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 the stitches came out.

I have a four inch scar on my arm - you know I measured it. Kathy suggested I create a tattoo on the scar... Then we laughed a maniacal laugh and moved on.

The good doctor (excellent doctor, really) suggested I am not pushing myself as hard as I should be to get the greatest range of motion to happen.

I was a tad insulted.

I had a five degree increase in movement.

THAT is working it.

Apparently not.

I have to push myself harder; deal with a little bit of uncomfortable for the greater good.

Today I will tell Laura, my OT, I need to push harder to figure out how to move more.

Bella left on another adventure yesterday. She is off to Alaska! Alas, her flight was delayed six and a half hours. They ended up arriving in Minnesota at 3:00am and getting to a hotel at 4:00am.

Looking at the Itinerary it doesn't seem like they will be missing anything. It is a scheduled travel day to get from Anchorage to Denali National Park.

The best part of the flight delay is that travel insurance kicked in and they have $150 today and tomorrow to use for reasonable purchases. They had an awesome dinner last night.

The music today is not my from my "normal" wheelhouse. Give it a listen. It is most excellent.

From one beautiful wreck to another, I wish you all love.

xo

When all is taken away, don't let my heart be changed.
Let me always sing Hallelujah
When I feel afraid, don't let my hope be erased
Let me always sing Hallelujah.
Let me always sing Hallelujah.

I will always sing
I will always sing
Here's my broken hallelujah.

http://youtu.be/Fo3DudOzV4k

It was a big day for my elbow and head today.

OT in the morning with the delightful Laura.

I played in uncooked rice moving cups of rice from one bin to the other twisting my wrist JUST so. It is crazy how fast the wrists stop cooperating.

I rolled my arm out on a giant ball. It doesn't go out all that far quite yet. Patience.

I waxed on and waxed off against a wall to keep my shoulders from tightening up.

I get to do all this fabulous stuff at home too in order to get a greater range of motion.

THEN, for the first time since the great trip and fall of 2014 I went to therapy.

As I have mentioned countless times, Cathy does Reiki while we clear the head and boy, she worked hard on my arm! We added a few extra appointments for the next few weeks to keep the energy moving and the arm healing.

And of course we tried to figure out just WHY this fall came now. We're both perplexed but I have no doubt I will figure it out eventually.

All in good time I am getting fixed by the best of the best.

It was a good way to start my Monday.

xo

LOVE this Peter Kater instrumental.
"Clarity" ~ something I am always looking for.

http://youtu.be/YxUNuwi58ng

If you have been reading here for any length of time, you know I easily straddle the threshold of "woo-woo" and "non woo-woo" AKA reality, to those who don't embrace the woo-woo philosophy in all its wonder and glory.

And so, when I question "WHY this fall?" about my elbow there are a myriad of thoughts swirling through my noggin.

On Saturday night, before the great trip and fall, after we had finished payroll, Kathy and I sat and decompressed for more than an hour. We talked about how thrilled we were with the Cast Party. We talked about how exciting it was to BE the owners of such a vibrant, special, beautiful salon. We looked around at the changes we have made to give it our touch. We spoke about how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary staff. We expressed our gratitude about having such amazing clientele. And we toasted ourselves towards summer. How we were going to relax. How nice it was going to be to have Summer Hours on Saturday's - we'll be taking our last client at 2:30 until the last week of August.

It was a conversation of appreciation, fulfillment of a dream, how blessed we both felt to be working together as partners, and really, how good it was that the big party was behind us and now we can go about the business of enjoying what we are continuing to build.

And then it was Sunday afternoon... 

Some of the various "reasons" this happened according to many.

• The universe is telling you to slow down.
  
• You need to stop running around like a crazy woman.
  
• You need to breathe.
  
• This happened FOR A REASON

REALLY?!

I thought I was in a pretty good place...

Can't shit JUST HAPPEN?!

Does there need to be a reason for everything?

This is a serious question, people. I want your thoughts and opinions on this.

So into the glitter I go.
(My Stampin' Up! friends will appreciate that.)

