Day 94: Happy 15th Birthday Boy's

Wow, hard to believe that 15 years ago we ushered Harrison & Spencer into this world! What an experience that was, giving birth to two beautiful baby boys! Just 10 minutes apart ... I'll never forget how they were swaddled so snugly then placed face-to-face inside the little bassinet at the hospital.

And now look at my handsome sons... Spencer pictured with me on the left and Harrison on the right at their Birthday celebration dinner tonight ... yummy! These boys can eat!

Funny how birthdays are great measuring tools... you can reflect on what has gone on over the past 15 years, and imagine what the next 15 years might bring. I remember being so happy that my Mom hung on to see Harrison & Spencer born. I can still see her beautiful red hair shining as she held them at their Bris... she passed away 3 months later...

Their first year of life was bittersweet. I was so happy to have these bundles of joy to care for, but so sad to have lost my Mom at such a cherished time in my life. Births play a number on you too, and so does death and to have both of these significant events happen within months of one another, was well, there are really no words to describe the feelings.

I know my Mom would be so proud if she could see the boys today. Handsome, smart, athletic, empathetic, loving, and really just all around good kids. What a loss for her, and for them. But today is a celebration of life, and the greatest gifts I was given on this day.

Happy 15th Birthday to my beautiful Happy Harrison & Sweet Spencer!

Day 93: Multi Tasking ...Women Do It So Well

Why are women so good at multi tasking? Hmm, I'm not an anthropologist so I can't really give the history behind why we are so good at juggling so many projects at once, but I know we are damn good at it! Last night was a perfect example of how we can accomplish so much at one time!

I had gal pal and computer whiz Rebecca Simon over to help address my campaign website which I am morphing into a website profiling my personal & professional endeavors ... and finally taking down the campaign literature. She was joined by another gal pal of mine who is a webmaster Karisma Schackelford, who is also my "hair" lady. So while we tackled upgrades and edits for my website, Karisma was also tending to my hair, while we also handled childcare for her son who was playing with my son's old Lego's.

And while this was all happening the college son was picking up the two younger teenagers with friends and handling dinner. In between this, neighbor gal pal Teresa Jones Grossman came over with her cooking pal to borrow ingredients for a chili dish she is preparing for the Beverly Hills Farmer's Market Chili Cookoff, and as if the house wasn't full enough, gal pal Jenny Savitsky stopped by to borrow a colorful suit jacket for professional photographs she was having taken! All these amazing women involved in multiple projects and everyone is helping everyone get the job done!

That's what it is all about. We can't do all that we do without the support of our gal pals. Everyone chipping in to help with the children, or dinner, or to borrow items from - including everything from food to a black tie dress, to editing a resume to introducing each other to one another as great resources -- it really does take a village to not just raise the children, but to keep us adult ladies sane.

Managing so many pending projects at the same time takes a lot of coordination, organization and help from your friends. Using your time wisely is an art and contributes to making you feel like SuperWoman! Last night the house was rockin' as we kept all us great women moving toward our respective goals. Yeah, we all should feel like SuperWoman!

Day 92: Mickey, Minnie and Me

I'm so excited! I just scored a ticket to run in the Disneyland Half Marathon on Labor Day Weekend! The run is 13 miles and will be a great prelude to the full Marathon next March. For those of you who follow my Blog you know that one of my goals for my 49th year leading up to turning 50, is to run a marathon. That's 26.2 miles for those of you that were not sure how long this physical challenge is.

The run at Disneyland takes you through the rides all the while having Disney characters cheer you on! How fun to run through the amazing rides and the entire grounds of this magical amusement park. Certainly beats the sidewalk pavement through a boring neighborhood.

So on Sunday, September 5th I will take off at 7 a.m. working toward my goal of completing a half marathon.

I'm looking forward to the fun of the race and being surrounded by all my favorite characters. And now that I have the ticket I am committed to even more intense training. I've been increasing my miles weekly, and have been loving my longer beach runs in Santa Monica.

Brian made me a play list to listen to while I run with all my favorite tunes. Yesterday I ran with the Ipod for the first time and was inspired by all the motivational songs he recorded. I'm sure the music will help me stay motivated as the miles increase and your mind can play tricks on your brain!

I will continue to keep you all posted as to my running progress and of course I will post fun pictures of me, Minnie, and Mickey when I complete the run at Disneyland!

Day 91: ReConnecting

There's something very comforting about being in the company of people who share a history with you. That's why I treasure long lasting friendships.

