I know I have said it here before, so I hope you don’t mind if I repeat myself a little……. this year was a difficult one for me in many ways.
Never having been a person who really gets depressed and has a hard time even understanding how one can get lost in it, I think that I may have a small understanding of how people suffer with it now. Perhaps it has been menopause knocking on my door, or the seclusion of working at home alone under a heavy workload, but I let so many things go by the wayside in my struggle, most importantly my friendships.
So, today’s post is about friendships and what they mean to me.
As a young teen, I was skinny, freckled, bespeckled, wore braces and was teased at times. (If they could only see "Flatsy Patsy" now) As an older teen when the braces were gone, the curves filing in and going to a new school, I enjoyed a new found confidence, from the sheer determination of never wanting to be a wall flower again… and that confidence has carried me thru life. However, there is always that insecure part deep inside of me…….that child who remembers the loneliness of being the last one picked for the baseball team and watching the other kids being invited for sleep overs.
Thru a series of unfortunate events, I lost my room at the B&B that I had booked with my friends in my local Spinning community. Now many of you would not think of me as a shy person, but I get nervous when I go outside of my comfort zone and the idea of being in a hotel with a big group of people who know each other pretty well, really moved me outside that comfort zone. Knowing most of these people only thru blogs and not in person, I will admit I was a bit nervous. Those old feelings of inadequacies snuck up, and I almost gave into them and stayed home. However, with that old determination I found as a teen, I plopped myself in the car and got myself to the hotel (my eventful trip is a story for another day).
I can only say is I am so thankful I chose to go. Fiber people are the best sort of people! This was on one of the most enjoyable weekends I have had in a very, very long time. It was so fun to put faces on the friends I have met thru blogging and really getting to know them. And while I wish that I could have spent more time getting to know a few others better, I know that there will always be next year :-)!
So, while Rhinebeck is usually about the fiber, this year for me, it was about friendships, both old and new!
PS………Don’t you love the beautiful picture that came home with me? Such a beautiful, peaceful picture….
The Woolen Rabbit 
It was lovely to meet you…ever so briefly. Love that picture of sheep. And friends.
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It was lovely to meet you…ever so briefly. Love that picture of sheep. And friends.
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I understand completely, Kim. And I count myself lucky to call you a friend.
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I understand completely, Kim. And I count myself lucky to call you a friend.
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That, and the picture of Judy in her lovely sweater! Perfect fall colors for the day. The entire group looks like they were having a wonderful time. 🙂
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That, and the picture of Judy in her lovely sweater! Perfect fall colors for the day. The entire group looks like they were having a wonderful time. 🙂
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Oh, Kim. I can relate. I am SO glad that you came — hanging out with you, laughing, spinning — that’s really the gift of these weekends.
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Oh, Kim. I can relate. I am SO glad that you came — hanging out with you, laughing, spinning — that’s really the gift of these weekends.
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I’m glad that you conquered your comfort zone, and that you had a good time! Yeah!
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I’m glad that you conquered your comfort zone, and that you had a good time! Yeah!
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I’m so glad you put yourself in the car and drove outside the comfort zone. You sure look like you’re having fun in the photo I have of you! Just what you needed.
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I’m so glad you put yourself in the car and drove outside the comfort zone. You sure look like you’re having fun in the photo I have of you! Just what you needed.
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I know exactly the feeling that you speak of. Good for you for just doing it – I would have had the same backing out first instinct. It helps that when you do push yourself to do those things that you are almost always rewarded – I’m glad you were too.
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I know exactly the feeling that you speak of. Good for you for just doing it – I would have had the same backing out first instinct. It helps that when you do push yourself to do those things that you are almost always rewarded – I’m glad you were too.
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I’m absolutely beyond happy to have met you, Kim, and I’m so glad you decided to come, no matter how nervous you were. I enjoyed talking with you so much!
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I’m absolutely beyond happy to have met you, Kim, and I’m so glad you decided to come, no matter how nervous you were. I enjoyed talking with you so much!
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I’m glad you did it. My forever picture is you marching down the hall (as I’M going to BED) with the Robin wheel slung over your shoulder, going to START spinning in the lobby.
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I’m glad you did it. My forever picture is you marching down the hall (as I’M going to BED) with the Robin wheel slung over your shoulder, going to START spinning in the lobby.
