October 19, 2007 11:38 PM

Great post- you always give us something to ponder and enjoy. And second (third, fourth, eleventeenth) what everyone else wrote- you rock! Glad to hear it went so well and that you enjoyed yourself, hope Boston makes it on your list soon!

Posted by: Sue F. at October 20, 2007 01:21 AM

You are YOU, girl.

Just be you.

Posted by: April at October 20, 2007 01:23 AM

Laurie, I'm a long time lurker but I had to come out and tell you that I'm as proud of you as I would be if you were my own daughter! You're doing it! You're living your rocking cool life! In a size 14! With your gorgeous smile for everyone to see and love! You go, girl!

Kathy

Posted by: Kathy from Tacoma at October 20, 2007 03:56 AM

What a fabulous, inspirational post - a great kick-start to your book tour, and such openness about moving out of your comfort zone - thanks, Laurie - looks good on you!

Posted by: Deirdre at October 20, 2007 04:29 AM

Congrats on the successful tour. I just bought your book, I cannot put it down. Girl you are laugh out loud funny! Thank you for sharing your life with us on paper and on the 'puter. When will your cats write the sequel?

Posted by: god guurrll at October 20, 2007 05:24 AM

Laurie, you are an inspiration to me in more ways that you'll ever know. You have a real gift of writing and humor and I enjoy your posts so much. I'm really happy that your book tour is going so well, and I loved reading about it so far. I look forward to reading your book. Good luck with the rest of the tour, and thank you for sharing it and your cats with us.:)

Posted by: Sharon at October 20, 2007 05:38 AM

What a fabulous post. All you can do is knit the next stitch.

A bunch of my friends and I will be smiling at you from the audience in Nashville.

Posted by: Jen at October 20, 2007 06:09 AM

The tour part of your post I think was the funniest thing you have written since that prom post. I was cracking up so much I had to walk away from the computer twice just to calm down.

As for the size 14, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is excatly what I needed to hear and I am thrilled for you

Posted by: Debbie at October 20, 2007 06:10 AM

Such a great post--beginning to end...the tour sounds like fun, despite being so scary! You're doing great, and you know we all love you to bits!

I'm not going to make it to the Mall of America, and no, its not because I'm doing the whole Minnesotan-*yawn*-yeah-its-a-mall-who-cares? thing...actually can't make it! Enjoy the Minnesota Nice--if we all put our heads together and think real hard, it might stop raining sometime before you get here! Whooo-Hooo! (But bring a coat! It is Minnesota, after all...)

Posted by: Shelly at October 20, 2007 06:24 AM

I want to congratulate you. I think you are amazing. You are doing what I have dreamed of doing for so many years and I have always said - well, when I lose weight I will be able to do this (whatever "this" may be aat the time. I am 5'3 and I am at the highest weight I have ever been. I am a size 20. I quit smoking a year ago this month and two months after I quit smoking I hernisted discs in my back - was out of work for 5 months. Hence - mucho weight gain. I am scheduled to have back surgery October 23 and will be out of work again for at least 3 months. What kind of healthy food did you eat? I too have decided not to diet anymore - it just depresses me even more. I do not know if you will read this, but if you do would you please be kind enough to share your not dieting secrets with me? I am going to get your book this weekend along with more yarn to knit (my husband is going to kill me because of the more yarn thing) and I am going to buy some "loose" fitting pants because of the surgery, which I do not need to tell you how depressing it is to buy loose fitting pants when you have to buy like a size 26 to gwt them "loose" and I know the depression is slowly setting in. I would so appreciate any ideas or help you could give me. Honetly, I think you are great. Thanks! Mary

Posted by: Mary at October 20, 2007 06:24 AM

Fabulous!
(and you gotta quit telling reporters you think you are going to throw up!!!)
LOL!

Posted by: Cheryl at October 20, 2007 06:28 AM

Oh my word. I slipped away from blogland for a few months, I come back and you are freakin' famous and on a book tour. As it should be. I certainly hope to see you in Minneapolis. I'm torn about bringing my husband 'cos after all he thinks you are the perfect woman with your cats and your encyclopedic knowledge of things like Gilligan's Island. OMG, have you realized with all your t.v. appearances and being famous now you could be the stalkee instead of the stalker?