• I have gotten some much needed laptop clean up done.
  
• I have read a book and People magazine. 
  
• Family for the win.
• I have gone into the salon and gotten pampered.
  
• I am exceedingly fortunate to have friends cooking for us and bringing us meals.
  
• I have been in touch with so many friends and, I am actually taking the time to tackle answering emails that have sat staring at me, in some cases, for months.
  
• I had a visit with Trish, whom I hadn't seen in real life for a million years.
  
• I am going to have a visit with another friend on Sunday who I haven't seen in 15 years thanks to Lucy.
  
• I have been able to write the salon newsletter.
  
• I have received get well cards including a hand stamped card from Kim!
  
• Edible Arrangements. Need I say more?
  
• Homemade Stromboli and payroll help.
• Sunflowers and dark chocolate dipped acai berries.
• I have had terrific visits with people I adore.
• WORLDWIDE healing vibes, prayers, thought and love.

The glitter.

xo

Oh baby
I, I, I, I'm fallin'
I, I, I, I'm fallin'
Fall

http://youtu.be/Urdlvw0SSEc

As I saw the outpouring of loved for Maya Angelou in the form of quotes, pictures and articles yesterday, I was fascinated to see how many of her quotes have made their way into my everyday thought process. Bits and pieces of this have been quoted everywhere in the world. In it's entirety, it is magnificent.

Without even knowing it, Dr. Angelou has probably affected you in some way, shape or form just as she has affected me.

My friend Randi said it best late last night when she wrote, "We heard you and more important, we listened. Sleep well."

I will continue doing my thing. I will keep shining my light. I will keep sharing my story. I will keep learning.

Thank you, Dr. Angelou, for your grace.

xo

I have yet to hear a more magnificent version of this. 
It *will* take your breath away.

http://youtu.be/-GD-5mRyaJw

I didn't use to believe in angels. It was woo-woo talk. Then, a few decided to make themselves known to me and I knew it was rather pointless to deny their existence. And then, another woo-wooer was born. Me.

I know you've heard of the Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo. John Edward? James Van Praagh? There are a lot of Psychic Mediums doing great work all over the country and often it is very hard to get to one of their events - especially the very famous mediums. 

But you want to. I know it.

On SUNDAY you can! Plus, you will be helping to raise money for Relay for Life Yorktown at the same time. It's more than you can stand, isn't it?

Please RSVP as soon as you can - details below.

Today, my dear friend Rosie's mom, Carmen Salas begins her first round of chemo for breast cancer in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Send out all the love you can to Carmen today, would you please?

Rosie herself has MS and could probably use a little boost of energy as well, so, while you're thinking of Carmen, add a little extra love for Rosie Salas too!

For an Amy & Jake Update, check out Amy's blog HERE.

Emma Update - Emma has been transferred to Blythedale Children's Hospital, in Valhalla, NY, a place I know and love, as of last night. She has limited movement on her left side. Yesterday, she was able to move her left arm a little, however, her leg still has no movement. She wants to walk. She wants to move. And she misses her service dog, King, something fierce. Let's do what we can to make magic happen for Emma!

And that wraps up our Wednesday.

xo

Love, it can weather any storm
Bring you back to being born again
oh, it's a helping hand when you need it most
A lighthouse shinning on the coast
That never goes dim

http://youtu.be/aBlKYBZIviA

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

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

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 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

I was probably in my twenties the first time I had a mani-pedi. Bella was just two.

I received a white Revlon eye shadow in my stocking when I was thirteen. Bella probably got a full case of make up when she was under ten.

I didn't get my first high heels until my teens - Candies, they were OH the rage; along with Earth Shoes and Dr. Scholl's. Bella got high heels before she was a teenager.

And so, we, the mommies, perpetuate buying into this beauty-fashion hype.

