"Poppy"

So it's no big secret to most people that my middle name is Poppy.

Well, maybe to some it is ...

My name is Alana Poppy. Born Alana Poppy Boutwell. To a good mom. To a hippy mom. She called me Poppy as a little girl. Everyone did. That was just my name. I didn't know to be embarrassed by it. Until grade school. Kids can be relentless. Everyone made fun of my name. Then I moved to a new school. I want to say I was in the 3rd grade. I walked into the classroom and had to find my desk. They were labeled with our names. I found mine. Alana.

Alana? That was a new concept. The teacher called my name. I didn't correct her. All of the sudden, at school I was known by Alana. A new identity. Not that anyone ever pronounced it correctly but at least I wasn't being made fun of.

I've got through most of my life hiding that name. I always cringe when someone discovers my middle name. I guess I turn into a 7 year old girl being teased.

BUT fast forward to today. To just a few years ago. To the adult Alana. The Alana who has done a lot of learning to just be herself....

I'm me. Not ashamed of who I am. To include my kick-axx middle name.

I've learned to EMBRACE it. To LOVE it. To love the fact that my mom was cool enough 37 years ago to go outside the box and give me such a unique name.

My extended family actually still calls me Poppy. My Gran did ... until the day she died.

I've come full circle with this name.

Which brings me to two weeks ago. I love coach purses. I have a few in my collection now. I was in the store and something caught my eye. I couldn't BELIEVE it. Coach has a new line. It's called Poppy. Seriously? You've got to be kidding me. I had to have it. HAD to. It's got Poppy written ALL over it. It was MADE for me.

Even if, according to Hayley .. we wouldn't be eating for the next 3 months.

I brought the must-have-purse home. Still in the bag. She discovered it. And the receipt. And it wasn't cheap (any of my other coach bags were always bought on sale or at the outlet store. I've never paid full price for one. Ever.)

Hayley ... "I can't BELIEVE you would buy a purse that costs that much. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??" Oh .. she was angry. Really mad.

me .... "but did you SEE it?"

Hayley ... "That's just ridiculous mom. Wow. I can't believe you."

Jackson walks in oblivious to the conversation. "hey mom .. can we go to Big Five sports?"

Hayley ... "Well NO Jackson .. she can NOT take you there. Why you ask? Well, because she bought a purse and now you won't be getting ANY TOYS for the next THREE months because she just spent all our money"

Eli .. now enters the room "what's for dinner?"

Hayley .... "Well Eli .. looks like NOTHING .. because why you ask? Mom just bought a purse and now we won't be ABLE TO EAT FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS".

Rolls her eyes and walks out.

But have you SEEN THIS PURSE? Peanut butter and jelly for the next three months was sooo worth it!