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Hi.I got the dreaded call from my hubby this morning....pull back on the spending. Heavy sigh. I don't fault him for giving me the call. We have four kids, one in college, 3 cars, crazy ass health insurance premiums, and the list goes on. What can I do to reel in my spending? I have already given up facials. I bought a cheap daily scrub instead to get rid of my scaly skin. As I mentioned a couple of days ago when I spoke of my Elvira toenails, I don't get mani/pedis on a regular basis. I get my hair cut and colored every 6-8 weeks instead of once a month. What do I need to work on? Shopping for fall clothes. Although I don't buy high priced items, I do get a lot of lower priced items. It does add up. I can cut that out..painful but I WILL DO IT! Chanel bag is on hold forever!!! My "visits" will suffice!My 30 year reunion is in a couple of weeks. Instead of buying a new outfit, I went to my friend's closet who has killer taste. I borrowed a great blouse. The question I must ask myself is, "Is it about rekindling relationships with old friends or how you look Wolffie?" Honestly, it is a little bit of both. I will primp and it will all be okay.I have a bar mitzvah this weekend where all my friends are going to be there who have seen me in all of my bar-mitzvah outfits. Do I buy a new outfit? NO. I am going shopping in my own closet. Will my friends even notice or even care about what I am wearing? I would think not. They are just going to worry if I am going to boogie woogie woggie all night long! I will.Why listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. I am trying to do my part and not going out to lunch everyday. This is my way of being with my girlfriends and having adult conversations, a giggle, and some input about how I am not going insane raising my kids!!! I have tried to slow it down, go for coffee instead, walk, run, and I will have to start having them meet me at my house for lunch. Today, I had a birthday lunch for a good friend (not an excuse..a plan in the books for weeks). I thought it was prudent to park in the visitor parking lot instead of the valet, even though I was late, par usual!! I found out that the valet section was free until 3:00 pm. The visitor parking was free too. I did save $3.00 on the tip for the valet though!! I needed gas in my new not as bad as my Suburban but still not as great as a Prius, Ford Flex. I have been driving around my daughter's Scion XB which gets great gas mileage. I needed to pick up a slew of boys,my Flex was on empty, so I thought it prudent (again) to go to the Arco station that gets $2.89 per gallon, the cheapest around. I was backing into the slot and in comes this red convertible mustang (a rental I am sure) who goes into my slot. I honk the horn and she IGNORED ME! I rolled down my window, "I was backing into the space. Why did you take it" (as nicely as possible)? Her answer, "I did not understand what you were doing." "Whatever", I said as I pulled away to wait for another spot. Was it worth the 1.70 savings (plus the .45 transaction fee)? Was the aggravation worth it? If it makes my husband feel like we are a team in this spend less time in our lives..then I have to say, Yes. Target here I come!!!Can you relate? More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.in Love and Peace,Wolffie
Hi.I mentioned in yesterday's blog that I was doing a run with my lululemon running club.. My toenails were ready..my feel felt great...then I started to run. We chose which group we wanted to run with...the 9-10 minute mile group, the 11-12 minute mile group (each running 4 1/2 miles) or the 3 mile group. Big shot Wolffie chose the 9-10 group. A piece of cake. I usually run a 9 1/2 -10 minute mile when I run in the morning. I learned that i can't at night. After our warm-up, we started the course. I think they started out faster than I am used to. I got tired after about 1 1/2 miles. I slowed down..hit the volume up on my nano and ran alone. I got to the part where Aly, our trainer, wanted us to speed up..No problem until the hill..oy vey!!! I proceeded on the course running at a good pace..singing along the way in between chanting, "You can do this, you can do this." I made it to the last 1/4 mile where she wanted us to sprint..I hauled as*. It felt awesome. Euphoric.When I got home I was exhausted. That run took it out of me. I stared to feel a bit achy especially in the groin area where I had been injured. I popped 3 Advil and slept like a baby. Morning came and my shin feels funky, the groin okay.. It sucks getting old. I pride myself on being able to run, staying up with my younger running partner and usually keeping up with the pack in the running club. But today...I am feeling the stakes of getting older and having a