During my campaign I had many highs and equally as many lows. The wounds are still raw for being let down by certain people that I expected more from while the joys from the wonderful people I met during the campaign and people I reconnected with continue to be my fondest campaign memories.

One such special encounter was when I attended a candidate's forum in Encino. What a surprise I had when a woman tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around there stood a childhood friend who I had not seen in years. We lost track of one another not because anything had happened other than time and life. When I saw her my heart filled up with happiness that after all these years she cared enough to attend the event to support me.

This friend was Caren Horowitz Kaplow. She and my big sister Michele and I were like sisters growing up. Our Mom was like a Mom to her. We shared some wild times in High School and beyond. Her and Michele were roommates during college and we shared all our Holidays together. Many years had gone by. We have all gotten married, had children and created very full lives. Ever since this encounter we have picked up where we left off. Funny how you are able to do this with people you share a history and bond with.

Since our reconnection we have been making up for lost time by spending time together with our families, playing Rummicub and laughing a lot.

The story even gets better as Caren has also reconnected with an old High School romance, Terence Duffy, and the two of them are now an "item". We all grew up together and can't believe the turn of events in our lives ... As they say what goes around, comes around.

Pictured here are Terence & Caren. Two beautiful smiling faces.

I am grateful for old friendships and thankful that despite all the bumps in the road we have all had to travel we are back in each other's life!

Day 90: Congratulations Brian

For those of you who don't know yet, Brian has launched a new business venture! As if he doesn't have enough to do running his own design and build firm and taking care of this family! In any event, he was introduced to a new opportunity from several business associates of his who he admires and respects very much. He was hooked once he heard their pitch!

Pictured here is Brian Simon being promoted by one of the co-founders of ACN on stage in front of 20,000 plus people at the Quicken Arena in Cleveland, Ohio last month at an International Conference.

The new opportunity is a business based on residual income -- meaning we make money when we're not at the office -- similar to owning apartment buildings or any type of real estate. For most of us, myself included, if I'm not working and billing clients, I'm not making money. Well in order to live the life Brian and I want for our family we are looking for ways to grow our net worth and Brian was attracted to this model.

The company is called ACN and it is a technology company. Brian is working non stop on this venture and is so excited to be doing something new after 30 plus years of being in the designing and building business. Of course he hasn't given up the "day job" yet, running Corner Construction, but he is supplementing his work with ACN.

We are very proud of his new enthusiasm and business success... no doubt whatever Brian touches turns to gold so we are anticipating a big return on his most valuable investment, his time! If you are interested in learning more, give him a call!

Day 89: Spinning The Salad

Another Real Housewives story to report. Gal pal Jill brought me a gift today. A Salad Spinner! Oh the little things that make us so happy. When we were in Bass Lake cooking together I commented on how I don't like wilted lettuce, I mean really who does... and she responded... "you don't have a salad spinner?" These are the conversations real housewives have with one another.

So today I was so excited when she delivered to me a shiny new salad spinner! Real Housewives do this for one another. They don't turn tables over, or back stab their best girlfriends or talk smack about the people they love. They buy each other simple pleasures like a salad spinner.

Sometimes the simplest pleasures can contribute to us being the happiest. It doesn't always have to be a sparkling piece of jewelery, or a luxury vacation, but a simple product or gesture that enriches our daily life and truly puts a smile on our face. I love making a crunchy yummy salad and there is nothing worse then when the lettuce is soggy from too much water from washing!

So this weekend when I make a big crunchy salad for family & guests I will smile knowing that my fellow housewife knows how to make me happy with a simple salad spinner!

Day 88: Games Aren't Just for Kids

I love playing card games and board games and I LOVE charades too! I have the fondest memories of playing Hearts and Gin Rummie with my Mom & family when I was younger. I remember Brian and I would spend hours staying up all night playing games with Mom and family & friends. We'd have marathon sessions! When the boys were younger we'd play lots of games, mostly board games ... the standard Monopoly, Yahtzee, Scattagories. Many of these games we still play today even though the boys are teenagers.

A few years ago we vacationed with the Ross family and they turned us on to Banana Grams. We were addicted. It was like a drug. We played the entire trip! That same year up at Bass Lake we got turned on to Rummicue and I've been an addict ever since!

Games are a wonderful way to connect people and family. It is interactive as opposed to sitting and watching television or a movie. When you play games you laugh with each other and feel much more connected than most activities you can share together.

