Twenty Four At Heart

The Statement Bracelet - A Giveaway!

Men - don't run away!  

Today is for you too.  I'm sure you have a female in your life.  If not a wife, lover, sister, or mother ... than surely a friend?  Today's giveaway item makes for a perfect gift!

Big, fun, chunky, jewelry is "in" for the fall season.

If you wear one big, chunky, piece of jewelry it's called a "statement" piece and you don't need a whole lot else to go with it.  (Maybe clothes?)

One of my local, Orange County, readers sells Stella and Dot jewelry.  She recently contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in choosing a piece of jewelry from her collection to give away here on Twenty Four At Heart.  (And no, I'm not being compensated in any way for this post.)

"I can pick out any piece I want to give away?" I asked.

She replied, "Any piece you want!"

We set up a meeting at the Money Town Starbucks.  She brought boxes and boxes of jewelry to show me.  I oohed and I ahhed as I looked at all the pretty, sparkly items.

I kept coming back to ONE bracelet, over and over again.  (Surprisingly, it wasn't the most expensive piece of jewelry I was looking at.)

"I want this one, but I want it for ME," I told her.

She laughed.

(And no, I haven't yet ordered it for myself but oh, how I want to.) 

** Hint, hint Briefcase! **

 

It's just so fun to wear this bracelet. 

 

It's full of baubles and sparkles and joy.

My daughter (21 years old) tried it on so I could photograph it.  She instantly fell in love with it.  She was on her way out with some friends and asked if she could wear it for the evening.

"No," I answered.  "It's not mine, you can't borrow it."

The bracelet is perfect for fall. 

It's perfect for the holidays. 

If you don't wear jewelry yourself, it makes a perfect gift.

The Audrey Cluster Bracelet normally sells for $69 plus tax and shipping charges.  I have ONE to give away this week for free.

This is how the Statement Bracelet Giveaway will work:

1.  Every comment left on this post counts as one entry.

2.  You may enter as many times as you'd like.

3.  I will accept entries until Thursday night (August 19th) at 9 p.m. Pacific time. 

4.  The winner will be selected by using the Random Integer Generator software program.

5.  The winner will be announced on Friday, August 20th.

I'm sure it goes without saying, if you don't win this bracelet in my giveaway, you are able to purchase it (or any other Stella and Dot piece) by clicking here.

**  Additional note:  Yes, I will ship this to you for free including internationally.  If you order Stella and Dot products on your own, additional shipping charges will apply if you live outside of the United States.  **

Good luck!!

© Twenty Four At Heart

The Getty Center

Up in the Santa Monica mountains are around 750 acres of land which The Getty Center was built on.  I've wanted to visit the museum for years, and I finally had the opportunity yesterday.

I didn't have my helicopter handy, so I borrowed this aerial shot off the Internet.  (Sorry it's so pixelated, but it will give you a feel for the sheer size of the place.)

The Getty is about an hour drive north of where I live.  The views from The Getty Center are incredible.

Here's a shot I took looking towards Los Angeles:

The air actually did get pretty clear as the day went on.  There was a lot of fog hanging around in the morning.  (And yes, morning fog often turns into afternoon smog in L.A.)

This next photo was taken out by the gardens.  I was having a, very, bad hair day, and I hate the unflattering shirt I was wearing, but I wanted proof I really was, finally, at The Getty.

I like art and I enjoyed touring the different Pavilions, but I loved the architecture of the center most of all.  Because I love photography so much, I would have to say the Center for Photographs was my favorite exhibition. 

I could have spent hours and hours just wandering around The Getty photographing the buildings, the views, the gardens, the fountains, etc.

There's something important I want all of you to know.  I took this next photo just so I could make something very clear.

OK, you're probably tired of looking at photos ....

Here's the last one:

There are fountains all over the place at The Getty Center and there are also, at least, three different spots to grab a bite to eat if you happen to get hungry while you're there.

I had fun.  It was a beautiful day in so many ways. 

I think I might make a trip back for another visit sometime in the fall.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Off to the Races!

For several years I've been meaning to get down to the Del Mar Race Track in San Diego County.  Just about everyone I know has gone to the races, and has reported back on how much fun they've had.  For some reason, my plans have never come to fruition.

Because of that, I was absolutely THRILLED to receive an invitation from Del Mar Race Track to come down and join several San Diego Bloggers for a family day at the races. 

My very first trip to the races!

This is a photo I took with my webcam as I was headed out the door:

The laundry basket in the background is a nice touch, don't you think?

I picked up my friend Nike and we began the drive towards Del Mar.  I live about an hour north of San Diego so it was an easy drive.  (Also?  Nike and I can talk for hours and drive time makes for a great chance to get caught up!)

Here's a photo of Nike once we arrived at the track:

I hope each and every one of you is lucky enough to have a friend like Nike during your lifetime.  We've been friends for about 16 years I think and she's the greatest. 

Nike took this photo of me shortly after we arrived:

 

Do you think having my hands on my hips hides their largeness?

No?

The horses were so beautiful.  They took my breath away.

I got to meet a lot of wonderful San Diego bloggers including my long-time Internet buddy, San Diego Momma.

I can't wait to spend more time with her when we go to New York in a week or two.

Oh, and did I mention the actual races?

The races were fun, exciting ... and the horses were majestic.

It was such a fun experience!

I only bet on two races.  During one race I bet on Talktoomuch and won $4.00.  In the next race I bet on Winsome Charm and won around $11.50.  I know nothing about horse racing and I placed my bets based entirely on the horses names.  I was SO excited to win even though it was only a small amount of money.  

All in all, it was really a fun day.

Nike and I drove back to Orange County and then stopped for a margarita and some ceviche for dinner.

Margaritas are their own separate food group, aren't they?

Well, if not, they ought to be.

I had such a good time, I'm really (!) looking forward to going back for another fun day at the race track soon.

© Twenty Four At Heart

How Clean is YOUR Dirt?

I was behind a dump truck, stuck in traffic, on my way through Los Angeles the other day.

Maybe I needed a little stress relief. 

Maybe I was just bored. 

Maybe I have a weird sense of humor?

For whatever reason, this really made me smile ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

Dear Facebook: You're Being an Asshat

Dear Facebook,

I admit, I'm not your biggest fan user.

Oh yes, I have an account with you and I do pop in to visit now and again.  I don't, however, spend much time with you.  

I have other, bigger, social media outlets.

For instance, I love Twitter!

I've made some great "real life" friends on Twitter.  

Not only that, but Twitter has allowed me to get to know some of my 24 readers and for them to get to know me.  

Twitter is also the new Google.

Sort of.

I ask Twitter questions and I get (fast) answers.

And of course, in addition to Twitter ...

There's Twenty Four At Heart.  

My heart and soul are here on 24.  You might say I have an intimate relationship with my blog.  Who knew this little ol' space could become such a huge, important, part of my life?  Twenty Four At Heart is, in many ways, my soulmate.

Maybe that's where the problem came in, Facebook?  Maybe you're jealous of my other relationships loyalties and decided to pout and make my life miserable?

Please let me know when you're over it, and ready to resume a more positive relationship.

Yours truly,

Suzanne/Twenty Four At Heart

You can imagine my surprise when I stopped into Facebook for a peek the other day and was told I'd been reported for linking to "abusive content."

Um, what the hell?

With a little more digging, I was told someone had "reported" Twenty Four At Heart for containing "abusive content" and I was notified I would not be allowed to link to my own blog again.

Now, let's think for a minute ...

What would be "abusive content" on Facebook?

Well, an example might be a male pedophile posing as a 12 year old girl and then using Facebook to lure young girls to meet him.  Certainly, I can understand Facebook shutting someone like that down.  Lying about who you are, and representing yourself as something you're not, would be considered abusive content.

I was shocked, absolutely floored, when I began researching Facebook's procedures on reports of abusive content.

If someone reports another Facebook user as abusive, Facebook just BAM! shuts the accused person/website down.  Facebook apparently doesn't CHECK to see if the content by that user is, in fact, "abusive."  Facebook just assumes there's a reason to censor the person, and does.

There is no way to "appeal" the situation if someone reports you for abusive content.

Let's look at a hypothetical example ...

Let's pretend I'm a Money Town woman and I absolutely hate that damn chick who writes Twenty Four At Heart.  After all, she makes fun of people like me.  I have plastic boobs, veneers for teeth, a butt implant, a chin implant, cheek implants and enough botox injected into me to last a lifetime.  I make Heidi Montag look like a novice with the number of plastic surgeries she's had.  I tell Facebook Suzanne is posting abusive content, and BAM! she can't link to Twenty Four At Heart ever again.  I'm a liar and a bitch - but Suzanne can't do anything about it so I win.  (I've just put her in the same Facebook category as pedophiles!)

Woo hoo!

Can you imagine how much power this gives to General Asshats, friends/relatives you've had a falling out with, or your exes?  Anyone with a personal vendetta against someone else can create Facebook chaos for you very easily.

I went to Facebook's "Help" link to find out how to correct a bogus report of abuse.

Facebook says:

"If you believe there is no abusive content on the specific website you are trying to post, unfortunately, the web domain that hosts the website has already been identified as abusive."

I'm not convinced the above sentence even makes sense?

The meaning, however, is clear.  You can't do shit about a report of abuse, even if the complaint was completely unfounded.  Someone cried "abusive content" and therefore, you *must be* responsible for abusive content.  Just like that, you're banned from linking on Facebook.

Seriously, Facebook?

Of course, I was very pissed off at this point.  

I researched further by googling people who have experienced the same thing.  I read reports from other Facebook users who were falsely accused of abusive content.  I learned Facebook sometimes arbitrarily removes the restriction without notice or explanation.  (The same way, as a matter of fact, they begin censoring their users.)

Sure enough, about 48 hours later my account was restored back to normal.

Why?

Is it because of the rant I let loose on Twitter about the situation?

Or did my rant have nothing to do with it?  

Did someone look into the situation on my behalf?

I will never know.  

I do know, however, this is a Facebook policy that MUST be changed.  The way accusations of abusive content are handled right now is wrong on so many levels.  

In fact, I think all Facebook users need to be aware of this situation.  

I'm going to go put a link to this blog post on Facebook right now.  

I wonder if Facebook will censor THAT?

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Mooning Disappointment

Last weekend marked, once again, the second Saturday of July.

What's so special about the second Saturday of July?

Well, for 31 years it has been an Orange County tradition to moon the passing trains on that day each year.  The event is called Mooning Amtrak.

 

I attended the event both last year, and again just last weekend.  If you haven't read my past recaps about Mooning Amtrak, I really suggest you do.  They're very entertaining, especially this one.

Two years ago, over 8,000 people showed up for train mooning and the city of Laguna Niguel, where mooning the train takes place, freaked the hell out.  As a result, last year the city paid an exorbitant amount of money on scare tactic publicity and for a ridiculous, overwhelming, police presence to discourage mooners from showing up.

Apparently Laguna Niguel is getting what they want.  This year only about 100 people came to moon the trains and there were more police "monitoring the crowd" than there were mooners.

It really pissed me off.

Train mooning is harmless fun and a thirty one year tradition.  It's also, in my opinion, a dying tradition.  The police ticket and/or arrest people for drinking in public or frontal nudity and traffic infractions.  The police do let people moon unharrassed, but their very presence scares people away.

Boo hiss Laguna Niguel!

Mooning takes place each year across the street from Mugs Away Saloon.  (The saloon does not sponsor the mooning in any way.)

Mugs Away Saloon is not a classy bar.  Let's take a closer look at the sign they have posted outside their front door.

Last year I walked into the saloon during train mooning, but it was so crowded I walked right out.  This year I walked in, looked around at the photos of tits and nude women on the wall and ...?  Walked right out once again.  

To be honest, I was afraid to touch anything in the saloon.  It's the type of place that makes most biker bars look like the Ritz Carlton.

These are my friends D1 and D2 who accompanied me to Mooning Amtrak.  They're pointing out their asses because they're afraid we might not notice them otherwise.