menopausal body.. Why is it that when I push myself ,I hurt myself? The aches and the pains screw with my head. I am praying that this old body will be okay for tomorrow's for run. Maybe what I am feeling if stiffness. I sure hope so, because I have become passionate about running. Do I find another hobby that requires less activity? Basket weaving? Online solitaire? Why listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. About 7 months ago I changed my hormone therapy. I used to take drops and there were studies that they caused health risks. I can't afford to screw around. I went on creme based bio identicals. Within a week I put on 4 pounds. Horror!!!My clothes fit snug and I felt bloated. I called my doctor and we adjusted my dosage. The weight is still here!! I eat very healthy and if I eat less than I already do, I would be a hungry cranky bitch. I really feel I need these damn hormones. I feel more balanced and I don't view the world half empty anymore. When I did chemo, I was slammed into menopause. I didn't have any hormones for 5 1/2 years. Bone dry.You wouldn't have wanted to live with me or get on my bad side. I had no tolerance. Since I have been on hormone therapy (about 3 1/2 years), I really feel so much better. I am truly a nicer person! I get annoyed that in order for me to feel better, I have to carry a kangaroo pouch in my middle area. Sanity or Vanity? Eat or starve? I guess I am going to have to live with the pouch. Living where I live, women are are thin, thin, thin. How do they do it? Are they exercising 20 hours a day and starving themselves? Not a question I feel comfortable asking. I get sucked into comparing my outside appearence to others. I will never be a waif, don't have the bone structure. Thank goodness the clothes are baggy this season!! I can hide what I need to. I gotto go now to make my afternoon snack...water..KIDDING!!!Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.In Love and Peace,Wolffie.
Hi.It felt wonderful to wake up and feel cold. The latter part of summer here in the San Fernando Valley has been brutal.On this brisk morning, I had to turn the heat on!! When fall begins, my flip flops go deep into my closet and I bring out my close toed shoes. I have been slacking off a bit on my mani/pedi's..because of time and money. It's a luxury in the spring/summer. I can get away with scrubbing my feet with this awesome tool I bought. I lather them up with a really thick lotion. It is a a total necessity in fall/winter. I didn't realize that I had Elvira toenails until this weekend. Ouch. I went today for a much needed mani/pedi after I got done with making appointments for the doctor, orthodontist, and gyno. Going to the mani/pedi place here is always an experience. I sat back in the massage chair. "Deluxe manicure and pedicure?" "How much is it?""$68.00 dollas". "How much is the regular?" "$38.00 dollas"."I'll have the regular today please." I got the I can't believe you are not doing the deluxe look. I thought to myself..should I? "No Wendy You Don't Need It. Don't Succumb to THE LOOK." I sat back comfortably in my chair as the rollers perfectly massaged my back. As the nail polish was being taken off my toes, my pedicurist started talking in her native tongue to the woman doing my manicure. I felt the need to say, "I am sorry for my long nails. I went a bit too long in between pedicures" "Uh huh", she muttered. She started up again talking in her native tongue. What was she saying? Is she saying that I have the worst toenails she has ever seen? Close your eyes Wolffie and enjoy the rollers. I have to admit, this was my first time coming to this nail salon. SH*t they did a fab job. When I was done, I hastily jumped out of my chair as I was late in meeting a pal for a quick taco at La Salsa. I slipped and ruined four of my toenails!!! If looks could kill..I'd be a gonner. She gave me that "I can't believe you did that " smile as she took off the ruined polish and perfectly did it again. This time I knew what she was saying in her native tongue!! I would have said it too!!! (use your imagination!!!) I can't wait to put on my tennies tonight for my run with the lululemon running club. I should knock off some time just because my nails are shorter. Less weight!!! :) It's going to be comfortable for sure!!Why Listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. Do you always practice what you preach? I wish I did. Today, I picked up the boys after school. I started out strong.."Tell me something positive about your day." They started talking all at once. Calmly I said, " One at a time, please!" One of the boys started telling me about the best part of their day was this morning realizing how lucky he is because he has a nice home and a great family he loves. Awwwww. (one of the other boys