Pauladeen.com
A “Deen Team” Pep Rally
January is as much a time for new beginnings as it is a time to look back and see how far you’ve come. This past year was a mixed bag of blessings and setbacks for me, but as long as I keep puttin’ one foot in front of the other, I feel like I’m making progress. I just hadn’t realized how far I’d come until a couple of weeks ago when I circled the wagons, bringin’ together my entire Savannah team, which includes folks from The Lady & Sons, Uncle Bubba’s, the Paula Deen retail store and Paula Deen Enterprises.
The two restaurants and the store had temporarily closed for the holidays so I saw this as the perfect opportunity to thank everyone for their years—and in some cases decades—of service, and to get them excited about the New Year. Thinkin’ back on my high school days when I was a cheerleader, I wanted to recreate that pep-rally excitement—people comin’ together under one roof, whoopin’ and hollerin’ and getting excited about what we do best: makin’ people happy.
But no one was happier than me that morning, standing in a huge hall at the Savannah Riverfront Marriot surrounded by the more than 300 people who make up the “Deen Team.” In the 22 years I’ve been in the restaurant business, it was the first time we’ve been together in one place—and it was downright overwhelming.
Some people, like my “soul sister” Dora Charles, have been with me every step of the way, starting off with me at The Lady—the first restaurant I opened in a Best Western more than two decades ago. Others have only been with me for a couple of months and are just cuttin’ their teeth. But as I see it, we’re all in this together for the long haul.
I expected we’d have ourselves a party that morning, but I didn’t expect to get so overcome with emotion. I don’t think I really had a sense of how far this stubborn little girl from Albany had come. I’ve had so many setbacks over the years—Mama and Daddy dying so young, divorce, poverty, agoraphobia—but seeing all those familiar faces and listening to my boys talk about how far we’ve come together, I thought to myself, “Well, ain’t this somethin’.”
And then when they called me up on stage, everyone started cheering. “Paula! Paula! Paula!” they yelled. I stood there for a few moments, dumbfounded, and I got a little choked up. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but I finally managed to say what I felt deep in my heart: “This takes my breath away.”
Moments like these are few and far between, but it’s the sweetness that flavors my life—the reason why I keep moving forward. And the reason why I’m always excited about what’s to come.
Read More From Paula Deen.
You May Also Like These Blogs:
You May Also Like These Recipes:
Cranberry Pineapple Gelatin Salad
View Now
Sweet Baby Jack Carrot Cake
View Now 
Bobby’s Goulash
View Now 
Bobby’s Pickled Shrimp
View Now
Reader Comments:
As a Southern Lady from Alabama living in Florida I was just diagnoisted with diabetes and you have inspired me. I would love some of the recipes you use. A cookbook would be great idea.
By Glenda Braun on February 15, 2013
Pauls, i watch our shows religiously, and the boys too. On a Christmas show, the carolers were out front and you went to the window. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blinds, they looked kinda brown checked/plaid. Where did you get those blinds Southern' Gal?
By Carol Pagacz on February 05, 2013
Paula, When are you coming out with a Southern Style Healthy Cookbook for others of us who have diabetes and don't like the healthy living cookbooks that list foods we've never heard of. Thanks! Peggy
By Peggy on January 31, 2013
I have laughed and enjoyed your shows for years now. I have several cook books and haven't found a bad recipe. I do miss your show. I enjoy the reruns but I'd like to see you do some new ones too. Don't listen to those people who say you've sold out to the dollar. There's nothing wrong with success and you can't stay in the same place forever. New things come along and you have to move forward. Congrats to you and your sons!!! Look forward to seeing what God blesses you with next. By the way how's your hubby? Always enjoyed the shows you did together.
By Robin Burrow on January 30, 2013
Please tell me how you overcame agoraphobia...I am many, many years into this aggrivating thing and just have no idea how to even start to "get better" P.S. I have your cookware and love it!
By Stefanie on January 29, 2013
Love your cooking.
By Betty Splettstoesser on January 27, 2013
Congratulations, sweet Paula! You've worked so hard! Here's to a fabulous year! 'Love your blogs!
