On A Much Happier Note...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Had stomach flu over the weekend. I'm feeling better now, but I ate too much at dinner. But, hey! It's Christmas Eve!!!!!

Sad

A woman disappeared earlier this month from the East Bay in Northern California. She's 35. Yesterday they found her body in a landfill near the home of her personal trainer. Apparently, when she showed up for a workout session, he killed her and dumped her body. Her family had traced her cell phone records to his apartment, and when police got there, they found blood and arrested him. Now she's dead, he's in jail, and her family will have to spend every Christmas for the rest of their lives remembering when and how she died.
It is just so sad. I wanted to write this down and put it out in the universe that people are thinking of her and her family. That we are sending our prayers out to them, and we know that in this "most wonderful time of the year," there is also great sadness.
For everyone who is struggling right now, know that you are not alone, and there are people thinking of you. For those of us lucky enough to be with the ones we love the most, can you spare a moment to think of those less fortunate? Or maybe a donation of time or money? Thanks to all, and God bless.

Birth Control, Anyone?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we ARE in the 21st century, right? Not the 18th? We DO have access to birth control?
So what's up with Jessica Alba, Lily Allen and, God help us, 16 year-old Jamie Lynn Spears, and unplanned pregnancies?!?!?!
Don't get me wrong, if Jessica and Lily are happy, I'm happy for them. And for Nicole Richie, et al. Pregnancy and parenthood are WONDERFUL things. And they are ADULTS! But you'd think that a 16 year-old, with a sister who had 2 kids back to back and is basically a mess right now and fighting for custody of said kids, would at least use a condom! (If not swear off sex altogether, at least for the time being!)
Look, I shouldn't judge. At all. I am the LAST person on earth who should be judging this! Things happen. And I do live in the real world, we're kids have sex. But I can't help but feel for kids who are born to people who may or may not be devoted to each other and the idea of raising a family. Even if they don't stay together as a couple, one would hope they remain, if not friendly, at least civil, and devoted to the kids. But how is a 16 year-old, especially one with a whole lot of family drama going on already, going to be able to be a mom?
You know, I consider myself pretty liberal. But I think we can all agree that this glut of unplanned pregnancies is not the best trend to come down the pike. And, sorry, I don't think 15 and 16 yr-olds should be having sex. Yes, I know that they DO, but it's my blog, and it's my humble opinion that it's a bad idea.

SLEEEEEEP!

So I had the cold, and now my kids have it, and my husband might be getting it. Oh, and my son was exposed to measles today.
Yay.
Needless to say, there hasn't been a whole lot of sleeping going on. And not for fun reasons.
If I don't get some sleep this week, I might just go bonkers.
But at least I have my Zoloft!

The Inevitable Cold

Two kids+two different schools=A COLD. Fun. I tried denial, but that didn't work. I tried Zicam, which helped. Now, I've moved on to acceptance and Tylenol Multi-Symptom Cold Rapid Release Gels. Dang, that's a long name!
I think it's hitting its peak today. Last night I was able to work out for an hour and a half, but started feeling REALLY crummy when I tried to fall asleep. Now I'm all wobbly and dazed, so by tomorrow i should be feeling better. I just REALLY hope the kids don't get it!
And I think I'll skip the workout today.

WHy ARe Receptionists At Psychiatrist's Offices So Rude?

Seriously! this is not the first time it's happened! I called yesterday to make an appointment, and I asked if they accept Blue Cross. "Blue Cross WHAT?" she asked. "Um, insurance?" 'Cause, really, what the hell did she think I meant? "Is it a PPO or an HMO?" Ah, THAT'S what she meant. But, really, there was no need to yell, I could hear her just fine. She was pretty condescending, like I should just magically KNOW all the answers to the questions I was asking. Grrrr.
I called another doc's office a few years ago, this one in a entirely different city. Because I was on my way in, and I got lost. Because there were 2 exits off the freeway, about 5 miles apart, with the same frickin' name. SO the receptionist answers, and tells me i went the wrong way on the exit. "No," said I, trying to explain that I actually took the wrong exit entirely, but before I get that out she shouts, yes, shouts "YES YOU DID! YOU WENT THE WRONG WAY!!!!!!" Then she gave me directions.
At the time, I had my 1 year-old in the car, and I was trying to keep it together on a Los Angeles freeway. Not an easy task in the best of moods, let alone when you've been having thoughts of suicide. (Can you say "undiagnosed post-partum depression, in conjunction with a whole lotta other crap?") (And, just to clarify, I NEVER thought about harming my kids. It was one of those "They'd be better off without me" things. THIS is why I went to therapy!)
My point is, don't these women know that they are dealing with people in a somewhat fragile state of mind? A little kindness and patience would go a long way. Or maybe they're trying the tough love approach; life is hard, suck it up and get over it. Of course, if we did that, they'd be out of a job, because no one would come to see their bosses. (Doesn't work anyway; I've tried it.) Or maybe they're just burned out. But, whatever the case, THEY NEED TO STOP.

OK, I want my prescription for Zoloft NOW!!!!!

I Can't Take It Anymore!

TMZ sucks. I started this blog to be a place where I could rant and rave, or be positive and happy, and anyone who's interested could come take a look. But I'm so p**sed off right now. People are posting some nasty-a** s**t on TMZ about Jennifer Love Hewitt's butt, like it's any of their damn business. And if you disagree, well, then you must be a FATTY, and therefore your opinion is IRRELEVENT. And one of these haters is a 4th grade teacher!
Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am 38, married with two kids, and a former actress. I lived in New York for 5 years, and L.A for 9. I was caught up in that body image crap for most of my life. I have seen beautiful, talented, smart, kind women develop eating disorders because some a**hole producer or agent called them fat.
I'm 5'9". I'm now a size 12. When I moved to L.A I weighed 140 pounds, was borderline anorexic, and was told I was too big.
I quit the biz a few years ago, after having the joy of performing sucked out of me by sadistic vampire leeches who can't see beyond a woman's dress size. I'm now a full-time mom. My kids have Autism, which means they have enough to deal with without their mom getting crazed about her weight.
I know I should stay away from websites like that, and, believe me, I will from now on. But I needed to vent. You are, of course, free to disagree with me, or with anyone who posts here. I only ask that you do so respectfully.