A Trip Down Oprah Lane

This morning I needed something special to life my day a bit higher.  I needed my Oprah bag.  I grabbed it and started down the Oprah path.  Later, I was talking to Tru Stories.  She randomly said, "Do you remember that one time we went to the Oprah Show?"  The fact that both of us had Oprah on our mind took us back to the "Season of Oprah."  The last few months before the end of the show.  The frenzy to get tickets.  How much fun we had going to the show.  Will always be one of my great memories.  The date was, May 3rd.  I was at work.  Eating lunch at my desk.  Tru Stories called and told me to read her blog.  I said, I just did.  She said, No, I just put up funny pictures of the girls.  I pull up the blog to this......

This is NOT a Joke....

Dear Mom-

If you are not too busy....

The Oprah Winfrey Show just called me.
They have awarded me TWO tickets for tomorrow's show, after reading my letter.

The Show is starring Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks.
We can leave tonight, to privately view their brand new movie and then we need to be at the Harpo Studio by 7:00am tomorrow morning, for the taping.

Soooo...
Wanna go???

 

After that is was pure chaos.  Me screaming.  People running to my desk.  We hang up.  All of a sudden I realize I need to leave immediately to make it home, pack, get to Chicago for a private screening.  I think I called every single person I knew on my way home.  I needed to say, I'm going to Oprah, over and over......

It was a wild ride.  Less than 24 hours after it started, we were on our way back home.  Good times.  I miss Oprah.  I still do not have the OWN network.  Sigh......

When I Was At Oprah's Part Two

I feel like I should add things I remember as soon as possible so I do not forget.  I am a hugger.  I am also a toucher.  Tru Stories is not.  Not sure how it happened.  I felt compelled throughout the day yesterday and today to spontaneously hug.  I would hug and say I love you.  She was very generous and gave me quite a few.  When we were sitting waiting to be called into the studio and turned and hugged her one more Oprah time.  She said, that's it.  Enough with the hugging.  Done.
She is so precious.
When we were going to sleep last night I said, "In case I forget to tell you tomorrow, I had a great time."  Tru Stories replied, "How long have you been waiting to use that line today."  I really just thought of it in that moment.  Pretty Woman was a mother/daughter moment for us.  On the ride to Chicago, Tru Stories was using the Cinderella line.
What an awesome day.  Really there is not a special enough word to describe our day.  We need a new word.

When I Was At Oprah's

Yesterday around 2:05 pm, I received the phone call from Tru Stories that led to a crazy ride called, Oprah.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I love Oprah.  That I have loved Oprah for 25 years.  I do not even know how to describe the 23 hours that followed and give it justice.  Tru Stories has all the pictures so I will give some of my high points.
Getting the phone call from Tru Stories to read the blog.  Tru Stories is not one to cry.  She was sobbing.  Calling her back and she was still sobbing.

Being surrounded by my friends.  Sharing my excitement.  There was a small group of well wishers around my desk.  That was so much fun!  They were so happy.  I love my friends.

The drive from work to home.  Talking to Tru Stories several times on the phone.  Listening to her excitement.  At one point she said, I can't remember how to take a shower.  Calling so many people to tell them the great news.  I might have called you and not even remember now.

The drive up to Chicago to attend the private showing of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts new movie (to be released on July 1st) Larry Crown.  We laughed so much.  I might have cut a car off and almost hit him.  He might have been swearing and flipping me off.  I might have been yelling back.  We were about two exits from where we needed to turn to get to the movie and I exited in error.  We were lost for about 30 minutes.  Tru Stories was reading the map.  I drove one long block going the wrong way on a major street.  At this point I will say, OBVIOUSLY, I KNEW IT WAS A ONE WAY STREET.  NO REASON TO KEEP HONKING AT ME.  THERE WAS NO WHERE FOR ME TO GO.  I WAS GOING SLOW AS FAR OVER TO THE RIGHT AS I COULD BE.  Their freaking out did not help.  We were probably laughing over that too.

Tru Stories on my phone with my credit card making reservations at the Crown Plaza Hotel (where guests of Oprah sometimes stay).  Listening to her upgrade the reservation like it was her card.

