Cliff Notes....For Life

The homily today at mass focused on there are no Cliff Notes for life. I am not sure I agree. Don't get me wrong, I don't think life is full of short cuts, but I do think if we look around us, with eyes wide open and an open mind, we can discover ways of doing this better. The other thing we notice is how amazing some people are when they think no one is watching.

Feel free at me or tell me off during/after reading this post. I started reading blogs because CNN, MSNBC and Fox News said everyone was doing it. It was 2 years ago, and between the 5 newspapers I read daily, what felt like hundreds of preschool applications to fill out, doctor's appointments to make and keep, I was feeling anything but hip. SO I introduced myself to the world of blogger. Then I realized you had to enter in a word to search for blogs...or at least I think you did. While I am on the subject, I will just confess to this right now...technology is just NOT MY THING. I literally went into the Apple store to buy an APPLE ZIP DRIVE...that's right I thought there were separate zip drives for PC's and Mac's. I keep seeing all of this twitter chatter about Google analytics and anonymous commenting...I am not sure what is means or how you even know who lands on your blog from where or after what search. To be honest, it kind of scares me. The real laugh was I think it took Monogram Momma 3 hours to explain twitpic to me.

My point is, while I didn't find a wealth of new technology knowledge from blog world, I did find a world of amazing women (sorry men, but I don't know of a single non-political blog written by a man). Unfortunately, I think blogland has changed in the past couple of years. When I started reading there were blogs about fashion, make-up, Lilly Pulitzer, home decor, kids, the South, the North, cupcakes, and yes I will say it J.Crew. Now I can't change the world, but this is my blog. If you like it read it, if not, I at least hope you like our little PGG.

I don't know if what I am about to do will catch on, I hope it does, so here I go:

I am calling this my blogland Shout Out Awards. I have learned so much from so many of you, but there are a few of you that have really made a difference and I want you to know that. I think we can all agree that we can now travel almost anywhere and not have to purchase a guidebook to find a great meal, a must see place, fabulous shopping or a new friend to have coffee with thanks to the network that is blog world.

ATN...If you haven't read her blog, you are missing out. Nina, I read your blog and although I have no idea what happened in Chicago that led you home it made me think of one thing. If Mr. Grove and I am do as good of job parenting Mini K as your parents have done I will be happy with myself. I pray that someday if she needs to turn to someone when something bad happens she will turn to us and would allow us to help her. The relationship you have with your parents is amazing and I cannot imagine how proud they must be of you. Aside from your sense of style, you have a self confidence that comes through in every word you type.

Hopsy, you always see the world not as if it was half full, but if your cup was running over. You have impeccable manners, a sense of adventure and always make time for your friends. And let's not forget, you introduced me to Greystone and we cannot wait to send Mini K there.

DCGopGirl. This woman is a technology wizzard. She literally talks about building a website on a Monday and launches it on a Tuesday. It takes me that long to figure how to navigate from page to page. She also just started a new job, and trust me D.C. is not an easy market these days. Her attitude is even can do...I don't think there is much she is not in charge of or organizing.

MojitoMaven. I am not a writer. In college, sure, but now not so much. Writing is not why I admire her (although she is a fabulous writer), she is fearless I tell you. She dreamed of creative writing. She not only has a fabulous novel on her site (check out SIBU), but has started creative writing classes.

Monogram Momma. Secretly I am convinced she is somehow related to Martha Stewart. I mean seriously, at 4pm she tweets what to cooke for dinner and at 6pm there is some 3 course masterpiece...and unlike me she didn't use her telephone. If I ever have a boy, you had better believe I will be calling/emailing nonstop.

The Lilly Blog. Trisha can always bring a smile to my face with a little pink and green. Will it solve all of my problems, no, but trust me after a long day at the hospital it can make you smile and that means a lot.

Kristin Pearce. Aside from the fact that I might single handedly make you have a higher yearly revenue than Tiffany's, you make me smile. You and I seem to have been on the same page as to how long it takes to launch a website and may have even had questions about the same things. I knew I couldn't wait to meet you when I first landed on your blog, and Grove Gal E and I had a blast meeting and talking with you at NSS. And I love that you made me feel less crazy for paying someone to straighten my hair, because you hate frizz and a hairdryer as much as I do.

And the last one is a little personal for me. Sippycups has always had an eye for home decor, party planning and well just fun in general. Recently she was brave enough to share with all of us that she has separated from her husband. As someone who was raised by a single mom, (love you Dad, but even you admit now that sometimes it takes men a little longer to grow up), and everyone can learn something from her post. I cannot imagine what she is going through, but I can say I think of her and know that as long as anyone follows their heart it will lead them in the right direction.

