My phone rang this morning and when I answered it I didn't say, "Hello." Instead, I said, "I was JUST thinking about you this morning and missing you."

On the other end, they didn't say, "Hello," either. I heard this: "Dave Matthews. WHY is there never Dave on the blog? Do you hate Dave? Doesn't he strike you like he strikes me?!!!!"

Um. 
Um. 
Pause. 
Let me explain.

A lot of times a song might spark a blog post. Sometimes I go to my iTunes library or what I've liked on Pandora for just the right song. But sometimes I need help. The blog post content needs me to google it. For example: "songs about gratitude," or, "songs with the word adventure in it," or, "songs about traveling." You get the picture. Dave doesn't necessarily come up.

I do have some DMB on my playlists. OK, I have three songs:

• You and Me
  
• The Space Between
  
• Where Are You Going
  

And thus, a challenge was thrown down.

MY FB quote of the day is from Rumi ~ let yourself become living poetry.

So, I searched for Dave quotes. I really loved the one above. I listened to the song, "Mercy" which I also loved. I decided this was the winning song of the day, which then required me to create a picture for the blog. (You think this stuff is easy?! LOL)

Dave's lyrics are living poetry.

So, my darling Candace, here's some Dave. 

You're welcome. 
xoxo

Carry on just a little bit longer
And I try to give you what you need
http://youtu.be/D_86LXVvzgc

What would YOU like to hear? 
Let me know.

This is pretty much my life's mission. To create a place where people can be who they are. Where they can walk in with one frame of mind and walk out totally differently. I have been practicing this for many years and I believe I have got the knack for it. And it doesn't have to be in the Magic Basement. I work at it wherever I am. Beauty is a state of mind. Let's face it, we all know people who were born gorgeous. And we've all been fed the line "It's what's inside that counts," but, try telling that to someone who is feeling less than. Think middle school... 

So, I make it my life's work to always look for the beauty that may or may nor be shining on someone's face that day.

How extraordinary that I am now working in a salon where people come in with one look and leave with an entirely different one; new color, or a trim, or newly shaped brows or their weekly blow out. It's all about feeling good when you leave. Our entire reason for being is to make you FEEL beautiful. 

BUT, there are times the clients make US feel beautiful; for instance, the ten year old who cut her hair for Locks of Love yesterday. With glowing eyes and a smile as wide as can be. Excited to feel her head weigh less while doing such a selfless act of kindness. THAT is beauty in it's highest form. I was honored to be a part of it. 

Today, we will beautify a mom and her daughter; mom is getting married tonight. I have sparkling cider chilling in the fridge as I type. It's going to be a beautiful day.

I trust you will do your part to make it a beautiful place, dear readers. You make mine exquisitely so.  xo

One of my very favorite songs ever; always on any playlist I make.
I didn't realize how well the lyics tied into Bella's update.
Shining like a summer rainbow
We are colors
We are bright
http://youtu.be/SCZ9mJi1Fcw

Hula Girl sent this magnificent picture of a rainbow over the volcano from Volcano's National Park yesterday. She is having the time of her life!

Today they are still in the park - they will see Rainbow Falls an 80' waterfall with a cave behind it believed to be the home of the goddess Hina. (Bella can run but she cannot hide from the woo-woo...) They will also explore Crater Rim Drive, walk through Thurston Lava Tube and end the night at the edge of the ocean where they will behold bright red lava flowing into the sea. I can't wait for THOSE pictures!

I have spent my first couple of days at the salon without Cindi to guide me and I am delighted (relieved) to say it has been smooth sailing and perfect reconciling of the drawer at the end of the night. ::: whew :::

It's Friday. That's cause for celebration!

So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be (never be)anything but loud
And nitty gritty dirty little freaks
Won't you come on (come on) and raise your glass
Just come on and come on and raise your glass
http://youtu.be/XjVNlG5cZyQ

Hula Girl sends me the picture I ask for and then, how she really feels. 

Today's adventure: Volcano National Park.

I have written about equality for all HERE with a day after follow-up post HERE. So, if you've been reading my blog long enough, you know my position on DOMA. 

