My girlfriend just emailed me and asked if I had "blog block." Yup guess that's it. A name for my condition. I didn't realize it was an official condition till just now.

You may have noticed the date of my last post. So what — you ask — have I been doing?

Well...everything you could possibly imagine and some stuff you wouldn't even believe.

Lately I have only two speeds — GO and PASS OUT — and I maximize every hour of the day I am blessed with.

Funny, I write all day long in my head but apparently my head and my hands have not been communicating. I assume that would translate into Blocked- Head as opposed to Blockhead which is so unfeminine....

So I am in search of the antidote to Blog Block and I aspire to my next post — shortly.

Debbie

Marriage is wonderful when it works. Everyone is looking for a happily ever after.

But marriage takes energy, and these days average couples are working harder than ever to keep a marriage together, so you can imagine the challenge for a couple in the limelight, like Star Jones and Al Reynolds.

Someone told me they overheard Star on a plane a couple months ago saying that she and her husband had not even been in the same city over the last few months.

Can't blame the airlines for this long a layover.

For reasons only Star and Al know, one or more things along the way changed up their original gameplan for their version of..."happily ever after." I don't think she had that big wedding with the intention of getting divorced...getting a few freebies, maybe.

No one has a wedding with the intention of getting divorced. No one should judge, though people due to human nature cannot help themselves. Like Star said, "The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone's life that requires privacy with one's thoughts."

Regardless of who files for divorce, it's painful and awkward for everyone involved.

There will be some other version of "happily ever after" for her and for him.

Though it's hard to imagine at the time, usually events that force change often bring you to a stronger better place — sometimes just a stronger arm — but hey, that also works.

Everyone who goes through divorce has another version of "happily ever after" within their reach.

Last night I went to one of the now recurring High School girlfriend gatherings at PF Chang's up in Stamford, Ct.

Remember what they said about Catholic HS girls? Well they were right — only we are much worse now. Only kidding — not really — half-kidding...geez we love to laugh.

Anyway, there's a pretty diverse group: Some married forever, with kids without kids, some divorced, and some have just stayed solo. Oh yeah, and one honorary husband who can't get enough of us. The group grows every time we convince someone through a chain of frenzied emails to locate someone from our past and convince them they are missing out on all the fun.

For years, when I was struggling as a single mom gone awry, I wouldn't show up. Then one day I was glad I did, and the unconditional girlfriend friendship convinced me to do it again and again.

Last night, one of the "lifelong solo" girls, having recently launched Mr. Wrong, announced she bought herself a boat. I suggested we give her a "boat shower". Solo gals get ripped off. They never get the payback benefit of all those bridal and baby showers they've paid into.

So it's done. The "boat shower" is in the works. We're just waiting for her to register at some marine shop so we don't all show up with the same little dinghys.

Hi guys,

I am on the way to Rhode Island. The love for First Wives World and all that we represent continues. We got a call last week from a company which produces features that air on hundreds of TV stations wanting to do a story. So, today is the day and I am on my way.

It's a one day trip and I have five jackets, six hair contraptions, four pairs of shoes, an arsenal of make up, my computer, phone and a plethora of plugs and chargers. This is one of those days it might have been nice to have had a "better half" who might have convinced me I didn't need half this stuff.

But then again, the "better half" might have wanted to come along and drive, and if there's one thing I don't miss it's begging someone to make a pit stop or two... or three... or four...

Love,

Debbie Nigro, First Wives World's Chief Executive Girlfriend

Think Valentine's Day is going to be a big drag? Think again. There are a few advantages...!

#1 You won't have to hide behind a planter at the hotel check in.

#2 You don't have to shave anything.

#3 It won't matter whether or not your cell phone has reception.

#4 All the chocolate is yours.

#5 You don't have to kill yourself looking for a bud vase.

#6 Nobody has time for a manicure/pedicure during the middle of the week anyway.

#7 You can buy your own flowers in the morning and get it over with.

#8 You can spare yourself a brain tumor trying to find a babysitter.

#9 You can call up all your old boyfriends "legally".

#10 No one is going to ask you to model a G-String.

Love,

Debbie Nigro, First Wives World's Chief Executive Girlfriend

For reasons I will not elaborate on right now, I have been seeing someone that I don't/haven't/probably won't ever bring anywhere.

He's doesn't fit into my everyday world but he does fit in my "get me off this ride for a little while" world. He makes me smile, forces me to slow down, and forces my brain to stop churning a million thoughts.

