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.

Blog, blog, blog... I need my blog...to keep me sane.

It's Monday at 8:17am.  It feels like Wednesday 9:30pm.  I've done more than what should be legally allowed for a Monday morning!


I have many posts floating in my head.... now if I could just carve out a few minutes this week to blog about:


Oprah - Did you watch Master Class?  seriously, this woman brings goosebumps to my soul every single time I pay attention to her.  I wanted to take notes.... lucky for me I have it on my DVR.


Grey's Anatomy  - Did you watch the music video episode.  What were they thinking?  I watched because that is what I do but it seemed sort of silly.  Callie has a nice voice and I thought she looked amazing.  I did burst into sobbing crying at one point.  I am not kidding, it sort of shocked me... but they sang a song that made me think of an old friend and it was sort of too much for me to handle.  So I guess they did ok if the episode evoked that much emotion out of me... but I still vote for silly.


And the post I know you are waiting for.... 
We made the high school baseball team and softball team.  Softball for little girls starts this week and baseball for the cub scout starts on Sat.  Yep, it's my favorite season.  I think just the thought of spring makes me tense and moody.  Get ready for those fun, stressful posts... I've already had one breakdown.  


Ok Paper Peeps, have a good week.  check back soon.  I hope to blog to keep me sane this week.

I am addicted to the Oprah Behind the Scenes Show on OWN.  In my 40 years on this earth, I’ve had a few shows that I watched faithfully, Party of five, Thirty Something, Allie McBeal, Ed, Grey’s Anatomy and Oprah.  Today it is so easy to be addicted to a show… DVR makes it quick and easy… setting the timer, recording every episode, zipping through commercials.  SO FUN!  Well I am finding that the behind the scenes 25 Oprah show may just be like crack for an Oprah addict.  Favorite Paper Peeps, I love, love, love, this show… I wish I worked for this woman, I wish I could hang with the producers, I studied the clip with Steadman, replayed the clip of Oprah in her home, there is something about the behind the scenes, the details, seeing our girl in an off camera sort of way, the clothes, the amazing lighting, it all makes me feel close to my girlies O and Gayle.  Of course now that Gayle has a show too, I can get my girlfriend fill every single day!  OOoooo life is good!  I have now started watching the Oprah show with anticipation of the behind the scenes show that will air weeks later.  Do you think that is odd?

Ok, remember peeps, I’ve met Steadman,  I think Oprah is next….

Always trying to be a better person...

Another day of sloppy winter weather and it’s only mid week.  Another storm is expected Friday.  We spent the day like every good snow day should be spent… vegging out in front of the TV in our jammies.  Because we watch so little television in our house, this is a HUGE treat. 

Just want to plug that darn O magazine again, Favorite Paper Peeps, O magazine is like a little present you can give yourself each and every month.  A little tool in your “I want to be a better, stronger mom, woman and wife tool box.”  I always love, love, love, the Donna Files… this month Donna Brazile offers advice on how to reach your goals… pick up a copy and get a little kick in the butt.

Her best advice…. SUCK IT UP. Not everyone will support you. Accept that.  The blurb follows up with Donna encouraging folks to imagine your naysayer with the head of the animal he most resembles.  She says it’s hard to take someone seriously when his words are coming from the twitchy mouth of a little white mouse.  That Donna Brazile is one hot ticket!  Get the magazine and read on.  I must admit, years ago I worked with a group of men that I called the teeny peenies.  I know it’s crude and so unlike me, but it certainly helped me not take them too seriously.   Truth is… I learned a few things from that group.

So peeps – Suck it up! 

Oprah & Gayle Reflection Monday...

Ok, so I am sad to report that I haven’t finished Late, Late at Night by Rick Springfield.  I will soon and will gladly post my review.  I’ve been "shocked" and "not so shocked" by what I have read so far.   He is a complicated character.  I’ve enjoyed the media blitz and was pleasantly surprised when I listened to the Gayle King Show on Thursday….

Gayle and Oprah Reflection Monday proves that there is karma, love, and special spirit between me and my three pop culture imaginary friends…. GAYLE commented (for an extended time) on RICK’s NEW BOOK!  Click on the clip below if you are eager to listen (It’s long – 9 min) So beyond Rick’s sad story and his battle with depression and being over sexed… GAYLE mentions, RICK!!!!! 

And not to brag but…. Oprah mentioned my birthday again… on Wednesday’s show she said… “At forty you start to wake up”

Gayle King: News Picks - How Do iYou/i Win The Battle with Depression?

