Another Notch in My Belt

In January when I started my quest to rock a bikini on my 38th birthday I was wearing my belt on the first notch. Not the farthest notch where you have to bypass all the other notches to get to it, but the loosest one, the one that screams, "you can’t get any bigger or you’ll need a new damn belt."

One month ago when I blogged about rocking a bikini on my birthday I had moved comfortably on to the second notch. Well, this Saturday marked a new era for me and my belt. I entered into territory that has never been explored – I put the belt on and fastened it easily in the third notch.

I’m not bragging folks – I’ve punctured belts, and my hand, making my own notches just so I wouldn’t have to go up a size – I’m just trying to stay motivated and maybe motivate one of you, too.

I’ve get less than one month until my birthday and I’ve probably got to slide another two notches if I’m going to rock that bikini – and not scare anyone. Since I’m boycotting the scale notches in my belt, not pounds, are my milestones.

Three down, two more to go…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wait! Are you married to a sports fanatic? In honor of March Madness I’m dishing about the top ten signs of a sports fanatic at Ask Wifey. You don’t want to miss this one.

Hanging with Mrs. C

While I’m still out partying at the UBP, I made a little pit stop to hangout with Mrs. C.

That’s right, I’m the featured blogger today at one of my daily reads, Hanging with Mrs. Cooper.

If you’ve never hung out with Mrs. C - gasp! - now would be a great time to do so.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Party Over Here

The Ultimate Blog Party, of course.



I got my party on last year with the fabulous ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom and had so much fun I had to break out my little black party dress to do it again.

What’s The Ultimate Blog Party? Damn if I know, I’m just waiting for someone to bring me a drink. OK, seriously, it’s a way to build online friendships and discover new blogs. You give a little love, get a little love and have tons of fun doing it.

This is the part where I’m supposed to share a little about myself… I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister, author, freelance magazine writer, personal trainer, NBA and NFL fanatic, tennis player, chocolate connoisseur, beer drinker, music lover, blah, blah, blah. You can read more than you probably want to know about me here, so I’ll just give you the juicy stuff:

Husband and I are celebrating ten years of marriage this May – our life changing wedding was featured on The Learning Channel’s popular show “A Wedding Story.” We have two beautiful, busy children: Miles is 7 and Milan is 5 going on 15.

Last October my sister, a girlfriend and I boarded Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and embarked on a two week cruisetour throughout the Mediterranean. Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Cannes, Florence, Venice and Capri are just a few of the fabulous cities we explored. Our adventures on land and at sea were filmed and aired March 21 on the Travel Channel’s series “Great Cruises: Why Not The Mediterranean.” If you missed the show it will re-air on April 18 at 8 p.m. and on May 24 at 8 p.m. on The Travel Channel. You can also visit my other blog, Ask Wifey, to view the commercial and a short clip from the show.

Speaking of blogs, come see me at Ask Wifey where I do my best to manage marriage, motherhood and all the mayhem. Once a week I host Wifey’s Q and A and the rest of the time I’m dishing about hot topics and inviting real moms and wives like you to share their experiences and words of wisdom. Wifey’s House is my personal blog where I let it all hang out. Not really. Well, sort of.

For those of you new to Wifey’s House, come on in, stay awhile and leave me a comment so I can visit you, too. For those of you who have witnessed my chaos already, glad to see you were brave enough to come back, please leave me a comment and let me know why.

Now excuse me while I go get my party on. Um, where’s that drink?

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

"Reunited and It Feels So Good"

A reunion is probably not the best way to describe my Uncle Tony meeting his son, Charles, after 38 years since he never knew he existed; but, after watching the two together you would think they were never separated.

It was a television weekend for my family – I was on The Travel Channel and my uncle and his son’s heartwarming story made the local news. You don’t want to miss this one. …



And they say there are no happy stories on the news. Love you, Charles! Welcome to the family.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

WAIT! The Travel Channel show “Great Cruises: Why Not the Mediterranean?” featuring me and my girlfriends aired this past Saturday night; and today is the last day to win the goodie I brought back from Venice. You guessed, come on over to Ask Wifey to catch a clip of the show and get in on the contest!

Wait, Is that Me? On TV?

