Empty Nest Syndrome

Empty Nest Syndrome is a feeling of great loss or sadness when a child leaves home to go to college or just to get out on their own.

For some, not being involved in your child’s everyday life and this is not just for mothers, but fathers too, may create a temporary identity crisis. You may find yourself depressed or anxious experiencing unaccountable tears or simply being highly emotional. You may wonder who you are and what are you worth, if not as a parent.


When our children are in high school, they begin to form new friendships, and start going out on weekends. We worry about so many things during this time and rightfully so. With drugs and alcohol abuse at an all-time high, it is a frightening time for parents. While we must be diligent in keeping the lines of communication open, we must also remember that our children need some privacy too. As much as we wish they would tell us everything, the fact is, they will not. We have to respect that. All we can really do is let them know that we are there for them, no matter what. 

When the time does come that our children marry or graduate from high school and leave for college, it can be difficult to deal with the emotions that we feel. We try to hide our sadness from others because these events in a child’s life are supposed to be happy occasions. While we are happy for our children, we are also feeling a deep sense of loss. We have to remember that these feelings are perfectly normal, and not be afraid to seek out comfort from friends and family.


Even though this time in a mother's life can be a difficult time, it can also be a time of refreshing and a time for new beginnings. It can be a time of reflection, and a time to rejoice for a job well done. Believe it or not, this can truly be a significant and positive transition and period of growth for you! 


Here are some tips to help:

• Re-invest in your marriage/relationship: As you begin to re-discover your partner, you may be surprised to find that, though you got along with each other, you had really just been roommates in the past. Having kids that are plowing through adolescence can put many families into survival mode. Others managed to raise kids as a single parent and not only were their kids their responsibility to raise, but they were also their companions. The loneliness of a quiet house can be devastating to a single parent who is going through Empty Nest Syndrome. Now is the time to get out and meet some new people. Whether you are interested in dating is irrelevant. Just be proactive in meeting some people who have shared interests. There is no shame in starting to live again after your kids have moved on.

• Relish the time alone: You now have that peace and quiet that you have been wanting. Remember when they played their music too loud, their friends were too noisy and you wondered if there would ever be peace again? Well, your “peace” is available right now! What are you going to do? Read? Travel? Re-decorate? How will you use your quiet time? Make a list.

• Travel: Make your world bigger. When was your last trip or vacation? You don’t have to go around the world, just get out of town. Expand your world view. Pick a place and go. Explore. Your children are making their world bigger just by leaving home. Now it’s your turn. Where are you going?

• Utilize your talents: Raising children has been a full time job. Now they are gone and you need to replace that, you need another way to do your special work. What are your strengths? What are your skills? How can you use these to help others? Whether it’s through church, community, or more global, your gifts are needed. What are your special gifts? How are you going to use them?

Life is a journey. Consider this time of your life a step forward, a step in the right direction. You now have your very own life, so go lead it! 


Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Sources: letlifein.com, lifescript.com

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Internet Dating: How Your Race Affects the Messages You Get

As a single, professional female, I found it hard to meet men in conjunction with my everyday life. After much thought and many talks with singles in my similar situation, I decided to try internet dating. I tried several sites and never had that “connection” until my interaction with “Jr.”. We instantly formed a bond, and have been together since the beginning. Of course our meet was a “chance” occurrence that has blossomed into something wonderful, but also could have become just another statistic in the internet dating world.

I continue to have an interest in helping others find that “special” someone, whether it be via internet or just old fashioned face to face meets. In my quest to further this goal, I came across this article that I found to be of some interest.


