Day 58: Adventoursome Teen

So you'd have to be living in a basement here in Los Angeles if you have not heard of Abby Sunderland, the Thousand Oaks 16 year old teenager who attempted to sail around the world. She sailed out of Marina Del Rey in January with Bon Voyages from her parents, siblings and supporters. Unfortunately last week her and her boat met with Mother Nature and treacherous waves sunk her boat and left her afloat in the middle of the ocean some 400 miles from land. Thank goodness this brave young woman survived the brutal ocean waves and was rescued by a French fishing vessel.

I actually believe the waves made at home in public opinion have been greater then the waves Abby confronted on the ocean! Talk about a fire storm of opinions and critics weighing in on this expedition. Her parents have been called "crazy" and worse for allowing their teenage daughter to take such a voyage -- her older brother - by one year - made the trip successfully just last year. Her folks have been lamented for being abusive and irresponsible. While others have complimented them for raising their children (there are seven with an 8th child due any second) with passion for sailing and chutzpah to handle themselves independently of their parents.

I'm somewhere in the middle.

Okay don't get hysterical if you think I'm crazy too for finding some value in their parenting... let me speak my case before you go crazy yourself! My initial reaction to both of their children making such a trip, was oh my gosh they have too many children so they don't care if one gets lost at sea! But after learning more about Abby and her training then I thought good for them for teaching their children enormous responsibility, confidence and a great taste for adventure. I mean while most parents are worrying about whether their kid gets into the "right" college their daughter is living a once in a life time adventure that she loves and that as far as I can see probably teaches her more about life then any 4 year academic program could ever begin to!

I almost envy them and their kids for being so bold and strong. I mean isn't that the goal of parents? To raise our children to be curious and adventuresome? And yes of course all that while also protecting them. Our first job as a parent is to protect our kids. Make sure they eat right, sleep enough, study efficiently, play with the right friends, on an on. But perhaps in our quest for all this we lose sight of also allowing them to be who they are and if that includes sailing the world (at any age) then perhaps we need to embrace the person they are. Or not. Some parenting experts are saying it is the job of the parent to say the risks are to high.

I mean if Abby had been 25 years old the waves would still have gobbled her and her boat up. The ocean doesn't care how old you are.

It does, however, matter how experienced you are, and from what I have read, Abby is quite an experienced sailor. Okay for a 16 year old because how experienced could she be, right? I know you are saying that out loud as you read this post.

I guess I'm just ambivalent on this one. I mean is the public outcry because she is a "girl"? Is it because she is "16" (the age we allow our children to drive an automobile which many believe is far more dangerous than the ocean), or is it because we believe the mind and body are just not mature enough to handle an adventure of this magnitude alone? Not sure. All I know is that I'm very happy this beautiful and gifted teenage sailor is home safe.

I am also proud that she has a spirit that for many takes a life time to meet. She inspires me and I could be her mother.

Day 57: End of the School Year

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the school year to be finished! I'm not talking about my school year, I mean the children! Good gosh this seems like the longest damn year!

I started to think about why that was. I mean last year was so much more complicated. I had one son, Brandon graduate from High School, and two boys Harrison & Spencer graduate from Middle School... that was insane with all the graduation activities going on and the emotional stuff attached to having one son leave High School to move on to college and two boys leave middle school to move on to High School. Whew, that was a busy end of the school year!

I didn't expect this year to be as emotional, but as it turns out, it's been a long year of newness! Navigating what it is like to have a child move away, yet really not be out of the home, while hoping that all is well with him many miles away. And then the adjustments of a new High School and all the "stuff" that comes along with that. If you're reading this post it probably sounds like I'm the one that went to school, not my boys! But the truth is that parents are partners with their children in their academic endeavors. And thus I do feel like I have been along for the ride, not as the driver, that's their job, but certainly as a passenger.

There was the adjustment to a new schedule, more challenging academics, tryouts for the baseball teams -- a grueling process that turned the Simon house upside down with its time & physical demands, and making new friendships. Hats off to the Simon boys for all navigating their first years in new schools very successfully!

And while parents don't really get "summer vacation" as we still need to work and manage the house, whether kids are in school or not, the vibe of the house is more casual when the house doesn't have the grind of school. That is what I am counting the days for! So next week, June 24th all boys will be finished with school and I know the house is gonna rumble with excitement.

Mom's going to be pretty happy to have a break too! Happy almost Summer!

Day 56: What I Wore

I went to see the most darling performance last night at the Geffen Playhouse Theatre in Westwood Village! It was so fun to take advantage of one of our local treasures here in Los Angeles! I have not been to the Geffen in years and it is charming.

I went to see the play Love, Loss, and What I Wore, an intimate collection of stories written by the famed writer of the Vagina Monologue Nora Ephron and her sister Delia Ephron. I went with my big sis Michele and gal pal Lisa and her sister Margie. It was a sister thing!

