No Oprah yet!

So I left you haning on day three of my Oprah adventure. Needless to say.....the show has still not aired and it's been over a month since the taping!!!! I was trying to drag out what we got for free because I wanted you to see it on TV but who knows when that will happen. So to refresh your memory, the name of our show is The Faces Behind the Names. We were introduced to famous makers of products or companies that we all use and know.


Everything that Oprah showed she gave us....well almost everything. There was some guy there pushing a cookbook and we didn't get the cookbook therefore I can't remember his name because I don't know who he is. However, he did feed us his grilled cheese sandwich made on the panini maker she gave away at the My Favorite Things show....and no we didn't get the panini maker either...but the grilled cheese sandwich was yummy!

Ok...onto the free stuff. Below is everything that we recieved at the show and yes we got it right there after the show. As we left we received two bags of goodies to take home.

1. $35 gift card to Cold Stone Creamery. We saw a demonstration on how they make up a sundae and we all got to eat ice cream while Oprah made her own ice cream concoction and talked to the owners.


2. $150 gift card to the Container Store. They turned the whole stage into a mini Container Store and the two guys that created the Container Store gave us gift ideas and the history behind the store.


3. 4 year supply of Carmex Lip Balm. We met the sons of the man that invented Carmex along with a history of the company. By the way, a 4 year supply of lip balm is a variety of 14 different types of lip balm....mini pots, chapstick form and squeeze jelly kind. Of course, they came in a variety of flavors. Who knew...I always thought that Carmex came in one flavor....Medicince flavor!!


4. 3 items from Williams and Sonoma. We met the 90 year old man (Chuck Williams) who created the store Williams and Sonoma. His name is Williams and the first store was in Sonoma California. He gave us his three favorite items from the store which were a souffle pan, cow creamer and lemon juicer.


5. We met the man from 3M (the Post It Note people) that is responsible for researching new product ideas. He showed us a pen and highlighter with built in mini post it note flags. Oprah showed us how she uses it to highlight things in her book club books as she is reading them. We got 4 packages of the pens and highlighters.

So there you have it! That was my big Oprah adventure back on November 19th and still hasn't shown yet!!! Hellllooooo Oprah...what happened to my show. I really thought it would be shown before Christmas because they kept saying that the items would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. Who knows if we will ever see our show but it was still fun and and experience of a lifetime.

Great Lips and A Pilgrim

Ok...so this is day three of my Oprah story. I am telling you....I can drag this out for a week or more....but I won't cause I really know you are on the edge of your seat to see if I am ever going to stamp again. Guess what...I stamped and forgot to take a pic of the 32 cards I made!!!! OMG...yes I stamped 32 cards and sold them. However, I have another order for 32 more cards so I will take pics this time.

Anyway, back to Oprah. We attended the afternoon taping but were never really given any specific arrival instructions other than bring an ID and arrive at 11:00. Since we were Oprah Show Newbies we arrived early which I don't recommend because your place in line really has no bearing on your seat in the audience.

We went in around 10:45 but sat there until approximately 1:00 and the taping began at 1:30. It was a long afternoon in the big waiting room upstairs. While we waited upstairs Oprah was in the studio with the first audience taping the Denzel Washington episode that is airing on Monday.

While waiting people were slowly brought upstairs and after a few hours you just zone out and people watch. Rico and David even took a little nap while waiting. Then all of the sudden Vicki says to me...the Pilgrims have arrived. I look up to see this really tall blonde lady with a blue beaded blouse and HUGE white collar and white cuffs. She sure did look like a fancy Pilgrim and then she turned around and had a GINORMOUS silver zipper up her back. What the heck?? It looked like a zipper that would be on a pair of jeans! It was annoying me so bad that I couldn't stop look at this huge zipper on her back. Then I heard other people around me talking about the zipper. I was in great fear that she was going to sit in front of me and I would end up staring at the stupid zipper the entire show. Shwooooo.....I have no idea where she sat but it was funny.

I hinted that I was going to have the best damn lips for the next four years. That is because we received a 4 year supply of Carmex Lip Balm. A four year supply consists of a variety of 14 different lip balms....the little pots, chapstick form and vaseline squeeze type. Pretty cool.

Tomorrow, I am going to spend Thanksgiving Day with Jen's family. I feel like I haven't seen Jen in months....duh that would be because I haven't seen her since the first week of October. It has been almost two months. I am so ready to get my life back and see my best friend more often.

