Letting Go

she could have just told me

"you're wearing me down

with your nonstop struggling

to find and feel joy".

she could have 

but she didn't.

and i am a slow learner

especially when it comes to my strong attachments

to the people who matter the most.

i don't know if i would have

ever moved on

without the grace she finally extended

to snuff out my miserable wondering.

"that's it?!" i thought.

relieved. oddly.

surprised by the peace finally knowing bestowed.

i would have predicted a feeling of loss

but i guess i'd already grieved what once was

a beautiful friendship

that blessed my life

and hers...

(let's be fair.)

but she gets to move on.

and blessedly

so do i.

at last.

Introducing.....LORRIE!

Today is Lorrie's birthday. Happy Birthday Lorrie! I'd sing, but, well, let's just call this your song:

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

I wish I knew how I found Lorrie. I'm pretty sure I found her, and not the other way around (that honor will be going to Keri...who shall be the subject of a future post in my "Online Friends Series").

I'm not even sure when I first found her, but I'm so glad I did...because not only am I secretly in love with her, but I'm pretty sure that she's how I connected with a couple other online favies...who I haven't written about yet but will sometime (hi mate Le! Hi Debbie!)

Lorrie is one of the funniest people I've ever met. At first blush we don't have much in common (since when should that stop us from being friends with someone?), but I started reading her blog simply because she made me laugh. Laugh at a time when I was so mired in murky muck some days that it was hard to even smile. She made me laugh and smile and cry happy tears even when I was really depressed. It's a gift.

I've stumbled across hundreds of blogs over the years, but only a tiny fraction of those have made it to my blog roll. An even smaller percentage of the blogs I read have ever bothered to visit mine, but every now and again Lorrie pops in and checks things out.

Among her many admirable qualities, Lorrie is a talented artist. She has a wildly successful ceramics company is called Our Name Is Mud, and her products are sold all over the world. They're a hit with lots of celebrities, and are regularly featured in magazines and on tv because they're so clever and whimsical...they just make you smile.

I'm not altogether certain that Lorrie isn't secretly one of my guardian angels (I seem to have a few of them). There have been quite a few days when I was struggling along, and a package arrived in the mail with just the thing I needed to hear:



(that was an inspired message!)


(Remember when the Wizzard of Oz gave the cowardly lion a "courage medal"...which was apparently all that he'd been missing? Well, here was my "medal".)

Or things that just made me laugh:


(it's been a long-standing joke that I married "Mr. Right")

Or pretty things:


(my kids both had special ceramic cereal bowls, so now Doc and I have our own, too!)

Last October when I was in NYC, I finally had the chance to meet Lorrie in real life. WOW! Not only is she even more wonderful in real life (if that is possible), but her kids are darling, and her home is magical. (And her SHOM was pretty okay, too.)

Her daughter gave me some tattoos:


Since I'm a teetotaler, there was really nothing else to do besides heading over to her amazing studio where p0tTerY hApPenS...



...and while trying to be as talented as her for a moment, I painted this:



Which, after being kilned, turned into:


The kids and I took a picture with a life-size poster one of her fans sent her in honor of her 500th blog post:


(Hi Krëg!)

In honor of her 500th blog post she invited all six seven of her readers to send her crafty cards. I didn't consider myself all that crafty (a position I'm actually having to rethink these days), but I make pretty good toffee, so I decided to make her an edible card...which, as it turned out, didn't ship all that well...but happily I took a photo of it before sending it to her, and included (the forethought! I'm amazing!) so she'd know what her toffee card said:


(And yes, my frosting penmanship leaves something to be desired. Sue me.)

I'm always touched by the kindness shown to me by friends and family, but there is something even more heart-rending about the kindness of a stranger. And when that kindness then turns into extreme generosity, well, I just don't really know what to do other than to try harder to follow their example. Maybe I'll make a difference in someone else's life someday.

Lorrie, you're the greatest! My life is better because of you and your thoughtfulness. ♥

Grateful for:
1) Gorgeous fall days and canyon hikes with my kids
2) Newly organized garage and laundry room. My hands are like cut-up sandpaper but the end result of my work is quite satisfying.
3) Time with friends

PS: Feel free to wish Lorrie a happy birthday today! Tell her Blue sentcha! (Glitter not required.) ♥

Shelah

Continuing my Friend Series...

I don't know if it will ever be possible for a friend I met online to have a greater positive impact than Shelah.

I first discovered her when she was guest posting on one of the blogs I read. It had been a while since any post there had really resonated with me...but every time I read something that touched me, it turned Shelah was the author. Her voice was a breath of fresh air. Next she guest posted on a different blog I was a fan of. Soon she'd been invited to be a "perma" on both blogs, and I was reading her words there on a regular basis, as well as her own, personal blog.

At that time, her family lived in Houston. I'd been commenting on her posts for the better part of a year when the dreaded trip to Houston came up. On the off chance we might have time to meet while there (and to possibly give me something happy to look forward to during it), I emailed to let her know I was headed that way. Without even having met me, she offered to let me stay with them if I needed a place.