Here are some highlights from the article (Source: blog.okcupid.com)

• Black women write back the most. Whether it’s due to talkativeness, loneliness, or a sense of plain decency, black women are by far the most likely to respond to a first contact attempt. In many cases, their response rate is one and a half times the average, and, overall, black women reply about a quarter more often that other women.
• White men get more responses. Whatever it is, white males just get more replies from almost every group. We were careful to preselect our data pool so that physical attractiveness (as measured by our site picture-rating utility) was roughly even across all the race/gender slices. For guys, we did likewise with height.
• White women prefer white men to the exclusion of everyone else—and Asian and Hispanic women prefer them even more exclusively. These three types of women only respond well to white men. More significantly, these groups’ reply rates to non-whites is terrible. Asian women write back non-white males at 21.9%, Hispanic women at 22.9%, and white women at 23.0%. It’s here where things get interesting, for white women in particular. If you look at the match-by-race table before this one, the “should-look-like” one, you see that white women have an above-average compatibility with almost every group. Yet they only reply well to guys who look like them.
• Men don’t write black women back. Or rather, they write them back far less often than they should. Black women reply the most, yet get by far the fewest replies. Essentially every race—including other blacks—singles them out for the cold shoulder.
• White guys respond less overall. The average reply rate of non-white males is 48.1%, while white guys’ is only 40.5%. Basically, they write back about 20% less often. It’s ironic that white guys are worst responders, because as we saw above they in turn get the most replies.

• Exactly What to Say in a First Message:
• Be literate - Netspeak, bad grammar, and bad spelling are huge turn-offs.
• Avoid physical compliments - Although the data shows this advice holds true for both sexes, it’s mostly directed at guys, because they are way more likely to talk about looks.
• Use an unusual greeting - We took a close look at salutations. After all, the way you choose to start your initial message to someone is the “first impression of your first impression.” The more informal standard greetings: how’s it going, what’s up, and howdy all did very well.
• Bring up specific interests - Talking about specific things that interest you or that you might have in common with someone is a time-honored way to make a connection.
• If you’re a guy, be self-effacing - Awkward, sorry, apologize, kinda, and probably all made male messages more successful, yet none of them except sorry affects female messages. A lot of real-world dating advice tells men to be more confident, but apparently hemming and hawing a little works well online.
• Consider becoming an atheist - Mentioning your religion helps you, but, paradoxically, it helps you most if you have no religion.

Do you think the information listed here is helpful? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think. Since I don’t completely agree with the total content of this article, I will be posting some of my findings and “how to” tips for internet dating in the future.

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Try The 5 Percent Solution and Improve Your Health

I stumbled across an interesting article by Jim Toedtman in the January-February issue of my AARP Bulletin.  I learned about the five percent solution and the man who developed the concept.  I thought it was worth sharing as good advice for every age and every lifestyle.

Dr. George W. Calver was the doctor appointed by the U. S. Congress to care for its members.  In 1928, at the time Dr. Calver was hired, senators and representatives were dying at a rate of 20 per year. Over the 38 years that followed, his prescription of moderation calmed congressional nerves.  He also offered his 10 Commandments of Health and gained acclaim for the solution to attaining better health.

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Oscar Best Dressed List-My 5 Faves

The 84th Academy Awards have come and gone, but the buzz from the Red Carpet goes on and on.  I've never understood why people get so vicious as they comment on who wore what and "did it work or not".  Who anointed these people as able to determine if an outfit was acceptable or not? The way they talk, you'd think it was God Himself that appointed them judge and jury.

I watched the festivities, enjoyed the sights, and was awed by the beauty of some of the attendees. Here are my 5 Faves on my Best Dressed List:

Octavia Spencer, winner, Best Supporting Actress, was breathtaking in a ruched beaded Tadashi Shoji gown.

Congratulations, girlfriend!

No, it wasn't Sarah Palin.  It was Tina Fey in a beautiful strapless eggplant satin gown.

You go girl...you've got it going on!

Michele Williams, nominee, Best Lead Actress, wore a winner in her coral Louis Vutton gown.

Simply lovely, Michele.

Leslie Mann- stunning in a flowing navy strapless gown with sparkle at the middle.

A true show-stopper, Leslie. Show them how it's done.

Gwyneth Paltrow was elegant in a simple, chic white Tom Ford with cape.

So classy, girl. Go on and work it!










I thought these stars captured the magic of this special night and, in my opinion, were worthy of note.  Did I miss favorite of yours? I'd love to have your choice(s). Just leave your comment(s).

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First Aid: Cuts or Lacerations Treatment

Cuts or Lacerations Treatment

Call 911 if: A cut is bleeding severely, blood is spurting out, or bleeding can't be stopped after 10 minutes of firm and steady pressure.


