Welcome to the Liz: Uninterrupted, aka Liz Jeressi's Blog.

Liz will share her thoughts on pretty much everything and anything you've heard she and Lou Russo talk about during Lou & Liz In The Morning, except without Lou around to offer his 2 cents.

Of course, that's not to say Lou won't respond to her blog, but they can both speak their peace...uninterrupted.

Your comments and thoughts on Liz: Uninterrupted are welcome at liz@943thepoint.com.

Thursday, March 23

It makes my heart melt each week when the head of the Monmouth County SPCA (Ursula) comes into our studio with the 'Point Pet of the Week'. Every Thursday just after 8am we meet a special dog or cat that has survived a heartbreaking story of some kind...many times abandonment or abuse. These animals are always loving and begging for a good home. I wish I could take home every one of them. Ursula and the staff at the SPCA truly love these animals and work so hard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take care of them.
Thank you to all of the listeners that have adopted some of these animals and made them a part of their families. There are many more animals being rescued every day and the SPCA somehow manages to squeeze them all inside that building. But the building is only so big, and there are oh, so many animals that need you! When you finally decide to get your kids their first pet, or if you think your current pet needs a companion while you're at work, or if your grandmother is all alone at home and could use the unconditional love of a cat on her lap in the rocking chair, go see the animals that are begging for homes at the Monmouth County SPCA just off Industrial Way in Eatontown. And if you're just not in the position to adopt, pass the word along to your friends and neighbors. Or sign you and your kids up to be volunteer dog walkers there. Or be a foster family. Or drop by their thrift shop to make a donation. Or attend one of their many luncheons or dinners that help raise money for a great cause. You'll fee so good that you did!

Thursday, February 22

Attention American Idol fans AND non-fans: I tried an experiment and it worked. I watched the two- hour AI show where all the girls performed, then made my choices on who I liked and didn't like. I was exhausted from staying up so late and putting two hours into the show. The next night, when it was time for the two-hour AI of all boys singing, I taped it, then just watched the synopsis at the end of the show with the clips of what each boy sang. I was able to form my conclusions just as easily from watching a three-minute segment as I was from watching two hours!!! Of course, I will go back and watch the whole thing anyway, but I'll do it on my terms when I have the time to sit back and enjoy Simon. The bonus: fast-forwarding through Ryan, Paula, and the commercials!

Thursday, February 16

Taking the boys (4 and 2 years old) to Florida and Disney this month was actually wonderful for them. They were thrilled with warm enough weather to swim and loved everything about Magic Kingdom and MGM. And they even loved the plane rides both ways! It's a hundred times easier flying out of Atlantic City Airport, by the way. The kids were up and having from fun morning 'till night, and slept like rocks once they went down. We actually stayed in a privately owned house that we rented( just a couple of miles from Disney) with a private screened-in pool and patio. It was more beautiful than many hotels I've been to, and was better for us since we didn't have to worry about the boys. They had plenty of room to run around and make noise, all their toys spread out, and a pool to splash around in at any hour (with supervision, of course) while the adults were able to cook breakfast and dinner and do laundry. It was a great way to do the trip. The boys looked forward to being in the house as much as with Buzz and Woody, Pooh and Eeyore. If anyone wants to know where I stayed, let me know...the rental was perfect!

Thursday, February 9, 2006

Britney Spears knew enough about taking the best care of her baby to breastfeed him, only to turn around and drive on a highway with him in her lap. I think some of these celebs think they're above the rules, but she really needs to be told that she could've killed her baby. Many moms will be having nightmares about what could've happened to that baby. Britney had a huge body guard with her who could have easily protected her and her baby from the paparazzi by calling the police or blocking the door while she safely put her little boy in his carseat. I hope she's learned her lesson about safety for her baby.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Have you opened up any Us, People, Life & Style, or In Touch Magazine lately? Well, I'll tell you who hasn't: Lionel Richie. Because what father in his right mind would let his daughter starve herself to death? Nicole Richie is suffering from an eating disorder. Just look at her! Can't we have an eating police that can grab her and get her some help? How can we look at girls like this and think it's pretty to be that thin? If I had daughters, I'd be worried out of my mind with the role models they're getting on tv and in magazines.

