Day 68: Playing Ball at Jackie Robinson Stadium

What a fun night! On Friday the boys played baseball for their Palisades American Legion team at Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA. Talk about exciting! The last time I was at the stadium was 2 years ago for Harrison & Spencer's B'nai Mitzvah -- that was a night to never forget either. So there we were sitting in the stands on a beautiful summer night watching our twin boys swing the bat on the campus of UCLA, wow! Big dreams swirl around in your head when you see them play on a field like that!

Check out Spencer Simon in this photo, is that an image of a baller or what! As if he is tipping his helmet to his fans! This kid has got game for sure!

I remember watching Brandon play in his first college game up at Willamette University and breathing deep as I sat in the stands marveling at how large the field was. I remember thinking about how many times I had sat in the stands watching my three boys play baseball. Close to 15 years watching baseball. You gotta love the game to sit through that many games, or love your kids to the moon and stars and back again to sit through that many games. In my case it's both!

So there we were sitting in the stadium on campus at UCLA - the college team that's currently competing in the College World Series in Omaha and my boys were on their field. It was a proud Mama moment for sure.

Check out Harrison Simon swing the bat as a lefty. Check out those long legs, this kid is long and lean and so smooth!

The boys finally finished school this week and this baseball game took place on the first full day of summer... what a way to kick off summer. And the college boy was with me too ... I was able to steal a smooch!

Pictured here is Mama bear planting one on the college boy Brandon Simon.

Yesterday's post was about a colleague of mine whose son was murdered when robbers entered the store he was working at and shot him. I have not been able to shake thinking about her or her family. Wondering how they are doing and how much grief must be hanging in their hearts and home.

Our children are not perfect. They don't always live up to what we expect or make the choices we prefer. They don't always get straight As or hit the winning home run, or get into the best college. They loose things, make mistakes, get in trouble, disappoint their parents, but as I sat in the stands on Friday night nothing, I mean nothing, mattered for those two hours except that I was surrounded by my three healthy sons. It didn't matter if they won or lost the game, if they struck out or dropped the ball. They were alive and safe.

Again I send my sincerest condolences to the Butcher family and pray that no harm ever comes to their family again. They have taken the greatest loss, the loss of losing a child, that anyone is humanly expected to endure.

Day 67: A Mom's Son Murdered

I read a distributing and sad article in the Los Angeles Times this morning, and then I learned I know the mother of the victim. My heart sunk and I felt disgusting. I have never known a person whose child was murdered. Thank goodness, right. I mean we live in one of the highest crime rate cities in America and everyday there is another mother weeping over the casket of her beloved child. Senseless murders due to gang violence, domestic violence, or in this case being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It makes you sick to hear.

But to read an article about a Marijuana Dispensary robbery where allegedly gunmen entered the store and shot the employees, and to learn later in the day that one of the victims is the son of a prominent woman labor leader here in Los Angeles, and someone I know, has really rocked me to the core.

I met Julie Butcher years ago when I was employed at the LA Area Chamber of Commerce. She was a union organizer. Over the years our lives would intersect often through our mutual involvement with politics. Most recently when I ran for City Council I remember having lunch with Julie and we would always talk about our boys. She had two sons, me three. She was a proud Mama, just like me. And now her son Matt, is gone. I'm sick even writing this post thinking of how her heart must be shattered into tiny pieces.

Matt Butcher was an employee at a legal dispensary in Echo Park. On Thursday afternoon gunmen entered the store and shot the two employees, one being Matt. Just like that. What for? Money? For pot? What could possibly be worth shooting two young people over? Nothing is.

I just can't imagine how a family regroups after the loss of their child. I think of all the Mama's who have lost their loved ones to violence. I just can't imagine what today is like for Julie, her husband and their other son.

If you are reading this post, and you have children, squeeze them tight, hug them, tell them you love them. If they are alive and healthy you are blessed. I send the Butcher family abundant blessings during this most treacherous and painful time.

Day 66: Baubles With Bubbles

What could be better than shopping for baubles while being served the bubbly? The only thing better is spending your friends money!

