Okay, I'm a little calmer now . . . .

I've had some time to catch my breath, and I'm all better now. But I have to tell you about last night.

Stephanie's fans are definitely dedicated, because they started lining up for tickets to get into the room around 430 pm. At least we had air conditioning! We came prepared, and once the room opened up and tickets were distributed, everyone found a seat and pulled out their knitting (I saw some great-looking socks). We were all really excited, and the time just flew by. Next thing we knew, the room was almost full and it was time to start. A lady from the library and the Knitting Guild (whose name I missed, sorry), was giving the introduction when Missy poked me in the side and hissed, "There she is!" I looked off to my right, and there she was:


About that time everybody noticed her and started giggling, and Stephanie just laughed back. The nice lady finished the introduction, Stephanie stepped up to the podium, and off we went.

I'm honestly not sure I've ever laughed so hard in my life.

Have you ever though about how you can watch somebody on TV, in a movie, or at a club, and while they're really funny, it's the people you know--your friends, your family, your coworkers--who can make you laugh harder than anyone else? I think it has something to do with familiarity and feeling comfortable with that person. Well, that's what this was like. It was like watching one of your best girlfriends get up and absolutely KILL. She had the room in the palm of her hand.

Stephanie, if the writing thing doesn't work out, you need to start doing standup. You ROCK.

The one thing I thought was funny (strange, not ha ha) was that I also felt proud to see someone just like me be so successful and beloved by so many people. Again, it felt like I was watching one of my friends instead of some strange writer person from another country.

We were able to ask some questions when she finished. I, of course, had to ask about the Latvian mitten incident, because 1) I'm impressed that anyone could knit Latvian mittens, and 2) as bad as I felt for her when that happened, I still laughed my head off. And yeah, she was definitely upset when she realized what she'd done. Who hasn't had a humbling experience like that?

She also had her Olympic sweater with her--wow, was it gorgeous. I can't believe she knit that in 16 days. It was absolutely amazing. She explained about steeking and how the sleeves for this sweater were constructed and sewn into the body. It was really impressive.

Once we were finished at the Library, we all went scooting down the street to Gourmet Yarn for the booksigning. We didn't have to wait in line long, even though Stephanie was taking the time to talk to everyone and take photos and all, and finally it was our turn. Somehow Missy ended up behind me, and there I was--face to face with the Grand Dame herself. I was so happy that I didn't have to spell my name for her (it's the capital of Saskatchewan, BTW), so that was easy. Then I had to give her the little gift I had put together. I was all tongue-tied and told her to just take it home and open it then.

Nope, she opened it right away.

I had made some Oklahoma stitch markers. They were just some blue and silver beads with charms--a cowboy hat, saddle, sunflower, windmill, an eagle feather, Kachina doll, a sheath of wheat, and a ball of yarn and needles symbolizing Oklahoma knitters. I thought it would be nice and kinda unique.

She loved them--how cool is that?


After taking some pictures, we stumbled back to Missy's house and absolutely collapsed.

We had the BEST time.

Thanks to everyone who put this event together--you guys did a great job. And Stephanie, really, I know people at the local Chamber of Commerce--I could hook you up for a job if you'd like to experience a little less snow in your lifetime.