Thank you 2011, you were amazing!

Wow. Just wow. I usually spend the week after Christmas clearing my “To Do” list that chased me through the year, cleaning my house and digging in my heels to welcome the new year. I start by looking at the previous year and then attempt to decide what I would like to see from the coming year. I just ran across this blog entry I wrote last year going into 2011 and it brought me to my knees...

As 2011 rolls in I make this resolution. I just want to be me. I want to be me all the way. I want to do what I am kinda of doing, only way bigger and better! I want...that is, I WILL, dream bigger, work harder, run faster, push beyond the normal limits more than I already do.........I have a lot of weird crap happen in my life. Finally, I believe I am to the point I just don't care or question it anymore. I have so many incredible weird blessings too! I like to think I welcome blessing more than others too. This year it's going to rain!!!!!..........between now and then there will not be any "I wish"'s or "If only I had"'s. We will live! Live fully and deeply. Welcome 2011! I have big plans for you!

Well, holy cow. I declared it and by golly, it happened. This was one incredible year. Full, absolutely overflowing with amazing experiences. It rained. 

In 2009 my “theme” I had somehow determined for myself was “Just Keep Swimming”. I picked it up from the movie Finding Nemo. As long as I was moving, I was moving. In 2010 I found myself always thinking of those penguins from that Disney movie that shuffled their way across a continent. It was a step up I guess because instead of just moving I was actually headed somewhere. I could slap myself looking back but at that time, in those moments it’s what I had. 2009 I was pregnant with Charlotte. Pregnancy sucks for me. After she was born, I was tired. I was trying to hold it all together. We realized around that time that Abbi could be starting her family while we were teaching Charlotte to ride a bike. That gap in age has been rewarding but was also exhausting. In 2010, I struggled to even walk for the first 6 months. Tons of x-rays, MRI’s, physical therapy and injections consumed half the year after falling down the stairs and then on our icy driveway. By the second half I was able to find where I had left myself and was ready to get on with things. Going into 2011 I stood myself up, brushed off the dust and looked UP. Wow! What a difference. What I declare for 2012 is this: There was a song that really struck me when Matt and I saw the broadway musical WICKED in New York. It’s called Defying Gravity. The green witch, Elphaba, declares if she is going to living her dreams and be what she was intended to be she must defy gravity. 

Too late for second-guessing

Too late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

I'm through accepting limits

''cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know!

As someone told me lately:

"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"

It will be my newest theme! The whole Oprah extravaganza taught me there are no real limits. Now that I believe there is no ceiling, I want to fly above them. 

The things that top the cool or memorable list for the year for me and our family are (best things first):

-I wrote an article that was purchased by Disney and was the feature article in the March edition of Family Fun. What a fun experience.

-In March I entered my friend Kara for the final makeover episode on the Oprah Winfrey show. She was chosen and by the end of April we were in the HARPO studio in Chicago surrounded by big names drowning in opportunity and fun. It was an experience I will forever cherish and one that was life changing. I learned a lot about myself and others throughout this experience. It has set a new standard for what is possible and encouraged me that the only limits you are are ones you give yourself.

-In June, I followed a random Twitter request to meet a bunch of famous strangers at the Grand Canyon as part of an awareness road trip. I had an overwhelming feeling I should go. A photographer I admire was taking portraits of people sharing their Dreams vs Fears. I was hesitant but my girls said, “you would make us go for it so you should too”. They were right so I did. Though a chain of super weird events and against many challenges I ended up meeting up with them. It was pretty cool and I ended up in a video for TWLOHA. It became part of a special on MTV. My portrait is featured in the video but better yet my voice sharing my fear opens the video and then my dream closes it. I still have no idea why I had such an overwhelming feeling to join them. Maybe someday I will get to know....maybe not. 

-I attended a super photography convention in Las Vegas and learned so much. The rest of the year was spent putting it into practice. I feel like I grew a lot, improved and look forward to continued growth. 

-Charlotte was watching a hockey game between Ryder and Izze on the stairs. Somehow she got clipped with the stick and received her first (and hopefully last) plastic surgery. It’s healed well! 

-It must have been an “eye” year because shortly after that I ripped my own cornea. It was incredibly painful and irritating. The treatment included a bandaid applied right to my eyeball. I was so utterly impressed and amazed by the device and how well it worked that I am still in awe. I did learn an important lesson, don’t cut onions while wearing an eyeball bandage. 

-Matt spent most of the year achieving goals in areas he has wanted to pursue for years. Ryder started hockey and he has had a ball helping him learn the game and coaching his team. He accomplished a ton of work on his 1968 Camaro. In order to do so he had to learn many skills such as welding. He has had fun posting the photos and accomplishments to a blog. His goal it to finish it in 2012. 

-Abbi finished her first year of high school. It was adventurous and fun for all of us. She loved her first season of high school volleyball, loved playing soccer in quite a different format and excelled in track and field. As a freshman she ran varsity and received her first Letter in Athletics. She also got her permit. I think we were more excited than she was. What a milestone. However, it’s proven to not to be like I imagined it. As parents we have been given the opportunity to learn a new level of patience and communication skills. I am confident we will come out on the other end....I hope. She has maintained great grades and received a second Letter for Academics. 

