What happens when somebody that battles with OCD is given a book about somebody that battles with OCD and they become obsessed with it?
Howie Mandel’s Here’s The Deal: Don’t Touch Me is ingenious! Combining humor with a serious look at the daily struggles, anguish and despair that accompanies OCD and ADHD, this is an excellent read for not only those affected by these conditions, but for anyone who’s a Mandel fan! 

Thanks Mom….I think!

This month marked a milestone for me, another year has come and gone. Yes, I celebrated my 6th anniversary of being 40! Last year I recapped how I spent my celebratory day, I’m digging deep this year and thought I would reflect on a few things I have learned or relearned throughout the year.

• Hot flashes are inevitable
• “Friends” aren’t always “friends”
• I like black nail polish
• Facebook and Twitter are addicting
• Cats don’t like to be vacuumed
• My sons never cease to amaze me
• A house is not a home without Froot Loops
• Huell Howser’s voice still gives me anxiety
• I can still do a cartwheel
• Don’t watch T.V. and pin something simultaneously
• I  am a little too attached to my camera and computer
• My mom had 5 grandkids at my age
• Just because it walks like a duck and talks like a duck,
doesn’t mean it is a duck.
• I love Kumkwats
• My dreams of being a singer are just an illusion
• My dreams of being able to even carry a note are just
an illusion
• Never look behind you when going down steps
• Everything happens for a reason
• I have a bulls-eye on my head only visible to birds
• If someone buys you Vicks when you have the
stomach flu, remember it’s the thought that counts
• I don’t like blue Lifesavers
• I like being plumified
• I have a low tolerance for close minded people
• Always check your shoes before leaving the house
• No matter how many times you fall out of the shower,
you won’t win. The floor is always going to be tougher
• Never compromise who you really are

It’s been said, the older you get, the wiser you become. If that’s true, I have a funny feeling this girl’s going to be around for a long time. Here’s to another year of insightful and profound learning experiences! Woot!

My baby turned 23 this week and this Mama’s a hot mess! Really. Clearly, this can only mean one thing, I am no longer a Spring Chicken. It wasn’t that long ago, in fact it seems like yesterday I celebrated my 26th Birthday (yep, I have a kid that age too) with my son’s at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach.  Where. Did. All. The. Years. Go?

I guess it’s time to put my big girl panties on and accept I’m old as dirt my age. I need to learn to embrace each and every gray hair, wrinkle, pound, hot flash, memory lapse, wrinkle, hot flash, memory la…. It is just a number anyways, right? Right?
As for my birthday boy, may you have a wonderful year and many, many more to follow. And dude…enjoy your youth because in a few years, you too will be wondering- Where. Did. All. The. Years. Go?
I love you!!!

…blogging for this special announcement:
15 days!!! O.k. so one bad day in the midst of those 15, but do I really have to start over completely?? It appears (knock on wood) I have this O.C.D. demon back in check. (Yaaa me!)
Thanks to all for the wonderful emails, words of encouragement and prayers! I couldn’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me.
(Yaaa you!)

Like a few million other people, I had registered for the lottery to attend the Michael Jackson Memorial Service. After watching it in it’s entirety twice on T.V., I am so emotionally drained, I can’t imagine actually being there

It was a beautiful, emotional and touching tribute, leaving you with a whole new appreciation for who Michael Jackson really was. We have always known him as the King of Pop, an icon bigger than life…with or without personal issues and controversy. This memorial reminded us he was so much more. He was a humanitarian, a friend, mentor, uncle, brother, son. He was a daddy.

These are just a few of the moments that highlighted the event…




This obviously was the most heart-wrenching, as Michael’s
11 year old daughter Paris puts things into perspective.

Hands down, this is the best reality show I have seen. Not for the entertainment value, not because it follows Intervention, another favorite and not because it’s really good. It’s the reality of the show, the
r-e-a-l-ity.

Obsessed chronicles the struggles of everyday people imprisoned by unmanageable, repetitive behaviors and sometimes debilitating fear. Whether it is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.) or other anxiety disorders, this shows gives viewers a chance to see first-hand how an obsession can radically affect a person’s life and the effects their disorders have on their friends and family. Each episode follows two individual cases, their struggle and the process of rehabilitation, following them through treatment with cognitive-behavior therapy.

I have lived with O.C.D. for the past 8 years, a majority of those years it has consumed my every waking hour. It affects approximately 3.3 million people in the U.S., 2% being adults, 0.3 to 1% kids. It’s a disease that is rarely talked about, rarely understood and unknown to many. A relatively new show, I have yet to get through an episode without a meltdown. As hard as it is for me to watch, there is a glimmer of hope as well as a true sense of comfort knowing I’m not alone. I can’t thank A&E enough for addressing this disorder and bringing a new understanding to such a debilitating condition. Obsessed can be seen Monday nights on A&E at 10/9C

I‘m in denial about a few things, age being one of them. Recently, I was smacked in the face butt with reality. I need glasses. This isn’t a revelation I have just had, just one I’ve ignored…until now.

I have nothing against glasses, in fact both my kids have worn them since grade school. My mom and sister wear them, I have had just always prided myself with the fact I have had amazing eyesight. It’s pretty much my mom’s fault for reminding me that “one day when [I get] old, I too will be blind as a bat.” That day has come.

The reality became obvious on a recent evening walk. I love my walks, they are a time for me to clear my head and do some (are you ready for this one?) deep thinking. I guess you can say I often get caught up in my own little world on these journeys.

The other night I encountered an unexpected sprinkle, cutting my  deep-thinking, clear-headed time short. I rushed back to my apartment, taking a quick glance at the apartment number, (if you know me well enough, you could probably figure out why) and proceeded to open the door. It was locked…well it wasn’t locked when I left. Maybe my boyfriend came home and locked it, so I knock. Nothing. I knock again…louder, “Hello, it’s me open the door!” Again, nothing. I take a 2nd glace at the apartment number, uh-oh, not mine. (1 out of 2 numbers isn’t that bad is it?)

Oblivious to my surroundings, I now notice a neighbor had come out to see what the loud mouth knocking was all about. All I could do was walk away. Trying to look calm and collective as if I hadn’t just made the biggest ass out of myself, I turn around and give him a weak smile. He did not smile back, his glare however made it clear he was not taking his eyes off of me until I was long gone. The next thing I knew, I was picking myself butt up off the ground. How did I not see those 3 steps I have walked up and down for the past year? A glutton for punishment, I do another quick look back. Yes, he is still watching me, was he smiling? Probably, but how would I know…I can’t see that far!!!

Ha Ha mom, you were right.
I will be hauling my bruised butt (and ego) in for a new set of glasses…A.S.A.P.