Tall Poppy Diaries

Observations and musings on life as a happy high-achiever (or what the Aussie's call a "Tall Poppy" ). "Unless you choose to do great things with it, it makes no difference how much you are rewarded, or how much power you have." --Oprah Winfrey

Friday, December 31, 2004

 

  Tall Poppy Diaries: The Basics


Yesterday, I came across two people on my referral list who had done a search for my very first post. I was nervous when I saw that. Why? Because I hadn't read it since I wrote it and I couldn't remember what I had said. When I first started writing Tall Poppy Diaries, I had no idea what a blog was. I heard them mentioned during TV coverage of the DNC, and thought I should try it. So, fearing that my first post was something I would regret having left in the public domain, I closed my eyes and clicked the link to see JUST how bad it was. It began:

"A few years ago, a group of girlfriends and I were discussing why many women feel obligated to cut down other women who are perfectly nice but who have distinguished themselves in such a way that they "stand out from the crowd". ....

My friend, Laura, spoke up and said: "My friend Karen lived in Australia for a while. She told me that in Australia they call high-achievers 'Tall Poppies'.When you have a poppy field, it's most desirable for all of the poppies to be the same height. The entire field of poppies looks better when they appearto be all the same. So if one poppy grows taller than the other poppies around it, they just chop it down so that it doesn't make the rest of the poppies don't look bad. It really is the same way with people. When someone achieves too much and 'grows too tall', it seems like their peers feel obligated to try to knock that person down...."

The post continued:

"....Who REALLY empathizes with a girl or woman who is successful. AND happy. AND who always seems to get what she wants (even though that isn't the case)? OTHER TALL POPPIES DO...

If you usually find yourself celebrating your success alone in front of your TV with Carrie Bradshaw and a quart of Ben and Jerry's...

1) Don't despair! Realize that you are in fine company. Many of the people you admire most are right there in the trenches with you.

2) Surround yourself with people who can be happy for your successes and not get in a snoot when you try to share your happy news with them.

Oh! So, you're coming up short in the 'I'm so happy for you, girlfriend!' department?

3) You can always tell ME about it! I will always be happy to hear you toot your horn or whine for a few lines--just as long as you are keepin' your bloom on straight (naughtiness and meanness are NOT TP Characteristics!)...."

...So come on in, grab a breath of fresh air, and feel free to join in the discussion. I'll share observations of my own about life in the Field, a few links that I think Tall Poppies would find interesting, and I hope that you will feel free to do the same. "

As we celebrate the New Year, I thought it would be fun to good to get back to the basics. Back to talking about the things that we ALL need to do in order to be a happy Tall Poppy (and, yes, call me Pollyanna...I DO think that you can be successful, happy AND nice!)


We do cover all of those things. But I thought it might be good to get down to the basics of what it means to be a Tall Poppy. Several of you have expressed concerns that you were worried about negative attention you might get as a result of BoB nominations. Well, rightly so. Several of my blogging buddies whom have found success of late would tell you that SUCCESS IS NO BED OF ROSES! But there are ways to enjoy it AND survive it.

I also believe that there are 10 Characteristics that women MUST have in order to be a true Tall Poppy. And, regardless of what some might think, being a Tall Poppy can be WAY fun! Over the next 10 days, I will reveal each characteristic and tell you what I think we can do in the year 2005 to grow even stronger and taller. I promise...You won't want to miss it!

My first post will be on the MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC one
MUST have in order to be successful AND happy: CONFIDENCE. Without it, you're NOT going to be able to handle the Weeds and naysayers who will come after you every time you get "noticed". So tune in tomorrow.... You'll be glad you did!


 

  2004 Lexicon Roundup

My DSL has been knocked out TWICE today, so I am still in the process of getting my Tall Poppy Forecast--2005 edition ready to go. However, in the meantime, wanted to share another edition of Lexicon from Daily Candy. This is a wrap-up of some of the favorites of the Daily Candy Editors from the year 2004. Enjoy! And will be back a bit later with my 2005 Forecast. Cheers!

From the Editors at Daily Candy: A special edition dedicated to carat danglers, doggerels, and all the special people in our lives.

beighborhood
n. Area populated by good-looking people. ("Let's go downtown. Fifth Street has turned into a total beighborhood.")

DIZO
n. Acronym. Describes (busy, working, all-too-typical) couple: Dual Income, Zero Orgasm.

Earnest Hemorrhage
n. A man who is oppressively forthcoming with every thought and feeling. Antonym: Ernest Hemingway, linguistically stingy author.

foxymoron
n. One who is incredibly dumb but incredibly cute, who simultaneously attracts and repels. ("I'm so ashamed. I hooked up with that foxymoron last night.")