Have I ever mentioned what great girlfriends I have?  I don't like most women as much as as I like most men, but the women I do like?  Are pure awesome! 

Most of the people at Mooning Amtrak are very nice and just regular, every day, folks.

However, there are always a few people thrown in who make you wonder, WTF?  For instance, this time there was a guy who was very, very, serious about his mooning.  It seemed like, perhaps, he just liked to have his pants off a lot.  I nicknamed him Stroker.

 

Also?

Some of you don't come to visit on weekends and might have missed this photo which I also posted yesterday:

I was interviewed both on and off camera by several different TV and print reporters.  (So was my friend D1 who you see standing next to me in the above photo.)

Cross body purses make my boobs look big.

Oh wait ....

My boobs ARE big!

A few of you have asked me for online links of the interview and to be honest, I'm not sure where it appeared.  I do know ABC was supposed to be one of the stations receiving the feed.  I also know it was out there internationally because Twenty Four At Heart has been going absolutely crazy with insane amounts of traffic since the interview.  (A lot of that traffic has been from within the United States but a ton of it has been from outside of the country as well.)   Also, I've heard from some of my readers in various cities around the world saying they saw me on TV.

I also appear in one interview done by the local Orange County Register.  If you click on this link, you will see the article the Register wrote about train mooning.  At the end of the article, they have a video I appear in, briefly, which you can click on.  It's really not a big deal, but as I said - I don't know where to find the links to the other coverage.

Will I go moon the train again?  Probably not unless the event is resurrected to its previous glory.  I might, however, stop by to take a few photos again next year.

Did I mention ...

Boo! Hiss! Laguna Niguel!

Shame on you for ruining some harmless fun and a long time OC tradition!

By the way, just so you get a feel for how conservative many OC people are, I've copied two of the comments the OC Register received on their mooning article for you to read:

1.  All these people should be arrested for indescent exposure and lewd conduct....If children were also present, they should be charged with child abuse and sexual assault.....Since the gay movement is on the rise, the buttocks area is now a sexual organ and this is why these people should be charged with sex crimes.  These people are the same kind of mentality that say being gay is normal.....They are all immoral people and sinners and should be arrested for sex crimes

2.  These people are disgusting!
And for the OCR to promote their disrespectful behavior, foisting their indecent exposure onto others is wrong.  Why the double standard allowing them to do it when it is actually illegal to bare your privates. Absolutely sure a few go-nads and V-g's are visible from behind!  I have NO RESPECT for these people who show no respect for perfect strangers. How arrogant.

Good God, I'm surrounded by Puritans!  (Puritans on one side and Money Town Swingers on the other!)

Did you notice, along with their close minded attitudes, Puritan-types don't seem to have a very good grasp of basic spelling, grammar and/or punctuation? 

Egads!

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Moment in the Spotlight

Yes, that was me you saw on ABC and assorted other news channels over the weekend.  I was interviewed, both on and off camera, by several reporters while attending the Orange County annual Mooning Amtrak event.

There's nothing more meaningful than having your fifteen minutes of fame revolve around the shapeliness (squishiness?) of your ass.

I'll have more for you regarding the event on Monday!

© Twenty Four At Heart

In Case You're Interested ...

Consider this a catch-all, miscellaneous, post.

There are a few things I want to get "out there" to the Southern California population and even those of you in other locations might also have an interest.

1.   Mooning the Train, an Orange County annual event, will be taking place in the city of Laguna Niguel ALL DAY this Saturday, July 10th!  Parking is always difficult, so please plan ahead if you're able to attend this fun event.  I hope to be there for at least part of the day myself because it is ALWAYS a great time.

My ass *might have* appeared on national news last year.  Shhh!  Don't tell anyone.

(Yes, the city of Laguna Niguel probably DOES hate me right about now ....)

2.  The wonderful, heartwarming, Plasticos Foundation, is holding a Mud Run in Orange County on July 18th at the Irvine Lake.  I can't think of a more deserving organization and I encourage my local readers to show their support.  Even if you're not a runner, this should be a great event to walk and/or watch.  (It's about 3 miles at Irvine Lake)

Remember how I almost accompanied Plasticos to Cambodia?  Well, they recently returned from that trip and it sounds like an amazing time.  They treated a young boy with a cobra bite to his foot!  If you have any interest you can read all about it on the Plasticos Foundation Blog.

3.  Wild Rivers Park in Irvine and Raging Waters in San Dimas contacted me with a discount offer for my readers.  For Wild Rivers, the discount is $5 off a general admission ticket and you can click here to get the coupon.  (OR you can enter the promotion code: SUN2 if you purchase your ticket online here.)

For Raging Waters in San Dimas, the discount is good for $7 off a general admission ticket purchased online or $5 off a general admission ticket purchased at the park.  The coupon is available here.  (OR you can enter the promotion code:  1067 if you purchase your ticket online here.)

To my non-Southern California readers, forgive me for mentioning these local events/offers today.  I'll be back to normal posting ASAP!

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Don't Love Vampires

Well, yesterday's post set a record for "fuck you's" in my comment section.  

Getting so many fucks in one day will most likely make me ineligible for any blog awards during the year 2010.

That didn't sound right ...

Also?

That big corporate sponsorship I was recently contacted about probably just disappeared, but that's okay!  I haven't had a big corporate sponsorship previously, and I never intended to have one when I began Twenty Four At Heart.  If Corporate America thinks I've had too many fucks from my readers then ... oh well.

(Wait .... that didn't sound right either!)

I think I'd better change the subject before I make things even worse than they already are.

Apparently another Twilight movie just came out.

I'm sorry, but I don't get it.

I can understand ten and twelve year old little girls squeeing over vampires and werewolves, but grown women?

I tried, I really did try.

I downloaded the first Twilight book to my Kindle awhile back and I forced myself to read the entire thing.  I thought the writing was incredibly weak and the story juvenile.

**  Ducking from thrown objects **

I couldn't bring myself to go see the movie or, for that matter, to read any of the other books.

I realize my opinion is not a popular one.

I realize my opinion will probably create fuck yous in my comment section again today, except this time they will be directed at me.

Why would a grown woman wait in line for four hours to see a movie written for 12 year olds?  Why, why, why?

Why would a grown woman fantasize about a pasty white man with fangs sucking blood out of her neck?

Why would she find it titillating to think a werewolf would compete with a vampire for her?  (Yes, a hairy beast of a man who likes to howl at full moons.)

It's no wonder so many men say they don't understand what women want.

I don't understand either.

I, personally, like a real man.

You know, a warm bodied man with real flesh, kind eyes and ... ok, maybe a talented tongue.

Did I just say that?

I believe I did ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Day of Remembrance

I hope those of you who live in the United States will take a moment today and join me in remembering the many service men and women who have been lost fighting for our country.

I wish all of my readers a safe and wonderful Memorial Day.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Potpourri

I hope you had a nice weekend!

I've had house guests here for the last five days.  Even the best house guests are exhausting, don't you think?

Or maybe I'm just old.

I feel like I need to be Happy!  And Up!  And Chatty!  And Cooking!  And Cleaning!  And Entertaining!  all day long every single day while they're here.

It's so much easier to be grouchy, and lazy ....

In the theme of laziness, I thought I'd give you a few random updates today.

1.  Whirlpool came out five days earlier than expected and fixed my "failed" three and a half year old front-loading washing machine.  I was thrilled with their earlier-than-expected response time.  The final cost of the repairs was over $1,600 and Whirlpool charged me nothing.  I haven't written about the repair, because I wanted to use the machine for a week or so, and make sure it continued to work.  It has, but the other day I found water sitting in the empty tub, again.  The repair people had told me this happens when the pump fails and they just replaced the pump so I don't know what the deal is.  It's only happened once.  Maybe it was some weird fluke?  

I'll contact Whirlpool once my guests leave to take a look at it if it happens again.  The important thing is, I can do laundry again including the daily cleaning of my son's always-filthy baseball uniform.  

Thank you Whirlpool! 

This is what my son's uniform pants looked like five minutes into his game last Friday:

And that is why I need to do laundry every night!

2.  Several of you have asked why I might be traveling to Cambodia.  I've been invited by the Plasticos Foundation to travel with them to document and photograph a medical mission in June.  It isn't definite yet whether I'll be able to attend, but I'm working hard on the details in an attempt to take them up on this amazing opportunity.  As you may recall, the foundation travels to third world countries and performs life-changing surgeries to aid people with birth defects, malformations, and disfigurements caused by trauma.  In addition to changing the lives of the patients they attend, they also train the doctors in the countries they visit.  The doctors they train are then able to continue helping patients after the American medical team has departed.  

Everyone who travels with the Plasticos Foundation is required to work, and non-medical personnel are not normally permitted on these trips.  I'm incredibly honored they've invited me to come along to record this medical mission (with both my writing and my photography).  I'll let you know, as soon as I know, if I'm able to pull off the logistics to make this trip happen.

3.  It was pretty hot here this weekend.  Some of us will do anything we can think of to cool off.

He sits on the "beach" area of our pool to cool off.  Then he wades in and swims.  Then he sits back down on the beach for awhile.  He thinks it's his swimming pool.  (And for those who have asked in the past, we brush him daily so the pool doesn't end up full of dog hair.)

4.  I spent Saturday afternoon at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Fashion Island is an outdoor, swanky, high-end, mall.  You can see the ocean from the mall.  A Nordstrom store just opened at Fashion Island on Friday.  In spite of the fact we have several other Nordstrom stores in Orange County, the entire OC seemed to show up for this big (!) excitement.  

??

Personally, I went to people-watch.  I rarely buy anything at Fashion Island, but it may be the best people-watching anywhere in The OC.

However, this trip I dog-watched instead.

I've never seen so many dogs inside a department store in my life.  I counted twenty five dogs inside the brand new Nordstrom store during the short time I was there.  (And that was just on the ground level!)  I'm not talking (only) about little, tiny, dogs either.  Several of the dogs began growling and barking at each other and the owners just laughed as if it were all very amusing.

Two dogs started to fight in the shoe department.  

Seriously, Orange County?

I'm a total, complete, dog lover and I found it ridiculous, inappropriate, and annoying.  

One dog ran in circles around me wrapping its leash around my ankles.  What would happen if that same thing occurred with an elderly person and they fell?  And what happens when someone gets bit by a dog while buying their $2,000 designer purse?  Does Nordstrom want those lawsuits? 

Not to mention, some people are allergic or afraid of dogs.

What the hell Orange County?  Do you really feel so entitled, you don't think you need to concern yourself with the well being of the other people around you?

And Nordstrom, what are you thinking allowing dogs in your stores?  If they aren't guide-dogs/canine companions, they shouldn't be there.  It's not the beach, it's a department store. 

Oh wait, I forgot, dogs aren't allowed on most beaches here either.  So why are they allowed in our department stores?

5.  My arm is bad.  Very, very bad.  The pain is the worst it has been in months, and I've lost a lot of function since The Torturer stopped treating me in February.  It's very discouraging.  And painful.  And did I mention ... painful?  I've put it off for as long as I can, I'm going to have to call my doc this week and get back into treatment.  You have no idea how overwhelming the very thought is.  Or how depressing.  Or discouraging.  And did I mention it has been very painful?  As in, waking-me-up-several-times-each-night painful? Ugh .....!!!

6.  Hummingbirds live in Orange County year round.  They're definitely thirstier once the weather warms up though.  I was sitting out by the pool yesterday afternoon and they kept buzzing around my head.  I don't know why, but they always make me smile.  

I like to think our yard is a friendly place for them to hang out.

© Twenty Four At Heart

An Abuse of Power or Freedom of Speech?

This is going to be a long post, but I need to address some things.

I began Twenty Four At Heart as a result of a terrible car accident I was in.  Writing has helped me cope with the struggles I've gone through.  It's also allowed me to look outside of my physical pain, and limitations, to find the humor in the small every day things surrounding me.  For me, writing has been tremendously healing.

As dramatic as it sounds, writing is truly my oxygen.  I don't know if I could have managed to get through such a hard time in my life without it.

