'Follow Your Bliss....

........ and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls”

Hard to believe but April 20th marks 5 years since I began this blog! It all began when my friend Ann mentioned she had a blog and I asked her WTF is a blog? After hearing me complain that I wish I had MORE to do with this expensive computer than just dust it, she began explaining it to me and encouraging me to start my own. First I questioned her ... What do I have to write about? Since her blog had a knitting theme, I knew I had NO theme at all. She encouraged me to write about the funny experiences in my salon, my life, day to day stuff. Second, I said... I would NEVER be techie enough to know how to even begin, but being a good egg, she talked me through it step by step, H T T P this and mumbley jumble that. A blog was born! (thanks so much again Ann!)

So here I am, 5 years later! 683 posts under my belt (or finger tips.) Nearly 25,ooo views. I've written about a lot of this and that including stories from my hair salon and some of my wacky/lovable clients! The thing about blogging that I had never expected when I began? I've met such wonderful people through this forum, including one very special soul sister, who I treasure and I know I will be friends with forever! Blogging seemed to open other doors as well. For me, it seemed to help take me out of what I now view as a 'comfortable BLAH'. Maybe it was depression? I am in such a social job and talk and laugh with (mostly) women all day, but I felt I wanted to socialize more, I wanted to surround myself with More outings, more of my old friends, also make new friends but I seemed trapped in this unfulfilled yet totally unmotivated mode of .... "eh, I'm not in the mood!" Not in the mood to call a friend, plan a lunch date, have more company, Meet more people, initiate friendships, PUT MYSELF OUT THERE! I worked and raised my kids and occasionally went out with couple friends, gathered with family but inside I just wasn't feeling ..... complete. My husband constantly encouraged me to make more friends, one way being... get friendlier with the clients that he knew I really loved. I always said 'nah'. I don't want to.

The changes that have happened to me in the last 5 years are amazing. Little by little, with the cathartic outlet of writing, I got back to the friendly, outgoing Lucy that I always used to be. (I swear NO meds either!! haha) I am so lucky to have many amazing women in my life. Women NEED women. I don't care if your husband is your best friend and a gem, WE NEED OUR GIRLFRIENDS too!!! Many who at one time were my clients! I think of how many of them I used to turn down when they asked me to get together with them. Thankfully I turned that social leaf or I would Never be living the life I am currently living. Key word- Living! I feel so much more fulfilled and happy.

About two years ago, One dear client/friend came into my salon ALL excited because she had just tried a New thing called.. Zumba! She rushed in and said...I know how much you Love to dance...You HAVE to come to zumba with me!! the old me? I would have made some half ass excuse but the new me said... I would love to! I think of that and how far I've come with this as well, and I still can't believe that I've embarked upon teaching DANCE/FITNESS classes at my stage of life! I feel this has been an amazing accomplishment and I've never felt this proud of myself.... EVER!

I didn't start this post with a clue of what to write about this anniversary or even a POINT to make! but I now know what my point is.... GET OUT THERE! DON't be afraid to get your ass out of whatever blah comfort spot you're in. Open doors! One thing leads to even better things! First blogging and now through Zumba, I've met even MORE wonderful, dear friends, who I treasure and who I will be friends with forever. I can't imagine if I wouldn't have ventured out to that first class and from there ventured out to that first workshop to become a certified zumba teacher. Don't get me wrong...EVERy step of the way, I second guessed myself, my abilities, my SANITy!! but I DID it! Life is so freaking short... it's NOT a dress rehearsal.. we can't keep thinking...'another day' 'another time'. Open new doors, DO New things and open new paths! THIS is it! Your time! What are you going to do to make it more blissful? It would be a great anniversary gift if you share with me... what your desire is and HOW you're going to MAKE it happen!! thanks for listening!

" the doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live"

4 years?? AND counting!

It occurred to me that April 20th will be my FOUR year blogging anniversary! I guess it makes sense then, that I am doing this less and less frequently, right? Although, so many of my favorite blogs haven't lost their enthusiasm. It's not even that I've lost it as much as I feel I don't have much to write about. But then I got to thinking that I have SO much going on and I used to find it fulfilling to just write about what's going on! so here I go.. A condensed post (Although I've never been so good at shortening things) As to what's been going on around here that keeps me so busy and makes me find NO time to blog...
1. ALL the college work! That went on For so long... helping my youngest son with research and applications. The paper work seemed endless.. and Eureeka! He has chosen his university. We've been busy now with tour dates/ then a preview weekend/ and soon he will have a 3 day orientation.
Not to mention all the shopping for dorm items that will be coming up as well. So we've got this huge thing going on..

2. Teaching this same son to drive! holy smokes! I don't have to tell the parents out there how traumatic and torturous and nerve wracking this can be! As I wrote in last post.. he passed! NOW my worries really begin! (this seems a good spot to insert a photo of us!Since I haven't posted pics in forever!)


3. Zumba. I have decided I really want to stop wishing for things I desire.. and instead GO FOR THEM! I was certified to teach zumba (which is a FUN dance/exersice program, incorporating 70% international music) back in September but never put it into action. Well.. recently when a friend of mind asked me if I am living my life as fully as I would like to be.... I realized... I WANT and NEED to do this! So I've been spending A LOT of my free time Practicing and Choreographing Dance routines (instead of blogging). I also signed up for the second step zumba work shop which will teach more about flamingo and belly dance and the business end of things.. I attend this all day work shop this sunday! looking so forward to it! I've set myself a goal as to WHEN I will be ready to look for work doing this.. September. When My youngest begins his journey into college life...On my nights or mornings off, I will be shaking my bootie, having a ball and I hope giving others a fun work out too! I realize I've given myself a LONG time to achieve this goal..but hey! I'm getting old! I give myself extra credit for even attempting this!
(turn up your volume baby! My first 3 songs are ZuMbA songs that I lOVe!)