Posted by: Kate at October 20, 2007 06:56 AM

Well done. And, yes, I should have gotten some coffee.

Posted by: madeleine at October 20, 2007 07:07 AM

I cracked up and shed tears all in the space of 5 minutes reading your post. I think you are awesome. I live even further west of Portland. Further west than "the Beaver". I always add a little eye roll when I mention my long drive into town. "I drove in from ......." Dramatic eye roll for effect. You get the idea.

I wish I could have made it into see you speak. Even at the Beaverton Powell's which - by the way - is waaaay prettier than the downtown Powell's. I was felled by that horrible cold thingy going around. The Portland Death flu I think.

I had my own epiphany in Los Angeles almost 25 years ago. I've had my ups and downs since then, but I'd have to say that the ups are the winning trend. You go for that Pilates girl! I took up belly dancing at 45. Snicker!

Posted by: Tracy at October 20, 2007 07:14 AM

"Too country"? Well, yes, you are a little bit country. And a little bit ROCK AND ROLL!! (Sorry, couldn't resist. And am I going to be embarrassed that everyone is too young to remember Donny and Marie? Or not dorky enough to watch their show?)

Posted by: madeleine at October 20, 2007 07:16 AM

Laurie, I love you. You put into words all of the emotions I feel on a daily basis and just don't know what to do with. Congrats on your book, and book tour, and your size 14ness. It's amazing when your body just "disappears" with "undieting", isn't it a great feeling?

Posted by: Jill at October 20, 2007 07:58 AM

Goddamn, Laurie - this post just grabbed me where I live. Aside from being entertaining and funny and real, which you always are - you are getting at the heart of something about how we, as women, are shaped/taught/coerced into thinking about ourselves. How so many things in our culture conspire to make us NOT acknowledge our power, keeping us preoccupied on our size and sex appeal. This is big stuff, important stuff. Please keep living it and writing about it. Thank you, thank you.

Posted by: seizuresalad at October 20, 2007 08:06 AM

*stands and applauds* You are so amazing!

Posted by: Amanda at October 20, 2007 08:11 AM

Oh. My. Dearling. *I* know whose hand is at your back - ALL of ours! THOUSANDS of hands. I am SO loving all of this, and you know - all over the country (world?) there are your Aunties, young and old, fat and thin, male and female (oh yes there ARE male Aunties) who are just sittin' in our rockers and smiling and nodding and knitting. And all of this is just like your undiet: you're doing it s-l-o-w-l-y, inconspicuously, and therefore, it STICKS. If I didn't have to be at the Museum between now and then I'd go move in to B&N in Minneapolis NOW, and wait for you. But consider yourself back-patted (GENTLY, Friends, GENTLY!) and borne along by us all. So there.
Your Adopted (adoptive?) Bubbeh in WI

Posted by: dale-harriet in WI at October 20, 2007 08:27 AM

Doll, I have nothing to say that hasn't been said by everyone else here but I'm still gonna try. Even though we are strangers, I am so proud of you. Your strength of character, your honesty, your humour, your authenticness. You are a wonderful YOU and don't need to try and be anyone/anything else. I am so glad that you are getting excited about being you and exploring more of what that means. You make me want to get excited about being me and I know others feel the same way. What a gift!!
Our stories are very similar except for the divorce part...grew up less than prosperous, never feeling that I was good enough as is, trying to be what society seems to push on us, weight issues and the depression and fear that go with, cats and their hairs, hair issues... LOL Laurie you are Everywoman...and maybe some men..
Thank you thank you thank you.

Posted by: AliP in the Qc. at October 20, 2007 08:50 AM

You are so fantastic. You're the person who is living out loud and showing us how being honest with yourself makes things so much better. The daughter/niece/grand-daughter/sister/best friend we all wish for. I am so very proud of you even though I've never met you and unless you come to a location slightly west of Boston never will. But you make me cry and inspire me, little one. Thank you.

And no, I know this won't make me win the cat jacket competition :)

Posted by: Leslie in Mass at October 20, 2007 08:53 AM

Clapping madly through tears...
Every time I think I can't do something silly, like go out with friends somewhere or whatever, I'm going to think of this and Just Show Up! Thank you.