So we met. Her family was adorable. She fed me dinner and then we went out for gelato (I am crazy for gelato!) and talked for a while and then said good night. I left their house in the dead of night to fly home again, and that could have been the end of it.

But it wasn't!

Last summer, her husband finished his fellowship and began interviewing for jobs all over. I count it as one of my greatest blessings that of all the places they could have ended up (and all the houses they tried to buy before the one they finally purchased), they ended up moving into a home that is a mere five minute walk away from ours.

Despite the fact that we live so close, our kids don't attend the same schools, and because there are so many Mormon's here, we aren't anywhere close to being in the same congregation at church. But our kids are friends, and in the past year, Shelah has become almost like another mother...my backup in the case that I'm gone and Doc is stuck at the hospital. She just takes Bunch & Gator in.

I don't know how she does it--that ability to care for them, all while convincing me it's no problem. I've been flying for 9+ years now, and most of that time I've just been winging it from month-to-month as far as figuring out what to do with my kids in my absence while Doc's at work. I feel bad asking for help too often from people. I haven't wanted to burden anyone with my responsibilities. It might just be a tender mercy, but knowing she's here has reduced my mommy anxiety levels about a zillion notches. I'm convinced that she secretly really is She-Ra!

This year I'm grateful that I have a little opportunity to help her out too. She's gone back to school, and between Bunch and I, we've got her covered if she ever needs outside help. It's such a blessing to me to be able to do something for her after all she's done for us. And have I mentioned yet that I simply love her kids?! They're terrific.

(The very fortunate) Mr. Shelah and Doc work at the same hospital right now. I'm hoping that we are able to stay here for the long haul (beyond fellowship), and that we'll have years and years near each other. For now, I'm just so happy to have such a priceless friendship so nearby.

Grateful for (Shelah edition):

She "gets" both of my kids. Her library...most of the books I've read the past couple years are at her recommendation (I've never known a more voracious reader). Her kids are some of my all-time favorites (and I have known and loved a LOT of kids!) She's someone I can trust 100%. She's so laid back about all the right things. She is über accomplished in countless areas I am sorely lacking in (eg: house-keeping, decorating, self-discipline, fitness...Shelah is a runner. She'll put in 22 miles before I wake up in the morning.). She's an amazing writer. She has a wonderful way of looking at and describing life. She's a great teacher and super-organized. A harder worker would be hard to come by, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more generous friend. Someday, when we have schedules that permit it, she and her husband are the kind of couple Doc and I could actually hang out with and I think the guys would even enjoy it! Since we don't have family super close (ie, close enough to be helpful on school days), having her family here is as great a tender mercy of the Lord as we could have ever asked for. ♥

Miss Ellen Patton

In the past couple years I've met a number of my bloggy friends in real life. Sometimes I remember how we "found" each other, other times I don't recall the first time I saw their blog or got a comment from them, but after enough time we ended up meeting in person.

Now that I've transferred to Boston for work (I used to fly to California to start work, now I fly to Boston), I knew it would only be a matter of time before a chance to meet up with Ellen presented itself. And last month it did!

On very short notice, we arranged to meet for lunch. Again, I could have blown it because I came up from the "T" stop in Kendall Square, where she said she'd find me, unaware that there were two ways I could have exited, and I took the wrong one. After waiting a while for her to "find" me (wishing the whole time I'd remembered to copy her cell phone down out of the email), she called me, and we figured out where I was relative to her.

Ellen is an iconic figure. She seems to know pretty much everyone. She's one of those creative, thoughtful, talented people who is generous and kind to everyone. Before we ever met, I'd received two hand-written cards in the mail from her...she's old-fashioned like that. I wish I were more organized and consistent with writing letters and sending packages (I have a shelf in my closet of things I intend to send people for month after month, never making myself actually get them off.)

We had a nice lunch and then she gave me a bit of a walking tour of MIT, where she works in the president's office. It was orientation day, so the new students were flooding campus and starting out on their new adventures. It reminded me of my happy first days of college so long ago. What a great time of life! What amazing feelings of freedom and possibility! How fun to work in that environment every year. It must keep a person young. They're very lucky to have her at MIT.

Despite our very short notice, Ellen showed up with a gift for me: a nerdy MIT pocket-protector! My dad wore a pocket protector when I was growing up. I don't notice people wearing them much these days, but it made me laugh. She's just thoughtful, that Ellen!

Since our lunch, I've gotten another little package in the mail from her. In addition to photography skills, Ellen is a WIZZARD with a sewing machine, and made me a sweet little coin purse from some cute oilcloth. It's been fun reading her blog and looking at life from her cheerful perspective.

Grateful for:

1) This crazy thing, the internet. When I consider all the good it has brought into my life (and the fact that I've managed to steer clear of the dark side of it), I am so grateful for the innovation, invention and inspiration that has brought it about.

