I must confess I spent this morning reading the news via FB. I figure when it gets shared enough it must be important. I still have a lot to catch up on. It'll happen. One of these days. I just checked my feedly.com account - I have 209 unread blog posts. That's a lot. Some of them are THIS blog, so I can delete them right away.

This has been an exciting week, to say the least. I have been making certain to get to bed at a reasonable hour so the ability to speak doesn't leave me entirely.

I hope the weekend beings you some down time. Here in NY it's supposed to be wet and miserable. I will take wet over snow any day at this point. I'm looking forward to breakfast with a friend tomorrow followed the spring musical at the high school.

Enjoy!

xo

On this dreary day, listen to a gorgeous instrumental.

http://youtu.be/OFZhhw3QuuA

I know some of you don't drink coffee.

Fine.

Be that way.

I do. It is the sweet nectar of the gods as far as I am concerned. I love that first sip of the day. I usually drink two and call it done.

It's Friday. We are thisclose to the weekend. Let's dance with some old school Sinatra again. I never heard of this song until this morning. It's a toe tapper.

xo

PS - I started this early this morning and then life, well, it happened...

Serving coffee with a cruller
Dunking doesn't take a lot of skill

http://youtu.be/vVGXcjM9SOQ

The week is getting away from me. As you can imagine it's been quite busy and again, I have been out and about far too late for far too many days in a row. (Shoe shopping for prom last night.)

Today, I will let the poem speak for me.

Go ahead and decorate your soul.

xo

Comes The Dawn
Author: Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning 
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn...
With every goodbye you learn.

It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand?
I'm never changing who I am

http://youtu.be/sENM2wA_FTg

Thank you. ALL of you.

When you make a big, huge, giant announcement, it is over the top fantastic to feel the love, and I did in a big way.

Today I am floating on a cloud after getting a full nights sleep and the sincere wishes of the people in my life.

I need to give a shout out to Kathy today. Kathy has been a hair stylist for many years. Her dream has always been to own a salon. I am proud, honored and privileged to be her partner.

It is a Big. Deal.

Backstage Salon IS Kathy's TGHR. So, I understand what it feels like when something SO unbelievably enormous happens in your life. I get it when you're not sure if you really want a partner. I get the lump in your throat from the thrill of it. I get the stomach in butterfly mode when you get an AMEX bill and you don't even own the place yet.

Partnerships are an interesting phenomenon. We were given sage advice from a number of caring people and we listened. We took it all to heart. We have both a legally binding partnership agreement and I believe, the more important agreement, a morally binding one. Our favorite covenant from that? Only one of us is allowed to be cranky at the same time. It's better for us and it's better for the business to have something so simple, really, be so fundamental to our partnership.

We named our company LI Runway & Co, because we're two Long Island girls hitting our stride the older we get. We've both lived interesting lives. We've done interesting things. Our kids are quite nearly out of the nest.

Kathy's story is remarkable and one of my greatest hopes is to someday have her as a speaker at a TGHR event.

And so, today, I ask you all to give it up for Kathy. A woman who is an extraordinary human being. A woman of tremendous substance. A woman who loves with her whole heart. A woman, who is an example to all who know her. A woman who I worked with first, and then had the privilege to call friend. A woman who is now my partner.

Long may we reign.

xo

PS - the music is old school for me and really, it just started playing in my head before I even started to write this. So, I went with it! Enjoy it.

All I needed was the love you gave 
All I needed for another day 
And all I ever knew 
Only you 

http://youtu.be/r9_HrktOwrk

(go get a beverage, this is gonna take a while...)

THIS is quite a story, let me tell you.

So. Last May, the 4th to be exact, I was at an event at the high school called the Stay-Awake-A-Thon. It's a big fundraiser run by the Leo's (the younger branch of the Lions Club) where all of the monies raised go towards organizations that deal with cancer and it's many affects on a family and community.

ANYWAY, while I was at that event, my friend Marlene asked me if I knew Cindi, the woman who was the receptionist at the salon was moving. As a matter of fact, I did not. Without skipping a beat, I asked if I could have the job. THEN, I found out the hours and changed my mind. Then I thought about it some more and changed it again. And again. Finally, a week or so later I wrote an email; I wanted to give it a whirl.