I am thrilled and delighted and so freaking happy that maybe, JUST maybe, this train has pulled fully out of the station and the argument of LBGT equality can be put to rest once and for all. There will always be people who just cannot see this side of the coin. And that's OK. Let's not persecute someone for their sexual preferences anymore. Let's not bully another living soul because of this. Let's just keep in mind that love IS always the answer.

News from my Hula Girl:
Bella has resorted to taking pictures of pictures on her phone since she is using her cameras for the good stuff. This is Bella jumping off the boat into the Pacific. How cool!

This was taken on their cruise out to sea, where, they had to turn around 30 minutes into it because a woman passed out and they needed to get her back to land. Bella was a little freaked out about it, so she texted me from the boat. They got the woman to safety and went back out for their adventure. Good times.

Yesterday the adventurers went to Mahaiula Beach in Kekaha Kai State Park. Gorgeous, right? Last night they went to a traditional luau. No pics of pics of that have been forthcoming as of yet, but the sunset was a sight to see!

Today they leave the beauty of the Marriott they have been staying at as they get on the road to Hilo. Their itinerary is drive, stop, oohh and aahh over sights along the way. They will be stopping at Akaka Falls, a waterfall that plummets 442 feet.

I headed to the river this morning earlier than yesterday in the hopes of not messing myself up time wise again. So far, so good. 

It was, as always, glorious. Bella is in a tropical paradise; I am always in my own kind of paradise having the beauty of the Hudson Valley right here in my own backyard.

It was foggy on the Rockland County side of the river and the water was serene. The boats are all moored in place; I find it funny that I get comfort from seeing the same boats from year to year.

Exciting News!
I am over the top excited to share that I am now a proud seller of Shareane Baff's GORGEOUS Intentions Bracelets. 
I adore my bracelets and love the power I feel when I am wearing them.
I would love for you to check them out. 
Click HERE to go directly to her site via mine and it will make you happy as can be. I promise.

Yesterday, while searching for the perfect song for the blog, I came across a song that I had to play over and over and over. Amor Fait is a Latin phrase that loosely translates to "Love of Fate." 

It reminded me of the post I wrote about Soul Mates. Nearly five months later I am still ponder this; daily. It is exhausting to live in my head. Some days it's easier than others.

At work last week, I had a discussion about fate. Did I believe in it? Yes, I do. The person I was talking to didn't start out believing in fate, but as they have gotten older they have discovered too many things that point in that direction. 

When I was a teenager, more than one of my friends had the words on this poster hanging in our room:

Because it's life, sometimes the person came back, and sometimes not so much. Sometimes you don't even THINK about a person who was in your life until decades later and then you have to try to remember their full name.

Others take up real estate in your heart and your head for eons.

Go figure.

Fate? Soul Mate? The Universe? Coincidences? Bad timing? Excellent timing? Just the way things work out? What do *you* think?

Design, you've got
The life to guide 
Your faith decides
The world's your goal to find

The rest of the lyrics can be found HERE
YouTube video can be found HERE

In other news, I finally went out walking in the morning today. I met up with one of Jane's friends totally by accident and we walked the river. Dear Lord. It was slow going. It hurt. I was pissed off and delighted all at the same time that it took me so long and it still hurts.

I did light yoga yesterday. Baby steps. Again. And that's all right.

The weather in NY is heating up to it's normal summer temperatures. The air conditioners are all in the windows and we are as ready as we can be for the onslaught of above 90 degree weather and the awful humidity.

We don't have central air. We have a cape that has no attic and is mostly brick. It was utterly cost prohibitive when we looked into it (three separate times). There is no easy solution to installing it. I can't imagine losing the front closet for the duct work. Thus, we live in the dark, with the sound of fans going, for two months a year with our overworked window units. 

I am not a heat lover. I like warmth and anywhere up to the mid-70's is always delightful, but as it gets hotter, I get cranky. The thought of cooking makes me crazy. And I need to remind myself to be kind, especially to my family because they get my moods thrown at them like a potter throws clay on a wheel. Being at work will be very good for me.

