Tracy: Top 10 2008

Tracy's Top 10 Memories of 2008
10. Going bowling with my entire family, including 5-year old niece, Kyra and 8-year old nephew, Sean
9. Pumpkin pie martini's at B.J. Ryan's
8. Detox
7. Lobster bake on Taylor Island with canolli filling birthday cake
6. Garage-side chats
5. Vision board realities...Best Of winners!
4. Sangria and paella in Spain with Andrea
3. The birth of two of my best friends children
2. Summer days and nights in Shelter Island
1. Understanding the meaning of true love, true friendship and of being true to yourself

Happy New Year! Let's all make 2009 SUPERFINE!!!!

Andrea: Holiday Kindness

First I am very delayed in writing this blog but hey at least I am writing it. Second I made the mistake of trying to go Christmas shoppping the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I thougth maybe since I had given it a few days it would not be so bad. WRONG. I don't need to bore you with the trials of shopping on a holiday weekend but I am just going to share with you a few observations that maybe can help us all make the holidays a little less stressed, a little safer and a lot happier.

Andrea's Observations and Thoughts:

Let's all be a bit more mindful of ourselves and the people around us this holiday season by trying some simple little things in our everyday life:

1. Hold doors for the people coming in our before or after us.

2. Slow down for a yellow light instead of speeding up and running a red light.

3. Slow down in parking lots - there are lots more people out and about this time of year - including kids.

4. Smile and wish the people around you a Happy Holiday.

5. Take time to enjoy the decorations and merriment all around you.

6. Take extra precautions when driving, remember you are not the only one on the road.

With a little bit of attention and a lot of smiles, we can all make this a holiday season of love, kindness and saftey.

Happy Holidays!

Andrea: I can see clearly now- through my new windshield

Whenever I would drive in the rain I would think to myself - "wow I need new windshield wipers already! Didn't I just put new ones on the last time it rained? I can't believe how short the life span of windshield wipers are" and then I would go out and get new windshield wipers only to have the same converstation with myself the next time it rained. Well lucky for me, in talking with a friend, I found out my windshield wipers were not the problem but it was my 10+ year old windshield. (I also found out it affected the way headlights relfected off my widnshield making it hard to see when cars were coming at me.) Wow this is great, now I know what the problem is but uh oh now I need a new windshield.

While they were not as expensive as I thougth they might be, they are not cheap but really it has to be done, it cannot be safe for me to continue driving like this. So Plan A - replace windshield. Plan B - My Dad dis ask me what I wanted for Christmas this year....hmmmm Plan C - Call the insurance company, it can't hurt to see if they cover it.

So I call up my insurance company and much to my great happiness I learn that I have FULL glass coverage AND they will replace my windshield! Not only will they cover it, they set me up right over the phone with an appointment for the glass company to come to me the NEXT day and replace my windshield. WOW, that was a very worthwhile phone call (as I am sure my Dad agrees). I could not thank the helpful stranger on the other end of the phone enough. I am not sure she has ever heard someone so excited about a new windshield.

So as planned the next day the glass company showed up, replaced my windshield and now I can see clearly again, day or night, rain or shine. Yippee a driving I will go!

Tracy: Santa Knows Happiness

Happiness comes in many forms. Take today for instance. We play Secret Santa at my job every year for the three weeks leading up to Christmas. This week was the first week of gift exchange and I am always one to try to figure out who has who(m?). When we only had ten people in the office, it was much easier. I even kept a logic table spreadsheet of who could have who(m?). Now that we have over 20 people involved, it's a little bit more difficult. We now use a website called Elfster.com that automatically draws and assigns the names to each Secret Santa/Santee. You can even create a wish list full of hints and ideas that will be anonymously emailed to your Secret Santa/Santee. I can't believe how high tech Santa has gotten!
I had been to the bank at lunch to close an account that had fraud on it and argued with the bank teller for the third time about this account. I then came back to the office to a staff who won't be leaving early today (the day before Thanksgiving) because we've been working overtime. And, the remodeling that was supposed to be finished in the office isn't done yet. But, as I was sitting in my office, thinking about all these annoyances, someone stopped in and brought me a Grande Skim Cappuccino with a sprinkle of cinnamon and cocoa on top from Starbucks! It was a special delivery from my Secret Santa and just put a huge smile on my face :) Thanks, Secret Santa!
You see, it really doesn't take much to make me happy. Simple pleasures are all around. I do not believe that there are any small acts of kindness. Any kindness is BIG. As we head into this holiday season, remember that it doesn't take much to put a smile on someones face. Sometimes, all it really takes is a smile (and a Grande Skim Cappuccino in my case) from you!

