Christmas Vacation In Lancaster County

With the kids off 12 days from school for the holidays, I'm going to break up the week by taking them back to Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Not only does it take care of the usual let-down the day after Christmas when there are no more gifts to look forward to, but there are such fantastic things for the boys to do in Lancaster County even in the winter that it'll be a guaranteed amazing trip.

We'll first head right to the Strasburg Rail Road for a cozy steam train ride through the rolling hills of Lancaster County, then head across the street to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania so the boys can spend three or four hours (seriously!) looking at the huge old steam trains and playing with the hands-on children's trains and tracks. Then we'll check in at Willow Valley Resort where we'll enjoy one of the best buffets in the area, then put on our swimsuits and play in the indoor kiddie water park and pools until well past our bedtime. And if the weather is good, we may even get lucky and be able to spend some time at Dutch Wonderland, where they decorate the whole kiddie amusement park in a holiday theme.

The surprise for my boys this time time around is that we're going at a time of year when Willow Valley holds its indoor winter carnival......picture part of your favorite Jersey Shore boardwalk brought inside so the kids can have fun! Willow Valley will also hold an amazing New Year's Eve party. With the rooms there being so incredible it's a great way to ring in the New Year and then just head to your room rather than having to drive home.....then wake up to a great breakfast buffet, brunch, or trip to their incredible bakery.

This time last year I remember checking in at the front desk of the hotel and getting recognized by a listener who was also bringing her family there to enjoy the holiday season. Everywhere I go people tell me it's a great trip for the kids, or ask me for details on what I do with my kids when I'm there. Each time is different and special, and each time creates memories my children will cherish forever! Whatever you do this season with your family, enjoy it and have a wonderful and safe holiday! I'll see you in '08!

Firefighter Fundraiser

A listener and friend of mine, Dennis, asked me to pass along this great way to help the firefighters that help us in times of need. It's a football game (Giants vs. Buffalo) fundraiser and cigar event to benefit the Goodwill Fire Company of Belmar. A $20 donation includes hors d'oeuvres and buffet. Cigars by Senor Juan Tabacalero (Main Street, Belmar). It's December 23rd from 12:30 - 4:30pm at Goodwill Fire house, 610 7th Ave. in Belmar (across from St. Rose School.) Please call 732-280-1444 to reserve seats. After all the hard and heartbreaking work our local volunteer firefighters did with the recent house fire in Belmar, let's help them out as best we can. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of those killed in the fire.

Starve A Cold, Honey A Cough

A new study shows that a teaspoon of honey before bed can calm a child's cough and help the child sleep better. That remedy did better than cough medicine and also did better than no treatment at all in the study. Experts say honey may work by coating and soothing an irritated throat. This news comes amid recently federal health advisories warning that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines shouldn't be used in children younger than six, and manufacturers are taking some products for babies off the market. Keep in mind, though, that although honey might be great for most kids, it should never be used in children under one year old because of a rare but serious risk of botulism. The research appears in the archives of Pediatrics And Adolescent Medicine.

Banning Words On The Playground

The principal of a school in Michigan didn't like what she was hearing on the playground, so she had students stay after class. She then read a list of curse words and phrases that she heard on the playground and will no longer tolerate. Four-letter words are obviously on the banned list, but she also won't let her students say 'stupid' or 'boring'.

I think that it's a good concept, but to put it into practice might be tough, especially if as parents we can't eliminate those words from our own vocabulary. And as much as I hate (there's another word that could be considered bad enough to ban) the words boring and stupid, there might actually be a proper time and context for them.

Holiday Tipping

I always get confused around the holidays about who I should tip and how much. Here's one list I found that might be helpful:

Holiday Tipping Etiquette suggestions:

Mail carrier: $10 - 20
Manicurist/pedicurist: $15 or more
Hairdresser: $15 or more
Garbage collector(s): $15 - 20 each
Baby sitter: two-to-three night's pay, plus maybe a gift
Maid: one week's pay
Apartment building superintendent: $20 - 100
Shampoo girl: $10
Massage therapist: $15 or more
Newspaper delivery boy: daily - $25, weekend: $10
Regular overnight delivery person: $10 - 30
Full-time nanny: one week's pay
Day care service: $25 - 70 plus a gift
Parking attendants: $10 - 20 each
Personal trainer: $60 -100 upon reaching your goal

Holiday Shopping Safety

Some reminders when shopping for the children this holiday season:

Choking is still the leading cause of death related to toys.