In general, a cut that needs stitches has to be repaired within 6 hours of the injury. The exception is cuts to the face and scalp, which generally can be repaired up to 24 hours after the injury.


Take the following steps for minor cuts:

1. Stop the Bleeding 
• Apply direct pressure on the area.
2. Clean and Protect
• Clean the area with warm water and gentle soap.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment to reduce chance of infection.
• Put a sterile bandage on the area.
3. Call a Health Care Provider if:
• The cut is deep or over a joint
• You cannot get the cut or laceration clean
• The injury is a deep puncture wound or the person has not had a recent (within the last 5 to 10 years) tetanus shot or booster
• The cut is from a human or animal bite
4. Follow Up
• For a minor cut or laceration, remove bandage after a couple of days to promote healing.
• See a health care provider if the cut doesn't heal or shows signs of infection, including redness, swelling, pus, or excessive pain.

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Abusive Relationships

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesn’t “play fair.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under his or her thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.


Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused—especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

This Healthy Relationship Quiz was developed by the Santa Clara University Wellness Center to help women (and also men) decide if they are in an unhealthy and abusive relationship.

1. Do you feel afraid to speak your mind, express how you feel or ask for something you need?
2. Does your partner tell you are "stupid", "crazy", or "inadequate" when you disagree?
3. Does your partner make fun of your ideas or opinions?
4. Is your partner bossy and/or try to control every detail in your relationship?
5. Is your partner extremely demanding and jealous?
6. Do you often feel guilty and second-guess your choices in friends, social activities, jobs, etc. because of your partner's negative comments about these choices?
7. Are you afraid of your partner's temper, feel like you walk on eggshells, and/or are constantly monitoring what you say and do as an attempt to avoid making him/her angry?
8. Do you find yourself making excuses for your partner and justifying his/her actions to others?
9. Do you feel more "free" to be yourself when he/she isn't around?
10. Does your partner throw or break things when angry?
11. Does your partner try to control where you go and what you do?
12. Does your partner pressure you to engage in sexual activities that you are uncomfortable with and put you down if you refuse?
13. Does your partner threaten to kill or hurt him/herself if you have a differing opinion, try to end the relationship, or do something they disapprove of?
14. Does your partner try to make you feel guilty for having a "life" (i.e. friends, interests) apart from the relationship?
15. Does your partner criticize your family and friends and ask you to stop seeing them?
16. Do you feel that you have changed, lost touch with who you are, or become someone else in order to be with your partner?
17. Have your friends or family expressed concern about your relationship and/or your well-being?
18. Does your partner know how to make you feel bad (i.e., what buttons to push) and use it often to hurt you?
19. Have you lost touch with your friends, and only hang out with your partner's friends?
20. Does your partner try to control you with anger and guilt, or lash out when you don't do exactly what he or she wants?
21. Has your partner ever hit, slapped, punched, shoved, grabbed or shook you?
22. Has your partner ever threatened to hurt you, take important things away, or leave you?
23. Has your partner ever called you names, put you down, insulted you, and/or embarrassed you in front of others?
24. Do you feel like you never get anywhere when you try to communicate?
25. Do you spend large amounts of time preoccupied with what you've said or how it's interpreted?

If you answered "yes" to 3 or more questions in this Healthy Relationship Quiz, you are experiencing signs of relationship abuse.


Helplines for women:
In the US: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).


Helplines for men:
U.S. and Canada: The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men & Women at1-888-7HELPLINE
(1-888-743-5754).


Sources: http://dahmw.org/,www.marriage-family-counseling.com

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The Serenity Prayer-Did You Know There's More?

Serenity Prayer
Written by Reinhold Niebuhr

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.





Although known most widely in its abbreviated form
above, the entire prayer reads as follows:

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Tyra Banks:Harvard's Executive Program Grad

Aceshowbiz reports Tyra Banks can now add Ivy League graduate to her resume. The 38-year-old supermodel has graduated from Harvard University's Executive Education Owner/President Management Program earning a certificate on Feb. 17. According to Celebritology, those enrolled in the program attend one three-week session, which currently cost $33,000 a pop, per year for three years.