Playing Charades is also one of the best ways to enjoy family time. While it always takes me prompting my family to play the game, once we get going the laughter does not seem to stop. Watching everyone make fools of themselves as they try to act out a book, movie or theatre production is great. It takes imagination and some creativity and that's the best way to spend time with your family. Even if they resist I highly recommend sitting with your children and playing a board game! They may roll their eyes and sigh with disbelief that they are having to play a "game" with their siblings and parents, but once you get goin' it will be a blast.

So tonight was "game night" for the big gals. My gal pal and neighbor Stacy Bell gathered an impromptu group of girls for some Rummikub. I tell you the game is addictive. We had a blast laughing & playing and even welcomed a new gamer Lissa Solomon. Who knew Solomon was so competitive, wow she was on fire! Anyway, if you are looking for ways to connect with your children or friends, pull out the deck of cards, or a board game, make some yummies and have a great time being together!

Day 87: Saying Thank You

I am a believer that when you do something special for someone or give a special gift to someone it is nice to be told "Thank you", however, I don't give or do for others in order to receive the thank you! I give or do because I love the person I am doing for or because I derive pleasure from making others happy.

This all being said though it sure is nice when you are acknowledged in a special way, especially when it is a surprise. We returned home this past weekend from our annual trip up to Bass Lake and the next morning when I awoke I saw a card sitting on my desk titled Mom & Dad.

When I opened it I couldn't believe it ... it was a thank you card from the three boys. It was a card thanking Brian and I for their fabulous trip to Bass Lake. It wasn't fancy. Didn't have a lot of writing on it. Wasn't homemade. But none of that mattered. What counted is that they said "thank you" for something that means so much to them.

Teenagers are a breed onto themselves, us parents of them know this first hand. They are forgetful and sometimes not the most polite in acknowledging all that is done for them. So this little card with all their signed names really meant so much. It was a sweet way to top off a vacation that if you read my blog you know was not the best for me... but the note was sure a warm homecoming!

Day 86: Rewarding Hard Work

Whew, what a day. I'm exhausted. Spent time visiting the kid sister Jennifer whose in the hospital following our trip to Bass Lake where several of us caught a virus -- food related perhaps. Had several tests done myself to see if I had/have the same food virus. Ran umpteen errands for the family, cooked the yummy shrimp & pasta dinner for 7 teenagers then made a trek with 4 of them over to the local Target for a big purchase.

Brian and I have never been the parents who say "you'll get a dollar for every good grade you bring home on your report card" or similar comments. We have always told our boys to work hard, apply themselves and do their best. If their best is always an A so be it, or if it is less than this so be it, but if they know in their hearts they worked hard then we are always happy to praise and acknowledge a job well done.

Harrison & Spencer completed their first year of High School magnificently. And I don't just mean because they aced their academics, but they really mastered this freshman year well. They hung in there with an enormously difficult baseball program and both made the Palisades Baseball Team. They collected a whole new lot of terrific friends who I am happy to welcome in my home at any time, and all along the way they maintained a stellar GPA.

As parents all you really want for your children is for them to be happy & healthy. That really is the bottom line and everything above this is like the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae.

I had told the boys that if they ended their first year of High School with the best grades they could achieve then a reward would be granted. I just saw them working so hard and really maturing during this very emotional and challenging first year of High School and I wanted to acknowledge this hard work. They made good on their promise and so did I tonight. So we piled in the car both of them and two friends and headed to Target where we bought an XBOX 360 -- for those of you who don't know what that is it's a video game console. My boys didn't have one (schocking because it seems like everyone does).

They were very grateful, but I was even more grateful. Grateful & thankful that they surround themselves with good friends, thankful they are very healthy, thankful they are bright and school is a natural for them, and mostly grateful because they are my two beautiful sons.

Day 85: Real Housewives

Went to the grocery store today - a 3 time a week adventure for me in this eating frenzied household I manage -- and I ran into bestest gal pal Jill. We giggled that we had both just returned from vacation together and were restocking the shelves of our respective homes. But we also chuckled as we talked about why we both drove across town to a market as opposed to visiting the one in our neighborhood. We agreed that the local store is icky and we prefer the produce, poultry and other goodies offered at this further away market. Oh what we do to provide the best for our families!

Then we compared our shopping carts. I was stocking up on shrimp and pasta for one night's dinner & ground meat to make a meatloaf another night. She was making tacos (actually sounded better then my meatloaf). She spotted the pretty pink bottle in my cart -- it was fresh squeezed watermelon juice which I use to mix with my vodka for an evening summer yummy! We giggled about other items in our carts or what still needed to be pulled from shelf's and we talked about our families and meals, etc.

