#my41

My babies: Devon, Colton and Luca Sunsets over the gulf and the peace that they bring Lullabies that Mom-moms sing, that moms sing, that I sing A smile that shines so bright it lights up your heart and everyone else's at the same time All things Christmas Ocean air and the moment my feet touch the sand Long quiet hikes in crisp cold weather Dancing in the club, at a wedding, in the kitchen, in the bedroom Watching my kids play, excel, participate in anything that brings them joy Baking the best banana bread ever New York Mommy/daughter trips with the first one All the red wine Receiving anything in the mail that you don't expect Big bear hugs from my middle one KitchenAid mixers that make everything better Blueberry picking in New Jersey and eating more than you pick Siblings that know all your memories and ugly parts and still love you Stay at home movies in a warm snugglie bed on a cold night Good belly laughs that you only get with great girlfriends Rainy days at home that result in movies and crafts and a big mess Great tennis when it all comes together and you think damn I should have been a professional! (Not) In general- all chocolate Late night snuggles with the last one The solitude and comfort of tradition that I find in church Warm sunshine on your face and the smile it puts on your grandmother's Big spoonfuls of Pomegranate arils Calling an old friend you haven’t seen and its like no time has passed Watching your sweet baby sleep The sheer competitive joy of sporting events Harry Potter/Twilight movie marathons Wishing on 11:11 Running fast, running slow, just running The ability to travel and see the world with those you love The first lightening bug you see in June Shoes because they always fit even on your bloated days Snow days and the hot chocolate that warms The comfort of a good book and knowing another is waiting when you're done Home for the Holidays (best movie ever) which begins the best time of year Genuine love in another's eyes be it your partner, your family, your child and it warms you from the inside out Our earth, it's light, it's endless possibilities and limitless journeys it gives to us

We always start our meal time with, "What was the best and worst part of your day?" I love this simple statement because it gives me insight into what is going on in my kids’ precious lives, both good and bad. Being they are children of divorce with a very involved father, I only get them a little more than half the time, so I take full advantage! They pretend to hate me for this, but I think they secretly love it.

The things I find out are fantastic, sad, heartwarming, funny, and scary. There are things I would rather un-hear like how one kid they know is trying to see how long he can go without showering or how they egged a neighbor's house and didn't get caught (uh that's not okay buddy). But for the most part, I have learned great things, important things about their loves, anxieties, accomplishments, and general life.  

Here and there we will throw in a random question or a would you rather. The other night I asked, "If all food had the same nutritional value, and you automatically get water and you had to choose one food and one drink for the rest of your life, what would you pick?" Not so easy people! Being the food/alcohol addict that I am, it took me a little longer than my kids to answer.

Here are the responses…

Luca: Pizza. I think he already lives on this. Is that bad?  And Coke. I could have bet my house on this one.  Just what the world needs 12 year-olds running around on caffeine sugar highs and apparently egging houses…

Colton: Butterfingers. Gross. And Pina Colada. Totally understand and okay with that one.

Devon: Kiwi. Seriously? Weirdo health- nut. Of ALL the food in the world, you pick Kiwi? And black coffee. I don't drink coffee but I am thankful that it exists to make people like my daughter and sister happy in the morning.

Me: Red wine. This was a no-brainer. If you have kids, this needs no explanation. The possibilities are endless. And after careful thought - Raisinets!!  Part fruit, part dessert = total heaven. To me, there is no better food and I can have 9,000 a day and its the same as eating broccoli?? Duh. I did almost pick pizza too but then realized I am hormonal half the month and need chocolate.

I run when I am fat. I run when I am skinny. I run when I am pregnant. I run when I am injured and sick and when my body hurts. I run as long as my legs will carry me.  I run to celebrate happiness, mend my soul when I am sad, to agonize in a defeat or delight in a victory. I run to reduce stress and to appreciate the little things.

I run to be in nature. I run to see the world. Alongside sunrises in the Caribbean, over old bridges in Florence, past the White House in D.C., through the Redwoods of California, up a mountain in Colorado, during the cold in Chicago. I run to feel healthy, to stay sane.

I run to be able to wear my skinny jeans and to eat endless Raisinets, to eat carbs and have a sharp mind. I run to hear new music and feel old music. I run to buy cute athletic clothes, and great new shoes. I run to smile and for love.

I run to meditate and clear my mind. I run to hear my thoughts. I run to feel alive and hear my heart beat. I run to live longer. I run to reduce my blood pressure and to sleep better. I run to escape my crazy life. I run to be present in that same life. 

41. What is this age? It's fantastic and terrible at the same time. God has blessed us and cursed us with all of these wonderful things to do to ourselves that keep us looking and feeling younger. I honestly don't feel like I look 41 but damn, it is a battle! This shit just doesn't happen on its own people! It takes a village, literally. There are all kinds of crazy things I do for and to myself daily regarding fitness, mental health, skincare and nutrition.

