January 2010 Archives

   I was standing in a Starbucks today gazing at pastry display, on the cusp of ordering my very high maintenance drink:  tall, soy, sugar-free, vanilla latte.  It's even more embarassing in warmer months when I add "iced" to that order. ( Needless to say, my friends refuse to order it for me.)

   Nonetheless, in the middle of my pre-caffienated fog, something popped into my mind.  Probably because I was about to surprise my kids by picking them up at school.   The President's State of the Union Address pre-empted our 6pm newscast, so I was going in later...hence the caffeine.  I needed to get my second wind.

  So anyway, I'm standing there thinking about how my children greet me.  When I come home from work after the 6pm for my dinner break to see them, it never fails...they run down the hall screaming like it's Mardi Gras:  "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!!!"  Then one of the two jumps on me or hugs me.  (My husband gets the same treatment.)  It's nothing short of awesome.  It makes me feel like I just won an Oscar.

   But it got me thinking today...why and when did we stop doing that for the people we love?  At what age is it no longer appropriate?  How much longer will my kids, age 9 and 7...greet me this way? 

   And I'm as guilty as the next guy.  Sometimes I don't stop unloading the dishwasher or get off the couch when my husband comes home.  That's hardly worthy of who he is and what he means to me. I think I should take a cue from my little Wal-Mart greeters.  They have it right.   And so did my Gramma Isabella...she made every one of her grandchildren feel like a million bucks when they walked in the door.  I think it's time I paid up, paid it forward and most importantly paid more attention when that front door swings open.

     I recently had a fellow Little League Mom over for dinner.  We got to talking about life and I remarked I spent the weekend "cracking the whip" with the kids and was feeling a little guilty about it.  To explain, let me start with what I did over their Christmas break.  Basically, I let them build forts and pretty much have run of the "loft", which is their tv/playroom at our house.  I didn't tell them to clean up once or straighten up or anything else.  Now, let me just say, as cool as I thought I was being...it may have backfired.

   As a result of all that "coolness"...my house has been a pigsty ever since, with me getting the leading role as "Cinderella."  Well, I had to put a stop to it this weekend.  Mainly, because I couldn't keep up any more and I kept thinking, I can't send them out into the world as slobs accustomed to people waiting on them (another byproduct of me being a working mother.  I wait on them too much)  So, I turned drill sergeant over the weekend and let's just say no one enjoyed it, including me.  My own son even said:  "You scare me when you're mad."  I felt so awful for a minute and then I thought to myself...well actually..."good."

   Now back to my conversation with my Little League Mom.   I told her what my son said, and we got to talking about how we think it's good our children fear us to some degree.  In fact, my husband has said more than once, that while in high school he didn't do something mischevious simply based on the reality "his Dad would kill him."  So...as politically incorrect as this may sound, we think some fear is good.  That being said, we're not talking about intimidation or any kind of emotional abuse whatsoever.  Just a healthy helping of fear, that your parents will disapprove if you do or say something you shouldn't.

   So, I send this question out to the cosmos or world wide web:  Do you think it's better to fear or not to fear your parents?  It's how my generation was raised.  I happen to think respecting your elders and your parents is still very much in fashion...but frankly sometimes, I feel I'm really fighting the tide.  To see what I mean, watch how the kids on "Disney Channel" and "Nickelodeon" talk to their parents sometime...and tell me what kind of example is being set.  It prompts a lot of conversations at my house that start with "If you ever spoke to me like that...."

   All week we've been covering the deluge of rain, wind and snow across San Diego.  What I haven't covered is the story that's unfolding around my own daughter, that's proven to be my toughest yet this week.  She's developed a huge anixiety over the fear of flooding.  And much like the rising waters, it's something neither my husband nor I, saw coming.

  It's always tough when your child reacts unexpectedly to something you're not sure how to handle.  Thus far, we just keep reassuring our 7 year old, everything is going to be fine and our house isn't going to flood.  But, with each wave of rain, our progress gets pushed back.  Her teacher is now thinking on it for us.  But my fear is....anxiety is simply a part of her personality, which no parent wants for their child. 

   Hopefully, the fear will dry up alongside with this wet weather....and we'll be back to sunnier skies.  If not, like every Mom, I'm more than willing to weather the storm.  To borrow a line from pop star Rihanna...she "can stand under my umbrella" for as long as she needs to...  stay tuned.