The show was a monologue with 5 women in different stages of their lives reflecting on clothes, the significance of attire in their life, and milestone moments of pain & loss and what they were wearing when experiencing these moments. For the four of us the storyline of losing a Mom and what you remember wearing to your Mom's funeral was very poignant. We have all lost our mother's.

There was a hysterical segment illustrating what it's like to shop for your first bra and what the experience is like later in life. We were laughing so hard when one cast member talked about buying a bra where the bra specialist says bend over and then properly stuffs your weighty things into the proper cup size. Reminds me of my regular shopping visits to Miss Stevens lingerie on Olympic Boulevard! If you have never bought a bra at Miss Stevens, you gotta try it as it's an experience!

There were stories about what you wore on your first date, to the prom, on your wedding day... and yes to your Mother's funeral. Amazing how clothes can be such a defining part of a woman's life. Why is that? We talk about clothes, shop for them, obsess over them, admire them, hate them, crave them, and always remember what was worn to the important events in our life.

The cast was terrific with Rhea Perlman and her daughter, Lucy Devito, and one of my favorite actresses Conchata Ferrell. The other two women rounding out the cast included Justina Machado and Nancy Travis, both excellent.

If you get a chance I highly recommend visiting the Geffen to catch this little performance. You will laugh, cry, smile and realize that fashion is far more then just the latest trends!

Day 55: Our Sons - Curing Duchenne's Disease

Brian and I attended a charity fundraiser last night for Cure Duchenne. This is the second year we have attended. We are invited by our community friends Chris & Amy Martin. The Martin's have three beautiful children. Derek, their oldest son, Natalie, their middle child, and Will who is 8 years old. A few years ago Will was diagnosed with a very rare disease: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The disease ONLY affects boys. The boy's bodies break down by the time these children hit their teens and many pass away before the age of 20. There is no cure for this horrible and mind boggling disease. How could you expect parents to raise their babies into toddlers and into adolescents all along knowing that they are going to die before they hit adult age? How cruel can the world be?

The Martin's are beautiful people who with enormous generosity and hopes of finding a cure for their son have launched Dealing for Duchenne as a yearly fundraiser. The goal is that well needed resources raised at this benefit will fund new research to find a cure for this very rare disease. Up until recently there has been NO treatment available for boys in the Southern California area who battle this ugly disease; forcing families to travel across the country to the few institutions conducting studies to fight Duchenne. Of course this is prohibitable for most. So the Martin's have provided hope to many families in our area because now there is a treatment center at UCLA to work with these boys to find a cure.

Pictured here is Will (left) sitting on his Mom's lap, Amy Martin, Ann Heche and her husband & Son, and Chris Martin (far right), Will's dad.

While the evening is festive with a silent auction, great entertainers, and a lively live auction, the undercurrent tale is that these parents are fighting to keep their children alive. It's unimaginable to me that they look into their son's eyes all along knowing that they won't see adulthood. Thank goodness for parents like the Martin's and all the others who are working diligently to find a cure to save their children and countless other young boys. This was an evening that Brian and I were so proud to support. Maybe next year you too will join us and help keep Will and others alive?

To learn more about this disease, visit www.CureDuchenne.org

Day 54: Memories & Funerals

I ran around Rancho Park today. As my readers know I am training for a marathon. On Saturday's I like to run at the beach, but today I couldn't get there so I ran the park. As I listened to all the cheering Mom's and the sound of the bat cracking as the ball hit it, I was reminded of all the magnificent memories I have of spending a decade at this park watching my three boys swing the bat. I watched the little one's in their little uniforms and could so clearly see my boys when they were that age. Now one son plays college baseball and two sons play High School Baseball. While it has only been one year since we played Cheviot Hills Pony League, it feels like a lifetime ago. The year has been full. But as I ran past the packed bleachers with hopeful parents, and grandparents and little toddler siblings I flashed back to all the incredible memories our Simon family created at this park. I had a warm, wonderful feeling as I ran down Pico blvd.

Then I ran past the beautiful Church on the corner of Pico and Beverly Glen Boulevards and the musical church bells were ringing. I thought oh maybe it's a wedding... I still love to see the bride as she leaves the church, it's one of those magical images that still makes me smile. Unfortunately what I saw was a coffin covered with an American Flag. I almost had to stop my run to watch. Was this a veteran's funeral? Had this person served in our military? Was it a young person or an older person? I slowed my pace to almost a walk so I could watch; almost as if I needed to stop to pay my respects. As the coffin was carried up the steps with the red, white, and blue draping it, I had another sensation come over my body. If I died today would I be happy about the life I had lived?