Be sure to inspect toys for small removable parts or balloons, especially with children under three years old.

Toys that are too loud can cause hearing loss with repeated exposure. Avoid buying toys that produce high decibel levels.

Look for toys that are age-appropriate, sturdy, and constructed without sharp edges.

Beware of long strings or cords that can strangle children.

Always read the warning labels before making a purchase.

If you purchase a bike, skateboard, or in-line skates, buy a safety helmet, too.

Toys sold online don't always include all the necessary safety warnings. You should not assume that a toy bought online without a warning label doesn't need one.

Revisiting Asbury Park

I never thought I'd have such a great time in Asbury Park! I haven't been there in years althoughI know it's been making a comeback in the past few years. Friday night was a revelation when I hosted an event at the Paramount Theatre for the Premiere Theatre Company's "Scrooge". Not only does the theatre look beautiful, but the Grande Arcade (which you enter through the theatre entrance) it's a great place to visit on the weekends, on your way to Cookman Ave to pick up some unique and original gifts for all those on your holiday list. The shopping is amazing. And the restaurants are fantastic! There must be at least 20 hip and delicious places to dine now.....with a great crowd hanging out at each one. So if you haven't been to Asbury in a while, try it again!

Vicks Vaporub To The Rescue

A listener sent this to me. It comes from a grandparent who swears by this remedy for a child or adult's bad cough: Put Vicks Vaporub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Apparently even persistent coughs will stop for hours, and it is quite soothing for a sound sleep. Has anyone tried this? I doubt I could smear anything on the bottom of my kids' feet without them giggling and squirming and making a mess, but I might try it on myself!

Any other family remedies this brings to mind? Email me and share them!

Holiday Fun

If you're looking for some good, local holiday shows, The Premiere Theatre Company presents "Scrooge" tomorrow through December 2nd at the Paramount Theatre at the Asbury Park Grande Arcade. Call 732-774-STAR for tickets. The Algonquin Arts theatre in Manasquan presents the Dino Rock production "T-Rex's Holiday Surprise" as part of their kid's series of show on Sunday, Dec. 16th with two shows that day. Call 732-528-9211 for tickets.

Weighting On Technology

With all of our modern technology, I'm surprised I haven't come across a scale that you can program to suit your needs. For instance, I don't, at the moment, want to know how much I weigh. But I WOULD like to get on a scale daily or weekly and see how many pounds I've LOST without knowing my weight. But I'd like the scale to keep track of my weight so that when I'm ready I can refer to my weight history. Did I just give away a great idea or is this product already out there and available to the public at an affordable price?

Food That's REALLY Good For You

Some doctors say certain foods are good for you on a daily basis. So if you need a boost, try these: To help you sleep: green veggies, milk, and cheeseTo keep headaches away: five glasses of pure water and fiber-rich foodsTo elevate your mood: tuna and salmonFor more energy: liverTo reduce stress and become calmer: turkey, chicken, and bananasTo improve your concentration: sunflower seedsTo help your childrens' learning skills: cereal containing fiber, and whole grain bread

Man Vs. Dog

A listener sent this to me. Thought I'd pass it along to the women: Man vs. Dog

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never says it's not quite as good as his mother made it...then get a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour, for as long and wherever you want...then get a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies...then get a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get up on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off it he snores...then get a dog.

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally and perpetually...then get a dog.

Hugs Not Handshakes

It's that time of year where I suggest hugs over handshakes. The germs are starting to circulate around schools, indoor play areas, malls, etc. etc. as we spend more time indoors and approach winter and the cold and/flu season. Of course we should all wash our hands as often as possible, but most of us don't know who's coming down with a cold or carrying a bug, including ourselves, in advance of germ-spreading. Best of luck getting through another season....but look on the bright side: at least we're building up our immunity! Oh yeah, and get flu shots for your family!

Dessert Quirks

How do you eat an oreo? A yodel? A devil dog? I am always hearing funny stories about the way people take apart and savor their favorite desserts. My quirk: Chips Ahoy! I take the cookies, break them up into little pieces, put them in a cup and pour milk on top of the mess, and then eat it like cereal with a spoon! What's your story?

Mmmmm...Cheesecake!