  As I continue to mourn the Chargers playoff loss against the Jets (mainly because they beat themselves and the Jets needn't have shown up), I realize I owe them one.  As painful as it was to watch all the penalties against a team I genuinely love, a few of the offenses served as powerful reminders to my kids about good sportsmanship.

  Take Vincent Jackson.  All season, with the grace and precision of an eagle snatching fish in its talons, he has grabbed pass after pass, turning himself into a pro-bowler, no matter what the official votes say.  Then, after perhaps the catch of the season in the Jets game with just minutes to march down field in the fourth quarter, Jackson makes his most memorable and unfortunate move.  He kicks a challenge flag and costs his team 15 yards for "unsportsmanlike conduct".  It was unbelievable.

  My 9 year old son was puzzled.  "Why did he do that?" he kept repeating over and over.  We really didn't have an answer other than:  "I guess he got mad."  I then seized the opportunity and said:  "Now do you see why we harp on you guys to be good sports?".  I said, "See how bad that looks...and how he hurt his own team by getting angry?". 

   I didn't get much response until a few hours later, when my son, tossing a football in the air in my bedroom said casually, "Why did Vincent Jackson do that?"  I repeated myself and said:  "He just got mad over that call, I guess."  He said, "Wow, I really looked up to him."  I said, "Yeah, me too."

   So, score one for number 83.   I don't think I'll have to harp on my son anymore about being a good sport.  Call it one small victory in the face of a big loss.  Hopefully, Vincent learned from it too.

  Go Chargers!  We'll see ya next season.

   I think the title says it all.  Back in December I appeared on Fox 5 Morning News to spread the gospel of good cooking for people like me.  You know, those of us, who clean toilets with more joy and success, than we do attempting a recipe.  (And by the way, that was the bargain I struck with my Mom growing up:  clean the bathroom instead of peeling potatoes.  We're 100% Irish, so you can imagine all the potatoes.)

   So, in the height of holiday party season, I shared some of the simple, no-lose recipes, my mother has armed me with that never fail.  And I promise, whether I bring them to parties or lay them out on my buffet at home, people always flip over them and compliment me on my culinary brilliance.  Something my husband of 15 years can hardly stomach, considering in the course of our marriage, I've made him a grand total of 4 meals.  (The last one, without the key ingredient.  I kid you not.  We discovered the taste of cardboard that night, while dining on that gem.)

   Nonetheless, here they are.  An appetizer, a side dish...and a killer dessert.

   The appetizer:  Pomegranate Dip: 

          2 Pomegranates seeded, no rind...8 oz sour cream, 8oz cream cheese (softened, let sit for about an hour).  1/4 tsp lemon juice, sprinkle sugar to taste (a little over a teaspoon).  Mix all ingredients together and serve with Wheat Thins "Harvest Five Grain Crackers" or cracker of choice.

   Poppy Seed Salad:

          I actually learned this one from Chef Scott Tompkins from Scottsdale, Arizona and adopted it as my own.  If you don't like vegetables, this will change your mind.   Simply mix 1 cup mayo, a 1/2 cup white wine vinegar, a quarter cup of sugar or to taste and 2 tablespoons poppy seeds.  This is your dressing.  In a separate bowl, cut up one head of broccoli and one head of cauliflower, with about half a red onion chopped up.    Poor the dressing over the top and toss.  I like to let mine sit for at least an hour before serving.  Then as a leftover, it's awesome over cold pasta.

   Julia's Chocolate Ice Cream Dessert:

     Crush vanilla wafers in a zip lock bag, I usually use half to a whole box.  Then mix it with a 1/2 stick of melted butter.  This will be your bottom crust or layer.  Put it in the bottom of the cake pan and freeze.  Once frozen, pour 1 gallon of melted Vanilla ice cream and spread as the next layer.  Freeze.  The next layer is a semi-melted jar of "Dove" fudge.  Spread over the frozen ice cream and then put it back in the freezer.  Once that layer is frozen, take a tub of "Cool Whip" and spread over the top.  Freeze.

   Once you have all your layers frozen, you can top with walnuts or leftover pieces of the vanilla wafer crust.  It's delish!