Sharing her excitement, she took to her Twitter account to post several pictures from her graduation day. Along with the picture, she wrote, "Smiling ear2ear on the Harvard Business School campus w/ my diploma! Tnx 2 my fab photographer mama 4 the pic!"

Congratulations, Tyra. I hope that more young people follow your example and understand it's never too late to follow their dreams.

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AFI's Top Ten Movie Quotes of All Time

The American Film Institute revealed the top movie quotes of all time in AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes, a three-hour special television event on CBS hosted by actor and action star Pierce Brosnan with commentary from many of Hollywood's most celebrated actors and filmmakers. A jury of 1,500 film artists, critics and historians selected "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," spoken by Clark Gable in the celebrated Civil War epic, GONE WITH THE WIND as the most memorable movie quote of all time.

The following are the remaining nine movie quotes of all time that round out the ten most memorable:

#2-"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."
THE GODFATHER  1972

#3-"You don't understand! I coulda had class, I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum which is what I am."
ON THE WATERFRONT  1954

#4-"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
THE WIZARD OF OZ    1939

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The Oscars: Lights, Camera, Action

The nominations are in; the red carpet is ready; all of Hollywood is buzzing. Who will come home with an "Oscar"?Well, the suspense will be over on Sunday, February 26, 2012 when the 84th Annual Academy Awards ceremony is held and the winners are announced. Mounds of information is circulating about the current nominees, but I want to know do you remember winners from the last decade? Take a walk down memory lane and revisit some memorable moments as each year's Best Picture was announced. May I have the envelope please?

2010-The King's Speech

Colin Firth won for best actor and Geoffrey Rush won a nomination for best supporting actor.

2009-The Hurt Locker
The film won 6 Oscars and Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar. Jeremy Renner was nominated in the best actor category.

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Credit Card Debt: What Happens When You Die?

You certainly can't take it with you, so what happens to credit card debt when you die? Knowing a little bit more about how credit card debt works can help you manage this issue early on and avoid unnecessary stress for surviving family members.

In the case of an insolvent estate, credit card companies write off bills. Family and friends can't inherit debt.

If there is enough money, the executor of the estate must notify the credit card company. Upon notification, the credit card company must stop assessing fees and late charges. This is to protect the estate from excessive charges.

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What Is the Issue: Freedom of Religion, Preventing Abortion, or Eliminating Birth Control?

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Last week saw strong protest in response to an original Health and Human Services ruling that religion-affiliated institutions such as hospitals and universities must include free birth control coverage in their employee health plans. The churches themselves were exempted from the requirement.

Several days later, President Obama modified that policy so that insurance companies, and not the organization affiliated with a church, pay for birth control costs.

Republicans find themselves on the defensive over the issue of contraception, only a week after they sharply attacked President Obama for attempting to require religious institutions to offer birth control coverage.

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Ways to Feel Sexy in Your Skin

Whether you're single, taken, or somewhere in between, you might be in a situation where you'll be baring it all in the near future. But what happens if instead of slipping on silky lingerie you feel more like slipping on fuzzy slippers and hiding under the covers? Here, we give you ways to instantly feel sexy in your skin. Try one and you'll be kicking off those sweats and slippers before you know it.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Movie Heroes and Villians

Sometimes in our lives, we can't always tell the "good" guys from the "bad" guys. Thank God for the movies! AFI revealed the top heroes & villains of all time in "AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains". Here's a list of the top ten winners:




Heroes
1. Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
2. Indiana Jones in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
3. James Bond in DR. NO
4. Rick Blaine in CASABLANCA
5. Will Kane in HIGH NOON

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Hidden Gems - Volume IV: The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

As a young student being educated in the Chicago suburbs, the only Black historical figures I remember learning about in school were Fredrick Douglas, George Washington Carver, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At home, my parents and sisters introduced me to some of the influential Black leaders and figures that my school failed to mention - Malcolm X, Stokley Carmichael, Eldridge Cleaver, Medger Evers and Angela Davis to name a few.

