On Monday, we had some guests on the show -- a lawyer and a psychologist -- who both say a healthy divorce is possible and they've seen it happen. They're with the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin.

The family law attorney referenced a divorce process where a 7 year-old boy was in her office and told his parents that he'd line up against the wall with his younger brother and the parents could choose which kid they wanted. He made the point that his parents' divorce made him feel like that. That's a pretty powerful example.

I'm not sure if there are many friendly divorces, but I'm sure glad there are people trying to make that happen. Consider this -- in America, 49% of marriages end in divorce. We have the second highest divorce rate in the world, surpassed only by Sweden.

And how about that 7-year itch idea? Well -- the median duration of first marriages that end in divorce is slightly less than eight years! 82% of couples can brag about reaching the 5-year mark but only 52% are together to celebrate 15 years.

A few things improve your odds of staying married -- having a college education, an annual income over $50,000, religious values and having parents who are happily married.

The big losers always seem to be the kids. The number of children living with both parents decreased from 85% to 68% between 1970 and 1996. About half of all children will witness the breakup of a parent's marriage. Of these kids, nearly half will also witness a parent's second divorce. And get this -- teen girls from single parent homes are twice as likely to drop out of high school or give birth to an out-of-wedlock child.

It sure seems like if you study the math on divorce, it "pays" to consider the collaborative process where at least there's a chance for a peaceful ending.

Look familiar?  On today's show Tiffany told us a story from her childhood and it cracked me up.  Her mother demanded that she clean up her room and Tiffany refused.  What did her mom do?  She took the door off of Tiffany's room!  Tiffany says at first she resisted cleaning but later decided she wanted her privacy.  Her mom's explanation was that if Tiffany couldn't respect her space then she couldn't have her own space.  I like that.

What do you do at your house?  Do you clean up your kids' rooms when they get messy and you get sick of looking at it?  Do you leave it a mess and just shut the door?  Do you demand that they clean it up themselves?

Tiffany's not a mom yet, but I agree with her -- if you always pick up after your kids then you'll be stuck doing it - forever.

Be sure to tune into The Morning Blend on Thursday.  We're going to read viewer emails about this subject and one mom sent us the best idea I've ever read on this topic.  See you then!

On today's show, The Morning Blend welcomed my new co-host - Tiffany Ogle from Minnesota. She did a great job, especially because it was her first day on the job!

I located a career expert online who offered a few tips for the first day on any job - smile and be friendly. Second, use your lunch hour to connect with new co-workers (don't spend all your time with old co-workers). It also offered this advice, which cracks me up -- find out who has the authority to assign you work so that you don't end up doing other people's tasks. Pretty good advice, huh? Tiffany has a good sense of humor, she's sharp and she's beautiful.

Alison was also on the show today. She is working with a Milwaukee salon and she was coordinating some incredible make-overs that we revealed today. It's the first time I've seen her since she left the show on October 2nd. Get this -- she's pregnant! Isn't that fantastic news? She also started her own media business.

I tell you all of that because we've been swamped with emails from viewers, asking why she left the show and what she's up to now. Her husband runs a restaurant in Chicago, so she decided to give up the commute and spend time working for herself. She'll be back in two weeks with more make-overs, so she hasn't left us entirely.

That's what's up with Alison -- and again, welcome Tiffany!

My mom sat my older brother and me down for "the talk" when we were in about 5th-6th grade.  I remember it well, mostly because there was some stuff I already knew, but  a lot I really didn't.  That evolved into a more regular, ongoing chat about sex and sexuality -- which is exactly what the experts recommended to us on today's show from the United Way.  This organization even has a toolkit now available to parents to help explain the birds and the bees.

Now as a parent, these conversations are sometimes very difficult.  Especially when my oldest daughter asks some of what I consider the "higher level" of sex questions.  My mom gave me a tip that has always helped.  Be honest and answer the question -- but don't volunteer more than what they're asking about.

