First things first: I have to say, thank you. For all the kind words, comments and emails from all of you yesterday. It was super sweet, and meant the world to us. It was a scary moment, and we are just really grateful. Honestly, I’m still processing it all…it feels like a haze. But thank you. So very much.
That mentioned, much in contrast to yesterday, today I get to share my super {not so secret} exciting news with you. (I know you’ve been waiting with baited breath, right?) Very much like my roller coaster life right now, is this little entry, but alas I got the green light so hold on tight!
Remember my whirlwind trip 1.5 weeks ago to NYC?
The one where I wasn’t allowed to spill any beanage?
To say this entire month has been an insane whirlwind of spectrum experiences, would be an understatement. WDW…scary wreck…
Quite a few of you have probably already guessed it. But I was asked to hold it in until the appropriate time, so seam-age busting, holding-it-innage…I did. {Apart from the fact that I’m a total dork/rule follower, I also think that a generous portion of -age behind normal words makes writing more interesting, if not irritating. Don’t you? No? Moving on.}
And yes, I was all country-came-to-town in the subway while I posed with an ad of Nate. I couldn’t control myself. The Dexter sign behind me was a foreshadowing of scary subway encounters to come. And…it creeps me out.
I’ve been enamored by Nate since his first Oprah days, and I remember how excited I was for him when I heard he was getting his own show…but never ONCE in a million years did I dream they would ever ask me to be on the show.
Mind.
Blown.
When we got there that morning, three hours prior to filming, there was already a line, five miles long out the door. {Because everyone loves Nate! duh.} They were craning their necks to see who pulled up in the important car. And I was all, “HEY Y’ALL! Just another mom from ALIBAMA! Holla!”
Okay. I didn’t really say that.
But I did take my photo with the security guard. He was awesome…as in, he probably knew jujitsu or something. He was sweet to humor me.
So they escorted us all VIP style up to my dressing room. I just soaked it all in.
I could have EATEN everything on the set with a giant spoon. They’re lucky they were paying attention, because I almost stuffed a few sofas and tables up my shirt, and waltzed on outta there. Thanks, Nate.
Even my dressing room sofa was spaz worthy. Yes, I do get that excited over ikat.
Hair and makeup? By super talented professionals? Yes please.
We reviewed my segment with the awesome producers, who’s past experiences range from Martha, to SNL. {SQUEEEE!}
…And then we waited!
Yes, I totally saved my name tag. It may or may not be on my fridge until I figure out what to do with it. No judging.
We humored ourselves while we waited.
I can honestly say I have never worked with a nicer, more professional group of people. They were all amazing. And let me just say, if you think Nate is cute on TV…he’s even more adorable in real life. Gracious would be a word to describe his show, his producers and all his crew. It was honestly just like visiting someone’s home. I’m quite sure that was completely intentional.
I’m relieved to say there was no gastrointestinal distress on my part, I avoided saying anything socially inappropriate, and I didn’t completely humiliate myself on national television.
I think.
I’m just grateful for the opportunity, and completely in awe that it even happened. I can’t wait for you guys to see it. Will you watch me? Tune in, Tuesday, OCT 4th 2011 on WCOV. That’s 8:00 a.m. for you Montgomery viewers, 9:00 for Birmingham…{and most of our awesome readers aren’t even from Alabama…it’s different just about everywhere, so check your local listings-if you don’t watch it already!}
Flying to NYC by my lonesome, standing on stage, willing my mouth to open and speak, and talking to someone I’ve admired for a really long time, on a nationally syndicated TV show definitely required getting past some of my own personal demons. (Sheesh. As if airport security isn’t intimidating enough…) But it was an amazing, wonderful experience, and I am so thrilled that I get to share it all with you.
So, October 4th. Set your TIVO. If anything, so you can pause it while my face looks funny. So you can laugh. Profusely. I think we should have a competition to see who can pause and photograph the most awkward facial expressions. Then you can email it to me, and we’ll have a blog about it. Am I the only one who’s ever had that fear of being on TV from all the breaks I’ve taken with TV pause-age when I observe how ridic said paused person looks? Maybe? Now I’m scared you might actually do it.
Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you had a wonderful week. Thanks for letting me share all the things we have to be thankful for these last few days. Even if they sometimes come in unexpected packages. Lots of love to all of you…happy weekend!
PS. Update: Apparently there was a commercial this morning! 2.5 whole seconds of glancing at the TV, and you may have seen this! Thanks to my eagle eye friend Laura who was watching for fun…and I always DVR…so of course I paused and took a pic. Yep. I did.
Christi says
Congrats! That is so exciting and I can’t wait to watch it and see you on there. Loving all of your pics-can’t imagine how much fun you had. Glad y’all are ok- so scary!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
Congrats! How exciting! I am setting my DVR now!