GHaG
n. Acronym. Girl-Hating Girl. The one whose only friends are guys.

hobeau
n. A less-than-hygienic boyfriend. ("Better open the window. Here come Gloria and her hobeau.")

nontourage
n. A group of undesirable sycophants. ("The party was fun until Justin showed up with his nontourage.")

pharmasecrecy
n. The secret bond one has with her pharmacist. ("Only Mr. Myers knows the truth about my little Klonopin/Paxil/laxative habit.")

showflake
n. Person who chronically misses every appointment (e.g., haircuts, doctor visits, dinners). ("Is Louisa going to show, or is she pulling a showflake again?")

SoDeeWah
n. Socialite/designer/whatever. The model/actress/ whatever of the '00s. You know the type.

staremaster
n. Gym dandies who constantly check themselves out in the mirror. ("If that staremaster touches his pecs one more time ...")

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

 

  Orange Poppy's Christmas "Shoe" Tree

Today, Orange Poppy mentioned that her son had posted some pictures from their Christmas festivities on his blog. I have known that Jenks had a (mostly political) blog for many months. However, I felt certain that he would NOT appreciate being spied upon by his mother's dear friend. And so I have resisted the urge to visit his blog OR make any reference to it here--until tonight.

I am sorry, Jenks. I would not normally intrude upon your little online refuge in this manner. HOWEVER, your Christmas pictures are just TOO irresistable not to share with our friends here at Tall Poppy Diaries--especially the fourth one. We promise to be good guests. We will stand in awe of your camera savvy, your wit and your mother's excellent taste. We will say "Hello", thank you for your hospitality and NOT pry into ANYTHING on your blog that you might not want your mother's friends to read. And then we will go. Right, guys? Yes. We will be excellent guests, indeed.

And so, please allow me to turn your attention to Jenk's Christmas pictures. Pay special attention to the Charlie Brown tree in the fourth picture. Yes, that is indeed a "Shoe Tree". Is that Orange Poppy clever or what? In the sixth picture, you MUST know that Kathy is MUCH lovelier than she looks in that photo, and Mr. Orange Poppy--SIGNIFICANTLY more debonnaire. (Jenks, for future reference, one should ONLY take pictures from below of those individuals whom you dislike A LOT or those whom you wish to subject to unmerciful extortion. I'm just sayin'...).

In the next photo, you can catch (only) a glimpse of the incomparable Orange Poppy. And in the final photo, you will see a photo taken by Jenks NOT during a vacation in Hawaii (as the caption would suggest), but rather from the beach house that he lives in. Alone. Spending every moment of his spare time studying and blogging. EVERY. MOMENT. What a rough, med student life he does lead....

Thanks again for your hospitality, Jenks. You were swell to let us drop by. And Sig, Carl and Alfred, I know... I KNOW Christmas is over. But I just COULDN'T resist sharing the Shoe Tree with my friends here. I. Couldn't. Resist. And if I am correct in my assumption, Sig won't be able to resist a peek either.... Come on, Sig. You KNOW you want to look...

UPDATE: I admit it...I was drawn to Katie's post on the left sidebar entitled "100% Southern". So I clicked, I read and I took the test. I'm only 94% Southern (I never have had a strong twang--Just enough that acquaintances would say, "You're from....hmmm...TEXAS! Right?" Not...but close.) However, the test results did ask me, "Is General Lee Your Father?", so I MUST still be Southern enough. So how about you...did you succomb and take the test?

 

  Out Of The Closet: Capelets, Ponchos and Fur


Courtesy of The New York Times
Photographed by Bill Cunningham

Last month, I purchased a fur capelet quite similar to the one in the center of this collage (though mine comes to a point in the front and back AND was, presumably, considerably less expensive..). I LOVE that capelet, as do my boys. It's flattering (since you can "see through" the sections that aren't fur and tell that I have a waist) and it's SO SOFT (which is why my boys like it!). However, Hubby HATES this trend. He dislikes poncho's in general, and finds wearing "fur" with jeans a bit odd.

Last night, Son 2 was feeling REALLY punk and asked me if I would rock him to sleep. YES, he's almost 8, is the size of a 10 year old, and has legs long enough that they hang off the side of the chair and touch the floor. But he IS still my baby, and he felt rotten, so I humored him. As we settled into our big leather rocking chair, he said, "Mommy, will you put on your "furry cape thing". I went to my dressing room, put on my poncho, and settled back into the chair with him. In a few minutes, he was sound asleep, snuggled up to my soft, furry poncho. No, I will never be able to get rid of that piece--EVER! No matter how much Hubby dislikes it, it's a piece that I will always love....

