I have spent 18 years watching Peter and his friends grow up.

I have spent 18 years commiserating with parents about raising these kids.

From diapers to diplomas.

I would like to take a moment to say to my friends, "The kids are alright. We did OK. They are off on their next big adventure. Roots and wings."

I had the privilege of saying, "Take care, have fun, be safe," to a bunch of the boys yesterday. I am thrilled they stopped by and I can't wait to have the big galoots back in the house again at Thanksgiving. 

In the order that they met...

I have known Corey since infancy. He was with Peter at day care, where he was never a little boy, entering the world at over 11 pounds and still growing at 6'7" tall (or something crazy like that!). Corey is hilarious. He is a trusted friend. He leaves on Sunday for Iona College to go forth and take the world by storm. He promises to stop by for the occasional Sunday dinner (he is obviously going to bringing it as I don't "do" Sunday dinner) to check in. He and Peter talk of working together in the future as they are both studying accounting. That would be something, right?!

I met Allie the day her parents, and all the grandparents (obviously, Italian), came to look at the house across the street. She was just one and too adorable. It has been a joy to watch her through the years - from the times we couldn't say her name to now - a gorgeous, sweet, quiet and determined young woman with an amazing amount of patience and kindness. (I don't live with her - she could be a pain in the ass at home, but out in the world, she is nothing short of delightful.) Allie is heading to Manhattan College today and I wish her nothing but brilliant adventures.

Brian and Peter became fast friends in kindergarten. They spent a lot of time together and would often argue. (Not a lot has changed.) Brian went home and told his mom they were fighting at school. Fran, being a logical mom, told Brian to just stay away from Peter for a little while if they were irritating each other. Brian, being four, told Peter he couldn't play with him any more - his mother said to stay away from him. Poor Peter came home devastated. Me, being a logical mom as well, figured out what Fran had said and explained it to Peter and then called Fran. They have been thick as thieves ever since. We have skied with them since the boys were in middle school so we have spent some serious family time together. Brian hits the road today to the University of Buffalo. He is a charming young man who will go far because he shakes hands like nobody's business and looks you in the eye every time he sees you. He has never come into the house without kissing me hello and goodbye.

Ben, AKA Skippy is one of the funniest of the boys. He seriously just cracks me up. When he and Peter were younger they worked at a camp and I would pick up Ben on the way to drive them there. He was always waiting in the driveway, in a skippy pair of shorts, (hence the name) while bouncing around like Tigger waiting for us. We once went to the beach and before we hit the corner of the street, he texted me from the back seat..."Are we there yet?" (It was a long ride...) Ben works as a golf caddy which has made him stealthy; he leaves the house before anyone else is awake to get to work for the 5:00AM T-times. Ben loves a good nap! He heads to St. Bonaventure today and I know without a shadow of a doubt he will do tremendously.

Brendon, AKA Eddie Haskell, is Peter's friend who has always made me smile. "Hello Mrs. Pinque. How are you Mrs. Pinque." (These days he just calls me Mom.) He always has a twinkle in his eye. Brendon is a hilarious dinner guest and unfailingly polite. He tells wild stories and is a true blue friend. Wavering between college versus the Marines, as a mama, I am extraordinarily relieved he is headed to Herkimer College today. He is off to study Criminal Justice and is well equipped to handle that route.

Nikki, Peter's girlfriend, is heading to UCONN on Friday. It has been such fun to watch these two enjoy a really nice relationship. Classmates since middle school, they have been friends for a long time. Nikki cheered Peter's football number this past year and that sealed the deal - they have been dating ever since. I enjoy watching them interact - they are good for each other. There isn't a lot of drama and that's always a positive sign. Although they are dating now, they a both want to take the time to enjoy the college experience and meet new people. That's the hard part of high school relationships. I know that Nikki will have a spectacular time in college because that is just the kind of person she is - fun, witty, caring, kind, the mother of the group and smart as all get out.

I am thrilled for ALL of our kids heading off - near and far. It has been nice to read the Facebook posts. I can't wait to see how they grow these next few years.

