Just what I needed

Yesterday I saw a woman who has met me many times in the past, yet she still didn't recognize me and didn't realize we had met before. This got me thinking... I am not a memorable person. I never have been. I bet half of my high school would say they had never seen me before. Of course I have friends who know me well, but those people who have brief interaction with me typically don't remember me.

This is a huge reason why Joe McIntyre remembering who I am is so meaningful to me. It took me a long time to even believe he knew who I was. My mind couldn't accept that a man who sees thousands of women each night could recognize me while people who were in my math class of 30 people did not. I will never forget the first time he proved he knew me. I was floored. If I hadn't been a Joe girl already, I sure would have been after that moment.

NKOTB is amazing. Its as if they have this wonderful ability to pinpoint our insecurities and boost us up. Feel unmemorable? Joe will remember you. You think you're ugly? Donnie will tell you you are beautiful. You think your handmade bracelet for them is cheesy and lame? Danny will put it on immediately and love it. Having trouble sleeping at night because of all of your problems? Log on to Twitter and chat with Jon. He'll lighten your mood. Think you aren't very smart? Talk to Jordan. (I'm kidding! I just couldn't think of anything really good for him.) I think that is one of the reasons we have embraced them so eagerly - they have given us so much of what we have needed. Not only an escape from our troubles, but also love, support and confidence.

So, to NKOTB - thank you. Thank you for making so many of us feel like the most special person in the room.

Heather's Favorite Things!

It's the hottest ticket in town! My favorite things!

Well, not really. You aren't getting any of this stuff for free from me. Sorry. But my tastes are much more affordable than Oprah's so you can just go out and buy this stuff on your own! These are some of my most favorite things! I hope if you invest in any of these items that they give you as much joy as they have given me!

1) Power Up MP3-8370 4-Way iPod Charging Kit - $39.99 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Power-MP3-8370-4-Way-iPod-Charging/dp/B000QTTKSS

Sounds sexy, doesn't it? But trust me, this thing is a LIFESAVER! This kit has a plug that goes into a computer, a wall or a car. It can charge your Blackberry, your iPod, or even my GPS. I love this thing so much, I carry it around in my purse all of the time. And it has totally earned its way into my favorite list - when my two friends and I had to drive from Boston to Michigan because of a snow storm, we realized we weren't going to be able to charge our phones or the iPod because we only had wall chargers. THEN I found this baby in my purse! We charged all of our stuff and had a great unexpected road trip!

2) Picnik.com photo editing website - Free for some features, $24.95 for Premium membership
http://www.picnik.com/

If you follow me on Twitter, you've been seeing the products of me using this site. Picnik.com is a really easy-to-use photo editing site that allows you to do fun and goofy things to photos, but also to do more subtle touch-ups to photos that can make a good photo a great photo. You can erase wrinkles, add a tan, clean your teeth, give yourself different color eyes and highlight your hair. You can also add a hat, turn a photo black & white and add a watermark. Picnik.com also works with Flickr.com (a photo storage site) so if you have photos on Flickr, editing your photos is only a click away.


3) Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette - $69.00 for 1.6 oz at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P110113&categoryId=B70

One day on Twitter @katewhinesalot was saying how several people had stopped her and told her she smelled wonderful. She said it was this new perfume she had just bought. I had been looking for a new perfume and had to know what kind would make random people stop and sniff! She told me it was Narciso Rodriguez. I searched and found out my "small" town didn't carry the fragrance. Macy's said they do in their big city stores, but not in Lansing, Michigan. So I went online and without ever smelling this stuff in person, I took a chance and ordered a bottle of it. I loved it! Its a musky and "sensual" scent. After wearing it for only a week, someone actually said they loved it and wanted to buy their own too! Now, although I don't wear perfume often, its the only one I ever wear!


4) Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - $9.99 for a pint at my local store
http://jenisicecreams.com/

I discovered this gem during my recent visit to Columbus, Ohio for a concert. First of all, if you are ever in Columbus, visit this place! I think the woman behind the counter gave us at LEAST 15 samples. Maybe more. And we didn't even ask for half of them, she just encouraged us to try it all! If you aren't headed to Columbus any time soon, check their website to see if there is a store near you that sells it. I was lucky enough to find out a store in my hometown has it! If no one has it, you can ALWAYS order it to be shipped directly to you!Jeni's makes amazing flavored ice cream using cream and milk "from cows that eat grass". Flavors include Bourbon Buttered Pecan, Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet, Wildberry Lavender, Bangkok Peanut and Black Coffee. I currently have Salty Caramel in my freezer. Imagine an ice cream version of those wonderful caramels in speciality candy shops. It also makes me think of Garrett's Caramel Corn. And a little goes a LONG way. My pint has lasted two weeks! So even though it is more expensive than other ice creams, its worth it in the end!


5) Kindle - Starts at $139
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reader-Wifi-Graphite/dp/B002Y27P3M

I LOVE MY KINDLE. No other way to say it. I got my Kindle when they first came out so mine is slightly bigger than the ones that are out now and I STILL love it. You can increase the font. You can carry your library anywhere. You can instantaneously buy a new book if you're not enjoying the book you're currently reading. You never have to lose your place (with kids, this is a great benefit). You can read it outside and not have to worry about a glare. The "page like" technology is simply amazing to me. And I prefer it to an iPad or the like because I can also touch the screen and not have to worry about the page turning. When you travel, you only have to bring one item and you can read TONS of books! And it fits in your purse! You can bring it anywhere! Many people say they like "real books". But having an e-reader does not mean you have to give up regular books! You can still go to the library or buy your own books, but having a significant library of books to choose from at your fingertips is amazing.


6) Aveda Comforting Tea - $15 for 20 bags. Free while getting services at Aveda salons.
http://www.aveda.com/product/CATEGORY10701/PROD7943/Body/Tea/index.tmpl?ngextredir=1&cm_vc=XCATEGORY10701&SKU_ID=SKU19079&cm_sp=Cross_Sell-_-body-_-Aveda_Comforting_Tea_Bags

I don't normally drink tea. I'm a big time coffee lover. But, I NEVER turn down a cup of Aveda Comforting Tea when I visit my favorite salon. Even if I'm only in there for 15 minutes to get my eyebrows waxed, I still make sure to get a cup of this tea. The peppermint flavor and scent is extremely soothing. One sip and I'm calmer and more content. If I'm not feeling well, the tea helps to ease my stomach and inhaling the minty smell is wonderful for my sinuses. The tea is organic and is sugar-free but has a wonderful, natural sweet taste to it. Consider this tea for the next time you need to unwind after a long day. And if your salon/spa offers it, accept it and enjoy it!


7) Teva Mush Flip-Flops - $24 at Teva.com

http://www.teva.com/productdetails.aspx?g=w&productID=4198&model=Mush

While traveling on a cruise 4 years ago, my cheap Old Navy flip flops started giving me a blister and started breaking. I needed to buy something fast. I found some Teva Mush Flip Flops. From the minute I put them on, I felt like I was walking on a cloud! The mush foot bed is SO comfortable and forms to your foot perfectly! Everytime I put them on, I audibly breathe a sigh of relief from the soothing feel of them. The fabric strapping is also extremely comfortable and gentle in between your toes. And they last a long time! I still have that original pair! My preschooler couldn't stand her classic flip flops because they hurt her inbetween her toes, so I bought her a pair of these and she happily wears them every day! Sure, you can get a pair of plastic flip flops for $5, but for just a little bit more you can get a pair of incredibly comfy and sturdy pair of Tevas.

8) Bell's Oberon Ale
www.bellsbeer.com/brands/8-Oberon%20Ale

This treat may be a bit harder for everyone to find (I looked it up and see only 14 states have it), BUT if you ever travel to Michigan in the summer, look out for this stuff. Bell's Brewery is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They make a variety of beers but the Michigan favorite is their summer wheat ale, Oberon. Oberon is only available from March until October, and let me tell you, this beer is so loved there are PARTIES to celebrate the day that the first keg is tapped. I've heard someone say "Oberon is the color and scent of a summer afternoon" and its true! The beer is traditionally served with an orange slice to enhance the fruity/citrusy flavor. But be warned, it may only have 5.8% alcohol content, but when this beer hits, it can hit hard. ;) Drink responsibly.


