Celebrity Free Pass

Quite a few years ago, my husband I were watching an episode of Friends in which Ross and Rachel have a game regarding who their "free pass" celebrity crush would be. If you've never heard of this game I will explain. Basically each person chooses one (and I mean only one) celebrity that if they ever met and had a chance to sleep with that the other partner would be "cool" with it. Well we all know it is 100% unlikely that you will ever have this chance, but its fun to dream and joke about. ;)

I wanted to share mine in hopes that you'd share yours.

Josh Duhamel

I know..........dream on.

Ambien---friend or foe??

It is around 2am and I have been lying in bed for the past 3 hours staring at my bedside table. Nothing is more stressful or frustrating to me than laying in bed waiting for sleep to take over. I silently pray that the sandman will come and guide me to slumberland as fast as he possibly can because goddammit I have a freaking presentation in the morning!!! After I begin to realize that this just isn't working for me, I decide that I need a change of scenery. I quietly crawl out of bed as not to wake my perfectly peaceful prince of a husband who I envy more than Michelle Obama at this juncture. I don't think in the 16 years we've been together that he has had more than a handful of sleepless night. Though I do wish he could relate to my frustrations from lack of sleep, I love him too much to wish this on the love of my life.

I tiptoe downstairs to get a glass of water and grab my Kindle. I decide to finish a book that my girlfriend, Anna has recommended to me (Marrying George Clooney: Confessions of a Midlife Crisis). Seemed oddly appropriate for my current mindset, so I began reading quietly on the couch. As I got a few more pages into it I realize that it is highly ironic that here I am up at an ungodly hour with insomnia reading about a woman who was suffering from menopause and major insomnia. I oddly connect with the writer and think to myself, okay I am not the only person up at 2:47 am fighting with sleep.

As I read, sip, read, sip I realize that I am missing my Ambien. Recently people might relate Ambien to the oversexed Tiger Woods or a pill that people take and end up sleeping with strangers or making a PB&J at midnight only to wake up the next morning and not know what the hell happened?? I of course do not have any dramatic exciting stories about the tiny white tablet only that it was my nighttime friend. My sure thing, go-to, Plan B, always there for a good sleep, pal. Recently, after talking with my husband I decided to not refill my prescription to see how it goes.

I have never been a good sleeper. Even as a kid I never liked to be the last one awake. I always wanted to be talked to sleep by my parents, friends at slumber parties and of course, my poor husband. Nighttime to me is a very lonely time. It's dark, quiet and everyone and thing is turned off to reset for the next day. The time during the night seems to go by in a snap, but if you are awake, alone, it can seem longer than the day. I didn't try Ambien until a few years ago when I was in a very stressful career and my nighttime stress would keep me up. I mean UP!! I would wake up in sweats, heart racing, panic about the next day's work schedule/presentations etc. I needed something to help me get to sleep and keep me asleep. Taking an Ambien made everything quiet and sound.....sleep hits within 15 minutes. Glorious. Most nights sleep would be fine and I wouldn't need my Plan B miracle but when I did need it it was a lifesaver. Good sleep = good mood, alert at work, aware and happy for my family.....happy mama.

I don't like having to rely on something on those tough nights but it does make it more peaceful for me to know I CAN get sleep if I need it. Now, as I power through this decision to tackle my sleep issues the "healthy" way I struggle to decide if saying goodbye to my little white pill was the right decision. I'm now on Night 7 and I am going to keep fighting the war on insomnia. I'll keep you posted on my love/hate relationship with sleep and know you always have a friend up at 2:45am if you need her.

Aunt Shelley's Tea

Everyone has certain reminders in life that bring them back to the feeling of love, comfort, home and hearth. Maybe it is a melody of an old 70's soft rock tune, or a TV program from the 80's like Silver Spoons or Punky Brewster. For me it was when I was sick. As a child, I was quite healthy. I don't remember getting more than 1 cold a year and maybe a headache or two. I was even disappointed as a kid because I LOVED St. Joseph's baby aspirin and used to fake a headache to pop one of those suckers! Tasted just like a smartie candy!

