Day 11 -13: My Sis Is Not Doin' Well

Hi Friends,

The last few days have been emotional. My big sister Michele, who we last saw on the Blog dancing & laughing at The Buggy Whip, has had a bad turn of events with her health. Here she is pictured with one of our oldest friends from middle school, Farrel, in a more celebratory mood.

Earlier this week she had intense pain in her neck which led to an MRI which led to her being admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center for observation. When someone you love is ill and the illness is unexplained you are very worried. We have all been upset about the lack of a diagnosis to what she actually has, if anything then a sore neck!

Everyday we strive to be healthy and when someone in your circle is not healthy everything is put into perspective. All else ceases to be important when your health is not in order. Its been a frustrating ordeal not being able to get answers to what is going on, despite the fact that we know she is receiving quality medical attention & more importantly some really great drugs! They've got her pretty doped up on pain medication to help ease her pain. I asked her if she could share them ... but I never did get an answer!

In all seriousness, we all say the most important thing in life is our health, and the truth is, it really is... when you are not well you can't continue being the productive, loving & fun person you are because you don't feel well!

Here's to Michele recovering so she can dance for us again with the piano man at The Buggy Whip!

Michele we love you & wish you healthy thoughts!

Day 9 & 10: 30 Years Later on the Pitcher's Mound

Some moments can't be visualized until they really happen. That was the case yesterday. As many of you know Brian and I attended the same High School here in Los Angeles - University High School. Many of you also know that Brian was a baseball player and all 3 of our sons have followed him and his love for the game. I remember sitting in the bleachers 30 years ago watching my afro haired boyfriend heave the ball from the pitcher's mound... yesterday 3 decades later I sat in the same bleachers and watched Harrison & Spencer, my twin 14 year old sons stand on the same field hitting & heaving the ball. Wow! Talk about a whirlwind of memories and emotion.

Starting with where the hell did 30 years go? How am I still with the same man from High School? How did all three sons become pitchers & ballers? A lot to process for me... or anyone for that matter. I think because it's a perspective which leads to reflection. Here I am in the same town I grew up in, raising my family in the same neighborhood and my boys are visiting my almamater playing on the same field that I watched my boyfriend play on 3 decades ago. If that doesn't give you pause, not sure what will!

That's the thing about being a parent. You watch your children through your own life and when you have an opportunity to actually see them do what you did as a child, it is magnified. If I had known three decades ago that I'd be returning to my almamater to watch the boys play ball, accompanied by my high school prom date, would I have done things differently? Taken a different course in life? Wished for a different outcome?

Not for at least another 30 years!

Day 8: Recycable Bags & Everything Else!

Am I the only one that feels guilty when I forget to bring my recyclable grocery bags to the market? Even with the best of intentions of always putting the bags back in the car after I've unloaded the groceries, somehow I keep forgetting! Or how about when I forget to floss every morning & evening. Or when I don't remember to do my keigle exercises. Is it just me or is the up keep to get through the day becoming just too damn much!

Don't forget to brush & floss. Don't forget to use your eye cream and nighttime moisturizer. And are you exercising everyday? A recent report said women over 40 need to get 30 minutes of cardio workout daily just to maintain. Shit I don't want to maintain I want to keep improving. And then there's the twice yearly paps smear exam -- always a highlight of the year. And the yearly mammogram, and the dental visits so my teeth don't fall out, and the manicures & pedicures, and the facials if you're lucky to have the time & funds. Then there's the hair grooming maintenance. I've way passed color & cuts and now have low lights & highlights, and extensions! And then there's the eyebrows. Not just waxing because when you are as light haired as I am you also have to color your eyebrows & eyelashes. Oh my gosh I'm exhausted reading this post myself. I have not even touched on clothes, shoes and accessories that we are required to keep up with. Spring is here and summer is coming ... do you have your summer wardrobe... and how about the bikini bod to go with it!

And then there's the charity work we all want to do for our children's school, our churches & synagogues, our neighborhoods. You feel guilty again if you're not doing it just like those market recyclable bags! Then there's thank you notes to write, and phone calls to check in on all the relatives, and if you know me, you know that's a lot of calls for me to make in a week! And you want to eat healthy so there's the constant attention to buying green & lean and trying to cook meals that please everyone in the house while still aiming to eat good. There's birthday parties to plan & attend, and RSVP response cards to return (hopefully in a timely fashion). There's relationships to maintain be it friends, spouses, partners, parents, siblings, children, co-workers - they all require attention. The family pet too needs grooming and nails clipped!

