I was punked.....
This will go down in my history books as the BIGGEST SCAM I ever fell for...It really doesn't take much, I'm pretty naive but THIS was huge...( get your coffee). As most of you know I am a big Kal fan...When she posted the First Pink Lady on her blog, I wrote to her that I would take a print but I REALLY wanted the original art. I think there had to be thousands of women who felt the same way that I did, who responded to her about this TinyArt... perhaps even inspired the waterfall of ladies that followed. She finally announced she was selling them (even the pink lady) and I knew in the pit of heart, I HAD TO HAVE THEM ALL... (Body Image has honestly been an issue for me for 40 years...ever since I was 12, and EACH of these Ladies was like a self portrait...no kidding) The problem was with the timing of her sale... I was going to be teaching a class... I mailed her again & then decided to get Blake to do the rest... You can imagine my excitement when she responded that I got them...all five of them!!!! I waited for her to bill me and it seemed to take forever... I didn't want to say anything to anyone until I knew they were really for me. Soon after that I got an e mail from her saying BAD NEWS... she told me when she went to pick up the prints, the ladies were missing... No one could find them but not to worry, the Owner would be in in a couple of days & she probably knew where they were... I really didn't worry that much because I know how stuff like that happens! Friday am I had another e mail... MORE BAD NEWS..."They are gone" she said. The story went that when someone picked up a box to deliver, the Ladies were underneath it & they must have picked them up too. They went looking for them & found the PINK lady in the alley with tire tracks & the green lady was all bent... my heart sank...for Kal, for me, & for those ladies... especially the Pink Lady... I hadn't said anything to anyone about the paintings & finally though a river of tears told two very close friends what had happened... Life goes on.
Saturday night we went to the cottage & Melissa & Ria showed up to celebrate my birthday (on Mother's day this year) as a last minute surprise... I had been feeling a little down (OK a lot down) because this would be my first Mothers day without my Mom... it hit me kinda hard... what can I say, I just really miss her. ANYWAY. I was soaking wet in the hot tub when they arrived & they just wanted me to open presents... So I did.
Do you see the card? I recognized the hand writing immediately & knew... I had the ladies...all five ladies. in my lap. staring at me. all in one piece. not damaged. not missing. not gone. How did this happen? Amidst the purchase, Melissa had been in touch with Kal & desperately wanted to get the ladies for me because she knew how much I wanted them (she's also a big fan of Kals). Kal, Melissa & Blake were ALL in on the punk... Blake had paid for the paintings & Kal told Melissa she would come up with something so I would think I wasn't getting them... Really. How frigging creative! What a bunch of cockamamie bull, and I fell for it lock stock & barrel!!! Can you imagine? So I say to you all, "be careful what you wish for", once again, my wishes have come true. So there you go. I am the proud East Coast Collector & if you ever want to stop by to meet these lovely ladies, do. They just might speak to you too... These treasured ladies have an old window frame to go in & they will pose graciously above my computer where everyday I will be reminded that I am OK just as I am. People really do love me enough to go the extra mil
e when it counts. Thanks Melissa. Thanks Blake. Thanks Kal. I am so blessed
WOW! I am crying reading this. But I can't believe you would be surprised by how much your family (or friends) would do for you. You go the extra mile for those you love too Paulette, so how could you deserve any less. And way to go Melissa, Blake and Cal. You did real good!
Posted by: Josee Morse | May 15, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Opps, sorry Kal, spelled your name wrong above.
Posted by: Josee Morse | May 15, 2008 at 06:16 AM
I wondered where the five ladies went to! And after reading your blog, they couldn't have gone to a better home.
Hello to a fellow Eastcoaster:)
Posted by: Kim | May 15, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Hurray for Paulette!!
Happy Birthday - I am so glad that you have the ladies, the ladies stay together AND you have so many people that love you to bits.
I know I do!
Posted by: Kal Barteski | May 15, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Hi Paulette,
I was just talking to Mom and she filled me on the 'punk'. When I heard that they had been lost, I was so heartbroken for you...but now the ladies are where they need to be and I can't wait to see them IRL!
Posted by: Amy | May 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I do love you, like no one else. You are and have been the most special woman in my life who I am proud to call a mother but mostly a friend!
xo
Posted by: melissa legaree | May 15, 2008 at 02:34 PM
It's beautiful to see a family with so much love for each other. Your story brought tears to my eyes.
I hope the ladies bring you lots of happiness.
Posted by: Cass | May 15, 2008 at 02:39 PM
What a great story, I had a feeling that you were the East Coast collector :) Kal does fabulous work and what an inspiring collection for all of us women. We are the hardest on ourselves. Good job Melissa and company.