Unlike other collages from the NYT that always show AT LEAST a FEW misses, this one just screams "Fabulous!" to me. What do YOU think? I'm really interested to hear what the guys think about the whole poncho/fur trend, as well. Oh, and FYI, the caption reads:

"Fur boleros and capelets are being worn to the dinner table. These tiny, abbreviated evening wraps seen during holiday galas were not checked at the door. Many are in white mink, ermine and fox, and suggest the high-waisted proportions made popular by Empress Josephine in 1804."

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

 

  Vacations: Getting "Away" or Getting "Noticed"?

This Article in the New York Times made me think about vacations and why we take them. It talks about New York Jetsetters, where they go for Winter Break...and why. It was interesting to me because the NY "in-crowd" flocks to many of the places that we (as in "our family") consider weekend getaways. Sun Valley, Idaho is owned by our friends and neighbors, the Holdings. Aspen is a hop-skip and jump away. Our christmas tree sports a dozen or so ornaments that we have picked up on our week-end visits to the places that New Yorkers consider "Winter Mecca". We, of course, would NEVER consider going there this time of the year. Why? Because it's TOO CROWDED! Yes, with those New Yorkers who are supposedly "Getting Away". In masse. With half their neighborhood!

Hubby and I were having a conversation the other night about where we might want to have a "vacation" home. It has always befuddled me that the people who bought our home in Sundance for a price nearing seven digits live 15 minutes away from their "vacation home"! Yes! They live in Provo! Why? Why would you pay THAT kind of money for a "vacation home" 15 minutes from your primary residence? I don't get it. I could see buying a condo--maybe. Just a little getaway so that you can spend the weekend up there without having to drive home at night. But a five bedroom home? I don't get it...

Today, I have had a dickens of a time finding playdates for the boys because everyone in our neighborhood is at their vacation homes in Park City or at Bear Lake. Except for the "M's", who are at their home in Mexico. I must say that having a condo close to our children's friends in Park City or at Bear Lake would be fun. However, if I were going to buy a HOUSE to get away to or if I were going to fly across the country on a "getaway", I would actually want to Get Away--To The Beach! To New Faces! I would want to see people whom I don't see every day at the busstop, but whose company I enjoy just the same. I am thinking Gulf Shores. Or Destin. Nothing terribly exotic. As the NYT article suggests, I do like to see people whom I know when I am away. But not the same people I see EVERY DAY! I see my friends here all the time. But my friends in the South? Hardly ever!

Yes, if I were going on a true Winter Break--spending tens of thousands of dollars to GET AWAY, I would want to TRULY GET AWAY! I'd be ready for the ocean--seafood--old friends. THAT's my idea of "Getting Away". So, tell me...What's YOUR idea of the Perfect Getaway? Would you rather follow your friends to favorite "hang outs". Would you go on a two week trip to Cambodia? Or would you go to the spot that sounds and smells like "Home"? Please do tell...

Monday, December 27, 2004

 

  So...What'd the Jolly Guy Bring Ya'?

Hope your holidays were Happy!


It's the 2nd day after Christmas...And rather than being in "recovery" today, I spent the day at the hospital. Again. This time for Daddy's brain surgery. It was outpatient surgery and now he's back at home, telling the tale, garnering sympathy and playing his day's adventure for all it's worth. Can you imagine? Out-patient BRAIN SURGERY? Too weird. Wonderful! But weird nonetheless.

Anyway, I felt that a Christmas wrap-up was in order, and so I am going to tell ya' what I got, and then I wanna hear what YOU got (it's never too early to start my list for next year. Right?). So fess up. I promise not to get TOO jealous...

My Christmas gifts included a new cell phone (my only requirements were that it be tri-mode since we don't have phones in either of our other houses, and one is REALLY in the boonies) and that I be able to download the polyphonic "Sex and The City" ringtone into it. Childish, I know--but somewhere I read that Christmas IS for children. So Hubby humored me.

Then, the rest of my Christmas consisted of the suit that I picked out to wear to the Gov. Inauguration next week, the new coat I felt that I needed, and the accessories that Hubby and the boys picked out ALL BY THEMSELVES and surprised me with! So first, the suit: Black and white tweed with a wonderful little chiffony ruffle all the way around and a gorgeous rhinestone clasp at the waist. I LOVE this suit! (But did you notice the InkTech security tag that the saleslady left on the sleeve? Arrgghh!!!) Oh, and the little bee pin was a birthday gift from Son 1. Since this is the Beehive State, it will be the perfect little accessory for the inauguration.


Next, the coat. I fell in love with this little short black overcoat. The entire hem is scalloped--top to bottom. Without the scallops, it would have been a bit ho-hum. But with the scallops? SO ADORABLE (I think...).


And finally, these are my new earrings from Son 1. He has SUCH great taste in jewelry. They are little long-stem roses! So cute! Oh, Son 2 gave me a little sterling heart locket that is covered in rhinestones and has a little keyhole with a separate key that dangles to the side. I forgot to take a pic of it because I haven't taken it off since he gave it to me Christmas morning.