Monday, November 21

So here I am working as hard as I can with a personal trainer at the gym and trying to stay on a healthy eating plan...and it happened again.
Last night. Desperate Housewives. Me, in front of the tv in the kitchen, knowing there's a cake mere inches from my line of sight. I've eaten a healthy dinner but have lost all willpower at this late hour. Why aren't I entitled to dessert, I ask myself, as I justify the slice I'm cutting. After all, now that I'm exercising more, I should be able to burn off this cake in no time. But here's the thing: as I'm eating it and watching the crazy pharmacist trying to convince Brie that she should marry him, I realize I don't even LIKE the piece of cake I'm eating. For starters, it's vanilla, not chocolate. So, instead of being proud of myself that I'm really not into the cake and can put it in the garbage and save all those fattening calories...I FINISH IT ANYWAY! UGH! Help me!

Monday, November 14

Is there etiquette regarding what age you have to stop taking your little boy in the ladies room? Christopher is four and just now completely potty trained, but he's still scared of big, unfamiliar restrooms, and in this day and age, I am not yet willing to send him into a public men's room by himself. So he's still coming into the ladies room with me when he absolutely has to go and just can't hold it in. Sometimes mommies just have to do the best we can with the situation.

Tuesday, November 8

Excuses, excuses.

I know I should get to the gym more. My trainer reminds me as he leaves me a voicemail designed to make me feel guilty. I don't even know which excuse to give him. Each time I can't make it in for my workout, I feel like I have a valid reason (mom's sick, I have a meeting at work, I've got to be the class mom at CJ's school, etc., etc.) Although I still try squeeze in an hour on the treadmill at home, somehow it's not enough. At-home workouts are mixed in with laundry, dishes, and vaccuuming....20 minutes here, 20 minutes there. And they usually don't include heavy weightlifting, unless you count lunges and squats as I pick up and put down a 30 or 45 pound little boy in the midst of a tantrum.

I must make time to exercise the same way I manage to shower and sleep. I know how important it is, and I also know I've got to do something to make up for the bag of M&M's I ate over the weekend. But on a day where I got up at 3:30am, went to work, volunteered in the Pre-K classroom, went to a meeting, took the boys outside to play 'till dark, cooked them dinner, brushed their teeth and put them to bed, and then ran to the store for milk, I am sometimes just too wiped out to decide if I can even handle washing my face and changing into my pajamas before falling into bed, nevermind exercising for an hour.

Yet as I look down at my post-pregnancy belly (that's now been with me for four years or so), I make yet another vow to get to the gym tomorrow...no excuses!

Thursday, October 27

Dear Lou,

If you and Dan Turi want to know what a Girl's Night is really like, here are your instructions:

First of all, call each other at least three times that day, leading up to your big night out. These discussions should include who's picking up who, what time you should leave, and, most importantly, what you're going to wear. You and Dan must coordinate your outfits, meaning that if you're wearing jeans, he shouldn't wear a miniskirt.

Next, once you get in the car together, you have to tell each other how hot and sexy you look and how everyone's gonna be looking at you 'cause you look so great. You have to tell Dan that you wish you had the body that he does and that his new boots are awesome. You'll immediately set a date to go on a shopping spree together.

You start off with dinner, where it's just the two of you gossiping about everyone else you're going to meet up with later and the things you won't be able to say about them once they show up, like if you're really mad at them for something they did, or if you hate one girl's attitude. This is a chance for you and Dan to really bond over the secrets the two of you harbor about your other girlfriends.

After dinner, you drive to the hot spot to meet the others. You're fashionably late so that you can be seen walking in together. This way, even though you're all friends, you and Dan will be seen as BEST friends.

Now, over martinis, margaritas, and wine spritzers, the eight (or so) of you, drinks in hand, start scoping the room while laughing at each other's men-bashing anecdotes. The married women complain about the fights they had with their husbands and/or the most recent stupid thing he did. The single women lament the lack of good-looking yet sensitive single men. The girls who have boyfriends either show off about how great the guy is (new love) or ask the other girlfriends for advice on whether to keep him (which invariably ends up with every other girl saying to dump him 'cause there's someone better out there).

You must ask Dan periodically to check your lipstick, teeth, and hair to make sure everything's in its proper place. When Dan tells you that your face is shiny, that's cause for an immediate trip, with Dan, to the lady's room. Makeup is reapplied over gossip about one of the other girls in the group and what she said about her boyfriend/husband. Or the one single chick who looks great and is showing off about her latest boyfriend, even though you and Dan KNOW he's gonna dump her because she's simply not as great as she thinks she is. And although the two of you are nice to her, you make a note to get a consensus on whether she should be invited to future girl's nights.