Bella decided me working at the salon would be an awesome idea. My therapist thought it would be a good idea. Well then, OK...

In early June I interviewed (Mar and I had played email and phone tag for a while there) and I was offered the job. I started the week after Bella went to prom.

If you've been here a while you know I have since changed my title to Hair Traffic Controller or the more professional, Salon Coordinator.

It has been, bar none, the single most difficult position I have ever had to learn - and I have had a lot of jobs. I also consider myself rather bright but let me tell you, there are some days when the job wins and I go home fried.

The women in the place are awesome, fun, creative, and really, just a general delight to be around. Like any group of people that spends more than 35 hours a week together, we have our moments. Most everything can be fixed with some coffee, Motrin and laughter.

I have relationships with each person at the salon, and each relationship is different.

With that said, Kathy and I hit it off because of our Long Island backgrounds and the fact that our sons have known each other since third grade. We see things in a very similar way. Maybe it's our ties to the ocean that we both so love.

Kathy is the one who explained to me about the Oscar worthy performance we must all give each and every day. 

You can be having THE shittiest day on the planet and your clients cannot know. They come to be pampered. They come to be taken care of. They come to be refreshed. YOU know all their secrets. They know relatively little about you...unless they read this blog, and then, well, they love me anyway.

ANYWAY, again, to continue, back in November we had teacher conferences. I was rather concerned about how a certain one of my kids was reacting in school to the occasional bad grade.
(Really Bella, an 88% is bad?!) <-- throwing her under the bus.

For all of her school life, I had been here when she got home, so I was genuinely concerned when her teachers kept mentioning she seemed stressed. I figured I better quit the job. Even Marco agreed that might be the best thing to do. (That's how I knew it was serious!) I went in and mentioned it to Marlene. I cried when I did because as exhausting as the hours are, I really love it.

Then, I mentioned it to Bella. She called me an idiot and told me to keep working. Her brother reminded me they would both be gone in a year and a half so I better have something to do.

Precious, aren't they?

And so I stayed. The hours are still long and I swear, some day I am going to start a tick sheet to see just how many people I speak to in four days. I would bet a full head of highlights and a cut it's more than 450. Always on. Always happy. Always chipper.

I know I have mentioned more than once that cooking is a lost art now. That's the results of this schedule. I don't do it very much and the meals are pretty much all the same. Still, no one is malnourished and they are all doing just fine. Maybe when we can easily get to the bar-b-que we can change things up a bit.

I got through the holidays pretty OK. I wasn't on my A game and Marco is still upset we never got an official Christmas picture, but neither kid has changed all that much in a year so I am fine with it.

The new year rolled in and I was getting ready for some serious excitement.

Six years ago Marlene and Eileen opened up Backstage Salon. It has a terrific reputation. Mar, Eileen, Colleen and Leslie have all been working together for more than 25 years. That's kind of unheard of in this industry. There can be a high turnover rate at a salon. Marlene and Eileen have always treated everyone fairly, they have been kind, so, in turn they get respect and appreciation from the people who work with them. It's a fun business but sometimes, even the owners need a change.

And change was afoot...

Yesterday, Kathy and I became the new owners of Backstage Salon!

We are extraordinarily fortunate that the entire staff will be remaining.

Backstage works and we all know the adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. There will be a few enhancements here and there. Effective today, we now accept AMEX, which will make a great many clients swoon with the joy of points. We will also accept Discover - I don't foresee quite as much excitement about that. A computer with a program that will allow online appointments and all customer info at our fingertips is on the top of my list. Some in-house classes to keep the stylists involved in all the latest trends for hair is at the top of Kathy's list. New chairs in the lobby. A few new pieces of art. Perhaps a color smock that will make everyone happy.

We have a new website that is in the very beginning stages. I'd love for you to check it out at www.backstagesaloncroton.com We know it needs pictures. We're going to add a "Did You Know" page to highlight different products, styles, techniques, facials, etc.

We have an Instagram account - you can find us at: backstage_salon07

Of course, we are on Facebook. I would love it if you would come "like" us and share us, too.

