Working from home is healthier

When I took this job which allows me to work from home frequently (No Oprah reruns!!), I knew it would be convenient, fun, smart, and I'd save a bundle on work clothes and gas.  But I didn't realize it would give me such a good opportunity to be more healthy.

Instead of grabbing a yogurt and throwing some granola in it (my former healthy breakfast routine), today I took advantage of what I had in the fridge and made a great breakfast.

Egg & Tomatoes on a Spinach Nest

2 handfuls of fresh spinach
2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes
Saute in harissa-infused olive oil.

When the tomatoes started to soften, I broke an egg on top, turned down the heat and let it cook.  I flipped the whole thing over for an over easy spinach nest and served it up with coffee.

I was the only one in the house feeling this kind of healthy this morning. It really didn't take long, but took much more time than I'd ever give myself if I had to head into an office.

So today, at least, I've proven to myself that working from home can be healthier. And it's a reminder to keep some healthy fresh veggies in the fridge.

Hoorah for work-life balance!!!!!

Memory: When the head lets go, the heart holds on

My mother-in-law is fading.  She has Alzheimer's.

It's OK.  She's happy.  She remembers her kids, when to go to meals, the walking route around her complex.

She remembers she loves a cup of tea, and R&B, and riding in the car.  And most of all she remembers her husband, the love of her life who's been gone since 1996.

But a few weeks ago, she forgot me.

I hadn't been by to visit for a couple of weeks and when my name was brought up, she was a little fuzzy on just who I am and what I mean to the family.

I picked her up on the next Saturday morning so she could spend some time with me sitting on the porch, reading and drinking a cup of tea. When I first appeared, she cocked her head looking a little unsure and asked "What's happening?!"  She was ready to go for a ride, but not quite sure who she was going with.

The confusion didn't last long. Once we were in the car and heading toward home, Iris relaxed. We made that cuppa and then sat for hours, justing hanging out in each other's presence.

And family told me that she talked a lot that next week about the fun morning with Robin sitting on the porch. That was her Perfect Moment.

My Perfect Moment was when Iris truly did remember me again.

Robin, Phoenix 

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Getting Healthy With My Selfie

Sue Green is co-creator of SkinneePix app and co-owner of Pretty Smart Women.

So this week I began a project, I began to get healthy by using my Selfie. My company created an app for Selfies called SkinneePix that allows you to take your picture and then take 5, 10 or 15 pounds off it if you want to. When I took 15 pounds off I was astounded. Not only was it a small amount of “weight”, but I found  that I felt like I looked better. And I thought to myself, hey,  “I could lose 15 pounds and look like that, not such a big deal.”

Now, I need to lose more than 15 pounds not because someone called me fat or that I feel bad about myself, but because I have reached a point where I want to feel healthier about my body. I need to start treating it better, and the first step is to try and get rid of some of the extra weight I am carrying around.

I have tried just about everything, exercise programs, dieting, bullying, juicing. Nothing ‘s worked because I think I kept concentrating on the large amount of weight I needed to lose. But, what I am finding with the SkinneePix app is that it allows me to think about losing the weight in small, attainable amounts, and it allows me to see my progress, a few pounds at a time. Not concentrating on my body, but on my smiling face.

So, I have begun by taking two pictures of myself with SkinneePix. One picture is at zero pounds taken off and the other is at 15, and I have shared them with friends on Facebook and have them on my phone. No longer am I putting a picture on the fridge taken when I was like 75 lbs. lighter. That just wasn’t motivation for me; it set me up to fail when I messed up and then had to face that picture when I got home.

The SkinneePix app photos help me see that I don’t have to get back to that old weight. I just have to get to a point where I feel healthier. Whether that is 15 lbs, 30, 45, whatever, I will make this journey in 15-pound increments. And when I am having a bad day or bad moment, I will open my phone to that picture and look at my smiling face. There are no packaged meals, or shakes or anything like that. It is “me and my Selfie.” I walk with my phone in one hand with my Selfie pic from my SkinneePix app smiling up at me. Today I walked further than I have walked in a year!

So will this work? I certainly hope so because I want to feel healthier. But I know that how I feel is only up to me. I am not comparing myself to anyone else. I don’t care what society thinks about how I should look. I used to, years ago, but not anymore. Now, I only care about how I feel, and I will decide when to stop or whether to carry on.

