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Thanks.
As an American in Canada, Thanksgiving is the only day I really feel a bit out of place. It’s odd for me to be at work on this Thursday, not in my parents’ house, not listening to the sounds of football on the television in the background, not overheating because of all the cooking and the fireplace and the furnace that seems to be perpetually on too high.
Last year, I started what I thought would be an annual tradition chez Swenson-Tiano, and cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for some of our closest friends. This year, life got a little in the way and here it is, Thanksgiving, with no plans for a turkey in sight.
My friend send me an amazing email yesterday, detailing many of the blessings she’s thankful for, even though her year hasn’t been the best, or the easiest. I know that feeling. I’ve been there before. And it’s been so great to be there for her during this time, to be honest, to listen, to support, to love.
It’s easy, at least for me, to get a little lost in the negative. So much of life seems harder than it should be, doesn’t it? Plans work out so differently than expected. People let you down. You let yourself down, more often than you care to count.
I’m working on closing my eyes more, trusting more, believing more, hoping more. I’m working on giving everything and everyone the benefit of every doubt. I’m working on being happy with what’s right in front of me, rather than what could be around the bend. I’m working on not knowing where the road leads.
Here’s where we talk about roads for a minute. Those of you who have known me, in real life or through this blog, for a long time have followed me from Illinois to Minnesota to Illinois to California to Alberta. And now the next big move, and hopefully the last.
When Sandra and I started the store, we always intended it to be something we could build together, something that could support our dreams and hopes and needs. It has been, but it’s been tight, tighter than we’re comfortable with, and after three years, we need more stability.
As much as we love the store – it’s truly our ‘baby’ – we’ve come to the hard decision that we need to make a change. We’ve put it for sale and are spreading the word amongst our friends and customers. It’s a great thing, Make One. It’s an amazing community and it deserves someone (or a few someones) who can nurture it and help it flourish.
The other big news is that we’re in the process of moving to Toronto to start this next phase of our lives. I’ve accepted a job there and am starting on Monday. When Sandra goes back to graphic design, she’ll also have a lot of opportunities there that she wouldn’t have here in Calgary. I’ve also always wanted to live there, as much as that might make some people cringe. I like the age of it, the amenities, the sheer size. I’ll like being closer to my parents in Chicago. And the chance to explore another part of North America.
Still, the next few months are going to be more challenging than I’m used to. New job. New city. New friends. Sandra and the dogs will be back in Calgary for awhile, and speaking quite frankly, that’s going to suck for me. Right now, like I said, I’m focusing on the good. On the positive. And on the fun. Like the chance to see my Toronto friends all the time. Like the chance to explore someplace new.
I don’t really believe in sad goodbyes. I’ve always been able to stay in touch with those that I love. It finds a way of working out. And, we’ll certainly be back in Alberta to visit from time to time. So, if you see me, please don’t make me cry. I don’t look so good with puffy cheeks and blood-shot eyes. That, and I’ll be back every other weekend, at least for the next six or eight weeks.
You’ll see lots of me, I promise.
November 27th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I wish you all the best but I’m also very sad about it.
Anne
November 27th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Amy, I’m really proud of you and I admire your ability to grab life by the balls.
Onward & Upward!
Love,
Jocelyn
PS RHINEBECK 2009! wOO!
November 27th, 2008 at 11:14 am
oh amy- what a great lot of news in this entry!! i hope all these changes bring true happiness. and i’m kind of excited about the toronto part, cause you know, i live there(ish)! happiest thanksgiving and best best wishes. xoxo
November 27th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Holy crap Amy! Best of everything to you and Sandra, so glad I got to meet you both before your big move. I loved Toronto when I lived there, it was always full of adventures and new sights and sounds around every corner.
November 27th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Oh, Amy. You will all be missed. (((HUGS))) Thank goodness for the intertubes. A person is just a computer away.
November 27th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
WOW! Big changes to come but like you said, you are starting the next phase of your life! I am a bit sad that I never got to make it to Calgary to see the store. It will be a lot easier to go to TO though. Who knows, you might even end up in Montreal one of these days!
November 27th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
You’ll have a blast! Between Calgary and Toronto… Toronto ROCKS. (Even though Calgary has some great assets also.) Enjoy this next adventure.