We are working on a Pinterest page and I suppose Twitter is not too far behind.

I have remarked on more than one occasion that the salon and TGHR meld together. I have personally delighted from meeting a huge amount of fantastic people and learning about their lives. I have introduced more than a few people to each other. At the salon, it is people doing their best work for other people.

I strive to create community. On any given Sunday there will be a TGHR event in the space that is so utterly beautiful and captivating and elegant I can't wait to share it. I have already been "in talks" with some fabulous women to make a big "meet and greet" happen among like minded people.

I am over the moon excited to partner with Kathy and continue working with such remarkable women.

It is going to be magical.

So there you have it.

Who'd a thunk this in June?!

Here's to the future!

xo

PS - Happy Birthday to my sister Annemarie!

PPS - We raised $33,000 at LIVE! Go us!

PPPS - find Kelly at pak creative

Say everything you've always wanted
Be not afraid of who you really are
'Cause in the end we have each other
And that's at least one thing worth living for
And I will give the world to you

http://youtu.be/27R_goWiAAU

I know, I know, we dance on Friday's. This week, we dance on Saturday as well.

The much anticipated LIVE event kicks off at 7:00 tonight. I'll be there ready to help run the show behind the scenes and dance the rest of the time.

HOW absolutely perfect that Jimmy Fallon had Kevin Bacon on his show last night and they did THIS!

Have the best Saturday!
xo

PS - Amy's daughter Makenzie is getting married today! Let's send some extra special wishes out to Kenzie & Justin as well as some love to Amy! xo

WATCH THIS!
It will make your day!

http://youtu.be/3T2FpCDlyNg

I am going to choose to pay attention to the weather reports for just the next 48 hours. I am going to bask in the spring weather and delight in crisp, yet warm, atmospheric conditions.

The next forty eight hours are a type of madness that happens, thankfully, just once a year. I am working today and tomorrow. We do LIVE pre-prep work tonight; tomorrow night we enjoy the fruits of our labor.

You know the drill...

It's Friday! Let's dance!

This is the first U2 song I have used on this blog. What's up with THAT?!

It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day

http://youtu.be/HGq6xrqQN4I

I have been fortunate to spend the last seven years as the co-chair for a major fundraiser we do for our school district. What started out as an idea morphed into a reality where we make in excess of $30,000 each year. The monies have been used to make fabulous upgrades of all kinds in each of the five schools.

Check it out: LIVE 2014

It is a wedding without the bride and groom.

We are a committee of 23 women. Each one of us does our part to make it happen. This year we are hoping to make it happen seamlessly. Some parts are bigger than others, but each and every person makes a contribution to the event that is worthy and important.

Watching this event unfold through the years has been such a joy. I have met countless amazing women. I have worked hand in hand on every part of this event, from beginning to end, and I know just what goes into it.

This will be my final year involved behind the scenes of LIVE.

I will always be a proponent of this school district; I will support it in any way I can. As long as I live here it just makes sense to be that way.

I know the event will be a huge success - it can't be anything but tremendous with the people involved and more importantly with the guests coming.

If you haven't already bought your tickets (if you live around here, of course) I urge you to do so within seconds of reading this. You won't want to miss this.

xo

Yesterday morning, I sat at my desk and wept when I read that my friend Evelyn Hathaway's mom died on Tuesday. I am so happy I was able to know and work with Arlene Paterno. To have a poncho she made for me out of pure love. To eat some of her delicious biscotti. To share a part of my life with a genuinely wonderful woman. I know she is soaring among the stars keeping an eye out for us. We're lucky to have such a special angel in our midst. Please keep my friend Evelyn in your thoughts as she begins the process of saying goodbye to her mom. She will need all the light we can muster in the sky. xo

This morning Jake is heading into the hospital for a CAT scan. He has been having headaches and vomiting. Amy said he is quite upset that he didn't have a new T-shirt to wear this morning. You gotta love the 12 year old mind.

Nancy's second mass in her breast was benign! I think it was the prayer shawl from Suz Crew coupled with the multitude of good thoughts of many. Please continue to keep Nancy in your thoughts as she continues with her treatments for breast cancer.