And yet... Hello? Have you met me? Fashionable I am not. I am not particularly glamorous. I don't have a Pinterest board about my favorite looks. I believe yoga pants are a wardrobe staple. I forget to put on lipstick EVERY single day. My bangs have their own agenda that has nothing to do with the cut and everything to do with hot flashes. If you've been here long enough, you know that I do battle with carbs as frequently as I do battle with my bangs. 

I work at a hair salon, for god's sake. I am NOT the quintessential Hair Traffic Controller in any way, shape or form. And I think that's what makes me so good at my job. I look like a whole lot of our clients. 

Do I wish I was more glamorous? Some days, certainly. And in time, I might reach a level of made up that is "the norm" at a salon.

I know I should probably approach food and exercise in the mode of a twelve step program. It. Is. Hard. My respect for those who are in ANY kind of a program is off the charts. It goes right down to the core of my being.

And so, it was with interest that I watched this short video yesterday and realized, that although I am not physically where I want to be, in the whole scheme of things, I am pretty OK mentally about who I am.

Knowing what the issue is is the first step. And I know my issues. BOY do I know them. I take a baby step every morning when I wake up. One of these days that one step will lead me back to a full walk.

The song of the day popped in my head while I watched the video. It's message is the opposite of what I want to say here, because let's face it, I want us to feel like natural women and men WITHOUT someone else making us feel that way.

In the end, I still love the song. Go forth and feel outstanding about yourself FOR yourself.

xo

Photoshopping Real Women Into Cover Models
http://youtu.be/zRlpIkH3b5I

She is no longer with the person who she wrote this song about.
Life's like that...

You make me feel like a natural woman
http://youtu.be/_TVFK4XIK2U

It has been a wildly interesting 48 hours; fabulous, energized, filled with interesting conversations, filled with great hope.

I like it.

Thank you, universe.

For the signs.
For the messages.
For listening to my silent pleas before I fall to sleep.

I wish YOU all the same.

xo

Life is beautiful, but it's complicated.
We barely make it.
We don't need to understand,
There are miracles, miracles.

http://youtu.be/KVrwcG3PV1w

Here's just one of the things I love about this blog. It has grown into a vehicle of love. Of healing. Of people sending powerful healing vibes to friends they don't even know in need of a smile, a soft whisper, a white light of powerful energy, a prayer, a song.

We helped make beautiful, miraculous, magic happen out in Indiana for Amy & Jake, from the spring until we know we can rest easy.

Today, I am asking all my powerful healing, praying, wonderful friends to pull out all the stops for some amazing women.

Today and tomorrow, my friend Patrice is saying goodbye to her lifelong friend, Clare. Clare died in her sleep last week and the people who love her most are coping with this loss. I don't know Clare. But, I do know Patrice, and she is, bar none, one of the kindest, most generous people I know. Patrice's profound faith will no doubt help her tremendously. Still, I am asking you to please send her thoughts of beauty and love and joyous memories as she travels down this path of grief. 

I would venture a guess that every person reading this blog knows someone who has battled this disease.

Today I would love it if you could send your collective energies out to two women who are fighting this battle now. 

I received permission to share the full names and locations of these two women for those of you who have requested that information in the past.

My friend Karen is one of the calmest, soft spoken women I know. She sent me the first "congratulations" card when I opened TGHR and she sent me the first "congratulations" card when I graduated college last year. Hand written, snail mail cards. I know - it's a lost art and one I struggle with despite years creating hand stamped cards.

Karen has contributed to every Coffee/Wine For a Cause since it's inception, and she has donated to Amy's HEARTfelt Fundraiser as well.

Karen's sister, Kelly Loretta, lives in St. Louis, Missouri and is currently battling breast cancer with a positive attitude and a fierce determination to be utterly victorious in the battle. Her first treatments began in early December.

Karen spent the holidays with her sister. Her family got stranded out there a little longer than anticipated due to the weather this past week, so the visit went on longer than expected and really, that's what family is for.

Those hand stamped cards I was talking about? Well, some of the most beautiful creations I ever received came from my friend and fellow Advisory Board member, Kim Williams from Butler, Pennsylvania.