9) Travelzoo.com Top 20 Travel & Entertainment Deals emails - Free to sign up
http://www.travelzoo.com/top20/

Each week, Travelzoo sends out the Top 20 travel & entertainment deals they have found on the internet. The deals include hotels, cruises, international trips, and musicals. I once had a wedding I needed to attend in Chicago. I received my weekly email with a GREAT deal on a gorgeous hotel right downtown for less than $125 per night. Once we got there, we found the room was HUGE! It was such a awesome deal. These emails also remind you to TAKE a vacation. Working day after day, you sometimes forget to take time off for yourself. These emails put that idea in your mind and also prove vacations don't have to cost an arm and a leg. Signing up is free, so really...what do you have to lose?

10) Photo Books - $24.99 at Snapfish.com
http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/photo-books

Scrapbooking is wonderful, but who has the time??? That's where these awesome photo books come in. I think most people have discovered these wonderful keepsakes, but I'm not sure people use them enough yet. In this day of electronic photos and files, many people don't print off their photos, which I think is a shame! BUT with the amount of pictures we take now with our digital cameras, I also understand. Printing, labeling and organzing those photos could take FOREVER. This is where photo books can come in. Make a photo book instead! The books look amazing and highlight your best pictures in a beautiful way. Plus, if your family is anything like mine, people tend to pull out pictures from regular photo albums and never return them, resulting in lost pictures. These photo books keep that from ever happening! A variety of websites make photo books and one of them (if not several of them) are always offering deals on the books. I take advantage of the sales and now have a photo book for every year of my child's life, plus a book for every big event. A couple of them even have my daughter's face as the cover and she LOVES that! And everyone else who sees the books loves them too! So, go ahead and scrapbook as a fun hobby, but if you just need your photos displayed in a beautiful way, BUY PHOTO BOOKS!


Bonus Favorite Thing: Dipping fries in a Wendy's Frosty

I have tweeted about this treat before and am just using this forum as a reminder to TRY IT if you haven't already. What I often will do is order a regular Value Meal that comes with fries, and then will also order a junior size chocolate Frosty. Then I have a mini-Frosty as my "dipping sauce". There is just something about the salty & sweet and hot & cold combinations that makes this DELICIOUS! I could probably eat this every day and be happy (although I'd also be very large). So next time you are at Wendy's, take a chance and try this yummy treat!

SERENITY NOW!!!

Some of you may have seen my slightly cryptic tweets while I was in Canada saying things like "I'm afraid this is the end of a very long era." This blog will clear that up. This blog is also a heads-up to all of my followers regarding future tweets.

As most people know, I have been a die-hard Joe girl since that blue-eyed cutie looked up from his pool game in the I'll Be Loving You Forever video. And I still am a Joe girl, but this Joe girl is going to be taking a step back. Not because my adoration of that man has wavered, but for the sake of my own sanity.

For the past 2.5 years, I have had some AMAZING experiences with Joe. It started with a kiss on the cheek the first time I met him (in 2009), then being chosen for the Let's Get This book drive, then shockingly winning a spot in his Here We Go Again video, to being followed by him on Twitter, having him remember me, where I'm from, and (with prompting) my real name, then having countless moments with him in meet and greets and during concerts, and most recently one of the best days ever, my Ultimate M&G which included an incredbily awkward moment (nice one McIntyre), but was still like a wonderful dream come true!

All of these things are incredible, right? A LIFETIME of experiences! Yet I still find myself wishing and hoping for more and getting disappointed when I don't get it. THIS is why I need a break.

Please know that its not that I am ungrateful for anything I have recieved. I am SO incredibly grateful and I truly know how lucky I am. But this man has made me no promises for anything more and I need to get that into my head.