My only true regret is that I didn't go away to college.
(Trust me, I know not all kids are college material - I was and I didn't go and if you've been here long enough you know the deal.)

I am vicariously living through these first few weeks with them. May they soar. May they thrive. May they not need money.

All love you amazing people. All love!

xo

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' 
Into the future 
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' 
Into the future 

http://youtu.be/pTDZHBTB67Y

WARNING: this post contains a lot of words and a lot of pictures. Each picture can be clicked on to be seen larger. Yes, it's worth it. Those of you who like the down and dirty posts will roll your eyes with THIS one. Aren't you glad I only do this once in a while...

When you go away for a long weekend, it is always fabulous if you are traveling with someone who you actually CAN travel with. That is the case with Trish and I. We hadn't spent any significant time together in well over 12 years. And yet, it worked. Beautifully!

Here's what WE did in case YOU ever want to copy us.

First: find a concert you want to attend at Red Rocks. In our case it was Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Indigo Girls with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Next, have Trish do all the planning.

Then, show up - she'll pick you up at the airport!

We stayed in Lakewood, CO at a Homewood Suites. It was perfectly situated for everything we wanted to do. Breakfast was included. It was pretty good except for the morning they ran out of butter. If they ran out of coffee it might have turned tragic. And the hot tub was broken which was actually really sad.

It also helps if other people have been to where you're going and have ideas. Check out whatever they suggest.

We started out FRIDAY morning at the Garden of the Gods National Park in Colorado Springs. It was magnificent. The photo above is from the "Signature Rock." It has many signatures, but of course the yin yang is what caught my attention.

From Colorado Springs we headed to Manitou Springs where we had lunch at the FABULOUS Good Karma Coffee Lounge & Deli. Bright, comfy, cozy, farm to table deliciousness. Excellent service. THE perfect place to take a break.

Friday night we took the Lite Rail, $8.00 round-trip, from Lakewood to Denver.

Denver at night is VERY different from Denver during the day. There is a significant homeless population. There seems to be a lot of young men - probably under 30, many in tie-dyed shirts, cargo shorts, no shoes and dreads. We saw one woman - she was with a guy.

We found Jane's Mother Ship on our walk. Purple Power in Denver.

We walked the 16th Street Mall up to the Brown Palace Hotel where we had dinner at the Ship Tavern.

The Brown Palace is the oldest hotel in Denver. It is quite glorious. Gorgeous, one of a kind decor. The main lobby reminded me of The Plaza's tea room. I wasn't surprised when I saw they served high tea.

Beginning with Teddy Roosevelt in 1905, every President has stayed at the hotel with the exception of Calvin Coolidge. When The Beatles stayed there in 1964, they set up the main lobby as triage for all the girls who were fainting! One enterprising person from housekeeping cut up the bed linens into 6" x 6" squares and sold them. OH (!) if only eBay was around then!

The Ship Tavern gets an A for atmosphere. They had a wonderful group of talented entertainers singing, of all things, SHOW TUNES with an accompanist on the piano. The food gets a C - it was only EH. The price is stupid. I will give that a D. BUT, we can say we came, we saw, we ate. 

On SATURDAY we headed to Boulder. I. Fell. In. Love. What a magnificent city. I experienced a little bit of everyone I love in Boulder.

I called Bella from the car and told her to check out UC Boulder immediately.

I saw Peter there.

One of THE first shops we saw the the Lighthouse Bookshop. Well now, my therapists practice is called the Lighthouse Retreat & Wellness Center. Naturally, I saw THAT as a sign to go in!

We spent a good bit of time chatting it up with Hazel, the manager - who recognized my Intentions Bracelet the second I walked in the door. I bought a hand carved, beautiful, serene Buddha.

When we left we put away our purchases in the car and I stopped dead in the street when I saw The Hobbit poster. It brought back special memories of days gone by. 

I sent my mama the picture of the Wild Woman with a note that I was thinking of her.

The Voodoo Hair Lounge was just exactly the right thing to send to a friend of mine.

Boulder boasts the Pearl Street Mall. We enjoyed going into numerous art galleries and boutiques.