Once you, Dan, and the rest of the girls get tipsy, the flirting begins. Not that you're there to pick up guys, but it's always fun to see which hot boys will look twice at you and buy you a drink. Don't worry...the other girls will let you know when someone is looking your way. After some crazy dancing with each other and a round or two of shots, now's the time for you and Dan and the girls to get intimate. By that I mean sharing the DIRT...leaving NOTHING TO THE IMAGINATION... of your latest 'encounter'. You know what I mean. Be prepared, 'cause the girls will zoom in like tabloid reporters, wanting to know about measurements, sound effects, birthmarks, and, well, you get the idea.

Finally, once one girlfriend's husband texts her one too many times, you all head to the diner to wrap things up. It's now about 3am and now you have to talk to each other about how great you were. (I'm sure this part happens at guy's night out, too, except that at girls night you talk about each other, not yourselves.) So, now you can tell Dan that he looked so great out there on the dance floor that every guy in the place was watching him. You tell him you ADORE his implants and must immediately make an appointment with his plastic surgeon. You tell the girl you hate how gorgeous she looks in her miniskirt and that you can absolutely tell she lost AT LEAST five pounds since the last time you saw her. Then you kick Dan under the table and the two of you turn to each other and giggle, because this is an inside joke and a chance for you to show all the other girls that the two of you have your own private secrets.

Then, you sleep over Dan's house 'cause a proper girl's night requires you to have a sleep-over. You'll be up 'till at least 5am rehashing the night and planning the next one.

So that's it. Have fun! Let me know how it goes!

Liz.

Monday, October 24

I am really discouraged after a trip to the movies Saturday night. Now
I know my boys are young, but they should at least be given the opportunity
to see a kid-friendly movie. In this case, it was Wallace and Gromit, Curse
of the Were Rabbit. First off: the cost. $17 to get the three of us in, and
another $10 just for one small popcorn and one small soda for them to
split. Next problem: You've got to get there extra early just to get hold
of those plastic seat booster chairs that the little kids need, and to get
three seats together in the theater. The problem with this is that if
there's no one to hold the seats for you, you've got to keep the kids in
the theater before the previews even start. But what really gets to me is
that the boys were really looking forward to seeing this movie, but had to
sit through almost a half hour of previews followed by a short film before >the actual movie even began. By this time their popcorn and soda were
finished and they were too restless to last for too much of the actual
film. Can I find a child-friendly theater, please?

Wednesday, October 19

Why do girls feel the pressure to wear makeup? Why can't we overcome this? I don't know exactly when it started for me, but I guess it was in high school that I first tried out makeup. It's like once you put it on, you're never supposed to be seen without it again. Your friends look at you if you show up anywhere without makeup and you feel NAKED. I can remember a couple of times when I was about to walk out the door and mom would say "Are you okay? You don't look so good." And I'd say "I'm fine...I just don't have makeup on." I'm pretty sure that if my mom had to evacuate for an emergency and could only take one item out of the house, it would be her eyeliner!
As I've gotten older and my priorities have changed, I don't feel the need for makeup as often as I used to. Sure, there's still the pressure at work, where all the girls are perfectly made up, to come in every morning in full makeup, but I just don't want to sacrifice that last 15 minutes of sleep. And most girls I know, even if they're happily married, still can't resist the urge to reapply the lipstick when a hot guy is in the vicinity.
I think an added bonus for me is that if most people usually see me with no makeup, then when there's a special event and I DO wear it, people are surprised that I look pretty good!
Hey girlfriends, we're beautiful on the inside and don't need makeup to prove it! All I have to do is remember that when I get home from work and my little boys run into my arms, they don't give a hoot if I'm wearing makeup or not!

Monday, October 10, 2005

It's hard to be a girl. Shall we start at the bottom or at the top? Hmmmm. Let's see. We'll start with the head of hair. A real challenge. It must be washed, conditioned, deep conditioned, cut, colored, highlighted, blow dried, straightened, sprayed and/or glopped with product, and then kept out of the rain or wind. Then there's the face. It must be cleansed, toned, moisturized, lifted (botox, anyone?), dewrinkled, facial hair bleached, and, of course, brushed with blush, mascara, and all kinds of lotions and potions. Eyelashes must be curled, lips must be lined, colored, and glossed, brows plucked. Then there's the body: it must be cardio-ed, weight-trained, stretched, bathed, kept away from carbs, waxed, shaved, it must be rid of cellulite and excess flab, manicured and pedicured, exfoliated, moisturized, scented, and adorned with the perfect clothing and shoes. And I'm sure I'm forgetting a thousand other things. Not only is it expensive, but it's time-consuming and, on some days, exhausting! But let any of these things go for too long, and you feel like crap. Oh, how I love being a girl!