Come on people now
smile on your brother
Everybody get together
try to love one another right now

http://youtu.be/s14FPllkrWM

In this house we have:
5 lap tops - one for each family member and one for Marco's job
3 iPhones (Me and the kids)
1 iPad (Bella)

Last night, I could just barely get online. Things were slow. Pages were taking ten years to load.

My laptop gets defragged every Wednesday so I knew that wasn't the issue. I ran CCleaner. It was still comatose.

I was attempting to make the FB quote of the day picture; no dice. Naturally, today, I can't I remember the quote I was going to use, instead, you get this bitch, moan, and complain session about a slow internet. (This should be the worst problem of my day)

I was trying to build another website...just a little something I do in my spare time.

I was listening to The Voice. Thankfully that didn't annoy me.

So, I did the natural thing and just went to bed. Stuff that should have gotten done, didn't. Years ago I truly might have thrown the computer across the room. I have evolved.

Thus, you get an early morning ramble. It does make me feel better to share and frankly, I am glad this morning I am connected at a high speed in this digital age of ours.

As my brother-in-law Brian says, "technology is great until it's not."

Have YOU ever thrown a computer out the window? Inquiring minds want to know!

This video is HILARIOUS!
Many great celebrity cameos.
Worth the watch, it makes you giggle.

I'm so much cooler online
Yeah I'm cooler online

http://youtu.be/UE6iAjEv9dQ

Bella arrived in this world curious and vivacious. She squirmed as an infant to see what was going on wherever she was. She adored going where she knew she shouldn't, looking back to see if we were paying attention, and going there anyway. ALWAYS with a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face.

She was the leader of the pack if we went to a park and there were new kids to be met. Her brother was much more shy - he needed to ascertain the other kids were OK and then, usually just as we were ready to leave, he would get animated. By then Bella had been playing for probably 30 minutes or more and knew their life stories.

As a three year old, I took her to the Gap. I had her try on a gray flannel coat with a black velvet collar, cuffs and buttons. She looked angelic. That cherubic face looked at me and declared, "You can buy it. I will NEVER wear it." 

In kindergarten, the teacher told us if he wanted to remember something he wanted to do, he would ask Bella as she seemed to always know what was going on.

On the first day of first grade, Bella came home and announced, "I was sent to the behavior chart this morning." I was rather taken aback when I asked her how she felt about that and at seven replied, "Tomorrow is a new day, mommy. I get to start all over again."

That same year was a dance recital year. Her teacher had to keep reminding her she wasn't the director of the number they were performing in. She was a dancer, and she should let Mary run the show...Mary did know what she was doing.

At 12 she had her heart broken by girls she thought were her true friends. Lucky for her, I happened to be at a house, where unbeknownst to me I poured out my pain FOR her to a friend, who I never knew, until moments later, was a therapist. She talked me off the ledge. The following week, when I asked Bella if she had spoken to the girls about how they treated her, she said, "MOM! (with gritted teeth) If I am over this you really need to be too."

Bella's character is something I admire tremendously. She stays true to who she is. She rarely sweats the small stuff, unless it's school work, in which case this entire post is null and void.

Over the years, time and time again she has walked tall and proud while in the face of a painful situation. Bella has had to tell me to chill out more than a few times.

Yesterday, two events happened. After she shared them with me she looked at me, slightly amused, and said, "Are you crying?!" My response was, "Bella, I cry at your disappointments while you roll with the punches." Typically, she rolled her eyes.

I watched her walk into the house with a smile on her face and all I could think was, "I hope when I grow up I am just like her."

Does Bella drive me batshit crazy? Of course, she's a 16 year old girl.

When they were very young, one of my kids said to me, "My job is to drive you crazy. You job is to deal with it."

Before she left for school this morning I shared with Bella that today's blog was all about her. When she asked why I said, "Because you are amazing." Her response? "Well yeah, everyone knows that."

Parenting. It's never easy. The instruction manual they gave us when they were born is nonexistent.

It is never "luck" when a kid is terrific. It is hard work from the get go with consistent expectations, responsibilities and reactions.