A really deep soul searching question to ponder when you are out on a Saturday afternoon run. I had just had fond memories stirred up by the young athletes and their cheering parents and now I was thinking about a person who was being put to their final resting place. Funny what your mind tossles with when you are given the space to think and observe. Had I been listening to music while running maybe I wouldn't have noticed the funeral or been drawn to watch. Either way, it really did give me pause and make me think about life.

I feel incredibly blessed to be healthy, to have experienced love and parenthood, to have a big full complicated family, to have preformed work that challenges me, and to have an abundance of friends I cherish. So while I may yearn for the days when the boys were still playing ball at the park, I will always cling to those memories because they remind me of a very rich life lived. If death came today, I would be at peace.

Day 53: After 40 Years Would You Call It Quits?

Not that it's any ones business, but I know we all heard the news about Tipper & Al Gore breaking up after 40 years of marriage. I mean really after 40 years what's the point! But in all seriousness, sometimes passionate love simmers to a deep friendship and admiration for a beautiful life built together, but the passion and hot lovin', just isn't happening. From what I have heard and read, that appears to be what has happened with the Gore's. But why does anyone care about their marriage? It's their life and their choice. I'm sure it didn't help matters that their daughter also filed for divorce days after their announcement. Ouch, a lot of stuff goin' on in the Gore family. But again, people marry and share great lives together and even after 40 years there comes a time to call it quits and that's entirely their business.

I'm no therapist so I'm not going to psychoanalyze their marriage or anyone elses's relationship, but as a person who has been married once and for a long time now, I can say with complete authority, that marriage is tough work and even the best of us fall short of making it perfect. It requires constant attention, nurturing, and growing in parallel directions, which is tricky as people can grow in different directions. And if you are a public couple, as the Gore's are, this additional pressure was probably too much.

I've often said that if Brian and I spilt up I would never marry again. I have my children so why get married again? I guess you really don't know til you are in that position. But all this sharing of space is just a bit much. I personally think everyone should live in separate houses and date... that way you can have your alone time and when you want time together then you are very proactive about making it happen. I think that would be an ideal situation for all married couples. I mean what's with always having to be in each other's space? It's too much!

I have floated my ideas before with my married girlfriends and they all agree, dating your spouse would be so much more fun then always having to be together. I mean why not? Remember how fun it was to date? You could be flirty and fun when dating and not worry if the trash was taken out, the dog fed, the kids picked up -- it was just about the two of you! When you are married for many years the flirty turns into flannel pajamas and the fun is often only when you have a night out with the girls!

Unless, you work on making it not that way!

For all you single ladies who think being married is the advantage, get a life. It takes a lot of patience, cooperation, commitment and work. The rewards are plentiful if you have a partner to share your life with, but that's only if you have a true marriage based on partnership. Not all marriages function this way... if they did we wouldn't have 50 percent of married couples getting a divorce.

So while we all like a happy ending, and wish that couples like the Gore's - High School sweethearts, political champions, beautiful & handsome, four children, the entire package was perfect and a fairytale marriage. We want couples like this to stay together because it gives us hope that perhaps our marriage can be like theirs. The truth is that people sometimes can love one another but no longer be in love, and even the best relationships run their course.

Feel blessed if your relationship is still smokin' and if it's simmering, turn up the heat!

Day 52: Condoms & Other Things You Learn in High School Health Class

So I'm sure it will come as no surprise to my readers that I am a huge supporter of sex education being taught in school, with further discussion by parents. Not talking about sex, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I believe we have had enough cases in history to demonstrate that: 1) You can get pregnant the first time you have sex 2) You can get pregnant when you have sex on your period 3) The Birth Control pill does not prevent STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) 4) Teen pregnancies and transmitted diseases are significantly reduced when children are educated 5) Talking to your teens over and over about your family values, and the risks associated with being sexually active before your child is ready, is one of the strongest defenses to preventing pregnancies and disease and of course heartache over a life being turned upside down due to an unexpected pregnancy! But really what is unexpected about it if you didn't use birth control! But hey that might be another blog post!

Today's post is about how happy I am that my sons Harrison & Spencer, both in 9th grade, are receiving sex education in their Health class at Palisades High School. If you have not asked your 9th grader about this class or what is discussed, I recommend you do.

Last night at dinner the kid sister Jennifer, still in town from New York, and I were entertained by Spencer who shared with us what went on in his health class today. Ms. Ackerman, their teacher entered class with a giant condom hat on her head (need I say more!) and then she pulled out two bananas looking like penises (models) dressed in suits ... well at this point I was spitting my spicy tuna roll out! I mean really do the penises need to be dressed up for the occasion!?!

Spencer went on to share with us what is learned in his High School Health class. Yes, an uncomfortable topic - no matter how progressive of a parent you may be - to hear your 14 year old son share these things! But was I grateful that a teacher pulled out the penis with condom and demonstrated -- and I didn't have too-- hell yeah! My children have always been taught a healthy attitude about sex and when it is appropriate. We do not have a taboo family that says "sex won't happen till your married" because I don't believe in that, sex is natural, kids have hormones and if they have feelings for one another and are responsible, it's gonna happen. But that doesn't mean it's carte blanche either. There are clearly health risks to engaging in sex, but there are also emotional risks that can be very detrimental if your children are just not ready for sex.

