BACK
While I was away:: Someone gave birth. Someone died. Someone announced a pregnancy. Toilet training went out the window (approx. 3 weeks ago). The house descended into chaos. My brother-in-law decided to start squatting in our garage and turning up unannounced in the house while I'm in the shower. 2 parcels arrived - 1 from Nicole full of biscotti, and the other from Anne full of lovely alpaca and cards and sweets of which photos will come shortly. I took, basically, no photos. The job I was working on descended into chaos (do you get a sense of a theme developing here?). The passionfruit plant went ballistic and needs taming.
Returning to what should be my normal life has been slightly harder this time. For many reasons, this trip was really important for me, and I feel I only accomplished about half what I thought I would on it. Some things have blown me away and created magic where I least expected it, and other things created stress where I least expected it. It was an excellent trip, but I'm feeling down and sad about a life I do not belong to, about the farawayness of the countries I most love, the people I love, and the things which inspire me. I wish on trips like this, I could bottle up all the emotions and experiences and draw on them every now and then. I know it's not that far away, and I can techincally go back whenever I want, but today, I'm missing it all, and wondering what happens next, and feeling tired and emotional.
I still need to tell what happened in NY, but need photos to do that, and they wont happen till I have some energy. But it was fabulous, the yarn purchasing was fabulous, and Cari is fabulous, and Sadie and I had intimate moments with tongues and ears, and go wish her congratulations, because she's having a baby of her own and it's very exciting (Cari that is, not Sadie). So much to blog about, and I don't know where to start.
Ack. Chaos... never a good thing to come home to. I hope the lavender shortbread helps ease the sting.
ps: You're fabulous
Posted by:cari | November 30, 2005 at 11:02 AM
Sometimes it's so sad to get back into "real life" that I think I'll stop going. But that would be a huge mistake, wouldn't it?
So glad you had a wonderful time, and did Cari say lavender shortbread? Oh, WOW. That.....mmmmmmmm.
Posted by:Norma | November 30, 2005 at 12:05 PM
Lavender shortbread???? What, did she become French or something?
Oh boy. Now I'm practically drooling.
There seems to be a theme of returning to real life and it being hard lately. And my own real life has suddenly turned more difficult than usual. Big virtual hugs to you, and, uh, if you want to spin alpaca to make yourself feel better, I'm your girl. I cleaned out my local supplier on a really bad emotional day, and there was no lavender and no shortbread in sight. Not even chocolate. (Don't worry. I replenished that supply after I bought the alpaca. Of course.)
Posted by: Lee Ann | November 30, 2005 at 03:15 PM
wOw.
lots & lots.
here & there.
still.
Posted by:laura r. | November 30, 2005 at 03:55 PM
I didn't even mention Lavender Shortbread. And now you all want friggin lavender shortbread because Cari mentioned it. I'm going to be cooking till forever.
Posted by:Alison | November 30, 2005 at 04:09 PM
It's tough to come home but I'm glad you're back safely and able to share some stories...of which, I can only imagine they'll be fabulous.
Our family has a Scottish saying that we use when we get back from a trip - "Back to old clothes and porridge". It may seem a bit depressing but in a way it helps to create the separation between holiday and normal life. It seems to re-adjust my mindset. I hope it helps you too.
Great to have you back!
Posted by:Lisa | November 30, 2005 at 05:50 PM
Hope you settle down again soon - and that the chaos recedes....
Posted by:Jess | November 30, 2005 at 10:25 PM
coming home from holidays (especially overseas ones) is the pits...hope tomorrow is a better day!
Posted by:sarah | November 30, 2005 at 10:55 PM
Yay! So glad you are home safely. Hope everything gets under control soon. We missed you.
Posted by:Kelli | December 01, 2005 at 02:53 AM
welcome back. we missed you. or at least i did.
Posted by:lisa | December 01, 2005 at 03:56 AM
Hi, Alison. It's great to have you back in circulation. It seems it's not just the time changes you are having to adjust to - hope things get sorted and a sense of order is soon restored.
Looking forward to hearing about NY - especially Habu and Purl.
It was so good to meet you in London. I now have a much better idea of the person behind the amazing blog.
Posted by:Jane | December 01, 2005 at 04:45 AM
It was great to meet you, if only for a short time. When are you coming back? ;)
Posted by:Jenn | December 01, 2005 at 06:56 AM
Welcome back. I missed you too: looking forward to stories of your travels.
Posted by:julia fc | December 01, 2005 at 08:55 AM
It was so nice to meet you, Alison!
Posted by:jackie | December 02, 2005 at 03:08 AM