A very interesting thing happened this week on the “Biggest Loser.”  An eliminated contestant had the opportunity to return to the ranch.  There was a weigh-in and the person who lost the most weight at home was able to come back into the competition.  Nicole, who was eliminated early in the game, was the one who lost the most weight.  She lost a whopping 87 pounds, on her OWN!  She was so successful that her weight loss percentage was second to Tara, one of the strongest athletes in the house.  At the weigh-in, the remaining contestants were shaking in their tennis shoes.  As soon as they had the chance to get Nicole’s ear, they all dumped on her.  People frantically filled her in on the drama and tension of the house.  They talked to her about strategies, alliances and broken alliances.  In addition to winning the opportunity to enter the game again, Nicole had immunity for the week unless of course she gained weight.  Everyone vowed to step up their game to compete with someone who didn’t have the luxury of nutritionists, doctors and trainers and was still able to lose almost 90 pounds. Continue Reading »

My son, Matthew loves to work out while watching the “Biggest Loser.”  He does jumping jacks, weight lifting, sit-ups and push-ups in front of the tv.  It’s really inspiring.  One week, he even asked me to run around the house with him for 5 minutes.  He set the kitchen timer on the microwave and didn’t let me stop until it beeped.  He’s asked me to work out with him other times but I usually can find something else to do instead like doing dishes, laundry or looking busy.  I think he’s concerned about the “Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day” weight I’ve been carrying around.  I noticed once, he took his half eaten cheeseburger, out to the big trash can because he didn’t want me to eat it.  I’m not sure how many mothers out there do the dreaded, “Oh if you’re not going to finish that…”  He obviously didn’t want me adding his leftovers to my meal, but didn’t want to come right out and say it. Continue Reading »

After seeing the film, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” I recognize that Sammy, my loving, kitty, cat is really into me.  Even though he’s always been an affectionate animal, I’m not sure I truly understood how wonderful it is to have a companion around that wants to be with me and is not “forced” into a relationship out of obligation.  Obviously, I take care of him; I feed him, clean his cat box and let him outside and he shows his appreciation by snuggling with me and following me around.  I appreciate that he keeps me warm and keeps me company and that’s why I give him cat nip, in moderation of course.  Many marriage experts claim that this very nurturing/appreciation dynamic is key in successful relationships.  Sammy represents loyalty, unconditional love and family, without even trying.  He didn’t have to learn how to be these things, he just IS.  He doesn’t have to practice any of it or even go to therapy to work on it. Continue Reading »

I’m getting ready to go see “He’s Just Not That Into You.”  I read the book several years ago, after getting divorced.  Funny, that I read it after getting divorced, I guess, I’d still be married if “he” were really into me.  Who knows?  Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing a fictional, comedy to coincide with the book, that tells women bluntly the truth about men’s behavior.  It’s funny how women come up with so many excuses for men’s lack of interest.  I realize that as women we want men to so desperately fill us up when we are empty.  I noticed that when I’m content and satisfied with myself and my life, I don’t make those excuses for men, I can just honestly say, “He’s Just Not That Into Me.”  Elizabeth Gilbert said something about learning to not take things so personally.  She said she learned that some people like pineapple while others don’t.

Valentine’s Day at the top of the Empire State Building, how romantic!  “Sleepless in Seattle” and a pound of See’s milk chocolate, how girlie!  No, I didn’t polish off a pound of chocolate.  If I did, I think most of you would be saying, “How pathetic?!”  I did have a couple of yummy pieces out of the box I bought my sister-in-law.  We spent the evening together.  First we attended her church.  Even though it wasn’t my church, I heard the message of the sermon, which was all about how God speaks to us, if we’re ready to listen.  We can hear Him through the Word, through lyrics, through a friend, through a different church, whatever, as long as we are ready to obey and listen. Continue Reading »

1.) The film, “Friends With Money” (Nicole Holofcener)
2.) The lyrics, “The more I see the less I know” (”Say Hey” Michael Franti)
3.) The book, “A Prayer for Owen Meany” (John Irving)
4.) The film, “Little Miss Sunshine” (Michael Arndt)
5.) The lyrics “That’s why it hurts so bad to hear the words that keep on falling from your mouth” (”Why” Annie Lennox)
6.) The book, “Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” (Sarah Ban Breathnach)
7.) The quote, “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle” (Irina Dunn)
8.) The lyrics, “I mean to tell you all the things I’ve been thinking deep inside my friend (”Crush” Dave Matthews)
9.) The book, “Silence of the Lambs” (Thomas Harris)
10.) The quote, ” Why is it that when we talk to God we’re said to be praying, but when God talks to us we’re schizophrenic?” (Lily Tomlin)

My little boy is away from home for the first time.  He’s attending the Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School in Malibu, California.  Sure, he’s slept at his friends’ before, however, this is the first long period of time where he isn’t in our care.  I also want to clarify that by “little,” I mean he’s 11-years old, no longer a baby, I know.  As a matter of fact he’s actually a “tween,” with wispy armpit hair and a crush on Angelina. My first concern was “It’s going to rain, what if a mudslide washes the school into the Pacific?”  Then once I got over “Will he remember to wear a jacket if it gets cold?” I realized this experience is more than recognizing that I’m an overprotective mother, it’s the beginning of a lesson on “letting go.”  Letting go of fear, anxiety and mostly letting go of the supposed control I have over things I really have NO control over.  Letting go of my little boy? Continue Reading »