Kim was given a diagnosis of breast cancer just before Christmas. Kim begins her first rounds of treatment TODAY. Kim is a hugely private person and the fact that she is OK with all of you out there sending her healing vibes, prayers and good thoughts is a BIG DEAL.

Thanks to the love fest we bestowed on Amy and Jake, I know the power of the people who read this blog. And so, in advance, I thank you for adding my friends to your prayer groups, your thoughts, your private meditations, your long distance Reiki sessions, your white lights, your candle rituals - WHATEVER form of good vibes you use. 

It is my supreme honor to use this blog as a vehicle of healing. Through quotes, through stories, and through music.

xo

You can walk my path, you can wear my shoes
Learn to talk like me and be an angel too
But maybe you ain't never gonna feel this way
You ain't never gonna know me, but i know you
I'm singing it now
Things can only get better

http://youtu.be/XTWm0s7ZwDY

The rules are of the retreat are easy. There are no rules. 

And so began four and half days of rediscovering the creative, joyful, ME.

So.

As I mentioned 10 years ago (Thursday, that's a retreat joke), I read about this retreat, followed along waiting for the sign up, and then absolutely had to be in on it! Why?

Writing: something I think I do fairly well, but certainly something I can always improve upon, facilitated by Jen Louden. I mean seriously, what wasn't to love? The woman herself is a dynamo of joy and strength and truth telling.

Photography: something I don't do very well because: 1) I forget to bring a camera, 2) I forget there's a camera on my phone, or 3) I can't be bothered to take a picture because I am participating in the event. The good fortune to be able to learn that EVERYDAY life experiences are art from an award winning, professional photographer, Tracey Clark, was perfect!

Yoga: something I am SO glad is called a practice, because that is what it takes. Practice, practice and more practice. Can I tell you just how awesome it is to hear the instructions in a New Zealand accent from the renowned Zen Peacekeeper herself, Marianne Elliot. Her movements are grace and beauty and a treat for the eyes to watch. Plus, when she dances, she radiates from within to the outside. It is a sight to see.

There is a lot that goes into the details of a retreat. I have learned this from the few I have been on so far. Things that make it uniquely THAT retreat. Of course the facilitators are key, but it is THEIR touches added to it that make it remarkable.

The combined creatvity of these three women made it so there were special handmade, heartfelt touches everywhere we looked. They said, "Hi. Welcome. It's fantastic to have you here. Stay. Breathe. Be. Joy awaits you."

It began with the bear hug from Jen as you walked into the dining hall, to the calm that follows Marianne everywhere she goes, to Tracey's complete enthusiasm for life. You knew, without a shadow of a doubt, you were in for a great time.

And then there were the women. From ALL over this vast great country, as well as Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and England - enjoying the beauty of my neck of the woods. Witnessing autumn in all her glory and overlooking my beloved Hudson River.

AH (!), the women. Oh. My. Word. The beautiful women. With different stories, and different paths, and different reasons for being there, and yet, all with the same exact reason for being there. To find our Creative Joy. 

I discovered an interesting thing about myself while there. In order to find the joy, I had to experience pain and sadness and anger. I needed to cry. I needed to laugh and I needed to feel the love. In a room with more than 40 women it felt intimate. It was like a womb. We were safe. We were valued. We were validated. There was laughter and chocolate. There were signs posted throughout the Meditation Hall with words to uplift us and ultimately create smaller, more intimate groups from the many. I had sat in a chair with a card with the word breathe on it. That introduced me to my intimate group within the womb.

My small group of wonderful women consisted of five women from Brooklyn, NY, New Jersey, California and England. 

We listened. We wept. We nodded. We hugged. We kissed. We were, as I called us, Soul Sisters of Breath. Love across cyber space to Jenny, Judy Anne, Karen and Susan. xoxo You KNOW how I love you all.

Each day I delighted in breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared so beautifully the ingredients sang. I tried very hard to talk to every person who was there, either at the meals or in the great room on our floor. I love to know the stories. I love to share my story. Naturally, I was the one who would inevitably run out of time when it was my turn to share during our small group times.