I went shopping with two gal pals today and had so much fun telling boss lady Robin Sax to purchase an exquisite Van Cleef & Arpels ring as we sipped yummy champagne! I felt like a tourist on vacation in my own home town!

We were celebrating the launching of one of the many projects we have collaborated on through Robin Sax Enterprises. The most recent project, a new show titled "Are You Kidding?" Look for more details coming shortly, but no doubt you will laugh hard watching us! Pictured here with me are my collaborating sister's Rebecca Simon & Robin Sax !

We had an office party luncheon and strategized the show over a scrumptious lunch at Crustacean in Beverly Hills and then made our way over to the jewelry store. We laughed the entire walk over to the store ... us silly women in our 20s, 30s & 40s!

Sometimes the girl's just gotta have fun... and bling & champagne are just the way!

Day 65: I'm Getting Audited

You know, running for public office is harder than most things I can think of... okay maybe not as hard as carrying and delivering twins vaginally, but that's an entire episode that one day I will blog about. I mean really did you know that if you give birth to fraternal twins they are in separate amino fluid bags which means that once you deliver one baby you have to re labor all over again to deliver the second baby! Holy mole no one told me that I'd have to open up my uterus again -- after it contracts back to normal size... so yeah there are some things that are harder than running for public office, but really other than birthing twins I can't think of any at the moment.

So that's why it just kills me to think that this election is still not over! Fifteen months after getting my ass kicked I now have to endure a damn audit by the City of Los Angeles Ethics Commission. Yep you read correctly. Every city campaign has to be audited to ensure that all financial records were kept correctly, that no money was raised illegally and that the candidate did not put in more money than is aloud to their personal campaigns. But really this far after you have lost a hard battle and you have tried to move on with your life, really?

So the audit begins this Friday and no doubt I will be required to furnish all types of documents to prove my innocence! As if I was a criminal! You wonder why more people don't run for office... welcome to the nightmare!

I ran my campaign as ethically as anyone could... followed all the rules, and raised money the old fashion way asking folks and receiving contributions in the dollar amount allowable. I can't say all other candidates do the same.

So when you think you finally are free from the remnants of your political campaign, the door is opened once again and all your personal information is again opened up to the world for viewing.

I have had a lot of hard battles in my life... breaking into broadcast journalism when everyone said it was impossible; birthing twins naturally when everyone said it couldn't be done; and running for public office with young children when everyone said it was not possible. Yeah it's all possible and I'm living proof that it's doable! I guess I just have always enjoyed an enormous challenge!

But please don't say something is not doable because I might just go for it!

Day 64: Too Tired to Talk

Hey all ... I am too burnt out with family & life to write anything of substance today. My family is exhausting and I am just fried with the school year still not finished. While most of my friends are on European vacations by now or their children enrolled in camp, my boys are embroiled in finals still. My older son has been home from college for one month now and it's been chaos juggling the needs of a kid who wants fun and late nights with two children who still need to be on their game.

And my family -- not my hubby & boys -- but everyone else have gone off the deep end and are sucking me dry. I think it would be nice for my very needy friends and family to shut their mouths for once and ask how I am ... but these needy people are so self absorbed they only think of themselves... what a shame ...

I returned a friends call today, hesitantly because I knew how the conversation would go and sure enough she droned on and on about herself and her family never once asking about me. Unbelievable. That's how several family members act too and it's unbelievable to me.

Never once asking about me or my life or family. Who does this? Selfish, sick people that's who does this.

Hey does anyone care that I was diagnosed with skin cancer? Or fill in the blank ...

So I'm too mentally & physically exhausted to share anything else other than I wish people would not be so selfish!

Day 63: Pink Power

Do you have a signature color? You know the color your friends see and it always reminds them of you? Or the color you always gravitate to when there are multiple colors of an item offered! Or the color that just makes you happy to wear!

While I'm very much a color person, if I had to name just one color these days that is truly my signature, it would have to be PINK. For those of you who know me well, I know you're not surprised to hear this!