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! See ya on the blog.

Oprah, Rico Suave and David Bowie

Ok...let's clarify that I attended the taping of Oprah on Monday, Nov 19th (yesterday....read the previous post) and I will probably be boring you with all the details for the next week. This ia pic of me in my "Oprah Outfit" before I left the house.

Today I do have something really funny to tell you about the show but first let me tell you that YES, that is a Williams and Sonoma bag in my hand in yesterday's pic. We were introduced to Chuck Williams who is the creator of the store Williams and Sonoma. He is 92 years old and his mother introduced him to his love of cooking and being in the kitchen. Chuck gave us a Souffle pan, a creamer in the shape of a cow and a lemon juicer. So cool...love the store.

So let me tell you about the funny couple we met in line....two guys that were "partners" with matching wedding rings. One guy was from Wisconsin and looked totally like David Bowie. I was on the verge of saying.....has anyone ever told you that you look like David Bowie.....but reserved my comment just because it was soooooo totally obvious and I didn't want to sound like a total moron (for once in my life). The other guy was a handsome man from Brazil (we'll call him Rico Suave) and he was telling us how he was so tired from working late and he didn't want to go to the show but "David" made him get up and go to the show.....such torture....this was their 4th time attending a show!!

How the heck does that happen when you have only been in the country for 8 years and I was born and raised here and skipped school as a teenager to watch Oprah on TV? I have grown up watching Oprah on the TV an hour away from the studio and "Rico Suave" has been there 4 times with "David Bowie" by his side....go figure.

Anyway, once we were inside the studio the prodcution crew came out and gave us instructions on how to laugh and react and etc....oh and not to eat the snacks until Oprah told us to do so...that was funny because she never remembered to tell us and then people were afraid to eat. Then they put on some music and did an audience warm up with us....we all stood up while clapping and dancing when they randomly invited some guests up on stage to do some dancing for us. Gladly the self proclaimed "Cuban American" group ran down on the stage and did a lovely booty shaken routine for us. There were some older ladies on stage as well that need to come back for the "you need to get fitted for a real bra" episode but that was not the highlight of the warm up.

The production lady announced....hey we need a man down here....and wouldn't you know it....BAM..... "Rico Suave" was on the stage getting his groove on. OH-My-GOSH....he was botty shakin, pelvic thrusting and body rubbing like you wouldn't believe it.....all while floppy boob Grandma was attemtping to get her groove on with "Rico Suave". That is when I had a my huge AH-HA Oprah moment!!! I am guessing that "Rico Suave" was a dancer and that would explain why he was so tired from "working" and didn't want to wake up for the show.

Who knew that the quiet Brazilian "Rico Suave" that I chit chatted with for two hours was so smooooth on the dance floor? Even Oprah commented when she came out that she saw him dancing while she was back stage. It was quite entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of David and Rico.....I must say two VERY nice gentlemen.....who sent me off with a twinkling smile and a wave of the hand. I hope to see them at my next Oprah visit! LOL

Ok...tomorrow I will reveal another gift.....I am so excited and can hardly "contain" myself. Oh and then I will fill you in on "Pilgrim Girl". Man....I just realized that I have used a ton of quotation marks in this post.

See ya on the "blog".

The Memory Of A Life Time!

Today was the BIG day!!! I went to see Oprah and it was so much fun and the memory of a life time. There is so much to tell (that was a warning that this is going to be long) and I will start from the time my alarm clock went off at 5:30 am and my first thought of the day was.....I wonder what Oprah's doing right now? LOL

I live an hour away from the Harpo Studios but with morning rush hour traffic/construction that could easily turn into a three hour drive. We were told that the doors for the afternoon taping would open at 11:00 and of course we wanted to get there early for a good seat. So we left at about 8:15 and wouldn't you know it....hardly any traffic and we were in line by 9:40. We were numbers 32 and 33 which in the end don't matter because you aren't seated according to your position in line. FYI....Starbucks was two blocks away and well.... I wasn't about to lose my place in line for a Grande Mocha. (Later, I regreted that decision.)

