What’s Up With IttyBiz
I’d like to give you a few updates, the first of which is a little story about my friend Lisa Wynn. That’s her over there on the left. We met via the Intertoobs when we were both sponsors for the Problogger birthday giveaway. She is generally awesome, and the prettiest and funniest person I have ever known. (Having said that, I’m not absolutely certain about why we’re still friends.)
Lisa makes custom tea (flavors include the “My mother-in-law is coming” blend, the “Pass my fat pants” blend, and the “My boss sucks” blend), and she runs a PR business, and she’s a VP of PR for somewhere large and impressive, and she’s the single mother of three teenagers. Oh, and she runs another IttyBiz called Hell on Heelz, which is a place for cool chicks in business women to hang out and bitch and learn. Basically, she makes normal women want to shoot themselves.
Anyway, there’s a point to all of this sucking up. Unfortunately, I lost the baby in a late miscarriage. The powers that be suggest it had something to do with running a fever for approximately 700 days straight. I had to go in for surgery last week, and it generally sucked.
The outpouring of support I received from those in the know has been phenomenal, and I’ve been very grateful. There came a time, though, when I didn’t know what to say in response to all of the supernice things people were saying, and I was starting to feel like a bitch because I was just responding by rote. Lisa, who is probably psychic in addition to everything else, ascertained that I was okay, and then sent me this email:
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry! When can you drink again? More importantly, when can you have sex again?”
Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to hear. In answer to your questions, Lisa, now, and next Wednesday, respectively.
***
In other news, Chris Cagle, my web designer and honorary member of the IttyBiz family, has added to his family. Little — or not so little, depending on your point of view — Alexander Cagle is the newest addition to the clan. Best wishes to him, his 18-month-old daughter Elise, and most importantly his wife Krista. She managed to give birth to a nine pound baby, God bless her. We have no time for nine pound babies in this house, so I’m glad somebody does. Congratulations, Cagle family! If you need a website done, check him out. Babies ain’t cheap, y’all.
***
Clay Collins of soon-to-be The Growing Life fame has been kicking some serious ass lately, and the newest addition to his repertoire is a guest post on writing and research on my blog crush’s newest baby, Write To Done. You’ll notice that I have not written a guest post for the aforementioned blog crush, but I suppose I haven’t asked either. Rock on Clay — please, go check it out if you’re the writing or blogging type.
***
Lastly, the comments on Friday’s post about swearing have been pretty awesome. I’ve been hiding out at my in-laws house, drinking wine and eating free turkey that I didn’t have to cook. (Everybody knows that the best kind of turkey is the free and cooked by someone else kind.) I would have loved to respond to each comment individually but a four-day-weekend put the stops to that. Therefore, if you’re interested, head on over and check out the comments that are in many cases, better than the post.
Wow I’m really sorry to hear about what happened. There could have a post just about the sad event (and that would have been ok too), but instead you wrote about your friends support. Lisa’s email is priceless. I admire you for looking on the brighter side at a time like this.
Thanks, Tanya. Yeah, Lisa is just about the coolest person on earth. I am considering inviting one of her children to come up and live in Canada, just so I can take their bedroom and move in with Lisa.
Sorry to hear about your loss, Naomi. I too, was amazed at the way you turned it around. Your account of Lisa’s email really made me smile!
I know it’s a very human thing to say, “is there something we can do?”, but honestly: do let us all know if we can help with anything at all.
Naomi, I am very sorry to hear this. I understand, on a very personal level. Know that you are not alone in this.
Naomi,
Now that I am a regular reader (and you actually emailed me personally and everything), I wanted to extend my sympathy as well. Lisa kicks ass.
You know what I think. ‘Nuff said.
Or wait, not enough said. Where’s my weekly call? Why haven’t we discussed the fine art of throwing children out the window and feeding kids butter off a spoon? (Wait, Chris. Just you wait. Your turn will come.)
Calisse. I should swear or something. Or start a group. “eQuebecers Insane.” Has a nice ring. Maybe that’ll help.
Also: Lisa’s very pretty. Am I allowed to say that? I would’ve said hot but I didn’t think I was allowed to say that, so hey.
Oh damn. I am so very sorry!
I suck as condolences so I’ll just say that this just bites. The miscarriage, not Lisa. On another note all of that L-Tryptofan (or whatever) is always more potent when someone else cooks the turkey. It’s true. My best friend’s second cousin’s brother in law said so. :)
@ Everyone - Hi, and y’all rock. Lisa does indeed kick ass.
@ James Chartrand - I tried to call you and you didn’t answer. I can only assume you are screening my calls and then publicly pretending to ask about our phone call to pretend that you haven’t been. I know the truth, dude. You cannot hide from me.
Oh, was that when I was having phone sex and let the incoming call go to voicemail? That was YOU?
I try to call at the most inconvenient times, like when you’re in the middle of spooning butter into the baby’s mouth, or having a nice friendly chat with your ex. I hadn’t considered the phone sex angle. I wonder what time of day is the best for interrupting phone sex?
I hear he keeps odd hours. Try 6 am. Tomorrow.
Naomi,
Thanks for this post. You really are one gutsy lady. I love Lisa’s email, I will go fall for each link right now, and I haven’t got anything to say that can top what she said. My heart goes out to you and your husband.
