sodaring

It is never fun to have those kinds of days. We all hope we never have one and when we do, we hope we never have to have another. Unfortunately, another one usually comes. It is so difficult when something you are putting so much effort into just won't come together and it's hard to give up on it. I have found sometimes that if I stop and look back at some of the other great projects I have completed, and do a little brainstorming that way on what worked and why it was a great project, sometimes something will click. Other times I just have to chalk it up as a learning experience and let it go. The letting it go part is the hard part. Ice cream is never bad - especially mint chocolate chip (smile) mmm . . . mm . . . and there is always such a comfort having your favorite pet. Somehow they just know you are having a tough day and just by being there they make it better. Today is Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. I hope your luck is turning around and something fabulous happens today! In our family, we welcomed identical twin baby girls - my cousin and her husband just sent the note that they have arrived safely TODAY. What a blessing, huh?!! We are thrilled. March is a unique month full of luck, and I am going to bet your luck with turn around and you will be back to healthy snacks, jokes and laughter while wearing your best colors, and your much needed 8 glasses of water (smile) real soon. Just remember it will only get better from here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us. Seize the day!

eveduval

Here's a pic to cheer you up. Hope the day was better today, love from Eve and a tiny cat who always steals the scene, no matter our moods!!!

love2ya

Don't do it, Caroline! I had a kitten once and she grew into a lovely, independent (could give a damn about me) adult cat who hissed at me when I needed kissing instead of hissing. Get a puppy - they're like men, no matter how big or how old they get, they still like to cuddle and kiss your face (no matter how bad you look or smell!) and they're happy to see you even if you just returned from the mailbox (if you have the right dog or man!) Love2Ya, sister:)

taurena

Hey, Caroline -- I can definitely empathize with you! I produce live campus news on Tuesdays which broadcasts throughout the county, and my GOODNESS was today stressful... I spent 9 hours straight sitting at a desk writing stories by myself, for the most part. Made a bunch of mistakes, forgot to tell the graphics people to make a couple of graphics, the wrong graphics were called up during the broadcast, printers were too slow printing scripts... The new sound guy didn't know what he was doing. Our VR didn't work. Let me tell you, today is St. Patricks Day, and I don't turn to the bottle when I'm stressed... but gosh, I was sitting there naming off drinks and drooling! So, I know that craving for a kitten and mint chocolate chip feeling... except for me, it's cake (of any kind) and a puppy. Vodka, today.
- Taurence

vurbonas

Caroline... I will have a restaurant deliver a massive bowl of mint chip to you .. if you look at my fantastic show pitch for one of Oprah's 10-thousand networks. I guarantee, it will engage, enlighten, connect, surprise and support your viewers.
I'll rent or buy you a kitty if you get it passed along over there!!
vurbonas1@yahoo.com. I'm a former major market journalist myself. I could only imagine your hours..
Vida

marieqc

Bonjour Caroline,

Just one advice..

Breath, exhale, breath, exhale....slowly

LOL

Marie

jamesali

I fully believe in the power of kitten-therapy LOL! Many a tough day or illness could be solved by puppy kisses or a self involved kitten attacking your shoe lace.

ggnamore

I admire and congratz you with your strength... I can imagine your line of work to keep it going is exhausting... and I love you for your great work ... God Bless xx

kanarian

Thanks for sharing. Though I'm kinda bored with this blog, I'm glad you shared it. It's nice to know the Oprah people are human after all:)

fatkat49

OMG, I'm all about Mint choc chip ice cream taking the pain away, not so much on the kitten tho....

nanettejw

Thanks to Oprah, and her show on PAWS Chicago, I'm a puppy gal! Because of that show, we actually visited PAWS Chicago for 2 days. What an organization! They were so helpful that we came back to Florida and started People-4-PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving). So, now, even on my worse days, I'm surrounded by PUPPIES! You can't have a bad day when there is a puppy around! I love kittens too but, they make me sneeze! Love to all from Florida.

kimers00

I must agree, mint chocolate chip ice cream is a pretty good remedy for stress. Or, at least it might be just the break you need to get some perspective that might be helpful. =)

Good luck.

