Day 221: FOURTH DAY: Turkey Shopping

Ahh, waking up in the country in upstate New York ...we are in a small (tiny!) country area called Austerlitz. Kid sister Jennifer and beau Kevin have a house up here and this is where we are spending our Thanksgiving Holiday.

Pictured here are Jennifer and I taking a walk on a blistery cold day in the country on the road outside her house. Isn't it gorgeous!?

So today Jennifer and I headed out to shop for the fixings for our special holiday meal. Brian stayed in Manhattan to greet the college boy Brandon who arrived early this morning from Oregon. Brandon took a red eye flight from Portland and arrived in New York at 6 a.m. this morning. I was of course worried all night while he was flying since a snow storm hit Portland the day he was leaving. Can you believe Oregon received snow before New York? Crazy.

There were a lot of logistics that went into making this trip happen... and getting Brandon here was one of them. I'm grateful he arrived safely. Brian and he headed to Carneige's for a real New York Deli experience first thing when he arrived. Then off they went to do some sightseeing before heading up to meet us at the house.

Pictured here is Brandon in Times Square the morning he arrived in the City.

Jennifer and I headed to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, just about 25 minutes from her home. What a beautiful quaint town! I loved it! We did a major grocery shop getting all the ingredients for our feast. Then off to Guido's market - picture Bristol Farms and Whole Foods combined, a beautiful specialty food market where Jen had ordered the turkey for us to pick up.

After all our shopping we stopped at a charming French bistro in Great Barrington for a delicious little nosh before heading back to prepare. Why is everyone so friendly when you are out of Los Angeles?

While we got things in order for Thanksgiving dinner, Kevin and his adorable 6 year old son Zachary and Brian and Brandon made their way up to meet us. What a joyous love fest it was when we all finally were together on the eve of Thanksgiving.

Are these the most gorgeous men or what? Pictured here are Harrison, Brian, Kevin and Spencer. Love these boys!!

After another yummy meal in a neighboring town called Chatham, we headed back to the house to chill. I breathed a sigh of relief that we had all made it. As I said above there were a lot of logistics... everyone with a different schedule, 8 bodies to move, two cars to load, lots of meals to prepare and flights to schedule so when we were finally all together on the eve of Thanksgiving in this beautiful, cozy and warm home it just all felt right. I knew we had made the best and right decision to change it up for our family this year.

Off to bed now to be fresh for the big feast tomorrow.

Day 220: THIRD DAY: Central Park and the Country

Another glorious day in the city! Brian and I explored the neighborhood while the teenagers snoozed .... our days have been full and our evenings very late.

We walked to the East River just blocks from Kevin and Jennifer's new apartment. Magnificent is all I can say. Beautiful parks where children were playing and folks were walking their dogs on a cool crisp morning. I mean breathtakingly beautiful.

We took a brisk walk and soaked in the way of life for New Yorkers. Very different then our Southern California lifestyle, but equally as magical. The city is intoxicating and invigorating, that is for sure. But you gotta have a lot of strength, chutzpa and dough to play and live in this town.

After our wonderful morning we headed back to the apartment to get ready for once again another yummy meal. We headed over to Seriphina, another spot I wanted the boys to eat at. Truffle pizza again with delicious pasta. What could be better? It was a late lunch but the place was packed and the people just kept comin' in. Talk about a lunch crowd ... any of our joints in LA would die for the action this Italian place was getting. Great food & great energy.

From there we walked to Central Park. I could spend hours in this park. It is beautiful and full of life. Babies in strollers, joggers, walkers, Zoo visitors, lovers, old, young, it's all happening at this jewel smack in the middle of an island separating the Eastside from the Westside in Manhattan. Just amazing!

Then the boys and I hooked up with Aunt Jennifer to head up to the Country to prepare for Thanksgiving. Kevin and Jen have a home in a small country town called Austerlitz, about two hours out of the city.

The afternoon was all about logistics!
The four of us -- Jen, Harrison, Spencer and I - headed out of town while Brian stayed back to have a "boy's night dinner" in the city with Kevin and also to greet college boy Brandon who was flying in from Portland on a red eye flight. He wasn't able to join us the entire week because he had school so he arrives at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning and will hook up with Brian then.