Andrea - Finish What You Start

Recently I was asked if I start a lot of projects but don't finish them. Yup I answered, I start lots of stuff and don't finish it. I attributed it to the fact that I have an interest in learning about everything. Therefore I get a taste for something, learn the basics, get slightly into it and then move on. Because of that I have a plethora of items for whatever project I was into that now sit with dust on them. I figure someday I will find a use for the stuff so I am not really worried about that. But after I was asked the question, it was then suggested to me that maybe I try to finish the things I have started. I thought about it for a minute and said okay I can take that project on.

So now my new project is to finish what I have started, including this project or challenge as it may seem to be at times to finish what I start. In the last few weeks since I have started this endeavour, I have finished numerous knitting projects that I have had on needles, finished reading the books I had that I was half way through and got a bunch of other ends tied up. It has felt great. Each night I go to sleep with a great sense of accomplishment for the project I finished that day, it actually creates a nice peace of mind and calm settled feeling for me.

So I am thankful for the advice that was given to me and I am enjoying this new feeling of accomplishment and look forward to all the fruits of my labors and the end results of finishing what I have started.

Tracy: Countdown To What?

We've all seen them, the calendars with the big x's, marking off the days. What exactly is the goal of that countdown? Are you marking off the days till your demise, the end of the world, your last hurrah? It seems a bit morbid to me. Why not celebrate your life and your days and your accomplishments? Those big x's scare me. If you want to put an "x" somewhere, play a game of tic-tac-toe...

Andrea - bad day blahs

well I had a whole blog written about my day yesterday and when I went to post the blog, I received and error message and despite the fact that there is an auto save on this blog, my entire blog that I had written was gone. Knowing that I can't recreate what I had written and thinking that maybe the universe is trying to tell me I should not have published that blog I am not even going to attempt to write that same blog or one like it.

So instead I am going to say thank you to the people that listened to me vent yesterday during a bad day (a bad day for no reason at that!) and for being there for me. I am here to return the favor if ever needed. And Thank You for the good day I am having today.

I hope everyone that reads this has gotten over a bad day and having good days.

Andrea - Westport County Playhouse

Last week I attended the performance of "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck at the Westport County Playhouse.

I had read the book in high school and have to admit that it was not one of my favorite books. However when the chance to attend this performace at the Playhouse came up, I was not going to pass it. The Playhouse is a most beautiful place in Westport that I have not taken enough advantage of in all my years living in this area (and that is my whole life) It is a very rustic and warm building with pictures of performers and performance proudly displayed throughout the building.

The theater itself is a very intimate theater and I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. As I sat in my seat waiting for the lights to dim and the show to start, I took some time out of my conversation with my friend to just enjoy my surroundings. I observed the people around me as eager as I was for the curtain to go up. I checked out the decorations of the room and rustic setting of the theater and I caught bits and pieces of the audiences converstations remembering Paul Newman and what The Playhouse meant to him. It was very heartwarming.

Then the curtain went up and I was whisked away into another time and place. The stage had a minimal set and even if it were elaborate, it surely would have been overpowered by the actors on stage and their performance. I can't say enough about how wonderful each and every actor in the play was. I forgot where I was and all of my thoughts as I became engrossed in the goings on of the play. Now as I mentioned, I had read the book in high school and remembered most of what the book was about, and even though it was a sad story and I knew what was going to happen (I won't spoil it for those who have not read the book) I was still so affected by all the took place on the stage and how the actors up there brought it to life.

This play has been extended through November 1st and although it might seem like short notice, if you can make time to see it, do it, even if Steinbeck and sad are not your first choices of entertainment (just like they are not mine) you won't be disappointed in this play and The Playhouse.

And be sure to keep your eye on their upcoming schedule, I hear the Christmas Show is not one to miss either and it is right here practically in our own back yards! Enjoy the shows and let me know if you see them and what you think.

Tracy: Celebrity Look-alikes

I was working at a wedding this weekend in Shelter Island. Back in the days of high school and college, I worked at an inn as a waitress over the summers. On occasion, I still help out working weddings in the fall when the college kids go back to school. Quick, easy money is always enticing.

I am walking by a table and this guy says to me, “Hey, wait a minute. Sarah Palin. You look like Sarah Palin.” Now, any of you that have worked in a restaurant, you know what it’s like to be wearing black pants, a white shirt, hair in a pony tail, sticky, sweaty gross as you walk through a steamy, un-air conditioned dining room. I stopped, looked at the guy (and the multitude of beer bottles in front of him) and just smiled. I told him that I wanted to have a back up plan in case the vice president thing doesn’t work out.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had a celebrity look alike comment. One time, again I think this person had a multitude of liquor in front of and in them, someone told me I looked like Charlize Theron. Seriously? Have you seen Charlize? Tall, blond, movie star, pilates-driven looks? Have you seen me? Short, brunette, walk to the vending machine, couch-potato style? Close, but no cigar.

I wonder what it would be like to actually look like a celebrity. There is a former swimmer, turned reporter that looks like Michael Phelps. He was swarmed in China last month by mis-informed fans. The attention must be fun for a while, but I still like the anonymity of being just me.