And so, on what is the beginning of the lazy, hazy, days of summer I will remind myself to be kind. Because it's cool to be kind.

Bella's Itinerary Today:
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau and Kealakekue Bay
See the sites and take a 3-1/2 hour cruise of the bay. Snorkeling today. 

I bet the underwater camera gets some use.

Below is a shot of where they had breakfast this morning.

It's not that Peter's life is dull - it's just baseball, baseball and more baseball. He's working at a local camp as the assistant director of sports. He is also working at a local restaurant as a bus boy. Much of July is spent on the road for baseball, so perhaps I wil have video to share of that too.

I know, I know, Sly & The Family Stone did the original of this.
But, SO much of this makes me nostalgic; mostly the hair on Daryl Hall!
Plus, you get to sing along at the end.
http://youtu.be/xBh1FjOq_9w

I woke up this morning at 2:30am to drive Bella to JFK airport. We left at 3:00am and picked up her friend Noah at 3:05am. We left early in case of construction. For the record, there was no construction. Zero. Zilch. Going the speed limit, I got to the airport by 4:10am. These are NOT human hours. 

When we left our house, the moon was completely obstructed by clouds. As we drove south to the airport, it became clearer and clearer. Since I was the only one who downed a full cup of coffee, I was insistent that everyone just LOOK AT THE MOON. By the fourth time around, the teens were tired of listening to me.

In February of 2002, we journeyed to Hawaii to herald the final adoption of our nephew, Doug. Bella and Colleen were 4, Peter was 5. They still remember this trip; we ALL remember Jane insisting there was a whale, (or ten), at one o'clock, when, in fact, there was really nothing but waves. Mark my words she will vehemently dispute this in the comments.

And so, 11 years later, armed with two Nikon cameras - one is an underwater camera we bought for the snorkeling pics, Bella is heading on a great adventure. She is traveling a quarter of the way around the world with two of her favorite teachers, three additional teachers, and I believe, 28 students. As they head west to the Pacific ocean and the big island, I suspect she will become better friends with many of the kids on the trip. It is an awesome vacation and she will not be bored for one second.

Bella is already spirited, independent, fun, and delightful. I imagine she will come home a slightly changed version of herself. I am just a bit envious.

Here's to you, Bella. Aloha, my baby!

As I headed to the airport, I knew I would have to make this the music of the day. We spent many an hour singing this song as kids. Jane & Mom - seriously, how fabulous that we get John and Mama Cass together?!
http://youtu.be/jFbqpo8G_nQ

Tonight the moon will be the closest to earth in 2013. I bet it will seem like we can touch it. And as always, I will marvel that wherever we are in the world, we will all see the same thing.

It is a weekend of celebrations as so many of the kids I have known since they were born are graduating high school. Such a marvelous time in their lives! It's an honor to be invited to their parties.

Sending love, light, happiness, peace to all.

I'm off to the salon.

Every once in a while I need a Dolly Parton fix.
http://youtu.be/9kbdBdqUc5Y

I am sitting here remembering the summers of my teen years, as my kids enter theirs. Their lives are so different from mine and yet, exactly the same.

They most definitely work harder at school. They test infinitely better than I ever did (notable exception, English). They know what they want to be when they grow up (really?!). They take a far more rigorous course load than I ever contemplated. Granted, 90% of their classes didn't exist in the late '70's - at least, I never knew about them.

They both work. They both play sports. They both have terrific friends. Peter's best friends are all from day care and elementary school with a few amazing exceptions from sports. Bella has eight zillion groups of people she hangs out with; she is able to slip in and out of each group with nary a care in the world. I admire that. My sister Jane says it's the Gemini in her.

They navigate life with what looks like ease, although I know they both have their moments. They are charismatic and self assured and know who they are.

I have been VERY blessed to have been around for the majority of their formative years. They need me less as an ATM and taxi these days, but I can feel and see that they still need me as a mom, and I love that.

As they start their summer there won't be much sleeping until mid-afternoon. 