In my short time in the blogosphere, I've intentionally avoided Internet drama to the best of my ability.  I've got real-life physical challenges to deal with every day, I don't need to get caught up in blogging dramas on top of it.  (And for those of you who don't live in the blogosphere, there is always plenty of drama going on.)

That being said, apparently I've unintentionally stirred up some shit this week with my post, Lately, My Life Has Been a Whirlpool.  My intention, of course, was just to vent about a situation in my life (just like I vent about so many other things here on 24).  I received some heated comments on my post.  I also received several Tweets regarding it and some direct emails also.

Emotions ran high.

Accusations ran high.

Support ran high.

Anger ran high.

To be honest, I never expected the Whirlpool post to receive the attention it has.  I didn't realize a broken washing machine would create such a fuss.

But I guess, I should have.

I've had every major appliance company imaginable on 24 since the Whirlpool post published.  I've also had some of the biggest public relations companies in the world visiting.

** Waving to all the nice folks  **

(Some of them are pissed off at me, I think.)

I know I have some readers who have never read any blogs other than 24.  They aren't aware of the washing machine "issue" which preceded mine.  For them, I will try to explain briefly.

There's a woman named Heather Armstrong who writes a very famous "mommy blog" called dooce.  She has over a million followers on Twitter.  A lot of bloggers love to hate her because they either a) Don't like her personality b) Disagree with her lifestyle or c) Have all sorts of jealousy issues about her success.  Personally, I enjoy her humor and like to read her blog, although I don't follow it every single day.  I met Heather briefly on the Dr. Phil show last summer and I thought she was very nice.  (Remember?  I spoke on Dr. Phil?  And the back of my head became famous for five minutes or less?)

In any case, Heather had a washing machine issue awhile back (with a Maytag which is the same company as Whirlpool).  When customer service repeatedly didn't handle her problem she became frustrated and sent out Tweets telling her million plus followers not to buy Maytag.  Needless to say, her washer got fixed promptly.

Her situation created a controversy in the blogosphere.  Some people applauded Heather for forcing a corporation to take action and be accountable for their customer service.  Other people condemned her for "abusing her power."

To be honest, I didn't know much about Heather's whole situation.  It just wasn't a memorable thing for me although I did remember there was some big controversy over an appliance.  (On many days, I'm doing well if I get a post up on 24 and I tend to be a little oblivious to the rest of the blogosphere.  Maybe that makes me self-absorbed, but more likely it has to do with the fact I'm living with intense pain and just can't deal with much else.)  

Then I started getting dooce-related comments on my post.  I had to google "Heather Armstrong appliance problem" and go back and read about it to get the details.  That's when I found out Heather's appliance issue was ALSO with a washing machine, and ALSO with the same company since Whirlpool owns both the Whirlpool and Maytag brands.

One of my readers, Lisa, left the following comment on my Whirlpool post and also unfollowed me:

Ok seriously? Am I the only person who thinks you may be looking a gift horse in the mouth a bit? The fact is you didn't buy the extended warranty and Whirlpool doesn't HAVE to do anything. They are because you threw a hissy on Twitter and tried to pull a Dooce. The whole "I'm a blogger and you better give me special treatment" act leaves a sour taste in the mouths of people who see real need every day because of skyrocketing unemployment. You are not shy about talking about all of your financial advantages, leaving us to believe you can well afford the cost of a new machine. The rest of us would have to make the best of this very same situation. Come on.

One of my other readers then responded:

Lisa, Ok Seriously! If you or I had spent $1000 on a washing machine and it broke, I think you or I would do everything in our power to right the wrong that is a lemon! No matter what anyone makes, Whirlpool made a shitty product and it shouldn't break in 3 years. I'd yell it out over the mountain tops but heck there's the internet, baby, I'd use that and make a strong statement!

I don't mind people calling me out if I deserve it.  In this case, I don't think I do.  Also, Lisa was making some big assumptions about my life that really pissed me off.  I replied to her:

Lisa,
I'm "not shy in talking about" all my financial advantages? When have I EVER talked about my finances?

Never. Not once.

I don't discuss my finances, my marriage, my family on 24.
I live NEAR an affluent area I refer to as Money Town. I don't live IN Money Town.
Your perception of my financial status is very misguided. I can't afford to buy a new washing machine every 3 1/2 years.

Even if I could, I shouldn't need to ... nor should anyone else.

I think I was quite complimentary of Whirlpool's efforts to stand by their product in today's post. Do I still have a dilemma? Yes, I do. I am physically incapable of carrying laundry baskets. I have no laundromat in the vicinity of my home. I have a problem.

Does it make me an Internet bully to discuss my problems/issues/concerns on my own blog? I don't think so ... that's what bloggers do EVERY DAY.

I appreciate being compared to Dooce, but I am a small blogger. I don't have anything close to her power. Also, I didn't get on Twitter (or my blog) and tell people not to buy Whirlpool OR ask for special treatment because I'm a blogger. Nonetheless, I can certainly understand why she got so frustrated that she DID shout out on twitter. There are few things as frustrating as dealing with a broken appliance which we, as moms, are very dependent on.

I did VENT on Twitter ... just like everybody else does EVERY DAY about the issues going on in our lives. Is venting "throwing a hissy fit"?? Then take a look at twitter and you will see people throwing hissy fits over various issues in their lives ALL DAY LONG.

Whirlpool responded to my venting ... and as I wrote in my post, I was quite impressed that they did and also with their response. I don't see anywhere in this post where I complain about Whirlpool's response to my problem or ask for "special treatment" because I'm a blogger.

On the other hand, consumers have every right to stand up for themselves and to request good customer service from the companies we purchase products from.

Another commenter wrote:

I am glad they are fixing your problem and I would be irate if an appliance broke down in 3 years! I had my last one for FIFTEEN!!! That is absurd and a quality issue that is the problem of the company. I am glad to see that they are doing something to resolve it. If everyone's washer broke down in 3 years and they just said, "Sorry, you didn't buy the warranty" as the previous poster suggested, how many do you think they would sell...not many I would think. I also think that even if you do have money, or not, is irrelevant in this issue and people need to quit hating. A customer is a customer no matter what their economic status and I expect to get a quality product when I spend my money as everyone should. Perhaps people like you and Dooce using your "voice" will make customer service better for everyone and it is certainly a good move on Whirlpool's part to correct the issue.

In a direct email, another reader wrote:

You have a strong voice in the blogosphere and although I understand your frustration, you are abusing your power by writing about your broken washing machine.  When my washing machine broke, I had to call customer service lines and wait around in frustration for days.  Why should you get better treatment just because you write 24?

I've read every comment, every Tweet, and every email I've received regarding my Whirlpool post.  I've also thought long and hard about all of them.

When I tweeted my frustration over my washing machine I wasn't "trying to pull a Dooce" because I didn't even know the dooce/washing machine details at the time.  I also wasn't trying to get special treatment.  I was surprised, but pleased, when Whirlpool responded on Twitter.  As I wrote in my post, I was impressed with their response.  I don't think they knew at the time, I'm the author of 24 and I certainly didn't Tweet "my machine broke and I'm a blogger so you better fix it."

A decade ago a frustrated consumer might go to their local newspaper or news station with a tale of woe.  Were they abusing their power by doing so?

Now, consumers use social media to voice their opinions whether they be positive or negative.  Savvy companies are aware of this and have a strong social media presence.

The issue of "power" and "abusing power" is really troubling me.

Do I, a relatively small blogger, have power?

I've never thought about myself, or 24, in those terms.

I don't have millions of followers like dooce, but I do reach thousands of people.

I suppose I do have some influence/power, but - not much.

When Anthem Blue Cross changed their payment policy towards physical therapists, I lost treatment for my injuries.  I blogged about it.  No one accused me of "abusing my power" for writing about a situation, created by a greedy disgusting corporation, which influenced my life in a very negative way.

Why not?

To me, that was a way bigger issue than a washing machine failing in three and a half years.

Why am I being accused of "abusing my power" now?

Am I irresponsible if I write about a situation/company/product in an unfavorable light?  Is it irresponsible if it's my honest opinion or experience?

When I write about a book I like, or a product or business I love ... and those comments are my honest opinion, no one bitches at me about abusing my power, do they?

Is it freedom of expression if my opinion or experience is positive and an abuse of power if my opinion or experience is negative?

Isn't it a positive thing, for all consumers, for us to demand our corporations stand by the products they make?  

For many years, I worked as a manager for a top Fortune 500 company.  Every single thing we did was about and for the customer.  We wanted to keep our customers for life.  When things occasionally went wrong, as things sometimes do, we did everything in our power to remedy the situation as fast as possible. 

I expect the very same treatment from the companies I deal with.  

I expect it, not because I'm a writer, not because I'm "powerful" (which is questionable), but because it's the right thing to do.  If I think highly enough of a company to purchase their products, they should think highly enough of me, as their customer, to stand by the product or service they sell.

And now I'd like to hear your thoughts ...

© Twenty Four At Heart

Happy Easter?

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Might Have Made A Scene At The Flower Fields

* As a reminder, tomorrow is Photography Friday!! *

I was back at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad on Tuesday.

A couple of my girlfriends wanted to make the trip.  Now that I've been there once, I had a better feel for what lenses I wanted to take with me this time.  I knew my macro lens could stay at home and my big monster 70-200 needed to come with me.

This is my friend Dee:

 

She was trying to steal me away from Briefcase.  Don't tell him, okay?

Here's my friend, Nike.  You've seen photos of her before:

She's carrying my camera backpack and I love her for it.  I even suggested we get married, and please don't go telling Briefcase about that either.

Thank goodness my friends were willing to help me carry things, because it's very hard to be a one-armed photographer.  I know I'm the one making the decision to pursue my love of photography.  I know I'm responsible for the incredible physical pain that results when I shoot pictures.  I also know how important it is to my spirit to have something I love so much in my life, regardless of the pain it causes.

<pops two pain pills and continues typing ...>

Here's my, hands down, favorite photo of the day:

Is it wrong to be in love with a photo?  Because I am.  I'm going to have it framed.  I think I'm also going to have note cards made from it.  I'm in love.

I wanted to also show you the view from The Flower Fields.

 

Sky, ocean, homes, businesses ... flowers!

And more flowers .....

  

I love watching the "wagons" or flower trucks drive through the fields.

It's almost more color than a person can comprehend.  Acres upon acres of beautiful, vivid, colors!

I could show you photo, after photo, after photo, of breathtaking flowers, and flower fields, and color.

A woman approached me at the fields.  She wanted to know if she could use one of my photos to paint.  She's an artist, but not a photographer.  I gave her one of my business cards.  How fun to think one of my photos might end up as a painting!

Another woman approached me with lots of questions about her point and shoot camera, how it works, and what she could do with it.  I won't go into all the details right now, but later in the day the subject came up again with my girlfriends.

"Sometimes," I informed them, "Bigger IS better."

And that's right about when I started getting a lot of strange looks from people passing by.  I swear, I didn't intentionally pose in front of the va-jay-jay looking lemon while posed like this.  No, I didn't realize that until I got home and saw the photo.

Several of the photos from today's post can be found on my photo site.  The last one, of the phallic camera lens and the giant vagina lemon, will not be available for sale.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Orange County Priorities

I frequently share "Money Town" stories here on 24.  I've had readers email me and ask if the stories are "really" true.  It's hard for them to believe some of them I suppose.  To be honest, I often find it hard to believe the people here too.

I've also said many times, there really are nice people living in Orange County.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of vapid, superficial, materialistic people here also.

Our local CBS news reported an interesting story yesterday about a woman who lives in South Orange County.  In fact, this particular woman doesn't live too far from where I do. 

The article attracted my attention immediately for several reasons, and I knew I had to share it with you.

A thirty year old South Orange County woman was sentenced this week for fraud.

Now, you're probably thinking people get arrested for committing fraud all the time, and you're right - they do.

What fraudulent act did this woman commit?

Well, she established credit under someone else's name in September of 2008 so she could get her hands on $12,000.

Perhaps you're thinking in this tough economy she needed money for food, or shelter, and was so desperate she was willing to break the law in order to survive.

