Is this the End?

So its 8:33 pm Saturday night, May 21^st – we are still here. Were you worried? I wasn’t – God gives us every day and when he decides it is our time, well, then we have to accept that. Evidently, there are more people who were worried than not. I went to Short Hills Mall and it was relatively empty. The word on the street was that people stayed home in preparation for the end of the world. There is no spice equivalent for this level of fear and lack of faith.

I am in the den with the boys watching High School Musical 3; Marc is in the office watching the Mets play the Yankees. If we don’t wake up tomorrow, we are together and we love each other.

The Real Housewives, Art and Show

The Real Housewives of NY are having a serious discussion about how hard it is to be “stuck” in the Hamptons with the kids without their significant others. How about being “stuck” in the South Bronx… sorry, I have been distracted by the TV.

Uh-oh another distraction, hearing little footsteps sneaking into the room (he doesn’t think I can hear him). Wait for it… Marc bellows, “Go to bed!!!” Little footsteps head in the opposite direction. Is he going back to bed? Nope, he thinks he’s tricking us – instead of coming directly into the den he sneaks in thru the living room and from behind the couch we hear, “Mom and dad, I can’t sleep.” “Just go to your room and rest until you fall asleep.” “But I don’t want to rest… I don’t want to sle(yawn)ep.” And sleeping he is... on Mommy’s chest.

Now, for art and show. Tonight was the elementary school’s annual art show and spring musical concert. It was very well attended, and hot. Yes, hot – lots of kids and parents, no air conditioning. I owe a major shout out and ode of appreciation to Marion and Robert (my parents, God rest their souls) who never missed a school concert, never missed an opportunity to clap loudly and give big hugs and encouraging words after pitchy, long and hot seasonal concerts. Luckily I have a 3^rd grader and kindergartner (chorus/orchestra doesn’t starts until 4^th grade) – I enjoyed the art show and listened to the concert from outside. So you ask, why did you stay after viewing the art? I stayed because I volunteered to co-chair the event, and since I work ridiculous hours and often don’t even know if I will be home at night, co-chairing meant making tent cards for 30 minutes on Monday and clean up on Thursday night.

Key ingredients for sanity –

· Embrace the term “co”, there is no super in Job-Having Entrepreneurial Mom Wife – you can’t do it by yourself.

· 5 minutes or 5 days a week – the kids appreciate your effort to be a part of their lives (though they probably won’t say it until they are 30)

· Pitchy is a key

Rain, Boots and Janice Huff

Rain, rain go away! Rain in the City brings out rain boots.

As I sat in Aureole waiting for my glass of chardonnay and waiting to catch up with a friend I haven’t seen in almost two years, I watched all of the workday weary New Yorkers hustle through the bustle to get home; to get drinks with friends; to get to their match.com dates and I couldn’t shake the thought of salt. Yes – salt.

Most of the women walking on 42^nd St were wearing rain boots (as was I, more about that later), a ubiquitous commodity – much like salt. Just as there are different classes of salt, there are different classes of rain boots. The Hunter Wellie is the choice for fashionistas and utilitarians - much like Kosher salt, the choice of savvy cooks (fashionistas of the kitchen) because its coarse texture is easier to pinch when seasoning savory dishes, and its taste lasts longer when cooking. Colorful, patterned non-branded rain boots, while creative and stylish, are the table salt - common but add flavor, just the same. And of course I must mention the Burberry, Coach and Gucci rain boots – more like the gourmet black and pink salts.

I love fine things, especially apparel and accessories, and I absolutely love delicious well seasoned food – I’m partial to Brazilian rock salt (another story for another time)- but when it comes to my $20 silver zebra rain boots, I am more of the table salt variety. Why pay $200 or more for something that will just get rained on? Weigh in…

On a separate note – is anyone watching NBC NY news? Speaking of rain, Janice Huff. What’s up with the necklace, bracelet and belt? My advice. . . load on the accessories and always take one off before you walk out the door. . . or onto camera. BTW, the orange is a nice color.

Spicefully yours,

Kimberly

I Promise

It’s been forever since this Job-Having Entrepreneurial Mom Wife has seen you.

Where to start? My Spiceteria baby has been in hibernation for far too long. I continue to share my family secrets but via text or the very occasional telephone conversation. Basically, the secrets never leave my “test kitchen” aka children’s homework room, aka bill writing station, aka place that my family uses to breed additional clutter and drive me crazy, which I detest (a windy but spot on accurate description).

The barrage of job requirements and constant travel continue unabated; and of course, kids care less than a little about these competing demands- but should they? Really? How do I manage to do it all, you ask? I don’t.

I manage these demands (and my sanity, some-what) and keep enough done to get by. Anything else is unrealistic - and I am finally OK with that. Oprah and Martha aside, I’m quite satisfied with the results. But is it my “Best Life Ever”? I often drift off into my techno-color vision of being the Chief Creative Officer for a fabulous fashion company that I share ownership in; lunching with Gayle King (yes, Gayle – she’s fabulous!); taping my lifestyle makeover show and being home by 6:00 to review homework, talk to the boys, attend PTA events and spend romantic evenings with my husband; complimented by intellectually and fun filled times with my closest girlfriends.

What? Carter is missing…Jonathan, how did you lose your brother? I told you to stay in the backyard! Back to reality.

SO even though I am finally OK with keeping enough done to get by I never stop thinking about my ideas. . .

Good to be back – more to come soon. I promise!

Yours in spice,

Kimberly