2) As a child I couldn't seem to "figure it out"...that how to find and make friends thing. I had a couple dear childhood friends (hi L3 and Pokey!!!) and they did a remarkable job of compensating for the unkindness of some other children. But I struggled in that department. Today, my friendship well is overpopulated with the best of humanity. It reminds me of this, which is one of my favorite promises.

3) Indian summer September days. The sweetness of my friend's 3 yr old preschooler every Thursday. Playing piano/viola duets with my daughter. Snuggling with my son. Doc's current ER rotation hours. Gator's improved attitude and effort this week. Mint chocolate chip ice cream. My body aching as I try to get back into shape. Scout leaders who really (authentically!) enjoy scouting (?!). Unexpected notes, email and letters from people. Jackie Evancho's voice. Visiting teachers. Reading scriptures with my kids in the morning before I send them off into the world.

Darla

You know how every now and then you cross paths with someone, and though nothing momentous transpires, they change your life for good?

Twenty years ago I decided to go on a mission for my church, which starts out with a stay at the Missionary Training Center (MTC). We lived in a dorm-style setting with our assigned companion(s), and learned such things as we'd need in order to be successful (eg: foreign languages, how to share the gospel, the importance of separating whites from darks when doing laundry.)

I'd been there for almost a month of my 9 week stay when we got some new missionaries in our room (there were about six of us to a room, as I recall). One of these missionaries was named Darla, and she was going on a mission to the Canary Islands, which sounded so much more exotic than my intended destination (Texas).

Darla and I did hardly more than sleep in the same room. We didn't have the same classes, didn't meet together for church, were entering and leaving the MTC at diffferent times. We might have eaten a meal at the same time but aside from time in our dorm room, we didn't interact much.

But she was one of those people that was impossible for me to not adore. She was light. She radiated good. I was drawn to her like a moth to a lamp. That was a particularly messy, difficult time for me. It was at the MTC that I saw a counselor for the first time, and started facing the abuse from my past. The turmoil inside made it hard to focus on the things I was supposed to be learning (Spanish, for example). I was struggling to fit in with my two companions, who seemed to hit it off with each other while I felt left out. So it was a hard time.

But then Darla arrived...lighting up the room with her tremendous spirit. Meeting her was one of the highlights of my short time there. All too soon it was time to move on.

Life went by. We kept in touch a little bit, but I think the only other time we saw each other was eighteen years ago when Doc and I went to her wedding reception. We waited in a line that wrapped around the building outside just to get in to see them (apparently I'm not the only one drawn to her!).

That reception was the only time Doc ever met her, and it was also the last time we saw each other. Life moved on. The internet wasn't around yet, and we lost track of each other.

A few times in the past fifteen years I did search for Darla. Once, I found an outdated reference to her husband in a newspaper, but otherwise, nothing.

Then a few weeks ago Doc called me one day.

"You'll never guess who I just ran into" he said.
"Then you'd better just tell me", I replied.

How she recognized him, and how he actually remembered her name without being told, after ALL THESE YEARS is astonishing. He walked into the room she was in, her back was to him, but when she heard him say his name (and we have a pretty common last name) she turned around. "I know you! You're Blue's husband!" she said.

And that's how I reconnected with my amazing friend after 18 years. Yesterday we met for lunch. Only we almost didn't meet because I went to the wrong restaurant and sat there waiting for a good 15 minutes before I noticed that I was at Zuppa's and not Rumbi's (!) I RAN over to Rumbi's, and the second I walked in, there she was, and we were hugging and it was a joyful moment.

I couldn't have imagined how very beautiful she'd be. She was light and brightness and pretty at twenty-one. Now, at forty-one, she is simply glorious. She has that deep-beauty that just can't be contained within herself. I don't feel quite as moth-like today as in years past (perhaps I've evolved into a butterfly), but I could still hardly get enough of her.

Neither of us think things happen coincidentally. I'm sure this chance meeting was a tender mercy of the Lord in my life. I am always humbled by his watchfulness over me.

Grateful for:
1) Kindred spirits
2) People who are strong in areas where I am weak. I watch their example and let myself be inspired as I try to become more like them.
3) How beautiful life is (even in those difficult times it doesn't seem like it.)

Golden Nuggets

Whenever I spend time with a friend (and it doesn't matter whether it's in person or on the phone), inevitably there is a golden nugget that I take home from the experience that enriches my life or teaches me something new. I can scarcely think of a time this hasn't happened. There is always a take-away moment that makes my life better. I just have to look for it.

I love that about my friends!

Grateful for:
1) Being inspired to join a gym
2) Being inspired to start baking bread
3) Being inspired to create a home out of this house. Finally.

Reading The Pioneer Woman

So last Wednesday my sister-in-law and her 4 year old planned to meet me at the King’s English for Ree's book signing, which I've already written about. But there was no way my nephew would survive the wait. We didn’t have tickets, and were told they were gone. I was MOst diSPleASed with this information, because I had wanted to meet Ree for years!

