Here's to Happy Women...

I have one friend ("Kelly") who consistently says the most amazing things...and gets away with it. Whether she meant what she said or not, she gets a pass . Not me. One slip of the tongue and everyone assumes that I meant exactly what I said, exactly how I said it. I like to think my slip-ups are rare, but if not, I have plenty of friends who'll set me straight. Generally, I do mean what I say, so if I happen to slip-up, no one ever believes that I didn't mean it the way it came out...or the way it sounded. Thus, I have lost a few friends along the way. Kelly makes these could-be-construed-as nasty or insulting comments all the time. After any of these so-called slip-ups, someone invariably says, "Let it go, that's just Kelly being Kelly. You know she didn't mean it like that ." But how do we know she didn't mean it like that ? How do we know she wasn't in sulting my taste, and my favorite Donald Pliners, when she said, "You...

I never was into math — and I've always disliked equations. I remember the "powers that were" back in my high school days. My parents, teachers, and even boyfriends used to say that math wasn't my strong suit. It wasn't my subject. True enough, but not because of aptitude — because of interest, or lack thereof. I just wasn't that interested in numbers. I'm still not, even though I’m actually quite gifted in math. I will say that numbers certainly intrigue me more now, than back in the days of high school algebra — as a means of communication, not computation. I remember one class primarily because the teacher was gorgeous. He held some type of barefoot water skiing record. I think he was the driver of the boat...not the foot skimmer. Even back then, I remember thinking that his personal life was at "odds" with his profession. Square hole, round peg. Wow. I haven't thought about high school algebra in two decades. So why now? Don't wo...

Okay, your kid is cute, but my cat is pretty darn cute too! Just "kidding." Even so, got your attention, didn't I? Speaking of kids , a friend called recently to let me know that she is fed up with parents these days. Not all of them, but quite a few. She fervently outlined a conspiracy theory involving an age-old contest that she says never ends, never changes, and never delivers any awards. It requires most parents, male and female, to think that their offspring are more a dvanced, intelligent and beautiful than any other children. "Of course they do," I replied. But my friend doesn't even pause to catch her breath. She goes on to say that the parents are always prepared to prove the ir point with visual aids...again and again and again. One four by six photo at a time. In this not-so-secret society that my friend described, parents compare their children with their friends' children. "Did you see how much better our little Tommy threw the ball ...

Why is it that perfectly happy couples easily fall prey to the most lethal "Hallmark" holiday of all — Saint Valentine's Day? It's like quicksand. Once you fall into the pit, you can't get out. Fights, arguments and hurt feelings, which can all lead to the playing of the hazardous "no sex" card, are more commonplace than you may think on the supposedly most romantic day of the year. Once this card is played, it's easier to use it again — and again. Once sex is held hostage, it's all downhill from there. Just ask your mother. Trust me on this... she'll know. Now you may think that single people have dibs on the heartache and hurt that Valentine's Day can cause. They don't, but they do have a good case. After all, if you're not one half of a couple then it's right there on your calendar reminding you of just how "not a couple" you are. New Year's Eve is another event tha t alienates singles and promotes force...