I thought to myself we are the "real" housewives of Beverlywood & Cheviot Hills. All those reality shows that claim to be the "real housewives of ... fill in the city" are women always dressed up and shopping or lunching or feuding with their friends, but have you noticed they are never really doing any of the hundreds of tasks that real women, mothers, wives, do in real life!

And whether you work in the house or outside the house, the reality is that the marketing & menu planning is primarily accomplished by the women of the house. Not sure why that is, but it just is.

So there we stood -- me and my oldest gal pal Jill -- in the market laughing & giggling about the goodies we'd be taking home for our families. And I thought, this is what REAL housewives do!

Day 84: Back Home

Ahh, settling back in to life after a week away! Lots of laundry to fold, phone calls & emails to return, Blogging, unpacking, marketing! Now I need a vacation from the vacation. Which really wasn't a vacation. As I posted yesterday when we returned I was under the weather the entire week in Bass Lake. So now it's back to juggling every one's calendars, family commitments and back to my exercise routine.... which I definitely need after a week off.

Pictured here is the "Bass Lake Gang" ... a motley crew of mixed families & friends, but all together we make our own special "Lake Family!"

How do our lives get so damn busy with all we do? I mean it's suppose to be summer, but the boys - all three of them - still have workouts and baseball, and dental appointments and chiropractor visits, and friends in and out all day long. And oh yeah everyone still needs to eat so there's still that to tend to. And over summer break there are more mouths to feed with kids coming and going. But ya know what I really do love it. Especially the feeding part. Maybe it's the mama bear in me that loves to see my boys and others chow down on a good meal. It's a role I relish. I just wish I was feeling myself. I'm still not and that's a bummer for me as I spend my life feeling healthy and fun and happy and when I'm not, it really takes its toll.

So as I prepare for the week ahead, working out, getting healthy, attending baseball games and figuring out next steps is all on the menu... join me for the adventures, won't you please?

Day 74 - 83: Where Has Robyn Been?

Hi my faithful followers! Have you missed me? Well I sure have missed blogging about my daily escapades. Let me tell ya what's been goin' on!

Finally got the family packed and out the door last Saturday, July 3rd for our annual trip up to Bass Lake with friends & family. As I have written about in earlier posts this is the most memorable vacation for my family.

Pictured above is my family L-R Brandon, Harrison, Me, Spencer, and Brian

My sister Michele and I were introduced to the trip as young girls when our parents were still married many moons ago. I have continued the tradition with my family and other siblings and friends. It is the one trip that my children pine for throughout the year. So we finally arrive, unpack, do the marketing, get organized and we are ready to party! We had our usual fabulous 4th of July Holiday as we watched fireworks on a boat parked in the middle of the lake at beautiful Bass Lake!

Pictured here are kid sister Jennifer on the left (who came from New York with love pal Kevin, wearing the hat, and his darling 6 year old son Zachary) and family friend Suzee on the right. We were on the boat watching 4th of July fireworks!

Unfortunately that's where the fun ended for me! From that night on I was saddled with a horrible sickness and fever pushing 102.8. I was ready to make a run for the hospital but after speaking to my LA Doc I decided against that as goodness knows what the mountain Doctor would have recommended for treatment! We are still not clear on what I had and still have. I never once went in the Lake or water skied or put a bathing suit on the entire week. This has never happened to me before and it was really a bummer to be away on this annual family trip and not be able to enjoy all the festivities.

Pictured here are Papa Joe, the Patriarch of the trip all these 40 plus years, with my eldest son Brandon. This is what it's all about!

Despite my feeling in the dumps, I did however capture moments of great joy. One was watching my son Brandon master wake boarding like a true jock and the other was knowing that Harrison & Spencer were laughing hysterically as they were tossed all over the Lake on an inter tube. Thank you gal pal Jill for being the boat driver for all the teenager crazy boys! And for constantly taking my temperature to make sure it didn't climb any higher!

Another highlight for me was being able to play umpteen rounds of Runmmicue with my gal pals Caren & Jill and hubby Brian. That was very special for me. I love games!
But all in all while my heart was warmed that my boys and Brian and all my darling family & friends were soaking up the sun and having a blast my heart also ached because I just wasn't myself.

Pictured here is Papa Joe wearing a cowboy hat! He's 80 years old and look at him go!

