The 31 Days to a Better Blog Problogger Workbook is what I read again and again to revitalize ideas to my blogs! Now the updated 2012 is here and at 50% off (until 12/23/11)! This downloadable ebook has simple steps that I liked and enjoyed.  I totally recommend to anyone interested in blogging -  

Click here for details & 50% off ($29.99, but get it this week for only $14.99!)

 Happy Holidays!

I was right huh? FUNNY!!  Go ahead, SHARE, book mark  and LAUGH - it's good for you!

Merrill is a humorist writer who was one of the creators of the David Letterman Show. Along the way she won five Emmys for the Letterman Show as well as a Writer's Guild Award for HBO's Not Necessarily the News. She now writes books about talking dogs among others and makes hilarious short videos.

I recently got to see her at a writer’s salon in Orange County where she was promoting her latest book Cool, Calm & Contentious . She was just as fantastic as I knew she would be.  Her sense of humor is edgy, quirky, a little dark and very true to life.

I invite you to check out her books, you won’t be disappointed!  Cheers!

 

PS - 90 point wines under $20 at Wine.com. Shop Now!

Here is one of my favorite quick videos – it's simple and stretches your back your lower back in the most amazing way....and of course FREE ;-) Go ahead, give it a try....

If you can't see it click here to go to Hulu Yoga Zone

So what happened to my beloved ZUMBA? Hey, at the moment,  if I move my body THAT way I’ll end up in the hospital. LOL For now, slow and easy…with Yoga.

Here is one more video for you , a more hippieish one Hippieish Yoga

 C’mon YOU have 20 min – go for it!  Bookmark this page, send it to yourself, to a friend, whatever, but do one of them.  You will smile.

Cheers!

My Bread: The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method

Villa Mansa Hotel - Mendoza, Argentina

Belasco de Baquedano's Winery - Mendoza, Argentina

Pulenta Estates Winery - Mendoza, Argentina

How did this all happen?  I discovered something amazing… there is a day dedicated to paying homage to wine… “Malbec World day”, of all days it’s on April 17th….YES…my birthday!  How in the world can I NOT go to Mendoza, Argentina, the land of Malbec AND where we have family – AND on MY birthday?  How?!  I just got my vacation approved at work and I am READY! Who is joining us?!
Click here More to come – Cheers!

PS - 90 point wines under $20 at Wine.com. Shop Now!

What is it? It makes fun at Whole Foods and those of us to shop there, but in a playful and entertaining way. It’s filmed in Venice and Santa Monica with his friends…without permission but a clever sense of wit.

It’s about a guy in a Prius trying to park at a Whole Foods parking lot on the Westside of LA and his experience once inside the store.  The composer, David Whitman aka DJ Dave takes a gangsta' rap format to make fun of the absurdities of our lifestyles; the fancy things we buy that cost too much, the cars we drive, the products we use… It’s a snapshot of our culture, in OC, the Westside, SF, etc.

You’ve got to watch it, it’s hilarious!  Listen for some of the funny lyrics. Also the rhymes  -- “quinoa” and “Humboldt Fog Cheese”.

• “Pay my $80 bucks for my 6 things and get the heck out”
• “You know the deal with the little shopping carts they got”
• “These folks with clipboards are looking at me like they know me”
• “Organic chicken, kale salad with a lemon twist”
• “I’ve been on edge since they took Kombucha off the shelf”

Ok, I love it and I am going to watch it one more time “brah”!  (Rhymes with Quinoa – did you catch that?) LOL

Cheers!

PS – Life can’t be that hard when a BAD day includes buying organic chicken…c’mon!

 The spread had a 70’s slant to it.  

• Devilled eggs
• Scrumptious saltines – lot and lots of them
• Tuna and mayo mixture as a dip
• Beautifully rolled ham (for sandwiches) in between the devilled eggs




The friend who was coming over was my most Martha Stewardish-type friend.  When we go over to her place, she has a theme, a table scape and home made food to die for - always.  Luckily both of she and her husband, are good friends who are lovely people and I knew they would say nothing about the “spread”…or lack there of…

Anyway…. my mother-in-law, who was visiting from out of the country, (who is a fantastic person) and my husband did not see this “70’s spread” as anything out of the ordinary. “It’s the getting together that is important , not the food.” they both assured me.  Though,  at the moment I loved them dearly for saying that, it still did not make my saltine crackers seem any fancier.  It was hard to fret when they were so happy decorating and placing the appetizers just so on the dining room table….and having such fun doing it too!  To distract myself, I went to find some music and start on the wine …as I walked away I heard them say.   “Remember as kids you used to make these for our parties? “ They both laughed and continued reminiscing.   In the meantime, I smiled about the evening.... but nonetheless….continued pouring wine!

When our friends arrived, I could tell they were a bit surprised by the appetizers and of course, said NOTHING. Then... after a while, when we had settled in, the conversation took us on a wonderful journey.  We ended up remember old friends, sharing stories of childhood and talking for many hours.  I can remember serving the items above and I’m sure we had other things but what I remember most is a story that surfaced about a group teenagers on a road trip with no money and having fun in Chile! How about that?!