Jennifer is quite the New York driver ... she maneuvered the insane traffic getting us out of the City up through the Bronx and Harlem to the highway. Whew, you know me I was a wreck with how those New Yorkers drive ... but there was Jennifer, cursing and nudging her way into the lane she needed. Thank goodness it was her driving and not me.

She was so sweet to offer to take the boys to Mo'Griters... one of the eateries profiled on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives located in the Bronx in a car repair shop. Well, oh my gosh is all I can say about this little adventure.

Here we were in her shiny new Lexus driving in an area we ought not to be to find this dive. Harrison spotted the sign and we made our way in only to learn that City officials had shut down the joint a few months before. What a disappointment. The boys were really looking forward to grubbing on good BBQ, but heck we gave it a try and it was a fun excursion.

We made it to the house in Austerlitz, New York and just melted at how beautiful it is. Nestled on 3 acres of land with endless trees and no neighbors on top of you. What us Angeleno's wouldn't give for a little land like this!

Pictured here is the house and their very own backyard pond!

It has been a long day and so tonight we just snuggled in front of a fire and chilled. Tomorrow it's off to prepare for Turkey Day!

Day 219: SECOND DAY: Lady Liberty in New York City

Oh my gosh another fabulous day here in Manhattan. Gorgeous weather for walking and exploring and that's exactly what we did all day! After sleeping in to recover from Sunday's whirlwind we made our way to one of my favorite little restaurants that Jen had turned me on to when I visited her back in April. I knew I wanted to take hubby Brian and the boys there when we returned in November.

Pictured here are kid sis Jen and I looking stuffed from a scrumptious lunch. I look a little sleepy from the delicious glasses of wine I drank at lunch ! That's what I love about a vacation ... you get to drink wine at lunch!

LUPA, is one of the original Mario Battali establishments. It's a small Italian restaurant in SOHO and it is worth the headache of trying to score a reservation to get into. It's that good. I mean let's face it, us Simon's are extreme foodies. The best quote of the day was coined by Spencer who turned to us and said after eating tongue and brain cheese (I'm not kidding ... he really did eat these items and I had to look away every time he took a bite) ...

"This is the best day time meal I've ever had."

Brian and I thought we'd die from laughter. Gotta love a 15 year old kid who will be that adventuresome with his food and say something like that!

From there we hit the city for sightseeing. We walked to Washington Park where New York University is located and all around the cool neighborhoods and shops in this pocket of the city.

Pictured here in Washington Park are Harrison, Dani Grossman, and Spencer. The sophisticated teenage travellers!

Then we headed to Battery Park on the Hudson River where the magnificent Statue of Liberty is viewed brilliantly. What a sight ... it always gives me goose bumps to see our lady Liberty in her greatness and know that every one's ancestry's at one time travelled these waters to enter our great country. An added treat is that our dear friends Howard Grossman and his daughter Dani were in town too and we hooked up with them for our afternoon sightseeing.



Pictured to the left are the Simon boys with good friend Dani Grossman and Aunt Jennifer and me.

Then it was off to see Ground Zero. A somber but significant visit for all Americans. The boys asked a million questions about that harrowing day in 2001 and how it changed us for ever. A very poignant visit to make if you ever get to New York with your children.

Pictured here are Harrison & Spencer viewing the devastation and now construction taking place at Ground Zero in Manhattan.

And what would a night in the city be without another fabulous dinner! When I was in New York visiting Jen in April another favorite restaurant of mine was The Harrison, in the Tribeca neighborhood.

Given its name and its delicious menu, I knew I wanted to go back with the family. So off we went for another meal.

We had a beautiful round table and Kevin, Jen, Brian and I and the boys devoured another tasty meal. Laughing, talking and just enjoying each other's company.

Jennifer and Kevin have been such gracious hosts, putting us up in their apartment, making reservations at all my favorite places, and making so many logistical maneuvers to shepard this group through the city. We could not be more appreciative of their welcoming arms and hospitality. It's been amazing to be in the city with them at this very beautiful time of the year and my favorite time of the year.

Pictured here is the restaurants' namesake, my Happy Harrison and his proud mama.

I am deeply grateful that my wonderful husband agreed with me to take this adventure and break from our tradition of hosting Thanksgiving. While I am sad to not share the holiday with all my family, I am grateful to be with Jennifer and her family and to be with my boys. To just enjoy them away from our home and all the craziness that life offers. We were able to spend hours talking, enjoying, and laughing and that is a gift I will always treasure.