I was flipping channels last night and came across this hot, ahem, football player’s new show on The Travel Channel and then saw ME strolling on the beach in Barcelona.

Gasp!

Yes, it was a commercial for my show airing this Saturday at 8 p.m; and yes, you know I pulled a copy of it. Come on over to Ask Wifey and take a peek …

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

“I’ll Always Love My Mama…”

Today is my mother’s 65th birthday. Hmm, not sure if she wanted me to oust her age but since 60 is the new 50 and she doesn’t look – or act – a day over 50 I think its all good.

I could write a really long post about all of the wonderful qualities my mother possesses – she’s smart, loving, funny, creative, crafty, thoughtful, interesting, loyal, strong and has a keen knack for eyeing a fabulous pair of shoes – or I could go on and on about some of the special memories I have – climbing into her bed as a toddler, becoming her #1 shopping helper when my big sister started school, reading the fun notes she used to write on my napkins in my lunchbox, going to Paris for the weekend in high school, the entire year we planned my wedding – my lists could go on and on.

When you have a mother as special as I do you couldn’t possibly list all of the things that you love about her or all of the things she’s done that have impacted your life – something would inevitably get left out. But, what you can do is say, thanks, Mom, for being you, for loving me for me, and for all of the wonderful things you do.


My sister, my mother, me, my grandmother and my daughter - we run four generations deep!

Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wait! If you haven’t thrown your name in the ring to win the goodie I brought back from Venice, Italy, head over to Ask Wifey now …

A Little Bling for Your Bottle

It’s finally time … my girlfriends getaway to the Mediterranean will air on The Travel Channel as a part of their “Great Cruises” series this Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m. (check your local listings to confirm times).

You didn’t think I would go on a fabulous European cruisetour, sip wine, site see, shop ‘til I drop and not bring you anything back did you?

Yup, it’s a giveaway. And you can win this …



… a beautiful, glass blown bottle stopper I brought back from Venice.

Come on over to Ask Wifey to throw your name in the hat. You know you’ve got a bottle that would love a little bling …

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Check Your Girls

Do you check your girls? No, I’m not talking about your BFFs.

Come over to Ask Wifey for an important reminder that should top everyone’s list.

Um, come on … what are you waiting for?

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

One Fit Wifey

Hard work pays off. Exercise, eat right, stay away from Girl Scout cookies, give up beer, swear off chocolate and you, too, might become “One Fit Mommy.”

That’s right, one of my favorite bloggers, Lisa at Workout Mommy, is featuring me, today, as “One Fit Mommy.”

If you’ve never been to Workout Mommy, now is the time to go. She’s always up on the latest exercise trends, products and has the best contests, too – I won a fabulous pair jeans a couple months ago! Stop by, show her some love and make sure to tell her I sent you…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

An Open Letter to Girl Scout Cookie Pushers

Dear Cute Little Girl Scouts Who Live in My Neighborhood and Force Me to Buy Cookies:

Thank you for delivering the multitude of Girl Scout cookies that I ordered from everyone who knocked on my door because I don’t know how to say no; because I have kids of my own and pray that someone will buy some of their crap, too; and because I’m simply a sucker for cookies.



It was so thoughtful for you all to unload these boxes on me just as I started my food lockdown. I know that you think I’m an adult and can control myself and you’re right, ahem, I am. And, I did. I knew exactly how many scrumptious Samoas I sucked down and carefully counted out how many classic Thin Mints I consumed.

Please don’t feel guilty because I have less than two months to squeeze into a bikini on my 38th birthday and your delightful little smiles and cookies have thrown a big monkey wrench in my plan. It’s not like you don’t come knocking every year at the same time. I should know better. No, really I should.

The upside is this problem never lasts for long – because the cookies don’t. As quickly as they come in the door they get gobbled up just as fast. Thankfully, the three other occupants of Wifey’s House have no self-control either so I can easily blame them for eating them all.

I’d love to tell you that I’m through with your cookies and I won’t be ordering any next year but I’d be lying. When you ring the doorbell I’ll cave in, happily, just like I always do and might even order an extra box.

Thanks again for your prompt delivery, for increasing my workouts and for only selling your addictive little cookies once a year.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wait! Ladies, have you ever missed your mother-in-law’s birthday? Are you the date keeper in your house? We’re dishing about that at Ask Wifey. I know you’ve got two cents … come throw it in.

