Fun-loving party girl becomes a feminist activist for other women's rights.

I don't really know much about her story but I too have spent a lot of money to get divorced and out of the system. I think her activism will help others and for that, I applaud her.http://bit.ly/pOuaU

Handcuffed husband files for divorce in Bridgeport.

A man's attempted reconciliation with his estranged wife ended bizarrely - police said she handcuffed herself to him and bit him. http://bit.ly/15tIS

What does gratitude have to do with it?

My friend and mentor Jane Pollack has "coached" me through some of the most difficult times. She was at my first Gratitude Gathering and has been encouraging me ever since. I am so grateful to her for capturing my journey and sharing it on her blog. Enjoy. http://janepollakblog.com

Fighting Over Child Support After the Pink Slip Arrives

Check out this story in they NYT by Julie Bosman.Since January, Family Court in New York has been filled with urgent requests like these, alarming judges and overwhelming calendars with what are known as modification cases. Devastating times for anyone counting on non custodial child support. This is one of the issues that I was in Hartford to address last week. Please let me know if this if happening to you. http://bit.ly/nzD

Taking back my power!

Many of you might not know that I have spent the last 5 years and over 500k in legal fees going through the legal system just trying to get divorced and now trying to have my agreement enforced. My biggest motivation is always focused on taking care of my 3 beautiful children. Yesterday I had the opportunity to testify before The Judiciary Committee in Hartford. I was there on behalf of the many who have been disadvantaged by the inequities that exist in our legal system, specifically Family Court. Divorce affects 50% of all Americans and so often (for about 1000 different reasons) the process is horrific. I am finally ready to share my personal story with the intention to help those who are just beginning this life altering journey and to connect with others, who like me, are still entangled in the nightmare although already divorced. Expect this to be an eye opening commentary. Looking forward to hearing from you with whatever you'd like to share of your own story, together we can take our power back!

Nomie Baby car seat cover to the rescue.....

Look at this little guy. I'll bet his mom is so grateful to have the Nomie Baby car seat cover.

LOVE THIS

HOST YOUR OWN GRATITUDE GATHERING

We all have people in our lives that we are grateful for. When is the last time you thanked them for helping you? Thanked them for making a difference in your life? Let today be the day! Plan to host a Gratitude Gathering. What is a Gratitude Gathering? It's simply a party (a celebration) gathering your friends so that you can thank them for being in your life. It doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant, the point is to tell your friends how GRATEFUL your are for their friendship. I hosted my first Gratitude Gathering in 2006. It had been a really difficult time in my life and I was at a crossroads. I could stay focused on all of the horrible things that were going on in my life ( divorce, death of both of my parents, house in foreclosure...) and have a Pity Party, or I could find just one thing that I was grateful for. I decided to focus on what I was grateful for ie my friends and invite them to a party. What started out as a small tea for about 5 of my friends, turned into a brilliant celebration (for 50 women) of friendship, connection and inspiration. While my intention was to say thank you to everyone for all of their love and support during the last few years, what I got from then were the most amazing affirmations of what a role model I had been for them. Sharing the evening with my 3 kids was another gift and something I will always be grateful for. Trust me, this is a really great way to get your gratitude juices flowing and inspire others to do the same. If not now.....when?

FENG SHUI #1 ON MY GRATITUDE LIST TODAY

I find it extremely helpful to "clear" my space on all levels before I begin a new project (like practicing gratitude!). Felt totally energized when I read this email from my friend Moon on the benefits of Feng Shui for the New Year. I have put this on the top of my gratitude list for the day. Thought you might like to do the same!