You can not go back in time. You have to make the memories now, capture what you can especially when you are raising teenagers. Time is so very precious and I feel as if the time we had today and the past few days here in New York with my family has warmed my heart and soul.

Day 218: FIRST DAY: Sunday Football JETS Style

WOW, that's all I can say about our first day in the City! We rose early today after a great flight to New York last night and an amazing welcome dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant! Kid sister Jennifer & her beau Kevin took us to one of their favorite spots in their neighborhood on the upper Eastside. Nothing like a truffle pizza to welcome you to the Big Apple! YUMMY!

Today we had a scrumptious breakfast at another one of their favorite neighborhood joints, Gracie Mews, before we headed off to the brand new Meadowland Stadium in New Jersey for a JETS football game. Harrison had researched the football schedule and discovered that we'd be in New York for a Sunday day game at the brand spanking new 1 billion dollar football arena. It did not disappoint that is for sure. Makes our Los Angeles Staples Center seem like an antique.

So we headed to Penn Station bundled up with jackets, gloves and hoodies. We took a train from Penn Station in Manhattan to Secaucus, New Jersey where we then transferred to a smaller train earmarked for the Meadowland Stadium. There we were us four Californians with a train full of green jersey wearing insane hardcore JETS FOOTBALL fans. That in itself was an experience!

All of us were in awe of the new stadium ... its grandness and newness and of course its prices. Brian and I drank 18 dollar Bloody Mary's! What a way to kick start your Sunday football action.

Our seats were awesome, of course thanks to the hubby Brian Simon. The boys were in awe. They have never been to a professional football game before (only college games) because of course LA doesn't have a professional team. So this was a real treat. And New York fans don't disappoint. For those of you who remember Raider football fans, you get my drift-- hardcore and committed to their team.

Well I gotta tell you the JETS team did not disappoint. I mean the last 49 seconds of the game was some of the best and most exciting sports action I have ever witnessed. I mean jaw dropping excitement as local Southern California boy Mark Sanchez throws a pass to score a touchdown and win the game with seconds remaining. The stadium erupted and we were all hoarse from cheering! The win made the schelp back on the trains bearable!

Pictured here are the boys Spencer & Harrison mowing on prime rib sandwiches! The food & bar area in the new stadium is the bomb! Absolutely a spectacular sports arena.

And as if the daytime adventure wasn't enough we headed back to kid sister Jen's apartment to change for a delicious dinner out on the town.

We hit a place called Peasant in the Chelsea area of New York on the lower Westside. It's a Funky, cool, hip area of the city. The meal did not disappoint. There are no gas ovens -- everything is cooked and prepared in a wood burning oven -- delicious!! And a magnificent wine list too.

Pictured here to the right are kid sister Jennifer and me at yummy Peasant Restaurant. Pictured below is the gang enjoying our beautiful dinner to candlelight!

It was a truly full, fun, and adventuresome day with the family in a great city!

What a way to kick start our New York vacation! WOW!

Day 217: We're Outta Here

We are off ... car arrives momentarily to take us to LAX where we'll board our flight to New York! I will be posting daily about all our activities so you can keep updated on the crazy Simon adventures.

Honestly a part of me is a little nervous about us four - Brian, Harrison, Spencer and me -- flying together while college boy Brandon flies solo out of Portland on Tuesday. As a parent you can't help but have your mind do a number on your emotions... what if our plane goes down? What will happen to my first born son Brandon? What if his plane goes down and he doesn't reach us in New York? I have a pit in my stomach and will until we are all landed safely in the Big Apple.

I love my family to The Moon & Stars & Back Again and can't imagine life without any of them ... just my anxiety kicking in ... I love you all too!

Day 216: Leaving Town Madness

Why is it so difficult to get your family out of town? Why I ask, why? There's the endless washing & packing, and before that there's the shopping for the right clothes --- boys don't have winter coats so again it was off to the Macy's men sale to get them warm attire so they don't spend the week freezing in New York!

Then there's making sure that the house/dog sitter has all the proper information and instructions for handling your home while you are gone, then there's paying the bills in advance so you don't get hit with late fees for not sending in a payment on time.... then there's endless phone calls to make and return, emails to respond to, work commitments to attend to, yikes... getting prepared to split town is exhausting!