This year, I put out a "No Toys That I Can Step On or Have To Pick Up" edict. So we got an air hockey table, more games for the boys' SP's and three SMALL sets of Legos. The Lego's were supposed to be banned, but Mrs. Santa (aka The Grinch Who ALMOST Stole Christmas) gave in on the three small Harry Potter Lego sets. The boys have done a good job keeping them up off the floor for 2 DAYS! LOL! Wonder how long THAT will last...

All in all, it was a pretty good Christmas for me. So, tell me...What did Santa bring to YOU?

Saturday, December 25, 2004

 

  The 12 Days Tree...


Well, I'm a bit late getting these pics posted after our trip over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house (Hubby's mom, who lives 2 hours away). Just got the boys to bed and wanted to at least get a couple of pics up before the day was over...

Hope your day was Merry and Bright! And thanks again for all of the holiday wishes...They worked!



You'll notice that I made the "Maids A-Milking" swans. I just LOVED the look of the swans (with crowns on their heads, of course!) and since I already had 9 ladies dancing, having eight swans worked for me! Plus the girl and cow (for Maids a-milking) were the PERFECT size to fit my Favorite Christmas Carols on. I figured a little, minor switcheroo for aesthetic purposes wouldn't hurt anyone...

A couple of additional closeups...



Monday, December 13, 2004

 

  The Twelve Days of Christmas--Day One

I have just realized that the 12 Days of Christmas starts today. Of course, someone forgot to tell Costco--Theirs started in September. But at the Tall Poppy Diaries, it's all about tradition with a twist. I've had ENOUGH ALREADY with the "twist". I'm on to tradition today, whether my brain is with me or not.

Being a "Christmas Baby", my winter generally revolves around Christmas. I even paint my downstairs walls in reds, greens and golds so that we can have a bit of Christmas year-round. Last night, when IP and Princess P came to our door, THIS is the Christmassy scene that SHOULD have greeted them:

This...


And this...


And as they waited patiently for me to pick up mom from the hospital, take her home, take the boys to the theater, and get back to get everyone ELSE to the theater on time, they should have been surrounded with the warmth of holiday madness and cheer that would NORMALLY greet a visitor to our home on December 12. Like this, perhaps...


Instead? They didn' t get squat! Not ONE Christmas bauble. Nothing. Nada.

And so, inspired by this post by Girl From Florida and in an effort to, once again, find my inner Christmas goddess, I present to you over the next 12 days my OWN 12 Days of Christmas. I will tell you what (if anything) I have done to find my Christmas Spirit. And I 'll share a few things that I happen upon along the way that might help you with yours. PLEASE feel free to chime in with comments, suggestions, links, etc. I think that we can all help each other stay on track.

Things I have found to give or do for Christmas that you might love, too!
  1. MY FAVORITE FIND OF THE YEAR FROM YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS POST: from Cooper at Been There--My Publisher Books! This is the COOLEST thing ever!!! I am doing a 2002 and a 2003 book for us (but publishing two copies so that each of the boys will have one when they grow up). I am also putting together a book for my grandmother in Texas with pics of us, the boys and us with her. It doesn't take long to plan, thanks to the handy FREE software. But be warned...they will only guarantee Christmas Delivery if the orders are in by the 15th! I LOVE this, though! Thanks for the heads up, Cooper. You are SOOO cool!
  2. These WAY awesome hot pot holder, trivet, thingamajiggers from Hester, also a head's up on this post. I LOVE these. Won't say who's getting them, except that two of them will never leave this house. Thanks, Hester.
  3. Something I'm giving myself for Christmas (because otherwise, I get things like snow shovels--or nothing. Either way, I'm on top of it, now): These chargers from the US Capitol Historical Society. I got four of them when we went to First Lady's Luncheon in April (they were in the giftbag that all of the guests got), but I need more (as I realized at Thanksgiving when everyone got one but me :( ). They are fabulous--and they are the perfect size to fit under standard dinner plates. I am buying myself two more for Christmas this year, and will keep collecting them until I think I have enough! Yet another thing for the future daughter-in-laws to fight over....

Things I have done today:

  1. Volunteer at the boy's school for 4 hrs.
  2. Took my mom to stay with my dad at the hospital.
  3. Added to this post

Things I have not done today, but should (must):

  1. Volunteer at school for 6 hrs. (like usual)
  2. Take a shower.
  3. Finish my last three Christmas orders and mail them out.
  4. Find something OTHER THAN TOYS for hubby to give the boys for Christmas. Only Santa is giving toys in THIS house this year.
  5. Finish putting my pics together for the My Publisher Books that I am doing for the family for Christmas.
  6. Put in my nominations for the BoB's.
  7. Find out whether it's too late to get adspace for the BoB's.
  8. Get around to all of my buddies' blogs to check out what's shakin'.
  9. Get a Christmas Tree decorated. GEEZ!!!