Andrea - Stanger on a Plane

Picture it: LaGuardia Airport, a Sunday night, boarding 45 minutes AFTER the plane was scheduled to take off. Billy Joel whistling The Stranger in the background

I get to my window seat with hardly a problem, okay so maybe we are running an hour late but no problems boarding. The plane starts to fill up and the middle seat has not been occupied yet, okay this could be good, an open middle seat. Then I see the obvious look of the person coming towards my row, in my head I am silently pleading "please be the aisle seat, please be the aisle seat" Yes! my pleading worked, the stranger is the aisle seat occupant. Next I hear the intercom turn on "Ladies and Gentleman, please take your seats quickly, we are closing the aircraft door and getting ready to take off" YES! Open middle seat. Now I can spread out a bit, not have to share my arm rest and prepare for take off and flight. I reach into my backpack - the one I never board a plane without in the last 10 years - and search for my pack of gum. Again I start conversing with myself - do I offer the stranger on the aisle seat a piece of gum and open up the possibility of having to have a conversation or do I just stick to my little window corner and pretend like I am the only one on the plane. Well my manners won out and I offered him a piece of gum.

He made a funny joke, politely declined my offer as he already had gum and went back to his book. As we take off, we both look out the window to see the beautiful NY City skyline grow smaller and smaller as we climb higher and higher. And then the inevitable happens, he starts chatting with me. Okay manners win again and I politely chat back. It actually turned out to be a nice conversation, where are you from, what do you do, etc. and we chat amicably and easily for a few minutes. Then he asks for my card, maybe we can keep in touch, grab a drink sometime. A slight moment of panic comes over me, do I give him my card, if not how do I get out of this, and while this inner dilemma is going on, without realizing what I am doing and much to my own surprise as well as it is way out of my character, I give him my card. Wait how did that happen? I never do that and I just did. Then the kind stranger says, "well your book is not going to read itself, I will let you get back to it."

All in all it turned out pretty good - an enjoyable conversation, a stranger on a plane that knows when to you let you read your book and a smooth flight that made up for delayed time in the air. Not bad for a Sunday night travelling the friendly skies.

Tracy-First Time Mom Friend

I just got back from Washington state where I spent a week visiting one of my best friends from college. She had a beautiful baby girl, Piper and I went to give her some moral support and hopefully, a little time for herself.

Not having children of my own, I was a little hesitant what to expect living in a house with a one month old, two dogs, a cat my friend and her husband. Would there be incessant crying? How would I know what to say if the baby didn’t gain the right amount of weight at the doctor’s visit? What advice could I possibly have to offer this first time mom?

When Leslie and Piper picked me up at the airport, Leslie asked me to drive the hour and a half back to their house since it was so late. Normally, I would have no hesitation to drive, but this time was different. One, I had just flown across the United States and had been traveling for 8 hours. Two, her car is a stick shift and I hadn’t driven stick in about five years. And three, there is a one-month old in the car! Ok, no pressure here or anything. Just drive, on a dark, unknown highway with your best friend and her most precious gift in the back seat, an hour and a half, jetlagged. Sure, I can do that. Press in the clutch, feel the bite, don’t stop on any hills, sip the gas station coffee without jolting forward or stalling out. And, don’t wake the baby.

Well, we made it home safe and sound and I went right to bed. In a deep slumber, I heard nothing over night. Of course, Leslie and Piper were up multiple times throughout the night. I really had no right to complain and we soon were off walking a four-mile trail on the coastline of Washington, with the San Juan Islands in the distance. Halfway through the walk, we came upon a small town, with an outdoor plaza. Fairly secluded, Leslie wanted to try breast feeding in public for the first time. She told me she needed me there as support to know that she could do this. Again, not having children, I never took the time to think about what a big deal this must be in a mother’s life. It’s natural, yet feels unnatural to be doing this in public. Using a little apron-like coverup, Leslie as able to maneuver herself and the baby so there was no public viewing and all went well. I was so proud of her and glad that I was the one that gave her the confidence to be able to get past this difficult hurdle.

Throughout the week, there were so many firsts it was amazing to think that at age 37, you can still be a neophyte in so many areas. From Kenmore the dog ripping through the diaper genie to learning how to use the exercise ball as a bouncy chair to soothe a crying baby, a first time mom has much to learn. A first time mom friend must also learn as she goes. I wouldn’t have it any other way and am counting the days until I can see this new little family again. In the meantime, I’ll be practicing driving stick!

Andrea: Knitting For Charity

A few months ago I recieved a newsletter that talked about a knitting project that can be donated to charity for the holidays. I thought what a great idea, I love to knit and it would be great to knit for charity, so I kept the idea on the to-do list for when the timing was right to start knitting for the holidays.