Batting with the Big Boys

Saturday was opening day at the park where Miles plays baseball. This is his first year moving up from T-ball and it’s a whole new ballgame. For starters the tee is gone so the boys have to hit pitches thrown to them by the coach. Speaking of the boys, they’re bigger, they run faster, throw harder and they’re more interested in winning.

Did I mention he’s only 7?

Well, I’m happy to report that Miles can hang with the big boys. He hit a homerun on his first time up to bat and I caught it all with my new video camera.



Nice camera work, right? Ahem, Miles has skills, too. And, I promise we don’t know A-Rod’s cousin – no sports enhancement drugs at Wifey's House.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wait! The air date for my show on The Travel Channel has been changed. Come here for all the details.

I Need More, Not Less

There’s already not enough hours in the day – now they want to take one away.

Damn.

Don’t forget its daylight savings this weekend; make sure to spring your clocks forward.

Speaking of time, do you get enough just for you? We’re dishing about getting your Me Time at Ask Wifey – come add your two cents.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Time to Let it Go

I know we’re in a recession, but damn, this is ridiculous…



Yes, that’s my eyeliner and I think I’ve gotten all that I can from it – especially since it’s so small I can’t get it out of the top.

Here’s a little perspective…



Can someone please tell me to stop being so cheap – and lazy – and to treat myself to a new eyeliner?

Speaking of doing things for yourself; how long has it been since you took some Me Time? I dishing about it over at Ask Wifey. Come get inspired … or maybe inspire someone else.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

A Hard Act to Follow

I’m not quite sure how to follow yesterday’s post – if you haven’t seen The Breakfast Song click here – so I won’t. But I will tell you that I just bought a new video camera, an Aiptek 720P HD, and once I figure out how to use it I plan on making some videos of my own. No, I can’t guarantee that I’ll top yesterday’s duo, but I’ll definitely do my best.

In the meantime, Wifey’s Weekly Q and A is up at Ask Wifey. I’m dishing about handling a helpful husband and his needy girl friend; and I answer if exercising everyday is really necessary.

I know you’ve got two cents … come throw it in.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

The Breakfast Song

Ironically this video was sent to me yesterday after I announced my food lockdown. Meet my Uncle Jethro and Cousin Verna. No, not really. But I love this like they were…



If you haven’t been by Ask Wifey to weigh in on Lock and Knock, now would be a great time to do so…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Bye Bye Miss American Pie

Isn’t she gorgeous? And, yes she tastes just as good as she looks. That was a piece of my favorite chocolate cream pie that a devoured after going out to dinner with my family last night. And now it’s time to say goodbye. I’m officially on food lockdown even though Husband doesn’t believe me.

“You’ve said that EVERY Sunday for the past four weeks.”

Yes, thank you Husband for bringing that to my attention, but this time I mean it. No, really. I mean it. I have to. See, I set a goal at New Years that I would rock a bikini on my 38th birthday. A little background – I haven’t rocked a bikini since I was … hmm … five. So, if I’m going to do this I’ve got to go on lockdown. My birthday is April 28 and I’ve got a little less than two months to get myself together.

Why am I telling you this? Because I’d love a little help from my friends. Last time I blogged about a fitness goal it helped keep me on track and accountable. And, who knows, maybe I just might inspire one of you to join me in my quest toward bikiniville, too. Yes, you would get to go on a shopping spree.

So, how am I going to do this? By working out and eating clean. Food lockdown does not mean starving myself; in fact I normally eat more when I eat healthier foods. But what it does mean is bye bye chocolate pie and very limited alcohol. Gasp! I know, that’s a big one, but I’ve done it before and I can do it again.

I’m also not stepping on my scale. Last time I became too obsessed with a number that can fluctuate so easily, it’s often counterproductive. Besides, my goal is not about what the scale says, but how I look and feel.

So, encouragement is always welcome. I can also handle tough love. And, if anyone is tackling some fitness goals of their own please let me know – I’d love to cheer you on, too!

Wait! Before you go, a quick question; do your kids miraculously wake up when you lock your bedroom door to have a little fun? I’m venting about that today at Ask Wifey. Come by and let me know I’m not alone …

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey