Ms. Notaro shows off her stitching skills in the middle of Rosita's Place!I had lunch with my longtime friend (and best-selling author - I can say, I knew her when!), Laurie Notaro last week. We went to Rosita's Place for lunch, along with Laurie's sister Lisa; my sister, Theresa, and our friend Barbara too.
We spent most of our meal laughing, thanks to Laurie, as always. At one point, we toned it down and I told Laurie and Lisa how Maya had a hard crush on a cute boy. Laurie has known my kiddos since they were just older than toddlers and likes to hear the updates. Anyway, at the same time I spilled this secret, my sister handed over her iPhone to Laurie to show her a picture.
"Oh, he's real cute... so...how old is he?" Laurie and her sister say in unison as they examine the picture with unreadable expressions.
"I think he is a year older than Maya," I reply. "Wait, is that a picture of him? How'd you get that?" I asked Theresa.
Laurie held up the iPhone to me and it was a picture OF ME. In sixth grade wearing my softball uniform.
"This is him, right?" Laurie asks, pointing the the picture (as seen below).
I pause. I gulp. I open my mouth in disbelief."NOooo...Actually, that is ME in sixth grade in my softball uniform! Wait - You thought I was a boy?"
We all broke out in fits of laughs, eyes watering, doubled over, etc. We made a rule outlawing off-topic photo sharing during all future conversations.
Once we all calmed down, Laurie says, "At least you were a cute boy, Kathy."
Thanks, Laurie. We eventually switched to yakking about crafts. Laurie is a die hard artist. She paints, gardens, and makes handmade cards every Christmas, plus all kinds of other things! She nonchalantly said - "Oh. I made this dress! I even put a zipper in! I took a class and learned how to sew my own clothes."
She went on to explain that she bought a dress form, nice fabric and is now making her own clothing from vintage patterns. I'm impressed! and inspired. I've been wanting to buy a plus-size dress form for so long, and now I think I'll do that! Just when you think you know someone, they pull out a fast one like this. Then again, I'm not surprised at all! She can do anything! By the way, Laurie has a new book out on paperback! The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death: Reflections on Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal. Make sure to buy a copy!!
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
You and I looked very much a like at that age and the same thing happened to me! Two little old ladies wanted to buy cookies from a sweet little boy, Only the little boy was me! But wow we turned out so fine.
ReplyDeleteYou keep me in smiles.
Kate
OK Kathy, you TOTALLY look like a boy in that photo. I laughed along with you when I saw that. Unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteAs a plus-sized, crafty lady, I've been thinking about making my own dress form out of paper mache, specifically for me, and then making more and more if my weight goes up and down.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine has a how-to she made on how to make one.
http://oriannakitty.livejournal.com/209369.html
That is SUCH a CUTE dress! I can just picture that beautiful Milagro Heart top center! Oh and hey...I thought we were gonna see some of her handmade Christmas cards when we clicked on that link ;=( oh well...great story and good luck with the book Laurie!
ReplyDeleteKathy, I love you so much for posting that picture! When I told my husband what Theresa did, I thought I was going to see the birth of a laughter-induced snot bubble. He loves you, though, but I think he now feels Theresa has deity-like status. That was the smoothest joke EVER. And you, naturally, are the best sport ever!!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't growing up a fat girl the worst! Then the schools made us wear those polyester uniforms!
ReplyDeleteLaurie is right. You were a cute boy. But now you are a gorgeous woman. Laurie is okay too. If she doesn't make it as a dress maker perhaps those little stories of hers might turn into something?