I continued in real estate even though the market makes it very difficult. To supplement I increased the property management side of my business and built a photography business. What fun that has been. I took photos of weddings, families, newborns, sports and businesses. There is no way to even measure what I learned this year in the business and about myself. 

- Izze started at a new charter school and has enjoyed it. It’s much harder than anything she has done before but she is smart and strong and the challenge will pay off. She has many good friends. In May she tore her MCL during a soccer game so a lot of her year was recovering and getting back in the game. We were on a mission (that we continue) for several months related to stomach pain and sickness when she eats. We have some solid avenues to pursue and are confident 2012 will be much better for her. 

-Somewhere during the spring while waiting for kids in a parked car (as I frequently do) I discovered my first defining proof that age will get me in the end. I spotted a crease in my earlobe. You can hide gray hair, Botox your way out of facial wrinkles, grease yourself up, stuff your self like sausage into anti-jiggle apparatus but you can’t hide an earlobe crease or neck wrinkles. It was funny how sad it made me. I surprised myself really. The plan was to embrace the changes and war wounds and “my story” but the earlobe crease got to me. 

-I tried to really celebrate things this year. It started with Christmas 2010 and carried into about summer of 2011 before I faded. The fun things available and seasonal traditions were stacked in plenty. St. Patricks morning I dressed Charlotte and I in green and headed down to make a green breakfast. When I came downstairs I pinched Matt immediately for not having green on. Then I pinched Ryder. It was a firm love pinch but it horrified him.  After Matt left the bathroom he declared there were green stripes on his underwear. He gave me a hearty pinch and declared a refund. Ryder scolded me all the way to school and told his teacher the second we walked in the door. He was literally mad for 4 months about it. I tried to increase my steam going into fall with the “celebrations”. I ended up declaring September Apple and Caramel month. August is always the back to school whirlwind, October has Halloween, November has Thanksgiving and of course Christmas consumes December. From here forward September has a new purpose.

-I had a stretch of funny and odd experiences. A couple of shirt incidences come to mind. Don’t know why but it was both embarrassing and hysterical. The first was at Walmart. I was pushing my super heavy full basket uphill with two kids hanging off the side. It was really windy and the climb was a struggle so I was leaning forward with both hands on the basket. There was a huge gust of wind that blew my fairly snug fitting shirt up and over my head. When I tried to let go the basket would spin to the side and nearly flip because both kids were on one side. I had to work my way around, blinded, until I could free myself and hide my ladies. When I got into the car I laid my seat all the way down and just howled. When I was finished laughing I thought about the poor man that had probably been dragged there reluctantly and was waiting in the car, bored. Ha! I made his day. That started an entirely new round of laughter.  Not a week later I was handing out pizza to the kids at opening day of Micro soccer and another gust caught the same shirt and flipped it up over the ladies. I quickly pulled it down. I looked up to see a little boy right in front of me with eyes wide open. I just moved on hoping he didn’t find it worthy of a news report to anyone. It was a totally normal fitting straight t-shirt but since it was apparently possessed, I donated it to Salvation Army. I wish I could have followed it like the story of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I wonder who else became a peep show because of it. 

-We were temporarily addicted to coconut oil as a family. I bought our first jar from Whole Foods while in Phoenix for a soccer tournament. It was magnificent. Everything we used it on was so much better. I rubbed it on my skin, conditioned my hair, soaked my heels, added it to eggs, cakes and even coffee. It is expensive and magical. I tried several local brands but they never cut it. We don’t  go to Phoenix between May and October because it’s hotter than the face of the sun. Because I couldn’t replenish I accidentally weaned us off. 

-Ryder and Charlotte were absolute riots this year.  A couple I can think of: We watched the movie 127 Hours.  Within 127 seconds Ryder declared he would not be cutting his own arm off. The next day we walked into his preschool and he announced loudly to everyone, “I am not going to cut my arm off when I play in the rocks”.  Another morning he said to me while the song from Flashdance was on the radio, “turn this song off. It’s making my heart feel so sad and I am going to cry. Find me a man song”. He approved when I put on a heavy metal song.  Charlotte was an amazing sleeper for the first two years of her life. Went to sleep without bargaining, slept long hours and took great naps. One night she just wouldn’t sleep at all. She wanted to watch, “Doo Doo Dora”. She stayed awake the whole next day as well. In the afternoon we concluded Izze had given her a Crystal Light lemonade water mix that had energy supplements. Yikes. She has not slept right since. She wanders around, talks in her sleep, goes to bed late and gets up early. Darn that energy drink!!! Charlotte was successfully potty trained this year but not before creating a lot of poop related memories. She delivered it by the handful, hid it, rubbed it on her lips and painted with it numerous times. I am glad going into 2012 the Poop Stories are in the past. 

-Matt and I spent a week in New York, alone. We celebrated life, love, his birthday and 17 years of marriage. We did and saw a ton. The weather was amazing and we have a treasure chest of memories.