Here's another important tip I just read online at WebMD:  Never avoid a "teachable moment." Dive in and offer accurate information whenever your child sashays anywhere near the topic of sex. Don't wait for the point-blank question to be asked.

The site also offers a suggestion - just like the tip my mom gave me: Keep your answer confined to what is asked. For example, "Mom, how does the baby get out of your body?" Your answer: "Through a special opening between my legs. That's why it's there." If your child did not ask at that moment how a baby got in there in the first place, don't start there. Just answer the question asked.

Sounds like I should be working for the Today Show and asking about Matt Lauer, while pointing to a map!

Every day we get emails from viewers of The Morning Blend, asking about Alison. Mostly they mention that they miss her – and they always ask what she’s up to now. I decided to answer both questions. First, Alison’s last day on the show was October 2nd. She lives in Chicago with her husband, who’s super busy running a fantastic restaurant near Millennium Park. Alison was doing a lot of commuting, which is hard day in and day out. Second, she started her own media company. She’s going to help businesses market themselves using video and the web. She’ll be great at that!

We keep in touch and she’ll be back on the show from time to time. For now, I’m enjoying the show with Mathew Blades – he’s fun and he’s doing a great job. Alison always liked doing the show with him, too. Keep watching because we’ll have a big announcement about the show on show Friday. Oh – and by the way, I miss her, too!

I love Gilda's Club.  I love everything about it - the familiar, red door... the group's logo... the resources it offers.  I love that Gilda Radner was the inspiration.   More than anything, I like the mission and what the people at Gilda's Club do to help people battling cancer.

I hope you'll join me Tuesday for a great event.  It's called, "Wine, Women & Purses".  It's an opportunity to drink fine wine, sample tasty appetizers and vie for yummy handbags.   There will be goody bags and free valet parking.   It's a chance to help support a great organization right here in our neighborhood.

It's all happening at Devon Seafood Grill and for just $35 you can be part of something great.  You can register online by clicking on Gilda or go to this address:  www.gildasclubsewi.org  You could also call (414) 962-8201 X 102. 

See you there?

I just think it’s interesting that whenever we ask our viewers to tell us what they don’t like — or something that really bugs them — our feedback box is loaded up with emails in no time!  I guess people just like to complain.  I guess I do, too.  It’s our nature, right?

Today on The Morning Blend Mathew told me about a study that shows men do not like three things — flowers, talking on the phone and shopping.  No truer words have been spoken I’d say!  He asked me what I don’t like.  I said loud yawners, chain e-mails that demand a quick response or else a miracle will not happen and men who leave the seat up.  Apparently, that bugs a lot of women — it was number one on the list of things us girls don’t like.

What are three things you don’t like?  Here’s your chance to sound off! I’d love to know — send us a quick note.  It’s today’s Sound Off question!

Take a look at this optical illusion? Do you like it? Do you get it? Next Friday night I'll be an optical illusion. Well, sort of. I'll be disappearing on David Copperfield's stage. Well, sort of. It'll look like I've disappeared. Be sure to tune in to tomorrow's Morning Blend. Mathew Blades and I will discuss my upcoming disappearing act -- my hopes and fears about it -- and Mathew promises to perform an optical illusion for me so that I can better understand what will happen to me when David Copperfield says "abracadabra"!!!!!! Now that's a reason to watch, wouldn't you say? Oh -- and as always, I welcome your input and suggestions. For example, what should I wear?!?!

Today on The Morning Blend, we had a guest from Impact 2-1-1 offering suggestions to parents about having conversations with their children about drugs and alcohol. She made several good points, but there was one tip that really stuck with me. She said the biggest mistake a parent can make when it comes to "the talk" is to not talk at all. She also said the conversation has to begin at an early age and continue as children grow.

Not long ago we asked viewers of The Morning Blend if they think it's okay to allow TVs and other electronic gadgets -- such as Xboxes, computers, cell phones and laptops -- in a child's bedroom.