   Hope you enjoy these as much as my guests have over the years.  They truly are as easy as it gets.  I hate to cook.  That's why I "make"....you know, the ole assembly required approach.  And all Moms know how to do that!!!

Since becoming a mother 9 years ago, it's become habit that come January 1st, I pledge to "be a better mom".  And as my children age, the challenge only grows with them and more complicated, because now they remember everything I say and do.  (Though they still don't hear me when I yell at them to pick up their clothes, I mean really?)

So for 2010...here are my goals:

1)  Take better care of my own health, so I'm not run down when it gets to the weekends.  This is a biggy for me.  It means eating right and consistent workouts.  Stay tuned.

2)  Improve our families' nutrition.  Working nights makes it a huge challenge come dinner time, but I got a slow cooker for Christmas.  Let's see "when" I use it first...any wagers?

3)  Take each of them individually on their own special outing with me.  And my husband do the same.  My wise girlfriend once told me, when you get your children alone with you, you discover new things about them.  I'd like to create those memories.

4)  Continue to make my marriage a happy one.  I realize, it's the best gift I can ever give them.  And after celebrating 15 years New Year's Eve...we look toward "20" now with hope and the knowledge it'll take a lot of work to get there.  (I think I should get combat pay personally.)

  That's it for now.  I'm sure they'll be some major tweaking.  But, I say this with ever fiber of my being.  My family is my entourage, my posse and my favorite peeps on the planet. 

Here's to 2010.  Happy New Year to you all.

   For those of you unfamiliar with Miss Mary Murphy or luck of the Irish, let me introduce you to them both.  For us here at Fox.  They are one in the same:  a stroke of good luck.

  I had the good fortune of interviewing and then be-friending Mary at her Ballroom Dance Academy in San Diego.  And, for this year's season finale in December, she extended her welcome mat to all our viewers by granting us unprecedented access to her hit show "So You Think You Can Dance."  She literally was our all access pass.   And while the rest of the world press were holed up in a room awaiting the stars after the show...we were in her trailer, on stage, back stage and ambushing (ever so kindly) Adam Lambert by the elevators.  It was nothing short of fantastic.

  She was so genuine, open and fearlessly fun, allowing us to shoot her getting glammed up with all her hair and makeup.  (She even let us in on her gown selection process).   I found it so refreshing considering most stars are so guarded.  Nigel Lithgowe even hung out with us, relaxed and bubbly thanks to Mary. 

   We interviewed Mary J. Blige, shot exclusive video of Leona Lewis and Adam Lambert during rehearsals.  It was simply a journalists dream.    In fact, I rarely let my kids watch our newscasts, due to the nature of the content.  But, I made a point right before my live shot to call and tell them to watch.  As "American Idol" fans as well, I thought they'd be impressed I interviewed Adam Lambert and I thought my coolness factor might actually escalate!!  Speaking of dreams, right?

  Now, they DID think it was cool.  But my son, thought Adam's outfit was weird and didn't like his hairdo.  I chuckled, because Adam was my pick last year, my son loved Danny Gokey, so he's still a bit sore.  I then spoke to my daughter and she thought it was neat.  Then, just as I was about to hang up, my son popped back on the phone and said:  "Mom, don't tell Adam I said that."  I laughed and said:  "I won't."

  But I will say, between Mary's hospitality and my son's innocent charms...these Irish eyes are still smiling.

 My 9 year old son loves sports, and he's a natural.  Which means he automatically gravitates toward anything related to football, basketball, baseball and golf (his four favorites).  From his computer passwords to his artwork and room decor, he is a bonafied sports fanatic.  And his interest in it, has always been a good thing.  But increasingly, sportscasts and ESPN have become launching pads for a slew of uncomfortable conversations.

   Take Tiger Woods.  There was no avoiding the initial news coverage and the peeling back of layer after layer of mistresses with each passing day.  It was everywhere, including my own station.  And though I make a conscious effort to shield my kids from such sorted affairs, it was unavoidable.  He walked into the TV room, and there it was.  And there I was, scrambling to explain it.