We danced. I missed two days and took the photo above from my room feeling equally sad I was missing it and at the same time, so unbelievably grateful to be able to watch the graceful, silent ballet taking place before my very eyes.

I practiced meditation and yoga. There is a legitimate reason it is called practice. It is hard. It is easy. It is SO good for you. It is the perfect way to calm your overrun mind. It is a lifelong practice. I am still in the infancy stage.

I chanted. There's a sentence I didn't think I'd ever write. Click HERE to go to the chant we did.

I took pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. I took over 200 - really? Me? In just four days. I was a picture taking fool. Couple that with the Instagram instruction and I was like a kid in the candy shop. Well, except for the short time my "fucking iPhone was stuck on video." Thank goodness for Google, even while on a retreat.

And I wrote. And I wrote. And I wrote some more. And I listened to the pieces of the other women. And I cried. And I laughed.

I met Lain, who left a day early. I truly felt like a part of me left when she did. I suspect we will be friends, at the very least in cyber land, for a long time. She is that special.

I met Rachel, young, beautiful, vibrant, amazing, wonderful. Tapping into Creative Joy eons before so many of us do.

I met Steph, who is forging a path for herself that is so awesome and brave I marvel at her and send her blessings for the most exciting times to come.

I met Marnie, who has a compassion and kindness that is deep in her soul.

I met Aggy whose, "Good morning Maggie" filled me with joy each day as she said it. And, who sent me a Facebook message this morning with those same words; they filled me with happiness and made my eyes fill up.

I met Jane whose artwork and smile light up a room, whose generous spirit and soul embody creative joy.

I got to meet Sue Ann, who I know from Facebook and now I know in real life.

I met Lisa and Linda within minutes of arriving as we all schlepped our bags up to the third floor while realizing that maybe we packed a little too much.

I met Danielle who hails from New Zealand but has landed in NYC for now. A gorgeous soul from the inside out.

I met Alison and Jen and Erin and Lesley and Toby and Gail and Wendy and Christina and Annie and Isabel and Holly and Cindy and Dena and Kirsten and Linda and Joyce and Sharron and Zee and three different Kathryn's, I think, all spelled differently.

I reconnected with Anne! I loved meeting her wife Connie AND, they live but 20 minutes away from me.

I know I am going to miss someone and for that I feel awful - so I send you ALL love and light and blessings!

On our last morning, we walked the labyrinth in silence. I basked in the sunshine with the sound of a helicopter circling above. The leaves rustled in the wind while the bamboo created chimes of their own volition. 

I took pictures of the beautiful women. The picture of Sue Ann on the bottom right remains one of my very favorites. I saw Jen standing very close by to me and I needed, utterly needed to hug her. To thank her. To send quiet wishes of gratitude and love. This is her lifework and she does it spectacularly. 

As I left the field, I connected with Masha, who said, "My legs feel like they are going to give out on me." I replied, "Well then, I will hold you up," and we walked like lovers towards the front where we blew bubbles for everyone else as they returned. It. Was. Magical.

The closing ceremony was one of the most uplifting, spiritual, generous events I have ever been privy to being a part of. There was not a dry eye to be found; all I could do was marvel at being at exactly the right place, with exactly the right people, at exactly the right time.

The upside to being at a retreat 16 minutes away from home is that you can take your time getting there and still be there with plenty of time to spare. The downside is that your reentry to "real life" has no decompression time. I handled that by heading to Sam's and picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner. Because really, doesn't heading towards a Super Walmart sound like the perfect plan when you have just left a life changing experience?

My deepest gratitude, love, admiration, and sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the Creative Joy Retreat 2013. You women are astounding, mystical, beautiful, worthy, amazing people and I am honored to have shared time with you. Jen, Marianne and Tracey ~ you each took home a piece of my heart and I yours. I am profoundly and deeply moved to have been a part of this. My love from NY to each of you. xo

PS - YOU. Yes you. Find yourself a retreat and do this FOR yourself. You'll live longer. I mean it. 