Five for Friday

1.  The "Most Amazing Childcare Provider" has inspired me to clip coupons.  She saved $50 bucks on a $100 order last week!  
2. A Paperly party tonight.  Lana, can't wait to visit with you and your paper peeps!
3. No softball game tomorrow morning!
4. It's not a washout like predicted.
5. It's homecoming weekend and we have one special young man buying a corsage for a special little lady.  OMG!!!!


I can't wait to blog about Gayle on my Monday Gayle and Oprah Refection Monday Post.... You won't believe how we are soooooo connected!  HOW FUN!!!

Oprah and Martha!

It’s Monday and that means… Oprah and Gayle Reflection day.

Plain and simple, Martha teaches Oprah how to fold a fitted sheet.  It is truly one of those tips that can change your life or at least your linen closet.  I can’t insert the video link but if you visit Oprah's site there is an instructional video!

www.oprah.com

Oprah and Gayle Reflection Day Monday

Oprah spoke to me again… this time directly.  Well via her Thursday show. My reflection moment was easy to identify.

On Thursday’s show she said “what you think you know at 30 comes alive in your 40’s. Those of you who are fearing your 40’s STOP IT” 

Oprah mentioned many of her producers are approaching 40.  (One more similarity to my Oprah Birthday Video from Sept 17)

I turn 40 on December 24^th!

I hope it’s true.

I hope she’s right.

In my early thirties I was in a struggling marriage.

In my mid thirties I was struggling with a divorce.

In my late thirties I found love, a beautiful blended family and a lot of hope…

I can’t wait to put that hope and love into action in my 40’s.

Waiting for Superman or at least a good night sleep....

It's Monday, my and Gayle and Oprah Reflection Day…

So my reflection is this…

As a whole our education system needs a remodel, a do over.  Oprah brought the crisis to light with her two shows on “Waiting for Superman” they have stirred the pot and made folks move to action.  My children are succeeding and working hard, your children are probably succeeding and working hard too!  But as a Nation, our education system is slipping.  Two of my other favorite media pals also got in on the action this week, check out Matt and Meredith on the Today show for their Education Nation initiative. 

What are WE going to do about the state of Education in America?   

The Oprah show spoke about homework and how other countries do homework and then they study…. for hours….  Homework and studying have become one in my house.  I know I plan our evening around the task of homework… and am often happy when we have a night free of homework.  This idea is WRONG-O-DONGO!  I need to encourage “STUDYING” every night, every day, similar to how we encourage our 20 minutes of reading each night.  Another thing to add to my “to do “ list but this one will make our country stronger… smarter….  

One additional though…. We all know fabulous teachers… and we all know crummy ones too.  The show highlighted that student success increased for a lifetime if they experienced 3 positive teachers in a row…  that shocked me.   But parents, Let’s not forget we are our children’s first teachers… how are we doing in our classrooms at home?

This stuff can keep a girl up at night...

Yours, Mine and Ours

It’s Monday, Monday, Monday.  I am listening to favorite radio talk show host Gayle King as I type, which is appropriate because after my Oprah birthday video, I’ve decided to dedicate Monday’s to Oprah and Gayle.  I may sound crazy… but Oprah lets my mind dream big for 60 minutes.  She often says “If you can dream it, you can do it.” 

So here are my Sisterly Oprah and Gayle reflections for today….

Call me a geek but I jotted down a little "O quote" from the Friday show… Oprah gave a family a house and Favorite Decorator Nate too.  Oprah said, “Surround your home with beauty… I believe your house should rise up and meet you” 
So it got me thinking… like only Oprah can……  

I miss my old, little, tiny house, more than I ever like to really admit.  I miss my big back room, my HUGE old wooden office desk, my single woman girly comforter; I sometimes miss the entertainment center I bought at a yard sale (that was such a find!)  
My advice to any blended family - if you can, buy a new home together! It is hard to “move in” and “merge” when it’s his house or her house.  I’ve shared this with other "blended peeps" and they agree.  I sold most of my stuff in a yard sale because we couldn’t merge it all.  It was an exercise in indentifying what was truly important to me.  It was therapeutic to shed myself of an old painful life but the whole merging thing goes to another level… children, their things, their rooms, the way it always has been, the way it becomes… buying new dishes was an event…..sometimes I wonder, how have we even got to today…… and the house is really only one little, tiny, tiny piece of our blended life.  I guess love carries us even when the sofa is being carried down the driveway for $50 bucks at the yard sale.
The World's Greatest Husband and I are working on making this house rise up  but more importantly we are trying to raise 5 kids who rise in a home filled with love and support.

Oprah, I am turning 40!

I love my girl Oprah and my guy Rick and of course the World's Greastest Husband Too!
I thought of the best idea on how to surprise my husband on my birthday.