Peter needs to be at work by 7:45, and that starts on Monday. He is attending a Leadership Camp at Mercy College in July, living on campus for the week. He is playing in quite a few baseball tournaments which are seguing into college visits and important bonding time with his dad, as they drive to Binghamton and Saratoga, with stops at colleges in the area. Today, they are doing a downstate loop to Iona, St. John's and Manhattan. I don't know where Peter will end up, but I am certain he will transition fairly easily. He has grace and charm in spades. He looks at adults in the eye when he speaks to them. He has a firm handshake.

Bella is headed to JFK airport at 3:30 Monday morning as she heads to Hawaii for ten days. It is a trip she worked all last summer to help pay for. She is traveling halfway around the world without her parents! I am so excited for her I could skip. I am looking forward to hearing about her great adventure and I fully expect her to come home changed. More mature. Able to navigate life with eyes ever filled with wonder. She will babysit and life guard (provided she gets with the program on that...) when she returns. She will study to get her permit. She will sing and have friends over and wish, as she always does, that she had a mother who loves to shop so we could go mall hopping. 

As for me, well, hopefully I am going to stop scheduling doctor appointments on Monday's and Tuesday's and head to the beach. My love of Long Island is always solidified by a trip to Jones Beach or Massapequa. I will play catch up with my friends who live there. I will not set an alarm on those days. And I might just take Bella to the mall...

Here's to the Summer of 2013. What's happening with you and yours? Do share!

Hey I'm a little drunk on you
And high on summertime
http://youtu.be/kf6cyznagSA

I think this may be the most important life lesson I share with my kids. I've said it here before. Listen to your heart. More times than I can tell you, I find myself just closing my eyes and asking my heart what it wants. Sometimes, it is quite confused. Welcome to being human.

As I get ready to head out the door for the day, I leave both of my kids sleeping. The dog is parked firmly in the middle of their two doors, guarding his babies. 

THEY are my beauty and wonder and love. THEY are the good I chose to see each and every day. THEY make me laugh, every single day - they really are funny kids. They occasionally make me lose my one mind, although all things considered, that's more the exception than the rule.

Enjoy your beauty and wonder and then close your eyes and see where your heart takes you.

I know the heart of life is good
http://youtu.be/gOcLz3YJGCc

In case you were wondering, and I know you were, yesterday I did pretty well at work. Just one challenge. I was told at the end of the day, "There's no crying in baseball." TODAY, I am aiming for 100% accuracy That was my plan yesterday too. Wish me luck...I'm going in!
xo

Here's what I love about life and the people in mine. I write a post about mistakes and it get a lot of traction. Obviously, it is a shared human foible - we ALL make mistakes. Hopefully, we learn from them as well.

Here are a few examples of the things people said to me regarding the blog piece:

• I work in the NICU. Giving a preemie the wrong medicine, THAT's a mistake.
  
• It's not like it was millions of dollars; I know someone who works on Wall Street who regularly loses tens of millions of dollars.
  
• Surgery on the wrong part of the body, that's bad.
  

I went into the salon yesterday to have my hair colored - one simply cannot have a landing strip on their roots when one is greeting the people coming into the salon. I was greeted just like every day, "Hey Mags, Hi Maggie, Wake Up Maggie, Maggie May (you get the picture)." I was not the woman who made a huge error. THAT person was living in my head. No one else really gives a fat rats ass about her. Only I did.

Today is a new day. I get to start all over again. We are putting procedures in place for the "newbie." This has been a learning experience for me and for the salon. A teachable moment if you will. (How much do you hate that phrase? I can't stand it.)

I believe in my heart we all start out with the best intentions. I don't think anyone wakes up and thinks to themselves, "Oooooohhh, what can I do to screw up today." 

In 1994, I went skiing in Colorado at Copper Mountain. The skier behind me lost control, slammed into me and ultimately broke my leg. I am 100% certain he didn't wake up that morning and think to himself, "I'm gonna plow down someone in front of me today." Many people suggested suing him. What for? I had medical insurance. The co-pay wasn't staggering. It was an accident.

In the 80's I was stopped at a red light. The light turned green. I went. EXCEPT, the car in front of me didn't. It was an accident.

