A Spiritual Encounter
A Halloween tale Continue reading A Spiritual Encounter
Category: Rough Draft
A Mother Gives Thanks
A Mother Gives Thanks If we could, would we raise our children any differently knowing then what we know now? The woman who submitted her story for me to publish to my readers listened carefully as I trepidatiously asked her for more details. I appreciated her wanting to tell her story, and I knew that I was venturing toward raw territory when I asked her … Continue reading A Mother Gives Thanks
Finding Clarity – surfing salidadas
After my ninth sold out Aspen Connect conversation held at a venue that I had set my sights on from the inception, rather than feeling as though I had arrived, I felt so very lost. If I could define what it was to drive me to produce eight back to back events in 9 months, I would say that it was the disconnect between business … Continue reading Finding Clarity – surfing salidadas
Surviving a Concentration Camp
It is always difficult to read or watch movies about the Holocaust but as I listened to my Aunt Tutti tell me of her experience as an eight year old in a concentration camp I was able to hear the truth and envision myself and my family in the same nightmare that occurred only thirty years before I was born. Continue reading Surviving a Concentration Camp
Happy BIG Birthday Baddy!
“When I think about the things that we’ve been through, I know just one thing is true, life is better with you!”. Happy 15th Anniversary to my hubbie. Continue reading Happy BIG Birthday Baddy!
Living in Paradise in a Mixed Marriage
Bringing spirituality and meaning to our childrens lives can be stressful over the holidays with our mixed marriage. Continue reading Living in Paradise in a Mixed Marriage
Seeing Aspen Through a Teenager’s Eyes
[su_heading size=”18″]Seeing Aspen Through a Teenager’s Eyes [/su_heading] It has been a long time since I have actually written about the children of Aspen Real Life, as soon as the older ones turned 14, all bets were off. They went from take me, film me, let me see, to MOOOOOMMMMMMMM! Now they get soooo pissed off if they are remotely aware that I am writing about them … Continue reading Seeing Aspen Through a Teenager’s Eyes
Have Sex With Your Spouse
What you have no time for sex with your spouse? Time to change the scene and add some spice into your life. Life is to short for drudgery. Continue reading Have Sex With Your Spouse
A Funny Story About Wanting Sex
If you haven’t been living this way already, it’s time to start letting go and live for the moment…even if the consequences may make you blush. Continue reading A Funny Story About Wanting Sex
Top Ten Ways to Help Keep Your Teen Safe
There is a quiet buzz of concern one can hear if one listens carefully enough to the conversations of many parents in our valley regarding the health of our youth. Last year, while on the board for the Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention I tried to start a movement along with the Executive Director, Michael Connolly. We began a Parent to Parent Alliance to … Continue reading Top Ten Ways to Help Keep Your Teen Safe
Fantasies of a Mother
As I sat at the bar I imagined what it would be like to still be single and living in New York City. When an attractive young man sat down alone right next to me I thought about…. Continue reading Fantasies of a Mother
Can True Love Survive Children
[su_heading size=”18″]Can True Love Survive Children[/su_heading] Everybody wants to know how to find that true love, but what about finding it and keeping the love while raising children? So far, Baddy and my love has endured the true test of time, from building and then losing a dream house together, to the trials and tribulations of raising boys in “Paradise”. After watching writer Mandy Len … Continue reading Can True Love Survive Children
Chapter 1: Morphine Drip
When I think back, he was always there in my imagination, the man I would fall in love with one day. A tall, dark and handsome cowboy version of a straight Carey Grant with a chiseled jaw and smiling eyes. My search for the literal man of my dreams began well before my father, whose life was about to be extinguished by Melanoma Cancer, set … Continue reading Chapter 1: Morphine Drip
Moving From Old Snowmass to Basalt, Colorado
Anybody who has moved understands the emotional and physical distress it causes, and here we are possibly about to do it again! Anybody want a home on a gorgeous lot in Basalt, Colorado? Continue reading Moving From Old Snowmass to Basalt, Colorado
Is it Possible to Live in the Moment?
I’m thinking it would be far easier to live with a Buddhist philosophy if we didn’t live in Western society. So, how to live peacefully in a fast paced environment? Don’t get stuck in a rut. Continue reading Is it Possible to Live in the Moment?