If you're going to dance in the mountains, it's nice to pay homage to it.

http://youtu.be/jiWY8naGyNI

Seriously, isn't this the truth? At some point we all don a cape and go forth and unleash our super powers. We kiss away the hurts. We wipe away the tears. We hug away the angst. We cook away the cold. We make money magically appear from the tree in the yard. We drive 1,000 miles a week in circles. We fill gas tanks for teens (OK, I do that). We do and we do and we do.

TONIGHT, at 7:00PM, (in less than two hours) my friend Melanie is climbing the stairs (over and over and over again) at the Ritz Carlton in White Plains for Gilda's Club. She needs just a few dollars more to make her goal. YOU Can help THIS Wonder Woman exceed her goal by clicking HERE to make a donation.

As you can imagine, Melanie's story is personal, compelling, and uniquely hers. She is fighting the fight by climbing stairs!

Yesterday, one of my FB friends wrote to me about THIS conference. If I wasn't working, trust me when I tell you, I would be at this event as it seems fantastic! Check it out!

The Pennsylvania Conference for Women is a non-profit, non-partisan, one-day professional and personal development event for women that features dozens of renowned speakers sharing inspirational stories and leading seminars on the issues that matter most to women, including health, personal finance, executive leadership, small business and entrepreneurship, work/life balance, branding and social media marketing, and more. The Conference offers incredible opportunities for business networking, professional development, and personal growth.

If you can't make it to Pennsylvania, perhaps you can make it to upstate NY where the incomparable Cara & Candace are hosting their fall retreat in Frost Valley. There is still a short window of time to register! It is a healing, fun, beautiful event not to be missed! Details are available HERE.

This is but a teeny sampling of what we are doing as women. Feel free to share your adventures here or on Facebook. I would love to see, hear, read about what else is out there!

Here's to all the Super Women. xo

PS - men, I know, I know. What about you? Please share your stories too. They are important and valuable. If you missed this post, you can see I really love and care about you too.

PPS - I started this at 7:30 this morning and then...well, the day happened!

I am this person...the one who makes wishes while simultaneously working to make things happen.

I believe in fate.

I believe in the universe.

Ninety-nine percent of the time I believe in my own power.

That other 1% - yeah, that's the stardust...

KNOW somebody loves you - there's power in that knowledge.

xo

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, 
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, 
You never need to carry more than you can hold, 
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to, 
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, 
Yeah, this, is my wish.

http://youtu.be/xz32I_GbpeU

Last night, I had a fabulously fun evening with friends who live near and far. We laughed, a lot. I went to bed around 1:00 AM and woke up at around noon; eleven hours of sleep. Nice. Feeling like one of my teens.

While I was sleeping in, Diana Nyad was mastering her fifth and final attempt to swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida without a shark tank. 110 miles. 55 HOURS of swimming. At the age of 64. Sixty-four. What a remarkable inspiration she is.

In her post swim interview she had three messages:
"One is, you should never, ever give up."
"Two is, you are never too old to chase your dreams."
"Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it's a team effort."

My FB post today says, "Wake up in anticipation something great is going to happen today." I believe for Diana Nyad, and for all of us around the globe who cheered her on, (in my case while still in jammies at my laptop), we were able to witness greatness.

WHAT a triumph.

After seeing her interview I wanted more. Thanks to TED Talks I was able to hear more about who she is and why she did this. I encourage you to watch them - they are quite similar and yet unique enough to get a little something different from each one.

From Diana's internal playlists.

The Needle and the Damage Done - Neil Young
http://youtu.be/fi2XCsPKlY8

Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
http://youtu.be/sfjon-ZTqzU

When I went to bed last night, my thoughts on this mornings post were, it's Friday and I love to use fun pictures and music to kick off the weekend.

I woke up to FB statuses and emails I can't ignore and since we have proven to be a powerfully positive group of people, I am going to ask you all to send out healing vibes, good thoughts, prayers, white light, and/or whatever YOU use to keep yourself afloat. There's a lot going on in this crazy, mixed-up, glorious, beautiful world and I need to share three stories this morning.