You would be wrong.

No, this particular woman "needed" cosmetic surgery including a boob job and liposuction.

Yes, at thirty years of age she was so desperate for cosmetic surgery, she was willing to break the law.  She had her surgeries back in September of 2008.

She ended up pleading guilty to identity theft, grand theft and burglary.

This week the woman was sentenced to jail time and three years probation.  In addition, restitution was ordered.

Where did she get her plastic surgery done?

Why, at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery!

That's right, my friends helped make her look beautiful.

They also assisted the police in their investigation ... which, in turn, led to the woman's arrest.

Well, at least we know she went to top surgeons to get her "work" done.

She probably has the nicest figure in the entire jail.

By the way, local news stations have dubbed her The Breast Bandit.

Only in Orange County!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Why Don't I Just Bore You to Death With Spring?

Okay, really quickly, there's a few things I want to cover.

First, as I mentioned yesterday, beginning this week I'm going to try out "Photography Fridays" for awhile.  No, I'm not the very best and most expert photographer on earth.  Yes, I've taken photos for many, many, years and I do know some of what does and doesn't work.  It will be great fun to learn from all of you, in addition to answering whatever questions I can help with.

Do I have many professional photographers in the reading audience?  (I know I have at least one!)  If so, please feel free to join in with your wealth of knowledge.

Second, since I'm having two posts in a row with a spring/flower topic this week I thought I'd stick with the spring theme and take on photographing flowers for the first topic this Friday.  (A few of you sent in questions regarding flower photography.)  Even if the flowers have yet to bloom wherever you live, who can resist taking an occasional photo of them when they do bloom?  If you have a question, tip, or suggestion for photographing flowers you'd like included - please email me with it in the next day or two.

And now on with today's post.

On Sunday, Briefcase and I drove 45 minutes south to The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

 

Carlsbad is a coastal town in northern San Diego county.  I live in southern Orange County so Carlsbad is not too far away.  (Orange County is right above San Diego County.)  The Flower Fields is, basically, a ranunculus bulb farm.

Try saying that five times fast.

Ranunculus Bulb Farm.  Ranunculus Bulb Farm.  Ranun ....

Never mind.

They grow bazillions (?) of ranunculus flowers at The Flower Fields.  Ranunculus are in the buttercup family, by the way.  They sell the bulbs from the ranunculi (?) - or is it ranunculuses (?) - all over the world.  They have 50 acres of land devoted to growing these beautiful flowers.  Currently, about 20 acres are blooming.

 

Flowers bloom as far as the eye can see.  (Add in a little beach fog in the distance - you can actually see the ocean from many spots at the fields.)

[Sorry the above photo isn't a great one from a technical standpoint.  I love it anyway.  I love the little path through the flowers and the sense of distance/scope it provides.  It reminds me of the flowers in The Wizard of Oz.]

Only a small portion of the flowers grown at The Flower Fields are sold.  I believe it's only one to two percent of those grown.  On the other hand, the fields yield a harvest of around six to eight MILLION bulbs!

They provide "wagon ride" tours of the fields also.  I've never gone on the ride, but I'm going to be back at the fields next week with some girlfriends and I hope to take the wagon ride then.

 

Mainly, I just like the idea of a man in a cowboy hat driving me around.

I've never had a man in a cowboy hat drive me anywhere.

You know, I really don't even see men in cowboy hats in Orange County.

Just sayin'.

 

Ranunculus are very pretty, but did you know they have no scent?  They smell exactly like nothing.  They also have no nectar, so they don't attract bees.  

Ranunculus come in a huge variety of colors.  In fact, the colors are so breathtaking, the fields are a favorite spot for photographers of all levels.  (National Geographic has even photographed The Flower Fields and you can bet they did a much better job of it than I did!)

 

The Flower Fields are only open from March 1st until May 9th, but they are open daily through those dates from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

There are other, beautiful, types of flowers at the fields also, but it really is all about the rununculus.

Beautiful, don't you think?

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Fun Facts

** I'm giving away a beautiful photography book this week.  Click here for details. **

Fun Fact #1:  I took this, very (!) bad, photo of myself with my MacBook yesterday afternoon.  Do you like the messy, un-brushed, hair?  (Seriously, I'm not sure I even brushed it with anything other than my fingers yesterday!)  

Did I photoshop away enough of my wrinkles?

The reason why I'm sharing this, less than flattering, picture is because I just received the shirt I have on.  I ordered it from Boden.  I've mentioned before, I like some of their clothes.  It was really hot here yesterday and this top was cool, comfortable, cute and ... just a little bit sex-ay due to the low-cut.  I always like to share a good find on Twenty Four At Heart.  (No, I'm not getting any freebies from Boden).

Fun Fact #2:  Someone on Twitter used the expression, "Omigod I just pulled a TwentyFour!" to explain something embarrassing she'd done.  It made me laugh.  Then I thought about it for a minute, and now I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted?  

Fun Fact #3:  My friend Mr Lady gave me the greatest tip on Twitter the other day.  I was cooking a dish with a lot of garlic in it and my hands reeked of it.  Mr Lady told me to rub my hands on stainless steel and the smell would go away.  I'd never heard of doing this before and, I admit, I was skeptical.  But guess what?  It works!  It might have looked a little odd as I gave my appliances a hand job, but the garlic smell disappeared completely.

Am I the only one who didn't know this trick?

Fun Fact #4:  Today is Day #4 of my 1,000 calorie per day diet.  In reality, I think I'm actually getting around 1100 calories each day.  I'm trying to do this for two weeks to kick-start my body into losing some weight before summer.  I don't know if I've lost anything yet, but I'm definitely eating healthier.  I'm also hungry.  I'm using SparkPeople to track calories and nutrients.  The most interesting part of the experience so far has been realizing what I DON'T have enough of in my diet.  (Vitamin C, as an example.)  If nothing else, it's making me very conscious of eating healthier which is always a good thing.  (And no, I'm not following the SparkPeople diet plan.)

Fun Fact #5:  I had a pukey kid home for the beginning part of this week.  If I catch what he had?  Shoot me.

Fun Fact #6:  Someone in my immediate family departed for Russia this week.  It wasn't me or Briefcase.

Fun Fact #7:  A local Orange County woman recently got upset with me for swearing on Twitter.  If you're on Twitter, you know swearing is extremely prevalent there.  Also?  clearly, this woman was not a 24 reader or she would have already known I'm not a G-rated blogger.

I woke up in a lot of pain that particular morning and I believe I tweeted something along the lines of, "Holy shit my arm hurts.  Fuck you Anthem Blue Cross for taking my PT away from me."  This particular woman replied back to me her son had read my tweet and I needed a time-out for cussing.

Excuse me?

If you know me at all, you know I absolutely cannot keep my mouth shut at times.

This was definitely one of those times.

I replied back this is why kids should not be on Twitter.

She replied back this is why [she] would "unfollow" me.

My reply?  

If you're easily offended, you never should have followed me in the first place.  Be a responsible parent and don't let your young kids read the Tweets of adults you've followed.

Fun Fact #8:  There are a LOT of women in Money Town right now who look like chimpanzees.  

 

Why?  

They've botoxed their faces to the point where their faces don't move at all.  Their eyes look permanently startled or frightened due to a combination of botox and bad brow lifts.  They've put so much filler in their lips, they flap in the wind.  But worst of all, they've added fillers to their laugh lines (parentheses) around their mouth.  Women here are going so overboard on the fillers, they look horrible.  Honestly, it looks like they're walking around with snouts.

Stop it Money Town women!

It doesn't look good - it looks ridiculous.  

And glaringly obvious.

And many of us are laughing at you.

And in a year or two you will look back at photos of yourself and say, "Omigod - what was I thinking?!"

Because that's exactly what I'm wondering right now.

What the hell are you thinking?

© Twenty Four At Heart

The Plastic Par-tay

Last Thursday night, I attended a Plastic Surgery Party hosted by the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.

For me, it was a very different experience than the Plastic Surgery Party I attended at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery last fall (Part I here and Part II here).

I arrived a little late due to bad traffic.  I had barely stepped into the party when I was met by some readers.  I was thrilled, of course.  It did change the dynamic of the party, however.  Because I was busy engaging with readers (who I now consider friends), I didn't have the opportunity to talk to random strangers and hear their stories.

Some things were similar, however.

There was a lot of champagne and an amazing food spread (which I never even saw firsthand, because - did I mention I was talking and being talked to a lot?).

By the way ... I didn't take any of these photos.  Every photo you see in this post was emailed to me by one of the nice people who works at the center.

There were a lot of people at the party, although, not quite as many as the party in the fall.

There was an area set up where vendors were available to discuss their products.  People could inquire about skincare products, magic eyelash growing potions, etc.  This area was very crowded and quite popular.

  

The doctors were kept busy talking to, and answering questions, from guests all evening.

Here's a photo of Dr. Horowitz and Linda (the nice PCPS employee who took most of these photos):

Linda has seen me in nothing more than a thong and a bra.  Poor woman!  That's a story for a different day.

Dr. Horowitz sure is a nice guy.  I've met him several times before , but I had an opportunity at the party to talk to him at length.  I was very impressed.  A couple of my readers were asking him (endless?) questions about their wrinkles or personal pet peeves and he was informative, engaging, and humorous.

Here's a photo of Dr. Nichter.  You already know I'm a huge Dr. Nichter fan.  He was talking to one of my readers.

When I was talking to Dr. Nichter, I scrunched up my face really tight and showed him all my under-eye wrinkles.  I asked him if I should use Juvederm or some type of filler to make them go away.  He smiled and told me I should just un-scrunch my face and act normal and I'd be fine without it for at least a few more years.

Ha!  Did I mention I think he's great?

I also wanted to share this photo of Kate and Stephanie with you.  I love everyone who works at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, but Kate and Stephanie are two of my favorites:

I don't know how old Kate (on the left) is, but I believe Stephanie said she's 58.  I never would have guessed.  She's so beautiful and they're both incredibly nice people.

In fact, that's the one comment I heard most from my readers who were able to attend the party.  They couldn't get over how nice everyone from Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is.  That's why I've adopted their office, of course ... whether they want to be adopted or not.

There were raffles about every thirty minutes throughout the party.  I might have screamed and squealed when one of my raffle tickets was pulled.  I won a skincare product made by iS Clinical called Youth Complex.  

 

As I was leaving the party, a fellow party attendee approached me to tell me she uses Youth Complex, loves it, and that it normally sells for around $150.  She said it's made remarkable improvements in her skin.  I'll update you after I've used it for awhile and let you know if I like it.  I would think, at $150, it must be pure magic in a bottle.

As the guests left, each person was given a goody bag.  Inside, there was a host of things including a Twenty Four At Heart business card for each guest.  I bet the guests were much more excited by the necklaces in their bags though.  (The male guests had an instant gift for a woman in their life.)

Later this week (Friday?), I'll share with you a few photos of the necklaces they gave away.  I also thought I'd give you an update on some of the latest and greatest news in the world of Orange County plastic surgery sometime soon.  There's one product I'm really intrigued by.  In fact, I'd like to buy it by the barrel and take baths in it.  I'll tell you more about it soon.

Remember, even if you weren't available to attend the party, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is offering discounts on both injectables and surgeries for the next few months to all Twenty Four At Heart readers.  You just need to let their office know you're one of my readers when you make an appointment.  

Once again, a huge thank you to Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter for being such big Twenty Four At Heart supporters and fans.  I had a great time Thursday night and I hope everyone else did too.

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Love This!

I was at the Plastic Surgery Party last night and had no time to write.  I had a lot of fun and actually won something in one of the raffles!  Woo hoo!  I'll tell you all about it soon.  In the meantime, I'm going to share with you this Old Spice commercial.  It's hilarious - I absolutely love it!

© Twenty Four At Heart

You're Invited to a Plastic Surgery Party!

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is having a Plastic Surgery Party in Huntington Beach on Thursday, March 11th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Because I have friends in high places, the center is allowing me to invite YOU, both my male and female readers, to attend this amazing event!