What I do know is that I reached this point because of my SkinneePix app, so I will continue to use it and encourage others because I believe it will help, not hurt!

If you want to join me, you can get your own SkinneePix app.  

Jan. 1, 2014: Getting moving

PHOTO:  Jan. 1, 2014 getting moving, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

Yes, getting moving. That's what I call this photo. I could also call it FacePalm.

My only New Year's resolution for most of my adult life has been a simple one. I believe in not setting myself up to fail. I'm not going to set a weight goal or a daily whatever target.

But there is one thing I know that I can probably do every year that will do me a world of good. So most years, when people are sharing New Year's Resolutions, I remind myself to "Drink More Water." That's it. It's not a copout. It's a real resolution. And it's a good one. Doable and good for my body.

So, drink more water, Robin.

This year, I'm also reminding myself to move more and to eat a salad every day... some sort of salad, any sort of salad.  Fruit salad? OK. Bean salad? If you must.

Not that hard, either. And also a world of good.

This photo is of me today, today, January 1, on that first 2014 long walk. I headed out, with music in my ears and clocked in a healthy 4 1/2 miles.

Getting moving.

It may look like I'm riding a bike, but no, I'm really taking a selfie and a palmie at the same time. Hence: We can call this FacePalm.  Now I'm heading in for a big glass of water.

Robin, Phillips

When Aloha means 'Thank god we're still here'

Sometimes the best part of a vacation is the anticipation. You might say that was the case this Christmas when Sue and I flew to Hawaii to celebrate her birthday. But you'd be wrong.

We started planning in the summer, booked the flight and hotel in August and bought tickets to a luau and made reservations for Christmas dinner soon after.

We were so excited. Ready for a break from work and to spend a few days in paradise. I was looking forward to showing Sue my old haunts from when I lived in Hawaii in my 20s.

Then we had one of those hiccups that happens because we're not in our 20s anymore. A little health issue stopped us in our tracks for a day or so at the beginning of our trip.

Was this vacation going to be all anticipation? No. It turned out to be just fine. We did everything we'd planned -- just did it at a slower pace, with a little less gusto.



Robin, back home in Phoenix

Chicken soup for the heart. Thanks, Doc!

We've been here before.   My Perfect Moments this week have to do with amazing doctors, scientific/medical advances that mean we live in amazing times and LOVE.

My sweetheart has continued to have some health issues.  She had surgery on Monday and is doing very well, thank you very much.

But I want to share the very best moment of the week .. or even the year so far:   After 3 1/2 hours surgery, I got a call that things were over, all done, come see the doctor.   I sprinted to the cath lab where I'd left her in good hands..

And there was the doctor, with the biggest smile on his face. He was so pleased, so positive, so up beat.  Our conversation was a little like a coach's post-game interview.  All was good and everyone performed like champions.

The next day he was a little more circumspect, but still very upbeat.   We're at home now, eating chicken soup, taking naps and getting even better every day.

In case you missed it a few years ago:    She is my heart. I'd give her my heart.


Robin, Tempe, Arizona 

Dan's coffee run. Starbucks' 'Celebrate everylove'

This is one of Starbucks' Everylove stories.
Dan Dewey sharing love in Bloomfield, Michigan.

I really can't say anything to top this. Watch the video.

Robin, Tempe

No one stares like a 4-year-old stares

I went for a run during lunch the other day. It was hot, but I had a great workout and I needed a good shower before changing and heading back to work.

I change at the YMCA about a block from work. By the time I got to the showers, the locker room was pretty empty, but I could hear the sound of kids taking swimming lessons.

"Quack, quack, quack," they called out as I piled my clothes on a bench outside the shower stall.

"Splash, splash, splash," I heard as I lathered my hair.

Then I heard: ... "Split, splat, split... " and "There's somebody in there!"

I looked through a small gap in the curtain to see a tiny tot just staring at me. I waved, smiled and pulled the curtain tighter. She just stared, wide-eyed. As I went about my business, a group of 3- and 4-year-olds joined her, but they weren't interested in me. They were "freeeeezing."


They all started shaking and shivering and whining ... yes, cute, but whining ... about being "freeezing."

