Watching Rachael Ray

Robin joins Rachael right away at the kitchen table, looking, according to Rachel, “cute as bug!” What did the Dr. Phil family do for vaction? they spent four months on a yacht in Europe. They let their youngest take three friends, and it wore them out! They felt like chaparones on Spring Break. They chat a bit about The Doctors, who her son is on. The show is a good way to digest medical advice in the privacy of your own home, and it’s everyday people with everyday issues.

What does Robin watch on tv at night? They love In plain sight, and American Idol. Which of course leads to Dancing With The Stars, and how Phil and Robin both have no rhythm at all. They didn’t even dance at their wedding.

They talk about Dr. Phils new book, and some of the most challenging days of her life. One of them is part of his book, is the death of a family member, and the pivotal time in her life was when she lost both her parents, and she didn’t know what she would have done without her husband. She felt all alone, and Dr. Phil told her she’d never be by herself, he’d never leave her.

They talk about her outfit, because Robin is so pleased that in this tight economy - she is still in fashion, on the cheap! Her dress is $49, shoes for $12, and a belt for $5, that she got at Target. She loves everything in the store. She really goes down and pushes her cart through Target - and confesses that when the kids were young, their favorite thing to do was to get out the Target ad and circle what they wanted for a Monday outing.

She also plugs Cargo Cosmetics, eco-friendly Plant Love, which also raises funds for St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. You plant your empty tube from the lipstick? And it grows wildflowers. Cool! Robin also works with Reach Out and Read program, that gives free books to toddlers, including the Pigeon Book Series. Hit up the giveaway for the chance to win!

The audience, of course, has questions. First off - tips for speaking in public. Robin says that she gets nervous too, and she has three suggestions. Remember that it’s not about you, it’s your message. Relate to the group your speaking too. And last but not least, practice the speech, use the mirror or a loved one, and get used to the words.

Another audience member, of course, asks about the divorce rumors. Robin says it is emphatically NOT TRUE. Don’t waist your money buying those papers, they will never divorce. never! There’s more with Robin backstage where she talks more about it and her secrets to a successful marriage. Check it out!

Next up - the last thing kids want to do is report to the principal’s office. What really happens behind those doors? There’s a new TruTV series calles The Principals Office, and lets viewers peek in behind those doors and see what really goes down. Eric Shenninger says that their job is not easy, and they have to expect the unexpected (Hey! That’s BB’s tagline!) Yolanda agrees, and hopes that this helps parents see that they really are working for the betterment of the kids. Now the biggest thing they deal with revolve around technology. Ipods, txting, cheating by using them, and Yolanda says that onsistency is a must - parents don’t text your child while they’re in school, knowing that they aren’t supposed to have cell phones in class.

Another no-no is to ignore the chain of command by going straight ot the principal instead of discussing the problem with the child’s teacher first. They have four years left to make sre the kids learn everything they need to know about resolving conflicts, and you can’t teach your child how to do that in a work place, society or relationships by stepping in and skipping steps. Yolanda and Eric are answering questions on the message boards too!

What’s for dinner? Caesar-Style Spaghetti! Yum.