You may have noticed I have taken a "leave" from blogging in 2015. And from posting on Facebook. It wasn't intentional. 

In all it's crazy glory, I have been living life.

I can't even pinpoint a specific time when I decided to sort of, kind of, go off the grid.

These days, I basically stalk FB, Twitter and Instagram. When there is something that moves me, I share it.

In the beginning of this journey, I  had A LOT to say. No one wants to read the same blah-blah-blah from a writer day in and day out and I felt like I was getting to that point. It seemed like it was time to recharge.

So?
What's been going on here at TGHR?

Peter finished up his first year at college. I barely see him. He is working like a dog, playing baseball AND softball, going to the gym nearly every day and taking in a Yankee game when he can.

Bella graduated high school. She went on a 10 day adventure to Costa Rica where she was eaten alive by many bugs. In spite of the mud and bugs, she had a wonderful time and frankly, her texts made for fabulous entertainment. Yes, she would go again, but to the resorts on the Caribbean side.

The salon has converted from paper to a computerized environment. It has been a task. We convinced Linda (via texts, video and general stalking) to get us up and running and between the two of us we were finally sailing smoothly by Saturday. Once we get it figured out even further, our clients will be able to book appointments via the app. But first, we need to figure out how to do it 100% correctly ourselves.

We also hired Janis, my co-president of the PTA and my dear friend. I had been asking her to come to Backstage since she was in school and I didn't even own the salon. To say I am thrilled would be an understatement. She has no idea how much I have been watching her and listening to her as she speaks to her clients. She is a special woman with tremendous skills. Sit in her chair and you will feel and see what I do.

Throughout all of these processes I totally lost my one mind one morning. If you looked at me, I cried. I couldn't even begin to tell you why. All I knew was that I HAD TO GET OUT. Right then. Right there. THAT SECOND. Thankfully, Leslie was able to sit at the front desk and I left for 90 minutes. I walked the river. I texted my therapist - because let's face it, when the ship is sinking, you need someone who knows you and makes sure you really ARE breathing. In the weeks since that particular episode I have been "working" on continuing to get my shit together. This stuff takes time.

When it rains it pours and so, last week we had to have all of our kitchen appliances replaced. I checked pieces out last year and couldn't justify the price just because the stove top wasn't working and maybe the dishwasher leaked. However, when Peter announced the ice cream had turned to soft serve I knew it was time to take action. The kitchen has moved into 2015 with stainless steel and a stove top that has every burner working. It's a nice change. Plus, the dishwasher is so quiet you don't even know it's on even when you are standing right next to it! THAT alone is worth the payments. I have also been assured by the salesperson that my electric bill will go down since they are that much more efficient.

I have been reading like a fiend. I haven't even updated my Goodreads account which is rather stupid on my part as I never can remember what I read. With that said, I have read several stand outs.

How Yoga Works is a book I have been savoring. I read a couple of chapters at a time and then I put it down for a while. I truly don't want it to end. I "get" something with each read. 

Born With Teeth is Kate Mulgrew's memoir. Each chapter is filled with anecdotes that make you smirk, cry or laugh. It is so well written; I flew through it.

I just read The Seven Sisters. Oh, my anthology loving friends, I am SO excited because this is going to be a long running series. Naturally that means I am chomping at the bit for the next book to come out already! It is so well crafted.

I did go see the movie Pitch Perfect 2 and I smiled throughout the whole thing. And I cried, because you know, you have to. I think Bella saw it at least three times. I am waiting for it to come out on DVD so I can watch the original and this one in one sitting.

I love podcasts. Seriously. I can listen and work at the same time. My favorite is the Dear Sugar podcasts with Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond. (You also can find them on iTunes.) I LOVED Tiny, Beautiful Things, Strayed's book - it will go down as one of my top 100 books ever.

I read many astoundingly fabulous blogs. Heather Armstong wrote a magnificent piece on her blog, dooce.com - it will wreck you in the best way. When you have to say goodbye to a beloved pet. You will need a bucket of tissues. Her follow-up piece is equally beautiful. Photo credit of her dog Chuck to Heather.

Over the weekend I was looking at my friend Denise's picture with this caption:

It had a link that of course I had to follow, The Peace Chain. Who could resist such a company?

IT IS DENISE'S NEW COMPANY!

I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. How this slipped by me - perhaps the social media leave of absence had something to do with this - is a mystery.

I must share it here with all of you and I want all of you to check it out and order some and spread peace everywhere you can.

Until next time,
xo

At 12:06AM last night, my home phone rang - NEVER a good time, with a call from Bella, crying.

Right up front and most importantly, she is fine, unhurt, and healthy.

[Click on the pictures to see them bigger.]

She had just left a party, and thankfully, was driving pretty slowly. As she continued down this dark road she heard a "pop" and then her car started to spin and turn.

EVERY single lesson she had in Drivers Ed kicked in and she remained calm, cool and collected. She knew not to panic and she knew to keep her hands firmly on the wheel.

Her back drivers side wheel CAME OFF while she was driving. As the car spun, both of her passenger side tires shredded and went flat.

If you look up and see just how perfectly straight her car ended up on a front lawn, missing the telephone pole and the rock wall in front of her, you know how extraordinarily fortunate we all are today.

For the local folks, Bella's car was the one facing in the wrong direction on the lawn of #422 Watch Hill Road.

Across the street a mom, Mary, who is a teacher and her son, Michael came out and checked on her and gave her water.

From another house, a retired police officer, Gary, checked on her. He did, at first, think she was drinking - but when he saw the tire and further spoke to her, he knew she wasn't.

I insisted to Bella she is never allowed to disavow the power of woo-woo. There were angelic powers in play last night. Even she said it's a miracle she didn't get hurt.

Today, we took care of having the vehicle towed and junked.

Next up - getting a new car.

xo