I know my far away readers won't be able to attend.  You will, however, get to read all about the party right here on Twenty Four At Heart.

Not only that, the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is also offering some special deals for Twenty Four At Heart readers whether they are able to attend the party or not.  What kind of deals?  Well, you'll have to read a little further to find out.

I'm so excited to tell you what this party entails!  I've decided to break it down in a list of expectations for you.

What To Expect at This Free Event:

1.  Scrumptious nibbles, treats and champagne.  This "event" is basically just a very fun, nice, party.  And no, you do not have to get super dressy for it, but coming like a slob would not be appropriate either.

2.  A "goody" bag for all attendees.  (I've had a sneak preview and I think you'll like it!)

3.  A chance to mingle with Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter, two of Orange County's most respected plastic surgeons, and their staff.  (The nicest people anywhere!)  

4.  Some fabulous prizes will be raffled off including:  An Obagi Blue Peel (valued at $1,200), a facial by Innovative Skincare (valued at $150), Latisse (FDA approved eyelash lengthener and thickener), iS Clinical Products ($200 value), and a Vitamedica Gift Basket (valued at $100).  Oh, how I hope I WIN something!

5.  An opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest in the world of plastic surgery.

6.  Some fun people-watching.  You'd be amazed at the great stories some of the guests will be willing to share after having a glass or two of champagne!

7.  And oh yes, a chance to spend some time with me!  (I'll try to be on good behavior, but you just never know with me, do you?  At the last Plastic Surgery Party I *might* have played catch with a breast implant.  I do not recommend you do that!)

What NOT to Expect at This Event:

1. Do not expect to get in if you don't RSVP.  You MUST call (714) 902-1100 and let them know you will be attending.  Space is limited, so if you're interested please don't postpone giving them a call.  (Also, let them know you're one of my readers when you RSVP.)  Yes, you may bring friends with you as long as you RSVP for the total number of guests.

2.  Do not expect to see anyone getting plastic surgery at the party - not even Botox injections.  There won't be any procedures taking place that night. 

3.  Do not expect anyone to try and "sell" you anything or try to convince you that you need plastic surgery.  Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz are professionals, and so is their staff.  Yes, you may ask THEM questions if you want ....  No, they will not point out your muffin top to you.  (I know this, because I've been to parties with them and they've never once told me I need a body lift and I DO!!!)

4.  Do not expect either of the doctors to have the time to give you a full consultation right there in the middle of the party.  They're both more than happy to answer questions, but if you'd really like to discuss your crows feet, sagging chin, baby-belly and wobbly thighs all in one conversation, you'll need to make an appointment for a consultation.  There will be a lot of guests wanting to mingle with the docs and it wouldn't be fair to the other guests if they spent the entire evening only with you.

5.  Do not expect a pair of Bionic Nipples in your Goody Bag.

Special Offer for Twenty Four At Heart Readers:

Don't ever say I haven't been looking out for my reader's best interests! 

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is offering the following to all Twenty Four At Heart readers:

A 10% discount on any surgeries scheduled with their office for the 6 month period running from the March 11th event until September 11, 2010.

A 10% discount on any injectables (botox, sculptra, etc.) scheduled with their office for the 3 month period running from the March 11th event until June 11, 2010.

What do you need to do to get the above discount?

You need to tell them you are one of my readers when you book the appointment.  That's all! 

Easy-peasy!

(And no, I'm not making any money, whatsoever, off of this!)

Details, Details, Details!

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is located at 7677 Center Ave., Suite 401, Huntington Beach, CA  92647.  Their phone number, again, is (714) 902-1100.  You must call and let them know if you plan to attend!

I am SO looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.  I hope you can join me.  Thank you again, to Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter for extending this invitation (and the discounts!) to my readers.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Random Like That

I've been pretty low-key, just letting my eyes rest, and staying home a lot this week.  It certainly cuts down on my blogging material when I'm not out embarrassing myself and about as much as usual.  Never fear, though, I'm seeing much better and although my eyes aren't entirely back to normal, I think life will be back to its usual craziness this weekend.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share these little snippets with you.

1.  Proving once again, I have the greatest readers in the world, it turns out (at least) one of YOU is an opthamologist.  (You know who you are!)  It is just amazing to write about a situation and have a reader reach out to me with knowledge, advise, and comfort.  It makes me love this online world even more.

2.  Proving, however, nothing is perfect ....  I found one of the strangest reader emails of my life in my Inbox this week.  Some of you people out there?  Are bizarre.  I'm still shaking my head and asking myself, "Who takes the time to write such a long, rambling, email like this to a writer on the Internet?"  The person who sent it, clearly is in need of some psychological help.  It was not from one of my regular readers.  I know my regular readers are fantastic!

3.  I ran into Trader Joe's (a market, for those of you who aren't lucky enough to have TJ's where you live) to pick up enough food for my constantly starving 14 year old son.  I debated wearing sunglasses inside the store because my eyes are still uber-sensitive to bright light.  It would not be an unusual sight to see a person with sunglasses on indoors here.  I do live in Orange County, after all.  I opted not to.  

Five minutes into my shopping trip, a total stranger looked at me and said, "Have you been crying?  Your eyes are so red!  What's wrong?"  I mumbled something about eye allergies and moved on.

But really?

What if I HAD been crying?  What if I was going through some type of tragedy?  Would I want a total stranger to approach me and ask about it?  If you saw someone in a store with red, swollen, eyes would you approach them and ask about their life?

4.  I owe a bazillion people return emails right now, I'm sorry.  I know you understand, but I feel terrible when people email me with questions, etc. and I don't get back to them in a timely manner.

5.  I no longer have a physical therapist and that makes me euphoric, frustrated and sad all at the same time.

6.  I think my treatment for my arm has reached its permanent end.  That realization also makes me euphoric, frustrated and sad all at the same time.  

7.  For the record, I think Anthem Blue Cross (part of WellPoint) is a greedy, disgusting, medical insurance company.  Our economy sucks and people are really struggling to maintain health care.  At the same time, the WellPoint CEO was discussing her million dollar plus salary, and her eight million dollars worth of stock options, in congressional hearings this week.  All the while, Blue Cross/WellPoint is raising their insurance premiums for all of us "normal" people and paying their providers, the people we depend on to take care of us, way less.

Shame on you Blue Cross!

** Hopping off my soapbox now **

8.  Since I've been stuck in the house so much lately, I find myself very bored and perusing online sites.  One of my all time favorites, is B&H for photography related stuff.  I called them the other day and spent forever talking photography with one of their sales guys.  (Honestly, their sales people are SO nice, SO knowledgeable, and gush, gush, gush!)  I feel like I can call anytime just to ask questions.

But, of course, I wasn't calling just to ask questions.  I ordered a lens on my photography-related wish list.  It should arrive today.  Guess what I'll be playing with if I can find a few spare moments this weekend?

9.  I've been shooting a few photos again in the last day or two.  I'm ecstatic and will have a few to share with you over the weekend or next week.

10.  One of the women on The Real Housewives of Orange County really is the bitch she appears to be on TV.  I bet you can guess which one.

11.  I have my first treatment scheduled with the Fat Melting Machine (I'm a "test" subject for the machine) on March 1st.  My expectation level for results is at zero, but I still think it will be an interesting experience.  I'll have details on the March 11th Plastic Surgery Party for you at the beginning of next week.  Mark your calendars!

12.  I might be watching American Idol and Tweeting while I type this, so please excuse any typos.  I feel a strong responsibility to be a Twitter Judge whenever Idol is on.  Maybe it's my extreme love for music, or maybe it's just fun to act like I know what I'm talking writing about.  In any case, I take my Twitter Idol Judging responsibilities very seriously.

13.  I could make a list like this go on for days, but I won't.  (You're welcome.)

14.  One of my readers, Queen of Chaos, called her local Cole Haan store two nights ago to inquire on my behalf about the jacket I'm searching for.  How nice is she?  They informed her, and she informed me, it will be released to stores in 2-3 weeks.

Did I mention I have the best readers in the world!?

© Twenty Four At Heart

On The Lookout!

I've told you before, I'm not a very girly-girl.

At all.

I do have rare moments of girlishness though.

A week before my eye problems began, I saw this leather jacket in a magazine:

 

It's made by Cole Haan and, supposedly, part of their spring collection.

The problem?

It isn't on their website, or apparently anywhere else in the universe.

Of course, that only makes me want it more.

And no, we don't wear jackets very often in Southern California, but that's beside the point.

I've fallen in love with its neutral color and everything else about it, without ever trying it on.  (Maybe I would hate it if I had a chance to try it on?)

As soon as my eyes are a little stronger, I'll be searching a little harder for it.  I so rarely shop for clothes, I don't feel guilty if I splurge on an item once every decade five years or so.

Cole Haan?

You're a tease!

P.S.  If anyone can track down this jacket for me, I'll be eternally grateful.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Valentine's Day 2010

Wishing you a wonderful, happy, and love-filled day today!

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Emotional Hangover

Have you ever felt hungover just from stress?  

Or from emotions running intense and high? 

Well, yeah ... that's where I am. 

I'm wiped out, drained.

You guys were awesome yesterday.  Your comments, emails, tweets ... all made me feel like there really are good people in this world still.  I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to each of you individually yet.

Did I mention I'm emotionally drained?

There are two parts to my break up with The Torturer.  I'm trying to adjust to, and digest, both. 

First, there's the fact I've lost my long-term physical therapist.  Many of you have been lucky enough never to experience physical therapy.  Physical therapy isn't 100% about the physical.  When you go to PT for a long time, you develop a bond and trust and a relationship with your therapist.  That relationship, if it's successful, is a mixture of mutual trust and respect and even more trust.

After all, you are letting someone physically hurt you.  You have to be able to trust they'll do the right thing for you and also know not to hurt you too much.

(Something The Torturer has completely lost sight of this week.)

The professional bond is not usually severed as abruptly as in my situation.

I walked in the door of PT on Wednesday knowing I had a physical therapist I felt comfortable with and a few minutes later I no longer did.  The unexpectedness of the situation sent me reeling with anxiety and fear over the physical welfare of my arm (and all of its adjacent body parts).

The Torturer would tell you I had the option to continue treatment at his facility.  Perhaps, in his mind I did.

But ... there was no option.

I will find another physical therapist.  There are a zillion of them in Orange County and most of them take my insurance.  It might take a week or two to find one I feel is a good fit, but I know I will.  In fact, my shoulder surgeon read yesterday's post and emailed me with a few recommendations last night.

It was reassuring to hear from him.  It sounds sappy, but my immediate thought was, "Well, at least someone still cares about my recovery."

I hope my insurance will continue to pay for PT when I make the change to a new practice.  I know already, there's a very good chance they won't.

And then?  

I'm shit out of luck.

Thank you for that Mr. Torturer.

Don't get me wrong.  

I agree with The Torturer, Anthem Blue Cross is being One Gigantic Asshole.  I also agree, The Torturer needs to do what he feels is best for his employees and his business.

I have no problem with any of that.

As I wrote yesterday, I have a problem with how this decision was handled on the patient end.

The second part of this situation, the truly painful part, is the friendship involved.  

I've known The Torturer for nearly fifteen years.  

It isn't something I've written about much here.  I've shared with you the PT aspect of The Torturer, but not much about The Friendship aspect of The Torturer.  

I suppose it goes without saying, losing him as a friend is the part that hurts the most.  

He tried to tell me nothing has changed with us.

I don't know how he can say that?

(Did our friendship ever really exist in the first place?  This is something I question constantly now.)

I knew the friendship was gone the minute I felt the door slam on my ass as I left on Wednesday.

I knew it again, with an intense and very painful jolt, when I read his email and text messages last night.

I think that's all I should say about the relationship aspect of this situation.  Except, you know, it hurts on a personal level a lot.

I haven't mourned a friendship in a long time, and now - I am.

The Torturer left a comment on my post yesterday.  If you didn't see it, you might be interested in going back and taking a look at what he had to say.  Or maybe not.  He also wrote me a long letter and asked me to use it as today's post.  For a variety of reasons, I didn't feel it was appropriate to do so.