Lou finally brought me a slice of Diane's cheesecake. Delicious! My neighbor also makes a fabulous cheesecake. Which got me to thinking about all the diners and restaurants around our area I've been to and have judged based on their cheesecake alone! Cheesecake is a very individual thing. I prefer mine extra creamy and usually don't eat the crust. But I am always on the lookout for a great cheesecake, so please pass along your suggestions for restaurants, shops, or homemade recipes. One more dessert that comes to mind that people tend to prefer in their own specially made way is bread pudding. I prefer mine, again, soft and creamy....more like pudding, without raisins. But I know that some people make it more like a cake and I have tasted some delicious recipes that are completely different than my homemade version.

Lancaster County Vacation

I've taken the trip to Lancaster plenty of times.....a very kid-friendly vacation. And I've gotten so many listeners requesting details when I mention it on the air that I thought I'd give you a quick overview in case you haven't yet taken your children to Lancaster County, PA.

My boys adore every detail of our trip. I must say that it almost rivals Disney for younger kids. So let me make a couple of recommendations: Try for at least three days if you're doing it between Memorial Day and Labor Day to get in all the major attractions. My boys' favorites: The Strasburg Railroad and Train Museum....two separate attractions. Go for a ride on a steam train through the Amish farmland.....Thomas The Train even stops by on occasion!

My kids will spend three to six hours at the train museum across the street climbing onto the real trains and playing with the toy train displays. There are also two other toy train museums within blocks of the big train museum. You can stay in a real train hotel (the Red Caboose) and eat in a train restaurant. Our favorite hotel is Willow Valley Family Resort, where the boys will swim 'till 11pm every night in the indoor kiddie water park and five pools. They also love the numerous buffets around the county, especially Miller's and the one at Willow Valley, where they can eat all they want without having to wait. There are also some wonderful family-style restaurants like Good And Plenty.

Dutch Wonderland is a fantastic kiddie amusement park for the little ones. That'll take up a whole day, too. Then there are the numerous Amish farms where you can get horse and buggy rides through covered bridges and interactive life-on-the-farm activities. You can even stay at some of these farms and get up to feed the chickens and milk the cows, then eat Amish meals with the family you're staying with. I love the smell of a farm, the beautiful rolling hills, and the feel of being someplace so different than the Jersey Shore without having to get on a plane. The boys just beg to go back time and time again.

Money For Candy

I'm going to steal an idea today that I got from a dentist who does it. Instead of letting my boys eat their giant bags of Halloween candy this weekend, I'm going to instead offer them a penny for each piece of candy that they're willing to give up. This way they'll get some money to use towards a non-candy gift (while practicing learning to count money) and they won't get all hyped up from the candy. Added Mommy bonus: less chance of cavities, too

The Problem Of Halloween Candy

Not sure which route to take with the Halloween candy. I can either (a) tell the kids they have to brush their teeth each time they eat another piece of candy, which hopefully would discourage them from eating too much, (b) let them have only Halloween Evening to eat whatever candy they want, then throw out the trick-or-treat bags and remaining candy after they go to sleep, or (c) ration one piece of candy a day for a month or until it's gone. One listener called in this morning to tell me I should try to give my kids fruit and veggie snacks before Trick-Or-Treating so they won't be too hungry for candy, but I can tell you right now that no matter how ideal that sounds, the second I pick them up from school they're going to be ready to start knocking on doors and won't want to stop for a banana or carrot stick! Happy Halloween!

Duke Of Lipo

We did a story today on Jon Schneider admitting he's had lipo. Well, good for him, and for anyone else who decides they want to have 'work' done on themselves. Lipo, Botox, Restalyn, breast augmentation, face lifts, veneers, teeth whitening, rhinoplasty, etc... if you choose to do it you should be able to do it without guilt, secrecy,or lying. It's a personal choice, but I'm all for anything that makes you feel better about yourself!

More Movies To Make You Cry

After the blog earlier this week about movies that can make women AND men cry, we got so many more suggestions from listeners in response:

Hope Floats
Ladder 49
Armegeddon
Cinderella Man
Rudy
Gone With The Wind
The Lake House
Brian's Song

Get Out The Tissues

Movies that could make you cry....even the guys!:(As compiled so far by listeners!)