snickers). I respond, "If you have nothing nice to say then..blah blah blah." The snicker doodle goes on to say that he did well on a test. The other brother says. "Well that's good but you said you could do 6 minute mile and you did a 7 minute mile.". I respond, "What did i just say...blah blah blah. You owe each other an apology..not cool." They both muttered, "Sorry." How many times do you think I will have to engage in this dialogue? My nephew Dexter (the adorable dog ) just got back from doggy boot camp. Maybe I could send my boys there? I have threatened them with going to a manners class, maybe I could threaten them with "get along and respect your siblings and be nice to each other camp. Hmmm. This threat might work!!Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.In Love and Peace,Wolffie
Hi.Oh it's Sunday. I did not go to any soccer games. I went to a funeral instead. It is tough seeing the people who were so much apart of your growing up leave this earth. It's tough to watch my mom. She looks so sad, Her circle of friends and family is getting smaller by the year and so much must be going through her head. The loss of my dad, the loss of family, and friends, and the glare of your own mortality staring at you in the face. I know how I felt when my mortality was challenged when I went through cancer. I wasn't ready. Are we ever ready until we are faced with it head on? I do know that life is for the living. So I guess we must all live each day to the fullest. My brother, sister in law and I went to Neiman's for lunch. There is nothing like a popover and a stroll to the Chanel boutique. I did a quick "walk-by" to see how my Caviar tote was doing. It looks a bit lonely. I am thinking that it wants to put it's shoulder strap on my arm. But it ain't happening. A dream is a dream. Our lunch was leisurely. We don't get to spend that kind of time too often with our hectic schedules. So, the day be it sad, brought us together. We tested perfumes, looked in some shops and bought nothing!!!Being that is is brrrr in Southern Cal (high today of 68 degrees and getting down to 50 degree...brisk for us!!!), I am making my butternut squash soup. It's a comfort staple food in our house. I want to just hang with my boys, call my daughter and have a nice chat. Days like today make me want to hibernate with my family and appreciate them. I hope that they don't bicker...I want love today..not the feeling of wanting to wring their cute necks!!!!Why Listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. My kids are gone for about 6-7 hours a day during school. I have my time to exercise, do errands, have lunch with my girlfriends, and have alone time. Everyday I look forward to picking up my kids. "Hi guys, how was your day?", I ask with excitement and true yearning. They all start to talk at once, interrupt each other and make snide remarks about the other's day. As I am listening to them , my head feels like it is going to explode. I often have to tell them to "BE QUIET and tell me one at a time. " (sometimes i say something a bit meaner..not fit for print :( )!! "Why do you always have to bicker? "Be nice to your brother? "How would you like it if somebody said that about you?" I go into shut down mode, turn the music loud and day dream about pulling my car to the side of the road so they could all walk home. To date, I haven't done it, but I have wanted to many a time!!!Then it dawned on me. I should ask them one at a time about their day. "What was the best part about your day?" The mood and vibe of the car changed. I enjoy their tales of the day. I want to hear more, not run away. They want to share their day in a good light. Duh!!! After all these years of mothering, I am still learning and navigating. If I am open to change, then change comes. If I am shut down, my like is negative. Right now as we speak, the day is not going as I intended. They all strolled in a while ago as I am writing this. They are bickering. Where are their little necks to wring.? I start to engage and then I stop myself.Calgon, take me away? Not going to happen..I think I'll just breathe.Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back fro more.Signing off until we meet again.In Love and Peace,Wolffie
