Julie_Feldman's Blog

There is nothing more adoreable than an adoring man. 

My mother, in her late '70's, is high on life. She smiles, laughs. She is genuinely happy. She wasn't always like this. It began happening when she met her friend Bob, about two years ago. She never showed any  interest in dating after my father's death. Her life changed when she had breakfast with a nice guy at the request of a good friend. Breakfast turned into blooming love.

Last friday, we all went to see Bob's grandson play in a band at The Ale House. Several of my friends joined us, since they think my mom is more fun than I am!  My mother danced all night with abandon! Several strangers lined up to dance with her.  Seriously! When I told her we were ready to go home, she looked genuinely disappointed. She wasn't finished having fun.

Isn't is amazing, how love can change your  life? We are all responsible for our own happiness. I get that. But it sure doesn't hurt to have a wonderful partner in your corner. 

That's what I said to myself several months ago after several years of complaining about  my post-wedding weight gain. 'Quit bitching Julie and fix it'. The truth is --- if I was tired of listening to myself complain about my ever-growing waistline, imagine how my family and friends felt.

I am skeptical about most "weight loss programs". When a friend told me she lost a sizeable amount of weight on LA Weightloss --- I looked at the program with a fine tooth comb. It seemed healthy, well-balanced and I could eat my own food. I joined. In 11 weeks, I reached my goal weightloss. There was no difficult or hunger. In fact, I'm eating more food than ever before!

I'm not pushing this program or any other. I can't do that. Plus, no one program is going to work for everyone. I do want to share something I learned that blows me away!  Apparently, when I would skip breakfast and basically fast to lose weight --- my body thought I was starving. My metabolism would slow to ziltch so I could hang on to what fat I I had.

Now, I eat three meals a day with snacks in between.  If I want a piece of cake, I have a small piece and simply eliminate a different starch or fat from my daily intake.  

Bottom line --- losing weight doesn't necessarily mean eating less. 

Go figure!

We all know, smoking cessation is one of the most difficult challenges you might ever undertake.

If you want to quit and plan to do so now, would you mind letting me know? I would like to pick your brain about something.

You can find me at julie.feldman@foxtv.com

Thanks!

It's never to late to learn about your religion or develop a more spiritual facet to your life. Most young Jewish boys and girls get Bar or Bat Mitzvah'ed when they reach the age of 13. It is their introduction to theri spiritual community as an adult, with the understanding of what adult responsibilities include ( compassion, charity, productive member of community).

I was recently Bat Mitzvah'ed 37 years later than most Jewish women! Since I got married, I was spending more time at Temple --- with my husband and his daughter, who I adopted. She became a Bat Mitzvah two years ago. I decided it was time to understand what I was reciting and what I was praying for --- So, I started to study. There was a group of us, actually. Four grown women (mid-40's to early 70's) met each Wednesday with the Cantor, to learn hebrew and discuss what each prayer meant. We had our ceremony together last fall.

The experience surprised me. I had no idea how beautiful the religion I inherited is. I had no idea how good it would make me feel to understand what it means and what I believe in. I had no idea what I was saying when I prayed in Hebrew and how fun it would be to actually read from the Hebrew side of the prayer book.

It's never too late!

My next project --- perhaps I'll master the piano!

What  weekend! I went to my first Badger game in years! You could spot me in the crowd because I was the only person there wearing red! (Of course the stadium is a fabulous sea of red)

Anyway --- my husband and I returned for homecoming --- an invitation was sent out to band, cheerleader and spirit squad alums --- that's the new term for pom pon girls. We all went out on the field to meet up with other alums from the squad during the 5th quarter --- Did a little jig to the Budweiser song!

I left appreciating my wonderful college experience that much more. Sure I got a good education at Madison, but I was also treated to a great social experience. Especially my years as a "Badgerette". There was always excitement in the air on football saturdays. You could get high on Badger Spirit and still can! Believe it or not --- it was good, clean fun!

A thank you goes out to the organizers of Homecoming weekend. Great job. Had a blast!

By now you've heard about the "superbug" MRSA --- or Mehticillin-resistant Staphtylococcus aureus.  It's the drug-resistant Staph and it's nasty.