Sunday, December 12, 2004

 

  REALLY Random Midnight Musings...

  1. Only one Nutcracker left, and I'm actually getting a bit wistful about it all coming to an end. I might even miss it. Yes. Go ahead. Thump me.
  2. Daddy is REALLY put out with the whole "double vision" thing. And he says that all of the unattractive nurses work weekends. (Note to self: Clue in Busy Mom). And it's Sunday. AND, worst of all, he is HORRIFIED that the nurses actually get in the shower with him and, evidently, only unattractive nurses work shower duty as well. He's looking forward to tomorrow when "all of the BEAUTIFUL doctors and nurses" return. And he's hoping for a mid-week shower. And he explained all of this in front of my sweet, Mormon mother-in-law today. Daddy's double-vision is no longer my greatest worry.
  3. I am blown away! FOUR nominations for Best Overall Blog over at the BOB's? That's one for every month that I've been writing! Y'all are too good to me. (...adding a few more names to Christmas list....)
  4. Speaking of, I will be doing my nominations tomorrow night. And there are LOTS of them. I figure ALL of my favorite blogs should be nominated at least once and then we'll let Jim and Jay sort it all out. Good plan.
  5. Tomorrow (or rather "today" by the time I finish writing this) is, I believe, my next-to-last day of Hellacious overscheduling. And THEN it's my birthday. Oh, and I think I've decided--I'm stickin' at 39. Just in case anyone's counting.
  6. Tonight Invisible Poppy and Princess Poppy (who is 6 and whom I KNOW was supposed to be mine) went to the Nutcracker with us. Princess Poppy is SOOO not Invisible. People were doing double takes at her all night. Not only is SHE magnificent, but her dress and jacket (which IP made, smocked with about 4,000 beads, and hand embroidered) were the epitome of classic wonderfulness. I COULD NOT resist posting a portion of one of the pics I took tonight. You're missing the BEST part, of course (the face and the hair in the perfect little bun with the matching ribbon bows), but I feel the need to protect Princess from any association with the likes of us.

    Princess Poppy in her Swiss flannel dress (see the blue band above the embroidered scallops on the collar? Those are all tiny, sparkly blue BEADS!) and hand embroidered wool jacket.
  7. Only three more Christmas orders to fill, and then I'm DONE! I thought I had taken my business website down. I didn't want to have to keep saying, "No. I'm sorry. I can not accept the money that you are begging to send to me because I prefer to blog for no $$$. At all." However, these people keep finding me! Obviously they haven't read my blog or they would know--THREE MORE ORDERS AND I AM DONE!
  8. I did check out all of the latest fashion and style news today. Not much worth discussing. So we won't.
  9. I actually saw a REAL LIVE Pink TechnoTunes yesterday--on someone else's arm.
  10. In case you were wondering, I do know that I am NOT a "Mortal Human in the Ecosystem of whatever it is". I doubt that, had the correct code been given to me, I would even be on dry land. Unfortunately, I somehow ended up with the BlogShares code and I don't know how to get it out now. Will figure it out later. But for now, just know that you have no reason to be intimidated by my domination of the blogging world. I'm just little ol' me.
  11. Finally, tomorrow I will NOT have time to post the Christmas Gift Extravaganza that I had planned to rewrite and post the day that Daddy decided "not", but I am going to post a couple of my favorites from your lists including my NUMBER ONE FAVORITE GIFT OF THE YEAR THAT ONE OF YOU CLUED ME IN ON! Yep, it's that good. And how do I know that I will DEFINITELY post it tomorrow (oops, today--it's 12:30am)? Because I already have it written!

So, see ya' then!

Friday, December 10, 2004

 

  Thanksgiving in December!

WOW! What can I say? I feel like it's Thanksgiving all over again! SERIOUSLY! I can not believe the support I have gotten from my online friends. I am overwhelmed and truly grateful. I must say that I am patting my back right now for knowing how to choose my friends--y'all are unbelievable.

I am SO CLOSE to being back. Just a couple more days and I am CERTAIN I will be totally back. I hope that I can find a way to repay all of you for your love and support. Trust me...I'll be thinkin' on it.