Message In A Bottle
Frequency
Pay It Forward
Shawshank Redemption
Schindler's List
The Green Mile
The Notebook
Officer and a Gentleman
Terms of Endearment
The Lion King
Steel Magnolias
Step Mom
Radio Flyer
The Champ
Beaches
When A Man Loves A Woman
Forest Gump
A Walk In The Clouds
Untamed Heart
The Family Stone

Mommy Mode

I went to the doctor's office and my kid is playing with the toys in the toy box and rather than read a magazine I decide to clean and organize the toy box! It's just that I saw so much fluff in there that had come out of a ripped teddy bear that I decided that while I was clearing the sneezy stuff out that I would start organizing all the toys and throwing away cracked things or pieces that didn't belong to anything anymore. Same thing I do at home. Can't I get out of Mommy mode for even five minutes anymore. But who the heck am I to clean out somebody else's toy box?!!! I thought it was nice and helpful, but maybe it was just downright rude! In any case, I will be donating some of my kids' toys to the box so that there is more stuff in there to replace the broken things I took out.

First Name

I think that using someone's first name in a personal relationship is too formal. Lou thinks I'm crazy and doesn't understand where I'm coming from. But as far as I'm concerned, once I'm best friends with someone or in a relationship, I usually end up calling the person 'honey' or 'sweetie' or some sort of cutesy nickname. To me, to be with someone for a long, long time intimates a level of closeness too casual for the formality of their 'official' name.

Viva Las Vegas!

Got a great phone call in the studio this morning from a loyal listener of ours, Cindy, who heard about my trip to Vegas this summer and decided to take her first trip there too. For those who didn't hear it when we talked about it on the air, I really had no desire to ever visit Las Vegas. I'm more an outdoorsy/nature kind of person. But my best friend has been wanting to go for years, and finally convinced me to try it. And I must say that for a New York City girl who isn't easily impressed by big city life, Vegas really was worth seeing. There was so much to do and see without having to spend a lot of money that even for someone on a budget it can be affordable. I'd also highly recommend flying out of AC instead of Newark, which made the trip that much easier. We stayed at the Venetian, which was incredible (and so were the spa services and the seven pools) and checked out all the fun that every hotel had to offer just by walking through the lobbies. The buffets were great. And, of course, for two "80's" girls in Vegas, we topped it off with Thunder From Down Under!

Follow The Directions...Not!

No matter how hard I try, there are some toys that I get for the boys that I just can't figure out how to put together. I've mastered some of the Hot Wheels race tracks, but FORGET ABOUT the Transformers. Not only are the directions impossible for me to figure out, but once the thing goes from a vehicle to a robot, it's worse than a Rubiks Cube trying to get it back to a vehicle! Meanwhile, my four year old is looking at me trying to will me to get it back to its original form, and all I want to do is throw the darn thing in the garbage! So frustrating!!!

Midnight Snacking

I would love to be able to sleep through the night every night (which would mean giving up drinking anything after 4pm which leads to nighttime bathroom breaks.) But some nights, especially when I need it most, I either can't get to sleep at all or I wake up because of a sound outside and then can't get back to sleep. So......what do I do? Reach for the candy!!! Are there any other midnight snackers out there? I could be exhausted and just want to lay in bed, but once I'm awake I feel like I need to check out the cabinets and refrigerator just in case there's something miracle snack that might put me back to sleep!

Spooktacular Sunday Night

I didn't realize just what a big deal it was or how few and far between the good ones are, but I took the boys on a Haunted Hayride last night at Casola Farms on Rt. 34 in Holmdel. They had a blast. Of course it's dark, and they send you through a corn maze and haunted house, each filled with ghouls, and then you get on the hay ride and not only do you see spooky stuff in the fields, but the creatures actually hop up into the wagon for up-close and personal scares. The whole thing took about 40 minutes after waiting on a bit of a line and paying a pretty high price. But for my kids, it was totally worth it. Some people there had driven close to an hour because they like this place so much. And I have to say a special thanks to Michelle and Justin, who I met in line, for helping me with the boys, who were a lot more spooked than they thought they'd be! Happy Halloween!

The Husband Store

I received this from a girlfriend of mine, and it's so true that I thought I'd share it: The Husband Store

A store that sells new husbands has just opened in New York City,where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at theentrance is a description of how the store operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and thevalue of the product increases as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs.

The second floor sign reads:Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.

The third floor sign reads:Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads: Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Lookingand Help With Housework."

Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous,Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes on to the sixth floor and thesign reads:Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women areimpossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Please leave the building.