November 27th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I don’t ever see you in real life since my life has gotten in the way but I’ll miss knowing that you are around town. Hopefully I’ll be able to see you one of the times you visit and I’ll keep up with your blog and comment every now and then.
Cheers
Catie
November 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I for one am very happy for both of you. And me too, I’m so happy you and Sandra are moving here. Come to the knitting store, we have lots of news friends you haven’t met yet. It’s going to be great.
November 27th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I guess for those of us who really know you mostly through the blog it’s not really good bye. I’ve met both of you at the store on my trips to visit my son – Calgary just got a little dimmer though with you gone! Make One won’t be the same.
All the best!
November 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You always land on your feet, Amy.
Good luck to you and Sandra and good luck on the new job Monday.
November 27th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Moving to Toronto will be another step in the adventure that seems to be your life – and I firmly believe that whatever you do, you and Sandra will succeed. You built a great shop in Calgary and will be missed, but life is all about changes and it will be exciting being in a new place!
November 27th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
How very exciting and inspirational! Good luck, and well done for reaching out and living life the way you want to!
November 27th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Wow, lots of changes!
I’ll miss you guys, but I’m sure it’ll be great for you both.
November 28th, 2008 at 12:30 am
T.O. is a great, great city. May you and Sandra enjoy it and your life there!
November 28th, 2008 at 6:03 am
Amy,
I have read your blog for so long (and watched you travel) and I think that you will so enjoy Toronto. I have lived in both places and while Calgary is a great city it is so not Toronto – you and Sandra will really love it (of course now I live in the country outside of Toronto and wouldn’t trade it for the world!).
I think it is really brave to take risks and do what is right for your soul, even when others may think it is nuts so bravo for you. Life is definitely a journey that takes us where we least expect and it sure never goes as planned.
I am really sorry for Make 1’s loss (and my own) but you do need to live your lives for both of you and whenever you go, you will bring that same quality with you. Good luck with the transition and it will all go faster than you can imagine.
November 28th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Well – as for changes: i keep telling myself there is some sadness in it – but to me change is always positive..
then i may be able to meet you – as i travel from Montreal to Toronto every now and then and try to visit Lettuce Knit everytime I go !!!
November 28th, 2008 at 10:21 am
just now getting a chance to check in on the blog. i love you milt. a whole lot. but you know that. deep breathes babygirl. you’ll make it through just fine – better than just fine, in fact. we always do. xoxo
November 28th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I’m very sad to hear that you’ll both be leaving us but having moved across the world myself, I understand that change is sometimes necessary. I wish you both the very best of luck in TO and I hope that I get to see you again before the move
M
November 29th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Wow. Good luck with the big move, the new job & I’m really hoping that someone who “gets it” takes over the store.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Amy, congratulations on the new job and the big changes for you and Sandra. The next few months will be a challenge, but once you reunite your family and settle in a bit, it will be fabulous!
I live in TO if you are lonesome for a house with a lot of dog hair! We’d love to have you to supper!!
November 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Yippee!!! I can’t wait to meet Sandra and I’m so glad you’re moving closer.
November 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Amy, Good Luck to both of you as you continue your journey of life. Enjoy your designs and look forward to your future creativity. Blessings.
November 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Good luck to you, and I can understand why Make One might not be a lifetime thing. I hope your new careers are as rewarding and fulfilling.
Meanwhile I have to ask what this means to YOL2009?
November 30th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Sad for you but good for me — I get to Toronto MUCH more than Calgary, so maybe this means I’ll get to see you more often than at TNNA once in a while! xoxox!
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 am
My two fave knit bloggers in the same city? Wow, it’s kismet!
Amy + Yarn Harlot = Toronto is SO lucky.
December 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Amy, I’m so sad to hear that you’re gone. Hopefully we’ll get to see you and Sandra soon in Alberta. Maybe the new owners will continue the annual retreat and you’ll both be there to celebrate with us. Will miss you both very much!!!
December 9th, 2008 at 7:36 am
It really is strange, now that you mention it–I’ve been checking out your blog for what must be several years now and there really have been tons of changes over the years. I tend to ignore my Bloglines for long stretches, then come back and be shocked–she’s moved where? They’re getting rid of the shop?–sort of thing. Good luck on your new life in Toronto!