Dear Oprah

How are you? I am fine. Well, all except for that little mishap at the grocery store yesterday. I suppose I shouldn't have had the second cup of coffee before I left to buy milk but who knew something as innocent as a little sneeze could cause that to happen! You would have known how to handle it - or should I say, hold it - Oprah. »more»

I hate the van.

My husband made me buy it. "It's so practical," he enthused. "We can haul the kids, the dog, the groceries. Think how great it will be to have all that space." »more»

I think I scared them.

No, I take that back - I know I scared them.

And who can blame them really.

When their typically mild-mannered mother who's frequently referred to as a latter day Mary Tyler Moore (pre-surgery, circa Mary Richards) suddenly wings out on them to such an extent that they feel they're staring into the gaping maw of the She-Devil herself, of course they'd be scared. »more»

January 1 – Drink glass of red wine each day. (Step one of self-improvement plan) Am on the road to new and improved self. Celebrate by having second glass of red wine.

January 2 - Begin vitamin regimen. (Step two in self-improvement plan.) »more»

While flipping through a women's fashion magazine recently, an article on microdermabrasion caught my eye. This procedure to remove the dead, outer surface of the skin has become quite popular of late and apparently you can spend anywhere from $20 at the drugstore to over $600 at the spa to have it done. »more»

I accidentally bought incontinence products at the drug store last week. It could happen to anyone really.

I nipped in quickly last Monday afternoon, my mind on kids, work and how many minutes to go before Friday afternoon cocktails. »more»

For British comedian Richard Herring, hitting 40 is -- if nothing else -- a source of new material. »more»

Walk down 14th Street NW in Washington DC these days, and you may hear something nice about yourself.

"People are drawn to your positive energy."
"Your eyes are beautiful."
"You are always there when needed." »more»

Boomers will remember Art Linkletter's House Party from the 60's featuring the unintentionally funny quips from kids. »more»

The latest Newsweek "Boomer Files" story looks at Boomer humor ... influenced by Our Gang and the Three Stooges, incubated by Mad Magazine, cut loose in the National Lampoon and the stand-up of the 1970's. Writer David Noonan still sees its anti-establishment ethos in this decade's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." »more»