Every February, during Black History Month, I still hear school kids say the same watered down stories of how "Rosa Parks was too tired to move to the back of the bus" or how "Harriet Tubman was a tour guide on the Underground Railroad". These historic events have been altered like a game of "telephone". They start out as events that impact an entire way of life, but as they are retold in history class, they are merely regulated to bulletin board blurbs framed in Kinte Cloth posted for 28 days a year.

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5 Communication Tips for Romantic Relationships

Communication is an important part of romantic relationships.  Here are a few tips to help you "keep the music playing".

1: Say "I love you" often.

Maybe Stevie Wonder knew the fastest way to a person's heart when he wrote the lyrics "I just called to say 'I love you.'" The most successful couples say "I love you" several times a day -- and mean it.

It's not easy to get those three little words out: Some people grew up in families where love wasn't expressed verbally, and our technology-driven world of e-mail, mobile phones and texting makes it difficult to look into your partner's eyes and tell them how you really feel. Plus, it's very emotionally risky to tell someone you love them when you're hoping they say it back. Yet, when you look into someone's eyes and say "I love you" the brain releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and helps strengthen your romantic relationship.

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Watch Night Services

You may already know the historical significance of Watch Night Services, but it's good info and a good Black History fact.

The History: At the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1862, the New Year was ushered in ... and at 12:01 AM, on January 1, 1863, all slaves in the confederate states were declared legally free.

Those who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in churches on New Year's Eve. But are you aware of its history?

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Some Things I Don't Understand

My mother always told me that I had "average intelligence", so I should be able to do "X", "Y", or "Z". Today, when I watch the news and listen to politicians and pundits, I wonder if my "average intelligence" is enough.

Help me understand:

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Fighting Winter Dry Skin

Winter is often a time for more noticeably dry skin. It is a problem that becomes worse due to low humidity in cold weather. It can also bring about dry “patches” in certain areas such as feet and elbows. Here are some tips to fight winter dryness:

• Apply a generous amount of skin moisturizer to keep the water from leaving your skin. A thick moisturizer should work quite well, and you can also try some petroleum jelly. It is best to apply a moisturizer on your skin, immediately after a shower, while your skin is still moist.

• Limit the amount of time you spend while bathing and reduce the temperature of your bath water, as these factors remove the natural oil from your skin. Make sure that you do not spend more than 15 minutes taking a shower and use lukewarm to warm water.  

• Use a bath or shower gel that contains added moisturizer, instead of using a soap that is harsh and drying. 

• Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously after a shower, as it damages your skin and causes it to dry out. Pat your skin dry gently, with a soft towel and allow some of the moisture to remain on your skin while you moisturize to allow for better penetration into the skin.

• Use a humidifier if you spend a lot of time indoors or in an artificially heated or cooled environment. Be sure to keep the humidifier clean and free of bacteria and fungi. 

• Fabrics like cotton and silk allow your skin to breathe and therefore are good for the health of your skin. Certain fabrics like wool and polyester can irritate your skin, leading to dryness, itching, and so on.
It is also important to drink plenty of fluids. However alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided due to their dehydrating properties.

You can also keep skin hydrated by increasing your consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, zinc, sulfur, and vitamin C. With a daily regimen of these tips you should notice healthier looking skin and a happier you.

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Is This Photo in Poor Taste?

I saw the photo in a post on The Grio and I have the same question:

A side-by-side photo of Coretta Scott King with her daughter (which was taken at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral) and Michelle Obama and Sasha Obama at the president's nominating convention has gone viral. The caption below it reads: "One Black Man Died For Another Black Man To Win." What do you think of this picture? Do you think it's inspiring or in poor taste?

Weigh in and tell us what you think.

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Chris Brown and Rihanna Together Again???

On February 8, 2009, Chris Brown violently assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna.  That was three years ago. Brown was charged with two felonies and sentenced to five years probation and six months of community service.

In February 2011, a court order that prevented Brown and Rihanna from coming into close contact was lifted, allowing Brown to speak to Rihanna without "harassing or annoying her."

On Sunday February 12, Rihanna and Chris Brown are both scheduled to perform on the 54th annual Grammy Awards this Sunday. This will be the first time the two stars will be together publicly in three years.  Rumors abound that the couple is secretly seeing each other.