Laura says
Ashley,
You are too funny! I can’t wait to see it. I will be ready and waiting with my cup of coffee. Congrats to you!
Catherine says
Wow! That’s great news. Good for you. I’m so not surprised they asked you…
Dawn says
how exciting!!! so awesome! glad you had a great time and can’t wait to see it!
Jennifer says
Oh Ashley, I just read your post from yesterday; my stomach is literally in knots. I’m so grateful that you and the littles are ok! And then to read this…my emotions are all out of whack, haha! Despair, excitement, one right after the other. What an AWESOME experience! Mountains and valleys…what life is made of. I can’t WAIT to see your show. So very, very, exciting, and so very, very deserved!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Jennifer-you are so sweet. I’m actually kind of exhausted from this entire month. 😉 When I had the wreck on Wednesday, I told my mom, after we made sure everyone was okay, that I guess I had to come down off my mountain at some point. I just didn’t think I’d be shoved off. 😉 ha!
Lindsay says
I am so EXCITED for you Ashley!!! I can’t wait to watch you 🙂
jami nato says
BAM. and just like that…you’re taking the world over, one episode at a time.
Janice says
Congrats! Can’t wait to see the show on Tuesday.
I think the Security guard is intimated by you. You know he secretly reads your blog! 😉
Again…so happy for you!
ashley @ the handmade home says
bwah! yes. After I asked him if he’d ever had to beat down a couple of Nate stalkers, he leaned over and asked for me to email him this photo. 😉
Janice says
Of course!
Christina says
Oh my goodness! That is SO amazing!! Had I known, I would have stood in the standby line to be there in person. 🙂 Congrats! I’ll be DVRing you!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Christina-I thought about telling you about eight times. I went back and forth. but it was all so last minute, and I didn’t want to bother you with it all. But thanks for the kind words! that means so much! I felt bad for not telling you, and bad for bothering. so I went with the not bothering you option. 😉
Christina says
You are too funny! You would never in a zillion years ever be a bother. I can totally understand – it had to be so nerve wracking leading up to it! My heart would have been a mile a minute for the entire time leading up to it, while I was there and for a week after, if I was you! I am SO over the moon proud & happy for you and cannot wait to watch! Seriously- next time you’re in town- 1 coffee or slice of pizza or whatever you have time for- and I’m there 🙂
Laura says
Eeekkk! So exciting!!! Remember when you & Jamin were on Jay Leno? We saved that show on our DVR forever. Then Charter had to switch out the DVR so we lost it. Good story. I’ll be doing the same with this epi of Nate. YAYYY!!!
amelia says
ASHLEY!!!
oh my FREAKIN’ heck!!! i can’t even tell you how excited i am for you– and for me to be able to watch it! this is H U G E – O. what an amazing experience for you– once in a lifetime for most people… they’ll probably offer you your own show after this!!
i KNOW you killed it! can’t WAIT to see it!
today i will be blogging about THIS announcement and your blog 🙂 sorry it’s taken me until now! goodness!
xo
CONGRATULATIONS
ashley @ the handmade home says
Amelia! you had me laughing out loud. I never wrote you back and I am SO sorry. It’s been abnormally crazy…things I still can’t even talk about yet so thank you so much for putting up with/being patient with me! ha! you’re so sweet. 😉
Julie says
Yay!! Can’t wait to see you on there! Congrats!!
nest of posies says
oh how totally exciting for YOU! i would have gone nutz & spazzed out as well.
can’t wait to see it. i would of D.I.E.D. going to NYC – work it girl!
xo
kellie
Melissa says
So proud of you. I know a woman shaped like a bowlin pin who owns her own business in Montgomery who can GO SUCK ON A TAILPIPE!!!
Congratulations!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I can’t. stop. laughing.
Alima says
I am realy curious as to what this comment means 🙂 Does that make me nosy?
Gale says
How exciting! 🙂 I’m soooo happy for you and can’t wait to watch – DVR set and ready to go!!!!
Congrats!!!
Paulie says
CONGRATULATIONS Ashley! Woo hoo!
Mary McDaniel says
Baaah! That’s wildly exciting! Congratulations! So, any way for those of us that don’t own tv’s to watch it? Maybe? Please? (I’ll stop whining now.) But, maybe is there any way? (Apparently I’m not done whining.) Congrats again!
ashley @ the handmade home says
hey mary! they will have my house proud segment on his site, but not the entire second segment where I get to act a fool on stage. 😉 I am going to try and get a copy of the whole thing to eventually put on the site. My favorite part of it all, though, was his introduction, which comes right before the commercial break. He gave me chills he was so sweet. 😉 so stay tuned and I will see what I can do, but in the meantime, we will be on his site. And in the meantime, itunes? Hulu?