Where’s the hug emoticon for someone who always makes me laugh?
Until later,
Kelly
Wow, is my foot in my mouth after the email I sent you yesterday. Let me just say, you’re amazing, but my thoughts are still with you.
I am so very sorry. My wife and I lost one (and probably our only chance) 2 years ago. I know how it feels. I will add you to our prayers.
@ Kelly — Her tea is perfection. When I was pregnant, she sent me one with a custom label that called it “Naomi’s Pee Tea Blend”. I worship her.
@ Chris — Don’t feel bad. I was going to say something in the email but then I realized that would put you in an awkward position. I figured everybody was feeling awkward enough, thank you very much! :-) Thanks for your nice words.
Hey Naomi,
I haven’t stopped to comment in a bit. I’m sorry to hear about what happened! But I’m glad that everyone is here to support you :)
We’re always here to support you :)
So you weren’t kidding when you said “I’ve been better” the other day on the phone? Damn, Naomi. I’m sorry.
Thanks for keeping it real.
Ouch, that’s tough, really :( I’m sending you lots of nice thoughts, as always when life sucks.
But I’m so glad to see that you’re boucing up, and that you’ve found a friend with as much sense of humour as yourself ;)
Humour is priceless, on both good days and bad ones !
Oh, and I hear James doesn’t answer the phone anymore since he’s discovered Twitter :P
@ Jooliah - Damned straight. No more phone. Ever. E-vah.
Unless it’s for sex. And *not* at 6am, Kelly. I’m not a morning person in the least.
Hehehe. Not like Naomi’s getting up at 6am to get you to drop the… phone….
Oh, Naomi! I’m so very, very sorry! I never would have guessed with the emails we’ve exchanged recently. Gosh, I wouldn’t have bugged you if I knew.
Huge (((((((HUGS))))))) to you, Naomi and your whole family!
Naomi,
I’m sorry. Sending best wishes to you and your family.
Oh gosh! I’m so sorry to hear about that! I’m glad to hear you are doing okay, but I still send lots of hugs! Hug hug hug!
Oh and you can eat sushi now can’t you? Do you even like sushi? I don’t know. But if you do, I *send* sushi along with the hugs!
Naomi, here you are thinking of me and my cancer and suffering yourself. My prayers for your strength.
And your friend she sounds like a keeper. Thanks for sharing her on your blog I’ll be reading it after this comment. I’ll be back…
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
www.grammology.com
Naomi, that bites. I’ve been there, and it seriously bites. I’m so sorry to hear about that. If you can drink now, then now would be the time. There’s gotta be a box of wine around there somewhere.
There are many, many more you’ve touched, loyal readers and clients alike, that are bummed for you;
that wish we could do something to make it better,
that are sending white light and good thoughts and all that…
but we can’t always show our concern, our care, our presuming hug for such a huge and private loss.
So we’re grateful that there are people like Lisa that are there to say it in better ways than we could…
and those of us who can’t manage to say anything publically or privately, we are thinking of you and your recovery and the smart joy you bring us, each time we sit and sip a cuppa…
@ Stephen — Thank you so much for coming and being wonderful. I lost your comment in Akismet and only just found it now when someone else said they weren’t seeing comments.
@ Allison — I’ve never had sushi sushi. Just fake sushi (avocado rolls and such). The hubby doesn’t eat fish, so I don’t have anyone to take me and hold my hand. I’m considering it. I’m just doing it very slowly. :-)
@ GirliePie — What a lovely comment. Your open slot for a guest post still stands.
@ Everyone else — I wish I was with it enough to respond to each and every one of you, but thank you. As I have said from the beginning when I had only two readers not related to me by blood or marriage, my readers rock.
Wow. So sorry to hear that. I came very close to losing my second to a late miscarriage, and that was scary enough. Sounds like you’re coping well enough and you have a great friend in Lisa.
I’m so sorry, Naomi. It’s hard to find the right words to say in situations like this, so I’m just gonna say that I’ll be thinking of you and your family and sending you a big hug.
Ugh! Life is just really unfair sometimes. Sending some (HUGS) and a bunch of cursing at the unfairness of things. Please enjoy the wine, sex and maybe sushi. Personally though I’d go for a LOT of chocolate and maybe a pound of bacon… those are my go to foods for bad times. (HUGS)
[…] I’d normally broadcast, but there’s no other way to say thanks. Remember Lisa? The funny, pretty one I don’t remember why I’m friends with anymore? Yeah, so she sends me another email today: “You have a HUGE blog fan who has kindly prepaid […]
wow, so i am catching up and what a strange sad yet ok-with-it combo post. Thanks for sharing… of course you deserve awesome Lisa type friends!
Naomi
I’m really sorry to hear about the miscarriage. One thing I do know is that you’re very lucky to be surrounded by people who really care about you.
take care, woman… a hug…
Naomi, I’m so sorry to read about your miscarriage. I’m just now slowly getting caught up with some of my blogs. Sending you warm, supportive and comforting thoughts to you and your family.
PS - those teas sound amazing and I’ll most definitely be ordering some!!
Damn it, I cannot believe how much I suck for missing this before. I have been there. I am really fucking sorry. I am sending you a lot of hippieish good vibes and beams and the like.
Just, well, fuck. That’s all.