We ate at the Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill because it had a marvelous rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious. Wes, our server, was an adorable young man who moved to Colorado from Germany a year ago. He was military raised so it was interesting that he had no accent.

I was wiped out after Boulder. We made the executive decision to eat in that night and just rest. We had a lovely selection of cheese and crackers and apples and grapes, and of course, wine.

On SUNDAY, we headed back into Denver to see it during the day. We hooked up with Rick - originally from Queens - for a Pedi-Tour. Rick took us about in his pedicab and he took the pictures. We absolutely saw things we would NEVER have seen and/or found otherwise.

[All photo credit in Denver goes to Rick Kanner.]

We decided to get dinner from Jason's Deli in Lakewood before we headed out to Red Rocks. Note to Jason's Deli - come to NY.

After a quick shower we headed to Red Rocks Amphitheater to see the concert that started this whole adventure, Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Indigo Girls!

HOLY SHIT.

Seriously.

EVERYONE should see a concert in this location at least once in your life. Bring something to sit on and prepare to tailgate. Two things we did not do. But we now know better!

That's my new friend Meredith. She too was crying through MCC so I shared my tissues. I told her MCC would play "This Shirt." I lied. She did play "Come On, Come On," and "Ten Thousand Miles," as well as a few others - rounding her set to about an hour.

When the Indigo Girls came on stage the audience became electrified. I would guess it was at least a 60% gay audience - and lots and lots of hetero women with their friends. When they sang "Galileo" the place went nuts. They closed with Jeannie's favorite (not) song, "Closer To Fine" - everyone was on their feet singing along. It. Was. Awesome.

We created a playlist for the trip back to the hotel - getting out of Red Rocks takes a long time so we heard lots of excellent songs.

MONDAY we headed to Rocky Mountain State Park. We saw this along the way. No. We didn't stop.

When we got to the park, it was 73° degrees, thundering, lightening, and hailing. QUITE the welcome.

It cleared up fairly quickly. I cannot even begin to describe how majestic, glorious, breathtaking and astounding this park is. I do not care what your religious beliefs are, there has to be SOMETHING, absolutely something, greater than just me in order to create the wonder that surrounds you at this park. (Trish took 274 pictures here alone!)

We were blissed out by the time we made our way back to Lakewood. We decided on Chicago style pizza right by the hotel for dinner. Pizza and a Margarita. Life is good.

We left the hotel by 5:00 in the morning on Tuesday and began the reentry to "real life."

The pictures remind me just how phenomenal a time I had.

A good friend. A suite. A bottle of red, a bottle of white. Good books. Cold bedroom agreement. Easy going personalities.

THIS is what makes a great trip. Start planning yours.

xo

Music - come ON! Galileo, of course.

How long 'til my soul gets it right
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light
I call on the resting soul of Galileo
King of night vision, King of insight

http://youtu.be/dI1keSSwdcI

Road trips can be tricky. Trish and I are good traveling partners. She is very good to my arm and I. We know when we need to chill. We know when a glass of wine is needed. And coffee for me and tea for Trish.

Just a few quick snippets until I bombard you upon my return.

I have so much more to share. Snippets of life in Colorado for four days. THE CONCERT. OMG, that's all I'm saying for now.

Off to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day.

xo

Music today - come ON...I had to to!

And the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
Talk to God and listen to the casual reply
Rocky mountain high

http://youtu.be/LLWD2WIvRQk

Thirty-five years goes by quickly. In our hearts, despite our ages, professions, kids and grand-kids, I believe we are all still about 17 or 18.

The reunion was FUN. Michael did an awesome job putting it together. The playlist was perfect.

It was absolutely fantastic to see the people I really wanted to see. Even though we catch up on FB, sometimes you need to be live and in person.

THIS picture is one of my favorites in that it just makes me laugh. John - right in the middle of the women. 

I was pretty fried by the time the end rolled around - sadly this was just at 11:45 or so. Mary Jo came up to the room and chatted for about another hour or so, and then she went home. 

I headed for home pretty early Sunday morning.

