Stronger

Wake up: 6:03 am
Slept for: 7 hours
First thought was: I wish I could go to the gym this morning.
Baby was: Getting up.
This was: Wonderful, really. He's all smiles and they're better than a large espresso to get you excited about the day.
Daughter was: In her bed! Woo-hoo!
This was: Amazing. She told me yesterday afternoon that she thought the Sleep Fairy would be coming because she was going to sleep in her bed the whole night. And, in fact, the Sleep Fairy did flutter on by, leaving a fabulous DVD of some cartoon-y thing or another in a pretty bag along with a heart-shaped note.
Man was: Fixing to get up.
This was: Great–because we was going to go out and do some weeding. Recession budget = no landscapers this year.
Emails to check: 62
Goal for the day: Eat cleanly, drink water, do what I say I am going to do, create the life I want.
Kabbalah says: We are holy within. Just like god. When we are connected to our holiness, nothing can touch us.
First saving-the-world thought: Everyone needs to get rid of their chemical cleaners and replace them with all-natural ones, said to myself as I rifled through the cabinet of mainly green cleaners and opted for the Clorox.
First bananas thought: Wasn't so bananas: I feel so guilty about using this bleach but, man, does it clean well!
Arrive at gym: Didn't go—too much to do this morning, especially if I want my man to get out and do the weeding.
Weight is: Oh, I totally wish I knew. I am sure it's down. I've thought about getting a scale, but I know that I'd be on it hourly. Not a good thing.
Weight to lose: A lot.
Workout is: Very missed—and I can feel an encroaching—and irrational—fear that if I don't go, I will spiral and, like, eat a whole cake or something. I know it's not going to happen. I just need to know I know it's not going to happen.
Today's song is: Stronger by the once and former Miss Britney Spears and it goes out the very Groovy Ms. Amy. And, yes, I rock the Britney from time to time—and it's done with only a mild case of hipster irony.
Best lyric is: Stronger than yesterday. It's nothin' but my way. My loneliness ain't killin' me no more.
Best spam subject line: Fulfill your booty duties
I want: A Patron Silver margarita and a spray tan
I love: When things get done.
I wish: French fries made you lose weight.
I am totally, majorly obsessing over: The fries I ate at dinner. But really, who can eat mussels sans fries?
Being a mom means: Not having a second glass of wine.
Being a wife means: Sympathy.
Being a business owner means: Meetings at 9 pm on Friday night.
Today I ate: Nothing for breakfast, salad and chicken for lunch and tuna tartare,
Today I drank: Most of the water I intended to drink, one Patron Silver Margarita (yup, I totally made it happen) and one glass of Viognier.
Heard at my dinner table: There were no cute boys in our grade.
Work was: Going at 100 mph and not getting anywhere.
I am: Happy. There's nothing like hanging with old and best friends.
Tomorrow I will: Not spin my wheels

Winners and Losers

June 26, 2008

Wake up: 6:17 am
Slept for: Ummm...not sure again. Maybe 7 hours. Pretty good!
First thought was: Should I lay here until the alarm goes off at 6:30?
Baby was: Getting up—and, therefore, there was no laying.
This was: Just as well.
Daughter was: Sleeping, thumb in mouth, right up against her father.
This was: Sweet because she's so cute and annoying because I just can't figure out how to get her to sleep in her own bed. Well, I mean, I can figure it out, but I just don't have the discipline—or wherewithal at 2 in the morning—to do it.
Man was: Stirring.
This was: Normal.
Emails to check: 73
Goal for the day: Figure out how to incite a frenzy a la Jim Morrison in his Whiskey A Go Go days and Lou Perelman (sans the molestation and embezzlement).
Kabbalah says: Go toward what is the most uncomfortable, for there is light there that needs to be shed.
First saving-the-world thought: Haven't had one yet.
First bananas thought: They all seem to blur today.
Arrive at gym: A little after 8:30.
Weight is: 169.4
Weight to lose: Still just about 45 pounds
Workout is: Just over 40 minutes (man, for sure, if I hadn't written it in last night's post, I would have definitely stopped at 30) at level 5, then 6, then 7. Max heart rate is 148 and calories burned is 430.
Today's song is: Winners and Losers by Social Distortion
Best lyric is: Are you happy now with all the choices you’ve made?
Are there times in life when you know you should’ve stayed?
Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?
Best spam subject line: You are not in the mood?
I want: Blinde sunglasses. I lost the last pair I had. I lived for them.
I love: The warm air lazing into my window.
I wish: The bed in front of my gate was weeded.
I am totally, majorly obsessing over: Nothing.
Being a mom means: Paying attention.
Being a wife means: Actually getting married.
Being a business owner means: Being nice to people.
Today I ate: Very cleanly—much less jelly—and I still have 8 points left not including the 6 I earned from working out. Too bad you can't roll them over!
Today I drank: One glass of water and one big (should check the ounces) glass bottle of water. No plastic, my friends! I actually have a water filter on the faucet. It's the only way to go.
Heard at my dinner table: Daddy is MY prince.
Work was: So busy because of the new issue. I have a couple hours of work still to do.
I am: Simply exhausted—though I can feel my second wind coming on.
Tomorrow I will: Be more present to the light—and have afternoon drinks with one of my best friends.

The Summer Winds

Allow me to shout: THE JULY ISSUE IS LIVE, BABY, LIVE!

It's so good, so informative and so beautifully designed. It's almost too good or Internet, I swear!