Also, if you are in the Palm Springs area, I will happily feed you, show you the bathroom, provide wine and help you get my cats all nipped up!

Posted by: Steph B at October 20, 2007 09:12 AM

Laurie, I've been reading your blog for about two years now. And I just laugh and laugh and laugh, and sometimes I cry, and then I laugh and laugh. You're a fabulous writer, and very generous in sharing so much of your life. Thank you.

Sally

Posted by: Sally at October 20, 2007 09:30 AM

I didn't get to see you in Seattle....Whhaaaaa! Hubby out of town and kids insisting that I FEED them! What do they think I am...... THEIR MOTHER?

A couple things about Seattle.....The male half of the Northwest Afternoon crew is also a DJ and an ordained MINISTER, so he has that "I think I'm cool, but I'm really a dork" thing about him. He's nice enough, though.

And Tricoter?? French for "really expensive." With your next book (and yes, there will be a second, and a third, and.....and.....) I will be your media escort, we will hit all the knitting stores (I have the whole I-5 corridor yarn crawl mapped out). And I will feed you chocolate, wine, coffee and really good Indian food, or Thai, or Korean, or Persian. You name it baby, and I can find it!

Posted by: Alyson at October 20, 2007 11:16 AM

You have such a gorgeous glow about you in the Portland and Seattle photos. You look beautiful and confident and so so happy. I hope your ex is wallowing in shit right now! You go girl!

Posted by: Becky at October 20, 2007 11:23 AM

I've read this post and the comments quite a few times now...I'm so grateful you've created this space. It gives such permission to just be.
Thankyou

Posted by: cecelia at October 20, 2007 11:26 AM

It is nice to see you enjoying yourself so much!

Posted by: Andree at October 20, 2007 11:58 AM

I just finished your book, which now has pride of place in my bedside table books. I turn to it for the same reason that I read your blog: for laughs, for commiseration, for a peek into your LA world (a place I've never been and am slightly scared of), but most of all, for inspiration. Congratulations for coming so far, and showing us how. You are truly an astounding woman.

Posted by: Leslie at October 20, 2007 12:15 PM

Congratulations - you deserve it all! I would love to be that gnat on the counter at Mr. X's house when you come on live (OMB LIVE!!) TV and he watches your interview.

And too country? Come on, y'all can't never be too country - there ain't no such thang!

Posted by: AlliMack at October 20, 2007 12:18 PM

You're so sweet and honest and real. You deserve all the wonderfulness that's come your way. And then some.

Posted by: Kari at October 20, 2007 12:23 PM

Honey, just keep showing up. Just keep showing up. You're right, all you have to do is just keep showing up where you need to be and it will happen.

Posted by: Kristen at October 20, 2007 12:28 PM

I LURVE your live TV outfit!! I saw it when I read your post last night and had to come back and look at it again this morning. You LOOKED AWESOME!!!
You looked awesome at the Grove too. Despite being 4'11" myself I somehow thought you were taller and was so happy to be able to hug you comfortably. Thank you for being you!

Love and Laughter,
Amy

Posted by: Amy at October 20, 2007 12:55 PM

Congrats on the book tour! Congrats on finding the real you. And thanks for sharing some of that with us. Wine Cheetos and all (love that!)

Posted by: Red at October 20, 2007 01:26 PM

Dina Molina. Love that name.

Kind of like I used to work with Zina Garina.

Fun to say.

/change subject

14 I found was a very difficult size because they don't really stock them in the 'smaller' sections/stores and they don't have them in the 'larger' stores. It's like a no man's land of sizes......at least around here.

(We knew you could "show up" the whole time, baby girl. Good job.)

Posted by: Suzie at October 20, 2007 02:05 PM

Congratulations. Everybody else has said it better than I think I can, but yeah - congratulations. One of my favorite posts. :)

Posted by: Jacquelyn at October 20, 2007 02:14 PM

I'm so in awe of what you've come to, and so grateful you can bring us all along to share your amazing life (yes! it's YOUR life now!).

Fabulous post and book (I bought 2)! We love you!