Posted by: Monica | May 15, 2008 at 04:13 PM
UH! SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! And happy belated birthday!!!
A toast to YOU!, Beautiful Lady! Five very special reminders of that! xo
Posted by: Katie | May 15, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Happy Birthday Paulette, what a fabulous story. Love that photo of you and Melissa, such emotion and a picture is truly worth a thousand words!! I would love to see those ladies in person. They look fabulous.
Posted by: lisa642 | May 15, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Paulette,
They sure got you good and to think that Kal was in on it too...I was feeling so bad for you, for Kal and for the missing 5 ladies...but alas, all is well. The 5 ladies have found a beautiful friend- beautiful inside and out, that's you Paulette! Blake and Melissa got to show you their appreciation and love for you, with a 'special surprise'. Happy ending all round!
Posted by: Myleta Ross | May 15, 2008 at 06:16 PM
As I said to Kal - the Ladies were meant for you and there's no one better to have them!
I hope you always have a bit of a flutter everytime the beauties catch your eye.
Posted by: Kathryn | May 15, 2008 at 06:47 PM
Yay, yay, yay!!!!
Such a great story-such a great picture-such wonderful, loving people in your life!
Tire tracks-good one, Kal!
Posted by: Taryn | May 16, 2008 at 01:45 AM
I am sitting here crying (the picture really did me in!). I am so happy for you that you got the ladies, you deserve them!
Happy Belated Birthday!
Karen
Posted by: K. Thomas | May 16, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Happy Birthday Paulette!
5 more souls added to your household!
I can't think of a better place for them to be to ensure that each day they will give and receive love, happiness and joy.
People love you because you are so special.
We are lucky to be able to call you our friend!!!!!
Posted by: gayle s | May 16, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Happy Birthday Paulette!
5 more souls added to your household!
I can't think of a better place for them to be to ensure that each day they will give and receive love, happiness and joy.
People love you because you are so special.
We are lucky to be able to call you our friend!!!!!
Posted by: gayle s | May 16, 2008 at 09:40 AM
I got to see the ladies first hand and they are truly a great work of art!!! I love the way she describes each lady, truly beautiful. Just like you Paulie...Love the pic of you and Melissa...you can see the pure joy and dis-belief in your face.
Posted by: Angie | May 16, 2008 at 03:50 PM
what a FABulous story. you have some pretty awesome people in your life. a blessed one you are!
enjoy. what a great gift.
jen
Posted by: jenwcom | May 17, 2008 at 01:28 PM
ohmystinkinheck
Oh my stinkin' heck.
Oh. My. Stinkin'. Heck.
OH MY STINKIN' HECK!!!!!!!!
If I could make the font bigger I would.
WOW!!!!!!!
This is AMAZING. I am sooooo excited for you.
And so excited that I know the official "East Coast Collector."
Where do you live again and how soon can I come visit????? :)
Kal just gained major, major points in my eyes. And I didn't even think that was possible! I adore her. But this is just awesome.
YAY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Cameron Yates | May 17, 2008 at 09:17 PM
That's so cool! I'm glad you got the ladies!!
Posted by: Emily | May 18, 2008 at 02:09 AM
What a GREAT story! I love happy endings....
Posted by: Erin Glee | May 19, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Awesome! That was a great story. You have a wonderful family. I am coveting your collection! :) But you seem like the perfect person to own all 5!!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 20, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Paulette, I'm a regular reader of Kal's blog and I, too, was waiting for those ladies. When they all sold in a rush I was brokenhearted. The Pink and Green ladies especially spoke so loudly to me, said the things I always wished I could.
But to find out that they went to someone who clearly cherishes them, who loves them for being themselves, and who is honored to be their keeper. That makes me think that it was absolutely meant to be. Those ladies came to rest with the person who needed them most in her life.
Congratulations to you, I am so happy for you, and what a wonderful gift from your family and Kal!!
Posted by: ratqueen | May 20, 2008 at 08:41 PM
WOW! I'm a huge fan of Kal's too and to think someone so close to me is the East Coast Collector! I was moved by your story and absolutely love the photo you chose to share. I am lucky enough to have one original piece of Kal's and purchased 3 of her ladies (prints) and now "little one". Blessed. You are truly blessed to have such a loving group of people surrounding you. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lisa | May 21, 2008 at 06:40 AM
What a great story, Paulette! It makes me think of Body & Soul, the Dove play we saw in Toronto May 10...with 13 ladies.......
Podium is over, so now I have my life back...well almost.
The picture of you and Melissa tells it all! Love, Bren
Posted by: Brenda | May 22, 2008 at 05:58 PM