When one of my friends found a deal on Microneedling and suggested I try it, I googled it and thought what the hell? The point of this treatment is to create microscopic punctures deep into your skin which in turn stimulates collagen production, which in turn helps us look younger longer.  How bad could it be? All kinds of celebrities have done it and look great and now we can do it too? I’m in. You would think the picture of the roller filled with needles or my hatred of pain would deter me, but no, nothing ever does deter me somehow.

Thanks to Groupon not only do I try way too many things in neighborhoods I probably shouldn't go in, I also do things to my face and body, mostly enjoyable, but that are also probably questionable too. Thankfully, my aesthetician does this procedure so I made my appointment with her. When I arrived, she lulled me into submission with a dark room and a warm cozy bed. She then washed my face and put numbing cream all over it.  If the small tiny needle weapon isn't your first indicator of how painful its going to be then maybe the topical anesthetic cream they apply all over your face as soon as you get there, should be? No matter, like a dummy, I was grateful for the numbing pain meds and my heated blanket.

The numbing cream set for 30 minutes and then we began. She used the roller all over my face. The procedure is very quick and honestly, most of it didn’t hurt. The places that were uncomfortable are the places with less or sensitive skin, like the forehead, nose and lip area. When she rolled over those areas I dug my nails into my hand and was saying fuck you under my breath. After about 10 minutes of the needle rolling, she rubbed a cream all over my face (more efforts to stimulate something) and put the cooling mask on (lovely picture above) and I relaxed for awhile.

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t have to be the weekend to drink, having our beautiful children entitles us to this magnificence any time we wish. A little wine, a lot of vodka, a beer or two- it doesn’t matter- it just makes you happy and really is the best invention ever. Thank you ancient Egypt for figuring out how to ferment and thus give us alcohol. Props to you. To save face with the all the haters, let’s call it our “start the weekend drink”, even though we all know better.

Normally my first post about alcohol would be paying homage to Patron the amazing, feel good, no inhibitions superness (yes, I make up words) of a tequila that I adore. I promise there will be plenty of posts about tequila, both good and bad, but through the summer I came to love the Mojito, drank quite a few and became a big fan. I especially love a twist, like adding any kind of fruit and revamping for fall like with this cranberry recipe. I also like drinks that aren’t too sweet, so if you are a tropical fruit, grenadine, hang-over juice drink lover, this probably isn’t for you.  

I will tell you what to do but keep in mind this isn't writing class and I'm not a bartender so I may skip a step. At some point, you just have to use your imagination. It’s got alcohol in it so how bad can it be?

The ingredients for 1 perfect drink:

1 ghetto muddler (above is technically an avocado masher) Don’t judge me- I do own a real muddler. The whereabouts are unknown at the present time. I have used a wooden spindle bought from home depot as well. The point being: find and use what you can to crush/muddle these ingredients!

12 fresh mint leaves 1/2 tbsp brown sugar juice from 1 lime (I like a lot of lime) 1/3 cup cranberries

Put above ingredients in the bottom of a glass and gently muddle. You just want to mix the mint, cranberries and sugar- not make juice.

Add this to a glass filled with ice and 2 oz of Rum (whatever brand and obvs i use more than 2 oz but we have to stick to a recipe.)   Top off glass with club soda If you want to make it pretty, add lime or mint garnish as desired. Normally I would leave these off... but we have to take a pretty picture.

The “Mom Jean” trend might be the most terrible fashion trend in the last five jabillion years. When my daughter and her friends came in my house wearing them the first time, I was like, “What in the hell?” All these cute teenage booties and legs wearing things that were now probably in the back of the Goodwill (not even good enough to put out in the front).

Note to self: if there are a ton of websites giving you ideas on how to look great in this trend and ideas on how to make it work, it's probably not going to work. Second note to self: if Kylie Jenner looks awkward in this jean that's a good indication that we will look more than awkward.

Evolution is the reason that this fit went out of style years ago. Now, fabric is better, cuts are better and designers have figured out how to work denim on a woman's body. These designers must be bored because somehow this jean that gave me Buddha belly and long ass in high school is back. Respectfully, no thank you.

Fortunately, if you like to look attractive in your jeans, and also trendy (which I do), there are many other options. I mean, let’s be honest, anything is a better option. I actually love a skinny jean but boot cut jeans are back again and this is a good thing. They elongate your leg and they are flattering on pretty much everyone. Above is my favorite new one from Express. This one is called the Barely Boot Mid Rise. Little bit of stretch, not too low that your punanni is hanging out and not too high that you feel like you are in an 80s music video. You can see me here next to the lovely skinny model. I also love Express jeans because they are affordable ($79 for the above ) and they come in 3 lengths. Not all of us are long legged hoes.