As that time draws closer, and I have begun doing some research on patterns and charities, I discovered that there are so many great charities that are in need of home made items such as hats, scarves and afghans that I wanted to share them with other knitters, crocheters and crafters.

Be sure to click below to see all the great charities that accept knitted donation and lets get the needles clicking, the yarn rolling and projects finished and send some warmth to those in need. If you have a charity and a pattern that you currently use, please feel free to pass that info along to me either by commenting on this blog or emailing me at andrea@mytimeforme.com

Happy Holiday knitting! Knitting For Charity List

Andrea: 90210 Back!?

Yup I grew up with Kelly, Brandon, Brenda, Dylan and the whole Beverly Hills 90210 crew. I was even in the same "class" as they were but over here in the Norwalk 06850. I watched just about every episode the first time it aired for all 10 years that the show was on and I loved every minute of it. I continued to watch the show in repeats whenever I could and thanks to Soapnet I still can and do. (thank you soapnet!)

So when I heard that they were going to be featuring a new class at West Beverly I got really excited. I got even more excited when I heard some of the characters from my generation (can't believe I just said that) were going to be making an appearance.

As I suspected, the kids were a bit too young for me to really identify with but it was entertaining to watch and see new twists on the old story. But for me the best part was seeing the characters that I loved making appearance as well as some funny coincidences from the past. For example I love that both Kelly's little sister and Andrea's daughter are both in the show. But it still left me yearning to see more story line on Brenda and Kelly and the rest of the classmates. But I realize that this is not a show aimed quite towards me anymore but at the high schoolers like I used to be when the show originally aired.

So it looks like I will be visiting the halls of West Beverly again but maybe not as faithfully as once before and I will keep hoping to see more story line of my favorite characters, but until that happens I will just have to do with the small glimpses of the familiar.

Donna Martin Graduates!

Andrea - The End of Summer?

For the past week, everyone had been talking about how this past holiday weekend was the last weekend of the summer. At the beginning of the weekend, it made me sad. I went into the weekend kicking and screaming that it was really not the last weekend of summer. We still will have nice weather in store, it is not as if we were going to wake up for work on Tuesday morning to bare trees and snow on the ground and the end of summer as we know it until next year.

So with everyone's end of summer rants in mind, I decided to make this the best weekend of the summer. Not a small feat since I had an amazingly fun summer. So here I sit on Tuesday morning and as I think about the last 5 days (yes I started my weekend on Thursday) I accomplished what I had set out to do, my weekend definately makes it up there in the top 5 of the summer. The weather was beautiful, the food was great and plentiful and time with friends was the best part. There was a pool party, Sunday brunch, a day at the beach and drinks by the water. What a way to spend the "last weekend of summer".

And while in my mind summer is not even close to being over (I may even wear my white pants one more time) After such a great summer style weekend, I think I am almost ready to move into fall, which luckily for me is my next favorite season. I am just about ready for my favorite sweaters, the turning of the leaves, the apple pie, the smell of spiced pumpkin and my favorite holiday (my birthday which is the 2nd day of fall).

So here is too a wonderful summer and end of summer weekend, a few more summer-like days and the start of fall with a new fun and adventures.

Andrea - Stop Signs and Blinkers

Okay so really I want to blog about happy funny things but each day when I am in my car I think that is it, something must be done about this and I am going to talk about it in hope of making a difference, so here goes. My first non-happy blog that just may turn out to be more of a rant about Stop Signs and Blinkers.

Stop signs and blinkers you say, hmm what is she going to say about them, well here is what I am going to say. Why do drivers not use them? A stop sign means stop, not slow down, not roll through not pause and keep going without looking. It means, FULL stop, look both ways then, when there are no cars coming, proceed. Yesterday morning as I am driving down the street, heading straight, there was a car that came to a stop sign, did not stop, did not look both ways and took a left hand turn, cutting me off. Luckily, I sort of saw it coming and had one of those gut feelings that said "that driver is not going to stop" and well she did not. An accident was averted thanks to my intuition but there should never have been the chance of an accident when there was a stop sign, big, red, plain as day and been there for years. And this is not the only incident, I am sure like me you could go on and on about the subject as well and situations that you have witnessed or been apart of.

Yes I realize I titled this posting stop signs and blinkers but I am sure by now you can guess where I would go with the blinker subject so long rant short, please remember to use them too.

I know that when we are driving our minds tend to go everywhere but the road, so please, use this as a reminder to practice mindful driving, stop at stop signs, pay attention to your driving and those around you, use your blinkers and drive safe for your sake and those around you, especially now that school is starting again and the little ones will be out and about walking to and from school.

Tracy-Birthday Girl Alter Ego

I wanted to post this blog last week, but I was too busy enjoying my annual birthday week vacation! I am always excited by my birthday and feel the need to share it with others. I think it goes back to being a little kid with a summer birthday. I never was able to have my mom bake cupcakes for my class and have everyone treat me special for that day. So instead, I make everyone treat me special for the entire month now that I'm grown up (debatable choice of words)!