My son went on to say what else was taught in class... probably too graphic for this blog, but you can imagine, you are all adults. Tough subject matter with some 35 plus 14 & 15 year old students with raging hormones... I applaud the teacher for being able to keep the students attention with out complete chaos breaking out! For those that preach no sex education in the class room they either 1) Don't have teenagers 2) Are just stupid 3) Need to get their head out of the sand 4) Believe it's ok for 15 & 16 year olds to be giving birth to children with no means of providing for them.

That's not the world I want to live in. I want my children educated, prepared and emotionally connected when they engage in sex and in order to make this happen they need to be educated. Kudos to Ms. Ackerman for teaching a subject matter that most parents either can't or won't!

Day 51: The Girls's Won

Not only did my Holly J. Mitchell win the 47th Assembly District seat, but the UCLA Girl's Softball Team WON the NCAA Championship!

This is HUGE! I mean really huge! Had it been the boys baseball team it would be all over... but it's softball and the girls unfortunately always take second fiddle... so that's why I want to give our young women of the UCLA softball team a shout out tonight as our local winners!

Yes, my candidate for my state Assembly district has WON -- Holly J. Mitchell -- so I am celebrating her victory, but also I am celebrating these remarkable women of UCLA who won the 2010 NCAA Championship! It is an enormous honor and a tribute to their athleticism and commitment to softball and their team! I salute them for their hard work. As they were working hard on the field I know many candidates, Melissa Fox, Kate Anderson, Susan Jordan, Holly Mitchell and many others were pounding the pavement for their campaigns and I salute them too! Win or lose you are all winners for going for it and making a difference whether in sports or in your community!


Go Girls Go !!!!

Day 50: 50 Posts to 50

Some things in life you just can't make up, really! Today is the 50th day toward me turning 50 and it's Election Day! (Did you vote yet?) Just perfect! I have been blogging for 50 days now. What, you don't think that's very long? You try being creative & witty & writing something of substance for 50 straight days, and then you'll see it's not so damn easy! But it's very sweet for me today because it's voting day, and ya all know how much I love politics!

I've said it before in previous posts, Blogging is an outlet for us to speak about what's on our mind. Sometimes I write about trivial topics intended to make us laugh. Other times I write more heartfelt and poignant messages about life which are designed to give us pause. All are honest reflections of events, thoughts or feelings that I am experiencing daily and writing about on this Birthday Blog.

I feel as if things have come full circle - that I would make it to 50 days of posting and also have it be Election Day - I'm thinking it's more then coincidental. Not sure what it is - cosmic, spiritual, a message, what!?! Last time I voted, it was for myself. Today I took the college boy with me to vote - he's 19 and the first time he ever cast a vote, he voted for me, his Mom. That is a moment I'll never forget nor a story I'll never tire of sharing. How many Mom's can say that?! That their kid turned voting age and the first time he went to vote, his Mom's name was on the Ballot! Pretty damn cool if you ask me!

So on this 50th milestone day, it's only fitting that I voted for my favorite candidates and issues and I had the college boy with me. Made me very happy. Also, got me thinking about how time has flown by since my election back in March 2009. Only some 15 months ago, yet it feels like a lifetime. Not sure if that's because so much has happened during the past year, or what?

Whatever the reason, I look at what is going on in our City and there are days I feel blessed to not be embroiled in the mess... while other days I feel sad to not be the person to make a difference by taking charge & making our city operate better! Either way, I am happy to have the college boy home for the summer and looking forward to seeing Election results just about now!

Day 49: Vote on Tuesday

Doesn't it feel like there's always an Election! Well, there really is! Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 8 is Election Day in the state of California. Lots of propositions on the ballot and all the Constitutional office seats are up for grabs (Governor, Lt. Governor, Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc.), but the race I am most invested in is for my own assembly district. Our incumbent is termed out so the seat is open. I am supporting Holly J. Mitchell for the 47th Assembly District.

I have written about Holly on my Blog several times over the past few months. She is a very special woman who shares my beliefs on child advocacy, our foster care system, motherhood and running for public office for the "right" reasons.

Many of you know how important being politically engaged is to me and especially how important it is to me that we elect more qualified women into pubic office. Holly is a businesswoman, mother, daughter, child care advocate, champion of foster care children, pro choice supporter and I am proud to cast my vote for her.

Please join me in supporting Holly in her bid to be our Assembly member. Sacramento needs all the help it can garner, and Holly would be a refreshing break from the posturing politicians who currently occupy the State Capitol. To learn more about Holly before you go to vote tomorrow, please visit http://www.hollyjmitchell.com/ or accept my endorsement of Holly and go cast your vote for her!