 

In retrospect I should have also served:

• Stuffed celery (usually stuffed with peanut butter cut into bite size pieces.)
• Jiffy Pop Popcorn
• Cocktail Weenies served w/ tooth pick and a dipping sauce
• Lipton Sour Cream n' Onion Dip w/ chips
• Doritos  or Pringles
• Cheddar cheese and Cracker platter
• Mini Pizzas (make your own in the toaster oven with English Muffins!)
• Salsa and Corn Chips
• Ritz crackers --served w/ "Squeeze Cheese"

 

Great evening! Great stories! Great devilled eggs!   Also, when I tell this story it not only makes people laugh and... then most of them say….”Hmmm and 70s themed party…maybe that’s what I’ll do next time”.  You know, I'll be SUPER ready! ;-)

Cheers!  and Cheers to good company & friends!

 

1. The first thing I notice is that the students all look like they are between 12 and 15. I know.... how can they look so young? LOL
2. On any given day as people quickly walk by, I catch bits of conversations in a myriad of languages. It feels, so VERY GLOBAL. ;-)
3. In this, our California weather, I will see someone wearing boots, a scarf, gloves and a wool coat walking right next to someone in shorts, tank top and sandals. Funny.
4. There is always a group (somewhere) of shinny new young faces with THAT lost look that makes YOU certain....they have NO CLUE…  I smile and remember when…
5. I also, see a  typical professor (or two) with THE “geeky (but wise) professor look” makes me chuckle because it confirms all our stereotypical ideas of a college professor…yes, with elbow pads on their blazers.
6. I take pleasure running into a group of young people immersed in an enthusiastic and heated discussion about some academic project. Young minds at work!
7. RUNNING INTO? yes I’ve been run into, stepped on, almost hit by a bike and skateboard, pushed and finally ignored because to the student body I am OLD and therefore, invisible. The bright side is it that it has not all happened at the same time!
8. I see a group of univerity staff, "power walking" with sneakers, of course. As they push through the many students and they walk away you hear “...yeah, if it weren’t for all these students we’d have more staff parking…” – really, they say that!
9. One time I saw a piano OUTSIDE the Barclay Theater and stopped to watch, as all kinds of people came to play. Some played classical piano beautifully and others played “chopsticks” in pairs, while giggling! Pretty cool!
10. Here comes a “young suit” walking super fast, talking into a smart phone with briefcase in hand and making eye contact with NO ONE.  I feel warm and fuzzy…because I am watching an MBA or Law student whoosh by...

picture thanks to DAVID CONLEY/New University

I eventually reach Aldridge Park, pick a shady spot under a tree, eat lunch in the shade and relax until my lunch recess time at UC Irvine is over.  I love being 45 and having my age’s perspective! I bet you have a college campus near you. Go take a lunch break one day and walk around.  Take a moment to laugh a little, re-live your college days and dream …
Cheers!

Top picture thanks toUnigo Campus Reps at UCI.

No need to pay cable anymore to enjoy a Lifetime movie that makes you cry, laugh, smile....as a matter of fact Lifetime movies also allows couples to have a REAL "conversation"....take a read ;-)

I found this comment from a husband on a forum that has nothing to do with Lifetime..but it's so true & funny!

Good Lord..I went into the living room and saw my wife sitting in the chair crying, I'm thinking what the heck? Did some more jetski parts just come in??? I look at her and say, Honey whats wrong? Are you ok? She says "No, I'm ok...it's just sooo sad." I said did someone call you and give you bad news?? She again says" No...you know it's this program on Lifetime, it's so sad...Mary just found out that Bob had paid off her house/car and some bills before he died..he loved her so much...blah, blah...sniff,sniff"

Well you know me..I said Holy crap Kelly it's just a movie..get a grip.

I barely ducked from the flying book tray that was headed my way...but again, you know me, quickness kills and she missed.
What is up with these dadgum Lifetime movies?? It's like night time soap operas.

See how LIFETIME movie unites couples? LOL - I thought it was a cute and playful entry!!

I am a total fan and eternal Lifetime Channel viewer.  I have cried, laughed and blogged about movies on Lifetime.  Their content CELEBRATES, entertains and supports women and the Company also advocates a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. YES!

Go on, take a peek, click on Hulu Lifetime and enjoy

being a woman!

You can also go directly to their website -  watch/cry/laugh:

Thank you Lifetime Channel!

Here are a few books behind the 2011 Oscar movies - I want to READ them;

127 Hours by Aron Ralston

I just finished  Angels & Demons and getting ready to rent it. I read Water for Elephants  last year and really enjoyed it - it will be in the theaters soon - can't wait!  I encourage you to read in whatever form you choose - Kindle, Nook or paper!  Revel in the act reading! 

• The turning point in life that inspired you to become YOU?  Being so sick as a child, well-being became VERY important. Then, Aerin met Carlos Castañeda in 1993 in Buenos Aires; his charisma, generosity  & willingness  to make a difference in people’s lives captured her being. She became his student and moved to Los Angeles. They  work together in Los Angeles at Tilo Medical & Accupuncture
• Her indulgences? Homemade Italian pasta and 77% dark chocolate of course!
• How does she relax? Nurtures her spirit and female side – enjoying the fantastic sensation of a pair of hands shampooing her hair, getting her nails done or watering her garden. BUT when there is something bigger than AERIN, she lays down, places her belly to the ground and rolls  to calm and soothe.
• Favorite place to be: Home! Also, warm countries.
• Favorite restaurant: Any Brazilian Restaurant
• Favorite Authors: There were many, here is one that stood out - Geneen Roth who wrote  Women, Food & God.

Of course she loved the idea of being involved with The Center of Living Peace.  We are in for a treat at the workshop. As a teenager Aerin dreamed of being an actress and she now gets to combine the performer in her, while teaching…she’s know for her comedic side and the laughter she incorporates in her workshops.  See you Feb 26th!