I'm not sure if I'll be posting this weekend.  If not, I'll be back on Monday.  

Also?  I do have some very interesting news to share with you next week.  It got upstaged by all the PT drama, but I really think you'll enjoy hearing about it.

Thank you again for all the kind words and virtual hugs.  

You are so often a huge source of strength - thank you!

Suzanne

© Twenty Four At Heart

Where The Torturer & I Break Up

You wouldn't believe everything that happened to me yesterday.  It was one of those days where I had nearly every moment booked from the moment I woke up until late in the evening.  In addition to all the planned activities for the day, there was an emotional roller coaster of unexpected events taking place too.

I will share a lot of yesterday's events with you, but for now, for today, let's just focus on one thing - my break up with The Torturer after our three and a half year relationship.

Well, let me be honest about this ... The Torturer broke up with me.

(And if you're a new reader, I apologize in advance but you will not understand today's post.  Perhaps you should go back and read my About Page, and/or peruse my Recovery category to get up to speed.)

There are two parts to this story.  I will explain the factual, blah, blah, blah part first (and quickly!) so when you read the ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGH! CURSE! TEARS! emotional part, it will make more sense.

My medical insurance is with Anthem Blue Cross of California.  For writing purposes, I will just refer to them as BC for Blue Cross.  

Recently, BC made the decision to pay physical therapists in California about half of what they have been paying them in the past for a patient's PT visit.  (This is in spite of making incredible profits as an insurance company.  Don't we all hate the big bad insurance companies?)  In other words, Blue Cross is forcing a 50% pay-cut on physical therapists who treat BC patients.  The Torturer has known for months this change was on the horizon and he's been very upset about it.  He's said it may result in having to cut the salaries of his employees or laying people off.  Around one third of The Torturer's patients are BC patients.

WAKE UP READERS!

I'M DONE WITH THE BLAH, BLAH, BLAH PART!

Yesterday, when I walked into PT I was informed The Torturer had made the decision to pull his practice out of the BC network of providers - effective at the beginning of the very week we are existing in right now.  That means I already attended two appointments this week I'm not covered for.

What all this means is, my insurance will no longer pay for me to go to PT at my current facility.

What it also means is, I no longer have The Torturer as my physical therapist.

What it also means is, I have no plan for immediate treatment and my arm and upper body will begin exploding in breathtaking pain in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ....

What it also MAY mean, is a discontinuation of insurance coverage for my arm forever.  (The reasons for this are long and technical and boring so I won't list them, but losing my coverage for PT on my arm is now a strong likelihood.)

I feel all my hopes for my arm, and dreams of my recovery, falling and shattering into a million splintered pieces on the ground.  I feel the fear of regressing, of losing what I've fought so hard for, clutching like a vise at my heart.  

In my mind, I hear over, and over again, The Torturer's words from just last week.  He chided me for missing two appointments because it became instantly apparent I had regressed in even that short amount of time.  I struggled to lift a one pound weight when the week before I had lifted three.

I think about my camera, my love of photography ... how hard I've fought and what I may now lose.

What happens to me now?

Could I pay cash (at a reduced rate) to continue my treatment?  Well, technically I could.  

Realistically, I cannot.

The Torturer did not handle any of this the way I think he should have.  (That is strictly my opinion as his long-term patient, and as his friend.)  I'm very hurt and disappointed.

Although I've known The Torturer has been frustrated by Blue Cross "issues," there was no advance warning he was considering exiting the BC network.  Therefore, The Torturer's BC patients (or *ahem* FRIENDS) had no idea of this impending change.

There was no transition time provided for me his patients to find alternative treatment.

There were no suggestions or referrals provided for the treatment patients need (and which The Torturer will no longer be providing.)

[Although, later - in an exchange of text messages and emails, The Torturer said he would provide referrals if requested.]

When I asked The Torturer what I should do, he said, "That's up to you."

And yes, I did take that to mean, "I don't give a shit, you don't bring any money in for me anymore."

Is that what he meant?

You would have to ask him.  I can only write about how his words made me feel.

I feel abandoned.

I feel betrayed.

I feel like I've lost the ONE person who has truly understood what I've gone through since my accident.  (Who, apparently, doesn't really understand at all because if he did he wouldn't have walked away from me without a visible ounce of concern for my well being.)

I feel very hurt at how casually I was "dismissed."

I feel myself sinking, and sinking, and yes - giving up all hope for any further recovery.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Bits and Pieces

I'm going to be touching on several topics, briefly, today.  I know you must love when I ramble on and on about this and that.  Nonetheless, there are a few things I want to update you on and none of them are worth an entire post on their own.

By the way, I might sorta be on drugs.  I don't think I need to confess that, but I better in case this post doesn't make sense.  Or in case I have a lot of typos.  Or something.  Only a little itty bit of drugs (and totally The Torturer's fault), but I'm warning you just in case ....

1.  First of all, wow!  Yes, wow!  Thank you so much for your support yesterday with my new photo gallery.  Honestly, the best people in the world come here (and there!) to visit.  I don't even know what to say except THANK YOU for being so supportive and just plain wonderful!

2.  Apple announced the new iPad yesterday.  I've never heard as many period-related jokes in my life as I did in the first hour after the announcement.  Clearly Apple needs a female on their marketing team.  There's not a woman on earth who would have suggested or approved iPad as a name.

3.  I'm taking three classes right now.  I feel like a full time student again.  First, I'm taking a Photoshop class.  So far, I've primarily learned how much I don't know about Photoshop.  I'm also taking a photography class.  The instructor thinks I'm really good at landscape photography.  He made me happy, giving me a lot of really positive feedback.  He also told me he can make me even better by teaching me "a few tricks."  Then he informed me I pretty much suck at portrait photography.  Um, maybe that's why I don't shoot people very often?

Shoot people?

It sounds so violent.

In addition, I'm taking some online tutorials (various topics) at Lynda.com.  It sounds so wrong when I tell my family I need to be left alone for awhile so I can "go do Lynda."

4.  I barely have time to breathe.  Maybe one class at a time would have been a better idea?

5.  Remember when my son was injured during football season and had to be rushed in for ankle surgery?  Well, he's still going through physical therapy, but he's almost done.  He is doing GREAT!  In addition, the baseball coaches at his high school have bent over backwards to accommodate him.  The freshman baseball team was announced this week and he made the team.  He's thrilled.  I'm very happy for him and also relieved.  My son lives for baseball, it's hands down his favorite sport.  He would have been crushed if he couldn't play due to a football injury.  (No more football in his future!)  

There will be a lot of high school baseball games for me to attend in upcoming months.  

Bleacher butt here I come!

6.  The Torturer put me in the worst pain imaginable last Monday.  I haven't been back to PT since.  (For a host of reasons, not just because the man hurts me.)  In any case, I'm hoping in another day or two the pain will have mellowed out to the point where I might be able to sleep through the night.  I'm verrrry tired from all the pain.  Boo Hiss on The Torturer!  (Also?  I bet he really misses me a lot!)

7.  There's a town in Canada named Lower Sackville.  I find this exceedingly funny because I have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy.  One of my twitter friends is Canadian and informed me there is a Middle and Upper Sackville also.  Another Twitter friend chimed in with a town she encountered named Glory Hole.  ("I just entered Glory Hole - it's rockin' my world.")  

Yes, I use Twitter to further my intellectual development, why do you ask?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Happy Twenty Ten!

I rang in the New Year with some old friends last night.  To be honest, I'm still a little fuzzy-headed this morning.  As I recall, one of our male friends celebrated at midnight with a pink party hat strategically positioned on the lower portion of his body.  (I never realized how phallic an improperly positioned pink party hat can be!)  When I hugged him at midnight he said, "Be careful, I might poke you."

And he did!

Happy New Year to me?

Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful, healthy, happy, fun, Twenty Ten!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a wonderful, and heartwarming, day. 

© Twenty Four At Heart

Viagra

Well, like many of you I'm absolutely swamped with "to-do's" right now.  I'm at PT in the mornings for my bum arm.  I have about an hour break and then I pick my son up from school and go back to PT so The Torturer can work on his ankle.  (He's now in an ankle brace and can limp walk without crutches.)  In other words, I'm living at PT - or so it feels.  I might just bring my toothbrush and stay there 24/7.

The Torturer loves me.  I'm sure of it.

In the meantime, family has arrived for the next several weeks and there's a lot to do at home.  Plus, of course, there's all of the holiday stuff going on.  (Parties and parties and maybe a few more parties!)

I explain this to you with the hope you'll better understand I'm utterly exhausted if I miss a post here and there over the next two weeks.  Also, it's important you understand why I'm cheating and not really writing anything at all today.  

Instead I'm sharing this with you:

 

The label that comes with it says:

"If the light stays on for more than four hours, call your erectrician."

It made me smile - I thought you'd like it too!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Shopping as an Event

Less than two weeks ago, I wrote about a shopping excursion I had at the Money Town mall.  (If you missed that post you can read it by clicking here.)   

Just a few days later, I was invited to a "Holiday Shopping Event."  This "event" took place at Money Town's Nordstrom department store.  The store closed down to the general public earlier than normal and then reopened for customers with invitations only.  I'm not sure, but I believe all Nordstrom stores hosted these events for their "special" customers.

I think maybe you just had to have purchased something once in your lifetime from Nordstrom's to get invited? 

Strictly for blogging purposes, I knew I absolutely had to go.  I wanted to give all of you a glimpse of the Money Town women fighting over handbags.  I snuck my point and shoot camera into my purse and drove to the mall.  I was shocked by what I saw there.

There were people lined up as far as the eye could see just to get into Nordstrom.  The people you see in the above picture were just a small number of those waiting.  The line went on and on, snake-like, forever.

Eventually I found my way to what I assumed was the end of the line.  To be honest, when I saw all those people waiting like a herd of cattle, I just wanted to turn around and drive home.  

Being the dedicated blogger I am, however, I stayed.

After quite a bit of time, I approached the entrance to the store.  That was when I realized people had to show their invitations to be allowed in.

What invitation?

I know they meant to invite me!  In fact, I think they actually did invite me, but I might not have read the invitation.  Especially the part that said I'd need to bring the invitation to get in.  

I definitely had gotten a phone message or forty saying they'd like me to attend.

I informed the lady at the door I "forgot" my invitation.

"You'll have to go to that table over there," she said, pointing me across to another line.  

I sighed and did as I was told.  After a short wait, I bullshitted my way through the door.

I may be shy, but when I'm in a tight spot I can bullshit with the best of them.  There was no way I was going home after waiting in that incredible line to get to the door.

Once inside, I was afraid if anyone saw me taking pictures I'd get kicked out.  I'm apologizing upfront for the lack of photos, and the poor condition of the ones I do have.  I had to be very surreptitious about the whole camera-taking-photos thing.

There was a lot of alcohol provided.

I'm sure the more people drank, the more they bought.

There was also music.  Nordstrom always has someone in the store playing piano to create a more exclusive ambiance, but in this case they went a little further.

   

The music was actually very entertaining.  I'm not much of a shopper, but I really like music.  I would have preferred to just hang with the musicians and get their take on life in Money Town.

More than one person brought their dog.

What's up with the dogs at the department stores?  Seriously?  I'm a tremendous animal lover, but even I don't think it's appropriate.  What if someone is allergic?  What if someone steps on your pet?  Do dogs really belong there?  Is this a Money Town thing?  Another example, perhaps, of the rich thinking they can do whatever they want wherever they are?

There were a lot of people there.  Almost all of them were drinking.

Some of the women wore amazing outfits to shop in.  I was not one of them, of course.  Also, I wasn't very successful in capturing any of them in a photo.  I did get a couple shots of more "normal" people though.  By "normal" I mean none of the ones in the photos below were at all unusual by Orange County standards.

 

There were waiters walking around with platters of appetizers too.  I saw more than one person spill a drink on sales merchandise.  I wonder if the store later regretted serving food and drinks?  Or maybe they made so much money off the inebriated shoppers, it more than made up for it?