-We experienced tragedy as well. Early in the year Matt’s cousin Andy died. He was only a few years older and died from a heart condition Matt had only be saved from literally weeks before. It was really hard on his family and they miss him terribly. Matt and his dad flew to Kentucky for the funeral. On the way they got stuck in the Atlanta airport for several days. No way in, no way out, no food and limited access to his medicines. It was very stressful but the were able to make it to the funeral and arrive safely at home. Andy had many special qualities and will be always loved.

I experienced one of the most emotional and difficult things of my life this year. My friend Kim died after a tremendous battle with cancer. She was 38, mother of 4, incredible inspiration and true friend. She lived a life that others were changed and affected by in powerful and positive way. Her way was one that was peaceful, energetic, comforting and genuine. My life is so much richer for having had her in it. I will pay it forward and feel God is leading me to do so in helping her family share the journal she wrote during her struggle. I aspire to affect people the way she did. I will do anything and everything I can to honor the person she was and the life she lived. 

On a worldly level, it was a nut house out there!

The economy, job market, debt ceiling and real estate market continue to be a mess.

Twitter and Facebook rule the social scene and have created a whole new way of “community”.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military was a constant focus.

Japan was hit with a tsunami after an earthquake that caused tremendous damage and death. A nuclear power plant was affected and continues to cause environmental issues.

Prince William married Kate Middleton. I really don’t care but the world pays a lot of attention to Royal Weddings. 

Occupy Wall Street was a movement of folks protesting the financial decision of our leaders. People everywhere camped out and tried to make their point. When we passed the “center” of it all in New York there were only a handful of folks still yelling on a sidewalk. It certainly fizzled but I do hope people were at least open to what they were trying to communicate.

The founder and mastermind behind Apple computers sleek brilliance, Steve Jobs died. His life was scrutinized after his passing. What I believe shakes out in the end is the strength and perseverance that got him to where he was. 

Smart phones are in nearly everyone’s pocket. Tablets and the ipad have climbed their way into mainstream. 

A new astrological sign was entered in although I didn’t follow it and have no idea why. 

Kim Jong the leader of North Korea died. His death has the world holding their breath. What will follow? His power was passed to his son that is believed to have the same views and beliefs as his father. 

Goodbye 2011. I have a lump in my throat letting you go. You were amazing. The only thing that encourages me forward is the amount of unknown blessing and possibility in our future. 

Weird...

I just discovered the weirdest thing. The shirt I had on for the Oprah makeover from DVF is called "Issie in brick red". What are the odds? Of course my Iss thinks that is the coolest thing ever. Coincidence? Maybe? However, in my experiences it's not usually...

SURPRISE! Here is the REAL story!

Link to Oprah.com video: http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Karas-Hair-Raising-Surprise-Video

Here is the REAL story! hee hee I have been lying to you all for a week! It was so hard and so fun. I wanted to wait and post this stuff when the show aired because it was a surprise to us and making it a surprise to everyone else seemed like a good idea.

Oprah's Last-Ever Makeover Extravaganza!