Everyone has an opinion on a "reunion"of the two pop stars.  What do you think about Rihanna and Chris getting together again?

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Celebrities and Diabetes

Paula Deen caused a stir when her fans and the public found out she has diabetes. However, there are many celebrities that share the challenge of managing their diabetes.  Many historical figures had diabetes, e.g., Thomas Edison, Elvis Presley, Jackie Robinson, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King. People from all walks of life deal with the disease every day, including the entertainers listed below:

Drew Carey

When the 2010 season premiere of the long-running TV game show "The Price is Right" aired, host Drew Carey revealed a surprise — he lost nearly 80 pounds! According to People magazine, Carey, 52 went from a size 44 pants to a 33-34. He also claims the weight loss cured him of his need for medication to treat his type 2 diabetes.

Halle Berry

In 1989, the now 42-year-old actress went into a diabetic coma during a taping of the television show Living Dolls, and was later diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Since then, Berry has talked openly about controlling diabetes.

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Affect vs Effect: Which One Should I Use?

When I write articles for my blogs, I always wind up with questions about grammar,  proper usage of words and spelling. Even though I have a Master's degree, I don't feel bad because it seems that everyone has questions. Some could make the right choices when in an academic environment on a daily basis, and some could never make the right choices. Hopefully, we use our resources to get the answer when needed.

One of the grammar demons I ran into the other day is whether to use "affect" vs "effect". As with many troublesome grammar rules, quick tricks help us make the proper choices. First, try and remember the meaning of each word:

Affect with an "a" means "to influence," as in, "The rain affected Hermione's hairdo." Affect can also mean, roughly, "to act in a way that you don't feel," as in, "She affected an air of superiority."

Effect with an e has a lot of subtle meanings as a noun, but to me the meaning "a result" seems to be at the core of all the definitions. For example, you can say, "The effect was eye-popping," or "The sound effects were amazing," or "The rain had no effect on Ginny's hairdo."

You'll notice that most of the time affect with an "a" is a verb and effect with an "e" is a noun.

Remember also that effect can be used as a verb that essentially means "to bring about," or "to accomplish." For example, you could say, "The politician hoped to effect change within his district."

If you remember what each word means and the part of speech it is being used for, you should pick the right choice most of the time. Of course, if all else fails, look it up. Two of the best college grammar guides to use as regular references to perform a quick online grammar check are the Guide to Grammar and Style by Jack Lynch, a professor at Rutgers University, and Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians, a professor at Washington State University.

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On the Record: Rachael Ray

Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American television personality, businesswoman, celebrity chef and author. She hosts the syndicated talk and lifestyle program Rachael Ray and three Food Network series, 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels and $40 a Day. Ray wrote cookbooks based on the 30 Minute Meals concept, and launched a magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, in 2006. Ray's television shows have won two Daytime Emmy Awards.

Forty three year old Rachel was born in upstate New York. Her family owned and operated four restaurants in the area. Rachael moved to New York City in 1995. She started at a market candy counter and moved to Lake George to manage Mister Brown’s Pub located in the Sagamore hotel. From there, she became a buyer at a gourmet market where the concept of 30 Minute Meals was born. After teaching classes at the store and on local television broadcasts, she published her first book and signed her first contract with Food Network in 2001.

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Love, Passion, and Fun-Thirty Days of Romance

Once upon a time…two people fell in love, just like you.  They did all the classic romantic things, but the passion faded over time. Is this inevitable? Not at all. Couples with an A+ relationship know the secret of creating unique and personal ways to express their love.

There are thousands, even millions of ways of expressing love. These thirty days of romance are just the beginning.

Day 1- Visit someplace you’ve never been before. Get material from the local Chamber of Commerce or take a look at the guidebook for a city or region nearby.

Day 2- Buy a lottery ticket.  Give it to your lover with a note: “I hit the jackpot when I married you.”

Day 3- Give a creative touch to a love note. Use a computer; add flourishes; use calligraphy.  Turn the love not into a scroll and tie with a ribbon. Take your time and make it special.

Day 4- Make today a “Gift Day”. Bring home a bottle of scented massage oil and use it!

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