I know Pink has become famously popular. I mean why else would they make pink phones? And pink computers and shoes and just about everything else comes in the color pink these days. There's the pink ribbon signifying Breast Cancer Awareness. There's pink power tools and I even have a pink tool belt, given to me by my gal pals when I travelled to Biloxi, Mississippi to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. There's pink Dodger wear... now they didn't use to have Dodger hats in pink years ago! Heck there's even a magazine titled PINK, and I love it! It's a career minded pink woman's read! Companies have wised up to us women and they know we want products in colors that represent us. Never used to be like that, so there must be a demand for the color. So I am not alone in my obsession of the color. (Even Campbell's signature Tomato soup has gone Pink!)

What do colors say about us? Our style? Our personalities? Well, I think colors say a lot! Colors can say I am in a good mood today, or I'm not feelin' it so much right now. And it's not as easy as wearing black when you are blue because black also says I am chic and hip and sophisticated or I just couldn't decide what to wear so I went with basic black! But bright colors mean you are not afraid to be seen and you certainly are not hiding! That says a lot about the kind of person we are ... not afraid to meet others...to be seen or noticed, it says I am confidant enough to wear these silly bright colors!


And as my little pillow on my bed reads:



Pink is not a color, it's an Attitude! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Day 62: Daddy's Day

To all the handsome men in my world who have fathered me and loved me, today we honor you! And to my hunky husband Brian who is the greatest dad a kid could ask for, today is for you too! My three sons are blessed to have a father who is so involved in their lives and provides a life that is so plentiful for them. (Pictured above is my family, with Brian center, 2006)

I can't imagine young boys not having a Dad or father figure in their life to coach them both on the field and in life; to hug them, love them, teach them all about being a man. The greatest gift a Dad can give his sons is being a role model on what a real man is... the way Brian treats me will certainly guarantee that my three sons will make great husbands someday because they know how to respect women and love them.

Brian has showed the boys the right way to teach people, to conduct an ethical business, to love, to enjoy life, to deal with loss, to have sportsmanship, to work hard, and to be empathetic. This is what we celebrate today... father's who have done their jobs correctly and left indelible marks on their children's lives.

While I believe that both Mother's & Father's Day are Hallmark Holidays, it's still nice to set aside one day out of the year to give recognition to the important parents in your life.

Today is also a day to give a big shout out to Papa Nat who we lost a few months ago. (Pictured here with Lovely Lois) Nat was an amazing father and grandfather and he enriched my life and my families life in so many ways. He loved his children with his entire being and his most favorite times were spent in the company of his family. Today as we honor all our Dad's let's also remember the Daddy's that are no longer physically with us, but forever in our hearts.

Day 61: Do You Follow Local Politics?

If you have always had a desire to be more involved in local politics, but just didn't know how to go about it, well then I've got a suggestion for you! Attend the National Women's Political Caucus General Membership meeting on Tuesday, June 29th at my house and learn about how our group is fostering political women leaders!

NWPC is committed to recruiting, training and helping to elect pro choice women into all branches of government. We are a national organization and I am actively involved in the local West Los Angeles chapter. I've been on the Board and or a member for a dozen years now and have made some remarkable friendships and worked with some terrific women leaders along the way.

Electing more women to office is a passion of mine. While I may have been unsuccessful in my run for City Council I have never wavered from my commitment to see more women in decision making posts. The goal of NWPC is to achieve 50/50 by 2020: meaning 50% representation by women, 50% by men, by the year 2020.

I am currently working on a book about women in politics and the unique challenges we face when running for office, including raising substantial money to be a formidable candidate to juggling families while also campaigning. And if you believe that no double standard exists for women candidates versus men, you are dead wrong. I have an entire list of how we are treated and received differently.

Please join me on Tuesday, June 29th at 6:30 p.m. for our Board Elections & Membership meeting where you can meet & mingle with elected officials, and other like minded women who believe we need more women in office. You don't need to work in politics or have ever worked on a campaign, we welcome anyone who cares about seeing more qualified women drafting policy that we care about.

