Have a great trip to Florida, Laurie! I wish I could be there, too. Can't wait to see the cat sweaters.

Since you've been being so brave and all, I think we need to take the next step and cut you out of those Spanx. Permanently. Be free! Let your kidneys, liver, spleen and intenstines breathe free!

yes, everyone in Miami will be wearing bikinis and they are all beautiful. Also.

Kristen, you can be free. I personally love my Spanx! LOVE THEM!

Laurie - my Miami friend told me last week it's finally comfortable weather to walk outside in. I think you might be able to wear your Spanx!

Why do I keep hearing the "Miami Vice" theme and seeing you driving a fast boat through the harbor, in hot pursuit of naked Ricky Martin? Wineglass in hand of course.

Miami will never be the same.

Have fun, sweetie!!

Look out, Miami - - here comes Laurie! :-)

hey laurie - have fun in miami! i'm sure it will be beautiful weather for you. i wish i could make it but i haven't been able to find anyone to make the drive from orlando to miami with me :(

I am also a fan of the Spanx. I think God understands.

Hmmmm... last time I ws in Miami this time of year it was in the 80's during the day and lower 70's at night. Pleasant by Miami standards to be sure, but definately humid. My Florida fashion Philosophy (lived there 13 years) is to wear as much cotton as possible, shunning blends of less than 50% natural fiber, avoid socks - instead wear "dressy" sandals.

Please send picks from the yarn store!!! Going to Miami for Christmas... Bienvenidos a Miami! And want to check out the yarn scene.
Oh, and pics of God's Shrink???!!

I don't think I could keep a straight face while sitting next to Dr. God's Shrink. I get big ugly laughing fits the way you have big ugly cries.

The thing about the "Bienvenidos a Miami" song is that those two lines are all I really remember, which makes the little song loop in my head all the more painful. So. Thanks for that.

Buena suerte en Miami. (Hey, swap that in for a little change-up in the song loop!)

Oh! Also, ask God's Shrink if, in his professional opinion, he thinks you can keep calling yourself "Crazy" Aunt Purl. Shrinks love shit like that.

ok- having nothing to do with anything- is it normal to have your flickr pics on my computer?!?! I mean, in a non-stalker way. I have this google sidebar thing, and It has a little picture box on the bottom, that just randomly displays the pictures I have in my picture file. But then after I looked at your flickr, it also randomly displays your flickr pics. Have I accidentally stolen your identity???

It's ok, Nikki. If you were to clear your browsing history, they would go away... I totally need to get me a pair of spanx... I haven't tried them before. I've tried similar, cheaper versions, but it seems like I sit down, and they roll down my body so I look like those old ladies that have their nylons rolling down their legs... I used to think it looked like they were wearing donuts... hahaha... Maybe you should go to Miami Ink and get a sweet knitting tattoo while you are there!!!! Have a fun time!!

If I was sitting next to God's shrink, I would ask him why God is such a control freak.

don't miss out on Little Havana and all that good Cuban food and coffee. and don't worry about naked Ricky Martin look a likes - jsut head on down to South Beach - you'll find plenty there!

Have fun!

I don't think God need a shrink but I need a good spanking!

Hurts so good. I might be going to hell now.

TGFS - I love Spanx and would wear them in the Miami event because won't it be indoors with lots of air conditioning...? or not? Anyrate, have fun with God's Shrink, I can't wait to hear about the conversation. HARHARHAR nekkid Ricky Martin look-alike for author who heals hearts with cheetohs and wine.

Ha ha ha ha!!! You are so funny, girl!

That is all.

Oh, wait, have fun in Miami!!

I clearly need to get on the Spanx-Me bandwagon. I could use some lifting and holding in, Lord knows. And Lord's shrink knows ALSO, I am sure. Have a fabu time in Miami. I am with Lyda...I keep getting the visual of you in the back of a cigarette boat, speeding thru the bay or ocean or whatever, wine glass in hand, Don Johnson drooling over you, theme song thumping away...yes, I am a child of the 80's. Have a blast!!!

I've never been to Miami, but truly - places I have been with intense hot climate issues (Phoenix, New Orleans, Palm Springs) usually know how to work the air conditioning so you walk in the door and break out with goose bumps! So I agree with cecelia on that. If wearing the Spanx makes you feel more err..."secure" then go for it.

Viva Miami!! Can't wait to c u!!! The book signing is so early however, I m starting to feel a little bit "sick" and might leave early so I can catch you at the yarn store!!! YAY - If not see you Saturday! I am bringing my wacky kids to the book signing they just might ask u all kind of cheeto questions!!! LOL

Who writes a book called "God's Shrink" anyway? Begs all sorts of questions. Can't wait to hear what you think of God's personal advisor--gosh, he needs some spanks just to hold his.....