Last year, I invented my superhero alter-ego on my birthday. Her name is Birthday Girl (very original, goes along the lines of Bat Girl, Cat Woman, and other assorted female comic book heroes who's names escape me). My superpowers have been honed over 30+ years of birthdays and include being able to eat all the birthday cake I want without gaining weight and drinking all the birthday shots I want without getting hungover. The creme de la creme of my powers is the ability to see people in their birthday suits. Of course, the best part of my powers is that I have the ability to KNOW who I want to see in their birthday suits and who I DO NOT!!

So, I wonder what your superhero alter-ego would be? What kind of super powers would you possess? Feel free to share your thoughts. And remember, if you run into me during August, I may just make you buy me a shot and a piece of cake (and be sure to keep some kryptonite on hand)!

Andrea: Movie Reviews As I see it

So yes, I realize that it has been one of the most amazing weeks weatherwise and I have been indoors at the movies not once but twice this week. And while nothing really beats fun in the sun, the movies that I saw, Tropic Thunder and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, where both worth a few hours away from sunshine.

The first movie I saw was Tropic Thunder. Now I had no expectations for this movie at all and was not sure I even wanted to see it but my friends were going so I did too, (no I am not going to jump off a bridge if my friends do) It was more entertaining than I thought it would be and I did actually enjoy the movie. It was funny in some parts, not so funny in other and there were surprise familiar faces in the movie that I had not seen in the trailers. But the most surprising and enjoyting to me was Tom Cruise, the part he played and how funny he was. I actually might be starting to like him again. His character was hilarious and so not what we have seen him do before and who knew Tom Cruise could dance! I think it is worth going to see just to see him dance and play this funny guy. But that is just my opinion.

The other movie I saw was Vicki Cristina Barcelona. Again another movie I knew nothing about, I had not even scene a commercial or trailer for this movie but I heard people talking about it and it was highly reccomended by a friend of mine. I loved it, I can't really tell you why, maybe because I spent some time in Spain earlier this year, or maybe the story and the way it is told, but for me it is one of those movies that I have not stopped thinking about since I saw it. I would reccomend this movie and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Okay that is about all I have to say on the movies I have seen this week, but since this has been a summer of movie seeing for me, I am sure I will have more movies to write about soon. So for now, thumbs up, sit back relax and enjoy the show, turn off cell phones and see you at the movies.

Andrea - We're blogging now

So you have a business, you have to a website, okay check, got that (http://www.mytimeforme.com/ in case you don't already know). Then you learn if you have a business and you have a website, you have to have a blog. Okay we can do that, add blog feature to website - check. Okay now blog - oh boy.

What do we blog about? anything and everything - okay, that seems easy enough. How often do we blog? Best is to do it everyday - gulp, everyday!

Okay so quite the challenge we have here! Now to know me is to know that I am quite the talker and hopefully once in a while I spin a witty antidote amongst the crowd (hopefull being the operative word here) but to write something everyday that is entertaining and maybe a bit informative that will keep people interested enough to check back - OH BOY!

So here I go, game on, challenge taken, mission accepted. Maybe you will join me on this journey, maybe you will comment (favorably I hope) on what is written, maybe I will succeed, maybe I will get into the groove (that is what I have my fingers crossed for) and write everyday or on some sort of regular basis. Maybe this will be fun for all of us, maybe I will entertain and give folks a chuckle and maybe just maybe I will have another thing to add to my list of things that I have done or do. I blog.

Andrea- What a summer for MTFM!

I love summer, it is really my favorite time of year and I so far this has been one of the best summers I have ever had. Not only for the regular summertime things like picnics, days at the beach, boat rides, sun dresses and flip flops and a great tan, but also for the dreams and visions we have for MTFM that have cocme true this summer.

The first vision we saw come true this summer was the honor of having been voted the Best Of the Gold Coast CT as best social networking for women and to have displayed at the party last night. It was great to meet so many new people and make connections with the great women of Fairfield County, as well as meet the other winners. There was great music, food and giveaways last night and the energy in the air was electric and contagious. To see a list of the other winners, pick up a copy of Greenwich, Westport, or New Canaan Darien & Rowayton Magazines on newstands now. You are sure to find some great new things in there that you will have to check out!

We also are excited that our long standing vision of a membership program to My Time For Me is being launched this summer. We have put together a wonderful program with lots of gifts and benefits and discounts not only to MTFM events but to other wondeful businesses in the area. To see all the great benefits check it out here. If you have a business of your own and would like to offer a discount to the ladies of MTFM click here to learn more about it.

With a few more weeks of summer still ahead I am grateful for all that has happened so far and look forward to what is still to come.

