Laurie: Oprah, my March issue of O Magazine arrived today. You looked lovely on the cover of course, but imagine my surprise when I turned the issue over and there on the back cover was Ellen DeGeneres! Now granted, this was an advertisement for both Olay and Cover Girl (you would think that between her show and American Idol she wouldn’t have time for extra activities), but I am sure you can see the inequity of the situation. Ellen has graced your co

Laurie: Never say never. I sat on a wooden porch somewhere in Baroda, India, and watched a peacock stroll by with full plumage unfurled. A couple of “saints-in-training” clad in orange togas were sitting in the trees to provide spiritual support. We were on a guru’s ayurvedic farm during monsoon season, and I had plenty of time to contemplate what the heck I was doing there.
 

elizabeth: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana did something a few weeks ago that no other member of Congress has done in the open. He gave Congress the middle finger and is walking away – no re-election campaign for him. Bayh is feeling like millions of Americans are feeling – fed up, pissed off and maybe it’s time we don’t take it anymore. We blogged recently about meteorologists messing up weather predictions but I got boots, scarves, umbrellas, ice scrapers, and sun tan lotion so if they mess up, I can still take care of myself and my family.

Beep. Beep. Beeeeeeeeeep. This is not a test. This is an official broadcast of the Mentally Unstable Warning System. Be prepared for high winds, irrational thoughts, sophomoric language and temper tantrums. Avoid windows and doorways. Take shelter in halls. This is not a test. 

GRRRRRRR! I HATE TEENAGE BOYS. They've been causing women pain since the beginning of time and I do not believe it will ever end. Even when they were my best childhood friends, they were royal pains in my ass. I HATE TEENAGE BOYS! UGH! UGH! UGH!

In that year of my life, I looked like Pocahontas. Tanned limbs and long, dark hair. He looked like Brad Pitt. Everyone thought he looked like Brad Pitt. The Brad Pitt of "Legends of the Fall" and "Interview With the Vampire."

Last December my good friend *Lucy sent me the funniest email describing one of those mothering moments.  I’ve been meaning to steal the story for quite some time and write a blog about it.  As coming up with 5 blogs in one week is a challenge for me now seems to be the perfect time.  (How do those newspaper columnists with daily columns do it?  Oh yeah, it’s their full-time job, not just a side thing they do at 5AM when they should be sleeping.)  If you’re a mom (and even if you aren’t) you will totally relate.

Pssst…Did You Hear Who’s Pregnant?  (No, it’s NOT me!)

Alright, this is something that has been bothering me for a long time, but now they have gone too far.  Please excuse me while I go on a bit of a rant…a bit of a rave…and throw a tiny little temper tantrum.

Why is it that every time a stick-skinny-bony-really-needs-to-eat-a-cookie celebrity actually does eat a cookie she is rumored to be pregnant?  (Because that’s what sells magazines Charlene…duh!)

Laurie: I can’t believe it’s time to haul out that big folder with all the crumpled receipts and attempt to make some sense out of the mess. First, we curse. We curse because last year around this time we swore that we would neatly file all these pesky pieces of paper in a proper order. Failure # 1. 

Death is never pleasant. No matter what the circumstances.

My prayers are with Andrew Koenig's family. I remember back in the early 80's when, Andrew Koenig,

played "Boner" on Growing Pains.

I enjoyed this sitcom become it's morals and values were intact. It wasn't like watching, Roseanne, or

Married with Children.

Boner was always, a happy-go-lucky kind of kid. He was the one who always had the funny one liners.

As he grew into a man, I guess his life was much more difficult, than his acting career.

When I saw his parent's on Larry King Live, it didn't look good.

Then it was confirmed, that his family found him dead. That has to be a parent's worst nightmare.

To see your child(41 years), your baby, lying in the woods, dead.

Andrew, with all his success in Hollywood, suffered from clinical depression.

It's too bad that this talented young man, took his life.

Depression is a disease that affects millions of people. When it goes untreated, people give up on life.

Rest in peace, Andrew, the troubles of this world are over.

 Listener Question:  Tell me, why does dropping one’s drawers have to be the line of demarcation? Is that really the point of no return? If so, then why do you consider it as such? My studies of aboriginal Polynesian societies have led me to delve into customs of touching in other nearly nude societies, including those of primates, with whom we share 98% of our DNA. These societies have no drawers to drop, yet raised peaceful, sexually wise kids.

I'm grateful for my health, a loving husband and family which includes our sons and grandchildren. And for being a shareholder in a circle of friends who support one another.  

When I learned I would have to pay taxes in 2008, I was frightened to death.

I didn't know what to expect because I always received refunds. When I became a single parent, I had to

work 2 sometimes 3 jobs, just to make ends meet.

I wasn't aware of going to my payroll department, and filling out a form, so the government could take out

taxes.

I paid dearly for that mistake. I, did, however, rectify the problem, and to this day, I'm still paying for

2008 taxes.

I don't even want to think about 2009 tax season.

I haven't even gotten up the encourage to sit with another tax consultant for 2009, but I guess I should make

the appointment.

Last week, I sent my monthly payment to the IRS, just as I do every month. I even mailed it out early enough

so that it arrives a couple of day early.

Well...wouldn't you know...IRS sent a letter, stating that they accessed penalties for being late.

Of course, when I saw the letter, I almost had a massive heart attack.

I thought to myself, this can't be. I always made sure the payment is sent off early.

I, then, researched everything. I went to my banking institution and asked for a copy of the check.

When my account history was pulled, I learned that my check to them was posted to my account, two days