We will also be hosting a special guest - NWPC endorsed candidate Holly J. Mitchell -- who I profiled several times on my Blog. Holly won the democratic nomination for the 47th Assembly District (the district I live in) and will have an election in November against the republican candidate. Come hear Holly share why she believes she can make a difference with the mess we have in Sacramento and why NWPC endorsed this powerful woman leader.

If you have questions about NWPC or want more details about the event on June 29th, please comment on my Blog and I will respond! My goal is to increase our membership and involvement because in numbers we can be a stronger voice!

Day 60: Loving My Teenagers

So today's post will be brief, but I just have to share a special moment of the day. While most parents dread being in the company of their teenagers, I have to tell you I LOVE being around my boys and listening to them talk! Now don't think I'm crazy, I'm not sayin' every second of every day, but when you can grab moments of being in their company while they are communicative and sharing, it is golden!

Brian and I picked up Harrison & Spencer (our 14 year old twin teenagers) tonight from a friends house and a bunch of boys piled in the car. Listening to their conversations about their finals next week, other players on their baseball team, kids at schools, food, restaurants, it all warmed my heart so much!

I thought how empty my life would be if I didn't have youth in it to keep me young! Being around hopeful children who have nothing but their dreams to aspire to is so touching. It makes you believe that there are good things left in our world when most of the news you hear as an adult is so horrifying. When you sit and just listen to them talk about growing up and a bunch of teenage nonsense it allows you to remember a slice of your youth and all the dreams you too had.

If you have children in your world, hug them tight today, listen to them talk and know that you are blessed to have youth in your company -- no matter how annoying a teenager can be!

Day 59: Karaoke Birthday

So one of the Ritter-Simon-Bernstein-Yousem-Sherman-Altshuler* sisters turned 50 and to celebrate we surprised her and took her to a Karaoke bar.

Okay before you say, "what, the spa wasn't available?", let me explain. Linda Sherman LOVES to karaoke. She is not a drinking woman, or much of a party girl, but she loves to sing in front of strangers. Go figure! So we rounded up some pals and went to the Backstage Bar & Karaoke in Culver City. If you have never visited this hot spot, you have got to check it out! While at first I thought we'd be the oldest folks in the joint, as the evening went on I was relieved to see that other mature patrons had also joined us! Pictured above are some of us making fools of ourselves while belting out an oldie but goodie song!

What happens to people when they are given a microphone and loud music is playing is truly frightening! I mean we are grown adult women with big jobs & families, and there we were on a Friday night acting like wild women! It was great. Linda had the best time celebrating and doing what she loves to do! Now before you feel sorry for her that this is how she spent her big 5-0 let me assure you it wasn't the only celebration she had! She took her beautiful son Ethan (my nephew profiled in my Blog on May 20 for his magnificent art) to Florida to ride the largest roller coasters in the US, and is taking a major cruise vacation over the summer with her family to mark the milestone birthday. So this was just one night of fun for her!

Maybe I should reevaluate my running a marathon for my 50! It would be so much more fun to drink and sing in a dive bar. Well I'm sure I'll do that too, after I run the race!

Watching us laugh and let lose was so refreshing. With all our cooker pressure jobs, commitments and responsibilities it was so enjoyable to just belt out some of our favorite tunes while celebrating one of our favorites gals -- Lovely Linda!

And in true Hollywood fashion our server was the most darling aspiring actress Kendra Montagna pictured here. If anyone reading this Blog needs a full throttle energy kick ass kind of gal for something you are producing please consider Kendra. She was absolutely charming and personable with good old fashion Indiana roots. So please hire her!

One of the best parts of the evening was watching Linda blow out her birthday candles while making her 50 wishes ... and with a drink in her hand, even though she doesn't drink! This was one happy woman!

Again it makes me ask the question about letting lose and why we don't do it more often, and why when we do do it, it feels so good! Happy Birthday sister Linda, may the next 50 years make all your wishes come true! You deserve it!

*Refers to all the beautiful women in my family who may not share the same last name, but share a sisterly bond :)

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!