Andrea - My Affair with Books

I am obbsessed with books, buying them, reading them, discovering new ones, having them all around me and of course reading them. On a bad day a trip to the bookstore is a sure way to perk me right up. On a good day, it makes is an even better day.

I often joke that I cannot afford my habit - my book habit. I have more unread books than I can read in 6 months, yet I keep buying more and it keeps making me happier and happier. My wishlist at BarnesandNoble.com is always at the max of 25 books and everytime a coupon arrives in my inbox I use it, and of course I buy more than intended so I can get the free shipping! I know, I know I can go to the library and I used to all the time. In fact my library card holds a place of honor in my wallet, it is one of the first things I see when I open my wallet, but borrowing books is just not the same as having for mine for always.

If I hear of a subject that interests me and I know nothing about it, off the the book store or internet I run. Have a new project I want to tackle, let me find a book to help me learn about it. Having a hard time with something in my life, surely there is a book about how to get through it, or what someone else experienced.

The other day I was at my house and I heard the clump of feet on the stairs and the ringing of the doorbell that made me run to the door with glee where I knew I would find my recent order of books. How happy that made me, for the rest of the day, wherever I was in the house, the books were with me, reading them, checking out the cover art, figuring out which book I was going to start first. Working in my office, the new pile of books was right next to me. Later on while watching a movie, they were piled prominently on the coffee table where I could see them and the tv screen. That night when I went to sleep, they joined the pile of books next to my bed that I am currently reading or going to pick up next. Yes I have a pile of books next to my bed, it is almost like my security blanket, as long as I know there is a selection next to me, I am comforted that at anytime I can step into whatever world I feel like at that moment.

I have a great talent of being able to read multiple books at one time. People find this strange, I find it normal, depending on what mood I am in, there is a book I can pick up to fit. In fact just writing about my books makes me want to take a little break, sit outside in the sun (another one of my favorite things) and read for a bit. Hmm now which book should I take with me?

Andrea's Blog - Velcro Rollers - I never knew

Yes I am writing about velcro rollers. I know seems strange to me too but it is something new in my life that I feel I must share with all women who have ever had a bad or questionable hair day. These little, or big if you so choose, rollers can work miracles in your hair! Really I did not believe it but after one use, okay 2 after I learned how to really use them, I am hooked!

They are pretty inexpensive, can be found in many sizes at any store that sells beauty products and they can give your hair the bounce and the flair you may need for a special occasion, a night on the town, or at the end of the day when you need to a hair pick me. They are also great on those days when you just don't feel like blow drying forever to get the style you want. With these little beauties, leave your hair a bit damp and roll them in and style galore! Yes I promise it is just about that simple.

Really you just roll sections of your hair in these miracle makers, spray on some hair spray, maybe give it a quick shot with the blow dryer (helps but not necessary) and leave em in for maybe 10 minutes and you have bounce and body! They are not the easiest thing to store or travel with but I tell ya, it is worth it. And other than maybe using the blow dryer, no electricity is needed and there is much less chance for mishap with these things than there are with a hot flat iron or curling iron. I know you all know what I mean there.

So yes I just wrote a blog about the beauty of velcro rollers and how important they are to me. Interesting topic huh, but since they have been such a help to me, I thought how could I not share. Happy rolling (velcro rollers of course).....

Andrea-Happy Blog

A handful of years ago I was going through a challenging time in my life. I was on the precipice of a new life. Some of the changes I wanted, some I didn’t and some were much needed. During this time I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go on a long weekend vacation with 2 of my closest girlfriends. Although I was sad and had a lot on my mind, that trip to this day is one of my happiest memories.

During this vacation I was standing on Fisherman’s Wharf with my two girlfriends on a beautiful sunny day and I looked at my friends and said “I am so very happy at this very moment!” My friends both looked at me and started laughing, what the heck I thought, here I am having an enlightening moment and they are laughing at me. They looked at me and said, well here we are, on our way over to Alcatraz, one of the least happiest places there is and you are bellowing about how happy you are.

Later on I thought about my declaration and their comments and how I was able to stop in the moment and appreciate it for what it was and the goodness of it. I started doing that on a regular basis, finding the good in the moment I was in no matter what was going on. I found during that tough period of my life, my days were better than I thought they could be, because although I had a lot going on, I focused on all the good things happening throughout the day instead of the bad. At the end of each day as I lay falling asleep going over my day, I realized how good the day had been because I focused on and recognized the happy things. Some of them as little as the tulips blooming outside or a great cup of coffee I had to bigger things like the time spent in a great city with great friends.

To this day I employ this theory of happy all day everyday, some days are harder than others, but those are the days that end up being the best because I faced adversity, hardship and trials and came out with a huge smile. “I am so very happy at this very moment” has become a joke amongst my friends, but any time we spend together is not the same unless I say it at least once and my life, and I hope others as well, is much happier for that moment of realization on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco with my friends.