To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner also opened a NewWives store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

The second floor has wives that love sex and have money.

The third through sixth floors have never been visited.

Late For Work

It's been years since this has happened to me, but I was late for work today! And all I wanted to do was argue with Lou about how there's NO WAY that could've happened! I set my alarms the same way I always do, so it's simply IMPOSSIBLE that I could've overslept! My alarm simply didn't go off (or I didn't hear it) and my backup alarm time was wrong.....which has NEVER happened! By the time I finished arguing with Lou about how I couldn't possibly be LATE FOR WORK, I could've actually been up and in my car! The funny thing is, instead of just saying "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I chose to lay in bed and argue about how I COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE WRONG!!! Even half asleep, I feel like I can always find a way to make myself right!

Halloween Is 30 Days Away

Here we go with the Halloween stuff again. The boys were so excited to see the costumes in the store that I finally gave in and let them pick out their costumes this weekend. Now they don't want to take them off. I spent the weekend running errands and shopping with Spiderman and Mr. Incredible. And I couldn't figure out why people were doing double-takes because I became so used to seeing them that way! Now my biggest worry is keeping those costumes free of stains and rips between now and Halloween. With my luck, they'll need new costumes by the end of the month. But at least they're enjoying themselves. And why not extend the holiday and let them enjoy the WHOLE month of October? After all, that's what Lou Russo is already doing for HIS birthday month!

Lou's Wedding Review

Now that he's back and we've discussed it live on the air, I can tell you that Lou and Diane's wedding was just perfect. Diane looked like a princess and Lou looked very handsome in his tux. Both of their families are amazing and I can now see why Lou turned out as good as he did! The reception overflowed with love and laughter, enough to make even the most cynical person believe in love again. Did I mention Diane was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen? What a wonderful couple they make. I'm so touched that I got to be there for their 'forever' moment.

Jury Duty's Not So Bad

I got my third summons for jury duty this summer......and immediately got angry that it fell on my birthday. My second thought was 'How can I get out of this?' After all, I was able to get out of it the first two times. This time I didn't qualify for any of the excuses to get out so I made my way to the Monmouth County Courthouse and began a two week adventure that was nothing short of inspiring. I learned so much and felt like an integral part of our community. After the eye-opening experience I got from serving as a juror, I now highly recommend that the next time you get a notice to serve on a jury, you LOOK FORWARD to a great learning opportunity and a chance to help someone in need by being part of a decision that could change the future of someone's life.

Mallomars Are Here!

A couple of things happen in early fall...some good, some bad. The bad: just when you think the bug season is over, MORE honeybees, SWARMS of mosquitoes near the beach and lakes (at least near the lakes with no fountains) and now the crickets are invading, too. Yuck. On the plus side....there's one GOOD thing that comes back at this time of year....MALLOMARS! Head to any grocery store to see those beautiful boxes on display. The chocolate-melting season is almost over, and SWARMS of mallomars have taken over the store shelves just waiting to enter your child's lunchbox...after all, you wouldn't dare get them for YOURSELF now, would you?!

Liz On The Cover

Just wanted to let all the fans of the Point Morning Show know that the fall issue of Prime Woman Magazine is now out. You can pick it up at any Monmouth County Barnes & Noble, or at numerous businesses throughout the county....just keep your eyes out for it now that you know it's in print! I'm on the cover, along with Lou(!), and there's a great article about our show and behind-the-scenes stuff, too. And I'm so glad they did a sidebar on the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. Ladies....this is a great magazine for girly-stuff! Enjoy!

Kurt, Tork & Karma

It's a bit embarassing when my children insist on playing in character based on whatever movies they've been watching. Lately it's Hot Wheels. Things weren't impossibly bad when they decided they wanted to be called Kurt and Tork after their favorite race car drivers. But then they wouldn't answer to their real names. And then they decided MY name would be Karma instead of Mommy, which earned us some strange looks in public. But now that they've perfected the art of staying in character and using their imaginations throughout the day when they play with each other, they've settled on their absolute favorite names, and won't change them. So now when we're at the park playing and the other kids ask, innocently, what their names are, they don't even hesitate: Pork Chop and Monkey Man. Lovely. Just what every mom dreams of!