A High Prana Food Dream
Ever eat a raw meal and have dreams about being pregnant? I did. Continue reading A High Prana Food Dream
Living in Basalt, Colorado
So…how was your summer? Are you sad that your kids are back in school? I’m not! Continue reading Living in Basalt, Colorado
Rid Yourself Of Fear
An annual summer trip to Nantucket no longer retains the innocence of days gone by. Continue reading Rid Yourself Of Fear
Cowboy Poetry Slurred
Basalt may be sleepy but if you catch it on the right night you may find yourself listening to poetry quoted to you by a drunk cowboy. Continue reading Cowboy Poetry Slurred
Saved by a Cowboy
An unexpected adventure happened yesterday when I went on a bike ride with a friend along the back roads of Old Snowmass. Continue reading Saved by a Cowboy
Living in a Community Extends Life
How wonderful it is to receive birthday wishes from all over the world. I am a very lucky girl and so appreciative of all of your love! Thank you for being a friend!!! Continue reading Living in a Community Extends Life
Going Cowboy on Yeager with the Aspen Valley Land Trust
Note to self: don’t have six shots of tequila and then go to a benefit with a live and silent auction. It has trouble written all over it. What’s a girl to do? Continue reading Going Cowboy on Yeager with the Aspen Valley Land Trust
Trying to Survive Without Sleep
[su_heading size=”18″]Trying to Survive Without Sleep[/su_heading] Last night I skinned up Buttermilk with my fellow Monday evening companions. We gathered in the parking lot as we put our skins on our skis and stuffed our packs with lights and warm clothes for the descent. The conversation immediately went to how we were all so tired and needed to gather our energy together to hike 2,030 … Continue reading Trying to Survive Without Sleep
An Enormous Cheers to You on New Years
In this new year, let’s all pay it forward! Continue reading An Enormous Cheers to You on New Years
When Your Blog Takes Off
Aspen Real Life is four years old, gives back to the community and has put in over 10,000 hours. It’s Time! Continue reading When Your Blog Takes Off
Aspen Blogger Tells Her Story
At four o’clock in the morning, I’m ready to be a bit more raw and confess that this blogging business hasn’t been easy but things are happening. Continue reading Aspen Blogger Tells Her Story
The Mother of a Mommy Blogger
What’s it like being the mommy of a… “mommy blogger”? My mother tells all. Continue reading The Mother of a Mommy Blogger
How to Monetize a Blog
This is a question that I often get when I tell people that I am a blogger. It’s not always easy to be ahead of the curve, where people look at you as if you have three eyes, but I’m kinda liking being different. Continue reading How to Monetize a Blog
Hearing a Gunshot in Old Snowmass
Although I do miss living in the country, maybe I was not quite cut out for country living. Continue reading Hearing a Gunshot in Old Snowmass
A Week Gone Wrong
Summer in Aspen is awesome…if you can leave your life behind like all the tourists and actually stop your life to enjoy it…so I’m putting-out. You? Continue reading A Week Gone Wrong
Moving From Rural to Suburbia
Moving from our contemporary home in the country-side to our vinyl home in town has had its glitches but somehow, beneath the stresses of mold and monsters, we are content. Continue reading Moving From Rural to Suburbia
Next Chapter, Basalt, Colorado
Moving from house to house is not easy but the transitions that occur with each move are enlightening. It is not the life I planned for my children but in today’s world it seems to be the way it is. If you haven’t had to move, consider yourself lucky! Continue reading Next Chapter, Basalt, Colorado
The Highs and Lows of Mommy Blogging
If I ever become famous I am going to become a motivational speaker for bloggers because nobody becomes somebody without working their little bottoms off, do they? Continue reading The Highs and Lows of Mommy Blogging
What are Your New Year’s Resolutions?
I’ve made my New Years Resolutions and I’m ready to go…only, it’s going to take some time. How bout you? Continue reading What are Your New Year’s Resolutions?
A Dysfunctional Aspen Thanksgiving
It’s been a whirlwind of a week with Thanksgiving and Aspen Winternational but we survived, barely! Continue reading A Dysfunctional Aspen Thanksgiving
Moving In With Family
Moving out of our home and moving in with our extended family was nice and cozy, to say the least. Thank you Michele, Jim, Devon, Nikki, India and Loki!!! Continue reading Moving In With Family
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened
Have you ever been so self-absorbed that you couldn’t read the signs? Continue reading Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened
The Sadness of Having to Move
So many families are in transition right now, moving from the homes they love to rent and we are one of them. But as life would have it, there is always humor tossed in amongst the stress and the disbelief of the work load, if you choose to let it in to help you than you’ll make it through. Continue reading The Sadness of Having to Move
Renting A Home
With our house closing on Monday and no home to move into things are getting very interesting over here at Aspen REAL Life. Continue reading Renting A Home
I am a Bull in a China Shop
As we travel about life, I wonder how many of us are reflective of our Horoscopes and our signs? Continue reading I am a Bull in a China Shop
Spiritual Healers
A big congratulations to Carbondale local, Michelle Manning-Kogler, for making it past the first round in the Conari Press Competition for the next top Self-Help Author.
It is Michelle’s wish to help others through spiritual healing, a gift she was born with, and to make lasting, positive changes in their lives.