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

I've been asked many times what it's like to work with Lou Russo. This subject could take weeks to address, so let's start with a peek behind the scenes. Lou and I arrive (separately) at the radio station before dawn and don't speak to each other until the show starts. Well, on a good day, there may be a grunt that passes for a hello. Before we go on the air, I work in the newsroom writing stories, and Lou spends a half hour or so wiping down the studio with alcohol. (And to think I'm the one who gets made fun of for not wanting to shake hands!) Yes, we're BOTH a couple of germaphobes. When I walk into our large studio to begin the show, I sit across from Lou, but on the other end of a big console. And in between us is a stand for Lou's paperwork which blocks most of our view from each other. No problem. And, by the way, it's a good thing he doesn't have to look at me, because I tend to be a bit frightening at that hour with my hair up and no makeup on! The room temperature usually feels like 50-degrees, although Lou swears it's 75-ish, so I usually have to wear a heavy jacket all morning. I sit down next to my giant Keith Urban poster and, aside from when the mike is on, I spend most of the morning writing news and entertainment stories and reading the wires and newspapers. Our producer, Dan Alexander, is one of those company employees that makes everyone else look bad. He shows up an hour before his shift is supposed to begin and helps out with the show with more energy than anyone has a right to have at that hour. I call him SuperDan. And he really does save the day 'cause once he's here, he can be the go-between for Lou and me, so that we really don't have to talk to each other any more than necessary. We actually do that for the sake of the show, so that everything we have to say is fresh rather than fake and rehearsed. You never know what you'll hear come out of our mouths, and most of the time we don't know either. That's live radio for you! I will say that I am lucky to get to laugh because Lou is such a funny guy and although he sometimes gets on my last nerve, I willl concede one point to Lou: HE IS A GOD...for picking up the coffee on his way in each morning!

Friday, September 23, 2005

So what's wrong with wearing black boots in mid-September? Just because some of the girls choose to continue with their pedicures and open-toed sandals, it shouldn't mean I can't wear what I want without being told what I'm supposed to be wearing. I'm the first to admit that I'm no fashion expert, but if I choose to have my own style, odd as it is, and if I choose to be comfortable and make due with what I have, I don't understand why that should come across as offensive to some people who think we must all follow one set of fashion rules. Yesterday I was out with a client who said it best: We should be less concerned with our looks and more concerned with our character.

Friday, September 16

How to stay awake for 30 hours at work for a radiothon: Eat. Eat some more.
Drink coffee. Drink double espresso coffees. Eat chocolate. Chit chat with
Lou Russo, Dan Turi, Dan Alexander, along with Bill, Greg, Dave, Becky, and
everyone else who dropped off goodies and called out words of encouragement.
It was all for a good cause, of course. To raise money to benefit children
who suffer abuse in Monmouth County with a Child Advocacy Center. But I
won't be spending another night with Lou any time soon. Any longer, and we
might've killed each other. Kidding. Sort of. Actually, we all got along
really well and had some wacky and fun moments. If I was ten years younger
and hadn't been suffering from a bad cold going into it, it would've seemed
like even more fun...but the Mommy in me is just trying to plan a way to
take care of my boys after coming off of this crazy radiothon and no sleep.
Wish me luck!

Friday, September 2

Men (like Lou) simply do not understand how hard it is for some of us to even look in the mirror, nevermind get a picture taken for all to see. Some mornings when I roll out of bed at 3:30am on four hours of sleep to come to work, there's no way, even with makeup, that I'll feel presentable for a photo that's going on a website for hundreds of thousands of people to see.

As we get older, our hair, skin, and bodies tends to change, and having to SEE that in a photo is too much of a reminder of what I DON'T look like anymore! I strongly believe in being given notice and time to plan for a professional picture. Let me feel good about myself by having my hair and makeup done so that I at least FEEL good when the photo's being snapped. The good news these days is that with all the technology, you can really have your picture doctored, like the celebs do. I know, I know, I'm a beautiful person inside and I love myself just the way I am, blah blah blah, but I'm also not above cringing at a bad picture of myself and these days I'm lucky if I get a one in ten chance of a decent headshot!

