Sunday, August 31
Facing my Facebook fears
It’s taken months to come out of the closet but here I am — an out-loud and proud, 52-year-old woman with a Facebook page. (Wow! I feel so unburdened. The truth really WILL set you free.)
Saturday, August 30
Long live Catherine the Grape!
This isn't my favorite OPI color for fall because it's my namesake. I just think it's a perfect blend of 'vamp' and 'tasteful sophistication' for toes still exposed in the autumn air.
Friday, August 29
Brace yourself, girls: Michael Jackson is 50
I know. I couldn't believe it either. I thought I had at least a decade on the dethroned King of Pop but, apparently, he's almost as mature as I am.
Get cash for your cast-offs and be 'green'
This great tip just in from Ronna, our blogging pal in Costa Rica - a Web site that pays you cash for your old gadgets or, at least, recycles them responsibly!
Thursday, August 28
Where the sales are: Bath & Body, Bluefly and Crate & Barrel
In an effort to simplify and enhance your shopping experience - and save you money, to boot - I've complied a short list of where to find discounts on some of the things you might be looking for this holiday weekend.
Wednesday, August 27
A sneak peek into "Guyland"
My mind would appear to be on the opposite sex today, but I wanted to share two interviews with the author of "Guyland: The perilous world where boys become men." As a mother of a 26-year-old "guy," I found his revelations fascinating... and more than a little frightening.
Author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die" dead at 47
Oh, the cruel irony of it all. Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," passed away this week from injuries sustained in a fall at his home. He was just 47.
Ambivalent about Anders
I wanted to like Anders Holst's music. I really did. He's a sexy looking, Swedish man (dig those heavy-lidded eyes!) and his voice is rich and soulful.
Tuesday, August 26
Struggling with your newly emptied nest?
First, take solace in the fact that I, for one, am very envious of you (having just moved a boomerang kid back to the roost, with another one on the way home next week). And if that doesn't help, check out these useful resources...
Forget the speeches, it's all about fashion in Denver
I love a good, rousing speech as much as the next girl, but what really gets me excited is convention delegate couture.
Monday, August 25
One show closes; another readies for the stage
I'll admit, I was suffering from "Olympics Overkill" there at the end, but the Chinese staged a brilliant finale last night and I loved every minute of the high-tech pageantry. Now, it's convention season and it will be fascinating to watch which way boomer women will swing.
Sunday, August 24
A vacation tale of two drivers
He’s been driving for five hours and still won’t relinquish the wheel. Clearly, the man does not want his wife driving on summer vacation.
Saturday, August 23
Cruise with your girlfriends: All expenses paid by the Travel Channel!
When a rep from the Travel Channel contacted me yesterday to ask if I'd post a blurb on an incredible opportunity for three women, I almost didn't bite. After all, they're looking for girlfriends 35-45 years of age, which is slightly younger than the boomer demographic and excludes yours truly - at 52 - from going for it myself! Then I thought, what the heck...
Friday, August 22
Bountiful basil
Looks like I've got some serious pesto-making to do this weekend. Here's a couple more recipes I dug out of "The Pesto Manifesto."
An endorsement deal for Debbie Phelps?
Will the super-swimmer's mom soon be shilling for Chico's? 'Looks like a deal is in the works. If it happens, I say more power to her.
Thursday, August 21
Legal at 18?
Thanks to the Amethyst Initiative, a national debate has ensued on lowering the drinking age to 18. It's about time!
Wednesday, August 20
Not so gr-r-r-eat!
Don't get me wrong, I think Michael Phelps has earned every endorsement deal he's going to get. But, Frosted Flakes? C'mon. Just because you like it, Mikey, doesn't mean it's good for you!
Quote of the day
"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Nina's top ten looks for fall
Nina Garcia - she of "Project Runway" fame and the new fashion director at Marie Claire mag - has a new book: The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own. Thankfully, she's paring down that list to ten 'must-haves' for fall. And they all seem doable at any age.
Tuesday, August 19
Web site with an accent on fun
I'm not what you'd call a world traveler, but I love this online game: "Can you guess where my accent is from?" Check it out and see how you do!
Trampoline? An Olympic event?
The trampoline competition was way off my Olympic radar. Now, I'm REALLY thinking I could have been a contender. If only...
Monday, August 18
Give that mom a medal
I managed to see just a few of Michael Phelps' races last week, including the record-breaking 400 IM relay. As a mother, I couldn't help be impressed by Debbie Phelps who did a remarkable job of holding her stuff together while her son made sports history.
Just what the diet doctor ordered
I've got more than a few chile rellenos to work off this week. What a great time to discover a Web site that offers free exercise videos on everything from yoga to jazz dance to pilates!
The worst part about vacation
There was a lot of unpacking and laundry happening last night and the first grueling workout in a week impends. A full recap of my vacation - complete with links to hotels, museums, restaurants and other resources - will post later (just as soon as I complete my re-entry to reality)....
Sunday, August 17
Life by number: 12 hours 'til home
It’s going to be a long haul in the car today. Nothing else to do but crunch the numbers. Here’s how my summer vacation shakes out, quantitatively...
Thursday, August 14
Oh, Ojo!