First, I want to tell you a few things I am especially grateful tonight:

  1. It's GONE!!! The book proposal is gone! In the mail. On the way to the publisher. I really do like it. Now it's up to the gods (whom I must say have NOT been particularly cooperative these days!) I've gotten almost no sleep this week, but it was worth it to get it done and out the door. Ended up adding a few sections (they were total "Uh duh's", as in THANK GOODNESS I realized they were missing!). It was a week later than I had planned, but all things considered....
  2. Daddy is doing fine. He may actually have a few Halloweens left in him, heaven help us. But he has double vision right now so he is having a hard time seeing "all the BEAUTIFUL doctors and nurses". It's REALLY putting a crimp in his style. Thank goodness.
  3. A little bird let me know that Vic had nominated me for Best Overall Blog over at the BOB's! INCREDIBLE! Even if I don't make the cut, what an honor to be nominated. Thanks, Vic. You're just lovely....
  4. All of my favorite on-line friends have stopped by with notes--some every day! Since I haven't told anyone around here other than Invisible Poppy about Daddy's stroke (I didn't have time to talk on the phone or deal with all of the "random acts of kindness" that I knew would result...sick and wrong, huh?) , y'all have kept me from feeling so alone. There is no way that you will ever know how much it means to me.
  5. I am so grateful to Genuine for having the courage to step up and broaden the opportunities for non-poliblogs to get a bit of recognition. I had planned on buying ad space from him for the BOB's, but haven't had time to think about what type of ad to run. So if it's too late to buy an ad by the time I can deal with it next week, I will send him a donation to thank him for all of his hard work. I hope that everyone will support the BOB's by nominating your favorite blogs, and supporting them through buying ad space. More pimping for the BOB's to come....
  6. I am grateful to all of my (I'm sorry--I just REFUSE to call you Wh-res, KJ!) REFERRALS at BlogExplosion who have been surfing away and earning me credits in your absence--to the tune of about 50 visits per day! Amazing!

I could go on and on...but then I wouldn't have time to pick up Mom from the hospital, pick up the boys from the theater, take Mom home, bring the boys home and feed them, and then clean the ENTIRE friggin' house by tomorrow night when my mother-in-law will come to spend two days with us. And you can not EVEN imagine what that entails. And so, I must run. Will be back. And thanks again, EVERYONE!!!!

Thursday, December 09, 2004

 

  Lessons Learned While Insane

Y'all are the best. You truly are. Thank you so much for coming by to check on me while I was unavoidably detained. And thanks for all of the e-mails and comments you have left. Everything really IS going to be fine.

However, I truly believe that when your life is so hectic and out of control that you can hardly stand to talk about it, nobody else REALLY wants to hear about it, either. So I won't bore you with the gorey details of the last few days. But I have learned a few truths recently that I will share.


  1. Regardless of what anyone else says or thinks, it is impossible to squeeze more than 24 hours out of a day. In fact, I've almost given up trying.
  2. Never EVER say in a post what you are going to post the next day. It may not even happen in the next week and THEN you'll be stressed out over the whole "not keeping your word thing". (Of course, I think you'll only be stressed if you're one who makes a habit of keeping your word in the first place?)
  3. Almost as many readers come by when I'm not "around" as when I am. (Am still grappling with the true meaning of this....)
  4. If you let sick children sleep in the bed with you, YOU are GOING to get sick.
  5. NEVER try to wake up a seven-year-old for a 5 a.m. curtain call when he's in the throes of a horrid nightmare. Even if the TV cameras will be there. Even if it's the only chance you may ever have to get video of your child performing in a Holiday classic. Patience is, indeed, a virtue.... TRUST ME.
  6. I now understand the difference between cobblers and writers. When a writer falls asleep editing a book, she wakes up the next morning only to find that the book has, indeed, NOT been miraculously edited in the night as she slept.
  7. When a 76-year-old man has a stroke (and survives) on the eve of being the exact age his own father was the day he died, he gets a new lease on life. And starts flirting with "all of the BEAUTIFUL doctors and nurses". A LOT. All that he will ever want to talk about will be "the BEAUTIFUL doctors and nurses". And this will leave his sickened daughter wondering, "Does this new passion of his have ANYTHING to do with the fact that he has been moved to a different floor EVERY DAY he's been in the hospital?" He's gotta be there for 5-10 more days for PT. There are only five floors and they're moving him to the fifth one today. I hope that all of the PT's are men. And ugly.
  8. Oh. And for the record? Not yet sane. But ask me next week. Preferably on the 15th. That would be the day AFTER the boy's last Nutcracker performance, and the day BEFORE my birthday.
  9. Almost forgot one...ALL of our friends (except for Moderate Voice who has been on top from the start) have moved up in the polls over at the Weblog Awards. Don't forget...vote EVERY DAY (just click here to vote) until Sunday the 12th!

Monday, December 06, 2004

 

  The Timing Could Have Been Considerably Better...

But I guess there is no really great time to have a stroke. Daddy got up this morning and KNEW he was having a stroke. BUT, instead of telling someone (like ME, MAYBE) that he needed to go to the hospital, he went downstairs and ate breakfast--with his tongue and face numb and his left leg not working.