Exercise your right, VOTE!

Day 48: The To Do List

I was with two of my sisters today -- the big sis Michele & the kid sister Jennifer who is in town from New York -- and we all started laughing at how we share a quirky habit: With so many "to do" items we sometimes write the items down -- which we have already completed -- only to be able to cross them off on the forever "to do" list! It makes us feel like we've accomplished so much when we can visually see a list with lots of lines through the endless errands!

Sounds quirky, doesn't it!?! But really it makes sense. We all (or should) keep lists upon lists --a market list, a reminder list, a to do list, a honey do list, and when we check the items off after completion, we really feel a sense of accomplishment!

What is it with us women and all our have to get done items in one day... I've rarely met a woman who doesn't always have something to get done that day --- rarely does a friend say I'm just going to lounge today! There's a household to run, a business to manage and family & friends to host, it's endless and without a "to do" list I'm not sure how one would keep track of all that needs to be finished.

Yesterday I posted a message about how overwhelmed I am these days. Whether it's the end-of-school year pressure to finish, or the ramping up for new business adventures, or what I don't know, but it's all too much these days! The endless to do list. Why does it never feel completed? Why is there always so many people & matters to tend to... if I had the answer I'd be a very wealthy woman I'm sure!

Even with countless attempts to be organized, to say no to every request, I still find myself upside down on my to do versus down time. A perfect balance would be to have equal amounts of relax time versus running time. This should be a goal, but then it would have to be added to the to do list and would just create one more thing for me to address!

Day 47: Too Much

It's all too much these days! I am running like a crazy person, and I'm not talking about my actual running which is also on the never ending list of things to do on a daily basis. Now I know you all say, but when we see you, you seem so together ... well because that's another daily affirmation of mine; stay clam, be in the present! Something else for me to do! The truth is ... I have more family, friends and outside obligations then any one person should be blessed or burdened with! Warning this is a whiny & self absorbed post!

Today's post is short & sweet because I am on overload. What I really want to be doing at this moment is sitting in the sun and not thinking. Not thinking of posting a message daily for my blog, not planning dinner tonight, and the next and the next, it never ends because the family's got to eat, not thinking of all I have already done today, but how much still needs to be accomplished.

I woke up this morning with a pounding headache which is very unusual for me. I rarely get headaches, they are not my thing. But the pressure to please everyone, to return every phone call, to see every family member, to return every text & email, to host the next political event, to increase my running miles, to eat healthy and take my vitamins, to buy the boys needed underwear, and myself new bras, to grocery shop, to feed the dog when no one else is around, to color my hair, host holidays, to fill out school forms, to take care of my health, to take the boys to the dentist, doctor, orthodontist (remember only one boy drives), to attend all the baseball games, to update my website, to listen to and talk with all the people in my life, attend parties, buy presents, do the laundry, clean the house, wash the dishes, campaign for candidates, build my freelance consulting business, make money, pay the bills, worry about debt and breathe! It's almost an impossible task to keep this all going, except that I do it all which is why I'm in this mood in the first place!

I want to do all these things because they make me happy and I do want to maintain all these relationships because they bring me joy, but everyone is entitled to get overwhelmed. When I wake up in the morning I already feel behind schedule and this is how's it has been most of my adult life. Someday the pressure to please just gets to me. I'm thinking a little R & R with just myself is needed.

The Robyn positive spin on this bitch session is that I am privileged to have so many people in my life that I love and that love me. I am blessed that I am healthy to participate in all the activities that I do, and I am lucky to have such a fulfilled life even when some days seem too much!

Gotta go now to get dressed & made up to attend a birthday party... see it never ends!

Day 46: More Career Moves

As a follow up to yesterday's post about professions and career choices I wanted to share what my next steps professionally will not include. I will not be attending Law School in September. Everybody take a sigh of relief, just like I did when I didn't have to send the tuition check this week!

So for those of you who didn't know, I applied to Law School some months back. I started the application process back in October of 2009. Studying for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), compiling school transcripts some 25 years old, and collecting letters of recommendation. Wow, do you feel old when you start applying to learning institutions for yourself (not your kids) when you have been out of the game for so many years!

In addition to always wanting to study law, I applied with my winggal Rebecca Simon. Rebecca had already completed a year of law school, but had to suspended her studies to attend to family obligations. Unfortunately she lost those credits and has to retake the entire first year. But together we thought, we could do this -- after you run a political campaign in Los Angeles you are fearless and nothing seems too daunting of a task. So we applied together. Of course we are in different points in our lives.

While I did not get accepted to my first choice school, I was accepted at other local institutions. The problem is none of them offered the schedule I need nor the opportunity to go with Rebecca. In addition, there was the tuition thing! With three children to put through college over the next 10 years, I really needed to soul search about this expenditure.