We stood in line for about an hour and then things started to move. Security at the Oprah show is as tight as the airport. We were instructed to take off our coats and the last person in the party (which was Vicki) was to go to coat check and the first person (which was me) was to go to the reservation check in. After check in we had to hand over our purses and walk through a metal detector. Then get in another line to watch them search your purse and give it back. Vicki got her's back as is and I got mine back minus my calendar book, paycheck stub and my business cards. I thought that was odd considering I removed my cell phone and camera in the car but didn't think anything else would be a problem.

After we got our purses we headed upstairs to the waiting room where we waited and waited and waited....for two hours!!! Good thing I brought two granola bars on Beth's advice. It was freezing cold upstairs and this is where I could have used a warm Starbucks. Basically, everyone sat in the waiting room speculating about the subject of the show. We were all in the dark and clueless.

Then we were given instructions that we would be going down to the studio and we needed to give our blue reservation card to the usher and then take a number from another usher on our way into the studio. (Someone was going to win something....what could it be?)

The studio is very small....it looks so big on screen but it's really small. You know when she walks in and it looks like a long tunnel...it's not. There are basically two levels and we were on the upper level but first row. If you are look at the stage Oprah usually sits to the right with her back to a section of the audience. We were sitting directly opposite with Oprah facing us. However, we did have the camera guy going back and forth in front of us...that was a bit annoying but at least he moved around.

The staff came out and gave us some instructions and did a little warm up music/dance time. The VIP guests were ushered into the front row at the last minute and then it happened...Oprah walked through the tunnel and the crowd went crazy! It was so exciting to be so close and actually see her in person.

The number one question I have been asked is...what does she look like. She looks exactly like she does on TV and exactly as I had imagined her to be in real person. She is pretty, average height and probably a size 14. She pretty much as people all around her telling her what to do at all times.

The show was taped with commercial breaks and during breaks she pretty much kept to herself because people would rush out to do her hair, make up and wardrobe adjustments. The infamous Dean is constantly telling her what to do and where to stand and briefing her on the next segment. (It is obvious they are close and he is her right hand man.)

OK...now the show details. The title of our show was called "The Faces Behind the Names" and we were not told an air date....just told to check the WEB site. We are guessing it will be aired in one or two weeks because everything that was shown to us we were told would make a nice Christmas gift of stocking stuffer.

As you probably know, Oprah's Favorite Things was recorded this past weekend in Macon, Georgia and will be aired tomorrow. Obviously, we were not on that show which was fine because I was just grateful to be at any show. Today was what I would call a "mini" My Favorite Things day. We were introduced to creators of many different products that we all might use or that Oprah was introduced to recently.

I don't want to give it all away but we were fed two treats and given over $200 of gifts. It was exciting to see the creators/inventors and to find out we were going home with two bags of items. Just to make it a little fun let's see if you can guess what we received by my clues. 1) Look in the pic below and you can see a clue as to what is in one of my bags...it's one of my favorite stores and the owner is 92 years old (and it has nothing to do with the Starbucks in my hand....that was just due to a stop on the way home!) 2) Oh see if you can figure out this clue.....I am going to have the best damn lips in town for the next four years! 3) I was so excited about this one I could hardly "contain" myself. 4) Let's see....if you ever saw the movie Romie and Michelle's High School Reunion.....we met the real inventor of this product and he gave us a nice supply of his newest invention. 5) Cold and creamy....and oh so yummy!! 6) Finally, only one person in the audience got this last item and it wasn't me or Vicki.....it was a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes that sell for $785 at Saks Fifth Ave.

Anyway, that was my full day and I am so happy that I was blessed to have this experience. It was a fun and memorable day that I will talk about to anyone that is willing to listen. As soon as I see the air date I will share it with all of you so you can watch. Keep taking a guess at my clues and as you get them right I'll reveal the gifts we received.

Happy Day

There is soooooooo much to be happy about that I just don't know where to start. I said I would be back to blogville after the Casino Night on Novemer 10th and well....here I am. I hope you were expecting to come here and see a card....cause I don't have a card for you yet. Who knows if anyone is really intersted in reading this blog anymore....I have become one of those lame blogs that say they are about stamping and do more chatting than stamping. I annoy myself with my own blog. LOL

But I do have some wonderful news!!!! Well, besides the fact that today is my 18th wedding anniversary and I have the BEST husband in the world...what more could a girl ask for? How about two Oprah tickets!!!!