Couped Up With The Boys

With a long, incredibly humid, rainy weekend, the boys and I spent most of it inside. For the most part it was okay. We baked cupcakes, played games, rented movies, and invited some friends over. But after two days of being couped up, we all started to get on each other's nerves and act like three-year-olds. I could, in fact, understand it when they started fighting with each other and having little tantrum after spending so much time in the same room togethers. What was unacceptable was when I started acting the same way! So....I did what any respectable Mommy would do. I told the boys I was giving MYSELF a time-out, and they looked at me, stunned, and immediately watched me with silent, saucer eyes, as I put myself in my room for five minutes of silence. And it worked! I think I'll try it more often.

Catching Up With Movies

One of the great things about the kids getting older, for me, is being able to share movies with them that I haven't thought about in years. And, in the process, watching a movie through their eyes that I might not otherwise have ever seen again. They loved the Superman Movie and Home Alone. Last night we watched Jumanji, and up next is Jurassic Park. I'll have to start compiling a list for our Slurpee and Movie Saturday nights!

Credit Card Safety

Here's some advice from an attorney that was passed along to me. Most of us already know it, but it's a good reminder:
Don't sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'Photo ID Required'.

Photocopy both sides of your credit cards and driver's license. Keep your account numbers and 800-numbers handy in case you lose your wallet is
stolen.

If your wallet IS stolen, call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name, and also call the Social Security fraud line.

One For The Girls

Sarah, a listener from Monmouth County, sent this in:

One For The Girls
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles, please no bags
Please lift my butt before it sags.
Please no age spots, please no gray
And as for my belly, please take it away.
Please keep me healthy, please keep me young, And thank you, Lord, for all that you've done.

Kid Time

No wonder little kids have no concept of time. Moms everywhere cheat time as a tool to warn their kids that it's 'almost time to leave'. Example: I was at a playground the other day where another mom was trying to get her child to get in the car to go home. So she started off by yelling out "Kyle, this is your last five minutes!" Thirty seconds go by. "Kyle...three more minutes!" Twenty seconds go by. "Okay, Kyle, time to get in the car. Your five minutes are up!"
And I do the same thing!!! I know, I know, I should get a timer and let the beeper go off and be all official and everything, but I kinda like controlling the time so that it suits me, at least until the kids catch on!

I want my money back

I never took the time to clip and file coupons, pick up a dropped penny off the ground, or bring my own snacks to the movies before......but now I those things and more. Lately, as I teach my boys the value of money, I realize that I can't just let a dollar float away from me (when it's rightfully mine) simply because of laziness or time constraints. I took the boys to a boardwalk arcade recently. I gave them a limit on how many quarters they could use, and told them to choose their games with care. They chose air hockey, and, after inserting four quarters, found the machine to be broken. Well, with all the noise from the games and the crowd of people in that place, it took me quite a while to track down someone to come over to the machine. Since he said the policy was to try and fix it rather than refunding money, the boys and I had to stand by and wait. Only after 20-minutes of trying to repair it and realizing it required further service would the guy give me back my lousy dollar. Then he walked off without posting a sign saying the air hockey game was out of order. As the boys went on to play other games, I lost track of how many people I saw (from way across the room where I couldn't warn them) put money in the machine, realize it was broken, and just go onto the next game. Which is what I used to do. I never would've gone to the trouble to try to track someone down and then wait around with two restless kids just for a dollar. My, how priorities change!

An Ode To 5 Years Of Lou & Liz

Lou and I are celebrating our fifth anniversary of the morning show this month, and our friend Alan Stern wrote a wonderful poem:

2002 was a very good year

It's when all Central Jersey was able to hear the banter of humor and arguments messy Of Mr. Lou Russo and Miss Liz Jeressi

For 5 fun-filled years these 2 would go at it From Lou's manly ideas to Liz's bad habits All morning long they simply retort that Liz eats too much and Lou is too short

They bemoan the details of each other's life so much that they should be husband and wife In the time I've known them I thought they'd be heading straight down the aisle to their Italian Wedding

Liz tries to make Lou understand that a woman can't possibly think like a man All Liz wants are caresses and hugs and Lou can't believe she's so scared of bugs.

Women can empathize with Liz's plight She's always wrong and Lou's always right From 5:30 to 9 what a pickle she's in because when Lou opens his mouth, Liz just can't win!

Lou, on the other hand, never gets harried Except of course when he decides to get married His nuptial record is like an inning of terror: 3 up, 3 down, no runs, no hits, 3 errors.