I thought we received some great responses.  Many of the parents who wrote in said kids have to get out and interact with people to learn social skills in the "real" world.  I tend to agree.

Lots of parents also said it's their job to monitor what their kids are watching and limit time kids spend with these electronic devices.  I tend to agree.  They emphasized a need for balance and oversight.  I agree with that, too.

None of those responses is unusual.  However, we heard from one mom who opened my eyes to a new perspective on this issue.   She has a 17-year-old daughter who's super social and believes all the fun in life is outside, meeting people and interacting.  But this same mom also has a son with Autism.  She revealed that kids her son's age always tease him and make him feel like an outcast.  She went on to say that he has lots of "online friends" -- and not a single one of them judge him or make him feel bad.  She admits that she feels bad when she sees other boys engaged in sports, hanging out with friends and being accepted in social circles.  But, she feels some satisfaction, knowing her son has found some acceptance in the online world. 

My paradigm has shifted and that's a good feeling.  It's always nice to be open to new ideas -- especially on a subject in which I saw only one side.

Today on the show we’re talking about a recent Forbes article that named Milwaukee #9 as one of the best cities in the country for singles.  Is Milwaukee a good place to date?  We got at least one email that said an emphatic no!

Apparently, one of the reasons Milwaukee scored so high was because of all the online dating here.  It got me interested in the etiquette of online dating and texting in relationships.

My research lead me to some online tips about texting do’s and don’ts.  There’s one don’t that I wanted to mention.  It says, “Do respond ASAP”.  The relationship expert who was consulted says that, “most people are never far from their cell phone, so if you don’t reply within an hour or so, the other person will assume they’re being ignored.  As a matter of fact, the biggest texting turn-off according to the survey was a slow response”.  I think that’s really bad advice — especially because the advice also says, “don’t assume”.  I’m not around my phone all the time and sometimes don’t get back to people who text me until the next day!  I hope the people in my relationship circle don’t assume they’re being ignored! 

One other thing I wanted to note – I think it’s terrible that our techno-age has brought us to a point where people are breaking up with someone via text or email.  That’s so rude!  When I was a dating, it was tacky to do it over the phone — now that seems almost appropriate!  What are your thoughts on this?

At The Morning Blend we're asking viewers to email us and tell us what really bugs them; sound off about what gets under your skin!  I think people like a chance to vent about things that get on their nerves and we're happy to give our viewers the chance to be heard!

This time of year all the stores are advertising sales for back to school supplies.  I'm all about the sales but I can't stand shopping for this stuff.  I want my kids to have new supplies every year because it makes them excited for school, but it's just such a pain to find everything on the list!  And, as all parents know -- the list is so specific! 

Here's an example -- pulled right from my kid's first grade list:

1 box (12) “thin” washable markers - regular colors - NO NEON OR PASTEL

Wal-Mart doesn't have 12 thin, washable markers in regular colors.  They have boxes of 10 -- and they're not washable!  The same is true at two other stores I visited!  Keep in mind, I'm shopping for school supplies for 3 kids.  Some people shop for 4 or 5 kids -- how do they do it?  I feel like I need to take a vacation day, just to accomplish this task.  I was so crabby when I got home, after spending at least 2 hours going over the lists and trying to find all the right things.  All I could think of was how horrified my 6-year-old would be to have a box of 10 thin markers, instead of 12! (That's sort of a joke).  As it turns out, my youngest daughter will go to school with glue sticks that are not the Elmer's brand and my oldest daughter won't have the right colored pencils.  I know they'll survive, but I'd like to send them with all the right supplies.

I'll stop complaining now because my guess is that most parents know exactly what I'm talking about and they don't need me to remind them about this summertime ritual and how frustrating it can be.  But I do have one tip -- never -- and I mean never -- never take your kids with you when you shop for these items.  Resist the temptation.  I'm guessing I don't have to explain the reasons for this very important tip! 

Happy shopping and if you have time -- click on our Sound Off Question at  www.themorningblend.com and tell us what really bugs you!