So we are outta here tomorrow morning early ... we will arrive in Manhattan by dinner time and will meet up with kid sister Jennifer & beau Kevin for a yummy Italian dinner at one of their favorite spots in their upper Eastside neighborhood.


On Sunday we have tickets to the New York Jets football game at the brand new Meadowland Stadium. We'll be taking the subway to the game with all the enthusiastic fans ... should be an experience. The boys have never been to a professional football game since our hometown Los Angeles doesn't have a pro team. They've been to plenty of college games but this will be their first professional game. Should be a great way to kick-off our week long adventure in New York.

So I finally made the packing decisions and have filled to the brim my huge suitcase. Don't know if I have the right items, but don't care at this point. I'm exhausted getting everything ready to leave home and just want to get there, get settled and get a Manhattan Martini already!

Day 215: Packing Anxiety

Okay, everyone has something that they do not do well ... cooking, dancing, gardening, driving, writing, the list goes on and on with how many tasks we manage daily and the degree in which we perform these chores or activities. Some we shy away from. Others we just never engage in. For me the task that causes me the most anxiety is packing for a trip! Sounds odd doesn't it... I mean you'd think one would be so excited about getting the heck out of town (which I am) that they'd happily throw some items in the bag and hit the road.

For me it's a bit more complicated then that. What if I bring too many clothes? Or not enough? Or not the right clothes... will it be very cold, mildly cold or will an unseasonal heat wave hit the city when I've packed all winter sweaters and scarfs? Such a dilemma I tell you.

The Simon gang departs on Saturday for New York City, yeah! We are going to spend the week and the Thanksgiving Holiday with kid sis Jennifer, her beau Kevin and his 6 year old son Zachary. We are all super excited to be on the East Coast with the cold wintry weather and to spend time with Jennifer & Kevin in their Country home in Hudson, New York.

As you know if you follow my Blog, we usually host Turkey Day and it is always fun & festive.... but this year due to numerous reasons we elected to change it up and try something new. So off we go on Saturday morning. College boy Brandon will fly out of Portland, Oregon on Tuesday and hook up with us then in Manhattan.

We have all kinds of fun activities planned, but that will be another post, today I need to vent about my anxiety surrounding packing the right items ... not just for myself but for the boys too! Can't have them showing up in the city not dressed properly!

So here's the deal for me... as you know I'm a huge accessory queen ... I change my handbag daily to match my outfit. Same with my jewelry... I know it's weird but that's who I am. So when I set out to pack I have to carefully imagine every accessory that goes with each outfit, I sound crazy don't I, again that's me! And I like to have options... do I want to wear slacks, leggings, a skirt out to dinner or walking around .... I don't know what mood I'll be in so I end up bringing all three choices.

It's similar to going to the grocery store and trying to plan dinner for the next 5 nights ... how the hell do I know what I'll want to eat on Thursday if I'm food shopping on a Monday? I need variety and options and don't want to be boxed in ... that's how it is for my clothes!

So tonight begins the process of laying everything out that I believe I will wear and then going crazy because it's all way too much and then I feel overwhelmed and just throw everything in the damn bag... oh such problems!

Day 214: Yep, That's Me

An old dear friend from High School, Beth Bonnet, sent me a message today. She said it reminded her of me ... and I'm flattered ...

Maybe I smile too much. Maybe I wear too much pink, but please remember I can rip your throat out if I need to ...

I laughed so hard when I read this message! It's spot on for me. I believe it characterizes me perfectly. I wake up everyday with intentions to be positive, grateful and happy, but if you cross me or god forbid harm my children or family, I will do serious damage.

So please understand that a happy, blond, pink wearing woman could be your fiercest opponent. My advice, don't mess with her.

And on that happy note ... have a great day :)

Day 213: Serving With Super Women

Tonight I hosted our monthly NWPC Board meeting here at the house. Wow, what a super fun & productive meeting we held. Wonder if it was the wine or just our fabulous energy. Most likely a little bit of both! Either way it was a great way to celebrate our November victories... all our chapter's endorsed candidates won their elections! This alone was cause for celebration.

Check out the fabulous women I serve with on the NWPC LA Westside Board, from left to right: Karriann Farrell Hinds, Rebecca Simon, Serena Josel, Betsy Johnson, Barbara Greene Ruskin, me and missing from the photo because she was taking the picture is co-president Lindsay Bubar!

