Thursday has arrived once again – only now it is Friday! Time for Hitch or Ditch – Round 9!  The newest entry is below – comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message.  I know the following issue is tough. Please offer any advice you may have…..

Hi Mr M Famous, I really hope you can help me address a problem that is threatening to prevent me from marrying a man that I really do love. My fiance and I are planning to get married in the fall. We have been together for about 5 years. We met in a cycling class at the fitness center in college. He was active on the flag foot ball team for his fraternity, and I was a cross country runner for the University. Since we graduated from college and left our respective sports behind, we have both admittedly been a little more careless with our exercise routines – we were, of course, religious about it in school. Honestly, it is one of the reasons we fell in love so quickly. Our passion for staying fit was a priority for both of us so it made it easy to be together regularly. However, he has taken his careless behavior to a new level over the past 6 months….he has gained almost 60 pounds! It tears me apart to say this, but I am no longer attracted to him. I am still 100% in love with his heart, but his outward appearance is such a turnoff. I am a very visual person. I take good care of myself for that reason. I NEED to be equally attracted physically and mentally. I know he is self conscious and sensitive about his weight gain, so I have tried to be understanding, but we are edging towards a point of no return. And, on top of it all, I have to say, I kind of feel like it isn’t fair that I signed up to marry one guy that has morphed into another. I hate feeling that way, but it is the honest truth. I have tried a few subtle hints and I try to keep junk out of the house, but he is not catching on. Lately, I have found myself avoiding wedding planning that NEEDS to be done and I think I am subconsciously putting it off. What do you think?

Anonymous

So,  everyone what do we think – Tweet Me, Facebook Me or comment below.  Anonymous needs our help!

Be M Famous

CMC

TGIF! I have to sincerely apologize for the tardiness of this response. The House of M Famous is working on a few really great developments, and while it is no excuse, my response was a bit late. My late reply was compounded by a few technical difficulties, and here we are posting 2 blogs in one day. Look at it like a 2 for 1 deal….Most of all thank you for your patience!

If you missed the story of RR, read it here, before checking out my take below.

Well, let me start by saying good for your Father for being the kind of man to step up to the plate.  I am so happy that you have the beautiful relationship that you do.  Of course, the strength of your relationship will never be weakened by the addition of someone else.   With that being said, let me also say that I completely understand where you are coming from.

Years ago my grandmother passed away.  I felt as though I lost my best friend.  We were very close, and so much of my childhood was centered around spending the weekends at her house.  I can remember how sad my grandfather was – he was lost.  He eventually started dating again, and there were a few of his girlfriends that we liked, and one that I didn’t care for too much. Of course, they continued dating, and then after a while, my parents told me that they would be getting married.   I was not very happy, because she was nothing like my grandmother and would never be like her.  I can remember one time she and I got into a bit of a spat and being the quiet and shy person that I am (yeah right), I told her how I felt.  Later, my grandfather sat me down and told me that my grandmother was gone and that my soon to be step-grandmother would never take her place.  I realized then that he was so lonely, and to be honest, his new “Bride to Be” made him happy again.  She gave him a companion.  She may not have been the person that I would have picked at the time, but it wasn’t my decision, and he deserved to be content.

I think that you should talk with your father and let him know how you feel, but assure him that you will love him no less and that you do understand that it is his decision.  This is actually one of those situations where it is not right for me to tell you that they shouldn’t get “Hitched.”  It is, however, my place to say that you have to get these feeling off of your chest. Otherwise they could fester.  Let’s look at it like this, you and your father have been through much more difficult situations.  We all deserve to find love and perhaps it is his turn.  I know the two of you can talk it out.

My thoughts are with you,

Christopher Macken

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Thursday has arrived once again! Time for Hitch or Ditch – Round 8!  The newest entry is below – comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message.  This one is from a dear friend of mine. Please offer any advice you may have…..

Christopher,

I am writing to you as a friend, but also as a woman in need of non-biased advice. Please change the names in the following email. I don’t want to make a bad situation worse. You know how people talk. I love you and thank you for providing friends and followers with a place to vent and ask for help.

I know some of this will be repetitive for you, but I want to make sure the readers have the back story. As you know my father is getting remarried this year. I know, we NEVER thought this would happen. I was actually so secure in thinking that he would never actually marry his girlfriend, that I never even bothered to worry. As an only child, my bond with my dad is immense. But as an only child with only one parent, that bond is even greater! My parents have been divorced since I was in the first grade, and my mom passed away when I was in third. My dad is absolutely incredible – he is father and mother – in one person. I honestly do not feel like I was ever “cheated” by only having one parent. We were this dynamic duo working our way through middle school, teenage years and college. He supported me and challenged me without smothering me in the slightest. Of course I miss my mother – she was an extraordinary woman, and my dad has always done a great job of telling me stories, funny, random, sad and touching, which helps me remember her.