By Angela Lopez on January 25, 2013
Paula, loved you since the beginning at good network. You like all the rest have become so commercialized. You were like a special aunt or cousin teaching your family's recipes and read But like Rachael and Bobby and the rest you have sold to the dollar. You have forgotten where you came from., the boys have cashed in your $ which I can understand but when but when I try to contact it is magazine and family furnishing, your dinnerware and etc. shame on you remember where you came from and who you'd want to reach. You have out sold out foney shame on you. remember the special ap!ry!!!!!!!!ons you used to wear that was you
By Paula Gardner on January 25, 2013
I think your crew is lucky to work for such an inspiring woman. Keep up the great work Paula. You have a lot to be proud of.
By Kim Beaulieu on January 25, 2013
Paula i been down the same road hadnt got back up as far as you but i thankful and keep fingers crossed and pray hard
By linda blankenship on January 25, 2013
Paula, you are such an inspiration. You could have easily given up but you found strength and made it through so much. Every time I read about your life story it brings tears to my eyes. It gives me strength to make it through my own struggles in life. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.
By Alma on January 25, 2013
I just saw front page of a people magazine with you and your boys on the front page and girl you looked amazing. I am a 49 year old man with severe degenerative bone disease in both knees. Now I know I have to drop at least 40 pounds to releave some of the pain in my knees. The morning it is good until about 12:30 to 1:00 when I am at work and on my feet most of the day. My employer has been great in dealing with it for me, But there will be a time where I will have to go on disability. The lord gives people challenges in your life that will prove the make you stronger. And that is what I believe in my situation which has made my stronger in everything that I do. I will work until someone tells me that i shouldn't and we both know that will not stop my. I was wondering if there are any recipes that are low in calories that would help in my challenge to drop that weight. you rock lady.
By David Gleason on January 25, 2013
That brought tears to my eyes! Paula, your story gives me hope that my business will grow into something larger than myself! I think you're amazing and if you ever get to Destin, FL, have a couple of seconds to spare and wanted to see someone get choked up, I'm the girl to see!
By Leslie Soley on January 25, 2013
I live in a small town. I just closed my Driving School, of 20 years. I love to cook, maybe someday I can cook for you at Lady and Sons. I hope we move to Jacksonville, FL. soon. Then at least I can visit. You are my hero Paula. You let people know, like I have always felt, just get up off your ass and do it! I love your attitude and drive. God Bless, you and yours. Also have a great time on that cruise!
By Barbara A. Brookbank on January 25, 2013
Paula, I miss your show so much. You're my favorite "chef". It was on for a while on Food Network UK, but not anymore. Can you urge them to return it to the lineup? I got to meet you once at a book signing in Hurst, Texas. I got the last one of your books in the store and stood in line for two hours, but it was well worth it. I brought your books with me to Ireland, even though it's sometimes hard to find the right ingredients. Sure would like to see you back on our lineup. Thanks for being so great. Cheryl Clair Co. Tipperary Republic of Ireland.
By Cheryl Clair on January 25, 2013
Paula,I bought two of your cooking pans and they each had two stickers inside that took me 4 or 5 days to remove.you should tell your company not to do that..I was planning on using them that night and couldn't because I couldn't get the stickers off.Very disappointing.
By Pauline Ingraham.com on January 24, 2013
The Lady's Blog
The Queen of Southern Cuisine muses about her recipes, life and family. See Posts
Hot Off The Press
Step behind the pages and let the Managing Editor of Cooking with Paula Deen fill you in on what goes into creating every issue. See Posts
Thrift Store Mommy
Mom on a dime advice from Paula's Online Community Manager. See Posts
Earth Mother
Practical, earth-conscious ways to live and parent in the 21st century. See Posts
Bubbles' Corner
Ideas and advice from a 21st Century young at heart Grandmother. See Posts
I love Orchids but fine it hard to kept alive for very long. I love the way you display
Syndie Reynolds in Paula’s Love of Orchids on May 13, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Use baking soda and peroxide made into a paste to get all the grunge off o f your casserole dishes and pots and pans.
in 10 Quick Household Tips on May 11, 2013 at 6:21 pm
To Ronald Bryant: Try Paula's apple cake recipe "Grandgirl's Fresh Apple Cake From Georgia." It is sooooo good. I think you'll like it!
Mary in Paula’s Love of Orchids on May 11, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Leave a Comment