And of course there was a lot of work to be performed. I have profiled my connection with the National Women's Political Caucus, and the organization's mission to see gender parity, many times on this Blog. I believe more women should be elected to office and in order to achieve this goal we need to fill the "pipeline" as they say ... meaning identifying possible women who demonstrate leadership capabilities, then mentoring them, guiding them and helping them run and be victorious! Sometimes a woman just needs to be asked to run!

So yes in addition to handling our chapter's business as officers on the Board, tonight was also a time for us to connect, eat & drink and celebrate our hard work over the past year in getting some superstar women elected to office.

If you want to learn more about NWPC and our chapter's activities, please visit http://www.nwpclawestside.org/ and become our friend by joining NWPC LA Westside's FaceBook page! Also mark your calendars for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 16th at the Stone Rose Lounge at Sofitel Hotel. This is a great opportunity to mingle with elected leaders, candidates and empowering women. Hope to see you all there!

Day 212: Roasting Peppers

So my kid sis Jennifer is in town for the week for work. She's an analyst at Paramount Pictures. When she comes to town she stays with one of several different family members. With the college boy Brandon away we have an extra room so I always beg her to stay with the crazy Simon's.

So tonight in her honor I decided to make tacos with all the fixings. Fresh cilantro, tomatoes, guacamole... I picked the boys up at 4 from baseball practice and we made the almost hour drive home (damn that LA traffic). We unload the groceries and I tell the boys to try the guacamole and salsa. Spencer and I dig in to taste the samplings.

Only my Harrison would go to the refrigerator, pull out peppers and start slicing them, drizzling them with olive oil and seasoning ... then he proceeds to roast them in the oven! Who the heck roasts peppers at 15 years old (or at any age!) for an after-school snack.

Gotta love my budding chef!

Day 211: The Wooden Bat Tournament

Today the boys had their championship game for the Wooden Bat Tournament which they have been playing in since September. They WON! It was a great team effort by all the players and all the parents were so proud of the boys' performance.

It was a magnificent day here in Los Angeles today. Sun was shining and it was a glorious day to be at the ballpark. Good thing Brian and I enjoy watching the boys play ball because we sure do spend hours sitting in the stands at the baseball field. But it is a wonderful way to spend your time. Outdoors, with friends and watching your children. Can't get much better than that!

It was a great way to end the weekend after the baseball fundraiser last night. I really adore the parents and the boy's on the team. So many of these boys came up to me at the dinner last night to hug me and say hello. The greatest compliment you can receive is when teenagers seek you out to say hello. I feel so honored. I just adore these kids and love being in their company. I love listening to their rap music, watching them play baseball and watching them mature into young men.

It was a terrific championship win and a great day to be at the ball field.

Day 210: Palisades Baseball Traditions

We attended the Palisades High School Baseball Traditions dinner & auction tonight with Harrison & Spencer. All the players are required to attend, and be dressed in coat & ties. This is the annual fundraiser to raise money to fund the baseball program at the boys High School.

Public schools no longer have the funds to support athletic, music, drama or art programs. It's up to the parents and community to supplement the budget shortfall.

So off we went all dolled up with the boys looking so dapper in their new suits -- I only wish teenage girls were in attendance because all the baseball players looked so handsome & dapper!

Brian and I had a blast visiting with fellow baseball parents! One of the guest speakers was a real treat to hear, especially for Brian. It was Brian's old baseball coach from University High School -- Frank Cruz, now the baseball Coach at University of Southern California.

Frank spent twelve years as the head coach at Loyola Maramount University, before moving over to USC this year. Well the sweetest thing is when Coach Cruz gave a "shout out" to his former baseball player Brian Simon! What a treat for Brian's boys to hear that even after so many years, coach still remembers the outstanding baller and promising player Brian was ... only if a different course had been encouraged, who knows what Brian's life would have been had he pursued baseball!

The entire evening was a plus for us as we watched our young, maturing teenage boys laugh with their teammates and listen to the great speakers. Not only did prominent coaches speak, but a baseball recruiter from the Washington Mariners talked about what he looks for in players ... and a former Palisades High School baseball player spoke about how he is now in the MLB, drafted in the 5th round out of Pepperdine University (my Alma mater) and what it took to get him where he is today.

Whatever happens with the boys and their baseball careers, the experience and the program they are involved in is teaching them far more than just how to swing a bat or throw a perfect pitch. It is developing them into young men who can be leaders and tonight we couldn't have been more proud of our young men!