Posted by: Nita at October 20, 2007 02:47 PM

I'm so proud of you! I've read your book and devoured every word! I've been single after being married for 12 years with two kids....... it's nice to know that you've made it out alive as I have!

Cheers to you....... and when will you be near a tiny town called Folkston Georgia?

Har, har, har...... just kidding!

Posted by: Judi at October 20, 2007 03:09 PM

If you liked Beaverton OR, you'll LOVE Beavercreek OHIO!!! We have 7 foot beavers placed strategically throughout the city, in our schools and at shopping centers. Barnes and Noble, Books and Co.....lotsa book stores ready for a signing....just saying!

Posted by: Chris at October 20, 2007 03:42 PM

wow- i have been reading you for a while but this one really hit home for me- thank you

Posted by: Murphy at October 20, 2007 04:02 PM

I ventured to Portland from my home in Eastern Oregon -only a 3 1/2 hour drive... my only disappointment was that they cut your speaking short... I could have listened to you ramble for hours... well, hell, I read your blog, so I do listen to you ramble, but it was nice to put a voice to it all... thanks for the visit!

Posted by: Marilyn Drinkward at October 20, 2007 04:05 PM

Posted by: Marilyn at October 20, 2007 04:06 PM

I read your blog religiously but I don't ever leave comments. I'm not sure why. Anyway, this post was so inspirational that I just had to say "thank you". I'm going to put this quote on the wall so I have to read it every day:

"what else in my life can I show up for that I never dreamed I could do?"

You are a wonderful, beautiful person and a terrific writer. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Posted by: Colby at October 20, 2007 04:09 PM

Laurie-
You and your site are a great blessing in my life, thank you so much!!!! I am so glad these wonderful things are happening for you, you deserve it all and more.
xoxoxo
Consuelo

Posted by: demondoll at October 20, 2007 09:04 PM

Laurie-
I purchased your book on Friday & didn't put it down until I finished it. Your book was wonderful I will have to post about it on my blog telling everyone to run & buy this book. You proved that even when your down you can pick yourself up & dust yourself off and grab life by the horns & be happy I wish you all the happiness in the world thanx for writing a great book

Posted by: Rae at October 20, 2007 10:27 PM

Bless you, girl. What a great post!

And, okay, so you may not have any control over this, but to any Publicists For The Crazy who might be reading: Bay Area. Please?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 20, 2007 10:52 PM

well done! now where can I get a escort to take me to the shops? kidding, although it would be cool. I love the comment about "showing up" that is my new mantra for this week when I am going to be stressing out about having to be out in public for an entire day "personing" my stall at the Craft Fair! arggg stuff like that freaks me out too :-) just going to take it in three minute segments and "just show up" if I manage to breathe and not throw up then selling some stuff will just be a bonus! Welcome home.

Posted by: Miss Dot at October 21, 2007 12:49 AM

The Donner party... ::snerksnerk:: Oh god, hilarious! And the whole post is wonderful; hurray for you! Glad you loved the NW - see, now you *have* to come back up here for a vacation! Much more affordable than Europe, nice people, good wine, good food, good coffee. Take the Starlight Coast train up and rent a car, go on wine tours, stop at every yarn shop on the way (June would be good; the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, south of Portland, Google it.); make your way up to Seattle, then on up to Vancouver BC to visit Rabbitch and ride the ferries and all. (Did Rabbitch ever manage to get "assbeagle" on a t-shirt somehow? She was lacking time to do it, last she wrote. We left suggestions.)

And ohmigawd, I have one degree of separation from you now! [g] The first get-together the PDX Knit Bloggers group had, I sat right next to Mims and Peggy. Hah! Kinda makes up for still being too stuck to the ceiling Thursday night to make it out to The Beaver. ;) (A 2-hour MAX train ride out there wouldn't have been *quite* so bad with plenty of Xanax, but getting home at midnight? Uhh...no. I'm getting a little more cautious. [g])

Everybody I've read who saw you said you were wonderful, and *they* were the dorky ones. Stop worrying. You're real, and obviously doing just fine!

Posted by: MonicaPDX at October 21, 2007 03:59 AM

Did you know Oregon is the BEAVER state? That one of the state universities are the BEAVERS?