A mom joined them and I was sure she'd turn on one of the other showers and warm them under the water, but nope. She'd been here before.

She drove them like a Border Collie toward two big wall-mounted hair dryers and popped the dryers on. Her gaggle of tots bounced around underneath, laughing and wiggling as they warmed up.

All this took about 30 seconds and then they were in the next room calling out the numbers on all the lockers. Mom was making a game of drying off and getting dressed. There they went.

And then there I went.

"Quack, quack, quack," all the way back to work, with a smile on my face.

Robin, Tempe

Swimmer photo by Flickr user jessebezz

Jonatha Brooke's beautiful "That's What I Believe"

I am borrowing a Perfect Moment today from Jonatha Brooke the beautiful singer. She posted a note this morning she tagged "sunday morning revelation." It starts with:

That's What I Believe
My mother woke up in tears this morning.
"I think I'm going to DIE."
I read her some of her favorite hymns....

=>=> read it all and then you'll know what this video is all about.




If you like that, you'll love Jonatha Brooke. Listen to this... All You Gotta Do Is Touch Me ... and then go buy some of her music. You can thank me later.

Robin, Tempe

The Year of the Couch is dead

South Mountain Warrior: Sue on top of the hill and on top of world. 

"Nothing hurts more than sitting on a couch."

That's an ad slogan from New Balance right now .. . and everytime I see it, it hits home.

This has been our Year of Sitting on the Couch. Way too much sitting.

I know what sparked it.  Health scares led to fear. Fear of moving. Fear of getting an already taxed heart stressed. Fear of spending too much time apart. Fear of something happening without help around.  All genuine fears.

But it's over.  And all it really took was saying it out loud. Looking each other in the eye and saying, it's OK, we can get up off this couch, get out, move, live and it'll all be OK.

That photo is Sue on top of a ridge high above Phoenix.  About 2 hours after that conversation started.

The Year of the Couch is dead!

Robin, Tempe

I'm starting to believe there are angels watching over me

I had a crazy week which included a couple of close calls. And even though things got pretty scary several times, things turned out OK. Actually, they turned out just fine. And now I enter the weekend feeling very thankful and somewhat relieved.

And I'm starting to believe there may be angels watching over me...

My week included flying from D.C. to Phoenix after a weeklong business trip. I worked a full day on Tuesday. I then put in another 5 1/2 hours covering the election. I volunteered to help edit stories and post blogs in the Cronkite News Service newsroom at Arizona State University. You can just about see me sitting near the far wall in the photo on the left above.

Angels start waking up, stretching... On Wednesday, after a very quick turnaround, I got to a 7:30 a.m. appointment to have a sonogram on my right breast. One of the two imaging machines in the office were broken, but I was patient No. 1. Out in 20 minutes. Determined not to worry about it until the results were in. Take one step at a time.

After another long day which included attending a large award luncheon, helping to run the 90-minute Twitter conversation #wjchat, and plenty of catching up, I headed home around 7 p.m.

That's when the angels really spread their wings...

My battery light was on as I drove the 15 miles home. As I got off the highway about 3 miles from home, my radio went out. Then other warning lights on the dash began flashing. I turned right hoping to make it another mile to a mechanic. I was about to turn left from one very busy street onto a side road when my car stopped altogether. It wouldn't start again. I had only enough power to run the emergency flashers.

I hopped out of the car to wave people around me and started looking for a phone number to the mechanic. Yet I was pretty sure they'd just closed. Cars were whizzing by on both sides of me. I don't have AAA.

I was thinking, 'How big of an emergency is this?'

Cars were whizzing by. People seemed really irritated that I was slowing them down. Irritated that I was having a personal emergency.

I called 9-1-1 - 'Car died. In the intersection. On Rural.' A very nice dispatcher said to stay in a safe place and a patrol car would be right there.

Angels are flying down low to start directing traffic...

A guy in a really big pickup pulled up and offered to push me through my left turn to get me through the intersection and onto the side street. At that point, the road was free. We could go. But my car was dead weight and he was slow getting me up to speed.

The angels gasped, averted their eyes but shot some juice to my car horn..

