You know what the phrase “gimme a break” does to me?
It creates total chaos on my head, which starts playing two tunes at once.
One is the awful Kit Kat jingle — even more awful when they do the instrumental version made up of the sounds of breaking Kit Kats. How did a candy brand manage to own the entire concept of resting? Not that it works on me. I never think, “This is bullshit, I’m tired, I want a vacation and I want a Kit Kat bar.”
If I’m putting anything in my mouth just because I’m tired or fed up, it’s ice cream.
Or, when I’m trying not to do too much damage, oriental rice crackers. Though who are we kidding, just because they’re unsatisfying doesn’t mean they’re low in calories. If I did want the effect of a Kit Kat, I’d go makeshift, breaking up some chocolate that I saved from a gift bag and hid where Steven couldn’t find it to toss it out, and sandwiching it between broken pieces of honey wheat pretzels. I like my emotional eating to feel innovative.
The other song that plays in my head is, of course, the theme song to the beloved sitcom, “Gimme a Break.”
Was it really beloved? Maybe I’m making that up. I don’t know what the ratings were, but I loved it. It was on during an era when there was no Nickelodeon and no Disney Channel. A kid would watch any show that had kids in it. And Gimme A Break, though a vehicle for the large grown-up Nell Carter, had two kids on it, so it was enough of a kid’s show for me.
The only episode I remember well was the one where Katie, the older kid, goes to the ER with intense abdominal pain. When the doctor offhandedly tells Nell, the housekeeper, that the problem is Katie’s IUD birth control device, she looks up at the ceiling and laments, “Why didn’t I take that job with the Osmonds?” Cue laugh track.
Where’s all this going? I’m taking a break from posting for a few days. Not because I’ve been feeling a little like, “gimme a break,” which I have, but because….
I’m relaunching Talking Shrimp next week!
It’s my birthday present to me. I’ve got lots of work to do on it to make it ready for the high-standards-having likes of you. So, this is the last post till next Wednesday, the 29th. (My birthday’s the 30th, that’ll give you a day’s notice for last-minute gift shopping.)
See you then, all shiny and new.
Now you.
What do you do when you need a break? Did you ever watch the show “Gimme a Break”? What do you think of Kit Kats?
What will you do while not reading Talking Shrimp for a week?
TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS.
HELP?!?!
What was Nell Carter’s coined phrase in Gimme a Break”???? we can not find it anywhere
Happy Birthday!!! My papa agreed with Lewis Carroll…why celebrate only one birthday a year when you can celebrate 326 unbirthdays. He would come home often with something for one of us kiddies and surprise us, “Happy Unbirthday!”
I am so excited for you, and we were loyal readers to see your new site. Can’t wait.
You and your mama are so sweet in your responding comments. I can tell your entire family…you even have cousins reading your blog!!! think the world of you, as they rightly should.
I will miss you, but as I’ve told you in past, I am a Type A wannabe….so I enjoy breaks. It allows me the chance to appreciate so much more.
You had me laughing so hard about the font size…my eyes thank you…or glasses. Hurray for vanity.
xox
Hi Laura,
Just love this validation about your new website I saw this summer for you.
Can’t wait to see it! Sounds so exciting!
Hugs, Trisha.
I’ll miss you. Oh, wait. We’re related. Can we celebrate your birthday in person?
Good luck with the new site. I’ll be waiting eagerly.
In person it is! Maybe I’ll send you a personal email or two during the hiatus. You have VIP ranking.
A New Improved Version of Classic Talking Shrimp? Hmmmm, sounds a bit fishy to me…..Will it be the Lite version? Or the Diet Variation?
Will we like it as much as the old one? Will we? Promise?
I hope you’ll like it more. I like it more. The blog won’t be that different, but the font size will be easier on the eyes. Namely, my eyes. It was either get glasses, or enlarge the text. I’m not ready for glasses.
No diet shrimp. New site has 20% more butterfat.
I love it! Perfect timing (selfishly) for me. What do I do when I need a break? I go on vacation — it’s a lot better than a Kit Kit bar, those are so unsatisfying. Probably the wafer part of it is to blame. It teases you, like you’re going to be satisfied, but you never really are. A really good margarita would be my go-to gimme a break, no teasing there–except maybe from me, after I drink it.