Hi.The weekends are sometimes hard for me to write for the blog. Do you always want to hear about my kids soccer games and cross country meets? I went to show my friend the shower invitation for her daughter's upcoming nuptials. She was at my friends house who is co-hosting the luncheon. Of course they are fabulous and she is so excited. What I want to talk about is our conversation after.We all have kids in various shapes, ages and sizes. We got to talking about how things happen in our lives that at the time are so horrific and painful.. We all agreed that you never know how your experience can help another somewhere down the line...pay it forward.When one of my twins was 12 weeks old, he had open heart surgery. Not long after that horrendous ordeal, my friend's high school daughter had some health issues. I got to share with her the feelings of helplessness and how to be there for our kids without them knowing our fear. It helped me to share my experience, strength and hope. It helped her to know that she could and would get through it. Her daughter is getting married to a great guy in December. He is so lucky to marry into a wonderful, loving, funny family.Our other friend was our kids teacher in elementary school. She was not only a fantastic and motivating teacher, she has also become apart of our families. Often times I have called her asking for advice about school, homework and issues with drinking, and she had helped me set my feelings aside and look at the issues I needed to with openness and clarity .Boy did she help me down from the roof many a time!!! She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 1 1/2 years ago. I was able to be there for her, listen to her, cry with her, laugh with her and most importantly I got to tell her that I understood. She wasn't alone in her thoughts. As a fellow breast cancer warrior, I got to share how I fought. She is a beautiful warrior. I was looking at her today and thinking how blessed the world is because she is in it. Now, she is homeschooling children who are going through cancer. She is there for them as a teacher and a beautiful spirit who gets it. How lucky are they to have her. Why listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. I am trying to wind up this blog with a funny and light story. This afternoon really hit home to me how precious our lives are and how important family and friends are. I learned by listening and watching my two girlfriends that whatever we do in our lives, good, bad, funny or painful we can share our life experiences with someone else. We can help someone understand the joys and disappointments in life. We can engage in laughter, wipe a tear, give a hug, nod in understanding. What a gift life is. The more years we have in life, the more understanding we can be if we just open our hearts and minds and share with another human being. A contemplative afternoon I did have and yet I feel so honored to have people in my life that I can look at with love and admiration. I am fortunate to have many people in my life who I share my heart with. The best part of it is that they share their hearts with me. Moral of the day.....Pay it forward.Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.In Love and Peace,Wolffie
Hi.Today I helped a friend in her store, Kingfisher Road. She was donating a portion of her sales to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. The response was wonderful. I bought a pink candle which is burning as I type. I ran into someone and we were laughing about something that I did in the past.. We both agreed that it was a perfect topic for today's blog. Guess what? I can't remember what I was going to muse about!! I called Lori, she couldn't remember either. I wish I could say that this is an isolated case. Not!! I am constantly forgetting to call people back..Do you ever get a call, click over, rush the person off the phone with a "I'll call you right back", go back to your previous call and don't call the other person back? It's not because I don't want to talk to the person rather it's because I don't remember who called or even better than that not remembering having spoken with them at all!! Am I losing brain cells? Am I on overload? What's up with that?If I have to be honest, It's a "I can't control life changing thing". When nature allows us to go into menopause (sorry to any man who reads this) we are being stripped of soooooooooo many things, the top on my list is forgetfullness and foggy brain. I can be in a conversation with someone and totally zone out. I either go into the the waw waw waw and can't understand what the other person is saying OR I just have to stop in my tracks because I don't know what in the heck I was talking about. Do I admit that I had a brain fart? Sometimes when I am listening to someone very intently, I begin to yawn. I am not bored, I am truly fascinated in what they are telling me. If I concentrate too much my brain says, "Wolffie, I can't take this..don't work so hard". It's really embarrassing. I don't want anyone to think that what they are saying doesn't matter or is not relevant to me. I feign that I am tired. I just can't cop to the fact that I can't keep up with the conversation because I have "menopausal brain". Some might think that I have ADD or ADHD. I never had this problem before my hormones were stripped away!!! I could