This is why there is insurance. For accidents of every kind.

And so, today, if you make a mistake, isn't it comforting to know we're all in good company. I can tell you with full assurance you may not feel that way at first, but, give it twenty-four hours.

xo

There are much shorter versions of this song. However, this one made me want to do the flamingo or merengue or some other dance through my house while listening to it, so, I had share it with you as well. 
Get out your castanets!
http://youtu.be/dF-fKECmLQA
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeralda

Bella has her final final, the Chemistry Regents this morning at 7:35am. I imagine the above scenario happened in her room this morning. 

She woke me up at 7:22 - frantic and wild eyed. I was no better. Thankfully, we live around the corner from the high school and she was able to be there by 7:26. Without a calculator and tears in her eyes. She knew there would be calculators she could borrow, but still. That's no way to start the day. I loathe these tests. AND, she's taking chemistry, a subject I bypassed altogether. I don't love tests. I understand the purpose of them, but I know many a brilliant person who tanked a lot of tests and have gone on to greatness. They do not measure the human. Freaking, fracking, stupid tests.

As I dropped her off, in the car right behind me was Cindi, dropping off her daughter. She's the woman whose job I am taking over. We pulled over (I didn't breathe on her - no time to brush my teeth or hair or make coffee...) to say a quick hello. She was checking in to make sure I was OK after Saturday's money mix-up. She reminded me that it takes six months to really understand a job. She reminded me that she too makes errors. I let her know that I had heard from the other two women as well. Do you see why I love this job?!

Here's to the final final. May the summer officially begin and may there soon be sand between our toes and All-American in our hands. (That's a Long Island reference.)

Have a fabulous day everyone ~ I hope yours started out a little less stressful.

Summer
Summer
Summer
http://youtu.be/x42aPmtnVDg

I was twenty when I began working at the telephone company. My boss, Nick, was a calm, cool and collected guy. He explained to me, "One aw shit wipes out a hundred atta boys. Don't let it define you." In other words, you can do a tremendous job and one big mistake makes everyone forget the good work you have already accomplished. I think most of us are well versed in that feeling even when it comes to other parts of our lives. You can have a great day but one snarky comment can mess with your head. Don't let it define you.

It has been a l-o-n-g time since I made a colossal mistake at work. It is a gross feeling and one that sits in your head and gut for a while. I recall one particularly awful day at the phone company years ago; I made an error in judgement in order to help someone and boy, oh boy, did it result in me getting into enormous amounts of hot water. When the facts were laid out in black and white I realized what a mess I had created. It was disgusting to feel that way. BUT, I learned from that mistake and I learned quickly. I did have deep feelings of terror and guilt and angst to keep me company for a bit of time; eventually those feelings passes.

On Saturday, for the first time since I was a teenager at Foodtown, working on a register, I had an error in my drawer. And it wasn't a little error. It was a doozy. I was less than pleased with myself. As we double checked the tickets for the day we found additional errors.

It didn't matter that I am a 52 year old woman who has been using a cash register for many years. It didn't matter that I have owned five businesses. It didn't matter that I KNEW I didn't take money. In my head and my gut, I was a newbie who had screwed up and done so in a big way. Aw shit, indeed.

BUT, here's the thing. At this salon, the three women who stayed with me? They have been in this business for many years. They have been doing their jobs a long time and each of them was calm. While I cried - you knew I was going to, right? - they talked me off the ledge. I was so incredibly disappointed in MYSELF. I expected better of myself. Frankly, I was feeling damn confident because I felt as if I transitioned into the role of Cindi pretty seamlessly. That'll teach me.

Making a giant mistake, and as well an assortment of little ones, I have since found out, did not kill me. It didn't kill the salon - they still think I did a great job last week. In light of the mistakes, we will now implement a few tweaks to make trouble shooting any monetary errors easier. To make sure the right stylists gets credit for their services. (It was bad, people...) To make certain when changing out large bills for singles and fives and tens that I put the big bills in the right place. Sooner, rather than later, this will all be second nature to me and the mistakes will be few and far between, but, for now, I have to be careful and cognizant of what I am doing. 