Here's to all the amazing kids we are raising. They are our future, and they will be our caregivers, (god help us) and so, let's hope we get it right.  

Thanks Bella, for teaching me grace. For teaching me to stand proud no matter what. For making us laugh every single time we eat together as a family, even if it means starting the same story over five separate times. For being the kid I am so unbelievably proud to call my daughter.

You are, indeed, the love of my life. (Don't tell your brother...)

I invite YOU to share the stories of YOUR amazing kids, I'd love to read them!

From the moment I first saw you
The second that you were born
I knew that you were the love of my life
Quite simply the love of my life
You are the love
The great love of my life

http://youtu.be/YWtyZXVGFIQ

One summer, a L-O-N-G time ago, my friend Carolyn worked in Lake George for the season. As I recall there was a really big house with a whole lot of people and visitors. I was one of the visitors. Most of it is a blur, BUT, I do recall a trip to the local pub where THIS song was played more than once.

Every time I hear it I am immediately reminded of that summer.

And St. Patrick's Day even though it was probably July.

In the spirit of how we were raised, and speaking of St. Patrick's Day, yesterday, my sister Jane, along with some friends, helped bring a parade, led by a bagpiper, TO her friend Kathleen who is recovering from another round of cancer treatments.

Kathleen's favorite holiday of all is St. Patrick's Day. Well, let me let Jane tell the story:

When I was a wee lass I fancied myself an Irish step dancer.
I was not.
BUT, I still loved to pretend whenever these songs came on.

http://youtu.be/VL2XC-RyL7Y

It is quite nearly noon on a Sunday.

I went to bed at 8:30 last night. I was tapped out. Unable to speak the language I have been speaking since birth.

MANY years ago I saw the movie, "Overboard" and this scene has stayed with me ever since. http://youtu.be/RndG23-Vu-k

THAT is how I felt. I stopped really being able to speak mid Friday, so it was a long time until bed. I needed some "quietude."

We ALL need a day off - even if we are still doing a million and one things.

Here's to Sunday. May it be a day of rest. May it be a day of sparkling. May it be a day of rejuvenation.

Magnificent instrumental courtesy of the amazing Peter Kater.

http://youtu.be/1Ko6e5F2oGc

I woke up this morning with this song blaring in my head. Such a random song from a million years ago. 

If I could really examine my sub conscious I would probably run from the room screaming...

Then I came downstairs and was asked if I knew it might "S word" again tomorrow.

I groaned.

Behold.

I bring you a little closer to spring 2014 and back to 1971, all in the same post.

Happy Saturday!

xo

If a picture paints a thousand words, 
Then why can't I paint you? 

http://youtu.be/nTsaixdX4f8

The March full moon is called the worm or sap full moon as usually this would be the time of year when the ground starts to thaw. The robins can get worms to eat and the trees start to release sap.

Not this year! It's the Polar Vortex moon is what it is.

It's Friday.

::: applause :::

It's time to dance.

::: put on your boogie shoes :::

I'm going old school.

Feel free to snap along.

In other words, 
I love you

http://youtu.be/qtFBRJFN3p8

On December 1, 2012 I began all things related to TGHR.

THIS was the very first Facebook photo quote. 

Creating.
Dreaming.
Having my kids watch me.

It's been a wild time since the words, "I should start a retreat center" first came out of my mouth until today.

And yet, so much remains the same. The need to create, dream, connect, make magic happen. It is as essential to me as breathing.

I have tripped and fallen along the way. I have lost weight and then, well, of course, I have gained weight. (WHY, oh WHY do carbs have to be so damn tasty?!) I have been hurt. I have been healed.

A session with my therapist the other day was a reminder of just how far I have come in a relatively short period of time.

I am apparently not the kind of person who can "do it all" and "do it well" at the same time. I need to break my world up into little blocks of awesome.

It is too overwhelming for me to deal with relationships, life, work, dreams, and food all at once. So, my diet went to hell while my dreams grew bigger than I thought they could and lots of amazing things happened along the way.

When I think about Coffee/Wine For A Cause my hearts skips in delight. When I think about creating Vision Boards and all the good that has come with those who have made them, it skips again. When I think about creating Magical Wands with Jo Jayson I feel delighted. When I think about the readings I have done I truly get thrilled.

TGHR is the culmination of the hopes, dreams, fears, tears, love, and life experiences of everyone who has ever been a part of it. It is gaining momentum in new ways that I haven't even had a chance to plot out yet; I just know there are tremendous events on the horizon that I can't share just yet.

But you hold tight.

You will want to know about them and be a part of it. I promise.

Thank you. For allowing me this space to dream and write and pontificate and share. Thank YOU for sharing YOUR thoughts and dreams and wishes here as well.

I am a firm and true believer in the power of all of us - together we are creating a place where miracles happen and people feel hope knowing that we are creating a community of safety, love, healing, and of course, dreaming.

It is March 13. There should be flowers poking up through the earth. Mother Nature has other plans. ::: sigh :::

THIS version of this song is the warmth on yet another cold day.

You're welcome.

California Dreamin'
On such a winter's day

http://youtu.be/0ILM2CLgdEA

I have been to the Javitz Center for a number of different shows. The car show. The gift show. And now, the International Beauty Show. It doesn't take up the whole center, like the gift show does. But it is LOUD. Every booth is it's own demonstration. More than one booth had a DJ, each competing to make the most noise. Some vendors would toss products into the crowd and like bridesmaids who are single, the surge of people attempting to catch a foil packet of samples was comical to watch.

And then, there were the models. Young, tiny women dolled up in such a way that NO ONE I know would ever even contemplate looking like. The gal on the far right of these pictures had a blow dryer incorporated into her head. WHAT?

There are easily twenty brands of blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. There were three booths for trimmers. There were multiple booths for scissors. Do you know some scissors are upwards of $1,000 and the average price is probably $450. Many brands need to be sent away to be properly sharpened, so a stylist needs more than one pair. There are different scissors for different cuts and types of hair. There were many booths with all kinds of extensions, and gel nail booths, and to my delight, the Essie nail polish booth.

The spa side of the show was quieter. La-La music. Many towels, laser machines and facial vendors. I wasn't there long.

I took three classes - front desk information, website and online presence, and retailing, where I realized I could have taught a better class than the guy who did.

Naturally, I watched the Main Stage show on how to create the perfect updo with the world renowned stylist Martin Parsons. (It seemed like it would be fun and it was!)

My goal was to learn about the industry and to look into online booking vendors. I did.

My favorite sentence of day two was from Eileen. "I have been coming to this show for twenty years, you're here one day and you found the American Express Lounge." It was a great place to charge the phone, get some water, coffee or tea, have a little snack and recharge yourself.

I hope to incorporate everything I learned into the salon and even here at TGHR. You can never learn too much.

We had a marvelous meal at one of my personal favorite restaurants in the Met Life building, Cafe Centro. It was the perfect way to end the day without stress before we headed home on the train.

We wondered if we had pedometers on just how many steps we took. My guess is well over 10,000.

I recuperated yesterday. 

I suspect, if I had decided to go on the path of the hair stylist, this might have been my theme song...

Beauty school drop-out, 
no graduation day for you
Beauty school drop-out, 
missed your midterms and flunked shampoo

http://youtu.be/0TOxhzAm7fY

I am about to leave for Day Two at the International Beauty Show at the Javitz Center.

There is so much to write about.

Thousands of people in a sea of black.

More brands of hair care products than I ever knew existed.

Lithe, young, teensy women under-dressed and over made up.

LOUD music.

Many classes.

$5.00 bottles of water.

More tomorrow - this Hair Traffic Controller has gotta fly...

What gives a girl 
Power and punch? 
Is it charm, is it poise? 
No, it's hairspray! 

http://youtu.be/1ko4CRtASf8

This week may win as one of the longest ever. Out day and night. All for terrific reasons.

I will go put on my Oscar worthy performance face at the front desk of the salon. Unless you read this blog you will have no idea I am tapped out.

Did you know Coldplay has a new single? You do now.

That's my Saturday gift to you.

xo

I call it magic
And I call it true
Call it magic

http://youtu.be/1PvBc2TOpE4

Tonight, nearly forty seniors will be strutting their stuff down the runway created at the high school. It is the single biggest fundraiser the senior class does and all the proceeds go towards scholarships.

