Sitting Empty In A Soon-To-Be- Eggless Nest!

As I write this, I am not only going through menopause, but my twin sons – my only children, my youngest and oldest – are leaving the nest. As you read this, they will have just moved into dorms at separate colleges. I am sitting eggless in what is about to be an empty nest. While I am both very excited and nervous for them — and for me — it doesn’t seem real. Doesn’t seem possible. Then I look at the tuition and housing bills, and I realize it’s all as real as I now know Kim Kardashian’s “back story” is since she made the wise and tasteful decision of having it X-rayed on TV to clear up any doubt. (I know Iam sleeping better since she took that brave step, and I have to imagine the rest of the country is, too.)

Please read the rest here. It's my monthly guest column for Health Bistro and Lifescript.com! To all my friends on the east coast, best wishes for riding out Irene! I will likely be unable to comment due to power loss for days, possibly weeks, but really appreciate your readership!

Female Role Models: Snooki vs. Samantha Stevens

I grew up wanting to be “bewitching” like Samantha, “lost in space” like Penny, and cleverly kick-butt like Agent 99. Those were my role models on TV, some of the females most revered in popular culture at the time. They were women and girls who used their wits (ok, and a little witchcraft) to save the day. Samantha was forever saving the bumbling Darren and his advertising accounts at McMann & Tate -usually on her wits alone. Penny was a space pioneer battling aliens and a wily Dr. Smith. Secret Agent 99 used her cunning and martial arts skills to get Maxwell Smart out of countless jams.

Fast forward 20 some years after my childhood (OK, 30…oh alright! 40!) and who do our young girls see capturing the media’s airtime and the public’s attention and admiration? The first female speaker of the house? Not so much. Female journalists? Only if they are on the E! network or TMZ. Women who lead the way in medicine, education or environmentalism? Not unless you count renaming cocaine “gum” once it’s found in your purse as a medical breakthrough or see turning “leaked” sex tapes into high-paying stardom as recycling and repurposing.

Read the rest here where I am guest-blogging at Health Bistro! Thanks so much for visiting!

Spring Fever - What Are Your Symptoms?

This week we welcomed spring, and everyone I know is happy about it. Seems like this winter in particular was a messy, sloppy, irritating houseguest who long overstayed his welcome. As a result, many are catching spring fever, and I've realized we each present our own unique “symptoms” with this bug. Today I cover four I’ve recently observed. Do you have one of these particular symptoms? Find out here. It's my monthly guest column for the way-cool Health Bistro blog. I'd love to hear about your particular spring fever symptoms at the end of the post there. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

HAPPY SPRING!!

Greeting card at right sold here along with lots of other great things like fabulous birthday, Mother's Day and teachers' gifts!

How Do Raw Sewage, Crazy-Daisy Spewed Vomit and Rotten Pumpkin Add Up To The Ideal Valentine?

Find out here! It's my monthly guest column for the good folks at Lifescript and Health Bistro. I'd love for my Ungirdled sisters (and brothers!) to leave a comment on your ideal Valentine at the end of the post there.

Need a spiffy card or festive Valentine's banner? You can find them here! The photo at right shows one available.

Need a gift for your special Valentine? How about a personalized pet print? Details here!

Do you need a break from my shameless plugging of my etsy shop? Yeah, me too. Let's go over to Health Bistro for a visit, and you can let me know about some of your most memorable Valentine's moments or what makes your special someone your ideal Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day! I love my readers every day!

What Are Your Resolutions for 2011?

Happy new year to the Ungirdled nation! I so appreciate you coming to visit throughout 2011! Your friendship has meant a lot. As we enter a new year, I've made a few resolutions and am wondering what yours are. Please share them here. It's my monthly guest column for the good folks at Health Bistro and lifescript.com.

Best wishes for a new year filled with lots of love, laughter, great health, peace, and - let's be hones - a little prosperity would be nice, too! Stay safe tonight and don't forget your black-eyed peas - Will.i.am, Fergie, and those other two.

Win An iPad at Lifescript!

The good folks at Lifescript.com and Healthbistro are offering the chance to WIN AN iPad!!! But HURRY! It ends at noon on Dec. 17. Click here for details!! Good luck and happy holidays!

Check Out Great Website For The Ungirdled!

I was asked to do a monthly guest column at Health Bistro. You really need to check it out – not for my sake, but because is has a lot of really great stuff on there for us Ungirdled women. Things like “5 Worst Things For Your Gut,” “Anti-Aging Recipes” “Low Libido? It Could Be Diabetes,” and lots more. Of course, if you want to add a comment at the bottom of my column like “This is the best post EVER!” or “This woman (who I've never heard of until now) is a GENIUS!” I won’t mind a bit!

They asked to run a revamped column on my now-famous wattle. The accompanying photo was taken about five years ago, just as my wattle was coming in. I was not about to include one featuring my wattle. I am Ungirdled, not stupid. Click here to read it.

Thanks for taking a look! Have a great weekend and stay warm! Looks like we’re going to get REAL snow big time here in Virginia Beach!