Beth @ NashvillePug says
SO EXCITED FOR YOU!! I actually am one of the dorks who has been waiting for you to spill the beanage! I knew it had to be huge, and you did not disappoint! Nate is the lucky one! 😉
My DVR will be set!
Ali says
That is so awesome Ashley! Congrats! I can not wait to watch.
Melissa says
What? I know a celebrity! In person. and a few years ago, my kiddos played with her kiddos!! 😉 This is awesome. So happy for you. Definitely will be watching. Kids might have to be a little late for school that day ~
we don’t have DVR.
Shannon R says
I don’t have cable, much less a dvr right now so I have to figure out how I’m going to watch my famous friend. And I will be pulling out the “oh, I know her from college!” card.
Jenn says
Ahhh! I am SO excited for you!!! This is awesome! Can’t wait to see you! 🙂
Dorothy says
I figured it was something like that. Yay for you!! He’s such a cutie (hometown boy here too) and so talented and sweet. And you look gorgeous, which is your natural state anyway. I have to figure out how to find his show since I don’t ususally get to see it-can’t miss this one! We’re really happy and excited for you. xoxo
Kate says
I thought I saw you on a preview of next week’s show when I was watching Nate yesterday. That is so exciting!
Caanan says
Congratulations, Ashley!!!!! I’m so excited for you!
Alima says
I knew the secret was Nate! So exciting! So the camera guys that was in your house was that for Nate? I follow a few other bloggers who have been on Nate and they said they get a flip camera in the mail and film themselves and have to mail it back. Just curious bc now I’m wondering if that guy wasnt there for Nate what other secrets are you hiding??? 🙂
Anyways, I can’t wait to see it! Today I almost had a freakout bc I saw your pic on pinterest and thought I had missed your episode! Thank God that was just a commercial!! Cant wait for Tuesday!
Amy K. says
Ashley!!!! I am sooooo excited for you!!! I never comment on here, but I look, read, and take it all in quite frequently!!! I am trying to pry the remote from my husband as I type so I can set the DVR for Tuesday!!!! I can’t wait to see how you knocked their socks off!!! And, by the way, if our house ever sells in TX, I’m hiring you for our new place in TN…it may be the only way we ever get it decorated!!!!
Sarah @ thatspeachykeen says
wow!! I wish we got this show where I live:( I’ll have to find it on their website of youtube after it’s aired, can’t wait!!
Shaunna says
VERY big batch of CONGRATULATIONS for you!!!! You sure deserve it all…so proud of you and for you, friend!
🙂
shaunna
Tiffany says
Can’t wait to watch Tuesday! So fun to read all the details of your trip…
Traci says
Fun!!!! I cannot wait to see it! I am so glad you had such a great time. 🙂
Traci
Katie says
I am soo excited to see this episode. I have been following your blog for sometime (from Nebraska), I love the Nate show, and look forward to “meeting you” on TV. Congrats!
Crystal says
I watched your debute on The Nate Berkus Show and you did so well. I love the pictures you put on this website. We always see the inside of the studio but it was great to see the sign outside, what it looks like as you pull up…just gives you a different perspective…thanks again and when can I get your AUTOGRAPH?!? 🙂
Victoria Adams says
I absolutely loved your segment and I know how you feel. I was asked many years ago to be on a nationally syndicated television show. I had a blast. All the special treatment with my hair and make up and they even let me bring my daughter along because it was her birthday. Wonderful memories. I love all your cool ideas and I’m going to steal some if you don’t mind!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
now you’ve raised my curiosity! what show was it? 😉
Cheryl Shirzadi says
Loved you on the show!!! Loved your ideas and creativity!!!
You are very sweet and gracious. totally deserved to be on the show
Glad I got to catch it!!
Houston TX
Miss Mustard Seed says
So cool!!! I love the picture of you sitting in the chair getting your hair done. Cute! I’ll have to set the DVR.
{darlene} says
Hi Ashley! It is so nice to meet you. I popped over here from a friend’s blog… and realized, hmm, I have never been to this blog!
well. you are just too stinkin cute. and you had me laughing.
but you had me at gastrointestinal distress, and I shall now be a loyal-stopper-byer-and-follower.
Congrats about the Nate show. unbelievably cool and fun and kiss-worthy.
off to buzz around your blog and become your newest follower.
oh, how i would love it if you came by to say Hi at Fieldstone Hill!
– {darlene}
p.s. wondering…will I meet you at Haven 2012???
Susi Brackett says
Ashley this is my first post on any blog ever, but I just had to let you know that I dvr the Nate Show everyday and that is how I discovered your wonderful blog. You are one talented girl and a very entertaining blogger. It was fun to read about your experience after I had already seen the show. I am already a regular reader and I am still trying to get through all of the wonderful photos, projects, and blogs you have on your awesome site!!
Susi in California
ashley @ the handmade home says
awe thank you SO much susi! 😉