I told you the truth up until Thursday so that’s where I will begin. Thursday morning (after the melt down in which I thought maybe I had ruined Kara's life) we went to Harpo knowing they would begin Kara’s transformation. I was told I would be filmed with her all day so I dressed nicely and threw in a little effort. Kara didn’t. She went O’natural. They brought us into this warehouse area that suddenly was a giant salon. I saw this area the night before and it was NOT there. It was beautiful. I wish I had photos of all I am about to write but NO cameras or phones were allowed inside the building ever. I have no photos to prove any of it :) There were stations just like a salon but a ton of them complete with lighting, drawers, electricity, sinks that worked and drained (I still don’t get that). They put her in a chair and introduced the hair and and makeup folks. For hair, Ken Paves (Carmen Electra, Brittany Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Heather Locklear, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Paulina Rubio, Sela Ward, Callista Flockhart, Cameron Diaz and Spiderman’s Kirsten Dunst, to name just a few). He is the hairdresser to the stars. Beyond that he is just the nicest man you can meet. He has a deaf staff and signs/translates throughout everything he does. He talked to Kara about her hair and taught her a little more about curly hair. She researches like crazy but he had info she loved learning. He told her the plan. That was to hydrate it, seal it and cut it backwards. The trick to really curly hair is to not cut the top so that it smashes the underneath, ridding the bell shape. He also said the weather in Arizona and the shape of curly hair makes it too dry. He said to use straight olive oil to hydrate it. They talked about color and began. The colorist is Laura Niles, Ken Paves considers her the very best at color. After seeing her work I would agree. Aside from that she was such a pleasure to be around with a really soft, gentle spirit. The make-up artist, Collier Strong (spokesperson for L'Oreal,Diane Keaton, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Taylor, Jodi Foster, Scarlett Johanson.....) talked about her skin and answered her questions. He has quite a portfolio and the skills to back it up. My job was to stand behind and near, listen, react, agree...whatever. I did that for at least an hour on tape. I then just wandered around and chatted, and chatted and chatted. I know many of you are thinking, "What? You!" They all seemed super happy to answer my questions. Most seemed grateful I asked in case you were thinking I just cruised around bugging people all day. Ha! I talked to the official photographer all about his camera. I talked to everyone that worked there asking them their history. It's fascinating to know how they all landed where they are in their lives. When you have that many 'best of the best' you are curious. I asked the manicurist for magical advice for my heals, the makeup artist what is worth spending money on... Mostly I asked them questions about how they started, what has been the best part about it, where they want to go with it. I was so impressed with how kind and thoughtful they all were. At the end of the day they had given it all they had and were starving and tired right along side everyone else. I had walked around and talked to so many people that guests were under the impression I worked there! Ha! I had paid so much attention that I was answering peoples questions. There was just so much going on, they needed all the help they could get. The chatting continued through the entire experience. Between Kara and I both we know more about those folks than they may know about themselves!While they were coloring Kara's hair red when a whirlwind blew in the door. Diane von Furstenburg. She is a super famous designer with staying power. Unfortunately, at that time Kara and I didn’t really know that. It’s a good thing too because once we learned her background Kara was glad because it would have made her even more nervous. She was wild. Larger than life, generous and a lot like an electric butterfly. She told Kara all about herself, told her she had beautiful skin and her plan for her. On the way in she had bumped her had on a door and was holding a bag of ice on it. She told them to tape her anyway and went on with this spectacular performance. When she first walked in after hitting her head she had a huge Tom and Jerry bump in the middle of her forehead. The rest was blood red from the ice. While she talked to Kara she rubbed something on it. Over a pretty short period of time it disappeared. Right before my eyes it shrunk and the red all faded. I asked what was in the tube. Arnica. It's a homeopathic cream. She proceeded to swallow and handful of little arnica pills too. She pulled out her phone and showed us a picture of her face after a skiing accident in January. It was like a horror movie. She said she used arnica and it all vanished. UNREAL. I can't wait to buy some. The hair journey lasted a really long time. He cut it dry which was cool. It was a giant crazy puff and he cut in layers. During that time she looked just like Carrot Top! The difference was immediate. I was eating a sandwich from the craft table chatting with Collier Strong, the make-up artist1. The lady in charge of us, Teri, came up and said they were going to need me in the shot for more filming. The designer, DVF wanted to see what Kara had picked from her clothes the day before. Cameras and people really surround when she is present. I walked up and was standing next to Kara while she talked to her. I was hoping I didn’t have say anything because I was kind of still chewing the sandwich when I walked up. DVF asked me who I was. When I answered she screamed. It didn’t even catch me off guard because I had been observing her for awhile already and figured it’s just what she does. She asked me, “how would you feel if you were to be made over”. I thought she was asking how Kara should feel. How would I feel came across like what would be your emotions. Before I sorted it out there was this big explosion of surprise. Cameras were in my face and everyone was cheering. She had such a strong way of speaking and an accent I didn’t realize she was telling me they were going to do me too. At first I believed it was a last minute, “we should do her too” thing. It wasn’t. Soon after I realized this huge surprise had been the plan all along. She already had clothes, shoes, accessories for me and the make-up and hair fella’s had plans too. I was totally and completely shocked. All the Oprah people were watching, producers, workers... It was surreal for sure. Several of them said they were had been having a hard time with me around not being able to tell me. One producer said she had loved watching the footage all week in edit of me from Flagstaff and was so excited to surprise me. It was cool to know they had planned it all just for me. I wasn't just going to go through their funnel, these folks were flown in for US. I cried and thanked everyone and was whisked right into a clothing fitting. They took me for my before picture. While I was standing on the white backdrop they asked if I could get worse. The girl felt super bad for the way she thought it came out. I knew what she meant, I had tried a little because I knew I would be on camera. Luckily my luggage was there so I went and put on the most comfortable stuff I had, gold shoes and put in a pony tail. I had made such a joke about Kara having to stand in the room in her bra and underwear while people dressed her that I figured I had this coming. That was actually one of the first things I said when they surprised me. DVF's assistant started howling because he knew I was going to say something. He was the cutest boy (he had a boyish way...no idea how old he was. Maybe mid-20's. When I said that to him his response was, "there is nothing boy about me") from North Carolina. I was freaking at first but got over it fast. Her assistants are amazing and she was so nice. Everyone made you feel so good about yourself and your body. They didn’t make comments about hiding parts or stuffing them away. Rather they pointed out what each thing did FOR you. I told her I would feel sad if I had to wear a dress with bare legs. The assistants went into speeches as to why I was wrong but she said FINE. She said she wanted me to be happy and comfortable and pants were terrific too. The clothes were so far removed from my planet that I just let them choose and we moved on. For the next several hours I got a Ken Paves cut, Laura Niles color, manicure, pedicure, fitted for a bra and Spanx...the works. Right along side Kara we chatted with these stylists all afternoon. After we were pretty complete we were taken to separate hotels. They said we were unable to see each other until the show was being taped. I didn’t get it. I already knew what they had done to her hair, saw the outfit, knew what makeup she would have. They said it was like a bride on her wedding day. The anticipation was the best part. I was taken to The Omni where I had room service and took a bubble bath. It was kind of boring and lonely to be all alone. It’s not really relaxing to be in a strange city alone in a room. I was so incredibly tired I couldn’t convince myself to go walk around. The Omni is right off Michigan Ave smack dab in the cool part. Instead I ate $68 worth of room service alone.