By the time I was coasting through the intersection, somewhere a light had changed and three lanes of cars were heading right toward me. They kept coming, weaving around me. I leaned on the horn, which worked. They honked back and I'm sure were swearing as they swerved around me, narrowly missing my car. I was coasting and braking and honking. And praying like only an atheist can. Oh God, oh God, oh God.

I rolled alongside the curb, out of harm's way. An officer pulled up behind me, turned on his lights and hopped out. Oh, man, I should have waited for you.

The angels started checking in to base camp to see if anyone else was in need...

My officer called for a tow truck. A second officer said she'd stay with me if I felt unsafe. I felt super-safe now. And within minutes a very helpful tow truck driver tried to see if he could diagnose my car's problem before he put it on his truck for a 3-block drive to my mechanic.

And before the final angel moved on...

My doctor had called to give me the all clear. No problems spotted on that morning's sonogram.

Robin, Tempe

Dallas parents hear daughter's heart pumping in donor recipient's chest

Parents travel to Arizona to visit with the woman who received their daughter, Taylor's, heart after she died in a skiing accident.

You may have seen this before, but I bet you'll cry again. | Here's a print story with more details: Heartbeat brings joy to parents of Coppell donor

It takes a village and my village has shown up

In my house, we've been dealing with some health issues this year. Nothing you really need details about, but enough to scare the pants off us every few months.

And let me tell ya, I'm not really good at reaching out for help, support, shoulders to lean on or even friends to hang out with me and play Yahtzee and eat M&Ms. But I'm getting better at it.

At the urging of several 'wise ones,' I have been learning to "lean in to the offers of help and support." I like that image. Leaning in. Kind of like leaning into a hug.

Today, I wanted a great big hug so I reached out in a way I just haven't done before. I sent emails, Facebook messages, Direct Messages on Twitter .. and even called one friend. "It takes a village," I told them, "to get me through this week." I asked directly for love, support, good thoughts, prayers. I. Asked. Directly. wow.

And, it all came rushing back to me. I have had such a river of love flowing to me from the four corners of the U.S. All day.

And my sweetie, who is undergoing some medical stuff tomorrow, is floating on a cushion of love and prayers.

It was perfect. I am so happy that I've been able to grow, learn, lean into the love.

We've still got a tough week ahead, but both of us are heading into it in a very positive way. Thanks to all the love. Thanks for all the love.

Robin, Tempe

Another Spring to Remember

It's spring 2010 and it's perfect because I am here to see it. I had a health scare late last year that put this in jeopardy, but I am slowly but surely bouncing back, and today is the payoff.

I have to admit there were a few moments when I wondered if I would make it to the spring. If I would be around to once again see an Arizona spring. I have been granted the opportunity once again, and this year it means so much more. I swear the oranges are more orange, and the yellows more yellow. I don't even mind the weeds so much, because it's reinforced the idea that life gives you both challenges and opportunities. You can either look at it as a weed, or as a struggling flower. Either way, they both are equally beautiful, it has to do with how you look at it.

I choose to look at each day as a gift, and today I have received an abundance of gifts!

Sue, Tempe

Long lost contact: Nick the Networker checks in

Today I taught a class of business editors and writers about social media and ways it can be useful for reporters.

It was a great class. I have been teaching social media for almost two years and this was the first time I broke it into two parts: one for newbies and one for journalists wanting to dig deeper.

I talked about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr and more.


Although I was nervous beforehand, I felt good during it. And as I wrapped up, my audience broke into applause. Very nice. Very sweet.

Early this evening, I had a pleasant surprise (OK, yes, a Perfect Moment), brought to me by what other than Social Media. Nick Hall wanted to connect on LinkedIn.

Nick is a serial entrepreneur who I met 10 years ago when I was working as the small business editor at BusinessWeek Online. Nick launched Startupfailures.com, "the place for bouncing back."

Nick was networking long before the Social Media craze. Take a look at his sites:

Nick the Networker

Graham's Foundation

BusinessWeek Q&A with Nick:
Nicholas Hall, serial entrepreneur and founder of Startupfailures.com, says succeeding involves bouncing back and overcoming self-doubt

I remember Nick as a super friendly guy, high-energy, innovative, brilliant.

The Nick who checked in this evening is all the above, I'm sure. But he's also lived a world of life since we worked together. As Nick says, he and his wife "know the roller-coaster ride of emotions that parents of micro-preemies face."