Here are just some of the awesome articles featured this month:

Summerize Your Home
Hostess Gifts You'll Want to Give
The Truth About Pregnancy
The Woman Behind Tummy Tuck Jeans Speaks
Patriotic Swimsuits are Red, White and Hot
Protect Your Skin Now
Get Your Summer Gear
These Smoothies Taste Like Summer
The Latest on Children's Food Allergies
Why You're Hormones are a Mess
Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy Skincare
Hot Diaper Bags
Isabella Oliver Makes Gorgeous Maternity Wear
Do Something Important: Support Second Chance Employment Services

Plus amazing GIVEAWAYS, moms like you weigh in on their plans for summer, five hot items for the season, our fave musts of the month and so much more!

I'm an Ordinary Guy

Wednesday, June 25

Wake up: 6:30 am
Slept for: I have absolutely no idea.
First thought was: Good lord, it's sunny.
Baby was: About to wake up.
This was: Fine.
Daughter was: Fast asleep—in our bed.
This was: Same as it ever was.
Man was: Sleeping not so soundly.
This was: A shame since he went to bed so late because he was working on our July issue.
Emails to check: I forgot to pay attention, but I know it was less than yesterday.
Goal for the day: To not stress out over all the things I'd like to accomplish.
Kabbalah says: Don't react.
First saving-the-world thought: We could really leverage THE FAMILY GROOVE to do some good. I think I'll write a book called Keep It Simple, Sister on how to eliminate chaos from your life in order to create success.
First bananas thought: I'll promote the book on Larry King. It's doable.
Arrive at gym: 7:23
Weight is: No time to check.
Weight to lose: Probably about the same as yesterday.
Workout is: 30 minutes, 310 calories burned, heart rate up to 140.
Today's song is: Burning Down the House by Talking Heads
Best lyric is: "Watch out! You might get what you're after."
Best spam subject line: I freaked her out with this thing
I want: Someone else to put sunscreen on my three year old so I don't have to stop working.
I love: The sounds I hear from my office
I wish: I had an assistant.
I am totally, majorly obsessing over: The half of Pop Tart I ate for no reason.

Check back later for the rest!

Being a mom means: Infrequent showers
Being a wife means: Caring more about showering.
Being a business owner means: Staying in the ring.
Today I ate: Well. I didn't even use up all of my points, but I still ate too much sugar. Sugar is the devil. I was craving something sweet, so I would up eating three tablespoons of strawberry jelly. Hello! Why not just eat three tablespoons of straight sugar?
Today I drank: Two measly 10-ounce glasses of water and way too much coffee.
Heard at my dinner table: "Deal with it," as said by my three year old.
Work was: Productive. The new issue is live and super mega fabulous.
I am: Sitting in a towel with my wet, uncombed hair dripping onto my office chair—because I was anxious to do a few things for work now that the little people are sleeping and, apparently, the three minutes it takes to dry off and comb my hair was just too long.
Tomorrow I will: Drink more water, eat less jelly, do the elliptical for ten more minutes and be more grateful.

May I Take Your Order?

My girl is B-O-S-S-Y.

It's actually funny. I mean the nerve this two-year-old has is just, well, actually admirable. She knows what she wants. But my goodness, I see how if you don't curb it now, you can really create a monster.

Don't get me wrong, she's a sweet, sweet girl and often quite compliant; but when she doesn't want to be bothered, she tells me to "Push it." "Mama, push...mama, push it." Are you kidding me? I birthed you, child—and that was the last bit of pushing I am doing for a good long time.

And when she is in boss hog mode, she spews order after order after order. I know this is par for the toddler course. I get it: she is learning to affect her environment, she's testing boundaries, she's establishing her place in a world she is just waking up to and she needs me to get things and do things for her—that's part of my job.

So, mamas and papas, I am calling out to you for some parenting advice or at least commiseration here. How much ordering is too much ordering? When do you say "no" and why do you say "no?"

When does empowerer turn to enabler?

Are You There, Blog? It's Me, Jillian

Oh, blog. Where for art thou, dear blog?
Since we last rendez-voused, you have been munched up by Google. I can't blame you, but I have to say this does changes things for me a bit now that you've gone corporate. I think you're a tad less cool—although the spell check option redeems you slightly.

Dudes and dudettes, I have been MIA from the scene for too long. My fingers have been glued to these dang Apple keys, feverishly pumping out www.thefamilygroove.com. (You must check out this month's issue, Sex, Love and Parenthood—so much good stuff.) I just couldn't gear shift from editor to mom-itor.

Anyway, peeps, I am back. So much of me is back: the platinum hair, the self-care, the savoir-faire and the devil-may-care—and my super duper rhyming flair.

I got my blood analyzed last week, which revealed some yuckers stuff like parasites (thank you sushi from dodgy NYC joints), yeast, vitamin deficiency galore, low thyroid and more. For a week now, I have been on the wagon—taking supplements, drinking my water, eating clean, not eating anything white (if it's white do not bite), even drinking less coffee. My skin looks amazing, my energy is gangbusters and my waistline is a-shrinkin'.

My whole outlook has improved. I even might make it to the gym today. I am curious to check out my weight (I know it's not the ultimate measure, but I still like to know what it is).

I am giving my new high maintenance, high reward program another week. If I still see marked success, then I will share all the labor-intensive details with y'all.

Looking and feeling good is a full-time job. It has to permeate everything you do. It has to live in the fore of your actions in all areas of your life. But, at the end of the day—and the beginning, for that matter—it's worth it.