Pleasantly Surprised

Ever head into something with a touch of dread?  Well, add in feeling rushed, wishing I’d bought some Spanx and/or tried on the dress I grabbed Monday to wear to said event, and that’s how I felt yesterday evening as I headed across town for a fundraiser.  I was scheduled to sell books before the dinner, didn’t know with whom I’d be sitting, etc.

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the gals also selling books with me, and was delighted to see my “standing date” from years gone by wander in!  Jessica is single, and the Knight doesn’t attend League events with me often, so we always go as each other’s “date” for the dinners and such.  She’s busy living in NYC and trying to maintain her home here, so I never expected to see her…

Laura Moriarty  was my favorite author-speaker to date.  I will confess that I never got around to reading her book, but after hearing her excerpts and listening to the messages she intended to convey, I’ll be cracking it open this weekend.  That, and I feel a bit of pressure when the author not only signs the book but personalizes it for me… 

The friend in charge of table assignments has never failed to treat me far better than my meager ticket purchase deserves, and this year was no exception.  I was seated immediately to the right of the podium, with a great group, including a three other League members I know and don’t get to chat with often enough.  It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed getting gussied up, but last night was a great reminder of how fun it can be to leave the jeans and clogs behind.

The final treat came while Jessica and I were in line, waiting to get our books signed.  I’m an eavesdropper - Ms. Moriarty gives me the courage to admit that - and I heard the woman in front of me mention New Orleans.  Huh.  The wheels whirled and clicked…  My friend and the driving force behind the cookbook we hope to get approved in the fall is from New Orleans, and her parents were going to use her tickets for the event, because she and her sweet husband had infant CPR class last night.  (Yup.  They were the recipients of Oh My!)  It was great fun to meet them, and I don’t have to tell you how gratifying it was to have them immediately connect me with my knitted goodies.  I knew the parents to be would appreciate my efforts, but when the out of town grandparents have already seen my items and can connect them with my name…  It meant a lot.  I wish that kind of appreciation for every single one of you, every time you give a handmade treasure!

The last surprise comes this evening.  By now, Michelle is already on her way to my house.  We tried to meet last summer on her move north, but I botched the time and we didn’t connect.  She’s going to be here until Sunday morning, so I’m sure you’ll get reports from both of us sooner or later…

Knit Night

Well, I finally made it to a Wednesday night knitting session.  It wasn’t the one that meets at Panera’s - I still hope to make it there one of these days - but it was in Charlottesville.  You see, I’m in the Junior League and each year, one month we skip the general membership meeting and instead, each member chooses one of several cottage meetings.  Cottage meetings, you say?  Yep.  They’re very informal sessions, all over the city, throughout the month, at different venues or homes, with topics to suit any interest, and schedules to suit all agendas. 

I won’t fib; I’d originally signed up for a stampin’ night early in the month, just five miles from home.  However, that was cancelled, and when I dug a little deeper into the offerings, I found the “learn to knit” night, and once I actually read the fine print, it was clear that those already in the knitting know were welcome too.  

I don’t have photos, mostly because I’m too chatty to shut up and point and click.  (Imagine, right?!)  There’s also the small matter that only one of the other women in attendance last night is on Ravelry, and none of them blog.  (Gasp!)  Given those facts, I figured they might find it strange if I dropped my knitting and took photos like a mad woman.  That, and honestly… learning to knit is stressful enough without worrying about what your hair looks like at 7pm or hoping that you weren’t making one of those frustrated looks that come with learning a new skill…

Anyway, trust me, we had a good time.  Three of us decided early in the evening that we’d like to turn this into our own knitting group.  (Easy choice, since all of us were in the non-beginner category.)  The one in Ravelry did message me today and say that nearly everyone else expressed an interest in a regular, monthly group too, so I’m going to track down the person who runs the craft group rumored to be in place.  If it will work for us to just mesh with them, great.  If not, away we go on our own knitting group adventure! 

 It was the first time I’ve even helped show someone how to knit.  There was a hostess, and there was someone who - bless her! - cast on and knitted five rows for each person.  She showed everyone the basic garter stitch, and then roamed the room to help as needed.  I unknowingly plopped down between two new knitters, so I got to help them along.  It was neat to watch them figure out how to hold the needles and then get their knitting groove on.  I only got three rows on my new hat project, but it was still a great night.

Speaking of which, I think I’m going to knit now.  Tomorrow, I’ll show you my scraped knuckles from carding.  My fleece isn’t decreasing as I card it.  I’m not even making a dent in it.  Of course, some of it is still damp.  Before it gets too dark outside, I might go see if more has dried so I can card some more…  Honestly, washing even a small part of a fleece and carding it by hand is enough to turn a girl off of spinning!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m thankful that so many  have already participated in my contest.  I’m thinking Cass has already earned a prize, as I think about half of the contestants were sent from her blog!  Mooch, smooch babe, and keep ‘em coming!  (And please, give her a run for the money!!)

Also, if you want to leave a link to your charity, that’s cool too.  I really do read each comment, and while I’m familiar with most of the charities mentioned, there are some that are new to me, or that I could use more information about.  Part of the reason for this contest is to remind us all how many great causes there are out there, and if you’re motivated to give, so much the better.

I think it’s only fair I mention my favorites.  Anne and I had a discussion about not for profit organizations vs. charities.  I don’t really see a difference, but she does.  I also respect the businesses that turn a profit and still make the world a better place, but that’s a WHOLE, different story. 

Before mentioning my favorites, I’d like to share a concept I’m more than a little fond of when it comes to talking about a cause.  I like “heart and hand” causes, meaning that it not only tugs at your heartstrings, but you’re willing to put your TIME where your mouth is.  It’s great to write a check, but in our busy world, if you’re committed enough to give time, I’m really impressed.  I do realize that some of the bigger organizations aren’t readily available to willing volunteer hands, and some require so much training that it is almost impossible to really donate your time, but if you’ve never given a couple of hours to work for a charity, please consider it.  It is exceptionally rewarding, particularly if you are able to work directly with the lives your charity touches.

So, if *I* had to limit myself to one cause, it would be my Junior League of Charlottesville.   For pete’s sake, we’re not white-gloved snobs.  It’s a group that allows me to work with about twenty non-profits each year, in some fashion or another.  My favorites, under the JLC umbrella?  The Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, particularly Women Build, I Have a Dream Foundation and Service Dogs of Virginia, just to name a few.  We really are changing lives in central Virginia.

An exceptionally close second, only because I’m not sure Anne would call it a charity, is our fire company.  The Knight and I give over a two hundred hours monthly to that place, and while it is a bittersweet time in the station’s history as we welcome our first paid firefighters, I know we are sticking to our mission and doing what we must to continue to serve the community as best we can.  When you can step back and remove the “I” from your vision, it’s a powerful thing.  (Just the same, wish us luck, will ya?)

Finally, if you’ve been patient and made it through my soapbox post, here’s your Dogs on Thursday eye candy.  He’s not spoiled; he’s pampered.  That’s how Mugsy and MJ now spend their afternoon from Bold and the Beautiful through the end of As the World Turns, unless a crew or a customer comes in, in which case, our greeter rises from his throne and does his thing.  If you’ve read my blog at all in the last week or so, you know how thankful I am that he’s still doing his thing, cough and blood-shot eyes aside.

Next post, maybe we’ll return to knitting content, but folks, it’s approaching holiday time, and what I can share here is rather limited!  ;) 

Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans, and Happy Little Friday to all!