So my advice to you today is be mindful of the moment you are in and find the happy in it. You will see that even during the toughest times, there is still happiness, and during the happy times, there is gratitude. Each making everyday a good day.

Tracy-Done With Detox

It was quite a journey, with some lows and many more highs, but without all the support and enthusiasm of those around me I could never have succeeded in completing the detox. The reasons I decided to do the detox were many, from learning more about living and eating better/healthier to weight loss to determine the cause of my chronic cough to just proving to myself that I could do it. Going through the program was actually easier than I expected and what I enjoyed the most was cooking creatively using the allowable foods. I can up with some great recipes and even started sharing recipes with others who are following a similar diet (quinoa pancakes, anyone?). The benefits I’ve received from finishing have been a clearer sense of focus, a feeling of accomplishment, better skin, weight loss (12 pounds) and over a foot and a half loss in overall measurements! It certainly feels good to wear pants I have only been able to look at in my closet for the past two years. So, my best advice to anyone interested in doing the detox is to time it right for your lifestyle, gather support from family and friends, plan activities during the 28 days that don’t focus on food and drink (I went on an art gallery tour, got massages, finished books I had started months ago) and take the time to notice the changes in your mindset about food and food choices. Of course, now I’m one of those annoying people ahead of you on the line at Starbucks ordering the half caf/half decaf soy cappuccino, but, hey, that’s the way it goes!

Andrea - Dinner with Myself

Last week My Time For Me had an event with Laura Campbell of The D-Spot focusing on taking control of your dating and relationship destiny. It was a great event and I learned a few things about attracting the guy I want to date and about myself.

One of the things that Laura recommended was going out by yourself (gasp) sitting at bar alone (cold sweat) and eating alone (yeah right) as a way of meeting new people and potential dates. So I decided take her advice and to break out of my comfort zone and head out alone. So this past Saturday night when I found myself alone in NYC for the night, I had dinner with myself.

I got dressed up, consulted with the concierge for a good sushi place and I was on my way. In I walked by myself and almost turned and ran back to my room when the hostest said "table for one?" I put a big smile on my face and said "yes, just me tonight any spots open at the sushi bar?"

So there I was sitting at the sushi bar all by myself, sipping my sake and taking my time to pick my dinner. The evening was great! I really enjoyed my own company, I made friends with the sushi chefs, who carved all kinds of object out of the veggies for me and I did something I was always afraid of doing.

While I did not make any new friends, (it was a quiet night in the restaurant), I did enjoy myself and felt great for doing something out of my comfort zone. I look forward to doing it again, except next time I am going to bring a book or a newspaper (in case of another empty sushi bar) and I am going to make new friends. Maybe even meet some one I will go on a date with.

Tracy-Dumping The Junk

I'm on day 17 of 28 in a detox program. And, no, I'm not talking Betty Ford. In February, at one of our events we held at Dorr Way To Health, I met Laura Dorr. She introduced me to the idea of a detox. Now, the only detox I've ever known is the kind Britney and Lindsey have done and I didn't want to have anything to do with that! But no, this detox is a cleansing detox of your body, focusing on your liver and gall bladder. The results can be varied, from clearer skin to weight loss to a clearer sense of thoughts and focus. Coming out of a Northeastern winter had definitely brought me down and my eating habits had become mostly hearty, comfort food. And, my insides just felt like they were rotting out...
So, I met with Laura before I left for a week-long trip to London and Spain. I ate and drank to my hearts content on my trip, knowing full well I would be starting detox when I got back. I had one final beer (one with the highest alcohol content possible) and one last Starbucks (goodbye Grande Skim Cappuccino and cute barista) and let Laura lead me.
For the first week, it was all about decreasing and eliminating certain foods from my diet. Bye bye beef, breads, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, anything non-organic. I actually enjoyed this first week because it let me get creative in the kitchen. Baked sweet potato fries with cayenne pepper, now how bad a detox can that be???
Starting the second week, I was given about 8 different containers full of various powders-cleansing powder, vanilla and strawberry meal powder, fiber powder and my favorite, the green powder. I was supposed to make 2 shakes a day, one for breakfast and one for dinner, mixed with ice and frozen organic fruit. Using the scoop provided, you measure out the right amount of powder for each shake. Well, apparently there are 2 sizes of scoops and I only used the large one, so I got me some extra cleansing for the first week! The rest of meals I ate were salads, quinoa pasta with organic turkey meatballs, salmon. I even got Andrea to come to an organic restaurant and order healthy food. As she says, healthy you means healthy me:) It really is contagious once you start.
On day 9 of the shakes, you switch to all liquids for at least 3 of the next 6 days. I'm on day 10 and on my second day of all liquid. It's actually not so bad. I think this is much more mind over matter than anything else. Which, I believe is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to do this. I wanted to prove to myself that I could. Not for anyone else, but myself. And yes, of course it feels great to have worn pants today that I haven't fit into in two years and actually see my cheekbones again, but that isn't what this is all about. For me, this really is "My Time For Me".
I'll keep you posted on my progress....