YES!!! I am going to see Oprah on November 19th...next Monday I will be sitting in the audience for Oprah. I am sooooo excited and can't wait to be in the audience. We have no idea what the topic will be and who really cares. We are going to OPRAH!!! Wouldn't I just die if Michael Buble was there?!? OMG....my mind has been racing since last night when we closed the auction and I found out that my bidding partner got the tickets for us! Thank you Vicki.

So my event ended last night and today I am sitting in the recliner with my aching feet up. I am going to sit in this chair and doze all day long and do NOTHING but dream of the Oprah show. Can you believe I have lived in Chicago for most of my life and I have never been to see Oprah? It is so hard to get tickets and it was well worth the money spent last night.

Ok off to take a nap. Think big Oprah thoughts for me!!!

An Open Letter To Beth

My Dear Sweet Friend Beth,

I am such a SCHMUCK that I totally forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday today when I saw you at school. I am soooooo sorry for not even acknowledging your birthday and totally deserve you sticking your tounge out at me while leaving the parking lot. Not to mention that your subtle hint TOTALLY went over my head. Yeah....the part where you said you better be nice to me...esp today....flew right over my empty head.

Ok...I can not tell a lie. I almost completely forgot that it was your birthday today {I did remember to remind myself on Monday} and then as I sat here second guessing myself I called Mary to yell at her for not reminding me.....like she is my secretary and it's her responsibility. {Beth you are my secretary and shouldn't have to remind me of your own birthday!} Anyway, Mary's response....take your cell phone off vibrate and check your voice mail. {Thanks Mar}.

And so my dear friend it is with my most sincere apology that I offer you a belated Birthday lunch of your choice. **Read the Fine Print** Lunch must be between the hours of 12:00 and 1:00, in the city of Highland Park and preferably across the street from my office at Once Upon a Bagel. LOL...just kidding...you pick!

Happy Birthday Beth!

Love,

Denise

P.S. This is a pic from your birthday lunch last year! You have pretty eyes to go with that awesome smile.

Life

First of all, I need to start this post by thanking the many many people that have sent me emails this week and were checking on me. I sincerely apologize for leaving everyone hanging out there and wondering what has happened to me. Life is what happened....plain and simple.

1. 1. Love my job! I finally feel like I fit in and I know what is expected of me. I have been receiving nice comments about my work and my boss (the VP of the bank) said that everyone likes me and my initiative to get things right in the Marketing Dept...which by the way is solely me. The position has been empty since March and outsourced throughout the bank and everyone is happy to give it back to me.


2. 2. Volleyball is almost over. Thank God! I always feel like this at the end...burned out. It's hard to make 24 girls follow directions and teach them the skills necessary to win. Although winning isn't what it's all about but it was a goal and shows that your hard work is paying off. Right now we are hit or miss on the winning spectrum of the game but overall improvement makes me happy too.


3. Once again, Casino Night and Silent Auction are Novbember 10th and consumes my waking life. Dealing with the State of Illinois' Dept of Revenue is nerve racking....such red tape. But finally got the green light to proceed with my publicity plan. The best thing about the Silent Auction.....two Oprah tickets on the auction block!!!! Oh yeah.....I am going to get those tickets and probably spend lots of my hard earned pay checks. Fee free to donate to my Oprah ticket campaign through PayPal. LOL


4. Homecoming came and went last weekend. My big boy went to his first dance with his girlfriend Taylor. They make a cute couple. I have attached the one of many pics. Oh and he has been selected as the new Mascot...he's the Blue Devil. Gotta get pics of that one.


5. My edlery Serbian neighbors house caught fire last week. I raced home because we have basically adopted them as family and I was so worried about them. When I arrived I was greeted by the neighborhood Crazy Family that I can't stand. Anyway, the firmen basically came to me and name me the family advocate. Then on the front page of the newspaper they printed that the head line Hot Cash and elluded to the fact that the house was full of vast riches.Basically, the article was a lie and we have been pursuing them for the principal of the matter. My thoughts are he opened the door to every theif and scam artist. Make me so mad. Oh and the info for the article camed from the Crazy daughter. She doesn't evne know their names and thought they spoke polish.

I sooooo wish I had a moment to clean my office and actually stamp something...that won't be happening until after November 10th...when I go into hiding.

There ya have it. I am well and happy with my job. I am just in the process of juggling all my exttra currircular activities. I'll try to check in more often.

See ya on the blog and GO BEARS!