Having said all of that, I am now married with a baby of my own on the way, and my dad and I are still as close as ever. He started dating “Dot” about 4 years ago. He met her at the grocery store of all places. Dot is the total opposite of how I envision my mother would be 30 years later. She is a nice enough lady, but she is a bit loud, she loves white wine a little too much, she dotes on my father day and night, she has redecorated his house to her taste, she dresses slightly too young for her age and she wants to be my best friend. Believe when I say that I know I sound like a twelve year old brat. I know the situation could be so much worse – he could have gone the typical route – too young, in it for the money, fake everything. He didn’t, but I am still mortified at the thought of Dot becoming a part of my family…officially. I have just been tolerating her because I thought it gave him something to do. I never thought he would want to grow old with her!

I know I am not alone in this situation. I feel like your readers must have experienced this or something similar or know someone that has. I just need advice. I need to know how to talk to my dad and tell him how I feel….beg him not to marry her. I need to know if I should talk to my dad or is it going to put a rift between us that can’t be fixed? I am stressing over this to the point that my husband says I am going to go into pre-term labor – he is joking but only slightly. I need to deal with the situation but I don’t know how.

Take care my friend,
RR

So,  everyone what do we think – Tweet Me, Facebook Me or comment below.  RR needs our help!

Be M Famous

CMC

So it is Tuesday, and my response to Hitch or Ditch 7 is below….slightly delayed thanks to my newest endeavor, M Famous Monday’s. If you missed the story of Sam, read it here, before checking out my take below.

Ok, yes I will agree that you should not have read her diary, however the damage is done.  Honestly, from what I see, the only recourse you have now is to try to open lines of communication.  Explain how important it is too you to have a healthy physical life together.  Try new things, and ask her what works for her.  The fact that she has been dishonest about her pleasure level isn’t the real problem here is it Sam?  It sounds to me like you may be suffering from a little bit of a bruised ego.  That’s ok!  Listen, it is obvious that she is with you because she loves you. It is true that for MOST women, the emotional connection is more important than the physical one.   In this case I would say that size does matter to her…the size of your heart!

Men and women operate totally differently in the bedroom.  It is just the way we are wired.  True, a healthy sex life between two monogamous people is VERY important; however, that is where I would have to ask you, “What is your idea of “healthy?”  You have to be able to communicate with one another.  I find it strange that some people will not discuss matters of the flesh when really, it is a part our everyday lives in every way. You see it in our TV ads and on billboards.  We see it in the store windows when we are shopping for new clothes and in the books we read for fun.  So why can’t two married people discuss it over dinner or while getting ready for work in the morning.  This is your wife – you owe it to her to want to please her.

Sam thank you for writing in. Honestly most men would not have, and my hat is off to you for doing so.  My vote for you is to….. STAY HITCHED!  But you both have to be able to talk with each other about your sex life.   This is NOT a taboo issue… it is LOVE…. Just do it!

Mr M Famous

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As you all know, I am fairly new to Atlanta. I have really come to love and appreciate specific venues, vendors and opportunities in the Atlanta area, and I want to share special stories about each one with you. So here goes…

An M Famous evening always begins with a fabulous group of friends.  This fact was evident as I entered the Grape Wine Bar in Atlantic Station with a crew of my favorites.  The Hostess greeted us warmly and escorted us to our reserved table.  I have been looking forward to this all week!  As I took my seat at the head of the table, we were given a sample pour of wine to try.  The red zinfandel was the perfect choice to kick this evening off right.  As we looked over the menus and began making our first course choices, we decided to order a bottle of this intense red wine that has a savory finish.  Giarrusso Dry Creek Valley Zin is mild enough to play well with a wide range of dishes including two of my favorite starters….the Scottish Smoked Salmon flatbread and the Three Cheese Crab Dip.

The Flatbread is made with Dill Crème fraiche, red onions, arugula, goat cheese aioli and capers.  The flavor is indescribable.  This is perhaps the BEST flatbread I have ever had in my life.  The crab dip is to die for – flavorful but not overpowering.  Of course, both were a huge hit at the table.

