Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Country Roads, take me home......

My family reunion. We've done this every Labor Day weekend for the past 15 years. We load up the car and drive 10 hours back to the town where I was born. We eat potato salad, (Mom's is the best). I grill steaks. Somebody pisses somebody else off. We talk about the people who didn't show up. Photos are taken to mark the event, then we load the car back up, and drive home. (can you tell how excited I am about this?) I will get to see my new grand neice, (my neice's daughter, grand neice, right?), for the first time. Her name is Gracie, and she was born last February. Isn't she cute!


Gracie has a brother or sister due this coming February! (that's right folks, 1 year apart) I also have a new nephew I haven't seen yet. My step-brother and sister-in-law didn't make it to the reunion last year. (we talked about them) I see lots of baby knitting in my future. (YAY!)

This year, due to financial restraints, we're staying with my Dad. (divorced when I was 3, not invited to reunion) In previous years we've stayed at a motel, where we retire each evening and try to regain some sanity. (basically I sit around in my underwear and knit) My Dad doesn't know I knit. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dad. I'm just not sure I would feel comfortable knitting in his presence. His career went pretty much like this; Marine Corps, carpenter, police officer, fireman. (I'm not kidding.) I'm seriously considering leaving my knitting at home! But wait! "What about that 10-hour car ride?", you ask. It's a ride for Beth and Andrew, it's a drive for me. Yes, I could turn the wheel over to Beth. She has offered, but her driving makes me nervous. I just can't relax. My gauge starts getting tighter and tighter, and then I end up having to rip everything I've knitted. Andrew has also offered, but he still has his learner's permit, and has never driven on the interstate before. (yeah, don't think that's gonna happen) Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy driving, especially when everyone else in the car is asleep. I just can't imagine going 6 days without knitting! Maybe I'll just bring a scarf with me, and knit after everyone's gone to bed.

Wish me luck.

7 comments:

Hockey Mom said...

My FIL told me knitting was for grannies. I almost stabbed him with my doublepoint. Granny my ass.

I say you have your wife and kid with you who is he to question your knitting? DO it man! Tell him it was that or patricide. I didn't say that.

Mouse said...

I'd definitely take the knitting.. you might be sorry you left it at home. I take a lot of crap for my knitting too.. especially with the older men of my husband's family. For some reason they think its stupid that I knit. I looked one dead in the eye last Christmas and said "It keeps me out of jail" and went right back to knitting.
Ah.. family reunions. Don't they just warm the cockles of your heart? I'm thankful that we have excuses for not going to either side of the family's functions.

Phyl said...

Ya know? Ya do what makes ya happy. Knitting make ya happy, obviously, but then again I know how family members can be. (Doesn't every remember Rosie Greer, football superstar with his knitting, crocheting & needlepointing in public??)I hope you have a nice vacation, in spite of the knitting issues. : )

KnitWit said...

hey, we will sure miss you this week! Do what makes you feels good. If you need some midnight binge knitting go for it! Your dad sounds like it might not be worth the crap, but you can always have your room huh? Just remember there is a reason it ALMOST heaven up there! Be safe and see you soon Famous Steve!

Calling on Kahlo said...

take something with you just in case (late night knitting, coffee shop, rest stop, or threatening weapon). What does that t-shirt say, "You have two eyes, I have two sharp needles". Joking aside, remember self-care is always needed for those family reunions (otherwise it becomes self-medication).

Have a great time! It was nice meeting you at Knitch a couple weeks ago. You guys were a blast!

evilsciencechick said...

there is no shame in knitting! tell your dad knitting was man's work back in ye olden times!

also: why is that baby NOT wearing something knitted???? ;)

Anonymous said...

Just tell your dad that Russell Crowe knits. :-) Maybe that'll even get your dad interested. But I totally understand the "keeping the sanity aspect of family reunions". Can you knit in bed when you guys get home? Just take it with you. Or you can for long drives and you can knit and Beth can crochet. ;-) A German saying pops in my head "Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg" meaning if you really want to, your will find a way... I will miss you this week!!!