king82

I am so excited to see these blogs on the website. I can't wait to learn more about the insider life at Harpo Studios! I am also excited to meet her producers. I think it would be a great challenge to produce that quality on a daily basis. That said, even the Oprah show can fall flat sometimes. Don't be too hard on yourself. Don't work too hard, because you didn't get to be a part of the finest crew on television by being lazy.

tjuzang5

I totally understand. I cannot express in words how many times I have wanted a puppy or a nice chocolate molten cake to solve all my setbacks while pursuing my dream. It really is nice having your blogs to read. It brings me back to possibility as well as the fact there are kind and passionate real people still in existence. Its nice to know the staff working at Harpo are not consumed by the image of having so much attention. I appreciate you and know your candid writing will help another....thats all that matters. Thank you

k9erdoc

As a veterinarian I am lucky enough to get to see kittens and puppies. Some of them are so adorable i would just love them all. I have a story idea. I am a veterinarian who works part time at a veterinary blood bank and part time as an emergency vet. I have a rescue boxer who donates blood every 7 weeks at the pet blood bank and on emergency when needed. On Fridays show you briefly touched on this subject. well I would love to bring Wyatt ( my 3.5 yr old boxer) on the show to discuss the critical need for volunteer canine blood donors. there are pet blood banks around the country wher owners can take their dogs to donate. I would like to talk about the veterinary aspects as well as from the perspective of an owner of a donor. Ther are over 13 diferent blood types in dogs. Blood type is not breed specific either. So a Great Danes blood can go to a chihuahua. Please conatct me at k9erdoc@comcast.net

erinmerryn

I wish you could meet my cat. He would cheer you up in an instant no joke. While Oprah has done many shows on dogs and puppy mills maybe she needs to do a show on cats. While she may not be a cat person or many people have this impression cats just hide under beds it is so not true.

My Orange cat is the most affectionate cat you would ever meet. The minute you walk in my house and sit down he would jump in your lap, fall asleep in your arms, or stretch up to get your attention if your sitting in a chair.
He is also a cat with quiet a cat tale of nine lives. He went missing for 7 days..everyone assumed he was dead and gave up on him coming home except me his owner. On the seventh day of him missing I had passed a house for sale a street over that I had already walked passed numerous times looking for my cat Bailey. This time I was heading home after another exhausting search but on my way passing the house I called out his name and I heard a cry. I had neighborhood kids looking for him too and I said "Did you hear that?" They all said no and I began to think I was losing my mind. I called out to Bailey again and heard his loud meowing coming from inside the house for sale. I looked a door that had a key hanging from the door. The Realtor must have left it when showing the show I opened the door to find a very small walk space enough for maybe three people to fit. There was a light and the electric box. I called out Bailey's name again and heard it again. Yet he was no where to be found I figured he was trapped inside the home and I was hearing him crying from inside the wall. Suddenly I looked below my feet and realized the wooden floor boards came up. I stuck my finger inside and lifted one and to my amazement reaching his arms up crying out stuck in a dark hole underground for 7 days in mud 6 feet below ground was Bailey. It was a miracle in my eyes that I found him and he was still alive. My entire family was shocked my sister had already bought me a cat stuffed animal and a card that said my cat was in God's arms. It sure is quiet the cat tale and he is now has 8 lives to life.

veronicaj6

Dear Oprah and others, I thought I would send this to share my feelings how upset many listeners are about Tom Joyner Morning Show being fired. Below is an email I sent out to many.

To Whom It May It Concern:

As you know by now, that many listeners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show is not happy and disappointed. It is an outrage that you would insult Chicagoland intelligence with some Steve Harvey Show, this is horrible! Not to attack Steve and his crew, but his listeners are anything, but intelligent. Listening to the entire show is like scratching a chalkboard from 5am to 9am. This is more than what we can bear.

I would like an apology from the CEO on an original letter (no copy) stating why you deny us such wonderful talent that has continue to provide us informative, resourceful information. The Tom Joyner Morning Show has given many listeners hope, aspirations, and dreams to fullfill and live by. Now we have Steve Harvey who is only for him. The truth be told, I only watch him on t.v. he is not as funny as Bernie Mac (rest in peace), Cedric the entertainer, Jamie Foxx, Red Foxx (rest in peace), Eddie Murphy, and Martin Lawrence.