   Like most parents, we have pointed to Tiger Woods as an example of "excellence".  Someone who worked hard, doesn't give up and is a gentleman of his sport.  While that may all still be true, obviously what happened off the course and throughout the course of his marriage, is something else entirely.  And frankly, it wasn't something I wanted to expose my son to, but it's the life we live in and it's my job to help him navigate it.  So, I kept it simple.

   First, I started with a question:  "Do you understand what they're saying about Tiger?"  He said plainly, "not really."  I said, "Well, he hasn't been very good to his wife and so a lot of people are disappointed in him."  He said, "Oh."  And just kind of sat on it for a while, then went back to bouncing his nerf basketball around the kitchen.  That seemed to be the end of it.  I've learned, that may not be the case.

  I've also learned to be honest, because you don't want to lose your "street cred" with your kids.   Once they realize you might lie to them, it's over.  But you also don't want to give too much information they may find difficult to process.  I don't want them filling in any blanks on their own.   Then I cross my fingers..... and hope it was enough information to learn something, but not so much it ages them beyond their years.

   It's a recipe that unfortunately, has come with practice.  My son is a huge Charger fan, and I've already had to discuss some of Shawne Merriman's public problems, and the Steve Foley shooting, crushed him.  He felt so badly for Foley (who was shot by an off-duty Coronado police officer, ending his football career), he drew him get well cards and made him a care package to cheer him up.  So, there is no doubt in my mind, kids pay attention to what's happening with their sports heroes.

  So, maybe in the end, sportscasts aren't so bad afterall.  Maybe they're important opportunities to talk to our children about ethics, how money really doesn't buy happiness, and that being a good person, far outweighs any big trophy or cash pot.

  Let me just throw this right on out there:  Barkley wasn't the worst dog!!!!  Yahoo.  After weeks of foreboding about my 6 month old puppy's abysmal behavoir at his first "group puppy training class", I'm happy to report, he was actually pretty good.

   Our group, full of bulldogs, huskies, petite pooches and a few mutts from around San Diego congregated bright and early on a Saturday morning in Rancho Penisquitos.  Working nights made me fuzzier than my dog when it came to instructions, but I left there pretty proud of my furball.   For the first time in months, I feel like I have a normal dog.  An abnormally large dog, but nonetheless, a fairly normal dog. 

   Did I mention, I'm the only one who went?  My kids who begged me for this dog, were too tired and wanted to stay home in their jammies.  Me, not so much.  I apparently, wanted to get up early after working until 11pm the night before to prance in a circle yelling "heel".  It is in these moments, I realize, I truly am someone's mother. 

 I recently zipped up to L.A. for a doctor's appointment.  Or an appointment with "America's Doctor" that is, Dr. Mehmet Oz.  He was in L.A. for a day and we wanted to chat with the new man in our Fox lineup.  So, photographer Vince Tagle and I drove up to Sony Pictures Studios for the one on one interview.  And I don't know what we were more amazed with, the fact we got up there in an hour and a half, or that we were given so much time with Dr. Oz.

  I've been on tons of junkets in my career, and usually you get 4 to 7 minute chats with stars.  (Typically, the star in question sits in a chair and different journalists from around the globe rotate in for interviews.)  This time, it was just us, representing all of Fox.  And wouldn't you know it.  We spent the first ten minutes making paper airplanes and chatting about our kids.  Well, he made paper airplanes.  You see the heart surgeon/talk show host, is a father of four, and that's the current project he had going on with his youngest son, Oliver. 

   There he was, about to do a television interview, feverishly folding corners and re-folding flaps, hoping the sucker would fly, so he could return to New York triumphant in the eyes of his son.  I guess the synidcated television show, bearing his name, isn't as impressive as you might think.   I found the scenario endearing and totally relatable.

  He also told me an anecdote about his "straight talking daughter", who had a great one liner recently.  Apparently, Dr. Oz's best friend was aboard the plane that landed in the Hudson River.  He says they were talking to him on the phone after surviving the crash and he was describing all the water flooding into the back of the plane where he was sitting.  Dr Oz explained with pride, that's when his daughter questioned:  "Why weren't you sitting in first class?"   Needless to day, we got a chuckle.

   The doctor is well aware of how his success is impacting his children.  Raised modestly by Turkish parents in Ohio...he says he tells his own children "Everytime I give you something, I take away something I had growing up."

  Perhaps, his best advice yet.