In my anticipation I’d had, what I thought at the time was, a brilliant idea: I would make a batch of my scrumdiddilyumptious English Toffee, since she was coming to The King’s English. But I wouldn’t stop there…no, I would make it into a thick BLOCK of toffee, 5x7 inches, like a card! And then I would write her a note in white chocolate on it expressing the true feelings of my heart. It would be far better than a Hallmark. In fact, my toffee cards would become all the rage, Hallmark would ask me to author a whole line of Toffee Greeting Cards. See, I told you it was brilliant.

Anyway, I had gone ahead and made this toffee card, and I had hoped to give it to her.

I now confess that I’m a bit embarrassed by my little offering, heartfelt though it was. See, it hadn’t occurred to me that others of Ree’s minions would be showering her with loads of ultra-fabbo gifts (I have always lacked vision that way). And their gifts wouldn't be of questionable origins (ie: is it sanitary? did she wash her hands? [FWIW I absolutely made it to the highest standards of cleanliness!]), like, for example, a card made from toffee and chocolate in a carefully homemade, foil-wrapped box without a lid, but held in a ziplock freezer bag for ease of viewing.

But I’m kind of glad that I didn’t find out about the gift baskets and Sweet Toothfairy goodies and piles of other manifestations-of-devotion that people were giving her till the next day, or I would have been even more embarrassed that night. (Especially as my chocolate penmanship leaves much to be desired. And because after I started writing I realized I wouldn’t have space to write what I wanted to say, so my message was kind of lame. But this didn’t stop me. Unfortunately.)

So back to my DiSPleASuRe. I was standing in the doorway of the gallery where Ree was speaking behind a massive crowd such that I couldn't see her, grousing to the guard who wasn’t letting anyone in about the unsuitability of the venue chosen for such an illustrious author, when all the sudden there was some applause and then much to my surprise, Ree was walking right towards me.

Figuring I wasn’t going to get another chance to be this close to her, I thrust my paltry offering in front of her as she was trying to exit.

“Ree! I’m Blue, and there are a bazillion people here tonight so I’m not going to have a chance to give this to you so I just thought I’d hand it to you now.” (said in a rushed, only slightly intelligible jumble)

Ree (graciously): “Oh, is it fudge?”

Me: “No, it’s English Toffee” (starting to realize it wasn't actually all that brilliant)

Ree, after reading the card said “Oh your BLUE! I didn’t catch that when you first said it.”

Me: “Yeah, I sent you an apple peeler for your birthday (almost 3 years ago).

Ree: “I remember you! Thanks” she said, giving me a hug before heading off to the bookstore for her signing. And I vowed to never wash my outfit again (ala Marsha Brady after meeting Davy Jones).

Of course it was impossible to pause for a photo op; there were mobs of people around, and I’m sure more than a few who felt like I trumped them by happening to be standing right in Ree’s path. But I walked away ebullient and rejoicing that I’d been able to meet her, and that she actually remembered me. Or faked it really well.


Astonishingly, someone I don't know snapped a pic of The Moment and put it on facebook, Then someone I do know stumbled across it and tagged me. So I have this highly flattering photo of me handing my humble toffee card to Ree. That's Missy in the background (her awesome SIL), and her driver in front (not her body guard. Though I suppose he served dual purpose in a way). (But, MAJOR DOWNGRADE from MM, no?!)

Since we weren't getting in, my SIL & I decided to take my nephew out for ice cream and then dinner. In that order. (She's such a fun mom!) Afterward they dropped me back at my car and I figured I'd just head home, but, Confessions of a Blue Woman time, I was bummed.

Yeah, I’d met Ree. Sure she’d even hugged me, and said she remembered me. But I hadn’t been able to get a book signed. And that was what I’d gone there to do. It had all happened so fast!

I had to pass the book shop to get home and right as I did, someone pulled out. So without thinking I turned into their vacated parking spot.

Making my way through the masses milling about outside, I tried to find out what the deal was. Had they decided to issue more tickets? How fast was the line moving? Could I buy a book and get it signed still?

There was a man standing alone and I thought he looked a bit “official”, so I asked him “Are you in charge here or do you have information?”

“Nope” he replied.

Then I noticed he had a bag that said FoxTV.

“Oh, you’re the media”, I said out loud.

His name was Matt, and he was there to interview Ree for the local news. We chatted for a few minutes and then he said “Mind if I ask you a few questions on camera?”

“Uh, sure” I replied, completely caught off guard.

Here's the thing: I’m new at this whole tv thing, my experiences with that Celebrity Chef not withstanding. (That’s a big story for another time).

Matt instructs me to look into his face, not the camera. I’m preoccupied with awareness that I never reapplied my lipgloss, and isn't someone supposed to do my hair and makeup before they go live? I have a hard time not glancing at the bright light shining in my face. I’m suddenly nervous, cause WOW! Being interviewed for tv about REE!