Were there other ways that I could continue being an advocate for children and the causes near and dear to me without the law degree? Yes of course. Can I continue to lobby elected officials to see change in the arenas I care about without a law degree? Yes of course. So could I really justify the expense of law school versus my children's education? The answer is no, I can't.

Brian and I made a goal with each other that if at all possible we wanted to fund all three of our boys college educations so that they could graduate with little or no debt. I feel an obligation to this goal we set many moons ago when we were building our family.

Even with Brandon's baseball scholarship, sending him to a private high ranking university out of State is an enormous expense for our family. And I know we've got two more who will be shuffling off in 3 years. So the combination of not getting into the perfect school for my agenda, coupled with the expense, I have decided to place on hold my law school education. I say hold because I'm not saying I will never go, I'm just sayin' I'm not starting this year.

At first I was very disappointed, then I realized I was relieved. Relived about the money part, but also about the brain energy part. At 49, with a full house and active life, I was nervous about how my brain cells would absorb so much new material. While I know I could have done the work, the question was, at what cost? What cost to my family, my checkbook, and my health.

So now that this decision has been made, I can pursue other opportunities that have been presented which I had put on hold pending the law school decision. First up is to continue working on my nerve pain, continue running to accomplish my goal of completing a marathon next year, and continue building my Birthday Blog.

What is great about this story is that I went for it. Many of us hit a certain age and believe that we are "too old" to do fill in the blank... and the truth is you are not. Yes, it's more challenging pursuing difficult things the older we get and the more complicated our lives become, but who doesn't love a damn good challenge. I know I do and I am proud that I went through the process.

And I gotta say, I am relieved that I won't be pouring over textbooks, but rather pouring more wine for the next 4 years!

Day 45: Poker Face

I was getting badly needed hair color early this morning and the client after me was a woman who had just moved out of State. She was in town to see her family and her favorite stylist. We shared a laugh about how important it is to cover our grey and how much we both loved our hair stylist Eka of Salon Dione.

As we chatted she shared updates of her grown children and grandchildren. She said that her daughter-in-law had just dropped her off at the salon and she was off to Commerce to play poker. It was 9 in the morning and I said, "she's going to play poker now?" The woman responded that her daughter-in-law was a professional poker player! What!?!

She went on to tell me that she was also a practicing physician, but made more money playing poker. We are talking big poker here -- making 100k in a 24 hour period.

You can imagine me ... I had millions of questions for this unsuspecting woman who just wanted her hair colored. I was fascinated how someone becomes a professional poker player. How did she learn the game? How did she get so good at it? How does she stay in a dark casino for 24 hours straight? Really. I was fascinated how anyone chooses this particular profession.

It got me thinking about career paths and professional choices. How do many of us end up doing what we are currently doing for work? For some they always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up and they never wavered and are doing exactly that job. For others it's more of a journey. A lot of trial and errors until the right fit or profession came along. Some had opportunity. Right family business. Right contact. Right place at the right time.

Career choice has been on my mind a lot lately. The job I wanted did not happen for me when I lost my campaign in March 2009. When I graduated high school I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up -- and I did it. I wanted to be a broadcast journalist. After graduating with a Master's Degree in broadcast management from Pepperdine University I scored the dream job of a life time at an NBC affiliate station. First as a general assignment reporter, then on to hosting my own public affairs show, "Robyn Ritter Reports". (pictured here anchoring the nightly news with my friend to this day Tom Catlin as my cameraman).

Journalism offers everything I love. Interaction with people. Asking questions, excitement, passion. As the journey went on, and the hubby and three children came along my career refocused on other passions, but every pursuit encompassed these original professional attractions. You gotta love people to work in media and you gotta love people to be in politics.

While I listened to the woman in the salon talk about poker I thought, damn this poker playing physician is having so much fun making money by playing a game! I thought of all the people in dead end professions, with no excitement or thrill or fun. I was grateful that I had had so many exciting professional opportunities along my career path. And I realized more then I had in a long time that what I love is talking with and to people. I love to stand in front of a camera or an audience of hundreds and tell a story. That's my poker game, and it's time to get back to it!

Side bar: In addition to Tom, my boss from the KMIR-NBC reporting gig is still a friend to this day -- from some twenty-five years ago! She is a follower on my blog ... check her cute picture out -- she and I are wearing hats! Best job I ever had and the best boss. I love you Tina!

Day 44: The Interview

My son Spencer had to interview me for a class project. The assignment required him to interview 3 people in his life. Two family members and a friend. He chose me, his brother Brandon, and his friend Daniel to interview. (Pictured here is Spencer on a family fishing & camping trip showing off his catches of the day! He's probably around 7 years old in this picture, he's 14 now!)