You think you might be on CSpan--they sometimes go there! And speaking of going--go get 'em Purl!

Geez! How are you getting all of this done?

Don't worry about the humidity!!! We just had a cold snap here in Florida and the second one is hitting tonight. Temps will be glorious and it should be dry. In fact, it's so dry here today (in Tampa area) that I accidentally shocked my cat while petting her. She's not happy right now.

Have a glorious time! I wish I had the weekend available to drive down since you're so freaking close, but I don't. :( But if you change your mind and come through Tampa, you better post about it! I'll so be there! Have fun!

I have to stop reading your blog at work! I can't contain the giggling! Also.

Joke: What do your cats sing when you go to Miami?

answer: MEOW-me.

Joke: What do your cats sing when you go to Miami?

answer: Bienvenido a MEOW-me.

It's actually gorgeous in Miami right now! The weather is perfect. People are freaking out because there is a rumor that it will get down to the 50's this weekend. Out come the parkas!

I cannot *wait* for the book fair. I'm a little dubious of this God's Shrink guy, but I will take my chances to be able to hear you speak!

I love singing along with that song! Also, I love Spanx. They're really good at keeping things all non-jiggly. I keep wanting to try the new garments by Dr. Ray from Dr. 90210. I hear they're tighter control than Spanx.

I can relate to white lumpy. I was just in Miami 2 weeks ago for a formal occasion and had to wear a dress. I didn't have any panty hose and it was about 80 degrees so I decided to go with bare legs and sandals. On our way back from the event, we stopped at a grocery store in a mixed neighborhood and my husband said that everyone in the store was staring at my glow-in-the-dark white legs. They probably thought I was an early Halloween ghost sighting.

Bon voyage! All the talk of Spanx had me vividly remembering the huge underwear sceen in Bridget Jones's Diary.

"I never wear lumpy white after labor day" HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I about fell out of my chair on that one.
But, ya know what Laurie, I DO wear lumpy white after labor day, before labor day and during labor day. *sigh*

Denver: no humidity (Spanx-friendly!) and getting colder every day (parka and also hand-knits friendly!).

And Annie Modesitt can back me up on this: no matter how thin the air seems, you'll never actually run out.

Just keep breathing, we'll make more.

Come to Winnipeg! It's not quite parka weather yet, but it'll probably feel that way to someone used to California weather. :) If you come in February, you can probably wear every knit item you've ever made.

Can someone at the book fair please take a picture of God's Shrink's face when Laurie starts talking about Christmas undies, too much wine and porn?? Because THAT would be worth a thousand words....

I wonder if God's shrink is sitting at home right now, nervous about meeting you ? YOu totally need a photo with him, hopefully right after you say something wildly inappropriate and shocking.
Also, I think you said cootchie at least 43 times. On average.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME, PEOPLE - Hon, if there wasn't we all wouldn't be reading your blog and buying your book - you make us feel like we fit in cause there is someone out there just as crazy as we are and now we know we are the normal ones!

TG I do not know the song to which you so eloquently refer but if it helps I know really mind-numbing song my daughter learnt at Brownies?

You go crazy down in Miami Aunty - for all of us!

hahahahahaha!

I think it is quite perfect that you are sharing space with God's Shrink. My bet is that your book has made more people chuckle and forgive themselves for not being perfect than the good doctor's, and who doesn't need more laughter and forgiveness in their lives? Seems to me it is the shrink who should be feeling the heat.

Regardless, I'm sure the man Upstairs thinks you're just as worthy as His shrink, and probably twice as inspiring.

Miami is so awesome--I LOVED it! The men there really appreciate curves, wear something clingy and you will have gorgeous men of Jamaican-Cuban extraction salivating after you on the sidewalk.

come to Ohio. it's freakin' cold here. :) (yes, another "come to xyz" post...)

I have a theory: Whatever is wrong with you, is the same thing that is wrong with the rest of us. That is why we love you so much.

Don't wear panties and you won't get a pantyline.

I actually bought a pair of Spanx before my wedding, (can you say "last-minute panic" boys and girls? Sure! Sure you can!) and I have to say, I was impressed. They don't look like much, and they are surprisingly comfortable on, and they do the job, all right.

I've lost track of how many "Crazy Aunt Purl" endorsed products Frank and I have bought now. It's a lot!

Have a great time in Miami, and get some of that Cuban Coffee - unless ultra-strong caffeine fries your brain too much....

