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For the fourth straight week, pop princess Rihanna and rap superstar Eminem are at the top of the charts with their duet, Love the Way You Lie, an anthem (of twisted sorts) about domestic violence, from the perspectives of the abused (Rihanna) and the abuser (take a guess).

Dear Friends,

So, speaking of love/hate relationships (go with me), I'm having one right this very second with a piece of nylon/spandex/mystery material shapewear (a nice little term for an industry devoted to helping make your butt/thighs/post-baby body look remotely like it used to before all hell broke loose), known to most gals as a Spanx.

Dear Friends,

For the record, let me state that I am aware that we are in full summer swing, that July is still upon us and summer has a good month-plus to go. Maybe more, if the weather holds up.

As you probably know by now, I'm a big advocate for self-improvement and doing whatever it takes to feel happy from the inside out, no matter the form. If you're a Botox girl, have at it. Yoga? Stretch away. Learning how to make seriously good sushi  (next on my list)--start your rice cooker. What I didn't realize until lately is that if you really want to feel terrific and a bit rejuvenated at the same time, simply reconnect with some old friends.

You know, the ones who knew you before you became whatever it is you are (that made so much more sense in my brain about a minute ago) and the ones who saw you through your bad eighties hair (personally, I think the eyebrows were far, far worse, but that's another story for another day).

Over the past few weeks, I've been in touch with a couple of friends from high school and college, with whom I'd lost touch. Oh, like everyone else, I manage to keep tabs on the comings and goings and major life changes (marriage, kids, divorce, blah, blah, blah) of friends through mutual friends, et cetera, but for me, October has brought a wonderful wave of old friends, who managed to make the collision of past and present something pretty special.

Dear Friends,

Before I get to what's on my mind this week, I must first share some wonderful news with all of you.

And while I am happy to share (and bask) in the wonderful news, the real thanks go to you, our viewers, for making our community of women's sites so much a part of your lives, and of course, to our incredible Partner sites, without whom, Womensforum.com would not exist, and whose resourceful, insightful, relatable, and entertaining communities are really what the fuss is all about. Congrats to all! 

I hope this week finds you well and gearing up for a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend. Be sure to visit our Summertime section for great ideas for grilling, (chilling), and all things summer.

Dear Friends,

As my son reaches his three (and a half) years old mark (oh, the good old days when turning half of anything was a celebration) and with that upcoming milestone, I've had the less than charming revelation that by the time he enters college, I will be (drum roll, please) 60. As in 6-0. As in, only a few years shy of receiving my AARP card, and certainly a helluva lot older than many of the moms and dads who will be making that freshman year pilgrimage with their own kids.

And, try as I might to convince myself that 45 is the new 30, and well, you do the math after that, I can't help but wonder if other women who became first-time moms after 40, feel the same way that I do--a bittersweet mix of recognizing just how blessed I am to have my son, crossed with an irrational wish that I'd had him some 20 years earlier. Which of course, is ridiculous and impossible but nonetheless, I often find myself trying to cram in those extra years into our daily moments together.

Dear Friends,

Happy Father’s Day! It's that time of year again, when we turn our attention to one of my favorite people, Dad.

So much of the Womensforum community focuses on parenting and family, and much of that, I have to admit, focuses solely on Mom. Well, since we are a community of women, that makes sense, but in no way, shape or form have we ever forgotten about our favorite guy.

Father’s Day is a day to recognize the men in our lives—from our own dads to a step-dad, favorite uncle, or family friend who brings love, strength, support, kindness, and friendship to us and the people in our lives.