It's bad enough to not feel well when you are at home, but to wait all year for your annual vacation and go away and not be yourself is really a bummer. So because of this and because we had very poor technological support nestled up in the mountains I was not able to communicate with my Blog friends daily. Of course I felt guilty about this, but sometimes you just need to be flexible and go with what you are confronted with. In my case it was just not possible for me to share my lake musings daily which was something I was looking forward to.

So my dear followers please forgive me and know that I will post more photos and anecdotes from our trip as the week goes on. I'm happy to write that we are home safe and sound and I'm feeling better. I know my three sons and all the others had a fantastic week and that really is the best vacation I could ask for. My heart is warmed just looking at this photo of Brian holding the "beef" of the day with that big yummy smile!

Pictured here is Brian in Bass Lake 2010, after grilling our 4th of July yummy steak for 30!

Day 73: Getting Out of Town Stress

I'm feeling very overwhelmed with everything that needs to be addressed before heading out of town Saturday morning. Here's a list of what is swirling around in my head:

*My City Council Candidate's Audit

*Elena Kagen's Supreme Court Nomination (she must get confirmed!)

*Juggling Boy's endless baseball games

*Writing my Blog while on vacation

*Bathing suits for boys
*Packing
*Shopping for trip items
*Work items
*Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a friend
*House sitter

*Personal items like getting a manicure & pedicure before heading off to vacation (ok so this one sounds trivial, but really it's not ... I mean who wants to go on a lake vacation and spend a week in a bathing suit without your toes looking groomed & pretty!

*Family drama

*Mail camp forms

*Pay bills

*Schedule skin cancer surgery

Ugh, the list keeps going! I just can't wait to be in Bass Lake sitting on the dock sipping my evening cocktails and finding some peace from an overloaded life...

Day 72: Getting Out of Town

Well, I'm exhausted and can't wait to get the heck out of town on Saturday. Between the intense audit of my City Council Campaign, summer baseball games for all three boys, political events, family in town, and countless other commitments, I'm craving some R & R up at the Lake! Pictured to the left are Brandon & Brian in 2006 on the Lake soaking up the sunshine!

We leave this weekend for our annual summer 4th of July vacation to Bass Lake. Bass Lake is located about 45 minutes south of Yosemite and is beautiful! I've been taking this trip since I was a little girl! When my sister Michele and I were about 7 & 8 years old we started going with our parents and family friends to Yosemite. Twenty some years ago we started to go to Bass Lake. If I ask my sons what their favorite trip to take is -- including our trips all together to Italy, Mexico, New York, Fire Island - the answer is always a resounding Bass Lake! This is their favorite family vacation! Pictured to the right are the kids getting ready to be taken for a Banana Boat ride on the Lake!

Why? Maybe because it's 100% tradition. They live for spending an entire week in their bathing suits, cruising around the Lake on a speed boat or inter tubes, laughing with family & friends, eating endlessly, playing Charades and Yahtzee & Rummicue, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. I mean really what family wouldn't love this holiday!?!

My boys won't miss this trip. Not for a baseball game, a job, nothing! And we have made this commitment for all these years. Having a strong bond year after year builds continuity, tradition, and it takes a lot of work to make this commitment. I'm so thankful my parents started this tradition when I was a child. Then Brian started joining us when we were dating as young teenagers and now our children enjoy the tradition. Pictured here are Jill on the left, one of our oldest friends from when we were 13 years old, and our dear family friend Suzee!

It's by no means a fancy trip, but it's a solid one. The memories created with family & friends are priceless. Spending a week in magical scenery, just 5 hours from Los Angeles in the beautiful State of California with your dearest family & friends is really the best trip.

Pictured to the right is hunky Brian driving the kids in the speed boat! What a man!

Can you see why I am craving this trip and in desperate need to get the heck out of town! Looking forward to a good time with my dear family & friends! I need it!

Day 71: Electing More Women

Tonight I hosted the National Women's Political Caucus - LA Westside Chapter Membership Meeting & Board Elections. It was a smashing success! We elected a new energized Board of Directors including many new members. We welcomed several new members to our group and we heard from two NWPC endorsed candidates who both won their primaries in June!

Holly J. Mitchell, (pictured above on the right) won in the 47th Assembly District and Betsy Butler was the Democratic winner in the 53rd Assembly District. Both women will have to win their General Elections in November, so the fight is not over! Pictured here with Holly is Kate Anderson, also a candidate in the 53rd Assembly District. While she was not victorious NWPC has great hopes that Kate will run again and win!