juggle a conversation, eat, laugh, knit all at the same time ( just one example). The point I am making is, I was always (and still strive to be) a interested in other people's thoughts and opinions kind of gal. WHERE DID SHE GO? WILL I GET HER BACK? Heavy sigh.Why listen to Wolffie? Because I get it. A few years ago, we were going to Cambria on a family vacation. I layed out all the kids clothes, got the right number of pants, socks, underwear, pj's..you get the drift. I packed us all up..hubby loaded the car and off we went. When we got to the hotel and started to unpack, I realized that i didn't pack any clothes for one of my boys! I FELT SO TERRIBLE. I feverishly combed the streets of Cambria. There were no children's clothing stores!! We stopped at the gas station with a mini mart. They had several different styles of Cambria shirts. I scooped them up and my poor son had to wear the same jeans for a few days ( we did hand wash his undies and socks!!!) The t shirts were a couple sizes too big (that's all they had) so he wore them for a year or two. It was a constant reminder of my big ooops. The moral of this story is..write a list and check it twice!!!Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.In love and Peace,Wolffie
Hi.I had a whole train of thought that I was going to blog about today. More to do with the scope of being a mom shit..The piles of papers I have all over the house, the beds not being made. Somwhere on the lines of a mom rant. Things that I can't even blame my kids on. All complaints about ME. Then my day shifted.I got a call from my friend Lisa yesterday. She wanted to take me on a suprise adventure. I was available today. So off we went. I am a kid at heart and my mind was racing as to where she could be taking me. I knew Neiman's was having a "buy a handbag get 10,000 points day"!! Nah, I don't think the Chanel was in the cards for me today. I stopped there. Give in to being surprised. We went on the freeway. Hmmmmm. We got off and the kid in me blurted, 'Your taking me to Icon"! I was right. Today is October 1, the start of breast cancer awareness month. The hair salon has pink hair extensions and we were both getting one. Pink Sistas!!! So, for the month October we pinkie sweared to keep our extensions in. We look FABULOUS!!!. The hair salon donates their profits to the organization,Stop Cancer. They help fund research for UCLA, USC and CITY OF HOPE. Stop Cancer will match any donation that they get. Awesome. I had such a great time with Lisa, and I am proud to wear pink in honor of me, my breast cancer survivor sisters, and for those who have succumbed to the disease.Tomorrow a fab gift store in Woodland Hills, KINGFISHER ROAD, is donating a portion of their sales to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. I will hanging and helping. I love that people open up their hearts and their businesses to donate money to causes.It gives us all a chance to be apart of the big picture that helps fund research, helps families who have to deal with life changing events and illnesses, and it gives me hope that people are good and kind. If we all do a little... a lot gets done.Why listen to Wollfie? Because I get it. I was so happy with my pink hair extensions. I thought I would take a picture of me and change my profile picture. Pink and proud. I rallied one of my boys to play photographer. Lets just say that I had to take a million pictures. I don't know about you, but my face has gotten more oval. I have a roll under my jaw bone if I smile a certain way. Who is this? When I look in the mirror I don't see what the photograph portrays. Do I look with blind eyes? Anyways, that's not even the tangent I wanted to talk about. Technology is a savior and a curse. I tried to download the picture from my camera to the computer so I could upload the picture onto my blog profile. I am exhausted just typing what I am trying to explain. I COULDN'T DO IT. I tried several different ways. Didn't work. Sometime tonight when my night and shining technology armor comes home (the hubby), he will download and upload the picture for me. Earlier today I tried to add two links of blogs that I am following to my blog roll ( I am so digging the lingo). I followed the directions. I had my friend Jill in Utah guide me step by step on the phone. IT WOULDN'T WORK. I was cursing at the computer. "You bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep bleep"! Finally it worked. Why does something that is supposed to make our lives run smoothly so we can be on the super highway so hard.? It's not super at all, it's annoying and aggravating ,UNTIL, I figure it out. Then the love affair is back with my computer. Can you relate?More will be revealed. Please come back for more.Signing off until we meet again.In Love and Peace,Wolffie