My neighbors were having a party and had an outdoor concert - I would bet it was two guys singing their hearts out: ELP, Yes, Simon & Garfunkel, Pure Prairie League, The Beatles, C,S,N,& Y - and Young solo. I sang along to "America" and "Amy" and "The Needle and the Damage Done" - it was the most marvelous way to cap off the weekend.

I am reading a book a day at this point - if you want to know what I've been reading feel free to check out my Goodreads feed - it's up to date.

OT continues to work AND kick my ass at the same time. Today is a hard day - my arm is very achy and swollen. I called Laura and for today I will ice, heat and exercise. In that order.

My favorite text from Bella came yesterday. I truly laughed out loud.

Here's a link to Mount Marathon. The group will be on their way home in a few hours. WHAT an adventure!

This is Ronin. This gorgeous baby started heart surgery at 3:30 THIS afternnon. It is a five hour surgery. Send love. Lots and lots and lots of love and healing and prayers.

While driving to and from Long Island (NO TRAFFIC in either direction, THAT was a miracle) I listened to Pandora. I went to give a thumbs up to this song and found out I already had in January. Well, alright then. It is an ethereal kind of song.

It's nearly five o'clock. I hope your day has been fabulous.

xo

Why are you so far away? he said 
Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you 
That I'm in love with you 

http://youtu.be/LmJFxUegONQ

Tonight is my 35th High School Reunion. But wait...I was just a teenager, wasn't I?

Bless the organizer, Michael, because really, it's like organizing a wedding without the bride and groom while at the same time tracking down people and then getting everyone to commit at the very last minute. I bought my tickets a month ago.

That chick up there was an interesting girl. In hindsight, I liked her despite probably NOT liking her all the time. 

I was one of those teens who hung out with a myriad of different "groups" but stuck with some of the same friends from elementary school throughout the years.

I had a few boyfriends and then I fell head over heels in love towards the middle of my senior year and from then on in, it was all about "us."

I was chatting with my friend Donna this morning and said I have large chunks of black holes where my life happened but I don't remember a freaking thing about it. It was comforting to know she has the same issue.

Tonight I will catch up with some of my favorite people and miss a lot who can't be here.

This is from the yearbook - Senior Favorites from 1979.
I just noticed we spelled Barbra Streisand wrong...
Also - note the favorite drink was BEER. The drinking age WAS 18 then.

As 52-53 year adults we have NO right to bitch about "today's lyrics."

OUR favorite song was "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" which I already used HERE - and we all know where that song goes.

Here's to the class if '79 - we ARE mighty fine.
 
xo

Oh my little pretty one, pretty one
When you gonna give me some time Sharona
When you make my motor run, my motor run
Gun it coming, off the line Sharona

http://youtu.be/BR2JtsVumFA

Being home these past three weeks has left me with a lot of time in my head. It's been an interesting experience to say the least. I sit and ponder a lot. I read a boatload of blogs. I caught up with my email.

I headed into the "Old Mail" files of AOL (yes, I still have an AOL account) and finally clicked on the many links to excellent articles, videos and songs I was sent. I read all of them. And then I finally deleted them. Here are a few things of note.

Apparently I have grammar issues. I know that. And I own it.
(I love CAPS, bold, italics and "quotation marks.")

For an educationally fun journey into grammar rules, I highly suggest "Weird Al" Yankovic's new video "Word Crimes." (4 million plus hits overnight)

Have you seen the video of Dozer the Dog at the Marathon? It's FABULOUS. I suggest tissues.

I gave birth to a boy who has wanted to be a Yankee since he was knee high to a grasshopper. THIS COMMERCIAL is one of the finest commercials I have ever seen. It pays tribute to Derek Jeter. Keep the tissues handy.

I have read more books in three weeks than I have read in three years. Two have made an impact for different reasons.

Still Life With Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen is a gorgeous novel of a sixty year old woman's summer. It touches on the many aspects of family, aging parents, money and starting over.

Cure for the Common Break Up by Beth Kendrick literally had me laughing out loud on my couch. She is so witty and so funny and her characters are a riot. It is the perfect read for a plane, train, beach, or broken bone healing.