I was calm and just excited before talking to Kara. Right as I was laying down I called her. She was freaking out. The surprises kind of get to you. The anticipation and the consistent unknown was wearing us out. Don't get me wrong. It was wonderful but a heart can only take so much. She said room service came and knocked on the door for a turn-down. She jumped and screamed and thought, “Oh gee! What now?” I think I would have done the same. Picturing her doing this is hysterical to me. I felt similar in that even in the bathroom I thought I was being recorded. Actually we may have been. I saw a notice the first day said if you didn't want to be recorded while in the building you should alert someone. Even in the bathtub I was looking for the camera! In the morning I got up early and walked around a little. For the month of May Chicago is full of tulips. Thousands and thousands and thousands of them. I couldn’t miss taking a few shots of those first. I walked out of the hotel at 7:00am and it smelled like a flower shop! That smell was icing on the cake. I have been to New York and figured Chicago would feel similar. It doesn't. The vibe is much better, more relaxed, more fun and happier. I heart Chicago.

A car took me to Harpo where I was whisked away immediately. I was put in a private room in their gym where I was prepared. Another big part of the show was that they made over the entire audience some. Everyone was given $100 to spend at Old Navy. They had to pick out whatever they wanted and then wear it to the show. That huge salon we had been in the day before was set up for hair and make-up. They brought them in by smaller groups and fluffed and polished them. Collier did my make-up first. When he came in I said, “don’t you dare put chapstick on me and tell me it’s a look I can achieve at home. You take me right on over the top”. He did. I didn’t watch but he spent 45min-1 hr on my face. Mostly my eyes. I got spectacular lashes and a lot of shadow painting. When he was finished he did some powder, a little blush and a super light lipstick. I was walked to a mirror to see. I gasped. I never react like that. I giggled and danced around. I wish SO badly that I had a photo of my face when it was very first done. My eyes were so cool. Over time the lashes, glue and poo got to me and they turned pretty red. I looked like a horror movie when I got home 16 hours later. Next came the hair. They had highlighted it and trimmed it the day before. They did it in a way that because I used a box from the store the last time I could again. She said I could use that for my roots and just grow it as long as I wanted to without have to have it done again but still keep the highlights. So cool. Most of us can’t get $1000 hair do’s regularly. Next came clip in extensions. Ken Paves has made clip in extensions accessible and awesome. They dyed them to match my hair exactly. First they curled my real hair, curled those and then just clipped them in. I swear the whole thing took 15 minutes. They brushed it pretty hard all day and it still stayed perfect. I got into the “suit” and sat. I sat, and sat and sat. I couldn’t wander around like everyone else because I was the surprise. Kara couldn’t either because they wanted us not to see each other. The staff made a huge effort to make sure I was not alone. I spent most of the day with Ken’s hair people. I couldn’t have been happier about that. They are so, so, nice. All but the colorist were deaf. I know enough sign language to have one of the greatest days ever just for the reason of hanging with them. We even had a little impromtu birthday party for one. Since I was trapped in that room all day they just peacefully hung out with me. There was this awesome inspirational thing on the wall for the employees, we smiled and chatted about that. Martin was helping with the clothes and kept dropping the $300 shirt. I was laughing so hard. The hanger wouldn't stay on the door. I think he knew more than I did the ramifications of ruining that shirt which made it that much funnier. He wrote me a message on his ipad because he was so horrified that he did it. So funny! He hugged and winked at me all day. He so genuinely told me I was beautiful and made me feel so much more relaxed. Nyke, Ken's assistant brought me lunch and made me feel a lot more comfortable too. She is gorgeous. I didn't realize she was deaf the first day. I thought she was just shy. I watched her from a distance when she came in because she has a really special presence. We communicated for awhile about how beautiful I thought she was and how cool her hair is. She was trained by Vidal Sassoon but I have no idea how she ended up with Ken. They are both lucky to have found each other. The one thing that was interesting to observe was people's off the cuff reactions when they realized they were deaf. More than once when someone spoke the them and then were told they were deaf the person would do it again. Once a lady said, "Oh cool. Does your team always perform in silence. Someone responded they were deaf. She turned right back to them and yelled, "I didn't realize you can't hear me". I had to walk around the corner to chuckle. I got there at 8:00 and at 11:30 got to do a rehearsal. They showed me where I would be hidden, when I would come out, where Kara would be, where to walk and where to stand. The producers wanted me to take my jacket off the designer didn’t want me to. Finally they decided I would so I practiced some. I told them I thought it wasn’t going to work right. For one I had a giant gold $15,200 bracelet on my wrist. The jacket would catch. I also had a scarf with it and couldn’t catch both or one without work. They told me I was over thinking it. In the end I wasn’t (I dropped it on the floor during the show). I went back to the room and waited more. I begged to see what was going on before me so they put me in the workout room with a TV. It was cool but I felt like I was watching it on “TV” like home. I was all alone and that was so normal to me that it really calmed me down. Right before that I had realized how nervous and anxious all the “stars” were. Knowing they were freaking out totally calmed me down. I went on feeling perfectly calm. I was led to a staircase and curtain. They ran the “bit” we shot in Flagstaff and someone yelled, “GO”. I walked out and Kara was coming through the other side. I already knew her hair was short and red and what she was wearing but it still totally shocked me. She looked Old Hollywood. I loved it. We giggled, and hugged and headed down some stairs. Ken (hair) and Collier (makeup) were supposed to hold our hands. They forgot. That threw us off a little so I hope it turned out looking normal. We stood there facing the way we were told. I totally forgot Oprah would be there. I know. Dumb. When I turned and saw her I jumped. She was so close and so familiar. Ha! She is also much prettier and smaller in person. Then we noticed Matt (Kara’s husband in the audience). We pretended to be surprised but we weren’t. There had actually been a boo boo and we knew. We just chose not to tell him so he could have a little magic of his own. Oprah asked DVF, Ken and Collier some questions and then went to commercial. I took off that dumb coat and dropped the scarf. They told us to react and act how ever we wanted...we did. We were talking!!!!!!!!!!!! Oprah is asking our “people” questions about what they did to us and were talking! Oh gee! What were we thinking. We were saying how good the other one looked, that we liked the do’s and I was asking what I should do about the scarf I just dropped. She waited until the camera’s moved and picked it up. Oprah stood up and walked over for a photo with a photographer. She took one with the designers and were escorted to seats in the front row. The other segments happened and it was over. It was not the highlight. It was great but the process was a trillion, billion times better. DVF came over, gave us autographed books and told us she was coming to see us in Arizona after giving us her direct contact info. She is so nice but I was barely paying attention because I was still so worried about her head!! We were taken through the audience out the back. People gawked and awed. It was weird...like we were famous. The audience exited and collected their free stuff. We gathered our stuff, changed our clothes, gave away gifts (Michael Kors purse, Tory Burch sunglasses, Andre Walker hair products, DVF scarf) we had brought and left. The designer gave us extra clothes to take home and people were saying like crazy, “we will be shipping you stuff”. We went out a different door than the audience so it's most likely the "bag" they got.