Matt says “Please say and spell your name”

I reply “My name is Blue. B. L. U. E.”

“So why are you here Blue?”

“Well, I’ve been reading Ree’s blog since it was only a few months old…summer of 2006. I wish I could remember how I found it, but I don’t have any idea. So I thought it would be fun to meet her tonight.”

Matt: “What do you like about her blog?

Me: “I love her writing style and how she’s living a life that is completely foreign to most of us. And when you read her blog, you know you’re going to get a quality product…she’s wholesome and family friendly. I like that about her.”

Matt: “How long are you willing to stay here tonight?”

Me: (on camera, mind you) “Well, how long is Ree going to be here? I’m sure she’s more tired than me, so I'm good till the very end.”

Matt: "Anything else you'd like to add?"

And then, there's a teensy weensy chance that I might have said that I'd love to visit her and stay at her lodge sometime, if she ever did a get-together like that again. I'm hoping I just imagined I said that part though, cause, squirm! Self-invite. How tacky! Suddenly I'm like a star-struck teeniebopper...what's that about?

Matt then informed me that my interview might not make it to the tv, because there was some final World Series Baseball Game going on, and it "looked like the Yankee’s might win it". Yeah, my big moment was in jeopardy because of baseball. “But it will be on the web” he assured me.

Well, near as I can tell, it wasn’t on tv, nor did they put it on their website. The link to the story only goes to Ree's blog. Which I already have memorized, cause DUH!

After his interview with Ree (which he didn't have to have a ticket for! Note to self: next time I want insta-access to someone, bring TV Camera and a wear a Logo Shirt.), Matt walked back outside and, as he passed me he said “Ree says hi.”

“Yeah, sure she did” I replied.

“No really. I told her ‘Blue’s still outside’, and she said ‘I know Blue!’”

Now I'd been toying with leaving because at the rate they were moving, I knew it would be at least 3 more hours. And they were sold out of books...so I couldn't even have her sign one. But that cinched it…Ree said "I know Blue"!

I had to wait. And of course I was last in line. So I was free wander around. I got some shawls and snacks to share while I settled in with the other die-hards. Who are all awesome, by the way.

Anyway, the whole reason I’ve even mentioned this incident today is because I am HORRIBLE at thinking on my feet. Horrible! In fact, scientists have discovered that there is a gene that helps people anticipate things and handle them on the fly, and after testing they've informed me that I am missing that gene. As it turns out.

So when I was answering Matt’s questions, I didn’t manage to express why I really read Ree’s blog. It's been on my mind for a week now. And you don't have to stick around and read anymore of this...I know it's like eleventeen pages long already. But...(was that not the longest lead-in EVER!?)

I read ThePioneerWoman.com because I love how positive Ree is. Have you ever heard her genuinely complain about anything? She teases. She is self-deprecating. But she’s always positive.

Ree seems to be very comfortable with who she is, and her choices in life even though it's a life she never dreamed of before she met MM. I never dreamed I'd still be living the student life in my forties, and there are things I haven't handled with as much grace as I'd like to have done. As I read Ree's blog I learn how to be more like I'd like to be. She’s a great role model as a mom, wife, neighbor and friend.

I read because every time I think about her story, I am reminded of just how filled with possibility all of our lives are. I mean, if you had told Ree four years ago that in the next few years she would go from complete and utter anonymity to being a NYT Bestselling author, with tens of thousands of fans and admirers (and minions) I’m sure she’d have laughed and snorted her coffee up her nose.

I read because I have a deep, conscious appreciation for the hard-working farmers and ranchers in the world. These are the people responsible for the fact that my family is well-fed and have never known hunger. They are the ones who wake up before dawn, and work till after dark. And it’s HARD work! I l♥ve our nation’s farmers. I really appreciate all they do. And while there is honor in all honest labor, some jobs are simply more important than others. The world would keep on turning if there weren’t flight attendants. But it would be a vastly different place without our hardworking farmers and ranchers…and every time I read about their lives, I feel grateful to them for the sacrifices they make. I like feeling grateful.

And finally, I am still reading because back when she wasn’t the biggest blogger on the planet (what, you know someone whose bigger?), when she was only getting 10-20 comments per post, I actually harbored secret hopes of becoming good friends with her. She struck me as a worthwhile person to know; down-to-earth and genuine. Our kids would get along great and we’d have a lot of fun just doing nothing. I imagined trekking on down to Pawhuska and hanging out for a spell at her place. After all, I commented on almost every post, and figured with a name like Blue, she’d at least recognize me over time. And then she'd want to be bffs, and I could help her with her fear of flying and she could help me with the whole cooking thing, for example.

