Monday, August 9, 2010

Question (Or Skip to the 2:15 Mark)

Super embarassing self-serving stroke me kind of question:

What are some of your favorite Petunia Face posts? Ones that made you laugh, cry, that became the proverbial part of you? Specifics or vagary, no matter. I need to cite something for the possibility of a maybe someday soon, but of course I cannot give any details at the moment. Just this: pleasepleaseplease, let me know some of your fave posts, pinkie swear I will love you forever.

And because I cannot ask for something without giving in return, here is this:

A slip-slop of a song, but good god can that Sloopy chick wiggle! Seriously, I doubt this is the sort of thing that can be learned, but that's not stopping yours truly from practicing in the mirror without a bra.

Hang on,
S

40 comments:

Kristin said...

I'm almost positive it was you who wrote this post (if not, I apologize with ridiculous embarrassment) but a while back, (maybe a year or so?) I read a post about your stepfather with MS. You wrote, in maybe not the same words, that he was going to die of MS. When I was in college, my mom was diagnosed with MS. Since I didn't live at home, and she told me over the phone, it didn't really resonate until I went home and suddenly she had a cane and the next visit she had a walker and now, seven years later, she has some sort of electronic contraption on her knee sending lightning into her nerves so she can walk with a walker with brakes and a trash can connected.

Before I read your post, I didn't think too much about my mom's mortality, but as I read, the tears just poured because I realized that my mom would also die of MS. While it was a sad day, I was so thankful that you put all those emotions I didn't know I needed to notice into words and after thinking and re-reading the post for over a week, I finally burst and shared with my fiance all this grief I felt. He, too, had a good cry about his parents ultimately passing away, and we both felt better to talk about it all. While it was a sad and tragic realization, it was a (totally cliche) turning point that made me feel like a grown up.

So (if it was you who wrote this post) thank you for helping me move past my 15 year old mentality (and can you direct me to the post?) If it wasn't you, somewhere there's a really great post floating around.

A Perfect Gray said...

here's my fave:

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/724-sb-4.html

you know, I am possibly your biggest fan. I'd write a great letter of reference...

hope this whatever-it-is works out. you deserve it, babe.

Anonymous said...

I loved the post about your brother. So sweet!

Petunia Face said...

Wow--thanks guys. So far your faves are my faves, too. :)

Kristin, here's the post about MS--

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/08/y-h-w-h.html

I wish I had a search function on my blog, but for now it's just up here in in my cabesa.

love,
S

Erin said...

OMG, S, that is such a hard question. There are dozens of favorites. All the posts that show your love for Zo, Bry, your family, are some of my faves. I will say this, though. The one that made me laugh out loud,that I made Adam read, that I still chuckle even thinking about it, was the Turquoise Shoe Lady.

Jessica said...

Ummm, at some point (I didn't feel like searching for it b/c I'm lazy like that) but you wrote a post about the "world's strongest vagina" and it made me literally laugh out loud.

That's the first thing that came to mind when you asked what our favorite post was... I'm not sure what that says about me though.

Love the blog.

Claire said...

Any posts about Zoey, her growing, her being a part of you, the whole mother-to-this-wonder kind of writing - sends me to tears every time. It could have to do with my having 3 little girls... but you manage to put into words what my heart feels. Brilliance!

Thanks for sharing your gift of writing with us.

Ceci said...

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-hump-day-alas-edition.html

I have been reading your blog ro almost a year now & will NEVER forget the very first story I read. September 2, 2009. "My mom's house is a crime scene..." While I LOVE all of your entries & can't wait to read them, my all time fav is "Happy Hump Day...Alas, the Edition

Ceci said...

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-hump-day-alas-edition.html

Definately, Sept. 2, 2009 - Wednesday. "My moms house is a crime scene..." This entry was one of the first entries of yours that I read. It kept me coming back that's for sure!

Still Life With Coffee said...

Oh wow... super hard to pick. I love them all too. You have a gift for making me feel like I am right there with you. I loved the post you wrote on Jan. first... every paragraph was about a first. Your funny ones are crazy funny and your touching ones are just amazing. I also loved the one about your dad, anxiety meds, and eating a cookie. I just love how you write.
-Erin

Anonymous said...

The post that always stands out in my head and the one that I mentally refer to is the post about bathroom stall etiquette! I often find myself mentally reciting the unspoken rules that you kindly wrote out.
I lean towards your funny post.... No pressure to be funny though!!