Then, he got the chauffeur to take him to the store to get some diet coke and cash. He got there, but forgot his wallet. So he came back, sat around, ate lunch, and then talked the chauffeur into taking him BACK to the store. At this point, the receptionist called me and said, "We've been trying to get your dad to go to the hospital all day. He won't go. He just told us to get out of his way so that he wouldn't trip over us on his way out the door."

So I drove to the store to head him off. Too late. He had fallen walking in the door (with the chauffeur holding onto him) and four people were trying to help him up when I got there. We put him in my car and got him to the hospital SIX HOURS AFTER HE HAD THE STROKE!!! (By the way. If you don't know. This is textbook for everything you DON'T do when you think you've had a stroke).

He's an educated man. He KNOWS you have to get to the hospital within 3 hours in order to qualify for TPA. But the man needed cash in his pocket and diet coke in the fridge. Partial paralysis or Diet Coke? My father chose the Diet Coke!!! THESE are the same genes that I carry in my very own body. Cruel hoax of nature, I'd say.

So it's now almost 6 pm. I am taking my proposal and stuff to the hospital to work. The doctors expect him to recover most of the function on his left side. They'll keep him for a day or two to watch over him. And, meanwhile, I don't think my proposal will be going out until tomorrow. This also put a crimp in my plans to surf blogs this afternoon and evening.

I jokingly told Daddy that his timing was poor--on numerous fronts. He actually replied, "Well, excuse me for living!" and laughed. Do you remember when people used to say that? Back in the late '70's maybe? I was quick to inform him that regardless of the fact that he now has that pronounced Southern drawl he has always craved thanks to partial tongue paralysis, his memory function seems to be working perfectly since he was able to pull THAT phrase out of 30-year-old brain files!

When it rains, it REALLY DOES pour....


 

  Tying Up Loose Ends...

Today is a big day for me. Postings and visits will be slim until later this afternoon...and then WATCH OUT! I'm comin' to visit! No need to pretty up. My house is a disaster and I'm in sweats so I don't expect anything more from my friends than what I'm able to give back.

I am skipping my weekly "Day Voluteering at School" because I am sending off my new and improved proposal and half my book to a great publisher that ACTUALLY REQUESTED IT! Can you believe it? I kept wanting to beg when they called, but all they really wanted was to give me the address to send it! And so, I'm focusing on that this morning. However, a few random loose ends that I wanted to tie up before I get to the "proofing and printing"...

1). I spent two hours yesterday writing the follow-up to the "What are you giving for Christmas" post. It took me almost two hours to get all 40 of the links set up, etc. It was great. I hit "Publish"...and got an ERROR SCREEN!!!!! It was gone. Out of there. Blogger was down and I didn't know. They don't warn you or anything. You just lose all of your work...and it happens about once a week.I've been so angry about losing the post that I haven't had the heart (or the time) to rewrite it. However, will try to post it tonight.

2) PLEASE go vote for our friends in the Weblog 2004 awards. You can vote once a day until Dec. 12. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

3) I had to go to the grocery store today, and thought I'd pick up my 2005 calendars. I LOVE these calendars. And, like my make-up, it's one-stop shopping. This one is SOOO cool. It is a hanging wall calendar. You keep up with all of your important dates and deadlines on it and you put all of your important papers, receipts, etc. in it. Then, at the end of the month, you punch along the perforation lines and it becomes a full-size file-folder! Is that cool or what? THIS one is going in my office (it's cuter and brighter than it looks in the pic).

This one is for my kitchen. I put all of my boys' papers and schedules on the kitchen calendar. I have used these calendars for about four years, and they save my life over and over again.

4) The Nutcracker is taking over my life! Between performances, rehearsals, TV appearances, etc., it is a full-time job playing chauffeur, laundry mistress, fitting in school and missed work in between. Please bear with me.... The boys will be finished on Dec. 14th, and then I will hopefully be able to breathe (and think!). Until then, if I seem scattered and out of sorts that's because I am...

Sunday, December 05, 2004

 

  VOTE EVERYDAY DAY!

My dear readers...I KNOW you're out there. I know you enjoy reading about life outside of DC because you keep coming back here every day. And I KNOW you want to send a message that there is MUCH more to life than partisan politics. Which is why I'm asking you to PLEASE vote once EVERY DAY until Dec. 12 for these friends of ours who are fighting (and in some cases, winning) an uphill battle in the 2004 Weblog Awards. They are each competing in separate categories, so no worries regarding loyalties. If each of you voted every day for the next week, several of our friends would win, no doubt.

To vote for Michele, click here.
To vote for The Moderate Voice, click here.
To vote for Always Victoria, click here.
To vote for Dooce, click here.
To read more about the Weblog Awards and our friends who have been nominated, click here.

Thanks for your support.