In other news:

• My OT feels pain is NOT necessary while getting a better ROM (Range of Motion) and that I am doing very well. YEAH Laura!
  
• Bella has made it to Alaska. MANY hours late but they are there.
  
• Today I will get a massage with the talented Jen Pellingra and my shoulder issue will disappear.
  
• Anita makes over the top delicious Irish Soda Bread that I do not share and she believes that is wrong. Oh well.
  
• The dinners we have eaten have expanded my palate and have been truly delicious. We are SO grateful.
  
• Getting your hair blown out is a treat.

Speaking of Anita - in one of her emails she suggested I listen to this song. She too loves MCC.  And since I am headed to Colorado next week to see her with Trish at the Red Rock Amphitheater it worked in nicely for today.

Lastly, when I listened to this song, it reminded me of the guest blog piece on Momastery yesterday. I know of a number of people who will get great peace by reading it.

Whatever scares you - do it anyway.

Look to the tremendous women (and men) you know to show you what strength sometimes looks like.

Have the best Thursday.

xo

Use a tourniquet for pressure
Let time do it's healing
Say prayers for good measure
When you think you've lost all feeling

http://youtu.be/n2k76TG3YLM

Yesterday, Kathy was my ride about town. She brought me to the doctor to have the splint removed. She sat with me in the waiting rooms while I waited for the post surgery x-ray. She brought me to Target and the A&P.

When I shared with Kathy I cried when they took off the splint she comforted me. The nurse informed me that was due to the "Percocet Haze" wearing off.

When they told me I would have to have six weeks of Occupational Therapy three times a week, I got a little scared. When the doctor showed me what I need to do at home I got a little anxious. Every time throughout the day when I did the exercises I got a bit nauseous.

Elaine stopped by and gave me a few tips. THAT helped.

There isn't really anything to be afraid of; there isn't anything broken anymore!

Fearless here I come...

How lucky are we that modern medicine can do so much?!

OT starts this Friday afternoon.

Stitches come out next Tuesday morning.

Bella leaves for Alaska Tuesday afternoon.

Today I went to the salon because Kathy understands if your hair looks good, you will feel good. Carol colored and highlighted and express blow-dried and cut my hair. It looks so good - it was that bad, I can assure you, but Carol performed a little miracle.

My friend Megan was at the salon getting her hair done and she drove me home.

The kids come home tonight from Italy. I can't wait to hear about their adventures and see the pictures.

Peter and Marco leave in the morning for Saratoga for a baseball tournament.

It's me and Bella for a few days.

The bountiful goodness of food continues. And I want to clear up a little something from the other day.

The intention of preparing the food is the love. I thought I made that clear.

I also need to say that the gift cards to Domino's (HOW excited was Peter), and Cole's Market were given with love. The plant. The flowers. The Oprah magazine with a writing exercise I will be doing later on. The visits. The phone calls. The texts. The emails. The cheering about the one armed bra success. The cards from friends and clients. Driving me hither and yon. Checking in.

I do feel the love and I know how extraordinarily lucky I am to have such an impressive group of people who care about me.

Carol asked me today when I was coming back to work. I told her when I could use a pen again I would be able to think about it. I still think it's a little while away.

So I will continue to use this time to BE. By myself, with my thoughts, sleeping more than I have slept in years. In the quiet of my brain and my house. Surrounded by a family that selflessly takes care of me when I needed to be cared for.

Did I fall or was I pushed? Was I climbing the curb up towards my future? Was the fact that I only had one hand to eat with the reason I needed to only eat when hungry and to only eat good food? I have lost a significant amount of weight. Go figure.

In any event, I am letting myself be fearless and working it all.

xo

You say the hill's too steep to climb,
Climb it!
You say you'd like to see me try,
Climb it!
You pick the place and I'll choose the time
And I'll climb
The hill in my own way
Just wait a while, for the right day

http://youtu.be/TeyHPAdxuy0

As Carolyn and I were walking in the rain the other night to the restaurant, I confided in her. I have truly, ALWAYS been able to confide in Carolyn.  