Spencer asked us each six questions about himself. The questions were supplied by the teacher and were the same questions for all 3 of the interviewees:

1. What are my strengths?
2. What are my weaknesses?

3. What do you know about me?

4. What can people count on me for?

5. What can people never count on me for?
6. What do you think I need to hear about myself that people may be reluctant to tell me?

If you ever want to peek into your teenagers life and learn the kind of person they have grown into, I suggest a similar exercise! I was crying by the time I finished reading the last response.

What was most fascinating for me as I read the answers to the assigned questions is that all our responses were exactly the same. There was no wishy-washy on who Spencer is, the kind of young man he will be and what makes him tick. With Spencer there is no grey. It's one way or the other. He views everything this way. If there's an assignment, you do it. If his parents ask him to do something or not do something, he does just that. If coach says run, he runs and he runs hard & fast. He tackles everything with gusto and passion, no hesitation.

As Spencer's mom all the responses made me proud. They listed his strengths as disciplined, focused, determined, kind, intelligent, and athletic. Who wouldn't want those attributes used to describe their son?

What made me especially proud were the answers to question #5: what you could never count on from Spencer for? He would never be disrespectful, rude, mean spirited, would never spread a rumor, would never let his parents, family, teachers, coaches or friends down. Knowing what your child won't do and what others can count on him to not do can tell you quite a bit about a person.

Today's post is a reminder that whenever we have an opportunity to learn about our children and the type of people they are maturing into, we should seize it and praise the child who is performing extraordinarily. This is my public shout out to my very special boy who is growing into a wonderful young adult. Kudos to you Spencer! Mama is proud!

Day 43: Health Updates

Thank you to all the readers who have asked how my big sis Michele is doing! You followers are really the best. Here's the update.

Michele is much better, thank goodness and after her last MRI she received a clean bill of health for her neck. This being said though, the mystery continues as none of the doctors on her medical team have been able to figure out what caused the initial injury to her neck or the large mass. With heavy antibiotics the mass has evaporated and she has total mobility of her neck, all good signs of healing. But we are still questioning how the mass got there in the first place, and has it truly been healed? The mystery continues and I will keep you posted.

Next up, thank you for your concerns about my health as well. If you are a regular reader of my Blog, then you undoubtedly know that on Sunday Brian and I ran a 10k race (that's 6.2 miles). Not too shabby for a girl with severe nerve pain and a hole in her stomach caused by an ulcer!

I feel much better now that I am on some medication, but am not really 100 percent. I have a nagging, constant soreness in my stomach... I'm hoping that the hole will close with continued medication. But for those of you who know me, I am not a medicine taker. Never have been.

But as you can see from the fun photo to the right, none of our ailments keep Michele or I from partying with the girls, or from running in races, or going to work, or caring for children, or cooking, cleaning, flossing, shopping, or blogging ... we are like ox, nothing keeps us down!

Strong women, that's the only way to be!

Day 42: Thanking the Past for Today

Today is Memorial Day. Every year small American flags are placed on every grave at the National Memorial Cemetery in Westwood Village. It's quite a powerful image to see so many red, white and blue flags on so many graves. I have grown up seeing this image for 49 years ... to this day it still gives me goose bumps. To think of all those young lives cut short fighting for us...

Today is a day we should pause and give thanks to those that came before us. The men and women who served bravely to protect the freedoms we have in our country is what today's "day off from work & school" is suppose to be about.

So while you're grilling the chicken & sipping margarita's with friends this afternoon, be grateful that despite its' faults, America is still the best country in the world to live. May it be a peaceful day and a somber day of remembrance.

Take a few minutes to give thanks.

Day 41: 6 Miles Down, 20 More To Go

Today Brian and I ran a 10k race in Brentwood to support the Westside YMCA. If you read my Blog you know that one of my goals for my 49th year is to run a marathon. In order to accomplish this goal I need to increase my running miles daily. So the hubby and I challenged ourselves to run today's race. A 10k is 6.2 miles. I'm happy to report that we ran it successfully!

It felt great to run across the finish line! I had only been up to 5 miles so this extra mile and change was a super push for me and brings me closer to my goal of 26 miles. Brian doesn't have the desire to run a marathon but is an amazing athlete and is running to stay fit and personally challenge his fitness.

I have to give kudos to our athletic trainer & friend Melody Roset who has been encouraging me to run throughout my goal. Again if you read my posts you know that I live with severe nerve pain. The damage to my nerves was brought on during my campaign and I have been working hard for the past year to increase my core strength and work through the pain. The pain is constant & daily. In a strange way running stretches and works that part of my body.

Next up is a half marathon (13 miles) in September with several smaller races in between. Having a set goal and chipping away daily at reaching that goal is a great feeling of accomplishment!

Run Robyn Run!!!

