Who do you think are happier, overall – men or women?  A recent study has confirmed that men are slightly more happy than women today. I'm not really surprised, are you?  (Click here for the survey at cbsnews.com)

    It’s a bit of a flip-flop, however, from four decades ago, when a similar study was conducted that determined women were happier than men.

    So why do you think women aren’t as happy as they used to be? Different theories abound. I think in our endless pursuit to create the perfect balance in our lives – good, healthy kids, well-appointed homes, fit bodies and respectable careers, we have run out of time to do the things we really enjoy. The study claims that women are doing less cooking and cleaning these days, and that’s a good thing. But instead of taking that extra time to read a book, go shopping or unwind in some way, they are investing more time in their careers and the work that they are paid for. (I smell a burnout.)

    That is certainly the case in my own household. My boss was generous enough to get me a laptop to make it more convenient for me to work from home, but now when I’m at home, I’m constantly tethered to my laptop. (Do you think he knew that would happen??) It’s almost an addiction. I’ve had to train myself to NOT turn it on and instead, interact with my children.

    I don’t have any answers, really. I need help being happier, myself. Does anyone have any idea how women can tilt the happiness meter so that next time this happiness study is conducted between the sexes, we come out ahead?

    This past Sunday, the sun rose and cast the sky and streets surrounding Fashion lsland in a wash of pink, as tens of thousands of people came out to run, walk, cheer on and support family, friends and even total strangers in Orange County’s Komen Race for the Cure, the world’s largest and most successful educational and fundraising event for breast cancer. (Whew! That was a mouthful!) (ockomen.com)

    I was there manning the Churm Media booth with some of my colleagues. Our task was to pass out about 2,000 magazines (and even toothbrushes to a lucky few). I must admit, when my alarm went off at 5:30 on a Sunday morning, I had to question why I signed up in the first place. But once I got there, I was so thrilled to be part of this spectacular event.

    While the official numbers haven’t come out yet, I would venture to say there were at least 40,000 attendees. I was amazed at the show of support.  I spoke with one woman who had 5 sisters who had all been diagnosed with breast cancer. All but her. I asked her how she had escaped that “bullet.” She said, “I didn’t.  I had ovarian cancer.”

    I have 3 sisters and it got me thinking: “Odds are, one of us will come down with breast cancer.” But which one? We’re all in our 40s now, and the average age of women who get breast cancer is early 50s. We’re all pretty healthy at the moment, but still, it’s a frightening possibility. Whatever forces are at work causing breast cancer in one of out 8 women, could easily come knocking on my family’s door.

    If I only knew what causes the most common cancer in women, I would make sure I avoided those factors at all costs (cancer.org). I have two young daughters who have entrusted their health to me, so I’d like some answers. But we don’t really know yet. Too much estrogen? Microwaves? The chemicals in household cleaners? The air we breathe? It has to be something we all come in contact with every day.

    The Orange County chapter has raised more than $15 million since 1991. I can only hope that all this money being raised will help researchers pinpoint precisely what is killing so many women -- VERY SOON – before it takes the life of someone I love . . . or someone YOU love.

    Ready for the latest installment of ridiculous studies? In the September issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (who subscribes to this, anyway?), you can read about how “researchers” have determined that our eyes are irresistibly drawn to beautiful people.

    If I can wax poetic for a moment . . . DUH! This is certainly not news, the fact that women tend to stare at good-looking men and men ogle attractive women. How long has this behavior been going on, anyway? Eons, at least.

    What is eye-opening, however, according to this study, is that men and women in committed relationships look at beautiful people of the SAME SEX longer than they would look at someone of the opposite sex. How come?

    “If we’re jealous and worried about our partner cheating on us, attention gets quickly and automatically stuck on attractive people of our own sex because they are our competitors,” says the study’s leader.

    Interesting, but to be honest, we already knew this, didn’t we, ladies?

    To read more about this “fascinating (NOT!)” research, log on to livescience.com. This silly study aside, it’s a pretty nifty website.

    OK, I know I’m a little late weighing in on the Britney Spears story (pun intended), but better late than . . . whatever! Look, I really don’t know what all the Britney-bashing was about. No, I didn’t see her performance at the music awards, which was lambasted by every critic and blogger in the world. But what seemed to draw the most criticism was the weight issue. I kept hearing about how fat and out of shape she looked, so I logged on to see for myself, and you know what? I think she looks terrific! She may not be as toned and buffed as she was about 5 years ago before she had children, but who is? She still looks pretty darn good to me! (foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296069,00.html)

    Don’t worry, I’m not going to launch into a hysterical rant about how you need to leave Britney alone just so I can get millions of hits on my blog. But really, she looks like she’s been working out some, so why not give her a little credit for that? Why do we have to hold people to such impossible physical standards, especially celebrities? Give her a break. She may not be a 10, but she’s at least a 7 or an 8. I’m just grateful she was wearing panties.

    And then there’s O.J. You know why he’s in the news again, don’t you? It’s called karma. When you practically behead your ex-wife in cold blood and then murder a complete stranger along with her and then get away with it, all that bad karma is bound to catch up with you eventually. This is O.J.’s “eventually.”

    Personally, I think he wants to be in jail. He can’t live with the guilt any longer and deep-down, he knows prison is where he belongs. Then again, I’m giving him credit for having a conscience. Or maybe he finally ran out of money and favors from hangers-on and he’s looking for a free hot meal and place to sleep at night for the rest of his life. Looks like he might get his wish, too. Let’s hope this time, the legal system does its job RIGHT! (abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3611324&page)

    Hey, all you single gals . . . did you get lucky this weekend? Meaning . . . did you get treated to free drinks at the bars and nightclubs you frequented in exchange for the pleasure of your alluring company? Well, next time some interested guy offers to buy you a drink, be sure and tell him you’d like a Sapphire Martini.

    Check out what’s in it: Bombay Sapphire gin, blue curacao and a dash of dry vermouth, and the glass is rimmed with blue sugar. Pretty standard stuff. But guess what the drink is garnished with? A sterling-silver pick holding a pair of platinum-mounted diamond and sapphire earrings. I’ll drink to that!    

    Forbes.com just released its report on the world’s most expensive cocktails. (msnbc.msn.com/id/15135240/) The Sapphire Martini ranks high on the list at $3,000. Can you even imagine paying that much money for about a cup of liquid laced with alcohol? Some guy has to really be into you to charge THAT to his Visa. (Or just really drunk.) And how about this -- $1,750 for a bottle of 125-year-old cognac!

    So guys, next time you offer to buy a drink for a pretty girl, make it very clear to the bartender to leave out the precious stones. You’ll just have to dazzle her with your personality, instead.

    Speaking of drinks, guess which one tops the list as the most fattening cocktail? The Long Island Iced Tea, weighing in at a whopping 780 calories.Don’t let the “iced tea” part fool you!