(Webmaster's note: The winning photo, as voted by listeners in a webpoll, is posted above.)

Wednesday, August 31

I try to schedule my time carefully so that I always have a babysitter when I've got to work. But there are some days where I've been asked to attend events or come in to work on a project and have been stuck having to bring the boys to the office with me. I've even tried bringing a 'mother's helper' with me, but my two year old, who's in the throws of a tantrums and clinginess stage, just bursts into tears if any new face approaches him. And I can't just let him scream and cry when there are people in the building actually trying to get work done! So here I am in a recording studio trying to get my baby to BE QUIET so I can get my work done and get the heck out of there. Meanwhile, I can feel the looks I'm getting from sympathetic (and probably some annoyed) co-workers. At these moments I am left feeling like I'm being pulled in two different directions because I want to be the the best employee that I can be, yet I am a mother of two it's impossible to maintain a perfect balance. It is quite a juggling act.

Friday, 8/19

Although I swore I'd keep my baby out of school until kindergarten, I've changed my mind and have decided to send him to preschool. Originally, I figured that since he'd be spending somewhere around 16 years in school, why start him early. But as fate would have it, as I took him for a walk through my old elementary school when we passed by, I was told they had one slot left for their four-year-old pre-K class. How could I resist sending my little boy to the same school where I went? Talk about coming full circle! Of course, there are other things that factored into the decision, like the fact that he doesn't nap anymore, likes stimulating activities, is begging to go to school like his friends, and could use a chance to get used to taking directions from someone other than Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa. The biggest problem I'll have is the first day of school. One of my earliest memories is of my mom dragging me to kindergarten while I screamed my head off. I was so mad at my mom for leaving me there. And now here comes my payback! Because although kids may plead to go to school, getting dropped off and left there every day is a whole different story.

Friday, 8/12

I completely believe in Paying It Forward, much as Lou Russo would like to take the credit for giving me 'lessons' on how to give to others! I think it's great when people do little things for their friends, family, co-workers, or even strangers. And you never know how or when it'll come back around to you! The only thing I would like to say about paying it forward is that I don't believe it needs to involve spending money. Some of us are struggling with kids and finances and can't afford, as much as we'd like to do it, to treat for lunch with the girls or to spring for coffee for the whole team at work. I find that sometimes just giving someone a smile or a compliment can be just as nice a gesture.

Wednesday, 8/3/05

So you're dating a guy. The two of you are in love. How long should it take for him to propose? Do you wait for him to do the asking? Do you hint? Do you give an ultimatum? Do you have discussions and conversations and maybe even some arguments about the subject of marriage? How long do you give him? Or, would you consider proposing to him? I know a girl who happily dated her man for seven years...hoping and praying that he would propose. And he finally did...on his own, without any pressure at all from her. And they're living happily ever after. I also know a girl who stayed with her man for six years and never got the proposal or ring. She's now back to being single. I think that if your guy has truly fallen in love with you, he should be excited and enthusiastic about talking about marriage and having hope for a happy future with you. He shouldn't make you feel like you're pressuring him into marriage. And he shouldn't take years of making you wait for him to decide. Love should never start off with struggles or fear of the 'm' word.

Thursday, 7/21/05

What's wrong with a guy truly falling head-over-heels for a girl? Why is it that a girl can get a huge crush on a guy, flirt with him, GET him, and then tell everyone she knows how her dream man has come along... and everyone's so happy for her? She can giggle and pass around photos and talk about how HOT he is and how SMART he is and how IN LOVE she is, and all her friends smile and say 'awe...that's so cute...she's so happy!'. We all sigh, and remember how great it is to first fall in love. Do you remember? I think it's JUST AS adorable if a guy gets that mushy and crazy for a girl. What woman wouldn't want a guy that she's in love with to not be afraid to express his love for all the world to see?

I want to let Tom and Katie (Cruise and Holmes) to just be happy while they can. Look at all the relationships breaking up...why can't we just be happy for these two...and everyone else who's falling in love these days? We're so quick to pick apart those who broke up and whether or not they cheated (the Brad/Jennifer/Angelina triangle), yet it seems we're just as willing to pick apart something that should be joyous.