Feng Shui for the New Year
from RedLotusLetter.com

OUT WITH THE OLD
1. De-clutter
Grab a laundry basket. Now, start throwing out old papers, magazines, empty bottles of shampoo from the bathroom, old clothes you know you'll never wear again! Got CDs you never listen to? Throw those out or donate them to charity. Have some old coffee mugs that don't match or odd drinking glasses still hanging around in your cabinets? Pitch 'em. When in doubt, throw it out. Don't forget to look under the bed, too!
2. Sweep or vacuum
Get the old energy out by making the floors clean.
3. Do the laundry
Don't have dirty clothes hanging around. You can throw in a load or two while you declutter. Be sure to fold and put the clean clothes away.
4. Clean the bathroom
Make it sparkle. You don't want a nasty mess to greet the next year of your life!
5. Empty all trashcans
Don't want last years' trash hanging around, do you? Toss, toss, toss.
6. Clean out the refrigerator
Got a half-empty jar of apple butter? Get rid of it. You don't want to go into the New Year with old food or a moldy science project lurking in the fridge.
7. Clear out visual clutter
Too much stuff everywhere? Clear off the counters in the bathrooms and kitchen. Clear off your desk and dust it. Pitch the sticky notes and papers and things taped everywhere! You can do it. Don't forget the refrigerator! Make it a blank slate.
Make as much space as possible. You cannot bring in new things if there is no room for it and we want a fantastic year, right? Then make your space "open" for the abundance of the New Year!
8. Yard work
Make sure the yard is picked up and the front door step is swept and clear.
9. Change the sheets and towels
Put clean sheets on all the beds on New Year's Eve and clean towels in the bathroom and kitchen. New sheets are even better.
10. Clean the car
This is what gets you around during the year. Drive through a car wash, take out the trash and20do a quick cleaning.


IN WITH THE NEW!

1. Fill your pantry and kitchen
Stock the refrigerator with food and make sure the pantry is also stocked. It is bad feng shui to have an empty refrigerator and pantry. If you have canisters in the pantry or on the countertops, be sure to fill these.
2. Got citrus?
Oranges are excellent symbols for the New Year and the Chinese often celebrate the New Year by rolling oranges (symbols of gold) into the house. Place a big bowl of 8, 9, or 10 (the numbers of prosperity!) oranges in the living room or central location in the house next to dishes of nuts or candies to symbolize an abundant, fruitful home.
3. Buy a new plant
Put a beautiful new plant in the East (health & family relationships) sector of your house or office to symbolize a healthy beginning. You can also display some beautiful flowers here to symbolize your good health in the coming year.
4. Welcome good news
Place a golden bell in the NW corner of your home, office, or bedroom to bring good tidings from helpful people. Like old school bells? If so, place one of these in the NW corner of your yard for good news from helpful people.
5. Hang up new calendars
What better way to greet the New Year than by throwing out the old one? Take down all of last years' calendars.
6. Fill your wallet
You don't want to go into the New Year with an empty wallet. Put some money in your wallet -- or better yet -- go and buy a new wallet (red is the best!) or purse and start your financial off with new energy!
7. Invite a toad to your house
Place an old, broken clay pot upside down next to a water spout so a toad can make its home here. Toads are believed to invite money into the household; they're especially nice by the door. You can also place figurines of toads by the door.
8. Feed the birds
Birds are excellent feng shui and believed to bring good news. Fill your feeders or put out a feeder for the New Year.
9. Have fun and celebrate
Fun is good feng shui. A happy vibrant home or space is a good space, so plan a party of some kind of happy gathering. Remember, a home or office with good feng shui is easy to spot it's the one where everyone goes and doesn't want to leave! Make your space that kind of place!

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE

Whatever you focus your attention on expands. If you focus your attention on lack, that's exactly what will expand in your life. If you focus your attention on abundance, that is exactly what will expand in your life. Developing a practice of GRATITUDE helps keep you focused on the abundance that you already have in your life . Here's a simple way to get started: make a list of EVERYTHING that you are grateful for - and I mean ABSOLUTELY everything. As you are making your list keep this in mind...

If your life isn't exactly where/what you'd like it to be, there are plenty of people who would be GRATEFUL to trade places with you.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

Posting Photos

This might not seem like much but I am sooooooo grateful to have finally figured out how to upload my photos from Flickr. Thanks Katie and Beth for your coaching. 

Getting into the gratitude mode

First post!

Hello. We are just setting up the blog...