Knitting No More

I just politely told off my knitting teacher.  Over email, coward that I am.  Thinking about going to class tomorrow has filled me with dread at the thought of what topic she'll be ranting about this week.  So why go?  I signed up to learn a skill and get a little fun time out on my own.  If it's not fun, there is no reason to make a hobby into an obligation and I don't need to suffer a bully in silence.  Sucks that I spent the $$$ on the class but no use crying over sunk costs.  Instead of trying to keep track of my stitches while listening to M wax on about God-knows-what, I can cozy up on my couch with Shemee's blanket-to-be and "Grey's Anatomy."

Now I'm just dreading her response and worrying that she'll show up at my house or something.  I HATE CONFRONTATION!!!  I just felt like I should say something so I could let it go.  Stewing in silence is an unhealthy habit of mine, one I'm trying to break.  Next I have to decide if book club is still worth it.  Members have been dropping like flies and I suspect it's in large part due to the Dingbat twins as well as the morose monthly book selections.  It's nice to socialize with some of my neighbors but the negatives of the others are starting to outweigh the former.  Women that condone and enable a drunk driving, child neglecting alcoholic like they discussed last week are not people that I want in my world.

Here is what I said to the knitting nazi:

Hi, Marilyn.  I wanted to let you know that I'm all set with knitting right now and I will not be coming to class anymore.  It's hard for me to get out of the house at the kids' bedtime and to be honest, it hasn't felt worth the effort the last couple of sessions.  Those two hours are supposed to be my relaxation time but with the rant against women who can't/won't breastfeed and the jibes about stay-at-home moms last week, I've been feeling defensive rather than relaxed.  You are very passionate about your opinions which is great and so am I, just not so vocally.  At the end of the day, I'm tired and I don't want to debate the right or wrong of what I've chosen but I also don't want to sit in silence while my lifestyle is called into question.  The wonderful thing about our modern times is that women have the opportunity to make choices regarding what is best for themselves and their families.  I made my choice and I have no regrets about it.  I respect others' right to choose differently than me and it bothers me not to get that respect in return.

Thanks so much for getting me started on the blanket I am making.  I can't wait to wrap my baby in it when he/she arrives this winter.

Regards,

Christy