But what actually happened was she became wildly popular before we could become real friends. Clearly it wasn't our destiny to be besties, and I have made peace with that. But I still read her thoughts. And I’m still inspired by her “dive in and figure it out” approach to everything (homeschooling, photography, Photoshop, cooking, etc.). Still love her upbeat attitude, how she freely shares her insights/knowledge, and her happy relationships with those around her. Ree still inspires me as a role model for how I’d like to be in some ways as I reinvent myself while working through the hard things in my past.

And THAT, Matt from FoxTV, is what I would have said when you asked me why I read The Pioneer Woman. It's clearly a good thing I'm missing that gene, cause like, major overshare! )

Grateful for:
1) Farmers and ranchers and other vital hard-working people
2) Endless varieties of healthy, tasty food
3) Memory loss. Helps with the embarrassment factor (I should be over this within a month or two.)
4) Gracious people. They're everywhere!

Me & Ree

And Missy and The MIL, too!

Tonight I had the privledge of an In Real Life meeting with one of my favorite bloggers...you may know her as The Pioneer Woman, but her name is Ree and she's in Salt Lake City on a book tour.

I've been reading her blog for years. I wish I could remember how I found it, but it was long before she was a household name.

So I planned to buy and have her sign a copy of her new cookbook tonight, but as it turns out, they're completely sold out. The publisher ran out! And while I adore The King's English bookshop, when I heard that she was scheduled to come there for her signing, I knew it was going to be a mob scene.

It was. People lined up at 3pm for the 7pm signing. They handed out "signing tickets" for people, and when they ran out of those, they said anyone else who wanted to stand in line could do so.

People stood. For six hours. I didn't get a signing number, but I got my pashmina's out of my car, and a bag full of M&Ms to share with the people in the line, and found some cold women to share my shawls with, and we chatted while we whiled away the hours together. This was pretty fun, because the kind of people who read Ree's blog are the kind of people you just like from the get-go. We talked and made friends, asked who'd come the farthest (Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona and Nevada...driving. Two women flew in from San Francisco! I drove 10 minutes.) We bonded.

Every 20 minutes or so it would seem to move just an inch or so...but at one point, Ree's Mother In Law (MIL) came out, and she's such a doll that you almost didn't want the line to move. Visiting with MIL was just delightful, and she was as gracious as anyone I've ever met about posing for photos, and answering questions.

Below are some photos. Oh, and Fox News interviewed me, but they told me that they might not run the story because something about a baseball game somewhere might preclude it. Baseball Schmaceball! Don't these people have ANY priorities?! I mean, come on. But if they do put it on the website, I will link to it!


Here she is! I was literally her last visit of the night, and she was one tired cookie. She wouldn't sign my arm though...and I didn't nab one of her cookbooks before they ALL SOLD OUT. Everywhere. Egads! She said she'd mail me one though, so I will be patient.


I love this photo of her! Nice Shirt girlie!


This is Missy, Ree's sister-in-law. She's got a knack for remembering voices. It's really freaky. And she's super sweet and pretty and nice and I like her loads. Too bad she lives a gazillion worlds away or I think we'd be bffs. Wait! most of my besties live a gazillion miles away!

This is Missy and THE CAMERA. Yes, THE camera that Ree uses to take all those delicious, luscious and beautiful photos. Of dogs, and bovines, and chaps and dust and horses and sunrises and food and kids and cowboys. I think it has it's own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.


This is The Woman. The Woman who is inadvertantly responsible for all of us enjoying The Pioneer Woman. Without her, Ree would be living in a city, drinking Starbucks and wearing black heels while eating sushi. Thank you MIL! We adore you. And your son's chaps.

Ree, you're more delightful in real life than you are on your blog...something I didn't even imagine could be possible. And sharing Missy and MIL with us...well, that was just pure icing. Thanks for bringing them along! ♥

Grateful for:
1) Technology that brings people together
2) Good people everywhere
3) The mild weather tonight...cause there were hundreds of us outside for hours!

I ♥ NY...Joni Edition

Many months ago, one of my besties, Joni, said she and a friend were planning a girls get-away to NYC, and would I like to come?

I didn't have any concept of what life in October would hold back then, so I couldn't really commit. Obviously, get-aways with besties are high on my Love To Do list, but there's that niggling matter called I'm A MoM that I have to balance.

But finally Doc's schedule for this month was figured out, and happily, it turned out that I would be able to get away.

I flew to NYC and arrived at the swanky diggs Joni had booked for us at the Waldorf=Astoria. Ohh Laa Laa! Actually, as impressive and historic as this hotel is, we were slightly underwhelmed by our experience with it (although I should note that there is actually an exclusive, elusive, secret hotel-within-the-hotel located on the upper floors which is purported to be quite the luxury experience). There are a lot of other, smaller, less-known hotels that offer nicer rooms, better service, comparable prices, and less-crowded conditions for anyone interested in staying in the city.