Day 209: Who Is That Woman Driving?

I'm sorry but I've never seen a more gorgeous and adorable Indy Race Car Driver! Oh my gosh could she be any cuter? I don't think so!

It's Heather Carter, Brian's fearless right hand person at Corner Construction Co., Inc. Last weekend she went to Las Vegas to the Mario Andretti driving academy and drove laps just like the real race car drivers. Crazy!

This was one of her "bucket list" items and so now she can check it off the list! She tells me she also wants to do NASCAR driving and trapeze... lots of chutzpa for such a small cookie!

Heather tells me she was the only woman driving the course that day! You Go Girl!

How wonderful to go for your dreams, as wild or crazy as they may be.... Miss Heather has just gone for it! I love her spirit. I know people thought I was crazy when I ran for public office. And maybe I was. But I did it and am still standing to talk about it, loss and all. And others think I'm crazy for attempting to run a marathon - all 26.2 miles.

But these are the things that make our lives challenging. When we step out of our comfort zone and fulfill our "bucket list" items, we feel alive. You can't always play it safe, adventure gets the blood pumpin' in your soul and it's so important.

Taking risks, attempting difficult challenges, going for your goals, trying new experiences, this is what living is!

Kudos to Heather for being such an inspiration and fulfilling one of her many "bucket list " items. I'm not sure if I want to drive a race car, but my marathon running is plenty fast for me!

If you have an adventure you are working towards or have already accomplished and you want to share, please send me photos as we all need a little inspiration daily!

Girl Power Rocks! Keep making us proud Heather!

Day 208: Thank You

Thank you to all the men and women who serve in our military. Today is their day to be recognized, appreciated and honored. Whatever your plans include, I hope you take a moment to pause and give thanks for all the freedoms we enjoy in America. Too often we take our liberties for granted. Look around the world and you will see how lucky we are to live in a democracy.

I am grateful and I say thank you to all our service people stationed abroad and here in the United States.

Peace.

Day 207: What's Going On?

Ugh, I'm so sad and anxious tonight. On the heels of so many tragic losses of young people in our community, today I have heard more stories about challenges with freinds' children then my heart can process.

No matter what the issue, school, mental illness, sickness when your child is hurting your world is turned upside down. If an adult is sick your heart aches too, but not the same way as when it is a child. Our children are suppose to skip through life healthy and happy and we do everything possible to ensure no tragedy crosses their path. It's an impossible task even for the best of parents.

All you have to do is watch the news, or read the newspaper to know how terrible children's lives around the world are, breaks your heart that that level of pain and suffering exists. You pray it never enters your world, but it does. Pain, illness, sickness have no boundaries and all our children are susceptible to these ailments.

I remember two years ago when my son's pal was diagnosed with Leukemia. We were all devastated. How could a young boy just 13 years old have cancer? While my rational brain knows this happens everyday, until it personally touches you or your family, you don't want to beleive it happens.

I just have such a heavy heart. I want all the problems to go away. I want all the children to be healthy.

Day 206: When A Friend Needs You

I cherish my friendships. Always have. And I take them seriously. I also give a hell of a lot to my relationships. I mean I really give. Of my time, energy, love and compassion. That's why if I feel you don't show me the respect and mutual love that I believe a friendship requires to be successful, then I move on. I have way too many people in my life and not enough time to waste it being in the company of those who I believe have either "dissed" me, not treated me right or basically don't give a damn about me. I give too much to be in this type of relationship.

Another quality I have is loyalty. I have written about my loyalty to people, vendors, friends, and family before on my Blog ... I stay forever... if you are a soul sister or brother, you'll have my heart forever, but not if you treat me wrong. As I approach 50 I have evaluated a lot of relationships ... those that don't offer me anything, have been dropped. I feel like it's an honor to have me in your life. And for my true, dear friends they are cherished and honored in my life.

I received a call today from a friend I met more than 30 years ago when we both were enrolled in an internship program in Washington, D.C. during our junior year of college. She was from New York, me from Los Angeles. She was an Italian Catholic, me an LA Jew. We bonded then and it's lasted all these years. We had our first child the same year. Her son is now a sophomore at University of California, Santa Cruz, mine at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. We both went on to have two more kids... I flew to Berkeley to attend her baby shower and she returned the love to me by flying to Los Angeles during my campaign.