Elizabeth and I each ordered a glass of “Black Bubbles” and toasted this great night.  Black Bubbles is actually a Sparkling Syrah with all of the things I love about champagne and red wines combined into one addictively refreshing glass.  This is a MUST TRY!!!! Kurt wanted to switch from wine to a Bourbon and Coke with his steak.  I have found that most people have no clue that The Grape Wine Bar is far more than just that.  They have a full bar complete with an assortment of beers and every cocktail you can imagine – available at all three of their Atlanta locations.

Our main courses were as diverse as our drink orders:

Grilled Mahi Tacos

Pan Seared New Bedford Scallops

Shrimp and Grits

Porcini Rubbed Sirloin

Pimento Cheese Burger

There is literally something for everyone on the menu. The staff was even nice enough to allow Kurt to substitute 2 of the usual side dishes for something different.  Everything was prepared perfectly, and we all found ourselves almost too full to try dessert… almost!  Our Servers, Quinton and Jason, were absolutely terrific and eventually convinced us to try their three favorite deserts….

An absolutely SINFUL cheese cake

A tiramisu that was light and velvety

And a brownie with Ice cream and caramel.

Completely full and enjoying my friends at the table, I found myself trying to find something, anything that could wrong with the evening…But I couldn’t.  The service was some of the best in Atlanta, the food and drinks were perfect in every way.  The LIVE music was a special addition to the small intimate venue.  If you have never been to The Grape Wine Bar, I encourage you to try. After a couple of visits I will almost guarantee that you find yourself personally greeted by the staff at your favorite location, laughing with them and catching up like old friends.  It is truly a “Chic Cheers” where everybody knows your name.  Special thanks to everyone with The Grape for a great evening and don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift certificate to this terrific venue by clicking here! The M Famous Monday’s drawing will be announced on Friday.

Thank you so much for your interest in this week’s M Famous Approved venue!

Mr M Famous

Christopher Macken

Happy almost Friday everyone!!  Check out our newest entry below – another man in need of help – comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message.  You have until Saturday night at midnight to vote and offer advice!  Sunday, as usual, I will tally the votes and give my final rundown.  Keep those stories rolling in! Friends, family and coworkers sit down and submit the “on Goings” of your friends’ relationships and let the public be the judge and jury…it’s time to play…Hitch or Ditch…

CMC,

Man, I broke some unwritten code somewhere and read my fiance’s diary, journal whatever the hell you want to call it. I have no excuse I was being nosy. She writes in the damn thing all the time and she acts like it is a national treasure. I have come to hate this freakin thing. I have racked my brain on what she could be saying in there, so the other night after she fell asleep I grabbed it and read the whole thing. She talks about everything in there. A good bit of it is about me. Nice stuff like the things she appreciates about me and she is looking forward to the wedding, etc. BUT she writes alot about our sex life and her lack of interest and pleasure. She’ll talk about how she faked this or forced herself through that. I don’t want to say too much, but basically her overall mediocre physical relationship with me! I mean I am at a loss here I thought we were doing just fine. Clearly this is how she really feels. I can’t marry someone that feels that way, right? I know women are less focused on that stuff than men, but seriously, she is going to be the only person I am with in that way for the rest of my life and she is disinterested?! If I hadn’t read it would she have just continued this way forever?

Sam

So,  everyone what do we think – Tweet Me, Facebook Me or comment below.  Sam needs our help!

Be M Famous

CMC

Happy Sunday morning everyone. Below is a Hitch or Ditch that really touched me. If you missed the story of Rebeka, read it here, before checking out my take below.

Dear Rebeka,

Let me begin by saying that, honestly, I completely understand what you are feeling.  I, admittedly, am not a therapist, but I would think that this could be a common issue for couples to experience.   The fact that your husband may not be able to father a child for you doesn’t change the love that the two of you share.  It seems to me that you are trying to make the “marriage” too much like “parenthood.”  The fact remains that they are two totally separate things.  The old saying, “The grass is greener” comes to mind here.  Your thoughts of leaving him based on something out of his control is NOT the answer.  If you have a man that loves you, then you owe it to the two of you to attempt to work through this.  Remember, “for better or worse.”  This would be the “worse,” and I have never heard anyone say that marriage was a breeze.  My question for you is, “Do you love him, and does he love you?”  If the answer is yes on both parts, then you absolutely must….  STAY HITCHED!

Now for the topic of children.  There are many ways to be a mother.  I have a friend that found out, after many failed attempts and many miscarriages, that she would not be able to give birth.  They now have two beautiful boys and a very happy family.  They adopted both of their children, and I can assure you that her feeling of motherhood was not altered because she didn’t actually give birth to them.  Those are her babies!  Take a moment and think about the precious, beautiful, smart, sweet children that are in foster care or waiting (hoping) to one day be adopted….to be able to have a Mommy to tuck them in at night or a Dad to throw the baseball with.  The thought of these sweet children growing up with out having a family to celebrate the milestones of life saddens me.  So to you I would say two things…1. You and your husband should see a marriage counselor.  This is not a reason to walk away! And 2. At least look into giving one of the countless children a loving home.  In my eyes this would make you not only a mother, but a hero too!

