#DonniePinata Day Has Arrived

It's the day we've all been waiting for.

The day we've often wondered about since May 27, 2011, when one Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fame chose to follow me on Twitter.

The day we've promised and hinted at and made reference to each time Donnie comes into conversation.

My birthday Donnie Pinata is here. 

Without further ado, a short AbbyGabs production:





(If you can't see the video, go here: http://youtu.be/oJ29ZZ0f4FQ) 


Now, readers, if you think this video is great, and you love me, join the fun on Twitter. Let's see if we can get Mr. Wahlberg's attention...perhaps we will get a re-Tweet or maybe even a hug. All you have to do is keep tweeting the link to this blog--and make sure you include the tags @DonnieWahlberg, @ThatGabbyAbby, and #DonniePinata. Let's keep the insanity rolling, people. Let's Twitter stalk Donnie Wahlberg TOGETHER!!


<Insert Maniacal Laugh Track Here>

The Wahlberg Obsession Continues...

If you're new to the blog, I'd like to welcome you to my Donnie Wahlberg obsession. In case you missed it, here's a quick recap:


It all started way back in 1988, when I became one of a squillion New Kids on the Block fans. Fast forward through 12 tons of New Kids paraphernalia, making out with Jordan Knight posters, and summer evening concerts to the tune of "Step by Step," all the way to the summer of 2008. The New Kids reunited and released the album, The Block. And I was immediately reverted back to a squealing, overly-excited tween.


My childhood crush on Donnie Wahlberg steadily grew into a full-blown obsession. In February of 2011, AbbyGabs was born, and the Donnie Wahlberg obsession became a blog phenomenon. It all started when I wished for a do-over button -- and with that one mention of my secret celebrity boyfriend, we were off to the races. 


Donnie started cropping up in my blog on a regular basis. First it was just in reference to my general adoration for him. Then came Twitter. Hearing from him on a daily basis sent my obsession into orbit, resulting in blogs about Donnie dreams I was having, and maintaining my marriage while quietly stalking him on Twitter. 


Finally, in my most recent brush with fame, the object of my obsession began following me on Twitter. And with that opened can of worms, the Full-Blown Comprehensive Donnie Wahlberg Campaign began. 


In the last few days, my Twitter stalking of Mr. Wahlberg has taken on a feverish pitch. For example, on Tuesday evening, Donnie tweeted the following:

(For those unfamiliar with Twitter, the most recent post is at the top. Which means, for it to make sense, read the last post first.)

Never one to let an opportunity to pass by, I tweeted the following responses:

And for your viewing pleasure, the profile pic in question:

You're Welcome.

At some point yesterday, I realized that my stalking has turned into a full-blown hobby: I stalk him from my phone to the point of draining the battery every day by 3:00. When my phone battery dies, I stalk him on the laptop until THAT battery dies.

And let's not talk about how often I'm sitting at the desktop. On Twitter. Reading Donnie's tweets.

But  the saddest part of it all: despite the fact that my husband knows about my Twitter Stalking, and even though I TRY to keep that stalking to a minimum when he's at home, I still find myself drawn to the computer to see if Donnie's online...even when Brian is here.

Which inspired me to make the following short film. Enjoy.

(Can't see the movie? Go here: http://youtu.be/IFF37qKqN54)

Twitter Milestones

Meet Kristin.

And her 2 girls, Allison and Emily.

Kristin is my bestest friend from Blogland. We have never actually met in person, or even spoken on the phone, but when I first found myself on Kristin's blog, "My Art and the Mom in Me," I knew I'd found a kindred spirit. She's a crafter, a fellow Etsian (her shop, ArtByKristin, is a must see), and she laughs at my jokes (a requirement of all my friends).

Our friendship bloomed through comments, then emails, then Facebook and Twitter.  We support each other's Etsy shops (Kristin owns a pair of Simply Charming earrings, and I own a beautiful glass collage she made just for me). Rarely do I post a blog that Kristin doesn't comment on, and the same goes for me. 

While we've never had the pleasure to meet in "real life," I have a sneaking suspicion that if we ever got together, it would be an afternoon of coffee, laughter, and the best kind of girlfriend time you can imagine.

So, yesterday, Kristin blogged about an adorable Tinkerbell pinata she made for her daughter's upcoming birthday. As is my usual blogger M/O, I left a comment.

I expected a chuckle, and a witty comeback. I thought we'd share a laugh and move on. But about 5 minutes later I got a message on my Facebook profile from Kristin.

Yes, that says 34 comments.

It all started innocently enough...just two friends cracking jokes, being silly, sharing an amusing conversation...

But when you play the Twitter card, things get serious. 


In a matter of milliseconds, it went from tweeting screen captures of our Facebook conversation to hashtags, compulsive Wahlberg stalking, and a full-out Donnie Pinata Campaign.

Before you knew it, Kristin had started using the hashtag DonniePinata, and we were off to the races. Our objective: get permission from the man himself for use of his picture on my birthday pinata (as long as I promised not to dent his face.)


I campaigned my little heart out, hoping for a smile, a twitter hug (Donnie's fans know them as TWUGs), or just some small token of recognition from my favorite New Kid...

Kristin was right there by my side, at one point pleading with my Favorite Tweet of the Day:

This one made me snort. Seriously.

UNTIL.....

In the midst of our Donnie Pinata campaign, Donnie started tweeting. My response went something like this:

OMG OMG OMG. Donnie's online. RIGHT NOW. OMG OMG OMG OMG. *tweet tweet tweet TWEET TWEET FURIOUSLY TWEETING*

 Between the two of us, we managed to tweet about 47 times in approximately 30 seconds. And as I was in the middle of tweet #48, I looked up and, to my utter amazement and delight, I see this:

HOLY. FREAKIN'. COW.


My heart dropped into my stomach. I stopped breathing. My hands got really sweaty. And I will admit it to you, dear reader...


I just about peed in my britches.


And then....

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I took my glee with me to Facebook:

Let's not even talk about the 138 text messages I sent to my husband.


The truth is, I'll probably never meet Donnie Wahlberg. As much as I want to, I'll probably never get to see the New Kids on tour or go on one of their summer cruises. I know I'm one of a squillion girls who Twitterstalk Donnie to the point (I'm sure) of frustration. But that he took a second out of his busy, glamorous life just to click "follow" under my name....


Well, that just makes me love him that much more.


And the best part of all this? My pinata isn't even HERE yet. Who KNOWS what will happen when I actually get it!


Did I mention he was my 101st follower? Right...that was the other milestone. One hundred followers on Twitter. But it seems less important, in the grand scheme of things.

PS: Honey, as much as I adore you, and you know I do, I think this goes in the "W" column for Donnie...