That you can still see real live beavers all around the state?

Seriously though, make them put you in the downtown Powell's next time, they have the most Los Angeles parking garage there ever, and it's an entire city block of books!

Posted by: Rebecca at October 21, 2007 04:50 AM

Hi Laurie,
I just started reading your post two weeks ago when my daughter sent my your blog link about the pumpkin hat. In the past two weeks I have made 9 pumpkin hats - four adult size and four litlle girl size and one attempt at a little girl size that fits my teddy bear. My cats could wear it, but they just are not into orange. Minnesota has had nothing but rain for one month. I heard on the news that the color orange can help lift depression, so I was thinking that knitting with orange must be even better. I bought your book last night and I'm enjoying the humor you put into a difficult situation. I plan to be at the Mall of America to see you in person on Thursday. Will you be visiting any knitting shops while you are in the area?

Posted by: Susan at October 21, 2007 06:12 AM

You are simply amazing.

Posted by: Carol at October 21, 2007 07:29 AM

Thanks Laurie - I need to stop limiting myself becasue I think I am fat and am worried about what other will think. I re-gained a bunch of weight after quitting smoking someday I will learn to stop punishing myself.

Posted by: Allyson at October 21, 2007 08:45 AM

This is ridiculous. I know it. I am sitting here crying - for a variety of reasons: a) because of what you've done, because I can so relate, because it gives me hope, and because it is so exciting; b) because I haven't been to a doctor in 2 years in a vain attempt to lose the "baby" weight first; c) some other personal family tradgedy sort of reasons; d) pms, if in fact you can have pms at the same time you have ms.

Posted by: Shannon at October 21, 2007 09:58 AM

Lord! Please excuse the extra d in tragedy...

Posted by: Shannon at October 21, 2007 09:59 AM

Seattle loves you back! I moved here last year from Texas, and I've hardly sweated a drop. I'm much more active because the climate is so agreeable, it feels great to be outdoors. And there's no need for AC. Come join us!

Posted by: Not Erin at October 21, 2007 10:26 AM

I think this is the first time I have read the whole way through a post that long. Librarianing gets really boring on a Sunday afternoon, so thank you for the humorous entertainment. Also, I just visited the Northwest for the first time this summer and it is everything you said.

Posted by: Linda at October 21, 2007 11:00 AM

Laurie - Love at 1st read!!

I was looking for a knitting book yesterday at Gnomes and Barbells, and came across your book. I didn't buy it - c'mon, retail? - but I will be finding my gift certificate and going back for it or ordering it online very shortly.

I looked your blog up on the internet, and have just read this one post - but I'm converted!

After all the funny stuff about the book tour, your story about the weight loss is so inspirational. And I think it would be a great topic for your next book! - there will be more, right?

So I'll have to start at the beginning of your archives, and work my way up. I anticipate being amused, touched, and inspired every word of the way. You're a goddess! - okay, at 5'3", maybe a demi-goddess! ;->

Your newest fan - Boomette

Posted by: Boomette at October 21, 2007 11:56 AM

I'm very glad you are out there living out loud on this here blog. Makes me think maybe the whole hermit thing is more than that I just like to be at home. I don't have size as an excuse not to live though. Wonder what I do have?

Anyway, glad it all worked out right for you and you got to be your own stereotype in the airport. :)

Posted by: Dorothy at October 21, 2007 12:08 PM

Yesterday we celebrated your success with a big ol' dish of hash brown casserole, full fat version! -plus, organic. It was SO yummy. Congratulations to you!!

