Schwarzenegger Scandal

Maria Shriver sure knows how to ring in the new year -- just days after Arnold Schwarzenegger wore his wedding ring out in public ... his divorce-shy, estranged wife was sporting something on her wedding ring finger, though it's not clear if it's the real deal.

The photo was snapped today in Beverly Hills -- interesting she wore something on that finger just after we posted the pic of Arnold.

Arnold Schwarzenegger rocked his wedding ring out in public during the holidays -- another sign that his marriage to Maria Shriver ain't as dead as it once seemed.

TMZ broke the story ... Maria has been having second thoughts about pulling the plug on the marriage -- despite Arnie knocking up the family maid -- because of her deeply held religious views.

Arnold hadn't been photographed in his wedding band in months, but over the past few days -- Arnold dusted off the ol' ring and reminded the world he's STILL a married man.

Maria Shriver is telling friends she's now unsure if she wants to divorce Arnold Schwarzenegger ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Maria is torn, partly because of her strong religious beliefs that do not include divorce.

Making matters even more complicated -- we're told Arnold still desperately wants Maria back, and has been "extremely sweet" to her and has made numerous gestures -- which include presents -- to win Maria back.

Maria filed for divorce on July 1, though she moved out months earlier. She's already bought a mansion in Brentwood, CA, which she's in the process of renovating.

Arnold Schwarzenegger took a nice gander at soon-to-be ex-wife Maria Shriver today as they went in to church in Santa Monica, CA.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child grabbed a massive sword and a leather loin cloth ... and sent one helluva Halloween message to his dad -- by dressing up as Conan the Barbarian.

14-year-old Joseph Baena hit up Frightfest at Magic Mountain in California last night ... donning the costume made famous by the father who kept him in the dark for more than a decade.

Cool tribute? Cry for attention? Both?

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver broke bread last night -- their second meal together in less than a week -- but this dinner date was about more than just a meal.

Arnold and Maria went to Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills with their kids ... Patrick, Christina, and Chris ... to celebrate Chris' 14th birthday.

Every celeb in town knows Mastro's is a paparazzi hotbed -- so, it sure seems like the Schwarzeneggers wanted to put on a show for the cameras.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver had a lunch date yesterday, but there was no romance.

The couple met at the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.

Their son Patrick was there, but not at the table when the pic was snapped. We're told Arnold and Maria regularly talk and sometimes get together with their kids, who have become the priority in their breakup.

Once the lunch was over, Arnold and Maria left separately.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is breaking his silence -- with an autobiography.

According to his rep, Arnold has been working on the book for over a year -- long before news broke of the actor's infamous affair with his housekeeper.

The book -- tentatively titled "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story" -- will address the affair and his crumbling relationship with Maria Shriver ... but a source tells People.com, it won't be a tell-all.

Arnold plans to put pen to paper soon -- while he shoots his new movie "The Expendables 2."

Maria Shriver seemed none the worse for wear Thursday as she cruised with two of her kids near Cape Cod.

Maria, son Patrick and daughter Christina went sailing on the Nantucket Sound, along with Maria's brother Anthony (blue trunks).

On the surface it's the unkindest cut of all ... Arnold Schwarzenegger out bike riding Sunday in Santa Monica, wearing a shirt that says, "I survived Maria" -- the woman whom he betrayed so badly.

But there's more to this story. We found out ... Arnold got the shirt last November, during a farewell party for the Governator's staff. The shirts were actually designed by Maria's staff, as a joke. The shirt they presented to Arnold had 2007 crossed out and 1977 scribbled above -- that's the year Arnold and Maria started dating.

And, we're told, Arnold and Maria are not at war. They're well along in the process of settling their divorce, and they speak frequently.

But all of this begs the question. Given the events of the last few months, should Arnold have worn the shirt in public?

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver put aside their divorce differences yesterday when Maria met Arnold and the fam out shopping in Beverly Hills on Arnold's birthday.

As we first reported, sources connected with Arnold told us ... although he signed his legal response, he never read it and therefore didn't know his lawyer moved to block Maria's bid to get spousal support and her attorney's fees paid by him.

But according to the new docs, Arnold is not asking the judge to block either of Maria's requests.

Their statement regarding Christopher's injuries presents what appears to be a united front -- Arnold and Maria side by side. But just days earlier -- while Maria was bedside with Christopher in ICU -- Arnold's lawyer filed a response to Maria's divorce petition that borders on insulting and cruel.

As TMZ first reported, Arnold is asking the judge to shut down Maria's request for spousal support. Even worse, he's asking the judge to order Maria to pay her own lawyer's fees -- in a divorce triggered by Arnold's misdeeds.

Sources connected with the couple tell us, Arnold's legal docs have been hurtful to Maria -- and that's an understatement.

If we may offer an opinion ... it's hard to believe Arnold is so callous that he would challenge Maria at a time when she is emotionally distraught over her son.

The more likely scenario is that Arnold's lawyer went off on his own, checked the boxes he normally checks on the divorce docs, and simply filed them.

The question -- will Arnold order his lawyer to amend his response, so he is not challenging Maria's right to support or attorney's fees?

Stay tuned ...

According to sources, Arnie is good pals with real estate tycoon Rick Caruso -- the developer who built the celebrity-filled shopping center -- and when Patrick said he was interested in mall management, Rick offered him the summer gig.

But Patrick won't be fetching coffee for people -- we're told he's getting a special crash course in bigwiggery, including running a massive shopping center, from security to public relations ... and he's already doing rounds with one of Caruso's top managers.

Multiple sources connected to Arnold and Patty tell TMZ they have spoken over the phone several times -- including the night the scandal broke -- but they have yet to meet in person ... despite recent reports.

We're told Patty hasn't been back to the Schwarzenegger home or even her own home in Bakersfield ... because of all the media attention.

But it sounds like a reunion is in the works. Our sources say, "Both families are open to a meeting, it just hasn't happened yet."