Long time NWPC leader both with the LA Westside Chapter and the State Board, Jane Hasler Henick, led our Board elections. Jane is pictured here to the right leading the elections. The slate of candidates was elected unanimously and I'm happy to be back on the Board in an official capacity. I will always be grateful to my NWPC sisters who supported me in both of my campaigns and who have remained loyal and committed supporters of our mission to elect more women to office. And I'm thrilled to have new Board members to work with!

Pictured here are some of our seasoned and new Board members. Pictured left to right are Jane Hasler Henick, Stephanie Molen, Barbara Greene Ruskin, Me, Betsy Johnson, our Chapter's co-president and Lindsay Bubar, Chapter co-president.


Pictured below is our new VP of Communications Karriann Farrell Hinds speaking to the group about why she wants to serve on the NWPC Board and her commitment to electing more women to office.


The energy was really terrific! I mean when you put 40 plus high energy, committed, passionate and active women in a room together with a little wine you know the volume is going to be pumping , and it was. The conversations were interesting and the roll out of plans for the coming year are exciting. The work is never done. There is always a woman candidate to groom, to fundraise for, to walk precincts for and to help elect. We all need to be committed to keeping the pipeline full of viable women candidates and doing whatever we can to help them be victorious.

I'd like to give a special shout out to my NWPC colleague Jill Prestup Eltrich for getting our chapter's website up and live! Thank you Jill for your tireless commitment to seeing this project through to completion! Please visit us at www.nwpclawestside.org to learn more about our events and activities. And please consider joining with me to continue our great work in politics! In Sisterhood!

Day 70: Family Bonds

Went to dinner tonight with the family -- which included us 5 Simon's, and Grandma Paula & Papa Craig, Brian's parents from Roseville, California (that's near Sacramento) who are in town visiting. We had all attended Harrison & Spencer's baseball game and then went to one of the local favorites, Factor's Famous Deli. Had a yummy dinner as usual.

This post is not about our delicious corned beef sandwiches, it's about how much fun we had and apparently our fun loving time was noticed by others too.

We had a darling Russian server named Olga who made our dining enjoyable by being on top of all our wants. When it was time to pay the bill we thanked her for her service and she said,

"No thank you. Your family is beautiful and the love shows through. I hope someday to have a family like this."

Well that really touched my heart. Sometimes we take for granted how close we are in this Simon family, always loving & kissing & hugging, not realizing that many families don't share this kind of bond.

It doesn't always take a big family hoopla to share special moments. Sometimes it's just the simple mundane things like attending a ball game and sharing a family dinner together that creates the memories that last. It was a good night!

Day 69: Giving When You Have Nothing Yourself

The Sunday Los Angeles Times always has at least one story that leaves an impact on me. Whether it's a great sports story, or a passionate human interest profile or as too often a devastating and sad story about loss and despair. This morning's paper did not disappoint. I read an article about a woman who once was living the American Dream.

She was educated and trained as a social worker and had a good job that she excelled at. She was married and had three children she was raising in a home she owned. But is the case with so many people, her life unraveled and she now finds herself living in a run down boarding house with nine rooms and one bathroom in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. Her unemployment benefits have run out and there are no jobs to be had. She shares a bed with her 19 year old daughter, her 21 year old son sleeps on the floor of their one room "home". An older daughter is a mother herself and is barely surviving. The ex husband was abusive which is why she fled with her children.

After reading the story I felt so sad and also so lucky. For so many Americans their life is being held together so loosely and any change of events could mean losing their homes, jobs, and the life they have spent a lifetime building. Many of us feel as if we have a safety net to fall back on if a traumatic turn of events occurred. If we became ill, lost our job, our home, etc. But for many there is no safety net. Not from their own family and not from the government.

What really stood out for me about this woman and her story is that despite her terrible turn of events, she still found it in herself to attend church daily and to give. When the story was written she had some 3 dollars and change in her wallet. She wasn't sure how she would cover the rent, buy food, a bus pass, and continue searching for work, but she still gave to people she found even worse off then herself. How amazing that despite how low her life had fallen she still gave what she could to help people even worse off then herself. Talk about an act of unselfishness.

I wrote the other day about how self-absorbed and selfish people can be and believe me I know plenty of folks like this, but my faith in people is renewed when I read a story about a person with so little who gives so much. I applaud this woman for getting up daily and trying to crawl out of the hole that she is currently in. She doesn't feel sorry for herself, doesn't blame others. Instead she believes in her spiritual leader, and she has faith that her life will turn around for her family. And in the meantime, she continues to share what little she has.

We all could learn quite a bit from her giving.

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!