Footage of show not including reveal: Oprah

Footage of 3TV news interview: Flagstaff moms appear on Oprah's last makeover show

We had a car and driver at our disposal. On our way out we asked our driver to stop so we could take one last picture in front of the sign. When we got out girls ran and screamed toward us. They jumped up and down and “couldn’t believe it was us!”. They wanted a picture with us so we agreed while giggling hysterically.

We had the driver take us to get “the best pizza in Chicago” and then to the airport. *We took these in the car on the way to the airport so we could have something tangible.
We gained so much stuff that the three of us had to sit on the floor of the airport and attempt to shove it all in. I have no idea how we pulled it off but we did. Security was a MESS. I was scanned, and had to do the x-ray thing. Apparently my head was a threat. I realized the extensions were covered in little clips. The thing is, they realized it before I got to the machine. Hmmm.... That has me concerned and curious. They knew to pick me out far in advance. Kara and Matt got caught too. Her bags were full of make-up, shampoo and hair products too large or too much to fly. They had to repack again and check some of it. By the time we got to the gate the plane was loaded and within 5 minutes we were in the air. Three hours later we landed and changed in the bathroom. We were supposed to do an interview with 3TV but they weren’t there. We had $5000 worth of clothes on in an empty airport. We felt stupid. I drove home and two hours later (12:30am) surprised Matt and Izze. Matt was scheduled to work so I was afraid he would hear second hand. Plus, I wanted him to see it. He said he didn’t recognize me when I came around the corner. He had walked out after hearing the car but then upon seeing me thought he was wrong. I told them a little about it before peeling it off and washing it all away. When I wiped the eye makeup off Izz said, “Ahh, sad”. You know it was sad. My eyes were burning and I was glad to get it off but sad that it was over.

Now we are left to reflect and cherish. The fact that people try for years just to get tickets and never succeed yet we got to be ON the show in that capacity is just awesome. Oprah thanked the audience and said, “now you can move on to other things and cross it off your bucket list”. She always says that when you have realized a dream it’s time to dream a bigger dream. Hmmmmmm

The Reveal

I have decided not to say anything else until it airs. There were some super fun twists we are going to keep to ourselves for now. The best part of the story is already written and loaded. It will post during the shows airing Arizona time. Until then...

The Magical Land of The Oprah Show

For what led up to this you have to go to older posts at the bottom.

Let me start by saying, IT'S REAL!!!!!! I can hardly believe it myself but it's not hype. It's real. I can hardly wrap my brain around it but the whole deal is 100% like it looks plus 1000% more. I wish they showed the true, full thing on TV. It's better than I would have in my wildest dreams imagined. I for the first time in my life was totally, utterly speechless. I really wanted to write this yesterday but literally couldn't. For those of you that know me best and know how I am wired, it was the most at home I have ever felt.