Her reaction to my statement was pure Carolyn. A combination look of surprise and "of course you did," along with her laugh. It was exactly what I expected of her.

I believe walking in the rain with her, in the intimacy of a shared umbrella, on the streets of NYC, allowed a part of me to open again.

I find this so fascinating as I am surrounded by many amazing, dear, true friends, and yet, it was the girl who knew me when who allowed a closed part of my heart to break open, in a good way, again.

When I saw Cathy, my therapist, yesterday (can I have an amen!) I literally began by talking at 3,000 mph. It's a good thing she does Reiki at the same time, as I felt like I was levitating off the table. By the time she reached my head, the crown chakra for those of you on the woo-woo side of the table, I was yawning and able to shut the hell up.

This morning I woke up at 5:15 and was compelled, almost ordered, to go downstairs to the Magic Basement and write, write, write. I haven't journaled since August; it was a multi-page purge.

Yes, I write this blog, but you guys get a sanitized, spell checked version of what goes on in my head. (That should probably get another amen...)

Every so often it does THIS soul good to just get it all down on paper. I can talk about it. I can share it. And whatever it is that is eating at me stays with me. Until I write about it. THEN, I can sort of let it go.

Now, I wouldn't be in therapy still and stuffing my feelings with carbs if I was truly able to let it go completely. But it's another new start. It's the ability to say to the universe, "Next."

It is a surrendering of that which was holding me in a place that just isn't healthy.

Searching my soul, feeling the joy, experiencing the world sitting just right, THAT'S what's going on with me today.

What about you?

xo

I've been searchin' my soul tonight
I know there's so much more to life
Now I know I can shine a light
Everything gonna be alright

http://youtu.be/5qxaK8gD8JI

I got this message from my friend Kim yesterday morning.

Later on in the day I got a message from another friend telling me Kim was hospitalized with a blood clot in her arm that they discovered in the morning.

If you would all take a moment and send Kim some strength, some love, some prayers, some light, some healing, I would be most grateful.

If you have any words of wisdom to share with Kim, please do so. She needs to be uplifted any way we can. 

THANKS!

xo

PS - although THIS post is for my darling girlfriend Kim, there are so very many fighting this fight, so, if collectively we could send a little love to anyone you know who is bravely doing battle against cancer, well, I think we might just see the sky light up with all that love.

Beautiful girl
Let the sunrise come again
Beautiful girl
May the weight of world resign
You will get better

http://youtu.be/c0VnmKWUNaM

For about 10 years, I kept women in my life at bay. I didn't have a lot of close girlfriends and I certainly didn't have women who I considered my support system. When your heart gets broken by a best friend it is hard to trust again; but, I am so grateful to say I am now surrounded ALL THE TIME by a cavalry of women who I love and who I trust implicitly.

My Monday's tend to be my Sunday's. They are laid back, not too heavily scheduled AND I get to see many of the people who matter to me because their kids are back in school, or their work day ends early, or whatever.

Today was no different.

I spent quality time with two amazing women who I count myself lucky to know. One is newer friend, Kathy, a fellow Long Island girl, we've got that connection going on. The other is an older friend, Jeannie. Our friendship has gotten deeper and more meaningful with each passing month.

I realized after you both left: Kathy, you were sitting in the rocking chair Jeannie gifted to the MB. Jeannie, you were sitting on the hope chest Kathy gifted to the MB. Kindred spirits? Indeed.

EACH of these women, along with more women than I can count on my fingers and toes, epitomize the quote above. It takes time to cultivate a true friend and I have spent a lot of time in my friendship garden.

Throughout the years I have had brief friendships, and then there's the women from grade school who I still count among the dearest friends I have.

You ALL know my friend Amy. She had a "friend" who left her high and dry last year because she felt Amy wasn't putting enough into a business in which the other woman was her upline. (That's multilevel sales lingo for a person who recruits you.)

Apparently the woman forgot Amy was actively trying to stay alive

If you know me in real life, and if you've been here long enough, you KNOW I was less than polite when I heard about that.