That night, Joni, her friend Amy, and I split from the other ladies and had a diner dinner (meh), and enjoyed a gorgeous evening walk to Serendipity III, which I'd never heard of but which I fell in love with. (Joni, Amy & Blue waiting for our delishUSness to arrive)

(another note: me not hearing of something has NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING to do with said thing's standing, reputation, popularity, or public image. I'd never heard of the Waldorf=Astoria either, before my uncle told me about it.)

What's not to love about a place that creates magical desserts?
(Joni after we'd made a dent in our desserts. OhSoDelish!)

Walking back to the W=A, we passed the Kimberly Hotel. The doormen were so charming, offering to take a photo of us in their "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" style car out front.

After a few minutes of their friendly banter, we ended up taking a tour of the place, and were VERY impressed with it. During said tour, aforementioned doormen put together thoughtful gift bags for us, which they handed us as we departed. Talk about class act! The W.=A. could take a page from the Kimberly's book.

Day2 of Joni-Time was chock full of shopping. Here is where things got interesting. Now I'd heard about the knock-off brand name purse industry before. And I'd seen the vendors on the sidewalks hawking their wares. I'd erroneously assumed that this is what people were talking about. But I was wrong.

So we five women took a cab to Canal Street in China town.

I'm guessing we had tourists with money written all over us, because it didn't take long for us to be approached by a "scout" whose job seemed to be to find tourists like us who are looking for the goods. Through a series of gestures and halted English, information was conveyed that some among us were looking for purses.

A few minutes later we were in a small shop that had tee shirts, purfume and other miscellaneous items lining a wall. It was a small shop, and I was standing near the doorway sniffing Magnetism purfume because I've always been drawn to it (seems whenever I bother to ask someone what they're wearing, it's always Magnetism. Clearly it works.) while the other four ladies were a few feet back in the shop. After a moment, I look up and they aren't there.

It's a small rectangle of a store, no doors, no aisles. They hadn't passed me and left. "Where are my friends?" I asked the guy showing me purfume.

"What friends?" he says back.

"The ladies I came in here with."

"You no come in with anyone." he tells me.

"No seriously, where are my friends?"

Another worker joins in with the guy "they left."

"How did they get past me without me seeing them (remember, I'm standing by the exit)

They teased me for a few moments like this, till one of them finally says "You want to go with your friends?"

"Yes, I do", I tell him.

"Okay, come here."

He leads me over to a little spot near some sweatshirts, tells me to be quiet and wait. I'm standing there feeling like an idiot, while the workers, with their cell phones and secrets do their thing, and suddenly the wall opens up to reveal an unfinished, dank wooden stairway leading down into darkness.

"GO!" the shop employee urges me

"In there?!" I replied, thinking I must be crazy if I'm considering it.

"QUICK, hurry! GO" they urged me.

So casting reason aside, I stepped down into the darkness, and the door shut behind me.

It turned out it wasn't pitch black. Once the door shut, I could see a faint light coming from around the bend. I got to the bottom of the stairs and moved my way towards the light....which turned out to be The Purse & Bag Room.

A finished, well-lit, very stocked room full of purses and bags from all different companies. Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Channel, etc. I don't know if they were fakes or stolen...but the secrecy surrounding this room was complete.Happily, my friends were all there, as well as several other customers and a savvy Asian woman doing the deals.

We stayed for a while, while everyone shopped and bartered for better prices. Then when we were done, we had to wait till they cleared us for departure. I'm sure it was the tower at La Guardia who gave the go-ahead. This was the first of three such secret shops we visited that day. We attempted to return to shop number two after one in the group decided that she did want a bag she hadn't purchased while we were there, but when we got back to that part of town our unofficial guide informed us that it was "closed". Suddenly. Apparently raids are common.

I don't the difference between the vendors out in the open on the street and these secret, basement dungeons, and what all the hush hush low-down is about, but it was certainly not what I expected for our morning of shopping.

Joni and I split up from the other ladies and she treated me to an sumptuous dinner at Tavern on the Green that night, which is a historic, beautiful restaurant in Central Park filled with Tiffany lamps and elegance.


Our last day together was more shopping till you're dropping, because let me tell you, these women are doing their mightiest to pull our economy out of a recession. You can send your thanks to me and I will forward them to the appropriate parties.

And then, before you can say "New York Minute", the sad moment arrived when Joni and I had to say goodbye, and she spent her last night there visiting her cousins. I'm not too overwhelmed with grief because next week is her birthday and I'm going to fly her gift out to her to ensure it gets there in one piece...so after that I'll be sad about our good-bye.

The rest of my time away was filled with more wonderful experiences, but this post is longer than the checkin line at the Waldorf already...so tune in next time for news about the rest of my trip.

Grateful for:
1) New experiences
2) Cherished friendships
3) That we got out of Chinatown alive ;-)
♥

One For The Melly

This morning I decided to make a carrot cake from a recipe in this book (which is six kinds of awesome if you like to make cakes) to take when we visited one of my dearest friends and her adorable family. Melly was my all-time best roommate ever, and is the only girlfriend from my college years that I still keep in touch with. Sadly, even though we now live in the same state, we see each other less often than when we lived in New England…because then I would always visit her whenever I came to town. Now it's a mere half hour drive, but we'd let more than a year pass since our last visit.