And how is it that technology has made life easier? Yes we can check our emails & texts while on the road, but that means we need to check them and respond. Another task. And if you FaceBook, Twitter, or Blog in the cyber world there's that to maintain daily too! I have not even mentioned a paying gig -- this is all what has to be done before we step into the office -- whether your office is a cubicle or a corner view, or your lap top in the coffee joint, it's all work and it's a demand!

I used to say I was tired the minute my feet hit the carpet in the morning just thinking about all that had to be accomplished in a day. That still hasn't changed. I feel that the demand to look as good as we want to look takes endless energy and now we also have to remember those damn recyclable grocery bags!

Are we tired yet?

Day 7: Hot Women Kicked Out of Dive Bar

Okay you can't make this material up... I swear it is true! For those of you who know me well, you know I like a good old fashion established bar & restaurant with red leather booths & strong martini's. I much prefer this type of venue to a trendy hot spot! So in honor of my birthday a few girlfriends wanted to take me to one of my favorite dive places when I returned from New York. Last year about 25 of us went out to this spot to celebrate my birthday and to cheer me up after losing the campaign! So we thought we'd go to the same joint this year. Well what a surprise when we learned they didn't want us! Can you believe that! The restaurant manager said we were too loud & boisterous (g-d forbid you should have fun anymore!) ...

Now keep in mind that the average age of the patrons at this place is boarding on 80, so yeah I guess having hot 40 year old women boozing it up would add a little too much color to the joint! Well you can imagine my aghast when my sister Michele called me to say "we are not invited to drink & dine at Billingsley's" ... I thought it was a joke until she laid out our crimes: Laughing too much, spending too much money, smiling too much, pretty too much, having too much fun! I feel like such a criminal! I gotta say I've tied one on many a times in these 49 years, but I have never been kicked out of a bar before I even got started!

Needless to say we are all banning Billingsley's even though I've been a regular customer for years! Fortunately we found a new stomping ground for my posse of girls. THE BUGGY WHIP is my new favorite place! We drank & dined and even enjoyed fabulous piano music from the very talented piano man. Things started to heat up when Michele began to dance and her leg ended up on the piano (see picture above). I thought oh know we're gonna get kicked out of here too! But nope the owners of The Buggy Whip are classy and Mrs. Paul (the owner) sent over desserts for us lovely ladies! I mean who wouldn't want us gussying up their place!

The food was yummy, drinks delicious, service with a smile, music an added bonus and most of all surrounded by my girls -- from my junior high school pals who have all stayed connected for all these many years -- a big shout out to Farrel, Jill & Stacy -- to my sisters Michele & Linda - to my newer friends and my rock solid standby gal pals, it just goes to show you it's less about where you are and more about who you are sharing your table with. My table was filled to capacity!

PS: So if you are as outraged as we are please ban Billingsley's and join us at our new favorite watering hole THE BUGGY WHIP ... it's classic old school just the way I like to live it up!

PSS: We have video of our dancing escapades which I'll put up in my next post!

Day 5 & 6: Your Thoughts ... Thank You !

Hi friends,

Wow... I never knew that writing a Birthday Blog would inspire so many people to reflect on their own lives! I want to thank you for all the poignant messages you sent about age, life and happiness. When you launch a new project you are not always sure what the reception will be, but I am overwhelmed with how generous people have been with their thoughts! Like these words of encouragement from my dear friend Pam:

Dear Robbie, Happy Birthday my young friend! Fantastic idea to find, feel, express & share those ever so unbelievably thoughts that travel, wonder & take us down that path we call life! I look forward to reading your blog in hopes you can shed some light on my path. It is so bumpy lately (very bumpy)! Loved the movie Julia & Julie! Love, you too!

This space is an outlet for my followers & friends to express what's on their mind resulting in the most insightful thoughts! Something about birthdays that make people take stock in their lives ... where they have been the past year, where they are heading in the coming year... disappointments & successes ... New Year's is similar, however, that's when everyone is experiencing self reflection , a birthday is just for you, it's personal and it also adds another year on to your age which can jolt the best of us. If your thoughts are any indication of what lies ahead for me, I'm in for a good ride this year! Keep the inspirational thoughts coming!