Cutting us off from him is like taking away our coffee, sugar, fried chicken, chocolate, ice cream, and sex. We deserve a response from your organization.

I don't appreciate your company trying to bribe us with Oprah being on Steve Harvey show this morning. I rather have Tom Joyner Morning Show than her (no offense to Oprah, but our chances of meeting Tom and the crew is way better than getting on your show and meeting you or winning the megalottery).

Make this right Clearchannel. This is horrible. I feel like it is 911 in Chicago.

Thank you, disappoint listerner.

PS. I only listen to Steve Harvey show for the Strawberry letter. That is the best part. The rest is not so great! I rather you not have anyone in the slot.

jeanannvk

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that you leave out the mint and go straight for the chocolate ice cream. Maybe skip the kitten, too. Curl up to a container of Ben and Jerry's and call it good.

starra1

Thanks for your thoughts Caroline...it was pleasant to read and I must say, I get a little thrill of being a voyeur in someone else's life.
I, too, have a GREAT job as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. So, I completely understand those days when nothing but a kitten or something equally sweet but edible does the trick - both personally and professionally.

Hey, does Oprah ever plan on coming to British Columbia, CANADa to do a show?

Lorna

koverhill

Hi Caoline! How I enjoy reading your blog! I can totally understand the wonderful feeling of chaos that comes from working with people. And, yes, chocolate and tea breaks are a must. I work at a not-for-profit counseling center and there are times admidst all the calls, scheduling, interviews, and talking that I long to escape for a few minutes to induldge in a chocolate break.

I am Karen, from the book "Switching Time". I once received a call from the Oprah show and always wondered how the producers decide who to choose as a guest? I admire all of you for doing the great job that you do! I write my own blog, answering questions about my story, written by Richard Baer. I found a sense of calm writing a bit about myself here and there. What an amazing way to connect with and help people. It's my hope to someday meet all of you... I'd love to work for Oprah,too! You are truly blessed!

sbringh1

Well, first off, I'm new to the Oprah Blog and with so many producers to choose from, I just picked the first one on the list!
I've always been an admirer of Oprah off and on through the years.
Just a couple of thoughts:
It would be great to enjoy a bowl of choc chip mint ice cream on my wife's 50th! She's embarrassed by the ripe ole age; but I consider it a great blessing of life! She has an amazing story to tell and would be a best seller too! My life's story is pretty traumatic as well, but that can wait for the right time. It is a very tough thing to go 'public' especially when you want to remain private and avoid any embarrassment.
Yet, I want to share the trials I've been through to somehow help someone who might be going through the same similar situation that we've passed through. Thank goodness trials are only temporary.
I have to say that I am grateful to a merciful God who brought me together with my dear amazing wife with 3 at home children.
The power of Love makes all the difference in life. I'm so grateful for the experiences of life and for people who can make a difference.
Sometimes change is good but it has to be the right change. When I think of the quote from a man who knew of God up close, he said the North Star is a constant reminder that with the whirlwinds of life, with its ups and downs, God never changes like the North Star! What hope! What faith a person can have that this is really true! God never lets us down for an instant! God's partnership with mankind never has recessions or economic down turns! His partnership with us is always filled with a small investment with a big return each and every month!
As we ponder the life and ministry of His only Begotten Son, I am truly humbled and grateful for the amazing miracle of forgiveness and restitution that can come into a person's life. Even on the cross, He said, "Father forgive them for they no not what they do!" It has occurred to me more than ever before that we are just not yet perfect! Thanks for the power of forgiveness of sin and the way to return to God, this doctrine brings mankind hope filled with the greatest LOVE a merciful God can give! I realize the billions of people currently on earth have a choice to choose the right way or to choose another path. As a parent, it is difficult to see a child choose another path rather than the path leading to the shortest distance back home!
Some children are so special that they come to this wicked and perverse world only to obtain a physical body and are then taken back home to that God who gave them life.
Other children go through many trials and realize that it is VERY possible to change and return to the path leading to God.
I don't believe that this concept of wanting to return back to God or as I would like to think of Him "Our Real Father" is too far away from what most people really want to achieve! Especially if our Real Father can be trusted, can be counted on to always be there for us, will follow through with perfect accountability, and has revealed a plan that if followed will provide an amazing happiness and joy beyond this temporary mortality. Understanding that there was no beginning and that there is no end helps us realize that we all have chosen to be here on earth at this time for a particular purpose and mission! Just in the past 25 years, our technologies have increased dramatically! From having no computer or cell/blackberry or blog to what we enjoy or think we enjoy today! It is tough for the elderly to jump on the fast moving train of the internet and cellular technologies especially if they have really never learned to type or have been accustomed to it. Some grasp it most readily and easily where others find it almost impossible or as they say, out of the question or simply NO! That could be left for another topic of discussion...how do we get our elderly relatives to jump on and take the internet or cellular ride. Being away from my most treasured loved ones of all ages makes it so convenient and easy to click the mouse and say hi to them instantly!
Handwriting and the mail service is almost a thing of the past for some and for my teenage daughter, not having text messaging or cell phone is considered almost child abuse
Well, I've said too much already and sorry to be long winded, but hey, this is a blog right? We can express our thoughts and opinions in hopes that someone might take us seriously.
I realize some might think I'm crazy or don't believe what I've written, but that's OK, that is their choice. But I firmly and unequivocally believe all of what I've written is true and can be tested and tried. Now I must go back in this long message and make sure I didn't make a typo....:) I only found an extra comma. More to come and I'm hopeful this will make sense. Thanks for taking time read and pick out some things I've written as ideas for your show.
Lastly, I just wanted to mention how I admired Oprah's patriotic spirit during this past general Presidential election! My wife and I feel the same way about our country and know that the price of freedom isn't a free ride. One must sacrifice a little to pass on this great legacy of faith to future generations. I love America and have been very grateful to have served 22 yrs of my life wearing the military uniform in peace and in contingency environments with supportive family standing behind me praying for my safe return! It was with a surprise gratefulness to witness one of our soldiers return home safe this past weekend! He lost about 40 lbs (according to his daughter), but he is home safe for the 2 week break and it was indeed an honor to shake his hand at church.
God Bless America and hope the troubles it is going through will pass quickly!

