Kyle: See We Do Have Fun

This week we get a glimpse into Brandi's hometown and family. It was touching to see the moments between her father and her. I have never met her father, but I get the sense they are probably very similar and perhaps that's why they clash at times. No doubt there is a lot of love there. Seeing the two of them together made me miss my Dad.

Shabbat dinner is something that we do once a month. When I converted (I went through an Orthodox conversion but we are Reformed) and we got married, I had intended to have Shabbat in our home every week. That didn't last long. It was impossible to coordinate with a big family. There was always something someone HAD to do. Either work, a friends birthday, etc. . .I admire those that keep Shabbat every week and do not allow anything to interfere with it. It is such a beautiful way to stay connected to friends and family and force yourself to slow down. My kids love having everyone to our home and helping cook in the kitchen.

I am actually a very good cook (if I may say so myself). I just don't know that many recipes. What I DO know I am good at. I have good instincts, but I wanted to broaden my menu so to speak. I took some cooking classes with Aine so I could learn more recipes that are healthy. It's a lot of fun and now each Shabbat I try something new I learned.

My friend Michele was converting at our temple with our rabbi and would share what she was learning each week. When she told me that you're supposed to have sex each Shabbat we all laughed. I didn't know if she was joking or not. It certainly is not mandatory but I like to think it is. Wink wink. Shabbat Shalom!

Sophia has been so nervous and excited her Bat Mitzvah. She has been VERY particular about what she wants and who she wants there. She is not comfortable singing Hebrew in front of people that she isn't close with. Sophia has a very strong personality and trying to convince her of anything if she doesn't want to is close to impossible. Planning this event with her has given me a glimpse into what kind of bride she will be when it's time to plan her wedding. . .Can you say Bridezilla? Kidding. Kind of.

I loved seeing Joyce at the shooting range. I have always been curious about what that would be like, but I am TERRIFIED of guns. I will say though, seeing a beautiful woman shoot a gun looks hot!

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Self defense class was hilarious. See? We really do have fun sometimes! Seeing Yolanda looking pretty with a big smile on her face while she choked poor Lars made me laugh out loud.

At the time we were not laughing but actually screaming at her to stop (as you saw). But seeing that in this episode did make me laugh.

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Kim and I use to REALLY fight when we were kids! Can you imagine? Haha. Kim is small but SO strong!!! We are supposed to be learning to DEFEND ourselves, and Kim starts beating the daylights out of me. I fought back the only way I know (since I hadn't learned YET) -- and that's kicking and screaming just like when we were little. Plus, I was laughing so hard I was weak! We all had fun, actually did learn some good moves, and nobody was killed . Miracle. Although Brandi did break her hand, and we all heard the crack. Ouch!

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Later Lisa, Brandi and I went to dinner. On the car ride I handed Brandi a card that said "I'm not a bitch, I just play one in your life." I thought it was a funny card and appropriate for our us. Brandi and I have never gotten the chance to get to know each other. It has always been two steps forward, one step back. I always knew that she thought I was someone that I am not. And vice versa. I gave her the card because she had just lost Chica and some other things were going on in her life that I heard about and I felt for her.

I liked this episode because you get to see that we really do have fun times together. Although, I still believe if I came across Carlton in a dark alley, she would probably love to use some of those moves we learned. . .

Until next week...

XXOO, Kyle