You know any blog with this title has got to be horrible to read.  So, I'll make it short!  (Bless me, right?)

We had a guest on The Morning Blend last week who rode his bike all the way around the world.  (Obviously, he was also on a boat a few times.)  Anyway, he made the trek in search of the meaning of life.  He determined that we can basically choose what our life will mean with the choices we make each day -- where we go, who we meet and adjusting our attitude.

I like what he had to say and I think the attitude part is key.  I also believe that we have the ability to change our lives.  Some circumstances and conditions make that tough, but I believe it's possible.  It's truly hard to change our lives, though - let's not kid ourselves.  It starts with making a decision and then following it up with daily choices that lead us on that path.

In closing, let me ask - what does your life mean?  Maybe it would be okay to spend a little more time thinking about it.  Too deep?

Alison gave me a beauty article a few weeks ago and one of the things it talked about is how our hair changes as we age.  Often, it gets thinner.  It also tends to lose its shine as we get older.  Both of those things are bummers, but the article suggested a few things to keep the shine.

Some expensive tips included high-gloss treatments at the salon.  But, my stylist recently recommended a new product to me.  Her name is Cindi and she's at Studio 890 in Brookfield (there's a plug for you Cindi - you rock!)  Anyway,  I just started using it a few days ago and just yesterday I was excited to receive an email from a viewer complimenting me on my shiny hair.  Maybe the stuff I'm using is working!

The product is called Moroccanoil - and it can be applied to damp hair or after it's dry.  Salma Hayek was in In Style Magazine recently, talking about this styling product and how her stylist uses it after a blow dry for shine.  I don't usually plug specific products, but I promised to blog about it today.  The website is moroccanoil.com and it costs $29.  That's not cheap, but it lasts forever and you can rub it on your skin after adding shine to your hair - a 2-in-1 product, that's cool! 

If you know me, then you know the title of this blog just doesn't fit!  I am one of the least techno-savvy people I know and I'm not really that old, am I?

Here's the thing... I just got into the world of blogging a few months ago.  I'm not that good at it and I'm not a regular blogger.  Now, after chatting with Janet Hinz, a guest on today's show, I feel the pressure to get into the world of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  She said it will unnecessarily age us if we don't embrace these social/business networking sites.   She also said it could keep us from getting a job or keeping the one we already have!

I've been resisting technology with my kids for years.  In fact, I just recently allowed my 10-year-old daughter to have her own email address.  It's through a site that allows parental control, so that made me feel a little better about it.  Maybe I'm afraid she'll know more than me and I won't be able to keep up -- to protect her privacy and safety.  I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that she programs my cell phone and she taught me how to take pictures with it.

I do have a Facebook page, but it has no picture and no information.  I never update it.  I only opened it so that I could check out old friends and colleagues and communicate with them when they reached out to me.  Maybe I should start there - what do you think?  I could start by putting up a picture and filling out the information that customizes it a little.   I figure - hey!  I can make an effort to get into the World of Technology, but I've got to take it slow.

Today we had a self-defense instructor on our show.  He demonstrated a few moves that might help a victim in the event of an attack.

What shocks me most is how often people, especially women, do not defend themselves.  He said we've been brought up to be polite.  The other problem is that sometimes we're just paralyzed by fear.  That makes sense to me -- the fear part (because we can't really control that) -- but we've got to overcome the polite part!  C'mon ladies!!! Because here's the truth and this is all from some major research findings on rape avoidance and survival:

*The most frequently used strategy - talking and pleading - was ineffective to deter a rape.  Pleading is ineffective because it acknowledges the rapist's power and domination.

*All women who did nothing to resist were raped.

*Women who acted immediately, aggressively, and vigorously were the most effective in resisting a rape.

*Some of those women who described feeling enraged toward their attackers for even thinking of raping them were able to avoid rape.

We had two women on our show today talking about juggling kids, housework and a job.  Their goal was to provide tips on how moms can still find "me time".  However, they also had suggestions about making quality time for the family, getting everything done and how to organize and "power through" a daily to-do list. 