I know a lot of moms come to this blog from Lori's Perfect Moment Monday. You should all check out Graham's Foundation, which Nick and his wife, Jenn, created to provide care packages that offer both practical and emotional support for the parents of micro-preemies during their journey in the NICU.

So glad Nick made contact again. I love his energy. And I want to share his project now.

Robin, Tempe

911 for daddy, but 'so far, so good'

This young girl is the face of grace under fire. How does a young child become so poised? Little Savannah is so adorable.

I hope that once her Daddy was OK that she was able to go back to being a little kid.. a little kid who really doesn't quite know how to dress herself yet (but knows that being dressed for visitors is important.)

Robin, Tempe

Dancer uprising: Legend of extraordinary dancers on its way

I'm intrigued: This is what it says on the YouTube page for the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers:

No Special effects. No Wires. Real People, Real powers.

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers present their second official trailer. An Epic Online series unlike anything on the web before.

For the past year, my team and I have been locked in a room secretly building a project that combines music, dance, story telling, sport and interactive media.

We call this project THE LXD.

I am inviting you to join me on this epic online adventure and who knows even YOU may be part of the LXD.

ARE YOU EXTRAORDINARY?

Join the Dancer Uprising.

Right on. A perfect moment or two in there, for sure.

Robin, Tempe

And there we have it...

Thanksgiving platter, originally uploaded by RobinJP.

The holidays are over.
2009 is done.

In many ways, the year was just awesome. New jobs, creative projects. Lots of love. We spent time with family and friends, old and new.

But the year also brought some big challenges, especially as it wound down. But we did OK with that. Family and friends and that love helped get us through. Enough said.

Now, I'm ready to turn my attention to having an awesome 2010.

2010 is a big ball of potential. It's going to be what we're going to make it.

You with me? Let's have a kick ass year. Follow me!

Robin, Tempe, Arizona


P.S. The photo above was taken by my mom, Joyce K. Phillips at a Thanksgiving celebration in Colorado. I love it. Such a cool holiday still life full of images of home, pride, American holidays.

She is my heart. I'd give her my heart.

If you follow the Perfect Moment Project at all regularly, you know that we are in the middle of the love affair of the Century.

Well, there have been some health issues in our house lately that have scared the hell out of me.

It'll all be OK, I'm sure. But we've had our share of anxiety the last two or three days.

A procedure that was expected to take 2 or 3 hours took 6 hours. And during the first several hours of that time, I created the piece of art you see above. It's called, "Waiting for Sue."

The final hour or so of my wait, I stood, rocking on my heels, pacing around the waiting room, watching some HGTV buy-a-house-in-Europe show .. my sweetie's favorite channel, sweetie's favorite show.



As I said on Facebook a few moments ago,

"I'll let Sue go into details... HIPAA and all that.. but suffice to say, she's got some new electronics for her birthday. Keep the love flowing... Don't let the sun catch you crying. ;=)"

My Perfect Moments in all this have to do with all the love that has poured in from friends, family, everyone.

Thank you all.

Robin, Tempe

Does this social media make my butt look big?

Why yes, yes it does.

It's Sunday afternoon. I just put laundry in and realized that there were NO workout clothes at all in the week's laundry. That's pathetic.

Of course, it was a very busy week. I had evening events 3 nights. Flew to and back from Dallas for a workshop. Was on my own for several days so had to get my own dinner, blah, blah, blah.

OK. Sure, but did I get my quota of Tweets and FB updates out this week? Sure. Even blogged a few times.

It's not like I didn't really have time to work out. I just chose to sit on the couch and play with my virtual friends rather than get my butt out the door and move.

So, the Perfect Moment in all this? It came when I realized that I'd gone a full week without working out.

That's when I heard a little voice in my head that sounded just like my mom on many Saturday mornings when I was a kid:

"Go outside and play," the voice said.

No, not, 'take your phone outside and play.'


Nor did it say...
'Oh, look, cool, we've got wifi at the bus stop. Let's hang out here.'


Nope, that little voice clearly said, "Get your butt moving. Your friends and followers will be there when you get back."

So I'm rededicated. I hit my rock bottom. Or was it my Social Media Big Ass Bottom?



Robin, Tempe