allipoo

I have a GREAT solution...a stuffed animated kitten (daughter has the puppy version)...it barks (yours can purr)...
you don't feed it....you can cuddle it...(actually pretty soft)

then when the day is over...turn off the lights, close the door and no need for a scooper in the morning!

It also won't get in your face and try to eat your ice cream

Blessings!

Allison in Alabama

wholeself

What I would suggest...is that you stop by a local shelter with a bag of kitty goodies....and play with them for awhile...You get your kitten fix, and give them some lovin in return...and the shelter will certainly appreciate the donation!

holly huppert

Darlin.... Give yourself a hug, and a reminder that you're amazing no matter the day you're having.... all days have sunshine and darkness, so don't despair when the darkness shows up. Heck with house training a kitten.... go buy yourself a flashlight to manage the dark smudge in your day, then hug yourself again. If you have any doubt about your terrific talents, read over your posts... yeah.... you rock. Remember.... we can't control others, we can't control our hair, and we can't control how much rain will fall from the sky.... but how many calorie-free-hugs we grant ourselves.... yup.... control away! If you should happen to read this, I grant ye a wonderful rest of the day..... HW

pdennis

Hi Caroline!
Your in luck. Today is FREE ice cream at Ben and Jerry's until 8pm!

klucharv53

Caroline,
Hope you got past that day and are moving on for some more great shows. Look forward to them. Karen

dheuft

Just found your blog and read a few entries. Love it and am adding you to my list of must reads!

cowgirl429

A kitten or 2 will brighten any situation. I have two boys and they have helped me through a lot. I've had a lot of health problems and have not been able to work for the last 3 years. And then last year my fiance, whom I had been in a relationship with for nearly 8 years, cheated on me and broke up with me - to preempt me finding out about the cheating! All the while my cats have kept me company and loved me unconditionally. They are make bad times more tolerable and good times even better - Go get yourself a kitty or 2

loribitten

Oh I love this analogy. I adore kittens, especially kissing their ears. I'm a big fan of mint and chip ice cream as well. I've definitely had days like this!