Taking My Own Advice

Last week I had a day where I left my house very early in the morning and did not get home until almost 10:30pm. While the day was long and busy, it was also very productive, however I had no time for me.

As I returned home I thought about the emails I needed to check, the mail I needed to open, the laundry that needed folding and felt overwhelmed and agitated. I realized I had not had a chance to take any me time during the day and boy did I feel the effect. At that moment I made a decision, I was going to take my own advice and not turn on my computer (gasp), let the mail wait until the next day (cringe) and forget about the wrinkling laundry and take some me time!

And that is just what I did, I put on my comfy pj's, curled up in my bed with my favorite blanket, lit a candle and read my book. Instantly I felt the tension subside and the day melt away and a smile spread on my face. Not only did I have a great sleep that night, I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to face a new day.

Me Time Shirts

wow I am so excited, My Time For Me is now selling me time shirts on our website. You really have to check out these shirts, the quality is great and even better are the designs and sayings. They really say it all.

I myself find it hard sometimes to take "me time" but I make it a priority to do so and get out of my normal routine and do something that is just about me. To me, these new shirts are not only a reminder that I did something for myself but also of how good I felt putting myself first for once. It is a reminder that it is okay to take time for me, and take it often, and of how good it feels to do so.

When things get overwhelming (and that happens often to me) I am reminded of how it felt to take a break and celebrate me and I can calm myself down, get through the task ahead and know, I can again reconnect with myself very soon with my next chance at "me time"

So I will be proudly wearing my new shirts and I look forward to seeing them on you. Nothing makes me happier than to see other busy women like me taking some time to treat themselves to well deserved "me time"

The Art of Truffle Making

This past Wednesday (Feb 13, 2008) My Time For Me held our third truffle making event at Chocopologie in Norwarlk and once again the event was a huge success. We all had so much fun going into the kitchen, rolling truffles, eating the wonderful food made for us and spending time with new and old friends. We even got to bring home what we made that night - YUM!

It was so nice to see so many familiar faces at the event and meet the new ones. The energy in the cafe from all the wonderful women was truely exhilarating! After spending the night with this great group of women we are even more excited than usual for our upcoming events.

Wanna see how much fun we had? Check out these pictures from the night and let me know what your thoughts on the evening, the pictures and MTFM in general.

Taking time for "me"

Taking time for ourselves is one of the most important things that we can do for ourselves and one of the hardest things to do. There is always someone else or something else demanding our time and we just can't so no to them and say yes to ourselves.

To make sure that I remembmer to take time for myself everday I have decided to add to my daily gratitude journal what I did for myself that day, even something as small as taking a ride through the beach, reading a magazine of my choice or getting an ice cream cone to something a bit larger like finishing my scuba certification. Whatever it may be, it is important for all of us to do and to enjoy it. And if you need help deciding what to do for yourself check out My Time For Me for some ideas and join us at one of our events put together with you in mind.

If you do not already do a gratitude journal, I highly reccommend starting one, it really makes a difference in your day when you focus on the good things and it really makes the day a better one when you reflect back and see all the happy things that happened.

My Time For Me New Events

Well we are only into the 6th week of the year and we have been busy putting together new events for the new year. Things are great in 2008 is our theme for the year, both for My Time For Me and personally.

My Time For Me has branched out this year and we are travelling for the day to Hunter Mountain to learn to snow board. This is going to be a great day, Hunter Mountain has a learning for ladies clinic that we will be taking advantage, and everything you need will be provided, transporation, lessons, snowboard, a limited use pass and even a Burton t-shirt. Oh and lets not forget, the best thing about a day at the mountain, the apres snowboard party with food and drink to celebrate that we conquered the mountain. To sign up or learn more about it, check it out on our website

We are also excited to announce new this year, our series of events. We are offering a series of 3 evenings at Cookin Dinners and a series of 3 meditation nights. You can do one or you can do all 3 or each but these are great events, cooking and life balance, what great events to add your monthly calendar.

See you soon!
Andrdea

Happy New Year. Welcome to the My Time For Me blog. My name is Andrea and I am one of the founders of My Time For Me.

My Time For Me organizes fun, social events for women because come on, lets face it, as women, we do not take enough time out for ourselves. So we create must do excuses that you can't miss. We feel it is very important to take time for yourself. Our schedules get so busy fitting in everything else in life that sometimes we forget to schedule in time for ourselves. MTFM helps you with that by creating the events you can't miss. We dot all the i's and cross all the t's and all you have to do is join us and enjoy yourself.

We look forward to seeing you at our events and check back to this new blog often to hear more about taking time for you!