Sigh ... there's nothing like the holidays with the Money Town crowd!

© Twenty Four At Heart   

Still Beautiful To Me

** Today is a continuation of yesterday's post regarding the work being done by the Plasticos Foundation. **

Pretend for a moment ... you are a 19 year old girl.  You're beautiful.  You live in India and it's your wedding day.

Your wedding day!  

You're on top of the world and your heart is filled with joy.

On your wedding night your dowry is delivered to your new father-in-law.  

Your father-in-law receives your dowry and realizes it's not enough for him to buy the new motorcycle he covets.  He erupts in anger.  In his rage, he throws acid on your face.  The acid sears your skin - melting it, if you will.  From the mouth down your beauty is destroyed.  You can no longer bend your neck due to burn contractures.

You've been maimed for life.

Your father-in-law goes to jail for thirty days, bribes an official, and is released.

You live disfigured and in shame.  One day you hear a team of American doctors are volunteering their time to come to India.  For the first time, you dare to hope your body might be restored, at least in part.  You are selected out of hundreds of people hoping to be aided by the doctors. 

This story is only one of many touching stories from India.  When the Plasticos Foundation traveled there, they were surprised by the number of burn victims they saw.  Some of the patients had been burned accidentally by kerosene lamps or cooking accidents.  Many were the victims of horrific domestic abuse.

Their stories, their injuries, are unforgettable.  Here are just a couple photos to give you an idea of the shocking cases Plasticos found waiting for them.  I know these photos are unpleasant to look at, but that's exactly why it's so important we do look at them.

 

 
 
 

 

In addition to many burn victims there were also children suffering from birth defects.  Children with fingers that were fused together preventing them from being used.  Children with arms that did not work or cleft lips and/or cleft palates and other deformities.

 

The local doctors did not have the training to help these people.  The patients did not have enough money even if the doctors had been trained.

The Plasticos Foundation performed over 80 surgeries at no cost to the patients and trained the local doctors while they were at it.  

 

The training of local doctors allows hundreds, if not thousands, more patients to be helped after Plasticos has departed.

What did receiving this help mean to these people?  Here are a few pictures of patients shortly after surgery.  

 

  
 
 

I could write post after post about the Plasticos Foundation.  Every patient is another story waiting to be told.  My heart has been touched deeply by what this organization is doing.  I hope your heart has been touched too by reading about their wonderful work.

If you feel so inclined, you can make a donation to Plasticos using the Donate button on their website.  I have, why don't you?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Changing Lives - Touching My Heart

I like to have fun here on Twenty Four At Heart.  I frequently make fun of myself as well as Orange County.  Today, however, I'm opening my heart to you in a way I never have before.  I want to share something special with you.  It's something that touches my heart deeply.

Many of you remember I went through breast reduction surgery last summer.  I did this at the urging of my orthopedic surgeon post car accident.  I ended up with smaller boobs and bionic nipples which provided me with all sorts of blog fodder.

The surgeon for my breast reduction was Dr. Larry Nichter from the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.  

Several months after my surgery, Dr. Nichter invited me to my first-ever plastic surgery party.  I detailed the events of the party in two posts for you here and here.

What I didn't tell you is, I came home from the party with a DVD.  A few days after the party I sat in my family room watching the DVD and bawled.  The DVD exposed me to stories unlike any I'd ever seen before.  Today, I'd like to share a portion of what I learned with you.

Dr. Nichter began a foundation called Plasticos in 1999.  Plasticos is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing life-changing reconstructive plastic surgery to people who are unable to afford it on their own.  The organization has made trips all over the world helping people (mainly children, but adults too) who would never have the opportunity to live a normal life otherwise.

Perhaps I was touched by the first DVD I watched because I have my own disability to grapple with as a result of my car accident.  Whatever the reason, the knowledge Plasticos is helping people achieve normality and overcome obstacles in their lives is a cause I care deeply about.

This little boy is named Jose. 

 

I'm sorry this picture is so pixelated, but I think you can see enough to understand Jose was born with a cleft lip, and palate, as well as deformities to his ears.  If Jose had been born in the United States, he would have had surgery to correct his deformities in his first three months of life.  Jose was four years old when he met the doctors from Plasticos.

 

This is a picture of Jose shortly after surgery.  You can see he still needs to heal from his surgery. 

You can also see a remarkable improvement.

Plasticos takes their efforts one step further than similar organizations.  When they travel to third world countries (India, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, etc.) they teach the doctors in the host country how to perform the surgeries themselves.  When the Plasticos staff departs a few weeks later, the doctors they leave behind can carry on with their new knowledge and skills.

What is the saying?  Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.

I don't know this gentleman's name, but can you imagine living into adulthood like this?

And then a team of American doctors from Plasticos visited.  Right after surgery he looked like this:

 

Plasticos works on a lot more than just cleft lips and palates.  I've watched videos of people with hands, arms, and legs which did not function prior to surgery.  Some of the patients are born with abnormalities, some have been involved in accidents, and some are victims of violence or abuse.  All of their lives were forever changed by the Plasticos team.

In the time since I watched the initial DVD I was given, I've viewed several DVDs of other Plastico trips.  (There have been 51 trips in all.)  I've also talked to Dr. Nichter about his organization on the phone at length, and interviewed him for over two hours in his office.

I'm not exaggerating in the least when I say I'm in awe of him.

(I bet he's blushing right now!)

But seriously, I am.  

Did I mention Dr. Nichter was named the Child Help Humanitarian of the Year for Orange County?  The work he's doing with Plasticos is valiant.  When you learn he frequently writes checks to cover Plasticos expenses himself, you realize he's even more remarkable.

The girl shown in the picture below is fourteen.  She was burned severely at age two in a cooking accident.  (Her family cooks on an open fire.)  Since being burned, her leg hasn't been able to function.  The burned skin was constricted.  She walked with the aid of a stick for twelve years.

 

Shortly after surgery she was able to take her first steps since the age of two:

How fortunate for her.  Can you imagine walking for the first time in twelve years as a fourteen year old?  What is it like to learn how to walk again?

The majority of Plasticos' patients are children, but some of the stories of adults touched my heart incredibly.  In many cultures, a deformity results in being ostracized.  As an example, in some countries people are not allowed jobs, or to marry, if they have any type of abnormality.  

Dr. Nichter has taken his expertise, and with a team of doctors, nurses, and staff, he's set out to make a profound difference in the world.  He's succeeding.  Thousands of peoples' lives are dramatically better because of the work Plasticos is doing.  Children who had been ostracized and shamed are now able to hold their heads up and walk with pride.

Tomorrow I will share with you the story which has moved me the most.  It's about a young woman in India.  It was her story that caused me to cry when I watched my first Plasticos DVD.  It's both a heart-wrenching and uplifting story.

Perfect for the holidays, don't you think?

In the meantime, if you're interested you can watch a short video on the Plasticos Foundation by clicking here.  And/or if you'd like to help Plasticos they have a donate button on their website or you can simply click here.  (Donations are tax deductible.)

P.S.  Because I know someone will ask ...  Each Plasticos trip costs around $50,000.  Every donation, no matter how small, helps.  

P.P.S.  The Plasticos Foundation is in need of warehouse space here in Orange County.  If you're an Orange County business and might be able to help, please contact Plasticos.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Seriously CBS?

The other night I was sitting in my favorite over-sized leather chair.  I was trying to fight off my turkey coma (caused by eating copious amounts of turkey and trimmings).  I was staring into the depths of my laptop as I guiltily contemplated the many emails I've neglected recently and really must get caught up on.  

In the background, the TV blared and I ignored it.  I'm not much of a TV person, but Briefcase is.  When he's home, the TV is usually on.

My attention was suddenly caught by a man's voice saying (rather loudly) from our TV, "Pap smears save lives."

Startled, I glanced at the TV.  A very handsome Josh Pais stared back at me with Christmas bells jingling in the background.

For a moment, I questioned if I had really just heard what my brain and ears knew I had.

A handsome man surrounded by jingling Christmas bells doesn't normally discuss pap smears.  (Especially on TV while many of us share a relaxing evening with our family/kids surrounding us.)

Don't get me wrong.  I agree, pap smears do save lives.  One of my neighbors died from cervical cancer and I'm very aware of the importance of the test.  I'm in no way disagreeing with the idea of pap smears, their importance, or even the fact that Public Service Announcements on TV about them might help save lives.

(And also?  Don't even get me started on recent women's health issues such as the new mammogram and pap smear guidelines!)

But Josh Pais?  Pap smears and jingle bells?

As my brain was trying to fully wrap itself around what I was seeing and hearing, Josh Pais continued.

"This Christmas impress her.  Give her the gift that even Santa can't deliver."

<Background: ho-ho-ho-ing as the commercial fades out.>

I gasped!

"Did you hear that?" I asked Briefcase as he re-entered the room.

He hadn't.

"CBS thinks you should book a pap smear for me this year as my Christmas gift," I informed him.

I grinned and added, "It's the gift even Santa can't deliver."

Briefcase rolled his eyes.

A sudden vision of Santa poking between my legs came to my mind.  I shook my head violently trying to dispel it.

I'm sure Briefcase was contemplating my reaction if I woke up Christmas morning to find out my big! surprise! gift! under our Christmas tree was an appointment for a pap smear.

In my mind I can hear him saying on Christmas morning, "There's a pap smear in a box for you 24!  I even put a big red bow on your extra special pap smear!"

Then he would beam at me with a smile on his face and I would start stripping off his clothes right then to show my appreciation for his gift.

Do ya think?

Or maybe not?

Here's the PSA.  I knew you'd want to see it in it's entirety.  (It's short, I promise!)

Watch CBS Videos Online

If you're a man ... would this PSA convince you to book an appointment for an important woman in your life?  You might save her life.  Of course, by choosing a pap smear as her gift you might be risking yours!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Monday Will Be a Big Day!

Next Monday is my 24th birthday and I'm planning a celebration for you!

I'm so excited!

I love birthdays and I think I could use need some fun this year.  Things have been too stressful lately. 

** Don't miss out - make sure you stop by on Monday! **

In the meantime, I'm going to be busy taking care of my son over the Halloween weekend.  I imagine we'll be watching a lot of movies together.  The poor kid has had a very rough month.

Of course, I might need to dress up a little to scare the Trick Or Treaters.

 

I'm so attractive! 

Happy Halloween!  I hope you have a fun, safe holiday!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Ghost-like

I'm feeling a little spooky.  One more week until Halloween!

© Twenty Four At Heart

I'm Mentally Confused - I Think?

I am not normal.

I don't know why that is?

I've been home all week caring for my son who was diagnosed with H1N1.  He's sleeping a lot.  I think he's getting better.  He's on a lot of medications and drinking tons of fluids.

As you may remember, the doctor also felt I had caught H1N1 and put me on Tamiflu.  I didn't even feel very sick.  One of the possible side effects of Tamiflu is mental confusion.

Seriously.

Am I not mentally confused enough already?

I have been so scattered.  I can't seem to think in a straight line.  Thank goodness I've primarily just been at home playing nurse because I think I'm a danger to the world and myself right now.

Have you gotten a confusing email from me?  Have I responded to an email you sent me twice?  Or not at all?

I honestly don't know what the hell I'm doing right now.

Two days ago, I desperately needed a few things at the grocery store for my son.  It was raining.  There were no cars in the parking lot.  I parked right in front of the store.  I bought the needed groceries and then spent fifteen minutes looking for my car in the parking lot when I was done.  

Yes, I did walk right past my own car several times in the process.  

I know I'm blonde ... but, really?  

This is not like me.

I am an efficient, organized, woman.

I think.

Or I was?

That same day I was discussing music with a friend.  I couldn't remember the names of songs.  I couldn't remember which artists wrote which songs.  I'm a total music buff.  Finally, I decided to stop discussing music because clearly, I really know nothing at all.  

Except, I think I do.

Or, at least, I did prior to taking Tamiflu.

I won't even tell you about my attempts at cooking.  I *might* be forgetting things like turning the stove on ... or worse, turning the stove off.  