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Let the countdown begin! I know exactly what you mean, Kim, but I feel like I know you already and can’t wait for you to show me the Rhinebeck ropes next year!
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Let the countdown begin! I know exactly what you mean, Kim, but I feel like I know you already and can’t wait for you to show me the Rhinebeck ropes next year!
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Add me to the people who were glad you were there! I so enjoyed getting to spend time with you.
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Add me to the people who were glad you were there! I so enjoyed getting to spend time with you.
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Love the photo – especially of Judy on one end and Margene at the other – two of my fav bloggers! (I have no clue who is in the middle!!)
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Love the photo – especially of Judy on one end and Margene at the other – two of my fav bloggers! (I have no clue who is in the middle!!)
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I just wanted to let you know I started spinning the roving you sent me for the red/pink colorswap, and it is AMAZING! I have very little roving since I’m a new spinner, and I have never spun any fiber yet that feels like yours. It feels so buttery soft and is so easy to spin I can’t believe it. I’m going to be adding a picture of the singles I have so far to my blog later today 🙂 I love the color changes in it too. It is my first roving that is ‘painted’ like this so I have never got to experience how cool it is as each color section turns into yarn. I will be ordering some from you store soon 🙂 Thank you again for the fab fiber 🙂 ;)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I just wanted to let you know I started spinning the roving you sent me for the red/pink colorswap, and it is AMAZING! I have very little roving since I’m a new spinner, and I have never spun any fiber yet that feels like yours. It feels so buttery soft and is so easy to spin I can’t believe it. I’m going to be adding a picture of the singles I have so far to my blog later today 🙂 I love the color changes in it too. It is my first roving that is ‘painted’ like this so I have never got to experience how cool it is as each color section turns into yarn. I will be ordering some from you store soon 🙂 Thank you again for the fab fiber 🙂 ;)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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That’s me and my friend blogless Janet in the middle, Cathy. And we were so glad to get to meet you too, Kim! I had such fun at Rhinebeck, and I’m flat out jealous that we didn’t find the party at the hotel… we were out slurping clams and mussels in Kingston. Isn’t it funny that we all feel like we’ve known eachother awhile when we’ve just met face-to-face for the first time? That’s great blogging folks.
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That’s me and my friend blogless Janet in the middle, Cathy. And we were so glad to get to meet you too, Kim! I had such fun at Rhinebeck, and I’m flat out jealous that we didn’t find the party at the hotel… we were out slurping clams and mussels in Kingston. Isn’t it funny that we all feel like we’ve known eachother awhile when we’ve just met face-to-face for the first time? That’s great blogging folks.
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I just loved seeing you again! Thank you for your Robin advice! I’m sure I’ll be picking your brain the closer I get to two years. EEK!
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I just loved seeing you again! Thank you for your Robin advice! I’m sure I’ll be picking your brain the closer I get to two years. EEK!
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Yes it is indeed a beuatiful picture.
Funny, I have been reflecting and blogging about the same themes lately. Fibre people are truly wonderful aren’t they. We are so lucky to belong to such a community.
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Yes it is indeed a beuatiful picture.
Funny, I have been reflecting and blogging about the same themes lately. Fibre people are truly wonderful aren’t they. We are so lucky to belong to such a community.
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How crazy to see a photo of Margene on your blog. 😉
I’m glad to hear you had a wonderful time. I can hardly wait to hear all the details from Margene.
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How crazy to see a photo of Margene on your blog. 😉
I’m glad to hear you had a wonderful time. I can hardly wait to hear all the details from Margene.
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Isn’t it funny that even as adults there are still those insecurities lurking? As if a bunch of knit bloggers might gang up on you and not let you be in their knitting circle, or whatever! I think most of us still feel some sort of apprehension when approaching a group of strangers, especially if they know each other already. But it passes in moments.
My daughter is the only child I have ever met who has absolutely no fear of new people or situations. Entering a party, for instance, I am likely to be nervous about meeting the people there. She takes one look at the kids and goes, “New friends!” and takes off. (She actually used to say those words out loud when she was 4 or 5.) If only all of us could have that attitude!
Glad you had a good time. I believe that the best times we have are usually at the events we’re doubtful about. It’s when our expectations are really high that things rarely measure up.