In an effort to help Amy make a little money, if you are so inclined, and if you love Tastefully Simple products, I invite you to go directly to her page and order to your hearts content. Get your favorite spices, beer bread, etc. Note to Nancy - Merlot Sauce is being discontinued!

And so, to Kathy and Jeannie, (and all the other amazing women in my life) I say, I love you. Thank you for hanging out in the Magic Basement this morning, or any other time we've been here.

My world is brighter thanks to the love of friends.

xo

Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

http://youtu.be/yJYXItns2ik

Even though it's not over yet, today was a darn near perfect day.

It was warm enough for the kids to walk to school.

I had coffee with three of my dearest friends before 8:30 this morning. We hashed out world peace and other items of interest. I was gifted a glorious painting from my friend Mel. She painted it five years ago when she was pregnant with her son. I think the depiction of the woman looking out the glass towards her future is awesome.

If you're in the area on Monday mornings, you never know who will gather here. Pajamas perfectly acceptable. Coffee and tea at the ready. Stay for 10 minutes, stay for two hours. It's a good time. 

I had a most marvelous PsychoReikiTherapy session with Cathy.

I caught up with Jen C at her house.

I dropped one of Jen's kids at the elementary school on the way home and caught up with one of my kids former teachers.

I caught up with my mom.

Every once in a while it's good to NOT have a plan. To make it up as you go along. To fake it till you make it. And suddenly, the day is exactly right.

I hope YOU had a fantabulous day.

Please send some healing love and light to my sister Jane's friend: Kathleen Regan in Yorktown Heights, NY - she is having a double mastectomy tomorrow. Her journey with cancer has been brutal; her attitude has been brilliant. Thanks!

xo

Hit it with a swagger underneath,
We're not that strong,
We are making it up as we go along.

http://youtu.be/ZdLTP6URM5U

My weekend officially starts on Saturday night.

Usually, Sunday is a day of some sort of chores - laundry, grocery shopping, picking up dog food, getting the dog a toy he will destroy in 3.2 seconds, all the normal weekend stuff we all get so excited for. I did all that.

In addition, since it is the start of the new TV season I caught up on my favorites like Modern Family, New Girl, Glee and Castle.

My friend Elaine, Athletic Trainer extraordinaire, did Active Release Technique on my Achilles. This was our second session. I wish I had taken a before shot of my pathetic Achilles as it has been inflamed, no joke, for almost 13 years. The inflammation has gone down more than 50% already!

With new sneakers and the Achilles THAT much better, I am delighted to report I am taking this body of mine down to the river to meet my friend Jeannie to go for a walk. It is the perfect way to start a Monday on what is an allergy infused kind of day. (I do wish this weather could get it together enough for me to really feel excellent again...) 

While getting nostalgic on YouTube yesterday morning I came across this song and just knew I had to use it today.

Cheers to YOUR Monday. xo

Come Monday, it'll be all right
Come Monday, i'll be holdin' you tight

http://youtu.be/_70yDj_9qm4

This morning I am off to meet friends at a coffee shop.

We were supposed to meet in the Magic Basement but there is a triathlon happening which is rerouting traffic all over the place. So, rather than get snarled up in that, we made alternate plans.

Life's like that...

You really just have to roll with it. (And boom, the song of the day arrived in my head - a quick trip to the inner workings of my mind...)

We have been meeting once a month for nine months. You would think we have known each other forever. Unbelievably different. Unbelievably the same. Our stories mesh. 

These women are part of my inner circle of people I trust. I love them.

I wish you a Sunday with a treasured moment here or there with people you love. And if you have to change your plans along the way, you now have a soundtrack. xo

You and me, just roll with it, baby,
Come on and just roll with it, baby

http://youtu.be/MoGHGaN_HQs

Three women.

Three different personalities.

We laughed. We cried. We said, "I love you."

A perfect Wednesday night.

I wish you all time well spent with friends experiencing the gift of each other. It is precious and worth it.

When we were growing up, THIS song played all the time. So, it reminds me of my mom and HER friends. This is a glorious rendition of it.
http://youtu.be/0vXtywOlayc