Posted by: lynne at October 21, 2007 12:16 PM

Haven't corresponded in a bit, but your mention of pilates inspired a comment from this knitter/yoga teacher. Not trying to advertise on your page, so I won't go into specifics, but I've been wanting to invite you to my class for a long time. I teach something called Rope Yoga, which is basically a cross between yoga and pilates. After ten years of traditional hatha yoga studies, Rope Yoga blew my mind, changed my life. I would LOVE to introduce you to this amazing practice, as it follows much of the same philosophy that I've read in your column. It's a little pricey, but as one of your biggest la fans, I would be more than happy to negotiate. Whether you choose to try it out or not, I wish you all the abundance, wealth, health, and happiness you so deserve. Namaste! emilie

Posted by: emilie` at October 21, 2007 01:01 PM

I want to give you a big warm hug after the second part of your post, hon. I put off for way too long living parts of my life because I was too fat/ my (now ex-)husband wouldn't approve or wanted all my spare time to do his stuff/ I was too shy/ I was too sucked into the abyss of my grad school program. A couple years ago (and at the real start at the breakup of my marriage), I finally snapped and started doing things *I* wanted to do, and just dealt with the embarrassment of being bad at martial arts, or feeling horribly uncoordinated and all short torso in belly dance classes, and stupid and unknowing at knitting. But through those things I did so much for myself, and met so many wonderful people, I am so, so thankful that I did things that I was maybe afraid to do, or thought I was too (fill-in-blank) to try.

I just tried Bikram Yoga last weekend (yoga in a super-warm room). It was new and kind of scary because I had no idea what to do and I sweat like a horse and it felt great when I was done. I'd try that if you can find it in the area. :)

Posted by: Thalia at October 21, 2007 03:27 PM

Sounds like you're having an exceptionally successful book tour. And Unless I've missed something, NO BARF!

Congrats! (I would have barfed... I'd like to be able to say I wouldn't have, but I would. I totally would.)

Posted by: Leaf, probably... at October 21, 2007 04:29 PM

Oh, Laurie.
What a lovely post.

Posted by: Marlyn at October 21, 2007 05:15 PM

Brava, Laurie.

Posted by: Mary at October 21, 2007 05:33 PM

Long-time, size 14 lurker posting for the first time.

Try pilates. Everyone deserves a pain-free body that feels good.

Posted by: Ki at October 21, 2007 07:01 PM

What a great post! And congrats on Portland and Seattle - man, you had a lot of people there! I posted a review on Amazon, but it hasn't shown up yet. Bummer!

Gave my mom and my sister copies of your book this weekend - they were thrilled! My mom apparently started reading it right away - because she kept quoting from it all weekend!

Posted by: OtherLisa at October 21, 2007 07:58 PM

I love reading your blog and would have loved to meet you but you didn't visit San Francisco.
*pout*

Posted by: tiggerr at October 21, 2007 08:06 PM

God Bless, Laurie:) I really needed to hear that. (all of it)
I'm so happy for you!!
Congratulations!
Ang

Posted by: angelarae at October 21, 2007 08:13 PM

Congrats on the tour! You are an inspiration. Thanks for being so honest.

Posted by: eyeleen at October 21, 2007 08:40 PM

I am so glad to read your post. After looking at all of your happy and glowing pictures and then having you point out the "7 chins" I wanted to "preach" to you and say: You are beautiful, AND you will look back on these pictures when you are 55 and think - WOW! I wasn't fat, I wasn't even too pink-cheeked. But, Grasshopper, you learned the lesson yourself. Congrats.

P.S. The anti-pink-cheeked stuff I mentioned the other day (you are keeping track of us, right?) is Kerstin Florian, Rosacea Hyaluronic Serum. Expensive, but it works.

Posted by: kay t at October 21, 2007 09:06 PM

Oh, you!!

I've been so friggin' busy that your life is passing so fast before my eyes!!

I WANT TO SEE YOU!!

I'm in town for a brief few days - please call or email me - please?? Please?? Don't make me beg, girlfriend...

Posted by: Annie at October 21, 2007 09:51 PM

PNW FOR THE WIN! (Raised there, and one day, shall get back home.)

It's so great to read about your adventures, and your delight at how everything's turning out, because YOU SO TOTALLY ROCK AND DESERVE THIS. And you could not possibly get cuter, for serious-- your shoes alone are a cute factor of +10 BILLION! So rock on with your bad size-14 self.

Thank you for writing and sharing with all of us... can't believe I got to meet you at Yarntopia and thank you in person (was the girl with the blue vine lace scarf). It was the bestest thing ever... and now, enjoy your furry down time (like you need telling, right?) 8)

Posted by: tantekoo at October 21, 2007 10:48 PM

Laurie, as always you inspire me, make me laugh, and inspire "braveness" in myself. I just wish when I wrote about my plight I was as funny as you. I would so be in a puddle in the closet just as you suggest. Thank you for all your heartwarming honesty and great sense of humor. You rock!

