visit my website www.robynrittersimon.com
Had a fabulous beach run today with gal pal Melody Roset! We ran our favorite course along Pacific Coast Highway and even pushed ourselves to run up Temescal Canyon!
Well it really wasn't a push for Melody, but it was for me! Ouch! Have you ever run up that incline? Let me tell you... you want a good looking booty for your bikini this summer, then get your hide over to the Palisades and up that route. It felt GREAT! A wonderful challenge!
And then I was rewarded and treated by Melody to a delicious lunch at Back on the Beach! One of my FAVORITE spots along the coast! We sipped wine (don't tell anyone) and shared a delicious salad & sandwich. It was a perfect way to kick start my birthday week! Thank you dear Melody for working my ass so hard then treating me to a priceless lunch on the beach!
Wow, I cannot believe I am days away from the Big 5-0! Can't believe I've been writing my Birthday BLOG for 360 days either! Double snaps for me, that's for sure! This is a big week for me with all types of birthday festivities on the calendar!
On Thursday, we have our 50 for 50 celebration! My board sisters of the National Women's Political Caucus are hosting a 50 for 50 party... a $50 contribution in honor of my 50 years! Pretty cool if you ask me!
I'm honored to be honored! It's taken a lot of effort to produce the event, but the end result will be a healthy PAC account for us to share with our endorsed women candidates! And all while we kick start the 50 Birthday festivities.
I hope you'll be there on Thursday to support NWPC & me!
Went to the dentist today for my bi-yearly teeth cleaning appointment. Always an activity I look forward to, not! Oh well, it's all part of the maintenance which I write about frequently.
Keeping the teeth clean, polished and germ free is just what ya got to do to stay healthy. Of course I needed a set of x-rays, I swear every time I visit that office I'm paying for more then just the teeth cleaning.
Anyway the dentist says I have the beginnings of a cavity. Really? How does a woman, days away from turning 50, have a cavity! Oh the joy's of maintenance!
Wow! Hard to believe we are closing in on one year since I launched my Birthday Blog! Oh my goodness one week from today I will be 50 years old and will have BLOGGED faithfully daily for an entire year.... wow!! Yippee for me! Kudos to me! Snaps for me for sure!!!
What an accomplishment to set goals and see them through to fruition. Not only did I keep my commitment to BLOG daily, but to also train tirelessly to run my first Marathon, which I completed as well. And to enter my 50s healthy & happy! Wow again for me. Snaps again for me!!!
I can not impress upon you all enough how important it is that we set goals for ourselves. For us personally, for our career, families, relationships and do whatever we can to keep those commitments and see them through till completion... it's been a wonderful year from 49 to almost 50 ... hard to believe I was in New York one year ago plotting my strategy to BLOG and to run a marathon ... and PUFF one year later and I can check those items off my TO DO list... feels great!
Powerful day! A room full of energetic women!
I spoke at the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference this morning and stayed to soak up some of the terrific speakers throughout the day. Pictured here with me is Genevieve Morrill President & CEO of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and one of our terrific lunchtime panelists.
So enjoyed her remarks!I was hired to kick off the morning session and get the attendees energized for the day ahead of them. I believe I succeeded in making all participants feel comfortable and good about their choice to spend their Saturday at the Conference!These are some of my remarks which I shared with attendees:We are all works-in-progress no matter what age or stage of life we are in. Continuing to learn and grow is healthy and vital to staying current and fresh. Sometimes a new idea can aid us in viewing our work, our family, or community from a different lens. We are never finished; we should always aspire to be better, stronger, and more purposeful.Later in the afternoon I supported my NWPC sisters Lindsay Bubar & Betsy Johnson as they led a workshop on How to Get Elected or Appointed to Office. 
Pictured here is me attending the workshop and sharing a funny antidote from my campaign trails!
There's something very powerful & invigorating when you spend the day in the company of talented, strong and passionate women... all sharing their ideas, thoughts and energy. I applaud the organizers of the conference and hope that all who attended enjoyed their day!
Go Women Power!
I adore my baseball Mom's. That's right, my baseball mom's. These are the women I spend HOURS with in the stands. Schmoozing about our son's; tracking the game activities; gossiping a bit about anything; I mean the games can run over two hours, some three times a week so seriously, you have to have some bonds to chat the hours away!
I had lunch with a baseball mom today to celebrate our shared Aries Birthday's. Too fun to talk about our boy's, their talents, their weaknesses, what the future could be for them... I'm grateful for these ladies.
Can you imagine if you didn't bond with your baseball gals how long these game could be! Today was another game, thank goodness a victory for our Palisades Team. Life is sweet.
Okay people I need your help! I need to get my Followers number up to 100 in the next 11 days!
I've posted about this before... I know there are many of you who are sneakers on to my site, or checking it out, but you are not registering as a follower and it's killing me!
In order for me to use my BLOG to advance my goals I need you to let the world know that you follow my musings! So please register as a follower... shout it from the roof tops... tell your friends to sign up too!
I really want to make this goal of 100 Followers by my 50th Birthday on April 17 ... help me reach this goal ... it's the BEST Birthday present you could give me!