Let’s help her to make it to round three! Continue reading Spiritual Healers
The Jerry Bovino Show
I did it. I made it through the hour long interview about “Cool Bloggers” on The Jerry Bovino Show, without getting sick or passing out. I must be maturing as Aspen Real Life grows up. Continue reading The Jerry Bovino Show
Living in the Moment
On our way up we talked about my decision to not write about how The Aspen Times was pouring salt onto my wound, once again, with the new developments in the Madoff fiasco. I refuse to fuel the tabloids with my anger and disappointment, I told him and he agreed happy that as much as I write about our family life, I never reveal anything too private. Continue reading Living in the Moment
Experiencing the Turbulence of Blogging
You know that feeling when you’re on an airplane and the pilot announces that it’s going to be a turbulent ride? Continue reading Experiencing the Turbulence of Blogging
Falling in Love on Halloween in Aspen
Ready for the second chapter of finding love in Aspen? Here it is, all on a dark and beautiful Halloween night. Continue reading Falling in Love on Halloween in Aspen
How to Attend Blogging Conferences
How to master the art of social networking Continue reading How to Attend Blogging Conferences
Having to Move From Our Dream House
So many of us are having to let go right now. Even though I try not to get attached to material things I still can’t shake the sadness of having to leave our Paradise. Continue reading Having to Move From Our Dream House
Living with Integrity
Jack Pierce McDonald may be physically gone but the legacy that he has left behind will resonate within all of us forever. Continue reading Living with Integrity
I Won’t Back Down
What would I do without my sisters? Continue reading I Won’t Back Down
Swallowed by Mud – The Muki Series
Some days are better than others
Spring Break is here and Bono says it all. Continue reading Some days are better than others
Valentine’s Day Sucks
I fear that I’m giving in to accepting that Valentine’s Day is just an overrated, commercial Holiday. Continue reading Valentine’s Day Sucks
Trying to Fit it All in
Do you ever feel like your head is about to blow off your body as you try to accomplish the impossible? No? Then I need to talk to you, sooner rather than later. Continue reading Trying to Fit it All in
It’s My Blogoversary
Trying to understand my obsession as a blogger. Continue reading It’s My Blogoversary
A Dream About Dying
Having high anxiety over the holidays? Continue reading A Dream About Dying
Dealing With Concussions
On Christmas Day we arrived at my sister Micheles house with the Vini-Man loaded with presents for all the cousins. The kids ran around in their pajamas taking them off throughout the day to plunge into the hot tub and then dive into the snow. It was a wonderful family day until Michele came back from a walk completely disoriented. Her dog,?Loki, one of my … Continue reading Dealing With Concussions
Taken Down by Thanksgiving
The holidays can be a wonderful way to reconnect with family and friends but they can also be detrimental to your health. Continue reading Taken Down by Thanksgiving
Mommy Bloggers are the New Celebrities
It is amazing to me the fascination with vain celebrities. People want real. They want raw. Of course sex and good looks always sell, but many Mommy Blogger’s have all that it takes to make it as a Celebrity. Continue reading Mommy Bloggers are the New Celebrities
Let Negative Comments Help You
Every now and then I receive mail from somebody who I have clearly offended with my writing. I thought that I would share it with you and also give you the opportunity to critique my writing for the better good of my novel. Have at it! Continue reading Let Negative Comments Help You
Be a Stay at Home Mom, or get a Job?
You wanted a bit of adversity? Well here it is. Read and weep for me my friends, read and weep. Continue reading Be a Stay at Home Mom, or get a Job?
Am I a Goddess?
All mother’s have a secret that I am about to share with the world. We are all superhuman. Continue reading Am I a Goddess?
A Spiritual Encounter
A Halloween tale Continue reading A Spiritual Encounter
Meeting New People is Like Traveling
I am aware that I am in complete denial that taking the kids on a road trip could be a total bust but I am just that desperate. Continue reading Meeting New People is Like Traveling
Anatomy of a Mommy Blogger
In all of this self-analysis I have deduced that my writing has become a reflection of my spiritual journey as a wife and a mother. It has helped me to live in the present more completely and spiritually then ever before. Every nuance, every impressionable expression, every tribute to life, resonates in my being and writing it all down helps me to grow. Continue reading Anatomy of a Mommy Blogger
Going on a Date with Your Husband
Kids are gone and Wade and I are hitting the towns of Aspen, Basalt and Carbondale with a vigor! Continue reading Going on a Date with Your Husband
Do you Tweet in Your Dreams?
Twitter has become such a large part of my life as I grow my blog that I am Twittering in my sleep. I have always had crazy, fun dreams, especially about New York City and have started recording them on my blog. Continue reading Do you Tweet in Your Dreams?
