The Martha Stewart Show

At the very end of the Action Plan, the four of us bloggers got a call about being guests in the audience on Martha's show. I live on Long Island and the show is taped in Manhattan, so I knew it would be easy for me, but I was so excited when I learned that Leah, Sarah and Audris were all coming too, even though it was last-minute. I couldn't wait to meet them in person!!

I posted one picture here, but there are more that we've all taken and shared with each other (luckily, since I never remember to take pictures with people and I only have 3 from this on my camera), and as soon as Facebook works its bugs out, I'll be uploading them to share.

The four of us met for breakfast (and coffee) before heading across the street to the studio, and it was great - I felt like I'd known all three of them for a lot longer than just 4 weeks of reading with no prior face to face meeting!

It was thrilling to walk over to the studio and go in through the glass doors instead of waiting in line. We were led upstairs to the backstage area, and saw all kinds of things for making food and crafts. Everyone who works behind the scenes was amazing - and I'm not just saying that. I think I can comfortably speak for all of us when I say that it felt pretty special to be backstage, eating blueberries and cream with granola right next to a whole bunch of Martha's Emmys, and that everyone was really nice to us.

Those of you (if anyone is reading) who saw the show heard Martha mention that she caught us with her Emmys.... we were taking regular photos, and Joel the cute stage manager remarked that he was surprised we weren't posing with the statuettes. When we said we didn't think we should even touch them, he told us to go ahead - so of course, we posed for pictures with them (as you can see), and OF COURSE, that is the exact moment that Martha Stewart herself walked by. See below, before hair and makeup :)

It was surreal to have makeup and hair done, and have microphones on - surreal, but nice. Awesome, really. Ditto sitting so very close to Martha and the guests, and seeing how things work on set with all the cameras, and the commercial breaks, and the effort that goes into everything. It was amazing.

Overall, it was a truly unforgettable experience, and going to the show and meeting everyone in person was the icing on a great cake. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do this, and to visit the show, and in all the time I was there I wished I could live-blog and share it with all of you!