Have you signed up yet to attend the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference this Saturday? I hope you have!
I've been hired to kick-off the conference during the morning session beginning at 9 a.m. I'll be getting attendees pumped up for the day that awaits them, and incorporating a few activities to get the audience participating. The conference has terrific speakers to lead wonderful workshops on everything from building your brand, increasing your public relations knowledge, to how to run for public office.
To learn more about the conference & to register visit:
www.WEHO.org/WLC
I hope to see you Saturday morning!
Started the day with a very intense workout - The Bar Method! If you have not tried these classes yet, I HIGHLY recommend you check them out! Very intense, specific body sculpting! I must have done 40 push-ups and my back muscles are feeling the effects of such a workout! Wow! Yikes...
Then it was off to meet with Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee along with some of my National Women's Political Caucus sisters. Betty is eying the State Controller's seat for the year 2014. Crazy to think that to run a state wide campaign in California you have to begin laying your groundwork so many years in advance. But that's the way it's done, especially if you are serious and want to garner as much support as possible. Betty is on target on all the issues I care about... check her out if you get the chance and I'm sure I'll be spreading her candidacy more with you over the next few years!
Then it was off to the hand specialist to have Spencer checked again. Spencer was hit on his left hand by a pitch and it cracked his bone! Can you believe it, cracked his bone in his hand! He's been in a brace for two weeks and not able to play ball. Doc said he is recovering & healing and can get back to practices later this week. Thank goodness there's no permanent damage.
Then we headed to Santa Monica Seafood to pick up fresh fish for dinner... oh my goodness, I'm exhausted. Too many activities on the agenda, too much to pay attention to ...
I'm off to bed now.
Yikes, I can't remember the last time hubby Brian and I stayed out until 3 a.m.! Oh my gosh! Wow did we have fun! We attended a friends' 50th Birthday party at a magnificent and new beautiful restaurant in West Hollywood... Fig & Olive! It was scrumptious & elegant!
We had so much fun visiting with guests, eating a delicious meal, and it was a special treat because our two teenage boys Harrison & Spencer were also invited! They were all dressed up looking very dapper & handsome and it was nice to be out on a Saturday night with them!
When the party was winding down we were invited to join my friend and her family in a limo ride for some late night cocktails! Oh my goodness, we rode around in a disco lit Hummer limo! I was cracking up! It's been years since Brian and I had so much fun dancing along with stropping lights & blaring music! We hit a few hot spots for cocktails and ended arriving home at 3 in the morning.
Oh my gosh is all I can say!
My routine has now become so extensive and involved that it takes me two days to get my act together to be presentable! Damn when did this all happen?
We are attending a friend's 50th Birthday party tonight so it's off to the hair salon for perfect curls with a slight up-do, it's off to the manicure shop for cuticle cutting and fresh nail polish, it's off to the cosmetic counter for fresh
new sparkling lip gloss... sometimes I'm more exhausted prepping for the party, then I am from attending our soirees (ha-ha).
No one ever said getting older would be easy, but damn this is a battle. I feel like I'm at war with my bulge, gray hair and everything else in between!
Well, don't you worry I'm going to WIN this battle if it kills me!
Wow, it's a lot of work to maintain this face & body of mine! It's hair color, new weaves, tinting eyebrows, new moisturizers & cosmetics... just keeping up with everything can be overwhelming! And the more years that are piled on, the more work this maintaining becomes.
I mean it used to be that the expression "keeping up with the Jones'" meant you had to achieve and strive for everything everyone else has! Well that's just nonsense, the only thing I'm keeping up with is myself!
And it takes a lot of time, effort, resources, and energy! I'm exhausted with just getting myself ready for the weekend (ha-ha).
Manicure & pedicure, blow-dry, eyelash extensions, hair color, shopping, accessorizing.... when did it become such a struggle to just maintain!
Ah, what a glorious way to kick start your day! I was back at the beach this morning, this time not to run, but to power walk with gal pal Jill. Oh, what a glorious morning!
We walked at least 6 miles and then rewarded ourselves with a yummy breakfast at Back on the Beach! Talk about feeling like being on vacation in your own city!
We marveled at all the babies and mommies playing at the Annenberg Park right next to the restaurant. We reminisced about when our now college and high school aged children, were that young and scrumptious. Part of us felt a yearning to go back to those days of cuddles and cuteness, while the other part rejoiced in a life lived full and now an opportunity to take a walk and not have the demand of babies. Although we both agreed, raising teenagers and college aged children might not be as physically demanding, but it certainly tests your parenting skills mentally! Jill and I met when we were 13 years old, the same age we met Brian Simo
n too. We both turn 50 in the next few weeks. Wow! So many years, so many memories. As we sat on the beach watching youth in front of us, we reflected on life, marriage, parenting, careers, friendships, vacations, death ... and of course what we vision for the next chapter, the next 50 years of our life.It was a beautiful morning and I felt blessed to share it with with my dear, special friend Jill. Take stock folks in what you have, friendships are a gift, make sure you nurture them.