I find that when I go to concerts lately, I have a mission. Get Joe to see me. BUT, him looking at me is not enough. I want him to SEE me and light up in recognition and mutual adoration. I'm lucky that he has EVER done this, but at some point along the way, I've come to expect it. And I've had moments at recent concerts where Joe looked at me and some obnoxious sign I was holding and did NOT light up. Sure, maybe he smiled, but it wasn't the look of recognition I wanted to see. Therefore, I was heartbroken. Hell, he may not have even seen the sign OR me. But the point is, I don't want to feel that way at all. I've even sent DMs to him trying to see if I could get extra time outside of the concert with him. Not alone or anything, just a drink/coffee or something between "friends", but still! "Friends"? Who am I kidding? Dude is an entertainer! Can you say BSC???? This man has given me SO much! And here I am being selfish expecting more? And really, after all I've had, what else can I even get??? This is crazy. I'M acting crazy. And I need to stop.

I want to get back to the point where I could be happy sitting in the 200 section of a venue because at least I'm there and can hear the music and support my favorite band (and "Kid"). I want to be thrilled if I get ANY floor seat, even if its the one furthest from the stage. I want to soak up the energy of a concert and just enjoy it, no matter what happens. I want to get giddy just because Joe's on stage, even if he's looking in the opposite direction from me the entire show. And if I ever get anything more than this, well then I am just one lucky ass girl and need to recognize that. I also want to step back and let OTHER Joe girls get their chance with this wonderful man! He's kinda like a delectible cheesecake - so amazingly delicious you HAVE to share and let others take a bite.

Achieving this level of sanity and appreciation is going to be difficult while emersed in the crazy life of concerts and Twitter. I realize the current tour is over, but I know there is the possibility of upcoming solo tours and plans for the cruise. So, I have decided I'm going to take a few steps back. I'm not leaving Twitter. I may even send the same number of tweets as I always did. But I'm not going to talk about Joe as much. Sure, I'll pass on information I see, since I know so many of my followers are Joe girls and I still love the guy and am damn proud of him and want EVERYONE to go see him in ANY concert he's a part of. But my tweets are going to be focused on other things in my life. I realize this may make me kind of boring to some of you, which is totally understandable and if you're bored, I encourage you to unfollow me. Please don't let me bore you! Twitter is supposed to be entertaining and I wont be hurt if I lose a bunch of followers. Its totally my choice to move from a very exciting topic like Joe's underwear to the slightly mundane fact that I made up a new song for my baby that goes "Poopy poopy poopy!" And Joe girls, don't feel bad talking about Joe to me. Just realize, I may not be as "fangirl" as I have in the past.

I have a strong feeling I won't be going on the cruise...or if I do I won't secure a spot until way later. I also don't know what I'll do if Joe & Eman go back to Vegas. Like I said, I still love the guy and his music. I may have to see the show once, but I'm sure I will not be going several times.

Many of you know I have a new baby. I'm going to take more time to be with my family. More time to be happy at home surrounded by true love. My family has been very patient and understanding over the past couple years and I owe them... big time.

I will continue to support Joe and NKOTB. I still totally consider myself a Blockhead and Joe girl. And yes, I DO love the rest of NKOTB. I just don't have any expectations of the other members of the group. So, I just need some time to cool off, regroup, and learn to appreciate all I've already experienced.

Finally, whether he reads this or not, I need to thank Joe for ALL that he has done for me over the past 2.5 years. Thank you Joe from the bottom of my heart. He is an incredible person. Truly. My heart feels so full when I think of all I have received from him.  He has made so many dreams come true. I've experienced things I couldn't even have dreamed of. He's not losing a fan at all. Hopefully, he's just gaining a perfectly sane and grateful fan. ;) I'll always be one of his biggest supporters. Thank you Joe.

Now Joe girls, go get YOURSELF a piece of that Joe McIntyre cheesecake! Its to die for!

*PS* I had to add as a side note that I decided on Saturday night (in Hamilton) that I needed to take a step back and not be such a crazy fan. Then as we had front row on Sunday night in London, Joe walked right past me on stage in his underwear. HELLO CRAZY JOE GIRL! I figured the sane behavior could just wait until Monday instead and I screamed my head off. :)