Sep 14, 2008

You Just Never Know...

... what your online friends are going to be like when you finally meet in real life.

I was pleased to find out Nancy was as nice in person as she'd come across online. For two people who proclaim they're quiet, there weren't many moments where silence filled the air. Sometimes there's an uncomfortable awkwardness in meeting people from the world wide web. Fortunately for us, that wasn't the case. We got along famously, I thought. :)

I've followed Nancy's blog since she started one, plus we've emailed back and forth about various things, so I felt pretty good about having her stay the weekend when she suggested it. She's from Michigan and her coworker's daughter lives in the big city just east of me. So, we took the opportunity to meet and hang out. On a cloudy, rainy Friday afternoon, I trekked my way across two counties to pick up her up.

Since we were in the city, I suggested we take advantage of the opporunities to stash shop -- Michaels (25% off coupon), Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics, and an LNS!

After we got to my house, Nancy unpacked her bag and held up two bottles of wine, one in each hand. "I brought wine!" Nancy's DH makes wine... and does a great job of it, too! We spent the rest of the night drinking wine and talking as she looked through my stash of charts and magazines.


On Saturday, we did get some stitching in before and after our visit with Deborah in IA. I have to say the trip to IA was much easier than it was the last time I went to see Deborah. It seemed much shorter, too, since Nancy was there to keep me company. :) Deborah was in good spirits and we all had a nice long visit. I had my florist make up a special basket of Deborah's favorite colors: mauves, pinks, and purples. She just loved it. Nancy gave Deborah the flatfold she made in the class, along with a nice smelling Yankee candle/warmer. We both took projects to show Deborah, too.

Me showing Deborah my Pink Carnations
box and Christmas ornies

Nancy showing Deborah Tuscany Town Mandela

Me, Deborah, & Nancy

With a little over an hour drive home, we had to say our goodbye's to Deborah. She invited us both back for another visit. It was really nice to sit and chat with her. She's got quite the sense of humor. :)

On the way home, Nancy and I both determined we were starving, since we hadn't eaten anything since breakfast (and at that point it was around 6pm). We drove... and drove... and drove... before we saw anything resembling a restaurant. This particular restaurant had the word "RESTAURANT" handpainted on it's roof so you could see it from the road, LOL. Come to find out from the local gas station attendant, it's the only restaurant in town. It was surprisingly busy and nice on the inside... a small mom-and-pop family style restaurant. The food was pretty good, too! It was kinda funny... We both went in starving, and came out overstuffed. LOL

After getting back to my house, Nancy worked on a flatfold and then we both worked on our stitching projects. We were so immersed, and neither of us were talking! Nancy worked on Mystic Fruit & Cheese, and I worked on JG. I was SO impressed at Nancy's ability to stitch two-handed! She was zipping right along on F&C, while I was plodding along like a mule pulling a plow through a field. The frog came to visit me and JG not once, but twice! Determined to finish the over-one stitching, I trudged forward until it was all done. At midnight, I went to bed. I'm not sure what time Nancy went to sleep.

Had to take Nancy back to the city on Sunday. The morning was pretty uneventful... spent getting ready and driving. Remnants of Hurricane Ike is reaching his cold wet fingers way up into Illinois and working his way east across Chicago, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio right now.

My trip back home

This is nothing compared to areas NE of me are getting.

It was really great to meet another stitching member from my online groups, and to see Deborah again. I hope we all can get together again! More pics can be seen HERE.

29 comments:

Vickie said...

Meari...how cool to meet a fellow stitcher. Nancy is in my Mystic group...what a small stitching world.

Irene said...

Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all.

Kathy said...

Meari
I just got off the phone with Deborah. She will be talking about the visit with you both for a long time. :) She LOVES the flowers. Did you get a photo of them? Glad you all had a good time.

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

Meari,
Sounds like you had a wonderful time with Nancy and Deborah. It is always a joy to be able to get together with others that enjoy doing the same craft.
May you all get together again soon.
Thank you for sharing the photo's with us.

Beth said...

Meari,
I'm so glad you got to meet Nancy; she's such a sweet lady! It sounds like you all had a wonderful visit.

Miss Deborah and I were talking about the two of you just the other week, so I know she will treasure your visit for a long time to come. Bless you both for making the trip!

Hugs,
Beth

Gabi said...

It's wonderful to read about your meeting with Nancy and Deborah and the pictures are lovely. Glad you had such a great time together

Shari said...

what a wonderful weekend you had! How fun that the two of you went to visit Deborah. I am sure she was thrilled speechless!!!
Your rain pictures look like here. It has rained, non stop since sometime Friday am!

Nancy M said...

Can I just copy and paste your blog to mine? LOL I had a wonderful time and enjoyed getting to know you better. Thanks for opening your home to me. We drove home in pouring rain the whole way! We have had 9.4" of rain here since Friday, I guess you don't have to live on the gulf to get flooding right now.

Kristin said...

It sounds like y'all had a fabulous visit!

Deirdre said...

That sounds like so much fun:)

You look great!

Lucy said...

Wow...how nice was that! Looks like you both had a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the pics, Meari. I'm glad you & Nancy were able to meet and share a stitching weekend and also visit Deborah. How nice to meet our online friends.
Barb in TX

CJ in OK ;-) said...

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. I took a look at your 8-10 shots of JG it looks great, can't wait to see your updates. Thanks for sharing your weekend with us all. CJ(ok;-)

Anonymous said...

Ooooh I'm jealous! I have no crafty friends over here in the Netherlands, although I DID just introduce one of my close friends to stitching and she seems to really love it.

I have a question, what are those frames you are using, they look REALLY great. I know only of the hoops and the Q-snap frames (which I only got recently and had to order from the UK) I like what you have there though because the whole thing is on, rather than putting a hoop over part of it (if that makes sense).

Chiloe said...

Lucky you to meet friends in real ;-) Seem like you got a gret time all together !!!

Nic said...

It sounds like you had a lovely weekend - and iyt was nice to see pictures of you and not just your stitching! :o)

Joy said...

What a wonderful treat for the both of you!! I am glad you had a wonderful time meeting each other and sharing some stitching and stashing time. I know Deborah was thrilled to see you guys...she looks soo happy! What a great dose of medicine for her. Blessings to you and Nancy!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you both had a great time. Thanks for sharing the pics of your visit to Deborah with us.

Unknown said...

It sure sounds like you two had a wonderful time!
Heidi-ILCS

Carol R said...

Lovely to see what you look like Meari. What a great weekend you and Nancy had together and you fitted in a trip to see Deborah too!

Alberta said...

It's nice to hear that you met your cyber friend and really hit it off. And then to drive and share a lovely day with Deborah...well you are both quite special people!

Anonymous said...

As always, I enjoy reading your blog...what a fun weekend!
~hugs~
Mary

Kathy said...

How awesome is that to meet one of your blogging stitching buddies!!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time together and I am sure that it will not be the last.

Loved reading your story of your weekend time together.

Sharon said...

You and Nancy had a awesome weekend!

Deb said...

What great pics of you, Meari! And, so nice to see you having a good time with stitching friends. Isn't it fun to share with those who have the same love and joys of stitching!!?? Wish I were there to talk and stitch with you. Hugs, Deb

Lisa said...

Oh, Meari! what a wonderful experience for all of you, Deborah looks so happy, and the pictures of all of you are great. :-)

Debra said...

Sounds like a great time. Great pictures.
Debra in Indiana

Anonymous said...

Great photos of you and Nancy - looks like you had great fun during the visit :)

glenda said...

looks like you and Nancy had a great time!