Weekly Wrap Up 12.9.12
Top Read Posts This Week:
Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies (The Original) - Well, today is the one year anniversary of the publishing of my rant Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies so I'm very excited that it's the number one read post again this week (really, for the whole month). One year ago tonight a friend sent me the link to Blossom's 101 ideas and got me riled up. I sat down at my computer and fired off my tirade. When it was done, I pushed it out on my personal Facebook page (in those days I didn't have a blog FB page or a Twitter account) and my faithful 70 readers took a glance at it. I'm not sure who the first person was to share it, but someone did and within a week I was going viral around the internet.
A lot has changed since the day I went viral. I spent most of the day rocking in a corner because I never expected that many people to EVER read anything I wrote. I was also a bit upset, because I received quite a bit of hate mail, but for every email that said I was a bitch or that I was a terrible mother I received five emails telling me that I made someone feel better. I treasure those emails and I laugh at the others.
In one day I found 15,000 new readers to join me on Facebook and 1,000 on Twitter. I think today I'm near on Facebook and over 5,000 on Twitter. I've made my peace with Blossom and found out that she has a sense of humor (check out number 93 on her list).
This week the Elf and I had a good run again. I was featured on Huffington Post where they reposted the original rant and Headline News where they interviewed me on air and then published my Op Ed piece. I was also showcased on Elfshaming.com.
Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited - In anticipation of being interviewed on HuffPo and HLN, I reposted my original piece, but with a new pic this year. This year Choppy Elfie demanded a picture worthy of Pinterest instead of last year's snap. I'm guessing next year he'll want to be photographed in a wheat field at magic hour by a professional photographer.
Humble Brag Christmas Letters - I've received some great humble brag Christmas letters and I'm compiling the best excerpts for a post for Monday. I'm also working on my own humble brag letter for this week. There is a good one in my book, but I think I can do it one better.
Hypochondriac Hubs - The Hubs was sick and it reminded me of the time he contracted the Swine Flu from Patient Zero.
Making Memories the Punch Way - Christmas is in full swing around the Punch household and we are making memories that would make the OAMs cry - literally.
Book Update:
It's a Christmas Miracle!! Barnes & Noble finally has my book Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat available for NOOK.
I think that takes care of all formats now - except audio. Maybe next year.
I have two stores carrying the book now too! If you're near Blue Hydrangea in Wickford, RI or Ginger With Love in New Vernon, NJ stop in and pick up a copy or two.
I've been receiving lots of orders for personalized books for gifts. It takes between 2 and 9 days for books to ship so if you need a book for a gift, please order soon. Here are just a few of the people who will be receiving my book this year for the holidays:
Wives
Sisters
Mothers
Aunts
Cousins
BFFs
Bunco groups
Book clubs
Teachers
Hairstylists
People attending White Elephant Gift parties
Get your order in now so you can be sure to have it in time for the holidays. All of your book buying options can be found here.
Favorite Comment of the Week (and My Response if Necessary):
Just had to mention...my mom saw this post mentioned on HLN news the other morning. You're famous! Tina should be calling any day now. (If this was mentioned earlier I missed it because I was too lazy to read the other comments...sorry!) on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited
I just hope Tina watches Headline News all the time during the middle of the day, because surely that interview convinced her we should be pals.