Mrs. Blandings said...

I am afraid I won't be much help. I love any post that describes your connection to Zoey. Your mother's guest post (s - maybe more than one.) And, honestly Susannah, you captured so honestly the story of the job losses and the house selling and the putting the second baby on hold. Not many people would be willing to do that on the internet. See? I like it all. Not helpful.

Erin said...

Posts where you talk about riding the bus or the one where the cat got stuck in the tree. I love the videos you post although that's not "you." Trololo and the deep diver were awesome.

A Perfect Gray said...

geez, babe, you got a comment from Mrs. Blandings....

Is there any need for further proof that YOU HAVE MADE IT?

the girL said...

Petunia Face, probably my most favorite of all blogs so to pick just one post as THE favorite is nearly impossible…

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/once-upon-february-4th-mid-week-fairy.html
Because your storytelling exemplifies love

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/10/chain-link.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/neither-sugar-nor-snap-nor-pea.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/02/truth-about-most.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-only-sunshine.html
Because you remind me that there is so much beauty in being a mother and so much worth fighting for

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-cant-even-afford-to-free-fall.html
Because you are so raw and honest especially during this particular time of personal crisis

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/when-i-grow-up.html
Because your humor is infectious and I will NEVER forget that you are the girl who swallowed an entire Weeble Wobble

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/holy-sheet.html
You were absolutely right, holy sheet! Because of this post we bought these sheets and will forever refer to them as the TaunTaun Sheets (and they’re awesome!)


XOXO

Petunia Face said...

I'm getting a little teary here (it's like my own memorial service without having to actually die). Seriously--you guys are awesome and this is totally helping with my super special project of possibility...

Robin said...

There are so many...but I especially love the honest and insightful you write about being a mom. some favorites:
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-used-to-be-cool.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/01/mother.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/04/things-we-carry.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-only-sunshine.html
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/04/4.html

good luck with the project....can't wait to read about it!
xo

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

I love them all...seriously, you have a gift that must be shared in more places than this blog!

But one of my absolute favorites is this one:

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/choose-your-own-adventure-friday.html

I have it in my "LOVE" file, and I often read it when I need a good laugh mixed with some happy tears.

Unknown said...

This is one of my favs:

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/09/open-letter-to-lady-with-turquoise.html

It's legend in my place of employment. ;)

Farrah said...

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/03/laisser-les-bons-temps.html

I love all your posts, but this is one of my faves.

Bearden 365 said...

I wish I could search for my own comments...there have been too many I loved but can't think of the era or title... There was one about your parents doing drugs--maybe acid--that stands out in my memory. And I can't quite grasp the words but one about being Zoey's Mom and watching her sleep...I can't remember! Not helpful, I know!

Bearden 365 said...

Yeah I'm not helpful at all. I can't remember the era, let alone the title, of some of my favorite posts. But I do remember one in particular about your parents doing drugs--maybe acid?? That made giggle. And so many of the posts about Zoey growing, and your thoughts on being her Mom. One where she asked you when she would die? I wish I could search for my own comments!

Geli said...

While I was googling for nice sheets, one of your posts came up. This was the very first I read and I've been reading ever since. So naturally I am partial to the first post
http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/holy-sheet.html
but I like them all - the humorous ones, the serious
ones and especially the ones where your mother is involved, where you thought she was smoking pot or something (can't find the post now) Your Mom's comments are great too!

Anonymous said...

The post about your mom ummm... dropping acid? mushrooms?

Mollie said...

You don't know me but I read everything you have been writing for over a year. My fav post is the turquoise shoe lady about bathroom etiquette. I also agree that anything about motherhood or the daily troubles in your life are also eye opening. Hope it helps!

Mary Bo Berry said...

I haven't been reading your blog for that long, but a couple that stand out for me: "I love you even when you poop." Precious. Also liked the one where you said to 2008 (I think that was the year), "Fuck you." But this is just what comes to mind at the moment. I love learning new words, like "craptastic." I wish we could hang out!

Mary

shannon said...

If I were to do this right, I would be here all day digging through treasures. But I will say that what first came to mind had something with Sunshine in the title and it was an old post from long ago.. it had to do with Zoey and her growing up (?).. it might have been a letter written to her? I went back looking for it and found "3" from April 2009 that you wrote for her 3rd birthday and I got teared up and have to say it's also a favorite. I was recently there for the birth of my sister's first baby, and existing in a space without language is such a beautiful way to describe the indescribable.