Yesterday, I received an email from someone asking for my address to send me a special invitation. They also asked if I had a "partner". Nope. It'll be just me. Hmmm ... I stopped to reflect — how many more events will I attend alone? Guess it's time to start looking for someone I actually might take along next time.

OK...This Diva stuff is exhausting but hey — girlfriends need to support other girlfriends' businesses, especially when it's the business of getting out and socializing.

That's why last week, even through the pouring rain which you will notice wrecked my hair, I made sure to pop in at the Cellar Bar at the Bryant Park Hotel to share a toast with Social Diva Founder Peg Samuel (pictured on the left) and her event guru Erin Donnelly (to my right) after Social Diva sponsored a screening of the new flick "Scenes Of A Sexual Nature".

Peg's always doing cool stuff and bringing to life great events that you might like to attend. You can keep up with what's cool and happening at SocialDiva.com.

Last week, as First Wives World's chief executive girlfriend, I had the opportunity to attend "The Three Tomatoes Broadway Comedy Night." The slogan for the event, for which FWW served as a sponsor, was "Eat, drink and be merry for absolutely no good reason at all." A portion of the proceeds to support Comedy Cures.

First Wives World was proud to be a sponsor of this fun event. Pictured is a candid shot of Cheryl Benton (pointing) and me next to her, along with the other sponsors of the evening. New York radio personality Valerie Smaldone hosted the event which featured three really great female comedians. Check out The
Three Tomatoes newsletter. It's for women who aren't kids!

I am on a personal mission as your Chief Executive Girlfriend to find fun places where you will feel comfortable going out at night alone, or with friends around the country. Places with a little sizzle for your new solo lifestyle.

My latest addition is in Naples, Florida. If you happen to be there, head to "Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crab House" (and a happening bar scene complete with live music) and tell Managing Partner Rick Rinella I sent you. He'll be expecting you!

I was there this past weekend with five of my Ithaca College girlfriends to jointly celebrate all of our "big" birthdays this year. Appearing in the photo with me and Rick is one of my very special girlfriends Ellen Israel, whose 11-year-old son actually sent her off with these words, "Remember You're A Married Woman." LOL.

Actually, all five friends — Ellen, Tina, Lori, Donna and Robin — are long married and well-behaved women. I'm the only divorced one. It's never been an issue with this group and over the years, as I've spent many an occasion with them and their husbands with and without a husband and/or a "date."

There were various times along the way I couldn't even afford to join them, but without making me feel like an idiot, they made sure I came anyway. We had a wonderful time and I, too, behaved myself (bummer).

So as not to disappoint you all though, please know that after dinner I did impulsively bang a hard left into nightspot called "Yabba" when I heard the pulsing music of a big Halloween party and ended up dirty-dancing with some young muscled-up guy wearing only suspenders while my girlfriends waited on a bench for the taxi.

It's not every day you get to see an eternal Italian sex symbol like
Gina Lollobrigida up close. Still gorgeous at 80 and wearing a sexy red gown, Gina was one of the standouts at 32nd Annual National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington D.C. I attended this past weekend at The Hilton
Washington and Towers.

Superstar attorney Bill Scari of Pepper Hamilton LLP in Pennsylvania, whose partner Joe DelRaso is on the Executive Board Committee of NAIF, extended the
warm invitation for my partners Paul and Jonas and myself to attend the event with him and his lovely wife Jen.

Every year NAIF honors great Italian Americans and raises money for the Benefit of The Program and Scholarship Fund of the Foundation. The faces walking past our table on their way to the dais in addition to Gina, were outstanding and I couldn't snap my iPhone fast enough.

Martin Scorcese, Rudy Guiliani, Nancy Pelosi, Connie Stevens, William Novelli CEO of AARP, Dina Martin (Dean's daughter), Yogi Berra, Maria Bartiromo, Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy"), Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice Samuel Alito, Ambassador to Italy Giovanno Castellaneta, etc., etc.

There were dignitaries and businesspeople from Italy. There was opera, great Italian wine, great food and great warmth — all the wonderful things that Italians are so well known for.

Finally, an event to acknowledge that all Italians are not living like the Sopranos.
Made me feel proud to be an Italian American. Made me proud to see the "excellence" of Italian Americans being recognized. Made me reflect on and appreciate what my grandparents risked to come here and start a new life that has led to mine having so much opportunity. Made me really annoyed at myself for cutting my college Italian class.

Ciao!

Debbie