Day 4: What Do Boobs Really Mean to Women?

Hi friends,

I had intended to write more about my escapades in the Big Apple as well as other thoughts swirling around in this Blond head of mine until one of my oldest & dearest friends sent me a message today that rocked my locks of curls ... I asked her if it would be okay to share her message with the world as I strongly believe that her insight is a message women should hear - especially those going through breast cancer ...

Ironically, her message arrived on the same day that the Today Show produced a segment about the significance of Hair for women and its importance to us ... hair along with Boobs can be a defining body image for many women, and I am no exception ... a bad hair cut or bad hair day can truly effect your day ... and sagging breasts at my age in life is a timely conversation topic among my peers ... but then a friend shared with me what she's going through and I realized that those drooping breasts should be celebrated instead of dreaded ...

A Brave & Insightful Friend Wrote to me Today:

I am getting my implant out tomorrow, and my breast will just be one deflated piece of skin with a nipple still attached, thank G-d they can save the nipple, until the tissue heals in about a year. At that time I will get both implants redone, G-d willing. Which brings me to this ... Take some sexy pictures of yourself showing off your breasts - they are such a beautiful thing on a woman's body and I think its something we take for granted. They will never look as good as they do right now because gravitation takes place every day - hide the pictures in a safe place just for your own keeping, maybe share them with your husband or significant other. I kept trying to find a camera with a remote before I started radiation to do the same and never could. I wanted to take some photos, not only for me, but for Steve too because he is such a tit man. Now, for the next year, I will be having sex while in a Fredrick's of Hollywood or Victoria Secrets outfit to hide my boob. I know it could be so much worse, believe me. So, remember to do this. Robyn, make this a birthday present to yourself - seriously!

My dear Friend YES I will make this a Birthday present to cherish my body, my friends and their boobs and realize that a little sagging is far better then cancer and the pain my friend is going through ...

Day 2 & 3: Martini's in Manhattan

Hi friends,

We had a few glitches with the Blog, which is why a post didn't go up yesterday, but all should be up and running smoothly now! Below is yesterday's post .... I'll be posting more than once today to make up for lost time :)

Wow! What an adventure I had in New York visiting the kid sister Jennifer! Have not been to the Big Apple in some 13 years and even then I was tugging along 3 toddlers and not really able to absorb the shopping & eating side of such a rich city! Sister was a GREAT host & tour guide and my gal pal Lisa and I didn't leave a Chanel store undiscovered. Same for all the great shoe departments New York has to offer. What is it about shopping for handbags & shoes!?! And wow did we eat! The food was DELICIOUS! I could write an entire blog on the restaurants we visited and the meals we ate ... and of course the Martini's !

Yes everything was great about being in New York to usher in my 49th birthday, but the best part is that when you return home your perspective on your own life is refreshed. You realize the family will survive without you and perhaps they too enjoyed the break from the family unit. Everyone needs a break from their routine. It allows you time to think, ponder, dream and live a little different then how you do on a regular basis. And while being away these past few days allowed me to be free from my daily responsibilities, the old adage There's no place like home, is really true. Home is where my heart is with the people I cherish. While I'm already looking forward to my next adventure away from the routine, tonight I look forward to my bed and Temperpedic pillow!

p.s. Better photos to come! This one is a little grainy but it was the end of the Birthday night (in the limo) celebration. And since gal-pal Lisa lost her camera (with the GREAT photos, in a taxi in NY) my sister Jennifer had to take this with her cell ... oh well!

More later ...

My Birthday April 17, 2010

My Birthday is today! Happy 49th Birthday to Me ...

Top Five Intentions Before 50

1. Run a Marathon
2. Attend Law School
3. Finish My Book
4. Be A Political Reporter (again!)
5. Be As Physically Fit & Healthy As Possible

note: I would say "Own at least one handbag from all my favorite designers" however, I am aiming to be more spiritual with my top five goals - haha!

Top 5 That Won't Happen Before 50

1. I won't stop drinking Martini's

2. I won't go under the knife for plastic surgery

3. I won't hang out with people that annoy me

4. I won't continue to beat myself up for losing two political campaigns

5. I won't ever stop calling my hubby & boys delicious!

But for today, I am in New York City with my kid sister (Jennifer) and wonderful friend (Lisa) about to embrace all that Manhattan has to offer -- including good coffee to start the day! Here is to a fabulous year ahead!