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Isn’t it funny that even as adults there are still those insecurities lurking? As if a bunch of knit bloggers might gang up on you and not let you be in their knitting circle, or whatever! I think most of us still feel some sort of apprehension when approaching a group of strangers, especially if they know each other already. But it passes in moments.
My daughter is the only child I have ever met who has absolutely no fear of new people or situations. Entering a party, for instance, I am likely to be nervous about meeting the people there. She takes one look at the kids and goes, “New friends!” and takes off. (She actually used to say those words out loud when she was 4 or 5.) If only all of us could have that attitude!
Glad you had a good time. I believe that the best times we have are usually at the events we’re doubtful about. It’s when our expectations are really high that things rarely measure up.
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Kim, I’m so glad you were there. I didn’t get to spend enough time with you at all, but you were one of the faces I saw everywhere, and somehow in spite of the lack of quality time it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Wool people are the best, aren’t they?
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Kim, I’m so glad you were there. I didn’t get to spend enough time with you at all, but you were one of the faces I saw everywhere, and somehow in spite of the lack of quality time it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Wool people are the best, aren’t they?
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Glad you had such a good time!
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Glad you had such a good time!
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It was really nice meeting you Kim and am so glad you came! Thank you for letting a newby like me spin on your wee Robin- it was lots of fun. Looking forward to many more times like these.
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It was really nice meeting you Kim and am so glad you came! Thank you for letting a newby like me spin on your wee Robin- it was lots of fun. Looking forward to many more times like these.
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Oh Kim, I’m so glad you pushed yourself and went. I can so totally understand that feeling. I was usually the last kid picked for teams and while I appear confident and outgowing now, that isn’t quite the natural tendency. I would have to agree that fiber people are really the best out there. I’m glad you had a good time.
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Oh Kim, I’m so glad you pushed yourself and went. I can so totally understand that feeling. I was usually the last kid picked for teams and while I appear confident and outgowing now, that isn’t quite the natural tendency. I would have to agree that fiber people are really the best out there. I’m glad you had a good time.
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I am so happy to have met you, Kim, and look forward to next year… you and Di and I can have a photo op in our cashmere shawls. ; ) I had to do it. It’ll be a nice knit with some happy memories attached — and promise of more.
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I am so happy to have met you, Kim, and look forward to next year… you and Di and I can have a photo op in our cashmere shawls. ; ) I had to do it. It’ll be a nice knit with some happy memories attached — and promise of more.
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So glad we met! I’ll definetly look you up next time we’re up your way!
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So glad we met! I’ll definetly look you up next time we’re up your way!
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Your post really hits home for me Kim. As I am getting older and facing 40, a lot has been on my mind lately. My kid’s are growing up, and I’m remembering the past and trying to finally realize that the most important times in life are those spent with close friends and family members. I wish we lived closer to one another, because your posts are always an inspiration to me. You show such devotion to your family (which includes your pets), friends and your home life. This particular post really got to me. Thinking about times in the past (being picked last in school sports, etc.) … maybe I’m just emotional today, but recently being diagnosed with peri-menopause and trying to deal with getting older when I still feel so young at heart … it just gets to me. I watch my kid’s growing up, and I think back to when I was a little girl. Time goes by so fast.
I just wanted you to know how much your post meant.
hugs always and please always keep on blogging. More than you realize, your posts really mean a lot to those of us (like me), who are regular readers. 🙂
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Your post really hits home for me Kim. As I am getting older and facing 40, a lot has been on my mind lately. My kid’s are growing up, and I’m remembering the past and trying to finally realize that the most important times in life are those spent with close friends and family members. I wish we lived closer to one another, because your posts are always an inspiration to me. You show such devotion to your family (which includes your pets), friends and your home life. This particular post really got to me. Thinking about times in the past (being picked last in school sports, etc.) … maybe I’m just emotional today, but recently being diagnosed with peri-menopause and trying to deal with getting older when I still feel so young at heart … it just gets to me. I watch my kid’s growing up, and I think back to when I was a little girl. Time goes by so fast.
I just wanted you to know how much your post meant.
hugs always and please always keep on blogging. More than you realize, your posts really mean a lot to those of us (like me), who are regular readers. 🙂
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