It's all just so overwhelming sometimes, especially when you have 3 or 4 loads of laundry to do -- and that's just one of the many things on the almighty to-do list.  (And of course your son needs the baseball uniform washed before tomorrow night's game and your daughters need their bathing suits and towels ready for a pool party with the neighbor tonight.  And -- I know -- your husband needs that shirt for an important meeting.)

Anyway - I thought one of the "Rookie Moms" (that's what they call themselves) most interesting "tidbits" was the statistic they shared that more than half of moms see the shower as a primary means of escape.  But, isn't it so true?  It's one of the only times when we're completely alone.  (Although at my house, all three of my kids feel free to walk in and ask questions or tattle on a sibling).  The Rookie Moms' suggestion was getting a great shower head that adds to the pleasure of that escape time.  I'm fine with that tip, but as moms we've gotta make sure we're finding other ways of giving ourselves a few moments of "me time" without escaping to the bathroom. 

It's not easy when all that laundry is calling our name, but it's important.  After all, it makes us better moms if we steal a piece of sanity and peace.

There's something that really bugs me and I'm not talking about mosquitoes, although they really bother me, too.  I get so mad when I look at a magazine's cover, see a story I really want to read and then go to the "content" page and can't identify where that story is located inside the magazine!  Ugh! 

The problem is that many editors don't list the story in the same way on the cover as they do in the content list.  The other frustrating thing is when they don't identify cover articles -- they leave it sort-of buried in a content listing.  Why not just make a list called, "COVER STORIES" and then list each article by name, exactly as it appears on the front?!

Take "Milwaukee Magazine" as an example -- on the cover, the caption reads, "Realistic Weight Loss". 

On the inside content page, the same article is described as, "HEALTH: The key to losing midlife weight again".  They both have to do with weight and both give the writer's name, which helps, but still! 

Many other magazines have this same problem, but worse.  "Allure" had an even bigger problem in its April edition.  It advertised, "Hide Frizz, Flatness, And Roots With One Simple Trick".  On the inside it said, "Hat Trick".  You go to that page and there's nothing about one simple trick that manages all the things spelled out on the magazine's cover.  Anyway, it's frustrating as a reader.  Do you agree?
 

Every once in awhile I like to share a good recipe.  I don't plan on sharing this one until July 3rd, because it's a great 4th of July and summer recipe -- but here it is, a little early.  I know you're already dying to get out on the patio and hang out with the family and friends.  This is easy and everybody I know loves it.  I can't take credit for it -- it's from a friend.  It's called...

TEXAS CAVIAR

1 can black eyed peas w/jalapeno (drained)

1 can pinto beans with jalapeno (drained)

1 small jar pimento-chopped

1 c. celery-chopped

1-2 cups green (or red, orange, yellow) pepper-chopped

1 small onion

1 can white shoe peg corn

Dressing

3/4 cider vinegar

1/2 c. oil (vegetable oil)

3/4 c. sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 T water

Boil, cool, and pour the dressing over ingredients.   Let sit in the frig for the day or even overnight.  When ready to serve, drain. Serve with the scooper tortilla chips.

If you get a chance -- go to www.themorningblend.com and watch Faye Wetzel's segment where she agreed to perform her now World Famous Scarf Demo. She has some fantastic tips on how to wear the now fashionable summer scarf. She did the same thing a few months ago with winter scarves and now she has a few new tricks up her sleeve!  It's worth a watch! She even has suggestions for women like me, who want to wear a scarf, but are bigger busted and wonder if the style works. It does - check it out!

Later Faye also gave our viewers a great rule of thumb about wearing leggings. The good news is that age doesn't matter! What matters is length. She recommends that you use this rule -- if you're wearing a tunic, dress or shirt that you'd be comfortable wearing with tights, then it's perfectly fine to wear it with leggings.

She always has a few, great nuggets and that's why she makes such a perfect guest on our show.

Enjoy!