Did you ever have "one of those days" that tuned into "one of those weeks"? I realized that if we let it, it could quickly become "one of those months" and soon you will always see "whats going wrong" There are more things that are so amazing if we just open our eyes & our hearts!
I read a blog recently of a very dear friend who just sold her family home because of a very ugly divorce. She wrote about her shattered dreams that would not come true associated with the loss of this home. I experienced this first hand. My house was the place where every holiday, every birthday, party, etc was held. I loved it! I loved hosting fabulous parties and gourmet meals & everything about it - the shopping, the planning, setting up - even the clean up didn't bother me. I loved a full house - people laughing and enjoying my home & food & each other.
For the last 3 years I've hosted almost every holiday and celebrated my children's birthdays, graduation, etc. My divorce changed me and changed some of the logistics of our celebrations, but for the most part, I am thankful that we are all celebrating - just in a different location!! My dreams for my family aren't shattered - hopes and dreams are in our hearts & are expressed when we are together.  
I am thankful that my family allows my children & me to still host the family events - I LOVE to cook big meals for my loved ones!



Mom & me in kitchen on Thanksgiving!


Max and my brother Sal. I am so thankful that Max loves coming home AND loves attending Rutgers. I am so very thankful that my family enjoys each other - and that they Eagles won! I am a die-hard NY Giants fan living with Eagles crazy people. Thanksgiving was a little sweeter because the Eagles won the "Battle of the Birds"!

Here's Noelle and her friend Mike on their way to his Sophmore Semi-formal. I am sad that she is no longer little. I am so very thankful that she has grown into a strong, very bright, very wise young woman. "Mom, Mike and are FRIENDS. He is NOT MY DATE!
Don't you know we are too young & relationships in high school are silly??? Geesh .."

Hi, I'm so distracted by the elections in the background as I type. I feel so sad and disappointed. I cling to my Faith and hope that we all remember "In God We Trust" ... Our party: what a great day! Of course I had a fashion melt-down because suddenly what I had planned to wear "just didn't look right" I know you know what I mean! I dug into my closet. Found a little cashmere sweater I bought at Marshalls & a "had to buy I know I'll wear it someday" skirt from INC! I used to be a wardrobe stylist so buying certain pieces for "someday" is my thing! We arrived to my parents beaming. My Mom looked beautiful and my Dad was dressed in his new suit!


Can you believe she's 70 today & he was 80 in June??? They've both been through so much with their physical health. I think what sets them apart is their incredible faith in God & each other & my Mom's dedication to excellent nutrition and exercise!

Here's our family just as the festivities began!
My brother Sal, Mom, daughter Noelle, son Max, my guy Fran, moi, my Dad. Down front, my sister and her 3 sons Christian, and twins Mikey & Charlie!

FOOD,  Sunday Party, 11-02
Breakfast
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 7 almonds, 1 medium honey crisp apple, green tea
~ 1 mile brisk walk with dog ~ 30 mins on Reformer
Luncheon
4 thin slices of rare London broil, salad (plain lettuce with steamed green bean Almondine & tomatoes)
tbsp mashies, approx 1 cup of fresh fruit, 1 small piece of birthday pound cake
Snack
Plain steak Burrito from Taco Bell on our ride up to Rutgers

FOOD, Monday, 11-03
Breakfast
1/2 cup LF cottage cheese, 1/4 cup raw walnuts, small honey crisp apple, green tea
~ 30 min Reformer
Snack
Luna Power Bar, Snapple Diet Peach Tea
~ Pilates on The Ball (60 min)
Lunch
Spicy Tuna Roll, Seaweed Salad, Green Tea
Snack
Peanut butter cup!!!!! yum!
Dinner
1/4 chicken breast with mixed greens & LF feta & cucumber - drizzle olive oil & balsamic

FOOD, Tuesday, 11-04
Breakfast
Snickers Marathon Bar, green tea
~ Ballet Class (Attitude Tu! 60 min)
Snack
Honey crisp apple, 3 Babybella LF cheese, Diet Snapple
Lunch
Wendy's Chicken Breast no bread, handful of Noelle's fries, diet coke
Dinner
4 oz very rare filet, mixed greens with tomatoes, tiny sweet potato with butter, 1/2 glass red wine


I hope my sharing blesses you! Feel free to comment here or at the forum!
See you tomorrow
Never Stop Dreaming!
b

Hi,
I am in awe of the internet and the Gift to connect to you! I am so touched by the emails and questions and response to my work! So, as I asked a dear friend, "Where do I start?" It was very scary for me to write my entry "Lucky Skinny Girl" a while back. There is so much more I could share: my relationship with God, myself, with food, how I see myself, how I think other women see me & I see them. The more time I spend with women, the more I realize how the same we are - yet have qualities and beauty that is uniquely ours alone. The stories are different, the lessons are the same and so is the one single answer ... Love ... every problem whether its our work, or children or monthly bills, our capacity to love surpasses all things - our appreciation & gratitude for each other heals all things ...
Breast Cancer Awareness is about Love. People from all walks of life, different stories, all with the same message - Love. Love each other enough to be checked, love each other enough to be healthy, love each other enough to lift someone who is down, love one another to work together for a Cause .. I don't think of it as a Fight for a Cure. What we fight gets stronger. I participate in events to find the answer ... our event will be fun & informative. All proceeds will go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer & The Wellness Community of Philadelphia...I hope to see you there! See my forum for the flyer .. I will be teaching 2 classes Dance/Pilates & Pilates for Sports ...

much love & gratitude
b