Happily, the cake turned out lovely. Then sadly, I left it home by accident, which means it wasn't consumed by the large group of people that would have made fast work of it today. Someone help my hiney. Please! Let's face it. I might as well take the spatula and just smear the cake on and have done with it, cause the way things go round here, that’s where it’ll end up.

Anyway, even without the cake, it was a lovely afternoon. Bunch & Gator had a short day at school, after which we headed straight out to Melly’s house. Her two boys and two girls are all delightful, generous, capable, nice, talented, versatile and intelligent people. Even though my kids have only had intermittent contact with them through the years, they seem to really hit it off well, which makes me happier than a clam in clam sauce. Oh wait! I don’t think that a clam in clam sauce would be all that happy…if they actually realized what they were in. That's like saying happier than a human in human sauce, which is about the most depraved, disgusting thing I've thought of all day. But it's recently come to my attention that my prefrontal cortex is probably not as developed as most of yours, so that would explain why I so often say things that make you go "huh?" I beg your forgiveness. I'm trying.

As I was saying, it just makes me really happy. And the reason is that when I was growing up, I never really enjoyed visiting my parent’s friends homes. I felt out of place and uncomfortable, and never clicked with any of the kids that happened to be around. I realize I was something of an odd kid, but it seemed like the kids of my parents friends were odd to the Nth degree. But those are other stories for other days. Right now, I am merely trying to express that the fact that my cuteheads seem to genuinely enjoy the kids of my dear friends makes me very happy. Like a clam. Even though I don't like seafood.

And what’s not to enjoy? Here are some pictures of the primary activity de jour. They had a blast cruising round on these bad boys. Melly’s kids are super happy to have friends to play with on them, and couldn’t have found more willing subjects. Heck even I wished I could take a spin!

There’s nothing like catching up with an old friend and sharing an afternoon together. Melly, for the 20 years of friendship, good example, generosity, support and love, thank you! For having wonderful, great-hearted children that are loveable...thank you. For being an awesome mom and homemaker...again, thanks. And for going on a walk with me and the commiserations about our mounting cabooses, thanks. I needed that tonight! And let’s just not focus on how old we’ll be when another 20 years have passed…deal?

This one's for Zu...

Remember a few months ago I had an exciting trip to DC? Well the reason for that trip is below. Isn't he absolutely adorable?! I told his momma that I think he's one of God's prototypes for the perfect human baby.

When his momma sent me this photo today, it made me laugh with delight. Every time I walk by my computer monitor and see his face, I laugh. So do my kids and Doc. He simply makes me happy and so does his wonderful mom. I love ya Zu! Can't wait to meet the little man some day. Thanks for sharing your life with me!

Time for a tribute

Four weeks ago I flew to Washington DC for a quick overnight trip to attend a baby shower for a very dear friend.

I arrived Saturday evening, and planned to take the red-eye home Sunday night. But my body had other plans. About 6 hours after I arrived, I got very sick. I ended up in the hospital for 5 days, had surgery to remove my gall bladder which had gotten extremely enlarged and infected and caused so much pain, for so long, that my two pain-relief-free childbirths seemed like a walk in the park comparatively. That's saying a lot.

I ended up being gone 11 days total. I am indebted to quite a few people for their care and sacrifice for me...especially Suzie and Rob, Bonnie, Ann, and Karleen. It was during this time that their true identities as guardian angels was revealed.

It is times like these that impress upon me just how blessed my life is. I have a disproportionate number of amazing friends. They enrich, support and bless my life in countless ways. I can't fathom how vastly different this life of mine would be without these amazing people. So here I offer a small tribute to the amazing friends who have brought such joy and goodness to me. I believe you know how much I love you, and there is simply not much more that I can say about that! Thank you! ♥
Here is an "edible arrangement" that a darling friend sent me after my surgery. I've never received anything so luscious and unexpected. It was delicious and we all enjoyed it. Thank you Karleen! You are the best! ♥

Harry Potter -- Good Times

This summer Bunch&Gator and I took a number of fun trips, but one of the highlights our visit to our old stomping grounds in Vermont.

After many adventures in standby travel including sold-out flights, the airport shutting down, canceled flights, going to an alternate-city, last-minute car rental, an all-night drive through dense fog and, we arrived at our destination in time to participate in the HARRY POTTER EVENTS with a witch and wizard we happen to be very fond of. The event started with a ride on the Hogwarts Express, followed by a sorting into houses, charms class, a game of quidditch on the pitch and refreshing butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. Later, the two witches pulled a very late night to obtain the latest book at Borders when it went for sale. Bunch&Gator were the lucky recipients of two exceedingly fine wands from Olivander&Sons...each one part of a pair of unique pair...from our favorite wand maker. Fun experiences and memories to cherish.