Serious winter calls for serious sunshine. I just pulled mine out of the closet. I bought my Verilux HappyLite a couple years ago. People laughed and laughed until they tried it and got happy, too.
This year especially, nothing could be cheaper than taking a vacation in your living room. Talk about punting during a recession.
Years ago I interviewed Nicholas Harmon, the CEO of Verilux, the happy lighting company, to understand how his lights were different. They are. It's called full spectrum lighting and there is such a thing as light therapy. This version of course, will have you talking to yourself unless you invite company.
These Verilux lights simulate daylight and the effect that a nice bright sunny day outside has on your brain. Plants grow better, kids do better on homework and if you suffer from SAD, seasonal affective disorder (lack of sunshine), a half hour a day exposed to this kind of light helps offset depression. Unfortunately you don't get tan...just happy. Ok then, sunshine you can afford. Check out Verilux Light Therapy Products and Full Spectrum Lighting.
Happy New Year! Time for new resolutions. I decided to try Zumba.
You may have seen the new infomercials of the gyrating hips hopping their way to weight loss. Me too. My local gym added the class this week so I went. How hard can gyrating be?
Ask my stiff neck.
The music is fun, and the steps are easy to catch on to, But keeping up the pace? Let's just say the moves reminded me of some I may have attempted after a few cosmos late at night in some club once upon a time. (Okay — last week.)
Zumba without strobe lights and liquor? Whew! Tough sweaty stuff. Made me have new respect for those Dancing with the Stars people. Me, I was dancing seeing stars, utilizing muscles that apparently went into early retirement. In the mirror behind the instructor I watched myself do hip gyrations that would make my mother blush and my daughter leave town.
Zumba, my dear girlfriends, is the perfect workout for those of you just heading back into the dating game. Just be prepared for moves you haven't used in a while and get some Ben Gay. That's all I have to say.
Congratulations for coming out with the Stud Sensor! OMG! I bought one for myself and can't wait to see how it works. Your packaging says it detects studs through walls up to 3/4-inch thick.
Whoa! I knew technology had come a long way but wow, this is really exciting. I didn't open the package yet because I am just not ready.
You see, I overate again during the holidays and there's no point hunting studs if you're not prepared to do something about it once you hone in.
So here's my weekend plan. I'm going to drink lots of water, workout extra hard, do my roots, get a manicure, and pick up a couple of AA batteries.
If we took all the parents whose kids will be going with the other side of the family this holiday and put them all in once place, we'd probably have to ask the NFL to give up half their stadiums for a day. Talk about the perfect dating-after-divorce opportunity!
Seriously...parents who end up alone on a holiday are an awkward lot. If it's you, it's easy to fall into feeling sorry for yourself. Lonely, absurd...all the possible uncomfortable words can apply.
Stop it! The kids have it much worse. They are human ping-pong balls expected to pop back and forth between allegiances seamlessly. They don't want to be doing this, either. Trying to please everybody is a royal pain.
Here are 5 attitude adjusters to get you through if you will be solo without your kids for the holiday:
1. For a very short window you have no responsibility...this will pass quickly use it wisely — it's a gift.
2. You can lay on the couch for absolutely no reason, not make your bed, throw your towels on the floor, leave dishes in the sink — everything you tell them not to do — without guilt. Until they return.
I am creating a new single divorced girl business rule. All business lunches with charming men will be now be held on Fridays! You have a glass of wine, hopefully share a couple of laughs, talk a little business turkey and then later once you get home, you don't care if you go out...because you feel like you have been out! Happened yesterday to me.
A couple weeks ago, I briefly met an interesting potential business contact at a gathering of unique businesspeople, and as is my style, I called to arrange a follow up meeting. He suggested lunch at a restaurant on Park Ave in NYC. There wasn't much conversation in between, and I was only interested in discussing business.
I was all bundled up in layers when I arrived and spotted him waiting at the bar. A warm hello and then he offered to take my coat for me. Okay, then I love chivalry. He patiently and gallantly waited while I took off layer after layer, my coat and hat and scarf, and whisked them away to safety.
Crack me up...Alec Greven, a fourth grader from Castle Rock, Colorado, hand-wrote a pamphlet called "How To Talk To Girls" to help out his buddies' love lives.
He was selling it for $3. Now he has a book deal with Harper Collins. Is he giving his buds good advice?
Alec tells them, "Comb your hair and don't wear sweats."
Yes, honey, we girls put in a load of effort to look good for you guys, so this is the least you can do.
Alec tells the boys, "Girls win most of the arguments and have most of the power."
Yes, Alec, we do have the most power but we rarely remember that when we see you with your hair combed and all dressed up.
Alec says, "The best way to approach a girl is to keep it to a simple 'hi,'" adding, if "I say 'hi' and you say 'hi' back, we're probably off to a good start."
Yes, yes, yes, Alec! We prefer you to make the first move, otherwise we may never open our mouths.
Alec warns, "A crush is like a love disease: It can drive you mad."