I have been attending the show for years. It is always a fun night out and watching the kids on the runway never ceases to amuse me. I missed last year due to a conflict, but there is no way I can miss this year (or next year) because I've got a kid who is modeling tonight. Indeed, Peter will be all that and the bag of chips as he does his thing.

And the best part? I get to emcee the event. (I asked permission, no worries!) I have known some of the kids in this show since they were babies, and I have known nearly all of them since middle school. They are putting on The Ritz and I can't wait to be a part of it.

So, if you're around and about tonight and you feel the need to get out of your house and come for some fun, please do! As tuition looms closer, we'd love for the scholarships to be bigger.

I am so grateful I have this vehicle to ask for prayers, healing, white light, love, whatever it is you use to send love. It's a double edge sword because of course, I hate that I have friends in pain, or suffering, or frightened. 

With that said, please put your collective energies together for some of my friends.

Evelyn's mom, Arlene Paterno is not having a whole lot of fun in Lenox Hill hospital (NYC) as she recovers from open heart surgery. Three weeks ago she went in for a procedure and she remains there still. Her Brooklyn came out the other day when she announced, "If one more doctor tells me I'm looking better, I'm gonna punch them." Send her the strength to throw that punch.

Breast cancer continues to loom it's ugly head in many lives:
My friend Rosie's mom, Carmen Salas was diagnosed last week. I believe she is currently in Puerto Rico, but, she may be in NY - send her some dual residence love so that she gets hit with a whole lotta love. (Cue Led Zep)

My friend Nancy Lustyik (Montrose, NY) was diagnosed a few weeks ago. The cancer gene is pretty prevalent in Nancy's family so she has always been super vigilant about mammograms, ultrasounds, etc. As a result, the news, although awful, is still good as it is Stage One. The treatment still sucks, so, send Nancy some red wine with a side of rolos love.

Kim Williams (Butler, PA) has had a few moments that have been less than stellar since her diagnosis. Next up on her healing agenda is giving herself shots in the belly every day until chemo ends. Let's send Kim some love to not only her boobs, but to her belly. If you have to have shots, it's far more fun if they're tequila.

I don't have an update on Kelly Loretta (St. Louis, MO), but, that doesn't mean we shouldn't send some love. She's got young kids. That's reason enough.

In honor of our seniors, this week, dance like you're on a runway!

She's got the look
(She's got the look)
She's got the look
(She's got the look)
What in the world can make a brown-eyed girl turn blue
When everything I'll ever do I'll do for you 
And I go la la la la la
She's got the look 

http://youtu.be/0jpYzrYTEKs

It occurred to me when I woke up this morning, that this could be the last birthday breakfast I ever have with Peter in this house. THAT was a kick in the ass. He heads to college for the next five years, and then, well, if all goes according to plan, he gets a high paying job and has his own place.

Then again, if he follows suit of so many who have gone that route, he could quite possibly still be in his room, but, since my plan is roots and wings, this really could be it.

I could wax poetic about this kid. I really could. He is in no way perfect. He has gotten into a few jams in his young life. He is insanely smart and able to glide by on looks, charm and very little studying. That may not fly in college but it has certainly suited him well so far.

He's the kind of kid who looks you in the eye. He has a firm handshake. He doesn't bitch and moan too much about doing the mundane chores that go along with being a family member.

He wakes up in a good mood. He kisses me goodbye and goodnight every day. He has a dry sense of humor and when he laughs hard, it is one of the funniest laughs on the planet.

Every so often he ventures down into the Magic Basement and sits for a while in the big, comfy chair to chat.

The world at his fingertips and I will always do everything and anything to support him in what he does.

I wish Peter a lifetime of happiness, and joy, great friends, the speed bumps to build character, and all the love his heart can handle. He is extraordinary and I am over the top proud to call him my son.

xo

PS - music in homage to the kid who has helped me learn to tolerate and even like music like this type of music. 

And every week we celebrate like it's my birthday
When I turn eighteen
Yeah

http://youtu.be/ygfNR0JVsbs