I got a text from Amy last night. THIS is her FB status this morning:
We need ALL PRAYER WARRIORS! Just left ER with our 11 year old Jake. They did a cat scan and find what they believe is a brain tumor at the base of his skull. We go to Riley for an MRI and testing at 10 am. Please pray. God knows how much we can handle and I am a little tired. Praying this is just another situation where we will see the faithfulness of God.

If you have been following along on this blog, you know Amy has had massive medical issues. You know Jeff lost his job. You know this has been beyond a ride for them. You also know the strength Amy and Jeff and the kids have. 

Money won't help make the medical tests easier, but it will make their day to day living easier. Once again I am appealing to you to consider contributing to the fundraiser I created. Click HERE to do so.

A few years ago, I met an extraordinarily talented massage therapist, Jen Pellingra. I was working for the chiropractor and Jen was sharing the office space for her practice. To date, Jen has given me one of the most powerfully healing massages I have ever received. She gives selflessly of talents to any local cause that asks for a donation.

In March of this year, at age 35, Jen was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Like so many, Jen has no health insurance.

Jen has to have her thyroid removed as well as deal with a myriad of other issues that happens when one gets this ill.

A marvelous fundraising page has been set up for her, HERE. Read her story, watch the short video and if you can share, please consider giving to her equally worthy self.

My friend Colleen, AKA Robin to most of the world, put this on her FB wall last night:

Praying tonight for my best friend's daughter who was hit by a hit and run driver today while walking home from work. She's 6 months pregnant. So far they've been able to slow contractions. Praying this continues and she will deliver full term. Leaving it in God's tender care. Thankful for a relational, attentive, loving God.

I ask all of you to do your thing. Reading just these three statuses is enough to make me incredibly grateful for the little things. For the sunlight. For the break in the humidity. For my friend Sarah, who gifted us with a portable air conditioner the other day that has changed our life. For the jobs we have. For the HEALTH we have. For the love. 

Enjoy this Friday. 

THIS song, is for all of us.

Talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in
How sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care

http://youtu.be/FF84j66_RIs

• Strength
  
• Pain
  
• Love
  
• Starting Over...Again
  
• Worthiness
  
• Joy

These are all recurring themes on this blog. I get so tired of taking two steps forward and three steps back. And then I think, well, at least I keep moving forward. 

I believe the proliferation of quotes, pictures, songs, and books about these feelings make them OH so universal.

My mother reminds me that our life work is never really done. There is always another layer to peel back. I always hope, maybe this layer won't be as thick as the last one and so perhaps, maybe I won't cry, hurt or fill in the blank as much as I did last time. 

From my own experience, I can share I tackled more than one emotional land mine in this past year. The biggest of all was a doozy and frankly, I am still tackling it. At this point in time, it still can bring me to my knees, but I am so freaking cried out from it I feel like there's nothing left to cry about. It is, what it is. 

Feelings just are. They don't require an explanation, but my heart would REALLY like one.

::: sigh :::

As I tackle yet another emotional roller-coaster kind of week, I take comfort in knowing I am not alone. Pains affect us all. I go to many other blogs for my inspiration; for my spiritual uplifting; comfort.

My goal here has always been to share. To profess as loud as I can that love always wins. That living in the present moment is a goal of mine but it. is. hard. I love when I get a comment or a like or a text or a call from someone telling me that read what I wrote and they got it. None of us are alone. I am thankful everyday for the gift of this blog and the ability I have to just write and share and perhaps, just maybe, make a difference in my little corner of cyberspace.

Here's to life. And love. xo

I caught up with SMASH on Hulu yesterday. THIS version of this song knocked my socks off my feet (even though I was wearing flip-flops). 
I must have listened to it twenty times since then. 

Cause love's such an old fashioned word 
And love dares you to care 
For people on the edge of the night 
And love dares you to change our way 
Of caring about ourselves 

http://youtu.be/ZZfkOYCNz10