Tru Stories threatening, I will drop you so fast you will not know what happened if you do not stop ________ (enter whatever I was doing wrong at that moment).  She walked a half block in front of me from the car to the movie.  I could not keep up with her.

Standing in line for the movie with people that looked like attending the movie for the Oprah Show was something they did everyday.  People live in the moment.  You are still a haughty rich woman even if you smile and laugh because you were going to Oprah.  I promise you, Tru Stories and I were enjoying it.  Finally, two guys (gays), from Amsterdam sat down next to me.  They were sharing in the excitement.  They got it.  They knew what we were doing was awesome.  They were heading to the Ellen show in California tomorrow.  These guys know how to live.  Interesting chat with them.  People were enjoying listening to Tru Stories & I telling our giddy story over and over about how we just got the call.....

Real life is calling.  More later.

What Was That Loud Noise?

The noise you just heard were my dreams bursting, falling to the earth.  Sad day today.  I really thought this was the one:

Thank you for your interest in attending the May 17, 2011, The Farewell Season: Oprah’s Surprise Spectacular taping at the United Center.

Unfortunately, we were unable to accommodate your request for this ticket reservation window due to overwhelming demand. We will email you if more tickets become available for this taping at the United Center.

Sincerely,
The Oprah Show Audience Team

Do you know how many people's dream came true?  I do.  It makes me even more sad, 23,500.  Out of 23,500 seats, I wanted two.  Did not happen. 

 

27

That is the magic Oprah number.  Tru Stories and I had our Oprah reality talk today.  The fact is time is running out.  We have a new game plan.  We do not know if there will be anymore chances for tickets.  All we can do is put our hopes and dreams out there into the Oprah universe.  If it happens, we will enjoy the heck out of that moment.  If it does not happen, sure we will be devastated.  Our hearts may not come back from the disappointment.  We will live out the rest of our lives knowing we missed an opportunity of a lifetime. 
If there is a show that is meant for us to see, we will get tickets.  Seriously, there are still 27 shows.  Nothing to panic about.  Not like we are down to five shows. 
Waiting patiently our Oprah. 

PS:  Oprah, if this were only for me, it would not matter.  This is important to my daughter.  She deserves it.  Please do not break her heart. 
Just saying.

My Sister, Oprah

Most of you are aware of the fact that I love (not heart, love), and more importantly, respect Oprah. When Oprah began her show I worked at home. I was a lonely, babysitting, Mother, and housewife. Oprah came into my house and gave me the world. (Yes, Tru Stories, I have a flare with words too.) She has changed my life in many ways. I have learned so many things from her. She is a role model to me. Let me list a few of the things O (yes, we are that close) and I have in common.

1. I will go obvious. We are women that struggle with weight issues. We are trying to deal with inner demons and learn to love ourselves from the inside out. We know that it is not about the food! We need to find out WhY we eat.

2. We are crazy, funny women. We love to laugh with our girlfriends. Oprah has Gayle, I have the Old Lady. The Old Lady and I also have to deal with whispers behind our backs of "are they or aren't they." We are not!

3. We are givers. That is how we roll. We want to leave the world a better place than when we arrived. We want to help those in need. I help people. I might not have an Angel Network but I still make an IMPACT. (Nice play on words.)

4. Oprah and I each have tall guys in our lives. Right, I know Stedman does not have a pony tail.

5. We are both powerful business women. Oprah "OWNs her own network. I want to have a coffee shop.

6. We both look good in brown. I might even have this dress in the back of my closet somewhere.

7. We are readers. I have read several Oprah books. I just bought one at the book store tonight.

8. We both came from sad childhoods.

9. We are compassionate people.

Personal Plea to Oprah: You have been an inspiration to me for years. I consider you an amazing role model for not just women, mankind. I would love nothing more than to attend one of your shows before the season ends. It has been a dream of mine for a very long time. But, Oprah, I have a daughter that suffers from a tragic illness. It would mean the world to her if she could sit in the audience at one of your last shows. (She would get her doctor's permission.) I know that attending one of your shows could boost her morale so much. I am sure it would add years to her life. So Oprah, I will put aside my dreams, and hope that you can make my daughter's dream come true. Please send her a ticket to attend your show. A spa day would be great too!

Signed: A Mother That Gives and Gives To Her Children (until she is an empty shell that could use a trip to Chicago, just saying)