I’m taking a break starting tomorrow morning. I leave for Europe for two weeks. I thought that I was going to miss out on some of your posts, but I won’t, at least for the next week. Yea for me!
I can’t wait to see your new site! That’s fantastic and very exciting! Enjoy your “break”. I know it’s not really a break, considering how much work you’re doing to get the site launched, but it’s worth it.
Congrats!
Oh, are you actually going off the grid? Where in Europe? Posting isn’t the same when you’re not around to comment, so I’m glad my hiatus overlaps with your trip. If you don’t answer this, I’ll know it’s because your hands are full of croissants or something European.
I agree about the wafer in the Kit Kat. It’s like the lettuce in a sandwich.
Not off the grid entirely, but I didn’t even bring my laptop. I’m on my iPhone, so screw anyone who judges my typos on this thing!!
Barcelona right now and France for the rest of the trip. I won’t be able to stay away once you’re back. I’m just glad that I get a week’s break so that my fat fingers don’t have to chomp away at these posts from these ridiculously small letters and their delicate sensibilities.
Damn iPhone 6 plus was back ordered, so I couldn’t get the bigger one before I left and I’m not one of these yahoos to wait in line when they first come out.
Hey…I’m in Spain, and I’m STILL excited for your new site!! No pressure, but it better be good.
Ciao. Bye bye. Just not adios. They don’t say adios here. I don’t know what they hell they say…
When I take a break, I have a cup of herbal tea, sit down, and browse Pinterest for things that make me smile, or I think of happy memories.
I do enjoy Kit-Kats though.
Really! Herbal tea, huh? I only have that when it’s freezing out and I can’t do more caffeine, or I’m sick and I can’t do more caffeine.
Pinterest is too dangerous for me. The things that make me smile are all available for purchase.
I will truly miss your voice until next Wednesday, my eye jumps to your post over all the others because I know I will reminisce and laugh and be stimulated by your smarty pants friends in the comments. I’m excited to see your new stuff when you get back. Have a nice break and birthday prep.
Awww. Thanks, Kristen! That’s quite a compliment. Especially if you’re subscribed to as much stuff as I am. I look forward to your comments, so we’re even!
You know me, I don’t like to take breaks, so I never reach for a Kit Kat. Ever. That said, I do like to be SATISFIED…so I eat Snickers. I also like the idea of two great tastes that taste great together (being a snack innovator like yourself (did I use it right? Did I? Did I?) so I eat Resee’s when I can’t get my hands on my personal crafty fave – pretzels and candy corn. HEAVEN! It’s like a yogurt coveted pretzel but 800 kajillion times better. And in terms of the show Gimme a Break – LOVED IT! How can you not love a show where someone vacuums up a goldfish. Harderharrharr. I thought Sam, the youngest, was so cute. Her last name was Miller too and how I wished I was born into her Millerness….with her straight hair and her high voice. And how cute was Joey Lawrence!? TOTES ADORBS, right?! Anyhoo…have a great BREAK! I will miss your musings over the next week but I’m psyched to see what’s next. HAPPY EARLY BIRFDAY!
If we could have a Freaky Friday where we get to choose who we switch with, I’d switch with you, just to experience your “no break for me, thanks” energy and of course the Snickers-capable metabolism that goes with it. Oh, and the natural lashes. Though my extensions have given me a little taste of the pleasures of being you.
I love your Gimme a Break memories. I, too, was drawn to characters with straight hair. I guess I’m more of a narcissistic TV watcher. I loved Benson because of Missy Gold.
You don’t have to twist my arm to try candy corn and pretzels. Sold.
My heart totally skipped a beat reading this post. As your friend (and psychic) I can honestly say this is the best news EVER.
Did I just have a vision for you?
Yes. I did.
I’m so excited for you that I’m going to celebrate by watching YouTube reruns of Gimme A Break in between clients.
That and I will be pondering the 80’s version of the IUD.
Can’t wait to see the new site!!
xoxo
Licia
Thanks for the excitement! Of course I want to know the vision. I assume it was good.
Did you watch any Gimme A Break? It’s incredible what we settled for back then.