Lou and Liz will never be honeys But all of us know they really are funny With all of their squawking and all the commotion comes some of the best radio this side of the ocean.

The truth, Lou and Liz, is that everyone knows that you are a pair of radio pros You keep us amused, you're a whole lot of fun when the darkness of night gives way to the sun.

And let's not forget how much money you raise for charitable causes that come your way.

Abused and sick children and the SPCA are much better off because you're here today.

So this morning the Man Club gives you 3 cheers for brightening our mornings for 5 wonderful years From the top of Mount Mandom we ask God to bless the 2 of you with continued health and success.

Celebrity Bios

I love celebrity biographies. Current celebs. I am fascinated by the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the rich and famous, and the stories of how they made it to the top. I'm looking forward to Rosie O'Donnell's book which comes out this fall, and I can't wait to get my hands on Dean McDermott's ex-wife's book about what happens when Tori Spelling is the other woman. If anyone has read a great celeb bio or fictional story based on the real lifeof a celeb, please let me know so I can run out and get it! By the way, if you'd liike to comment on this or any blogs, you can do so: PointMorningShow@943thepoint.com

The Fall Guy

An email from a listener in Eatontown says "Dear Mr. Russo, I am a fan who enjoys listening to you while driving to work each day and get a laugh out of your sidekick who always sets herself up to be the butt of jokes throughout the show".

Well, it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Thanks for noticing what I do and getting a laugh out of it!

Looking For The Bachelor

Okay, so I'm a hopeless romantic. I looooooooooooove The Bachelor and TheBachelorette. But for one season, I decided to boycott the show and to this day I regret it! So......if you know of anyone who videotaped or TiVO'd TheBachelor season with Byron (the fisherman) and Mary, please get a hold of me at pointmorningshow@943thepoint.com.

No "F" Words Please

There's nothing more mortifying than when your three year old yells out "Mommy....I just saw a really FAT person!" Leave it to kids to say it like they see it. So I am now teaching my boys that 'fat' is a BAD word. But my question is, is it any better to hear 'Mommy....I just saw a LARGE/GIANT/BIG/ETC. person!" ?

'Cheat' Food

Yes, I'm a girl, so I love chocolate. And cheesecake's great. Ice cream rules. Chips and dip are nice. But if I had to pick the ONE food I can't resist.....it's the sandwhich. Anything from baloney to a pepperoni and provolone sub, from a hamburger or hot dog on a bun to peanut butter and jelly.....there's nothing better on my cheat days than a good old sandwhich!

Mother's Day Dedication

I read an excerpt on the air last week and some listeners asked me if Iwould put it on the blog, so here is the Mother's Day dedication:

This day is for all the mothers who read 'Goodnight Moon' twice a night for a year....and then read it again 'just one more time.'This day is for mothers who taught their children to tie their shoe laces before they started school, and for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.This day is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mommy?' in a crowd, even though you know your own kids are at home.This day is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just fine, only to get a call from the school nurse an hour later asking you to please pick them up.This day is for mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation, and for working mothers and stay-at-home mothers, single mothers, married mothers, and mothers-to-be. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can, and tell ourchildren that we love them.

Chipping In....Or Splitting the Bill

It's very awkward when, say, family members decide to chip in and get a gift for someone together. For instance, I have a brother who's married and a sister who's married. For Mother's Day, we've considered all chipping in to get our Mother a more expensive gift that she really wants. Only problem is, how do you split it? Most would say three ways. However, there are really five of us chipping in, so shouldn't the gift be split five ways? Otherwise, I'm paying as much as two couples with two salaries coming in. It's a delicate matter, and who wants to argue over a Mom's Day gift, when it's something Mom really wants? And then there's the after-work dinner with the co-workers or girlfriends.You all go to a restaurant. One orders the cheapest thing on the menu and a glass of water 'cause she's broke. But another one orders everything from the Margarita to the appetizer to the lobster dish to dessert. And then the bill comes and somehow gets split evenly. Or, the person who should leave the biggest part of the tip throws a dollar down on the table. And the person doing the bill calculations is somehow always left paying more. It's enough to make you want to stay home with a good bowl of mac and cheese!

Coupon Tip

Quick tip you may not have known about: All those Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons you get in the mail? You can use them at Harmons for beauty supplies!!! You're welcome!