Day 40: The New York Gals Made Me Laugh

Sometimes we all need a good laugh! I know I sure needed to laugh last night after a full week. Went with the girls to see Sex and the City 2. Laughed my head off. The movie has been panned ... not sure why. The point of the movie is nothing but to make you laugh, view fabulous fashion and for two hours imagine being in a country that is so far away that many of us will never go there. And to me it did all that.

I never watched SATC when it was on TV. People are always surprised when I tell them that ... you never watched the show? ... they exclaim! No. It aired during a time in my life when our boys were young, I was working long hours as an executive, I was serving as a city planning commissioner and oh yeah, running for public office. So watching TV was a luxury I just didn't have.

I didn't even see the original movie until this year on my 49th Birthday when I was visiting the kid sister in New York. How appropriate, huh? She bought me the video (so did gal pal Lisa which I thought was so funny that they both bought me the DVD). In any event we watched it on my actual birthday in New York while sipping champagne. Can't get much better then that! I felt like I finally got to know these New York gals and learn about their characters. They are fun girls with great style and lots of disposable income. And a few who are having great sex!

So I laughed and just enjoyed for two hours plus. I didn't have to think about a story plot, or figure out the who done it. I just got to sit and look at great clothes and pretty people.

In a world where we are bombarded with images of destruction, death & sadness it was a relief to just see pretty images. My heart is aching for the destruction caused to our environment due to the oil spill in Louisiana and the devastation caused to an entire region and industry. I think we are all still so saddened by the absolute collapse of a country with the Haiti earthquake and the unmeasurable sadness of the young girls who have recently been murdered by monsters. So yeah, it was comforting to sit and laugh and forget about it all.

They say laughter is one of the best remedies for illness or sadness. While I'm not a doctor, I agree wholeheartedly. Laughter feels good. When you smile & laugh you are in a better mood, at least I am. It's an expression that we all need to experience and a good laugh daily has got to be the best gift we can give ourselves.

So treat yourself today to a gift of laughter by checking out the movie or find something else today that makes you happy and go for it. I'm smiling just thinking of you all smiling.

Day 39: Annoying & Stupid Comments

Why do people say stupid & unfounded comments? Such as ....

Little children, little problems - big children, big problems. What? A problem is a problem no matter the age of the child. It's relative to the age and it is painful at any age.

When boys grow up they leave their mothers. What? If you've parented well you don't lose a son, you GAIN a daughter if your son partners with someone.

When someone dies people say "time will heal". Fuck that. Time doesn't heal, the wound and hole in your heart remain open and sore, you just are not hemorrhaging as time passes and you learn to manage it better.

Here's a goody: "I'm a single parent" as if that's a license to complain that your parenting is more challenging. What? I'm a married parent and it's equally hard to parent if not harder because you also have to manage the husband. When you're single you don't have to consult with anyone on anything. When you're in a relationship with a partner it's work and one more to do on the list of a 100. Parenting is hard no matter what form it comes in ... Stop it with the I'm a single parent bullshit already.

Here's a good one: Once you have teenagers it's not really a full time parent gig anymore. Really? I guess that's why you have fucked up kids. Maybe you stopped parenting when your kids hit adolescence. I have always prescribed to the doctrine that when your children are young it's far more physical, that's why we are meant to have children when we are young! Mother nature had it right on that one. But as our children grow the challenge of parenting is all mental. A problem can no longer be solved with an ice cream. The stakes are high, the consequences more severe as they enter adolescence and the teenage years. You need to parent even more. You need to use your words wisely and thoughtfully. You need to be involved, be attentive be on them like a bat out of hell because if you are not the choices they make can be detrimental to the rest of their lives. So yeah, it is a full time gig raising teenagers.

A classic: ... I'm a working Mom. What? If you're a Mom you're working. Doesn't matter where the work occurs -- whether it's in the house or not. Fuck those that don't place value on parenthood. I've done it both ways and they both have their own set of built in challenges. Women need to stop beating other women up on this issue. It's old and annoying. Find another cause to crusade for.

How about this one: I really didn't eat much today. Oh take a look in the mirror. You're fat because you ate too much. Bottom line shut your mouth and stop making excuses.

This one drives me crazy: I don't have time to FILL IN THE BLANK because I'm FILL IN THE BLANK... stop telling us how busy you are, no one cares because they are busy too. We live in an overachieving, overdoing world so everyone is juggling too much. Don't try to outdo people with how busy you are, it's really annoying!

Drives me crazy: Put the damn phone down when you are in the post office line, bank line, gas line, carpool lane, etc. No one wants to hear your argument about bad sex with your boyfriend the night before! Or anything else you have to say. Talk about rude. Just shut up or take your call outside away from people!

Here's a favorite... Drinking alcohol is not good for you! What? Whomever said that obviously has no fun in life. Lighten up! I can't wait for my vodka martini tonight!

Got some annoying stuff people do? Post a comment and share with us all!