To put it mildly, I'm no longer trusting my own judgment on anything.  I have to take Tamiflu for three more days.  I don't know how long the drug will stay in my system after that.  At what point might my mental acuity return?

In the meantime, the other day it rained until afternoon.  Then the sun came out for awhile and the clouds cleared.  Not long after, the sun began to set.  I looked out our back window at "my" mountains.  They looked so beautiful and so vibrant in color.  

The mountains often look pink or red or purple as the sun sets.  This time they looked even more purple-ish.  I was amazed.  I took a photo.  Then I wondered if they really looked that purple, or maybe it was an illusion born out of my druggy confusion?

Aren't they beautiful?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Dr. Phil & The Mommy Wars

Last August I went to a taping of the Dr. Phil show.  The show aired yesterday.  Many of you emailed me to let me know you saw me on TV.  A few of you sent me emails with opinions on the somewhat controversial show.

I intentionally didn't tell you ahead of time I would be on TV yesterday.  I was secretly hoping they would cut me out of the episode.

Why?

I am basically a very shy person.  The idea of all of you watching me on TV freaked me the hell out.  Also, I was very nervous when all the cameras came out of the ceiling and walls to film me.  My voice wavered and I may have stammered a lot and I pretty much looked like a loser.

Plus ... omigod ... have any of you ever seen yourself on a 50 inch flat screen?  Holy hell!  Where's Dr. Nichter when you need a shitload of immediate on-the-air plastic surgery?

Some people knew they were going to be filmed when they went there.  They got their hair and make-up professionally done.  I was just there.  Dr. Phil talked to me during a commercial break and then asked me talk on camera for a few brief moments.

The episode was on the mommy wars.

They wouldn't let us take cameras into the studio so these photos are all pictures I took of my own TV screen yesterday as the show aired.  

No bitching about photo quality, okay?

Dr. Phil wanted a controversial show to improve ratings so he intentionally pitted working and stay at home moms against each other.

I didn't like the whole concept of mom against mom.  Here's a very crappy photo of me looking serious while talking to Dr. Phil.  All those lines across my chin and neck are from the TV.  I swear.

I didn't know what the show was about when I went to the taping.  I thought it was going to be about bloggers.  The most successful mommy blogger in the country world was a guest on the show.  Some of you know Heather Armstrong as Dooce.  I sat in the row behind her during the taping.  After the filming concluded, I met Heather and her husband, Jon, and their new baby, Marlo.  Heather was very nice.  

The primary spokesperson for the stay at home moms was Jessica Gottlieb.  Jessica voiced strong opinions when she had opportunities to speak on the show.  Dr. Phil called Jessica "sanctimonious" and "judgmental."  I don't think Jessica agreed with him on either of those descriptions.

So what did I have to say while on the Dr. Phil show?

Really, I didn't have much to say.

"Can't we all just get along?" or something along those lines.

And yet?

I'm practically a celebrity now, don't ya think?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Surfing Dog Contest

Early Sunday morning I dragged Briefcase out of the house to go watch the Surf City Surf Dog contest held at Huntington Dog Beach.  My husband may not have been too enthused.  It's horrible being married to me.  If I weren't in his life, Briefcase would have slept away his weekend.  (I'm really a lot of fun.  I swear!) 

The money raised by the dog surfing contest goes to help charities.  What a great concept.  The dogs have a blast.  Their owners have a blast.  The money raised is given to charity.

I had just arrived and the competition had yet to begin when I met, and fell instantly in love with, George.  Briefcase didn't have a chance against George.  Even though he looked a little hungover, George won my heart over the moment we met.  (Please excuse the sand on his nose!)

George is a landseer Newfoundland.  Newfoundlands are often called gentle giants.  They have incredibly sweet dispositions.  George and his owners are from Canada.  When I first met George I thought he was at Dog Beach just to watch the other dogs surf.  Later, to my delight, I discovered George would be competing in the surf contest.  George had learned to surf just the previous day.  George loves the water and his owner, Colin, thought George would enjoy competing.

Before I tell you about the rest of the surfing dog contest, let me tell you a little bit about George.  George is a rescue dog.  George was abused for the first year of his life.  It's hard, and heartbreaking, to imagine anyone abusing a loving dog like him.  His current owner adopted him from a shelter about six months ago when George was only one year old.  George knew instantly he had found safety and love with Colin.  The love between the two of them is palpable.

There were a lot of spectators at the surf contest.  They watched their peers surf, and they kept themselves busy between heats also.

Here's a picture I took later in the day.  George is outfitted in his life jacket and he's headed out to compete.  Colin is leading him out to catch a wave.

George wasn't the best surfing dog of the day.  He's new to the sport.  Also, unlike the experienced surfing dogs, he did not have a custom made doggie surf board which lessens the likelihood of the dog falling off.  George loves to swim though.  He also loves to be on the surfboard, and even enjoys surfing.  What he doesn't like is being away from Colin.  When he sees himself surfing away from Colin he wants to jump off the surfboard and swim back to him.  Considering the abuse Colin saved him from, can you really blame George for wanting to stay close to him?

There was a lot of media coverage of the dog surfing contest.  This camera man very matter of factly asked this dog if he thought his chances were good for a win.  I didn't hear the dog answer, but his posture seems to indicate he felt confident.

The dogs competed in surfing heats.  The smallest dogs competed first, followed by medium sized dogs and then large dogs.  There were some pro-surfer dogs competing too.

The judges made lots of notes.  Dogs got more points if they surfed alone and their owners were not on the board with them.  If a dog was tied to the surfboard they received less points.  If a dog rode a wave all the way into shore they got a lot of points.  If they stood while doing so, instead of sitting or laying down, they got even more points.  Besides the length of a ride, dogs were also scored on their confidence while surfing and the size of the waves they rode.

Here are a few shots of the dogs surfing.  The first is a bulldog named Dover.  Bulldogs seemed to do very well surfing.  There were several of them competing.  They are heavy and low to the ground which helps a lot with balance.

This next photo is of an Australian Kelpie.  Her name is Abbie.  Abbie is a very good surfer.

This next photo is fuzzy (my apologies!) but I thought you'd want to see it anyway.  It's a dog that loves to surf to shore facing backwards.  I think she got extra points for "trick" surfing.

Here's a golden retriever surfing too:

There were a lot of great surfing dogs throughout the day.  By far, though, George was my favorite.  He couldn't wait to get out in the surf even if he's a novice to the sport.  Here's a picture of George sizing up the competition.

When the day was over, George looked a little exhausted.  He had a blast, but several hours at the beach will wipe out anyone.

To be honest, I was pretty tired by the end of the day myself.

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Plastic Surgery Party - Part 2

** Today's and yesterday's posts were not sponsored by the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.  However, they can easily bribe me in the future if they'd like to!  **

Yesterday I wrote about the Plastic Surgery Party I attended at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Huntington Beach.  The party was hosted by Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz who have offices in both Huntington and Newport Beach.  I described the opulent food spread, the champagne, the raffles and the wonderful gift bags provided to each guest at the end of the event.  If you haven't read that post yet, you can go here to do so.

Today I'd like to share with you pictures and stories of some of the people who attended the party.  I went to the party expecting many opportunities for snarkiness.  Instead, I met a lot of "real" people with great stories.  Were there some bimbos there?  Yes.  I talked to some people who had undergone far too many surgeries from multiple doctors.  Not everyone knows when to stop with the plastic surgery.

Everyone I asked did not agree to have their picture taken.  I'd like to extend a huge thank you to those who were willing to let me take their photos and/or share their stories.

As I entered the party, I was followed by this group:

I didn't have an opportunity to talk with them about what procedures they have had done.  Looking at this photo it's easy to speculate.  I won't though.  I'll let you do that.

One thing I'd like to mention is the doctors can make improvements on someone's appearance but they can't make a butt-ugly person beautiful.  Plastic surgery is not a magic wand.  As Stephanie, the consultant at the center, told me ... the results of each surgery are dependent on the original canvas.

This next picture is of Edna:

I believe Edna said she is 68 years old.  Amazing!  I think my jaw dropped to the floor when she told me her age.  Edna and I didn't have a chance to discuss her complete plastic surgery history.  She did tell me she'd had her eyes done "a few years ago" and more recently she underwent a Lite-Lift™.  A Lite-Lift™ is a modified mini-facelift which can be done in the doctor's office with local anesthetic.  The Lite-Lift™ improves aging/sagging skin around the neck, jawbone, and lower face.

Personally, I think Edna looks great.

My next photo is of Mary Lou.

I don't know how old Mary Lou is.  She told me she wants to have her neck "done."  In fact, Mary Lou really, really wants to have her neck worked on.  She poured out her story to me.  She married her high school sweetheart years ago.  Eventually they divorced and they both remarried.  Her second husband has since passed away.  Her high school sweetheart has divorced his second wife.  All these years, she's missed, loved, and longed for her first love.  He has been the love of her life.  She said they married young and he "wanted her to share him" when they were young.  I guess that means he had trouble being monogamous in his youth.  

In any case, after 38 years of being divorced Mary Lou and her first husband have reunited.  She's giddy as a school girl.  She's in the process of relocating right now to be with him.  Whether or not she ever goes ahead with the plastic surgery she wants, remains to be seen.  Hearing about her happiness, hearing about the love of her life, was heartwarming.

This next photo is of a woman who is seven weeks post-tummy tuck.  She also had liposuction done on her stomach/hips/back.

She is still wearing an undergarment around her torso as she continues to heal from the surgery.  She is euphoric over her new body.  Euphoric!  She had twins when she was only 17 years old.  She is now 47.  She said for thirty years she has had loose skin hanging down off her stomach and hated her own body.  At the same time, she recounted a "brutal" first few weeks post-surgery.  A tummy tuck is not something to be taken lightly.  Her description of cleaning her surgery wounds and having drains in her body made me shudder. 

She pulled up her shirt and showed me her flat as a board stomach.  I admit, I felt jealous.  My stomach *maybe* was that flat three babies ago.  Her happiness, however, was contagious.  This woman's self confidence is overflowing as a result of her surgery.  She is so empowered by her new self.  I'm really happy for her.

There were other touching and poignant stories also.  There were stories of massive weight-loss patients (most frequently gastric bypass patients) who came to the center hoping for a new start after losing a lot of weight.  They had skin hanging off their bodies and undergoing plastic surgery provided them with a new beginning to their lives.

In addition, there were women who had undergone masectomies due to breast cancer.  The doctors performed breast reconstruction to help these brave survivors retain their sense of self.  The doctors also work with trauma patients (car accidents and such) to help people return to their former lives.

As I talked with Dr. Nichter, a woman approached and patted her very extended stomach.

"This is not a baby," she said ruefully.  "There is no baby in here."

She wanted his help.  She wanted his opinion.

I moved away to allow them to talk in private.  Later, when asked, he informed me he had told her to schedule a consultation.  I suppose even the best surgeons can't perform fake baby removals in the middle of a party.

I have a few pictures of some of the staff members employed at the Pacific Center.  I think it's safe to assume, they are all able to indulge in an occasional nip and tuck due to their jobs. 

First, here's a picture of Suzanne.  She's a nurse at the center.  She has such a pretty name!  Suzanne has a 23 (or is it 24?) year old kid.  Who would be able to tell?  She looks 23 herself.  I know Suzanne and, in addition to being beautiful, she's a very nice person.  Take a look at her long eyelashes courtesy of Latisse!

The next photo is of Eileen.  Eileen is the office manager.  I love Eileen.  I instantly bonded with her when I became a patient.  In this photo Eileen is working the raffle which took place at the end of the party.  Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter are on either side of her. 

I wish I had thought to take a picture of Stephanie but I didn't.  Stephanie is 57 years old and absolutely gorgeous.  She's a consultant for the doctors.

My last photo is of Pam.  Pam is 67 years old.  Can that possibly be correct?  She's an esthetician.

I'd like to say thank you again to the doctors and all of the people who agreed to have their photos taken and/or their stories told.  I'm sure many of the people featured today will be logging on to read today's post.

© Twenty Four At Heart