Oprah Beautiful Goodbye & the Ugly Cry

Ok, so many of my many Paper Peeps have been asking….

Paper Mom, where have you been the week Oprah has her final show, no comment, no posts?

Peeps… Here is the breakdown on the past seven days…

• 60 hour work week for a woman who works part time
• A kid with two pink eyes and one sinus infection
• Four softball games
• One all day softball clinic
• One DARE graduation for two kids
• One school concert with two kids
• One husband who worked until 9:30 on Thursday
• Three visits from the world’s greatest child care provider
• Opened one green swimming pool
• One fundraising event with 180 people and a 14 hour work day
• One surprise birthday party
• And three Oprah episodes that made me do the “ugly cry”

It’s been a week to remember…

As I sat with my pad of paper taking notes as Oprah shared her love letter to me, I was in awe of so many important lessons.  It was sort of like a graduation speech, sending us into the world now that we have graduated from our daily dose of Oprah support.  I hope I am ready….

I’ll sign off with this – and trust me, we will be talking about this one….

Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.  Oprah has that sign in her makeup room, I am making a sign for my office right now…

Oprah Beautiful Goodbye

It's hard to believe our Oprah shows are down to the single digits.  I have thought about hosting an Oprah farewell season party.  If there is anybody on this planet that would host a toast in honor of Oprah, it would be me, right?  (Remember my vlog post inviting her to my 40th birthday?) Well, honestly, I am feeling so sad about her departure, I am not sure I can bring myself to celebrate with even my besties.  Over the past 25 years I've become a woman, wife, mom, and professional all while watching and learning from Oprah.  I feel her send off is very personal moment. I think the only person I could really savor the moment with is my mother and seeing she is in Florida and I am in Connecticut - I think we will just chat about it on the phone.  I am not ruling out a celebration in honor of  of all things "O"  but I think I will spend May 25th with my box of tissues, enjoying the moment, savoring my final Oprah minutes on my favorite comfy chair with a handful of salty pretzels and a glass of diet pepsi, just like I did after school with my mom for years and years -- oh so many years ago. On May 25th I'll be thinking of Gayle, Steadman, Oprah and Sheri with a loving and thankful heart.

Five for Friday

Here are five great things about today:
1. First grade concert this afternoon.
2. Four baseball games today.
3. Painted my toenails
4. Booked a Paperly party.
5. Sun is shining and it's pay day.


Have a good weekend Paper Peeps!

A letter from your Husband...

I can't adequately describe how this letter made me feel.  But I will be printing it and keeping copies in my desk, in my night stand and in my car.... just sayin... 


My favorite Step-Mo's, Shwanda and the Stepmother's Tool Box led me to this little gem.  They are my rock stars of the Step-Mo world.   If you need a Step-Mo boost - read on... print.... and save forever.


Click here for the letter

Pink for Pink Slips...

I feel like I am "waiting for a bus."  It may be my upcoming special fundraiser for work or my husbands pink slip....

Well I am being dramatic, sort of -- but the World's Greatest Husband text me this morning .. I am wearing my pink shirt for my pink slip.  Apparently the Governor who I have gushed support for and changed my profile picture on Facebook with -  may now be laying off 5,000 or so State workers.  I still stand by my original post that I am willing to support his shared sacrifice budget philosophy but honestly I am saying some serious Hail Mary's that this lay off doesn't impact my family in a serious dramatic way.    I am hopeful that the union negotiations will produce a reasonable package that most can live with. In the meantime, the World's Greatest Husband only has one pink shirt so if I take it to the cleaners... maybe the "pink" slip" won't come...

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello Dear Mothers,
I am really getting sappy in my old age.  I hate to admit it, but last night while watching Julia Roberts' Mother's Day Tribute on OWN I sat with a box of tissues trying to catch my breathe.  Honestly, what brought me to a full blown sob, was the Walmart/Own commercial that paid tribute to the step-mo.  I am a sap.  Visit Own extraordinary mom's tribute to Moms to see the advertisement.

And... just because I am in a Mother's Day tribute sort of mood... here is my favorite !!!!Kelly Corrigan's lovely speech about the love, friendship and the special bond among women.  I've posted this before but I want YOU - my favorite Paper Mom readers and friends to feel the special love that this video brings.  Happy Mother's Day!

Pioneer Woman Writes a Little Gem about Love

Ree Drumond is my hero.  I simply love the Pioneer Woman.  If you haven’t stopped by her blog click here now www.thepioneerwoman.com.  I recently finished her new book,  Black Heels to Tractor Wheels and loved it.  Simply stated, it made me love my “World’s Greatest Husband” even more!  I am a sucker for a good love story.  I am a romantic and what I love about this book is…. Ree is too!  She fell head over her black heels for her real life cowboy, Marlboro Man.  It wasn’t all hugs and kisses, well actually... there were a lot of hugs and kisses, but their love story is real and deep and inspiring.  The book made me reaffirm my belief in simple love and made me realize that love no matter how intense comes with serious threads of compromise.  Black Heels to Tractor Wheels… she is a brave, brave hero in many ways.  Being a Library girl I must admit there aren’t many books that I long to own, but this love story is one that needs to live on my bookshelf. 

If you need a happy heart, spring in your step, sparkle in your eye sort of read…. Pick up a copy.  It made me feel warm and content.  

Rick Springfield and a Poor Choice...

Just a few comments....
So disappointed to learn that my boy, Rick Springfield was pulled over for a DUI.   His shows are often celebrated with a little vino but seriously, Rick my love, my favorite singer of all time.... sixty one and DUI?  It would be irresponsible of me not to say, I am disappointed and sad that this has happened.  Poor choice lover boy.  I am embarrassed that my kids may have heard this news knowing their mommy worships you.  Now, make it up to me by scheduling a Connecticut show.... it's been awhile since we've had a chance to visit.  But ladies... let's be honest even the mug shot is depicts a cutie patootie. Rick, stop polluting your hot bod.

And on a happier note... Happy 15th Anniversary to my Friend and her dear husband.  We've been friends for more than 20 years now and have seen one another grow up.  I am so happy for you.  You've always been "That couple" who has it done it right.  I am proud of you and so happy that your love is strong.  I hope you are enjoying your special "sunny" day! 

Have a good day peeps!

Weddings and Mom

The royal wedding was like a mini vacation.  What a treat… the dress, the kiss, another kiss, another dress, hope, love, dreams… it was all the things that a modern day fairy tale are made of.  Although weddings are made of man and wife, I had a personal moment that made me realize the special love that only a mother can provide… and since weddings are on our mind and Mother’s Day is just about here… I’ll share my mother moment.

I spoke of the dress and details to my girls, the other moms and the softball field and my co-workers.   We had open hearts, big eyes and dramatic pause when we spoke of the real life princess.  We loved William and his care for his girl, Kate.  But really it wasn’t until I was able to "dish the details" with my Mom, then the royal wedding was complete.    Somehow speaking with my mom, my friend, my rock about the perfect dress, the sweet loving glances and comments between the royal couple and “oh how we loved the second dress” did the royal wedding become a meaningful event.   My mom is the one woman on this earth that gets it me --- with a word or a full length ramble, a glance or a complete stare.  She has always been able to read my mind and my heart.  I loved talking wedding with her but honestly, I love talking anything with her.  

It’s Mother’s Day week and we should celebrate!