we're poor as shit with 3 kids and nowhere near as bitter as you dear writer...quit taking your cues from half baked sitcom parents and man the fuck up. on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
Can I just say that yes the lady writing the blog is crazy, but you are just unhappy and lazy (and writing a blog about it)! You are complaining about moving an elf to different shelves and spots in your house? Me and my wife work full time, have one elf, and move him daily while our kid is at school, or over night when he goes to sleep, It's called "time management". Yes your kids will grow up fine without an "elf on a shelf" but have some fun damn it!! Do u have no child left inside of you? Do you not get any enjoyment out of seeing how confused and happy your children get over the idea of there being a real elf in your house? All i'm saying is that you have way to much built up aggression and should be expressing it in other ways than being upset that some housewives that are wealthier than you have been spending all their free time making messes for themselves to clean up, blaming it on an elf, and bragging about it online. (also if you want a $400 Lego set for your kid, you need to save your money and not wait until your last paycheck) on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
I don't know what the deal is this year. Last year I heard from some pissed off mommies complaining that I was ruining the magic of the Elf. This year it's the douchey dads coming out in droves. Both of the above comments are from dads and they're just two of the many, many, many comments I've received from the men of the house. WTF? I think it's hilarious that you guys are calling me "bitter." Both of you took time out of your precious Elf mess-making day to sit down at your computer and read my blog and THEN compose your excellent, well written responses to me. Thanks so much for calling me lazy, asshole. Because, obviously you're right. If I don't care to make a mess with my Elf, then it MUST be because I'm lazy. (By that logic, I'm sure that in college you thought every girl who didn't want to fuck you was gay.) I run a full time successful real estate business, I write a popular blog and contribute to many others, I wrote a book this year, I volunteer in my kids' classrooms and I sit on the board for the PTO. What do you do? My guess is you go to your shitty 9 to 5 job every day with a lunch that your wife packed you, because you're far too busy to even pack your own fucking lunch. You come home and have a beer and watch TV and stage your Elf in some stupid, adorable pose every night. Well, good for you guys. You guys are the Dads of the Year. You should write a fucking book on what I can learn from your "time management" secrets. Oh, and by the way, did I ever say I couldn't AFFORD the $400 Lego? No, I just said I didn't want to buy it for my kid. Think about it, jackhole, I have a best selling book on Amazon and iTunes, I'm doing just fine, but thanks for your concern.
I posted a pic of mine tonight sitting on my DVR. I put "Oooooohhhh, Fred is ON the DVR!!" I got alot of likes. My cuz posted one that said "Even YOU could do this Dev" and her elf had made a snow angel in an ENTIRE BAG of sugar she had dumped on the counter!! I replied "GOOD LORD!! Is that real sugar?? Who in the hell is going to clean that up?? NO WAY!!" She didn't answer back, I think my cousins think I am a bitch. Also, happy ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of me stalking Jenn!! Woo Hoo! Here is to the next year, cheers babe! Devan on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited
I cannot remember when I laughed so hard! You are right on and you write it so very well. Thanks for a wonderful set of belly laughs this morning. Next column -- Mommies who up the Advent Calendar ante. We've already "upgraded" from the crappy chocolate one to needing to fill a little box with some unexpected treat or treasure for 24 days, but yesterday my kid's friend says that they get to do a treasure hunt each morning because the advent calender only has the CLUES in it and then they get to do a hunt for the actual treat. Uh huh....cause when I'm already forgetting to fill the darn calendar each night (after moving the elf, of course), what I REALLY need to do is to add the extra step of a "finding clue" and find a place to hide the advent treats. Thanks alot Advent Escalation Mom! on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
This year I have been doing such a good job remembering to move my Elves, that I fogot to get out the Advent Calendars! Luckily Adolpha remembered and got out one and filled it with candy. We have a couple of Lego ones that haven't come out of the cupboard. Maybe next year I'll get it together and remember ALL of these "traditions" together.
First off, let me say that I just stumbled across your blog today and am already addicted to it. You are hilarious and I totally connect with so much or what you talk about. The funniest Humble Brag Letters I've ever seen come from my aunt and uncle and are actually not Humble Brags at all. They have 5 boys and each Christmas they send letters to select friends and family (those who can actually take a joke) detailing some of the low points of the year for each family member. Examples in the past have included statements such as "[Son 1] dropped out of college this year." or "[Son 2] broke up with [his on-again, off-again girlfriend] yet again after she was caught cheating on him for the second time." Things like that. It's hilarious and awesome and I really think helps them to have a light-hearted perspective on some of the not-so-great things that have happened throughout the year. on Humble Brag Christmas Letters
That is a letter I would like to get!
Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies (The Original) - Well, today is the one year anniversary of the publishing of my rant Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies so I'm very excited that it's the number one read post again this week (really, for the whole month). One year ago tonight a friend sent me the link to Blossom's 101 ideas and got me riled up. I sat down at my computer and fired off my tirade. When it was done, I pushed it out on my personal Facebook page (in those days I didn't have a blog FB page or a Twitter account) and my faithful 70 readers took a glance at it. I'm not sure who the first person was to share it, but someone did and within a week I was going viral around the internet.
A lot has changed since the day I went viral. I spent most of the day rocking in a corner because I never expected that many people to EVER read anything I wrote. I was also a bit upset, because I received quite a bit of hate mail, but for every email that said I was a bitch or that I was a terrible mother I received five emails telling me that I made someone feel better. I treasure those emails and I laugh at the others.
In one day I found 15,000 new readers to join me on Facebook and 1,000 on Twitter. I think today I'm near on Facebook and over 5,000 on Twitter. I've made my peace with Blossom and found out that she has a sense of humor (check out number 93 on her list).
This week the Elf and I had a good run again. I was featured on Huffington Post where they reposted the original rant and Headline News where they interviewed me on air and then published my Op Ed piece. I was also showcased on Elfshaming.com.
Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited - In anticipation of being interviewed on HuffPo and HLN, I reposted my original piece, but with a new pic this year. This year Choppy Elfie demanded a picture worthy of Pinterest instead of last year's snap. I'm guessing next year he'll want to be photographed in a wheat field at magic hour by a professional photographer.
Humble Brag Christmas Letters - I've received some great humble brag Christmas letters and I'm compiling the best excerpts for a post for Monday. I'm also working on my own humble brag letter for this week. There is a good one in my book, but I think I can do it one better.
Hypochondriac Hubs - The Hubs was sick and it reminded me of the time he contracted the Swine Flu from Patient Zero.
Making Memories the Punch Way - Christmas is in full swing around the Punch household and we are making memories that would make the OAMs cry - literally.
Book Update:
It's a Christmas Miracle!! Barnes & Noble finally has my book Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat available for NOOK.
I think that takes care of all formats now - except audio. Maybe next year.
I have two stores carrying the book now too! If you're near Blue Hydrangea in Wickford, RI or Ginger With Love in New Vernon, NJ stop in and pick up a copy or two.
I've been receiving lots of orders for personalized books for gifts. It takes between 2 and 9 days for books to ship so if you need a book for a gift, please order soon. Here are just a few of the people who will be receiving my book this year for the holidays:
Wives
Sisters
Mothers
Aunts
Cousins
BFFs
Bunco groups
Book clubs
Teachers
Hairstylists
People attending White Elephant Gift parties
Get your order in now so you can be sure to have it in time for the holidays. All of your book buying options can be found here.
Favorite Comment of the Week (and My Response if Necessary):
Just had to mention...my mom saw this post mentioned on HLN news the other morning. You're famous! Tina should be calling any day now. (If this was mentioned earlier I missed it because I was too lazy to read the other comments...sorry!) on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited
I just hope Tina watches Headline News all the time during the middle of the day, because surely that interview convinced her we should be pals.
