For The Love of Grandmas

Just after Tessa was born I wrote a nasty hearted post when Cole and I had reached our limits of unsolicited advice about The Tangerine, before the first edit was done it was so filled with F bombs, that it even made me blush. I let it sit and wrote it again, and ended up with one of the most "popular" posts ever posted here at PTPR. And when I say popular it was because of how unpopular it was. Definitely a mix of strong emotions, it was more than obvious that it deeply offended the advice givers, the "know-it-alls" were pissed and claiming I was an ignorant ASS for not welcoming all of their hard earned knowledge with open arms and thank yous. There was a clear line in the sand, as the other half of comments were from fellow fed up people saying hallelujah! And professing their annoyance with the unsolicited advice givers. There are definitely two camps on the subject here people, and I know which one has the smoke monster springing on unsuspecting innocents and slamming them over the head with their limitless knowledge (sorry for the Lost reference, last nights episode was pretty damn awesome)

In writing that piece I had given specific carte blanche to Great Grandmas everywhere, as their advice had a certain charm and fussiness, and leveled with enough gruff experience that I always enjoyed hearing all the silly advice from them. It was so sweet and outrageous all at the same time. Cole's Sito was a huge factor in my rethinking of how I handled all of that advice that came pouring our way. She leveled everything out and gave me a new perspective on things. And of course now, after Sito passed so soon after Tessa was born, there hasn't been a day that goes by that Cole doesn't think about her, and I wish all the time we had more of her advice and influence on Tessa. She is so missed. All the time.

I ended up coming out much more balanced on the topic of advice receiving, so when I sat down to write this "Advice on Advice" piece for Pregnancy Magazine I had the love of Sito in my head, and all of the great moments we have had with Cole's other grandma, GG Mama and I realized that as irritating as it is to be bombarded by strangers, nobody is trying to be upsetting on purpose. The power of the Great Grandmas to mellow me out and make me a nicer more accepting human is unreal. I love them for that. I have never had Grandmas before. So it was such an awesome opportunity to blow GG Mama's mind when the magazine asked me to take a series of photos to go with the essay. GG Mama got to be in a magazine for the first time in her life, she just turned 80 and she was so thrilled to make her debut. In her thick Japanese accent: "WOOOOW! who would a thought GG Mama ending up in a magazine someday!! That's pretty neat." I am so grateful that we have her in our life and loved seeing her in print. I think she needs an agent, she is a star for sure.

If you're expecting, or just love magazines about being pregnant take a look HERE for more online content of this months issue. It is the March issue if you are out and about and see it on the newsstand, flip through and say hi to Cole, Tessa, and GG Mama. I wish I got to do this stuff more often, so it is still really exciting to see something I have done in a magazine.

All the Love in the Universe ~ Me

P.S. I am floored by the response the album launch is getting. You all are the absolute best and it is so exciting to imagine everyone posting in unison about the album. It gives the charity such a strong chance at making an impact. I am working really hard to get the last tracks in place and everything mixed, mastered, and set to launch. In case you missed the post and the chance to sign up to participate here is the link :)

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