Remembering the feeling of a big mistake is one I haven't had in many years; I am embracing it now. My kids will, no doubt, experience these same feelings and it's actually quite powerful to have experienced this again. It's not fun, but it is, quite humbling.

While looking for the perfect song for today I came upon this TED Talk. When you get 17 minutes, it is well worth the time.

Pick yourself up
Dust yourself up
And start all over again
http://youtu.be/ho9vJDp0s_M

My dad has been dead for more than 20 years, and yet, he shows up in all of his grandchildren in some way, shape or form from time to time and I just laugh.

When I saw Peter with the black socks and the Addidas slides I had to take a picture - that was vintage Bill Buckley. Now it's the norm to sport this look (um...why??) but when I took this picture two years ago, I don't recall it being so.

My own kids hit the dad jackpot when they were born to Marco. I have said it many times in the past and I will say it many times into the future, he is an amazing dad. I don't believe he has ever intentionally missed one baseball game (and there have been hundreds) whereas I have missed more than I have seen. Of course, that means he may have missed a few lacrosse games so I win for attending more of them. He gave them a bath EVERY single night of their lives up until they started showering. He has the patience of a saint while I tend to perhaps, just maybe, fly off the handle a little quicker. He can see both sides to every story, much to my annoyance, when all I want to do is be pissed off. My kids are supremely lucky to have been raised by their dad and I know they know it.

Being a parent isn't easy. There is no manual; there are only the examples we were shown from our own dads, and sometimes, that wasn't pretty. I know many a man who made the decision at a young age, that when and if they had kids, they were not going to follow in the footsteps of their own father's behavior. I know many a man who struggle to be the kind of dad their own was. I know many exemplary men who are terrific dads because they want to be. I know many a single mom doing the job of both parents. 

Here's to you all, have an awesome day.

http://youtu.be/P0QGJTdl7-0That everyday I see
Oh I hope I see
I hope everyday I see
A little more of my father in me
http://youtu.be/P0QGJTdl7-0

As you know, I now work on Saturday, so my Friday isn't the same as it was a few weeks ago. All in all, I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying this new job. I am seeing all kinds of people I used to see from the store as well as friends I just don't get a chance to see on a regular basis. It's like winning the job lottery. Tonight, there is a prom and a dance, so I will get to see the girls get all gussied up - hair and make-up, oh my!

Tonight is also the Yorktown Relay For Life - Jane's passion. Her team, which consists of three mom's who are all cancer survivors, is Stars of Hope - feel free to make a donation! If you are out and about by Jack DeVito field, I highly suggest heading over. Parking is a bear. Just deal with it, take a walk on over and have fun. It's a great cause working to find a cure for cancer through research, research, research. 

It has been a week of Regents exams in this house - for those of you out of NY, these are uber finals only given in NY. The profound relief on the boys in my house to be done with them all was evident last night. Bella still has two to go. These tests are on top of the AP exams they already took. I shudder remembering my own experiences with the Regents. Good times.

I still don't quite have the timing of my morning down. I expect by next week I will be much better. And so, I am running out the door. You rock on, on this fine Friday!

I couldn't have used ANY other music!
http://youtu.be/IuwxZSIS__4

It is going to be another 48 hours of wet weather here. 

Now that  I am working in a hair salon, I feel so bad when someone walks out looking gorgeous and has to deal with the umbrella, baseball cap, CRAP, I just paid to get more hair done and now it's going to get wet. This is particularly bad if they have just had a keratin treatment. (That's a straightening treatment for the uninitiated. You're welcome.)

I love my job. I seriously do. It is exhausting getting back into the groove of working like this. Dinner is a disaster. I might have been a little cranky last night. The bar-b-que wasn't cooking the steak. Annoying. My family enjoyed my performance. 

I have a job I love, working with people I am totally going to love and I have this.

Who could ask for more?

On a dreary day, turn on your speakers and dance in your chair.
http://youtu.be/8zOWGX4-wv8

I took yesterday essentially off. I didn't power on my laptop. I used my phone to answer calls. I did text my brother to wish him a happy birthday.