But like everyone else here, I love it all. Truly. Can't wait to see why you're collecting the gems.

Rolerkite said...

THE VAGINA POST! There's probably multiple vag postings, but the first post I read of yours was about your hoo haa and I've been a reader ever since. High five to the punani posting!

Judy said...

Like most everyone else here, I love ALL your posts because you are a GIFTED writer. But honestly, I just ADORE the ones where you talk about your MOM. She is so cool.
Love,
MOM

Anonymous said...

Asking us to pick favorites from among your many scrumptious postings is liking asking a parent to name their favorite child. You might have a favorite, but you love them all and can't help thinking that picking a favorite somehow diminishes the others – which are also so great!

I don't know what your "secret project of possibility" is, but there are so many of us who would love, love, love to see more of your writing, so if it in any way would increase the odds of that, I'm all in. And, if there is a book to be written, I'm first in line to buy it.

Yes, you have some great inspirations in Zoey and your family. But the secret to the wonderfulness of your writing is you. Clearly it can't be easy to bare your soul and write about some of the things that you do, but you never fail to amaze me with your courage, honesty, passion and humor. I have seldom read anyone who can be as funny AND as thought-provoking as you can.

OK, a few examples of postings I loved (but just examples, 'cause I still love your other ones, too, OK?):

Every letter to Zoey, from "You Are My Sunshine," to "3," to "4." Not only are they all testaments to the beauty of motherhood, but it makes me verklempt to think Zoey will one day be able to look back and read these treasures.

The blog you did as your mother in the '70s was wonderful. "Scenes from a Kitchen Table," where you were testing Zoey to see if she would choose Pretty, Smart, Nice or Funny. The "Jumper on the Bridge." Any of your postings about Costa Rica, and writing about your 20-Year Reunion.

Sure, your talent for finding the utterly bizarre images on the internet and posting your musings about them are funny, but the writings about you and your family are what really make my day. One of the hardest things for a writer to do is find the extraordinary in the ordinary. You do this incredibly well.

Whatever your future may hold, please promise all of us that your writing will be accessible. I don't care what we have to do or pay to read it, but you're not just another little writer in a sea of bloggers. You have a special talent, and so many of us can't get enough.

Sharon said...

I liked 1976.

Anonymous said...

Ditto what anonymous at 12:18 said, although I guess I'd be second in line.

Oh Brother! said...

Bathroom stall is brilliant! And is that the same one or a different one where you sit in a stall and someone next to you "strikes up" a conversation, to which you reply only to discover she's on her cell? Love it.

Your bro.

P.S. Of course, for popularity and sheer star power, ya gotta go with any post about me! :)

Petunia Face said...

Wow. Hugs, kisses and a little foot rubbing under the table. Thank you all so, so much.

JackeeG4glamorous said...

Ok, I just HAVE to say (last I might add) that I wish I WERE SLOOPY! Don't know how she got that cool nickname (please tell me her mother didn't name her Sloopy legally) and that guy with the sly smile, and shiny long hair was singing to me. To ME, I'm shaking my boot just thinking about it! Thanks for the Sloopy, Susannah. oh, and HANG ON!

Megan said...

I enjoy most of your posts, but the highlights for me are the daggy dancing videos every time.

Sarahviz said...

I'm stroking - can you feel it?

My fave was that one you wrote about the lady with turquoise shoes pooping in the work bathroom...remember?

WG3 (the pretty Levine) said...

The first post I ever read. Definitely Wednesday's Child. Puts it into words so succinctly and poetically.

http://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/2008/10/wednesdays-child.html

Michelle M in KY said...

OH SUSANNAH...
DAMNIT...this is like asking me to pick a favorite child, when I love them all the same.
I know someone already mentioned it...but the Turquoise Shoe Lady is the funniest, most truthful post & I shared it with everyone I knew.
The one you wrote recently about Zoey & fighting is probably one of my all time fave's...maybe bc I am experiencing it too.
There's so many more...now I'm going to have to go back searching. Everything you write is great and I would definitely write a letter of reference for you too! We think you ROCK!!!

goodniteirene.wordpress.com said...

oh my are you still on this project? i've been so behind on my reading.
but my absolute favorite post i think is gone?
you and bryan going to see a movie? batman returns?
gutted me.
also the scene from a kitchen table when you ask zoey if she wants to be pretty, funny or smart?
untouchable.
you're flawless miss susannah.