The New Me

I really liked the old me. However, there comes a time in your life when you realize that you need to rethink who you are and what you do. My time is now.

I'm not changing a lot of things. Just things that I had a distorted view of, so to speak. Take my hair for instance. I've worn it semi-long for quite a while, because I thought it gave me a more youthful appearance. But with certain changes that have occurred in my life: I decided that it was time to go shorter. And by changes: I mean I came to terms with the fact that the longer hair kind of dragged my face down. Who wants that? So I gave my best friend Annette (a marvelous hairdresser, by the way!) free range to shorten it up. And she did! Now it's a cute curly bob with a touch of red in it. So now you can really see my face!

That wasn't the only thing I needed to change. According to Brie, I have body dysmorphia. I don't believe it's true, because I know exactly what I look like. I'm not happy with it, but it is what it is. I was buying clothes in my size but looser. You ladies know what I'm talking about! But Brie was fed up. "Look mother, there is nothing wrong with your figure! You look great for your age and you're not fooling anyone with those terrible jeggings and too-big tops! So get over yourself."

Well that was a bit harsh! But unfortunately she was right. The car accident we were in just over 2 years ago really knocked me off of my trajectory. I was unable to work out the way I used to. There's still some hurting stuff that will probably remain. So I'm not ever going to look like I did when I was dating Yanni Jr. But hey: I still have enough personality and heart to detract from any negatives. 

So what did I find the courage to do? I have finally started wearing the beautiful dresses I have bought, but wouldn't wear because I didn't want to showcase so much of my chocolatey goodness. And guess what? The villagers didn't chase me with torches. Little children didn't hide behind their parents. No one pointed and laughed. I looked like a woman who is able to dress appropriately in clothes that flatter, not hide. And if I have a feeling of insecurity: I fake it until I make it and you can't tell! 

That feeling is very liberating. Hey: I may not look like I did when I modeled in college, but I don't have to! I have finally grown up enough to accept that realization. Even though I can't work out the way I did before the accident, this body can still move. And sometimes look good doing it, haha.

I am embracing my new attitude and I am happier for it. Besides, Erma Bombeck famously wrote, and I'm paraphrasing: don't save your good stuff for that "special" occasion, because you might not live to see that day. So enjoy your good stuff now! And I will. I hope you will too!

Blocked by Elvis

Duran, not Presley. Here's how that came about.

Elvis Duran hosts a morning radio show called Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. I've listened to them for years and found them very entertaining, with my favorite cast member being Danielle Monaro. She's great! Anyway, I followed them on Twitter, and sometimes they would like my tweets or even respond. Nice!

Several years ago my friend Patty Mayonnaise (R.I.P. my friend) had a daughter who had somehow met one of the new young employees of the Elvis show, and they started dating. I remember how lucky I thought she was, as she would have access to the crew. It would be a blast to meet those people, but I wasn't dating any of them, haha. Anyway, things seemed to be going well for the young couple.

But as happens: they hit a bump in the road and were having a rocky time. Patty had told Brie (they worked together) and Brie mentioned it to me. I felt bad, so I sent a tweet to the Elvis show and only said, "I hope Jake and his girlfriend can work out their problems." Imagine my surprise when I got a direct message from Elvis Duran himself: "What do you know about Jake?" Thinking nothing of it, I said, "I know that he and his girl G are going through a rough patch right now." A few minutes later, another response: "We don't want news of this going out to the press." 

I thought he was kidding. I responded with, "I'm not the press." "Then how did you come across this information?" Well now things were getting interesting... "Someone relayed this to me." "WHO??" "I'm not giving out names." Another few minutes passed. "Oh, I see you're a blogger. Look: Jake is young and we protect our own. Who gave you this information?!" "Look, I only wanted to express my hope that they work out their problems. I wasn't looking to start anything. And I don't want the person who told me, to get into trouble. I'm sorry but I wouldn't go to the press with something like this." I mean really: Jake wasn't famous or anything, wasn't part of the actual crew, so I didn't know there'd be such a stink about it. Then came the kicker from Elvis: "You are going to be blocked on all of our sites." And he did block me!

I was nonplussed. Little old me, from a little town in upstate New York, had intimidated Elvis Duran to the point where he had to block me! I felt bad, but actually found it funny. I was happy for the acknowledgement that I was a blogger, and that he thought I had enough power to put Jake's business out in the entertainment streets. However, the reason why I didn't tell him it was Patty Mayonnaise was because I didn't want her daughter, or even Jake, to get mad at her for sharing that information.

 So there you have it: my story of how a famous person felt he had to block me. Elvis, if you're reading this, just know that I actually wasn't blocked. Maxxtopher was, but not Rita! I still had access to the show cast and the show itself. So the joke's on you! 

Fortune Favors...Me!

 Brie and I had to pick up Kitty from work, per usual. We got to TJ Maxx a little early, so I decided to go in and see if there was anything interesting in the specialty area of the store. You know: the area that has different edible goodies that you've never heard of but might like to try. I browsed a bit and saw a bag of dark chocolate covered pecans. Score! I went around the corner to see what else they might have. My eyes saw a small bag that said "Fortune Favors". Hmm...I wondered what that was?

I picked up the bag and it read, "Fortune Favors, Nuts * Enchanted". So far so good! There was a picture of big pecan, and written across it were the words *The Classic* Sweet & Salty Candied Pecans. Ooh, it was speaking my language! I absolutely love pecans, and sweet and salty immediately made me think of Kettle Korn. Yum! So I picked up that package and headed for the checkout.

When I got back to the car I showed Brie what I had bought. "What are these?" she asked. I said, "I think they must be like Kettle Korn. I'll let you know." I opened the bag, took out a couple of the WHOLE pecans and popped them in my mouth. As I chewed I thought: "I now know what happiness tastes like." They were amazing! As advertised: salty, sweet and candied, and the pecans were whole and big. Of course Brie had to ask to try them so reluctantly I let her. She felt the same way but I told her hands off, ha ha.  I knew that the next time Kitty worked I'd go in and buy more.

But alas: as with everything I like, when I went back they didn't have any! I scouted that area and other areas that sell snacks but there were none to be found. I even asked an employee and she said, "Yeah, that's not a regular item so with the specialty area we just take whatever is delivered". Boo to that!

So even though I was sad, I knew that someday, somehow, our paths would cross again.

The next day I googled them to see if they had a website and they did! I had to let them know how amazingly delicious their product was, and hopefully order some. I sent them an email; and imagine my surprise when they actually emailed me back a couple of hours later! That's great customer service; and they thanked me for enjoying them and letting them know. I also  found out that they are in the running for best artisan food in the Madison, Wisconsin area so I told them I would vote for them every day so they could keep their winning streak alive! They were so friendly and asked where I had found the pecans. I told them so maybe they will reach out and sell them at TJ Maxx in upstate New York.

I said I would be ordering their product soon and good luck to them in the contest. And this company was kind enough to actually send me a sample pack of their product! The Classic, the Everything (like the bagel) and the spicy. And it arrived on Valentine's Day! So Fortune Favors was definitely my Valentine this year! 😍

So do yourself a favor: go to their website, take a look, and order yourself the best pecans I've ever tasted. I guarantee you won't be sorry! I actually ordered the Employee Appreciation Day Bundle (for me!), and it will only take three business days to be delivered! I cannot wait!

Here is the link to their website: https://fortunefavorsnuts.com/

So what are you waiting for? Trust me: you won't be sorry.