I read a new Nora Roberts book. I went to a couple of appointments. We had the girls LAX dinner, always terrific fun.

I firmly believe every once in a while we all need a digital detox. I can be as bad as my kids - phone attached to my hand or parked in front of the laptop. So, I took some time off. I will get to emails and texts today.

The past few days have been terrific! The Westchester Magazine food & wine show at the Ritz Carlton on Sunday with my friend Claire. What's not to love about THAT? Bella's birthday fun. Hanging around yesterday and the great dinner last night.

I have a lot of people asking me about my job. So far, my brain matter has only oozed out a little while learning all this new stuff. It is a busy salon and that makes ME happy. The pace is fast. I will get into the groove, of that I have no doubt. It amuses me to do my hair in the morning. I was rather used to the pony tail. And to be wearing make-up again is another forgotten experience. I was touched to be invited to dinner on Saturday night, one day into the new job. In a nutshell, it is going fantastically.

Today is my sister Jane's birthday! I have told you all about her here. Jane is remarkable, amazing, kind, caring, the real deal. Have THE best day! I love you lots!

Music today - for Jane. 
She can dance while on one of her many conference calls!
http://youtu.be/uSD4vsh1zDA

Sixteen years ago today we welcomed Bella into our family with open hearts. We knew we were having a girl; in a million years you couldn't have prepared me for the type of kid she would be. Hilarious. Compassionate. Friendly. Chatty. VERY chatty. Inquisitive. Sensitive. Beautiful...despite being mine. Outrageous. Talented.

It took me hours and hours and hours to go through hundreds of pictures. Life became much easier with the advent of the digital camera. All the prints needed to be scanned and I started to lose my mind.

I stuck with pictures of Bella and what makes her unique. There are many pictures of her with Peter. They have been a team since the day we brought her home.

Looking through all the pictures was a splendid experience. I hadn't looked at most of these pictures in a long time. I love seeing how much she has changed while remaining exactly the same.

Happy, HAPPY Birthday to my darling Isabella. Bella Girl. Bell. Bells. Izzy-Bee. IZ-a-ba-leeta (Uncle Tom). Iz. You are one of the most fantastic people I know and I am thrilled to be your mama.

May every year continue to be filled with wonder, laughter, joy and great adventures. 

I love you to the moon and back!

Years ago, I heard when Chrissie Hynde sang this song, she sang it to her daughter. I loved that. And so, to my darling girl, I will stand by you. No matter what.
http://youtu.be/maAyfcO-X3k

A new job is always exhausting. I need to learn the language of the business, new procedures, new people, all while lots and lots is happening. It was GREAT. On an utterly gross weather day I was in a place where it was sparkling. 

When I woke up this morning I thought, it stopped raining, the birds are chirping, and I am SO HAPPY FOR RANDI! And so, this blog was born.

My friend Randi and I were not friends in high school. We knew each other, but we didn't run in the same circles. Through the magic of FB, shared political views, Randi's hilarious sense of humor and the passing of time, I would say we are now friends.

TODAY is a massively important day for Randi and her family. Her son is being called to the Torah. This is not your average Bar Mitzvah. This. Is. A. Big. Deal. Randi's dogged determination, fueled by the OH so powerful mother love, has helped make this day everything it is going to be. Love is everything. Absolutely everything.

You may recall, I do not tell stories that aren't mine anymore. BUT, I can be excited, delighted, so freaking happy it has stopped raining, and use this space to wish the family a most sincere Mazel Tov.

Enjoy your day. The memory will be sweet for a lifetime.

xo

THIS is a beautiful song.
http://youtu.be/Lk6gdX1WCd8

I am obviously going to have to figure out how to best manage my time in the morning. I need to remember how to get my hair & make-up done, pack my meals, walk the dog, write a blog, and be out of the house on time.

Until I do that, enjoy these quick glimpses into my life.

Music today from my first born niece, Caitlan. xoxo
http://youtu.be/g8PrTzLaLHc