What happened you may ask fro me to write this. All I can say is perspective. I took a break from blogging and twitter when mother got sick. The time away made me realize their are blogs I read as part of my day and they mean something to me. I also think every one of you out there has something to give, I hope I do to. I also realize that, there are people with far more technology knowledge than I have that like to point fingers. I, along with Grove Gal E and Mr. Grove for that matter will tell you that I say what is on my mind. You might think it, I say it. I have been this way since my grandfather died suddenly one night...the night before we were supposed to leave for Hawaii. I never got to say goodbye. I was too focused on running out the door to see my friends before we left for two weeks. I would do anything to get a do over on that night. Since then I speak my mind, because well you never know. We all have our opinions, I for one think there is much more to life than wearing a brand new J.Crew outfit everyday, but I do admit that sometimes a new bag or shoes can make a crummy day a little less crummy. And while I am on the subject, did you know that J.Crew's Jenna Lyons got a $1 million bonus...and she doesn't even work for an investment company...it must be the $400 shoes.

I am sure most of you have gone on to another site and have stopped reading by now, but if you are still here I would say that blog land might have changed, but I for one am going to make sure to say thank you to all of the blogs that I love. I keep seeing stores that I said I would always check out closed up and that could easily happen to blogs. So to the ones I have mentioned and the tons more I didn't, thank you for putting it out there with each and every post. Your words matter.

Back To Stay

I guess you can tell I took a little time off. I spent last week in Texas, finding specialists for mom, making sure the contractors had not destroyed the house in her absence and well I confess just making sure that the happy, positive, brave voice on the phone was real.

As always, my mother amazes me. I have watched her survive divorce (love my Dad but they get along so much better apart and anyone who was at my wedding can vouch for that...strange, but true), cancer...twice, but West Nile Virus has left her with something called flaccid paralysis. In English that means she can feel her legs, but she cannot move them...her right one a little, her left one nada. So the woman who can power walk 5 miles in 57 minutes is in a wheelchair, and motivated as all get out to get out of it. Her spinal taps (poor thing had to have 2), CT scans and MRI's all show that it is metabolic and will return. The million dollar question is when.

She knows about the blog, but doesn't read it. We were talking and she asked what Grove Gal E and I were showcasing for the holidays and I told her I had taken a break. She promptly gave me some words. Now for those of you not from the South, words are shall we say, not sugar coated and not always what you want to hear. She made me promise no more posts on her until she was back up and at them, so friends I am back. Please keep her in your prayers. I am constantly inspired by her attitude and her refusal to accept anything but 110% from herself, even in the dark days.

We are escaping on Friday night to the beach...just for a night. This may sound strange, but to me, there is something truly calming about walking the beach in the fall bundled in my fleece and feeling the weather change. The one thing I have learned is that life can change in the blink of an eye. Year after year I have said we would take Mini K on a fall beach trip, and with everything that has happened I just decided no more putting things off....the good or the bad. So I am now out of my shell, not going back in, ready to tackle the good and the bad with the best attitude I can.

The long plane rides allowed me to finish some good books (I will share with you this week), plan out my gift giving list for the holidays and plan a few special surprises for my mom.

And for the record, can you believe it is almost November???? We are going to Texas for Thanksgiving and my treat to myself will be a visit to the new Bendels. If any of you Dallas gals will be in town let me know!

Happy Monday friends and thank you SO MUCH for all of your kind emails, and most of all your prayers for my mom. Please keep them coming.

Baby Steps

Well that is what I hope my mother is taking by the end of the week. She released herself from the hospital late last week and checked into a rehab center to get her strength back. Only to prove that when you have been in the medical field for as long as my mother has, the rehab center, well she was the boss there too at one time. Her room sounds like a party and I have had no less than 5 people tell me that mom was the best boss they ever had and they miss her daily so I know she will be getting the best care. And by care I mean 5 hours of rehab a day. I never thought a good day would be my mom being able to stand for 10 minutes with assistance...this is a woman that up until 2 weeks ago saw 15-20 patients a day and walked 3-5miles daily rain or shine. And now she is trying to move her left leg, because of 1 little mosquito bite. Why people don't spray for mosquitos I will never understand, but I will get off my box.

I also wanted to thank the amazingly talented Marie at Paper Menu. Over the years we have become friends. I can always count on her for top of the line products, a listening ear and a prayer and feel truly blessed to call her my friend. SOmehow she remembered that I needed to approve my own invite order and got them out to me with an adorable nightgown for Mini K. Marie...I promise I proper thank you is coming your way, but I confess I am still behind. She also just finished a BEAUTIFUL, I mean flawless birth announcement for another friend and client. How cute is this...and yes I am talking about the baby and the announcement.

I mean this baby boy looks like the poster child for a classic southern baby. Am I wrong? This little cutie is going places!

Thank you for all of you who have emailed or left comments for me over the past couple of weeks. I am truly grateful for your prayers and they are working! We were told mother would be in the hospital for at least two weeks and in 7 days she is out. I might not be back everyday, but I promise I will be back on the blog train.

I need to start thinking of Halloween decor this week, so if you have any great ideas please help a sleep deprived lady out. Anyone else been to Target lately? It seems that I somehow have slept through Halloween and Thanksgiving, because the Christmas decor is out. I saw it and walked out the door. If I have learned one thing is that life is too precious to rush through. I plan on making many memories before Christmas!

Enjoy your week, because at the end you won't be thinking of the one errand you didn't have a chance to complete.