4. Attending my eldest son's performance at the Whitney Museum in Manhattan! This was SUCH an exciting, tremendous evening! I can't believe i haven't blogged about it. Ari Marcopoulos, a photographer/film artist originally from Amsterdam, who has worked with Andy Warhol, asked my sons band, yellow tears, to perform at his art exhibit at the Whitney! Their band is in to power electronics and it was really was performance art! I was so excited to be there and I actually, FINALLY, really "GOT" what their sound was all about. So many of my sons friends came out to support him and they all said to me...'you know this is HUGE, right??" they were so adorable.. I DO know that this was a huge opportunity and experience! (here is a photo of the band with Ari (my son on right) and Of course ME with Ari too! haha
I can't place these pics correctly!!)

5. LIFE... Isn't it so hectic? Between working 4 long days a week, trying to keep a clean house, laundry up to date, food shopping as well as shopping for my business. Scheduling and keeping various appointments, The days just fly and time does too! I haven't even mentioned the birthdays, holidays,get togethers, family obligations! So there you have it! YOU have it? WhO? I don't think I have many readers left! I noticed that after my last post.. But,I am so grateful for my few blog friends who faithfully still check if I'm alive and if i've updated! Thank you! I am taking my friend Sherries advice... I am blogging For ME. If no one is out there, it's okay. I'm satisfied that after nearly 4 years, I'm continuing this enjoyable hobby!

Sort of a fish tale

What BEAUTIFUL weather we had on Saturday! Unfortunately I had to work through most of the day, but after dinner, The sun was still shining.. so, my son, Husband (aka mr. petals) and I rushed off to the board walk and we enjoyed a long walk, the gorgeous sunshine and fun talks, it felt great! We are training for a 5K walk we are participating in on Fathers day. (I'll tell u more about that another day) While walking and talking Mr. Petals shared an old story with our youngest son that he hadn't heard before. Even though I remember the story well, I not only enjoyed hearing it again... I decided to share it with all of you as my 3 year blogoversary gift!


Many years ago while walking the same board walk we ran into a long time client of my husbands and he introduced me to her... Her name was Bonnie. For many years, My husband used to cut Bonnie's hair and her son Jimmy's hair. In our business, you often watch people's children grow up each month, right before your eyes. Well, Jimmy, it seemed, was always getting into trouble. First he was kicked out of his high school, so Bonnie enrolled him into Private school. He was expelled from that school as well. Jimmy also could never hold down a job, he was drinking too much and he was always in some kind of trouble. Bonnie was at her wits end! One day she asked my husband for help. It seemed that Jimmy really really liked my husband and always opened up to him while getting his haircut, so she thought maybe, just maybe, my husband could try to talk some sense into this confused boy, who was going no where in life, and being he was so fond of Mr.Petals, he MAy finally actually listen to some good advice. Well.. It worked!
After a long talk with this young man, my husband discovered Jimmy had artistic abilities! So, Clever Mr. Petals set Jimmy up with a job working for a faux artist friend of his, painting houses. Jimmy was happy and was finally on the right track. The faux artist claimed Jimmy was working out well! Bonnie was so so grateful, SO... when we ran into her on that board walk many years ago, and I was introduced to her... She couldn't stop hugging Mr. Petals and she was RAvInG to me that He was her hero! (sounds so nice, right?? read on!...)

Shortly after that encounter...... I won concert tickets to a Phish concert from a local radio station. ( 'be the 10th caller and win tickets to a Concert !!' I was hoping for don henley tickets)
My husband and I had no desire to see this band ... so I said... 'do u know anyone who would want Phish tickets?' My husband thought of Jimmy! He got in touch with him and Jimmy (who was still working at that SAME job and Still happy) was thrilled to receive free tickets to any concert!

About a year after those free tickets.... We were walking the board walk again and WHO do we see? Yes... It's Bonnie again! All smiles, Mr. Petals greets her with a hug and asks about Jimmy. ( I am sure he was expecting the familiar praise and hugs he had received from Bonnie during the last encounter). Coldly Bonnie stares at him and says... "hmmm Jimmy! I haven't seen Jimmy in a year! REmember those tickets YOU gave him to see Phish? THat band! PHISH!..
WEll... He decided to FOLLOW them!" We were confused at first... Until she explained further... Jimmy is a Phish follower... One of those crazy fans that just follows the band from one gig to another!! My poor husband felt so awful AND responsible! He didn't know What to say to her, except...'I am so sorry to hear this'. No hugs and kisses goodbye from Bonnie this time... instead, she just gave a phony... "nice to run into u" and was on her way!! ( like a cold phish!)
We haven't run into Bonnie on the board walk or anywhere else since, and We have NO idea if green around the gills Jimmy is still on a phishing expedition, living in a phish bowl, drinking like a fish, into something fishy or just plain lost at sea!



** To Mr. Petals... don't be discouraged honey...you aren't responsible!... always reach out and help someone .. cause... (sorry.. i just can't resist).... there are plenty of (troubled) fish in the sea
Hope u enjoyed this TRUE tale as much as our son did. . .(fishing for a compliment?)
***these are all pics from 'our' board walk at sunken meadow park(courtesy of google)