Posted by: Becky at October 22, 2007 05:12 AM

Hi Laurie,

I am so happy your book tour was great. Wish we could bottle those experiences!

I sat down to read your book and during that time I found myself eating cheetos and ice cream with chocolate sauce. The next day when I finished reading your book, I had a glass of my favorite wine, Maple River Chokecherry Wine. I think you may be a bad influence. I love it!

Posted by: Lori at October 22, 2007 05:15 AM

I am so glad I read this this morning (guess I missed you Friday). I had a terrible, terrible weekend, and it does me good to hear how wonderful YOU are doing. I'm so proud of you!! Whether you realize it or not, you are a beautiful person, inside & out, and you richly deserve all the fabulous things that are happening to you now. It's so much fun to be able to share this with you, if only over the innernets. ;-)

Posted by: Tara at October 22, 2007 05:51 AM

Hi Laurie!

You know? Your book just made it to Denmark. :P All the way to little, cold Denmark! At least in a single copy, which is right now on my desk. I can't wait to read it. You're a funny, inspiring, loving person on this blog, and I'm sure you are in real life too. :)
Thanks for long posts, they give me something to do when I should be working. ;)

P.S. You should come to Denmark. THAT'S cold!! You get to wear woolly socks, woolly mittens, woolly hats, coats, scarves, jumpers... Woolly everything. Even underwear.
P.P.S. 'Beaver wrinkles' gave me the most horrible (and probably very, very wrong) images in my head! :D
P.P.P.S. You rock. Just keep going, and keep inspiring the rest of us to keep going with you. :)

Posted by: Trine at October 22, 2007 06:02 AM

Hi Laurie!
I'm coming to see you when you get yourself to Boston...

In the meantime, in case no one else posted this yet... you're not the only one to cry in a dressing room because they could wear a size 14 again. I'm sure you know that, but it's nice to hear, eh? I mean, *I* am glad to know that someone else has done that, too.

Congrats on everything!

Posted by: wenders at October 22, 2007 06:03 AM

Congrats on the undiet babe! That's wonderful! AS frustrating as slow progress can be, it's really be best kind - it's nearly always more sustainable!

Your writing moves me from laughter to tears and back - keep it up! This is your real live and look how many of us are glad you're sharing it with us!

Posted by: SarahAyars at October 22, 2007 06:04 AM

I'm sure that I, like so many others here, at some point during the day say, "My friend Laurie did this" or "My friend Laurie did that". Is that weird? It is your writing that brings us all together. What an amazing gift you have ... Juliana xo

Posted by: Juliana at October 22, 2007 06:28 AM

sooooooooo happy for you! isn't portland so great. wish i still lived there.

Posted by: jt at October 22, 2007 06:28 AM

"And even though I thought I was too fat, too old, too country, too scared... I showed up. I am showing up. I can't believe this is me. What else is hiding in there, what else am I capable of doing? I used to think I had to be perfect, look perfect, have the perfect marriage, work for the perfect goals, perfect job, perfect demeanor. "

Honey, you have figured out at your young age what most women (me, for instance) don't figure out until they are over 50. Some never figure it out at all....I am so proud of you, and I don't even know you in real life! Just keep on showing up for your life, it will be wonderful!!

Posted by: Judy at October 22, 2007 07:19 AM

Great post :)

Posted by: Laura L at October 22, 2007 07:40 AM

You're really coming into your own, and that's awesome to see. :) Perfection isn't eradication of one's flaws -- it's accepting oneself, including the flaws.

Posted by: VT at October 22, 2007 08:31 AM

Congratulations to you, Laurie for finding your bravery and turning off the self-criticism. A big cheer for you! You are living your life.

And gee, Portlanders having to go to the suburbs...*snicker* I had to carefully skirt a sinkhole in the middle of our gravel road out here in Rural, America. And, I didn't even run over a skunk! Or use a chainsaw!

Posted by: shelly at October 22, 2007 09:04 AM

I'm so glad you