 

  Faux Avenue


Photo Courtesy of The New York Times
(click to enlarge and read caption)

Ladies, I can appreciate the occasional well-constructed knock-off just as much as the next person (as long as it isn't being passed off as the Real Deal). (Oh, and no need to send e-mails to me decrying the evils of Asian-made knock-offs...I know, I know). However, do I even need to tell you that if you're going to paint "Fake" on the bag, there is really no reason to buy it in the first place?

In addition, this collage is just bursting with trends that should never EVER have started. As a matter of fact, I'll make this one easy for you. Just say No, No, No, No.....AND No.

Friday, December 03, 2004

 

  ATTENTION! I'd Like To Ask For Your Vote....

Not for me. But for a few of my (our) friends who have been nominated for 2004 Weblog Awards. I'm going to make it easy for you--with links. All you have to do is click...and click. And you're done. These people make our little neighborhood a bit brighter and I hope you'll thank them with your votes.

And since you can vote in each category once a day through December 12th, feel free to "Vote Early, and Vote Often".

First up, in the Best Canadian Blog category, we have (...drum roll, please...) Michele! To vote for Michele, CLICK HERE. Please vote for her. She does everything within her power to promote her fellow bloggers through her "Site of the Day" game. This is our chance to tell her, "Thanks!". Plus, she is one of the most clever and entertaining bloggers around.

In the Best of the Top 1750-2500 Category, we have our lovely, optimistic and oh-so-elegant (Oh! And did I mention witty?) Vic at Always Victoria. CLICK HERE to show Victoria a bit of love...or a lot of love. Either way. She's always ready with a big smile and cyberhug.

Next up, in the Best of the Top 2500-3500 category, we have my buddy Joe, aka The Moderate Voice. CLICK HERE to show the world that good-sportsmanship, civility, and all things in moderation are still possible and not entirely out of fashion in American Politics.

And finally, I have read on numerous blogs that people don't think Dooce should be awarded Best Essayist. The reason? She wins EVERYTHING! I also readily admit that I nominated Kelly at FFS for the same award (and am a tad bit miffed that she was overlooked by "The Committee"). However, this "don't give it to her because we all already KNOW she's the best" thing? Sounds like a serious case of Tall Poppy Syndrome to me.

And so, my fellow Poppies, I have a request. If you BlogRoll Heather, aka Dooce, CLICK HERE and do the right thing. If you read Dooce and laugh yourself silly, CLICK HERE and do the right thing. This is a Tall Poppy test. If you can acknowledge Heather's talent and wish her the best even though "she always wins EVERYTHING", that's a really great thing. It takes a big person to do this. But, you my readers, are the tallest. So do the right thing and give Heather her due. Come on. Now is good....

 

  Don't Hate Her Because She's Organized...

And already finished with her Christmas shopping! Learn from her. Elisa, isn't just WITH the program. She IS the program for today.

Check out her fabulous post that lays out for you the WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN and HOW'S of Christmas Shopping. It certainly brought my list into clearer perspective. And she has some GREAT ideas for gifts that I can purchase from home (via the 'net, of course) that I hadn't even considered.

So go over and check out Elisa's fab tips...and tell her I said, "Howdy".

Tomorrow...some of my favorites from YOUR lists, along with a few more of my favorite gifts and tips for the Holidays....

Thursday, December 02, 2004

 

  Two-Fer: What I'm Giving...And What Are You Giving?

Yesterday, I had a few minutes to kill between meetings, so I wondered into Children's Hour. Not planning to buy anything. "Just Looking". And then I saw these precious baby shoes. No, I don't have a baby, but I know a few people who do. And these shoes are fabulous. Not only are they past adorable, but they are designed to provide the perfect foundation for baby feet as recommended by Pediatricians. But the best part? They actually stay on a baby's foot! Shocking! There was a grandmother in the store agreeing that these shoes go off and on easily, but the baby can't get them off. It seems clear that they were designed with MOTHER'S in mind as well. So what are the babies (and new mothers) on my list getting for Christmas this year? These, these, and these.

Now, the problem is that I still have about 15 other people to buy for. So now my question is...What are YOU giving for Christmas this year? To anyone. I need to know. Leave me a comment telling me what you're giving, and I will feature some of them in a later post--giving you credit for your incredibly clever gift-shopping skills, of course.

The boys are performing in The Nutcracker today at noon, and Son 1's class will be there for the performance (oh, the pressure). So I will be volunteering at school this morning, and chaperoning for the performance. Will be back this afternoon. Hope to find LOTS of helpful Christmas shopping hints when I return!

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

 

  The True Path To Tall Poppydom...

As I perused some of my favorite blogs last night, I came across this fabulous post from Sam. You must read it. She is SO right. She articulated the true path to Tall Poppydom so perfectly that I would detract from it if I tried to summarize. So read it. And if you have a daughter, make sure that she reads it, too. It's just THAT good.

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