's MOTD Christmas Eve 2006

[Guest guest]

's Daily Message SundayDecember 24, 2006A FAMILY AFFAIR

I was a little lost this morning. I was about to get ready to go do my radio show, Lighten Up. But in midstream, I stopped and realized that I wasn`t doing my radio show today. (Boo-hoo!) I will miss it but, don`t worry, I`ll be back with all-new live shows in January.

Lenny and came in yesterday morning about the same time I was doing hundreds of leg lifts at Slimmons. After I was finished with class, I picked them up and off we went bopping and shopping.

Whenever the three of us entered a store, I would introduce them to everyone. "This is my wonderful brother, Lenny and his fabulous wife, and I love them so much."

After about the fifth store, my brother pulled me aside and said, "Dicky, is it necessary to announce us to everyone in every store?" I replied "Yes," and kept doing it. No, just kidding...I stopped.

After four hours of shopping, they were both pooped and wanted to rest before dinner. And for dinner, I took them to one of my favorite restaurants which they ended up loving as much as I do.

Today I have a full schedule planned for them and later this evening, we will all go to Midnight Mass at a beautiful church just a stones` throw away from my home. I can`t wait to see how they decorated the church this year.

Growing up in New Orleans, Lenny and I always went to Midnight Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. We both sang in the choir and sang ten holiday songs each year. We`d sing five songs before mass and five more as the congregation left the church.

We had to sing until everyone was gone and when they were, Lenny and I would walk across Square and head for the Cafe Du Monde where I would have nine beignet donuts and three cartons of chocolate milk. Oh! Those were the days...(or were they?)

You know I go to bed very early and can`t remember when I stayed up as late as I did tonight. Oh, yes I can. It was December 24th of last year! Well, I`ll take a little afternoon delight nap so I can stay up to watch Baby Jesus get put into his crib.

And what are your plans for Christmas Eve? Do they include staying on your food program all day, getting your workouts in to burn calories and to keep your bones and muscles strong? And do your plans include a little time for you to relax in the tub with six ounces of fat-free eggnog? Yeah! That sounds good to me. Hope you`ve got a real family affair planned for Christmas. Just like me!

Love,