On the rare occasion that I was feeling ill my mother would make me a special tea that she swore would make me better. It was actually her best friend Shelley's family recipe in which it was a lovely mixture of loose tea, cinnamon, clove and citrus. Just the smell of her brewing the hot tea was enough to make me feel cozy, warm........instantly loved.

And now as a mom myself (still feels weird to say that), it seems that my boys are sick constantly! I don't think we've gone 6 weeks in the past 2 years without someone in our house having a cold or bug. Last week, I wasn't feeling well and was reminded by Aunt Shelley of that old tea recipe. She immediately sent me the recipe and last night I went through the ritual of making a pot. It was like stepping into a time warp. For a moment, I could squint my eyes and picture myself in my old house, on the couch watching my mom making it at the stove top. Once it was ready to drink, I sat and sipped a cup alone on my couch and it made me feel instantly.....loved and home.

So as the flu and cold season endures, I will wipe many snotty noses, clean-up barfing spills and give lots of snuggles and hugs. As of this week, I have begun this new tradition with my boys in hopes that it will help them feel better and give them the same warm feeling and love that it gives me.

I thought I would share the recipe with all of you in hopes that it will warm your family and become a part of your traditions.
___________________

Aunt Shelley's Hot Tea

1 small can of frozen lemonade (6 oz) + its accompanying equivalent of water
1 large can of frozen orange juice (12 oz) + its accompany equivalent of water
3/4 cup of sugar
2 1/2 tsp of whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks - crushed
3 tsp of loose tea

Directions:
In large sauce pan, add both cans of frozen juice and their accompanying equivalents (from side of cans). Stir until well blended. Add sugar until well blended. Heat mixture on medium heat until well blended and fully melted. Be sure not to put burner on too hot or it might stick to the bottom of the pan or burn.

In small sauce pan, add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. As soon as it begins to boil add cloves and cinnamon. Reduce heat to a low simmer for 6 minutes. Once finished simmering, bring back to a boil and add loose tea.

Remove from heat and let steep for 3 - 4 minutes (steep a few extra minutes if you want stronger tea taste).

Strain the tea mixture with fine mesh strainer into the larger juice mixture. Be sure to not get bits of cinnamon/clove or tea leaves into the mixture. Once strained mix tea/juice to complete combine.

Then bring pot to a final simmer. I usually let it simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavor take in. Remember to turn stove off!

This tea can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and be sure to only reheat what you would like either on the stove or in microwave. With every reheat it will thicken. The older the better it tastes (kinda like lasagna).
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I hope you enjoy the tea and take the time to make it. I'm off to relax for the night and enjoy a nice cup of tea. Thanks, Aunt Shelley. :)

Does this mean I'm an "Official Blogger"???

A few years back a friend of mine was a dating a new girl and I asked him what he liked about her. His reply was "she has a cool food blog". I nodded and smiled saying "cool, wow", inside I was spinning and questioning what the hell is a BLOG??? After a few embarrassing questions and admitting that I was behind in the times, he explained to me this new way of communicating with an online journal to friends, colleagues and people with similar interests. It intrigued me but I never thought I would embark on such a journey.

A blog is such a door to your personal life, even your deep thoughts or dreams. I don't think I have a super exciting perspective on life or that people would want to necessarily hear what I had to say but I did like the creative outlet it would give me. Reflection that would be more for me than my readers.

And so as I begin this journey of blogging and self reflection I plan on tackling a wide range of topics that influence my life. I have many interests and facets which include my family, work, music, pop culture, life struggles and health. I promise to be honest and open if you forgive me for my poor gramer (kidding) and blunt style.

Oh, and meaning behind No Dress Rehearsals is a mirror to how I live my life. Experiencing every moment, leaving space and time to enjoy life and always trying to do the right thing. As my hero Martin Luther King, Jr. once said "It is always the right moment to do the right thing". So that's what I will do.