What a glorious day here in Los Angeles today! It felt great to get back to my running after a little post marathon break. Today Melody and I headed back to one of our favorite spots to run... Santa Monica beach.
We changed it up a bit and ran in the sand. Oh my gosh, talk about a killer workout for your tushy and calves. It felt great! As crazy as it might sound, given the marathon was not even two weeks ago, I want to run another race!
I know it's crazy thinking, but I want to run and have a "happier" race with better elements and a better finish time! So I'm going to run a half marathon in the next couple months and then figure out which next Marathon to sign up for!
Run Robyn Run!
Greetings my devoted BLOG supporters! Hard to believe that I am closing in on one year of daily posting on my Birthday BLOG... a project I began, April 17, 2010 and have been faithful with through now.
I love having an outlet to share thoughts, musings, opinions, sarcasm, love, anger... and everything in between! I love writing about my family, especially my sons, and I love writing about my wonderful friends and the very active life I lead. Sometimes I will go back and read posts, and even I am impressed with how much I juggle!
So here's the dealio ... many of you visit this site, because you tell me you have read a particular post, but you are not signed up as a follower. Here's my challenge... I want to have 100 followers (minimum) by my 50th Birthday on April 17.
Can you help me achieve this very simple goal by becoming a follower if you are not already and then share my BLOG with your contacts and invite them to sign up to follow me. It sure would make me happy...
While it's always terrific to go away, returning home is a struggle. All the tasks you perform on a daily basis are backlogged, and you spend the first 24 hours upon returning just playing catch-up. Here are just a few of the projects I am juggling today and beyond...
Preparing for my speaking engagement at the West Hollywood Women's Leadership Conference on April 9th... are you registered yet? www.weho.org/wlc/
Organizing for the 50 for 50 National Women's Political Caucus event on April 14th in which I am being honored for turning 50 ... who knew getting older had such benefits! Please join me! Invitation link below:
http://www.punchbowl.com/parties/1889442-national-women-s-political-caucus-la-westside-present-s-50-for-50
Filling forms out and writing deposits for the boy's San Diego Spring break baseball tournament... April 18 - 21
Filling out forms and writing checks for Camp Harmony for the boys volunteer work over the summer... www.UnitedinHarmony.org
Keeping baseball uniforms clean for 3 games this week.... that's a minimum of 9 hours at the baseball field watching baseball in 5 days, that doesn't include the 12 hours this past weekend at the field in Salem, Oregon at Willamette University...
Securing, filling out applications and sending deposit for housing for the college boy in Oregon for next year...
Making sure proper attire is on hand for teenage boys and myself for big 50th birthday shin-dig this weekend for a good friend ...
Bringing down the Valentine's candy (yes I'm a little behind) and getting Spring candy filled in the famous kitchen candy drawers...
Trying to figure out how to get the boys to both the orthodontist and dentist when baseball means they are not home till 7 or later every night...
Buying new boxers for the boys since every pair either has holes or doesn't belong to them (what's with all these teenage boys leaving their underwear everywhere they sleep!)
Stocking the frig with food after being out of town and of course retuning with nothing left in the cupboards... Visiting 
the DMV to get license plates put on the car ...
Coordinating with the computer tech gal to get printer up and running (it was working before I left for Oregon and surprisingly I return and it's broken now, wonder how that happened?)
Running, yes have to get back on the road, don't want to lose all my hard work...
It just goes on and on and on.... it is a full and active life that is for sure, I just need to also find time to BREATHE ...
I'm tired writing this list, and now I've got to actually execute all this ...
Ah, to be in college again. It really is a very fascinating and fabulous time in one's life. The opportunity to learn, absorb, grow as a person, meet new friends, dream, ponder, be excited about the future and be in love. What could be better?
Not really sure when in life you have the opportunity to focus on just YOURSELF. Many never get the chance. For those that are lucky enough to attend college, it really is something to relish and appreciate! Once you graduate it's into the real world... well that's a post for another day... today's remarks are about how much fun I am having here in Salem, Oregon with my college son Brandon and his fabulous friends!Check out my boy Brandon (on the right) talking with his pitching coach after throwing another stellar game and picking up the WIN!
I had such a wonderful visit meeting and spending time with Brandon's
friends and hanging out with all the parent's in the stands. It made me feel so happy to meet the terrific friends Brandon has selected. Our friend and fabulous photographer Kalli Norimoto joined the weekend fun to watch the baseball games with us and we all laughed, ate and had fun together.Pictured to the right are Brandon and Kalli in their Willamette University gear! Go Bearcats! Tonight Brandon, his friends and I headed to dinner. Too fun for me to listen to them talk about the future, the moment, what's important.... was I ever that young? 
Pictured here is Brandon's baseball teammate Chris and his girlfriend Alex, both good friends of Brandon's up at Willamette! Too cute!Spending time with your children, no matter their age, is a gift. Your children wanting you to spend time with them and their friends, is priceless.
I was honored and proud to be his Mom and he was happy I was there with him. Love to Brandon, Kalli, Alex, Chris, Jake, Parker and his beautiful mom Sue. Here's to more great times at Willamette University.
It was a Good Day to be a BEARCAT!