Starting Tuesday night. Kara was an hour and a half late to get me so by the time we got to Phx we were wiped out. Driving away was really hard because Charlotte was screaming and reaching for me as we went around the corner. Ryder ran to the car and told Kara to hurry and get me right home because he loved me. Now, I enjoy getting away but feel TERRIBLE when it's under those condiitons! Jeesh. Kara had way too much stuff and needed to condense it to a small suitcase. As soon as we got to Phx she did a quick interview with 3TV in the lobby of our hotel.

They are going to air it the day the show airs. We ate dinner at like 11:00pm and didn't get to bed until 1:00.

We were only able to take one small suitcase and a carry-on each so we spent a ton of time trying to cram it all right.

We stayed at a Radisson in Phoenix. Shout out to Hilliary for hooking us up!

It was a terrible night of sleep because we were both afraid we wouldn't get up. They had sleep number beds. My number going to be was 30 but was ZERO when I woke up. There was NO air and I was laying on the bottom. It's simiar to a waterbed without the water. Interesting to say the least. Kara had nightmares that aliens kept coming out of the wall to surpise her! Ha! I love it but it freaked her out. Up at 6:00 and to the airport by 7:00 is so not in either of our nature. But we did it.

Wednesday morning. We were supposed to fly out of Phx at 8:30am. We got up on time and got to the airport on time. For the two of us super punctual morning birds that was no easy task.

At the airport we did self check-in and casually headed to the gate. Near the gate we had a quick breakfast with the hottest coffee ever. It was worthy of a Seinfeld episode. Serious. We forgot you couldn't take liquids through security and had to stand at the gate and try to finish our blazing hot coffee. Something about that sort of escalated the anxiousness we had burried. We had been fine up to that point. Kara told me to take my laptop out and ran down the rules but then didn't do it herself. She held up the whole line and they ended up searching all of her stuff. I was howling. Once they cleared her she was so frazzled she put her foot upon the metal rolling things to put her shoes on! It was so funny I took pictures.

Eveyone is trying to clear their things and she has her leg up on the thing! Ha! It still makes me laugh out loud. We got to our gate with time and were in line to board when they announced it was grounded. There was some kind of mechanical problem so they cancelled the whole flight and handed us all a phone number. I called it and tried to get a new flight. I was told they were all full. I figured for once I had the chance to throw out a name to see if it would help. It did. Best customer service I have had on the phone ever! The lady got us on a new flight and said to walk up to the front of the line and tell them we needed new tickets printed. I tried. The lady was super rude and asked why I cut everyone. The change had been made, we just needed proof. The other people were already in line freaking out and she was not happy I felt the need to cut. I told her the lady from the airline told me to. She quickly scolded me and sent me back. The Oprah Show called and I explained what happened. The lady quickly said, "get me her name". I would imagine Oprah is a pretty good deal for them and they expect better help when problems arise. I was telling Kara how you never know how far your comments can go when a supervisor overheard me. She asked what happened so I told her. She whispered to me that our original plane was going to be fixed and we could get on it even though it hadn't been announced. After that she walked me right up to counter to verify which one had told me to get out of her line. I was going to take her picture but chose to spare her insult to injury. It was a good enough lesson that you just never know how far poor treatment to one could ripple. That supervisor was sharing that lesson with her when I walked away :) hee During the time we were trying to get it all worked out I was on both phones, one on each ear. The whole idea of the unknown and the makeover had gotten the best of Kara so she just followed. We finally got on the original plane and ended up only 2 hours behind.

On the plane Kara studied the emergency brochure. While looking at the pictures she asked, "why would you jump out onto the slide with your arms like that? I need to know why their arms are like that. Right out in front. Why?"

The flight attendant came by so I asked. I was laughing thinking it was hysterical. Actually, there is a reason. If you did need the slide you would actually JUMP out of the plane and land half way down. You jump out in a pike position so that you land right. So, there was a reason. Good lesson. They she started worrying about the life vests and how you would actually get them out. I was howling! She listened to them so carefully during their "demo" and studied every picture. I gave in and looked at the picture for the vests. She was right. It's complicated and would take some effort. They are tucked in little metal boxes under the seat. You would have to take off the cushion, find the box, pull a string, remove it, put it on, blow it up with a straw and push a button to turn on a blinky light. Really? When would you do that? By the time she was finished with her "education" I was a mess. I was thinking about how I was not flexible enough to jump onto the slide that way and how there is no way I could blow the vest up with a straw! I am glad in the end I needed either option.

This is a shout to Larry and Sherry. We were over Albuquerque, NM. I looked to see it and saw what I swore was a quarter on the wing. I know, I know. But it wasn't on the other wing and sure looks like it!

When we landed a driver in a cool black SUV picked us up. They had water, gum, tissue and magazines for us. Someone was waiting with a printed sign with our names.

He took us straight to HARPO.

There they hugged us and welcomed us right away. They knew who we were immediately! Weird and so cool.