Lately in the news, you've heard about kids in sports getting and even dying from it. You've probably also heard the best way to prevent it is to wash your hands often and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

You should also ask any health care providers to take these same precautions if you are in a clinic or hospital. MRSA is most commonly associated with the healthcare field. A patient might go into the hospital for a common procedure or surgery and end up with MRSA, which can be fatal. It can travel through a catheter or any opening in the skin. So, don't be shy about asking a healthcare provider to wash their hands, if they haven't --- the simple request could save you a good deal of grief, maybe even your life!

How can they recover --- in the glare of paparazzi? I was checking out at a drug store yesterday and saw the headline, "Goodbye Mommy!" Brit's little boy looked sad. The troubled pop star was crying --- and I thought --- Wow is that rude!

How can stars recover, when flashbulbs are going off in their face at their most personal and vulnerable moments? How messed up will their children be --- after being stalked by cameras when they were little? It's complete overkill. Photographers follow them in the fast-food drive through, going to rehab, grocery shopping, taking a walk. They'd follow them to the bathroom if possible!

Yes, their troubles are overkill too. I'm not defending overindulgences on the part of some young stars. Some might say --- but their rich! I know that. But they're human too. Can't we let them sort through their problems in peace? They are being hounded in their most private and vulnerable moments and it's starting to give me the creeps.

Stooped refers to my posture after nine hours of  gardening this past weekend.

Beautiful refers to our yard after working so hard. I know it won't remain that way unless I spend many more hours maintaining the flowers and bushes. Granted, some of that time went to cleaning cobwebs off of the lawn chairs and dirt spots off of the deck. Still, that's a chunk of time!

Here's the deal: I am telling this to a co-worker who is an avid gardener and he reminds me not to take it so seriously. He said --- 'Why do you use the term maintenance for gardening? It's wonderful being outside, just you and the plants'.

He's right. It should be. But, I'm a Type A personality.  At work, that's a plus. You need the story done as soon as possible and done right! That's fine for a news reporter on a deadline. But there is no deadline in the garden. That should be my summertime mantra. Perhaps I need to take more lemonade breaks while working outside. And a little shot of vodka in the lemonade if it's later in the day!

What do you like to plant? I love bright colors. I found a geranium called "Swing" which is the deepest, brightest pink I've ever seen!

My daughter is 14 years old and wants a credit card! My husband came up with a compromise. He got her a debit card with a set amount of money on it. We told her it had to last through the summer --- a good lesson in managing money. She is satisfied with the solution and is VERY EXCITED to have a piece of plastic in her purse. 

Here's my question --- how young is too young --- not just for credit cards but for all of the other things today's children feel are absolute necessities.

Cell phones. Expensive toys, gadgets and video games. Designer jeans. Hair do's with color, foils, streaks. Manicures and pedicures. I'm sure other parents could easily add to the list.

Kids are growing up so fast these days and with so much.

How much is too much and too soon?

Watch tonight at ten.

I'm doing a story about how Taylor Hicks lost twenty pounds since he won American Idol last year.

I don't have a favorite to win tonight's Idol. I don't know why, but I wasn't wowed by either contestant last night. They were both good but I didn't see any moments of greatness.

I'm still waiting for Nancy to blog back!

I have a friend Nancy who doesn't get what we are doing here. She has read my blog and your comments. In a round-about-way, she thinks we blog about nothing. I explained that blogs are meant to get people talking. It doesn't have to be about a cure for cancer or the mathmatical equation for why the earth turns on its axis. Wasn't there a hit show called "Seinfeld"  that entertained people week after week about nothing?

 Nancy is interesting, bright, fun, entertaining. I think it would be great if she joined in and blogged with us. Don't you?

Drop Nancy a line in the comments below. Maybe she start blogging and find out why we like it so much.

I am really surprised that we aren't hearing from more people, upset that Melinda went home on Idol last night. A lot of people are telling me, I'm kind of glad it's her --- or --- it's refreshing to see two people who aren't so perfect moving on to the finals.

That raises a good point. Melinda was flawless. Noone questions her talent. Perhaps people are looking for an Idol who is more real.

But, in the end, I think it came down to age and maturity. My guess is, the audience who votes the most is the younger crowd, excited about beat-boxing and pretty, young girls.

What do you think?

I thought last night's competition on American Idol was the best yet in the history of the show! All three were on their game. Who do you think will be eliminated? I have absolutely no idea. It's a toss up. I think all three are great!

By the way --- did you see Carrie Underwood won female vocalist of the year at The Country Music Awards last night?