Being A Mom: Priceless (or $138,000)

Moms: What would your salary be if you could get paid to be a stay-at-homemom? According to salary.com, the going rate would be $138,000 a year. I'm sure all moms will agree that although you can't put a price on raising yourown children, the starting salary should be AT LEAST a $500,000!!! The hours are endless, the cleaning, driving, psychology, tutoring,training/disciplining, and entertainment are just some of the jobs that wehave to handle. Plus, some of us have to work a full-time job on top of that! Thank God we love our kids so much. Getting that unconditional loveback makes it all worth it.

Finger Lickin' Good For You

Good news for fast-food junkies like myself (not that I indulge often, but I do love it).
KFC has announced its chicken now has zero grams of trans fat per serving.
No longer will they contribute to clogging your arteries. Sister company Taco Bell is also on board with zero trans fat. Original recipe, here I come!!!!!

The Problem With Pictures

It's frustrating enough when a girl gets all dolled up, goes out, and thinks she looks great. While she's at the club or restaurant or on her date having fun and thinking she looks awesome, someone takes her picture. The next day she sees the picture, and thinks it's awful! Does that mean it was all a lie? That she was fooling herself and thought she looked good when she didn't? Or is it just a bad moment or angle? And how about when you show the picture around the office and all the girls starts saying "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you look soooooooooooooo pretty!" How the heck are you supposed to believe them when you KNOW it's your worst shot ever?!!

Idol Jumps The Shark?

I think American Idol is losing steam. Even Simon Cowell has recently admitted on Oprah that he's surprised the show has lasted this long. With former contestants like Chris Daughtrey selling millions of cd's without actually winning Idol, some of us are starting to wonder if it really matters who actually wins the show. Maybe that's why Sanjaya got so much attention. The show could've been boring without the possible shake-up of a contestant who couldn't really sing having a shot of winning the whole show. Meanwhile, over on the other network, there's the fresher-faced Dancing With the Stars which, lately to me, is a whole lot more fun to watch.

"Girl-icure"

Why do they call it a "Manicure'? As far as I'm concerned, when I'm getting my nails done, it should be called a "GIRL-icure". Girl-time only. A good way to let moms and wives get away from real life for a while. Of course, the girlicure could ideally be combined with a complete spa experience like massage, facial, pedicure, makeup, hair, etc. And with Mother's Day is just around the corner, guys, consider this as a gift idea! Wrap up a gift certificate, put it in a limo, and combine it with a shopping spree for the perfect gift!

Bathroom Adventures

It's bad enough having to use a dressing room 20 times to try on outfits from every department of a store hoping to come across the perfect one for an occasion. But to be in the middle of carrying around an armful of clothing and realizing you also need a bathroom...desperately...and not being able to find one ANYWHERE NEAR a dressing room is disastrous. Then to get to the restroom and be told you have to leave your armful of clothes outside...where there's nowhere but the dirty floor to put them....is enough to make me want to walk right out of the store (after I pee, of course) and never come back. That was my 'fun' shopping jaunt in a nutshell. Must've been a man who made that floorplan.

What To Wear, What To Wear

How many times can you wear a nice outfit? I bought a gorgeous two-piece set for a gala last year. I wore it again for a fancy event this year....different event, different participants, nobody at THIS year's event was at LAST YEAR'S event, nor was it the same TYPE of event, so I think it was safe. But even if it wasn't, I'm not the type of girl to spend a lot of money on something to wear and then never see it again. If I feel good in it, then it deserves at least two chances to be seen!

Practicality vs. sentimentality. With a very small house and very little storage space, I've never been a 'saver'. So when it comes to collecting and boxing all the holiday cards the boys and I receive, truth be told, they sometimes end up in the trash. This past Easter, I finally decided to enjoy (instead of deleting!) the e-cards that many of my friends and relatives have sent me. Although I usually can't be bothered to download anything, the boys get a kick out of them, and once they're read, I don't need anything but an 'inbox' to store them!

Flushed Away Did Not Star SpongeBob!

Warning to moms: If your kids watch 'America's Funniest Home Videos' make sure you warn them not to try the stunts at home. My five year old decided to put on his sneakers and try to climb a wall after seeing it on tv. And if your kids like the movie 'Flushed Away' make sure you tell them (even if you think they already know) to not flush anything down the toilet except toilet paper. My three year old decided his SpongeBob bath toys should go back to Bikini Bottom via my only toilet. Anyone know a good plumber?