You can do this! I believe in you!

Mr M Famous

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Sorry for the delay – we had a few technical difficulties this morning, but I can tell you that this one was worth the wait. I am going to label it as another “Stay Hitched” or Ditch situation.  Check out our newest entry below – comment on the blog, Tweet me or shoot me a Facebook message.  You have until Saturday night at midnight to vote and offer advice!  Sunday, as usual, I will tally the votes and give my final rundown.  Keep those stories rolling in! Friends, family and coworkers sit down and submit the “on Goings” of your friends’ relationships and let the public be the judge and jury…it’s time to play…Hitch or Ditch…

Mr MFamous,

My husband cannot have children……..Still shocks me to “say” that outloud. I have wanted to be a mother since I was old enough to understand where babies come from. I think I always just assumed that wanting them would be enough of a reason for having them to just be super easy. I never actually considered that not being able to get pregnant would be an option. My husband and I have been married for 5 years. We wanted to travel and enjoy our time together before we had kids, so we spent the first years of our marriage just being a young carefree couple. Almost 2 years ago we decided we were ready. We started trying under the assumption that it would happen quickly and easily. After a year of trying and no baby, we both started to get frustrated and worry. So we went to see my OBGYN and she started testing my hormone levels. The preliminary tests on me were normal so we moved to him. 3 months ago we found out he is completely infertile. The likelihood that he will ever be able to get me pregnant is almost nonexistent. After the shock wore off, I feel like we tried to move to the “we can fix this” phase. We started investigating treatments and sperm donors, even adoption. But I have to tell you, as the weeks have gone by, I find myself getting madder and madder at him – furious actually. I know that sounds irrational, and he can’t help it. He didn’t plan this, but the site of him actually disgusts me at times. This last year has really taken its tole on us and my patience level is just wearing thin. The fact just remains that I want to be pregnant and experience that and I want my child to be a little of me and a little of my husband. And the fact that he will never give me that is just feeling more and more like a deal breaker every day! I am considering leaving him. I am young enough to find someone else that can make my dreams come true. Again, I know that sounds crazy and awful – it feels a little crazy and awful to admit it, but how is this reason for leaving him any different than finding out other dreams and aspirations don’t line up for a husband and wife? Like money or where you want to grow old? I think my marriage is falling apart and I had to reach out to someone even if it is just a blog post on a random web site – no offense.

Rebeka

So,  everyone what do we think – Tweet Me, Facebook Me or comment below.  Rebeka needs our help!

Be M Famous

CMC

I am honored and thrilled to announce that I have been named Atlanta’s real-life Ken Doll! On Friday, February 18, I will be the special guest at Wreak HAVoC’s Fake February Barbie and Ken Valentine’s Day held at Opera Atlanta.

So whether you have that special someone or you bring a group of friends, join me this Friday and have the perfect Valentine’s Day celebration. Dress as your favorite theme Barbie and Ken – preppy, athletic, hipster, jersey shore…be creative!

Click here to RSVP! Hope to see you there.

Be M Famous

CMC

Happy glorious Sunday everyone! Time for my response to Hitch or Ditch…Round 5!

Sam,

Let me start by saying, Congrats!  I mean that.  Sometimes we find love in the most non-obvious places.   Case in point, your soon to be groom!

With that being said, I also need to point out that sometimes we find that we are surprised by the lack of support from the most OBVIOUS places.  Your friends were out of line to address the situation in that manner.  Now, if they had concerns based on his work ethic, intellect level or the way he treats you, then I would tend to agree with them.  However, the fact that he may not be as “Preppy” as they would like leaves me questioning how great these friends actually are.   He is probably not a card-carrying GAP customer, but that doesn’t negate the love that the two of you share.   This reminds me of something I heard somewhere (not sure where) “A friend’s job is not to correct the mistake, or even to prevent it from happening to, but rather to be there to help put the pieces back together and help you learn from it.”  Coco Chanel once said, “ My Friends, there are no friends.”  I think that most everyone agreed with me on this one, and so the obvious answer is…DITCH…your friends!  And Hitch the man!  If they are truly your friends they will be happy for you and support your marriage to a man that loves you.

Cheers to you!

Mr M Famous