Loving My Forties
A half hour later I walked out of his office stunned. In my forties, I have found an inner peace and an entirely new view on life and love. My senses are deepened and my openness to the world much greater. I am learning Spanish, writing, reading novels, juggling three boys, relishing in the affections of my husband and deepening my bonds with my girlfriends. Who was this man who could not appreciate the beauty of women in their forties? Continue reading Loving My Forties
All Parents Need Alone Time
As parents, we all need time to escape and reflect upon who and where we are in our lives. Life does not always offer up these opportunities. When a day turns sour, we need to dig deep into our own resources to help us get through it because nobody else is going to save us. Continue reading All Parents Need Alone Time
What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama
[su_heading]What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama[/su_heading] What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama? Don’t breathe on her, don’t look at her, do as she says, and everything will be just fine! The first time we saw our first baby, it was while having an Amnio in the Doctor’s office. “Is that what I think it is” I whispered to Baddy, knowing that … Continue reading What Not to Do With a Pregnant Mama
A trip to Paris, Pregnant
When I was five months pregnant with Hootie-Hoo, Baddy surprised me by presenting me with a trip to Paris, just the two of us, to celebrate my fortieth birthday and our pregnancy. Spring in Paris that year brought droves and droves of uninterrupted rain but I was alone with my love and that was all that mattered. Wanting to bring back memories of a time … Continue reading A trip to Paris, Pregnant
Designing My Own Website
We have all struggled with keeping up with technology and I just happened to take it as far as I was able. I soon plunged into website hell and have finally climbed back out. Continue reading Designing My Own Website
Dreaming About A Lecherous Husband
I love my husband but obviously have some deep rooted insecurities that are divulged in my dreams. He sure wished he could be privy to his lecherous behavior, in my sleep. Continue reading Dreaming About A Lecherous Husband
Putting Flames on My Mini-Van
When I was pregnant with my third child, Tucker, I had to trade in my Toyota Fore-Runner for a mini-van to accommodate my impending larger family. It was a difficult decision for me to make. My father had a BMW fetish and that is what I grew up driving in. Continue reading Putting Flames on My Mini-Van
I Saw The Tooth Fairy
[su_heading size=”18″]I Saw The Tooth Fairy[/su_heading] The other night Axel’s tooth fell out, or rather, Wade yanked it out as usual. This family is not for the weak hearted. When the children hurt themselves they scream louder when they see their Daddy approaching. Both Wade and his father have the ability to handle pain and they expect the same tolerance from their wives and their offspring I was so … Continue reading I Saw The Tooth Fairy
Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor
[su_heading size=”18″]Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor [/su_heading] Tonight at dinner I asked my family to take note that I was actually wearing a short sleeved shirt without a sweater on. It probably was the first time since the last warm day in the Fall that I was not wearing my old three ply cashmere sweater and my hat and gloves at the dinner table. My … Continue reading Getting Chicken Eggs From a Neighbor
Staying Balanced as a Mother
[su_heading size=”18″]Staying Balanced as a Mother[/su_heading] This morning Baddy and I laughed, cried and spat at each other, and the kids, in the one hour we had together before we shoved everybody into the car to go to school. Oh to be able to afford the $1,000 per kid school bus. This behavior is indicative of a strange phenomenon that occurs before my birthday every … Continue reading Staying Balanced as a Mother
Water Nymphs at Conundrum Hot Springs
Nymphs in the forest, hot springs pools, makes for a dreamy weekend spent in nature, that is unless you are there with your girlfriend. Continue reading Water Nymphs at Conundrum Hot Springs
Fighting Depression as a Mother
It is not always easy to remain calm and patient with children. Continue reading Fighting Depression as a Mother
Boys Need to Be Trained By Their Mothers
January 1st I decided to stop doing everything for the boys and teach them how to clean up after themselves. I am doing their future wives a favor. Continue reading Boys Need to Be Trained By Their Mothers
Our Baby’s Flight for Life
[su_heading]Our Baby’s Flight for Life[/su_heading] Taking a flight for life from Aspen to Denver when our middle child was 12 days old was one of the biggest scares of our lives. How It All Began With Axel When Thumper was two, Baddy and I left him with his grandparents and took a trip to Maui to escape our daily chaos. Upon arriving, the locals told … Continue reading Our Baby’s Flight for Life
A Flight for Life
[su_heading]Our Baby’s Flight for Life[/su_heading] Taking a flight for life from Aspen to Denver when our middle child was 12 days old was one of the biggest scares of our lives. Now I just picked him up from pre-college at California College of the Arts, and our little Axel-Baby is the epitome of health and rising success. Conception in Maui When Axel’s older brother, Brevitt, … Continue reading A Flight for Life
Jillian's Real Life 