Enjoyed the most relaxing, romantic experience last night in a private pool at Ojo Caliente. That's not us in the photo, of course, but you get the idea.
Wednesday, August 13
The pause that refreshes
Arrived at Ojo Caliente this afternoon and discovered, much to my dismay at the time, that there was NO wireless internet in the room! I soon discovered, however, that this "inconvenience" is, indeed, by design.
Tuesday, August 12
Missed him by THAT much!
We heard rumors last night at the Opera, and it was confirmed in the local newspaper today. Paul McCartney was here yesterday, and he visited the same museum we did!
That could have been me up there
Believe it or not, I had a shot at becoming an Olympic medalist — a real live, Nike-endorsed, bling-bedecked superstar. If only I had worked up to my potential.
Monday, August 11
Ballroom dancing on the bandstand
We decided to go on a short walk through the plaza before dinner last night. The strains of a tango drew us closer to the bandstand where a group of ballroom dancers were performing for a small crowd. I took this shot moments before the skies opened up (again) and everyone ran for cover on the bandstand, not fazing the dancers for one second.
Sunday, August 10
No Route 66, no Beatle sighting
We had just decided to change our route, skip Tucumcari, and stay instead in Clayton, New Mexico. Then my friend, Roe, in Chicago emails me to say that Paul McCartney is traveling on Route 66 as we speak!
Saturday, August 9
First beer of vacation
For my beer-loving hubby, the first beer of a vacation is always a momentous occasion. Today, it was especially so when he found a beer that actually increases its volume in the bottom of the bottle AFTER its poured! And I have video to prove it.
Tucumcari, here we come!
Our summer vacation is underway and tonight, with any luck, we'll be lodging in beautiful Tucumcari, New Mexico, on historic Route 66. Unfortunately, we are not staying at the Blue Swallow motel pictured above, but I love its cool, retro look.
Friday, August 8
My favorite Olympic moment
This clip is making the rounds on the Web today and I share it with you just in case you remain ambivalent about the 2008 Summer Olympics. Seriously, I have chills from head to toe and I've watched it three times...
All my bags aren't packed; I'm not ready to go
As the world prepares for what's billed as "the most spectacular Olympic opening ceremonies ever" (I'm paraphrasing Matt Lauer here), I'm trying to get ready for a 9-day trip to New Mexico and Colorado. I'm starting to long for the days when I could throw a couple of things into a backpack and just hit the road.
Thursday, August 7
Help for the Olympically-challenged
The Associated Press has come out with a great viewer's guide that will bring you up to speed on who to watch and what to look for in each sport.
Wednesday, August 6
A good fan is hard to find
This morning, I had an urgent and immediate need for my Lakewood desk fan, purchased four years ago for ten dollars at Walgreens. It had been sitting idly on my desk, gathering dust, for months. Would it turn on? And if not, how in the world would I turn off?
Paris, I take back everything I said about you
Who'd have thunk it? Paris Hilton has a wonderful, self-deprecating sense of humor!
Flipping out over the Olympics
I can't wait for the opening ceremonies of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad on Friday night in beautiful (albeit smog-burdened) Beijing. As luck would have it, I leave for vacation the next morning. (Can you say 'unfortunate timing'?) Now, I need to find a way to get my Oly's fix while on the road.
Tuesday, August 5
Beanstalk alert
My next-door neighbor's name is Pete, not Jack, but he appears to be growing a beanstalk in his garden for his grandkids' recreation.
Good story today on... (now, where was I?)
Having cut way down on carbs, I was glad to read in today's story on Forbes.com that low-carbing is one of the ways to stave off Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, the author of "The Anti-Alzheimer's Prescription" also ties hot flashes and estrogen depletion to memory loss.
Monday, August 4
Cyndi and Patti in perfect harmony
Penny Valladares' new blog had me flashing back on a fantastic performance by Cyndi Lauper and Patti LaBelle singing Lauper's classic, "Time after Time." To my delight, I found it on YouTube. Take a minute to enjoy.,.
Think big at BigThink.com
Why spend another Monday morning muddling through the minutiae, when you can hobnob over coffee with some of today's "leading thinkers, movers and shakers"? Let BigThink jump start your brain today. It might change your perspective for the rest of the week.
Sunday, August 3
Jonesin' for school supplies
I just can't get those No. 2 pencils and spiral notebooks out of my mind. What's worse, I've got no little kids around to take full advantage. Anyone have some third graders I can borrow for the day?
Saturday, August 2
What I'm trying to read
I'm spending my down time - what there is of it - with two tomes: Lonely Planet's guide to New Mexico (as prep for imminent vacation) and "Up for Renewal" by Cathy Alter, a surprisingly entertaining read.
Here's what I'm doing today
This is my garage. Normally, my car would be parked in there. Instead, we now have a flatbed trailer, piled high with the contents of my daughter's former rental house. She's boomeranged back. And there's precious little room in the inn for her paraphernalia.
Friday, August 1
We've got a winner!
Congratulations to Caroline Wagner of Wichita, Kansas - winner of July's "You Deserve It" giveaway. But, wait! If you're not Caroline, don't despair. We've got a brand new prize package for August...