The necklace Kara is wearing is made by Sonja Londan-Hall. She has a line of wire wrapped necklaces called Curly Girl inspired by Kara's hair.
They took her before picture of her in jeans, a shirt and her hair UN-moussed. It is giant and wild without a ton of stuff so it's going to be a doozie. Afterwards I watched her try on clothes while I ate the best pizza of my life. We hadn't eaten all day so they ordered us food. I said I wanted an authentic Chicago pizza. I am so glad I said that!!!!! It was AWESOME! I was attempting to be normal and polite so I only ate two pieces. I so wish I could have eaten it ALL. They asked Kara to take off her clothes. A bit of nice chit chat and then, "take off everything". I was dying! I was SOOOOOO glad to be a fly on the wall sucking down the pizza. They brought her outfit after outfit and put them on and off her. They tugged, tucked, pulled and poked. It was way out of what we would consider our zone (off runway day to day zone). I kept encouraging her to be open but it was certainly not Flagstaff clothes moment. Afterwards we were dropped at our hotel. Our driver was super nice and from Romania. His accent was awesome. He seemed to enjoy us asking if we could take a picture with him.

It is A...M...A...Z...I..N..G. Usually "the guests of The Oprah Show stay at the Omni Hotel" but not this time. JW Marriot was a sponsor so we got to stay there. It was unreal.

I loved this mirror. The light was IN the mirror and it made us look great!!!
*Click the picture and it will get bigger. Because...the necklace I had on was made by Heather Meyer Designs. I have known her for more than 1/2 my life and her hubby is my Broker at RE/MAX. She stamps in uplifting and encouraging messages. This one says, "One Beautiful Life". Yup! Couldn't be more fitting.

After we got settled we took a taxi to the John Hancock Building where they have a lounge on the 96th floor. I think I wrote 69th floor on Facebook but it was much higher. The view was unreal!

Instead of taking a taxi back, we walked. We walked for like 5 miles but got see a ton!!!!

Kara wasn't putting this magazine back "right" so the guy yelled at her! Ha!

Since it was the middle of the week nothing was opened. We got to the hotel starving. The show gave us $75 per day per person to spend at the hotel so we got room service. We had a cheeseburger, sandwich dessert and a drink....for $120.

This was soooo good. Not wise to eat it at 2:00am but nummy none the less.

It took an hour to arrive so we ended up laying down after 2:00. At 5:30 I had a mental breakdown that this was all going to turn out horrible and ruin our lives. I bawled my eyes out and apologized Kara for getting her into this. I was just sure that for some reason we would have to move, change or names. I said, "rememeber Sally Jesse Rapahel had that guy on that shot the other one....". I was freaking out. I think I was just to tired and something at the show earlier had really thrown me in the wrong direction. It as all amazing there was just this feeling that somehow it was all going to come out backwards. I slept from 6:45-7:15. We had to meet the car at 7:45 so that was the end of our chance to rest.

Once arriving at the studio we ate breakfast from the "craft service" and watched people. All kinds of famous and important people arrived yet I didn't really know who they were. Neither did Kara. I can't go into too much detail until it airs but the makeover occured and it's incredible. They sooooooo knew what they were doing and it's different than anything she has ever had before. They spent the entire day teaching her as they went, explaining products and helping her to understand why they were doing what they were doing. With her particular hair most hairdressers apply normal rules and they fail. Tney more that proved they knew what they were doing. The clothing designer came and it was a totally surreal experience. Aside from these folks being great at what they do, they are real. They are real and kind
, generous, smart, funny, down to earth and special. It was so intersting, so comfortable and so cool. After an all day transformation we were driven to separate hotels.

I read on their website that they had the best martini's in all of Chicago. I had a martini on our cruise 6 years ago and it tasted like gasoline. I figured I should try again especially with the claim to fame. The fella who brought my room service shook it and poured it upon arrival. I told the lady on the phone to send me the best one...she sent the TWO best ones.
This was a pomegranate something or other.

This was a pomegranate something or other.

This was a carrot cake martini.

I asked why since I saw her all day and already know what she is wearing and what the new "do" is. She said it's like a wedding day and makes it more special to wake up alone, finish getting fixed up and then be revealed. I was super excited because I was moved to the Omni hotel I have always heard about. It's really cool but the JW Marriot was in a different league for sure. I at a $68 dollar dinner in my room with Oprah vouchers, took a bubble bath, caught up with Matt and wrote this. Now I am going to bed! I am wiped out. I love all your texts, posts and messages. I wanted to take the time to jot down what has happened so far. There are so many details but I am having such a hard time wrapping my head around this I don't even know where to put them. Oprah is real. It's not a "show". She really did do this and it shows. The best of the best work there and work their hearts out. It is certainly magical. I love seeing the inner workings and feel humbled and blessed. I have had a trillion questions and everyone I ask has taken the time to answer and ask if I had more. Tomorrow we will be picked up at 7:45, the show will tape and we will be delivered to the airport. I am not even sure how much more I can handle. Not in my wildest imagination would I have thought it to be like this. It's the same kind of magic you feel the first time at Disneyland....only better. I hope over time I can actually describe it and grasp it all the way it deserves. A lot of things have happened that I think are truly life altering....but I will have to tell later. I am sooooooooo tired. Good night. Wish me luck sleeping. Not knowing what tomorrow holds freaks this control freak out. Yet, they have proven that it will be better than great.