She left a voicemail message today for me. After listening to it I had a pinge in my stomach. Something wasn't right. Her voice didn't sound like the soulful, joyful voice it had always been. This friend was so committed to our friendship that during my campaign for City Council in 2009 she flew to Los Angeles with her teenage daughter during the GOTV (Get Out The Vote) part of my campaign to walk precincts and cheer me on. She wanted to show her daughter a real woman's champion.... I couldn't have been more touched. I had friends here in LA that didn't show up for anything, yet here was a person who flew into town to be with me during one of the most significant times of my life. That says a lot about the character of a person and about our connection.

So today when I heard her voice I knew something was up. When I called her back I reached her voicemail ... I left a message saying I was worried... she sent me back an email saying that she was en route to pick her son up from school, but indeed she was in a funk, and asked how the hell did I know? I knew because that's what friends do. They know when a friend is hurting.

When was the last time you checked on those you cherish? If it's been awhile you better get a move on!

Day 205: Our Bed Update

Those of you following my Blog have read about our bed saga. After 10 years we purchased a new mattress. When the new mattress arrived and we slept on it for a few nights both Brian and I agreed it felt like sleeping on a slap of cement. While we both prefer a firm mattress to a soft one, this was way over firm!

So after some two months of giving it a try, we realized it was time to return the mattress and select a new one. As you know if you have ever bought a new mattress, this is no easy task. So today Brian and I were once again laying on several mattresses in the middle of the store. What an awkward experience it is... you feel like your sharing a bed with lots of strangers!

I almost fell asleep at one point on one of the mattresses. I figured that was the one to go with.... don't ya think? I couldn't decide though if it was such a great bed or my body was just so tired from running 7 miles up hills this morning and then running around like the mad woman I am. Come 4 o'clock when we met up at the store I was due for a nap I thought!

In any event, Macy's was terrific and agreed to take our mattress back for no restocking fee and we placed an order for the new mattress. Should arrive this week. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep because I gotta tell you, it hasn't been a smooth sleep for the past two months.

Ah, what we do to sleep like a baby again!

Day 204: 15 Years Today

Crazy to imagine, but my mom, the beautiful Suzanne Sherman, passed away 15 years ago today, November 7th. She was 55 years young when her dreadful cancer got the best of her.

I know I join with my sisters and family & friends in saying that we all miss her. I went to the cemetery today with a huge bouquet of orange flowers. Like me, she loved Fall and all it had to offer. She was born in October, had auburn hair and loved Halloween & Thanksgiving as much as I do.

She loved the beach too. This picture is taken in front of her home (the grey one with the yellow staircase in the background) in Santa Monica. I am pregnant with my twin boys. I gave birth two weeks after this photo was taken. She died 3 months after this picture was captured.

When someone dies so young, you have to hold on tight to the memories you created together when they were alive, otherwise your mind drifts to all that was missed in their absence. Like how my twin sons Harrison & Spencer were only 3 months old when she died ... or that my niece Esme, wasn't even born. But she carries Mom's name, Suzanne, as her middle name. Or that she never got to see her daughter Jennifer graduate from college or fall in love. How many things she missed out on, and how much we all missed out on not having her here.

All of Suzanne's children and grandchildren carry on her memory & legacy - that's what they mean about the circle of life. So invest everything you can in making memories with your loved one's so that when they are gone the warm thoughts of you being together will carry you through on dark days like today.

Rest in peace Susu.

Day 203: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwichs

I've lived in Los Angeles my entire life... 49 years. Except for 4 years in San Fransisco to attend college and 6 months in Washington, DC to do an internship at a television station during my junior year of college. So I am always up for finding a new spot that I have not visited before or even known of ... always a surprise to me to learn of a new eatery that's been around along time.

After Harrison & Spencer's baseball game this morning, a bunch of the Dad's were taking the boys for Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. Of course my meat eating boys wanted to join in. So off we went to find Philly West Bar & Grill on Westwood Boulevard in Westwood. Never heard of the place, but I was up for the adventure.

What a surprise. It's a little hole in the wall joint that serves one of the best beef sandwiches for 5 bucks! We gobbled our yummy sandwiches while 3 huge TV monitors played the college football games. To say my boys and their teammates were happy is an understatement! Watching them mow down their Philly steak sandwiches was so fun and I was so happy to find a new divvy bar & eatery! Can't wait to go again!