I live in Miami and my office window is actually facing the space where the book fair is setting up... fabulous news... its actually in the 70's and and low-80's and not at all humid, so wear those spanx. I wouldn't dream of meeting God's shrink without them.

Philadelphia's starting to get pretty chilly these days. A southerner/LA gal like yourself might even feel the need for a parka. AND, think of the full-circle poetry of following the Bienvenidos a Miami/Fresh Price post with a visit to BOTH lyrically featured cities!

Random question, but hey Laurie, are both contests random drawings, or are you judging the relative worth of the awesome cat sweaters? ;)

come on I am just sure that making fun of God's shrink has to go to HE - double hocky sticks (weren't we just so cooool with that turn of phrase - back when)
Have fun in Miami and even more fun with the cat sweaters - I can't wait to see the pics, did they have to be on the cat?

You wanna wear a parka, Baby! Come to Ottawa Ontario. You could be wearing one RIGHT NOW!!!

I'm digging out my mitts tonight so I can stop using my sweater sleeves to warm my hands on the steering wheel.

Have fun in Miami!

I have never heard of Spanx, and I think I must have some, because I KNOW I need them! Where can you get them--I've never seen them at Wal-Mart!

Have fun in Miami! I wonder if Don Johnson still looks as good as he did on Miami Vice? (He probably needs Spanx like the rest of us!)

If you want to wear a parka, come to Wisconsin! I'm drooling over your plethora of hats but I'm not daring enough to try circular needles yet. Our cold (high of 42) weather would give you many reasons to model your designs.

BTW - thanks for starting me on the "olden days" reminiscing! I remembered Shrinky Dinks today. They've brought back my Pretty Ponies and Care Bears and Transformers, but I haven't seen Shrinky Dinks yet (well, other than the kind no one wants to buy).

Enjoy Miami and the cute Cuban boys!

You are in luck, the high is only going to be around 80 and the humidity has dropped, so you will not die if you wear your Spanx. Pack with confidence! Pity you aren't coming to Orlando, we really will be breaking out the parkas up here, the high will only be 75.

You should be happy to know that I have an MD and I'm all about Spanx or some sort of compression undergarment. Enjoy Miami!

Boy you'll be hitting both Dade and Broward county!! Have fun!! And I hear the theme from Miami Vice as well. South Beach is WILD! If you do nothing else, it's fun to watch the people at an outdoor bar. And you get to have yummy drinks with umbrellas in them!!

Have a wonderful wonderful time. I know you're leaving palm trees and going to palm trees, but we had some snow here on Monday, so I'm totally living vicariously through you.

Have fun in Miami. This is for the person that schedules your book tour:

http://www.sbwritersconference.com/

Just so you know.

Oh rats. I thought I was going to entice you to have a book signing in Santa Barbara. I looked more closely at the website I posted and it costs YOU money to go! Sorry.

This is the one I meant:

http://www.sbbookfestival.org/

When you are done discombobulating God's Shrink, for pity's sake (I almost wrote "for heaven's sake" there, but decided against it) GO NORTH. And a little east.

(What exactly are Spanx? Would you totally never speak to me again if I told you that I had never seen any but am currently wearing flannel underwear?)

Ya know, I'm quite sure I recently saw something in the news about man-girdles being all the rage these days, so let's just assume that the good doctor will be your partner in happy, comforting confines! ( not in the same ones, silly ;> )

Al Gore will be on "30 Rock" this Thursday night. Thought you'd like to know.

Cheers !!!

Oops. Didn't mean to post anonymously...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I am out of town this weekend and I was going to come and bring you YARN!

Handspun alpaca and silk yarn. =(

If you tell me the hotel's name, I'll send it to the front desk to hold for your arrival! =)

It snowed here last night. You could wear a Parka in Canada! Toronto or Newmarket, your pick and you could stay here next to my stash and with my three cats! And I have WINE!! Red or White? Again, your pick! Have fun!

Why, why, WHY can't you take a little side trip up to Tampa? It's lovely! I wish I was closer to Miami so I could meet you.

HaHa! All this talk about parkas, and I've actually been wearing mine for a week now. If you're really all about the parka, move to Arviat, Nunavut, Canada. Today was a normal -21 C (-6 F) with a wind chill of -38 C (-36 F). Although, we don't have a book store, or a knitting store, so you would have to promote at my house! Tempt you, yet?

Sure do wish ya'll would find your way back to Tennessee and to Knoxville this time! We would surely have a special SnB in your honor!

Loved loved loved the book ... finally finished it last night (yes, I am slow reading ... blame the BF ... hee!) I laughed! I cried! I found my soul sister!