we're poor as shit with 3 kids and nowhere near as bitter as you dear writer...quit taking your cues from half baked sitcom parents and man the fuck up. on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
Can I just say that yes the lady writing the blog is crazy, but you are just unhappy and lazy (and writing a blog about it)! You are complaining about moving an elf to different shelves and spots in your house? Me and my wife work full time, have one elf, and move him daily while our kid is at school, or over night when he goes to sleep, It's called "time management". Yes your kids will grow up fine without an "elf on a shelf" but have some fun damn it!! Do u have no child left inside of you? Do you not get any enjoyment out of seeing how confused and happy your children get over the idea of there being a real elf in your house? All i'm saying is that you have way to much built up aggression and should be expressing it in other ways than being upset that some housewives that are wealthier than you have been spending all their free time making messes for themselves to clean up, blaming it on an elf, and bragging about it online. (also if you want a $400 Lego set for your kid, you need to save your money and not wait until your last paycheck) on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
I don't know what the deal is this year. Last year I heard from some pissed off mommies complaining that I was ruining the magic of the Elf. This year it's the douchey dads coming out in droves. Both of the above comments are from dads and they're just two of the many, many, many comments I've received from the men of the house. WTF? I think it's hilarious that you guys are calling me "bitter." Both of you took time out of your precious Elf mess-making day to sit down at your computer and read my blog and THEN compose your excellent, well written responses to me. Thanks so much for calling me lazy, asshole. Because, obviously you're right. If I don't care to make a mess with my Elf, then it MUST be because I'm lazy. (By that logic, I'm sure that in college you thought every girl who didn't want to fuck you was gay.) I run a full time successful real estate business, I write a popular blog and contribute to many others, I wrote a book this year, I volunteer in my kids' classrooms and I sit on the board for the PTO. What do you do? My guess is you go to your shitty 9 to 5 job every day with a lunch that your wife packed you, because you're far too busy to even pack your own fucking lunch. You come home and have a beer and watch TV and stage your Elf in some stupid, adorable pose every night. Well, good for you guys. You guys are the Dads of the Year. You should write a fucking book on what I can learn from your "time management" secrets. Oh, and by the way, did I ever say I couldn't AFFORD the $400 Lego? No, I just said I didn't want to buy it for my kid. Think about it, jackhole, I have a best selling book on Amazon and iTunes, I'm doing just fine, but thanks for your concern.
I posted a pic of mine tonight sitting on my DVR. I put "Oooooohhhh, Fred is ON the DVR!!" I got alot of likes. My cuz posted one that said "Even YOU could do this Dev" and her elf had made a snow angel in an ENTIRE BAG of sugar she had dumped on the counter!! I replied "GOOD LORD!! Is that real sugar?? Who in the hell is going to clean that up?? NO WAY!!" She didn't answer back, I think my cousins think I am a bitch. Also, happy ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of me stalking Jenn!! Woo Hoo! Here is to the next year, cheers babe! Devan on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies Revisited
I cannot remember when I laughed so hard! You are right on and you write it so very well. Thanks for a wonderful set of belly laughs this morning. Next column -- Mommies who up the Advent Calendar ante. We've already "upgraded" from the crappy chocolate one to needing to fill a little box with some unexpected treat or treasure for 24 days, but yesterday my kid's friend says that they get to do a treasure hunt each morning because the advent calender only has the CLUES in it and then they get to do a hunt for the actual treat. Uh huh....cause when I'm already forgetting to fill the darn calendar each night (after moving the elf, of course), what I REALLY need to do is to add the extra step of a "finding clue" and find a place to hide the advent treats. Thanks alot Advent Escalation Mom! on Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
This year I have been doing such a good job remembering to move my Elves, that I fogot to get out the Advent Calendars! Luckily Adolpha remembered and got out one and filled it with candy. We have a couple of Lego ones that haven't come out of the cupboard. Maybe next year I'll get it together and remember ALL of these "traditions" together.
First off, let me say that I just stumbled across your blog today and am already addicted to it. You are hilarious and I totally connect with so much or what you talk about. The funniest Humble Brag Letters I've ever seen come from my aunt and uncle and are actually not Humble Brags at all. They have 5 boys and each Christmas they send letters to select friends and family (those who can actually take a joke) detailing some of the low points of the year for each family member. Examples in the past have included statements such as "[Son 1] dropped out of college this year." or "[Son 2] broke up with [his on-again, off-again girlfriend] yet again after she was caught cheating on him for the second time." Things like that. It's hilarious and awesome and I really think helps them to have a light-hearted perspective on some of the not-so-great things that have happened throughout the year. on Humble Brag Christmas Letters
That is a letter I would like to get!
No comments have been added yet.
