So Close, So Far

Part of our ongoing series on life with CFS.

Everybody here at Travels With Swatchy loves the Yarn Harlot. We love her so much that both Swatchy McPhee and Swatchy (the original) have gone to see her. Now she is coming close to my neighborhood.

This Friday, YH will be in Marlton, NJ. I will be just over one hour from Marlton, NJ. But never the twain shall meet.

I cannot drive because of CFS. Going out at night is extraordinarily difficult for me because of CFS. I have been very ill this week, with pain and brain fog especially, because of CFS. And on top of all of that, I made a promise to some of the dearest women in my life that I would spend the weekend with them.

Celeste lovingly badgered me into emailing the Yarn Harlot to see if we could meet up in the afternoon. I was hesitant to ask for that kind of special treatment. Because YH is incredibly awesome, she sent me a very kind reply and actually apologized that her schedule was too crammed for a separate drive-by hug.

If you only understand one thing about life with CFS, understand this: I am unable to travel one hour by car to see the Knitter that I admire more than any other. This is what life with CFS means. I am so close, but may as well be a world away. The number of events (large and small) that I have missed is far higher than those that I have been able to attend. My energy is scarce, and I am still learning to prioritize how I spend it. (Feeling like crap + a promise to my family) / nighttime outing = no Yarn Harlot for me.*

There will be another time, I tell myself. I say that a lot. Does it ease the disappointment of missing out? Maybe a little. Maybe sometimes.


*Noricum, are you proud that I did math?

Swatchy Prep is safe and sound!

Hey Knittah!

Whew, what a wild ride I had in that Post Office truck! I guess it was preparation for all those crazy tuk-tuks we'll be taking in Thailand. I made it to New Jersey safe and sound, and Devon and I have already become the best of friends. She's really excited to play with my hair, and she ADORES my pink and green shirt and pink and purple scarf. We've been talking about our travel plans... first, we're off to Toronto Canada, then Portland OR, where we'll meet up with Celeste, and then bum around Cali for a little while. I'm especially excited about the road trip to Vegas -- I just love Cirque du Soleil! Here's a picture of Devon and me -- girlfriends! Note that we both have green eyes - so cool!The next few weeks will be spent packing and reading about backpacking... I can't wait to get started! (Devon is already starting to lose her cool -- hope I'll be able to keep her from freaking out TOO much!) See ya soon!

Love,
Swatchy Prep
xoxoxo

P.S. Enclosed is a letter from Devon to the Swatchy readership. I'll let her tell you about herself!

Hello Swatchy World!

My name is Devon. I am a 26 year old former schoolteacher, knitter, yoga devotee, and aspiring amateur photographer from the Jersey Shore. I grew up here, went to college here (Rutgers rah!), and have never been anywhere else for any significant amount of time. I decided in the spring that the public school system was not for me, and I'm spending the money I saved up for a house on a trip around the world!
After our month in Cali, Swatchy and I will probably travel via the Pacific islands to Thailand and spend some time bumming around Asia. Stopping back home around January, we will then live in the DR for a few months and hit up Europe when it gets nice and warm. (This plan is subject to change, of course, based on weather, beach conditions, employment, and cute Australians.) Anyway, I am just hoping to find something that's missing in my life. No, that's not it... just trying to live to my maximum potential and do only things that make me happy! I am looking forward to traveling with Swatchy and Knittah instead of alone... I think they'll be the perfect travel companions-- someone to keep me company, but I still get to make all the decisions!
I will try to update as often as possible, though internet access may get patchy at times.
Talk to you soon!
~Dev

P.S. Ignore my bra strap and greasy hair in above pic. Please.