Plans

While Jade and I were sitting on the couch New Year's Day, she asked about my continuing education.

"I went to New York three years ago, London and Paris two years ago, didn't go anywhere last year because of the moving expense into the new Studio, but I am looking for something to attend in New York for '08."

"Hey, if you go to New York, call me, I'll go with you!"

Was I hearing right? OMG, what a THRILL!

Being Hattigrace, I was on the computer the next day, searching. I knew the class I wanted to attend.

It just came together beautifully. Long story short, Dot, Jade, Assistant and I are heading to New York for the Beth and Carmine Minardi BEAUTY FOCUS class in April! We have our airfare purchased, our lovely room reserved, class tickets bought and tickets to see The Lion King!!

I have not seen a show in NYC. I am over the moon with excitement! We are also trying for Good Morning America tickets. A and I watch it every day. You know, Diane and Robin are our best friends!!!

From now til April I cannot spend a dime on anything. Oi, between TT's TV and the rest of Christmas and now this. . . breath, breath, we only live once, right? As Dot says, "I have never regretted a trip I have taken or even thought about the expense of it once I came back."

I feel so blessed, taking a special trip with my two daughters and my dear friend and business partner.

A true circle of life.

HAPPY New Year

That's what it is. The very happiest new year we have ever had. Ever.

As much as I talk/write, I don't tell all. Some things stay deep in my heart. Mostly the aches that no one can heal. I try to focus on all the good stuff. Leave the sad stuff to the only One that can help.

TT has a daughter. She was 17 when I married him. I was 28. You guessed it. . . I blew it on about every count. I had come out of a very bad marriage. Basically I wanted everything my way. Oi, what a wake of wreckage behind me.

She had enough. I don't blame her. Much of the time, I really didn't like me either.

So, we have walked separately for a little over a decade. I stopped talking. Just prayed. Every Sunday, "God, please help me be who I need to be and heal our family." TT prayed the same.

I don't exactly know how it all changed or why. That really doesn't matter.

But gloriously, she is back. With her two girls. TT's granddaughters. And she graciously has introduced me to them as, "This is my Mom Hattigrace. . . your grandma!" They are beautiful like her. Smart and full of humor and deeply caring. And they call me "gramma"!!!

I have died and gone to Heaven.

Dot and Hubby have the New Year's Eve party every year. She said, "Jade is coming to our party." So, we all brought in 2008 together. It was a happy, happy night. The best part was the next day when Jade and I got about eight hours together to just talk and talk and talk and talk. Her sweet girls were with us and would give delicious hugs every now and then.

I told Dot, "You are my only Dot. And she is my only Jade. One can never replace the other. You are both number one."

To be truthful, I have had a hole in my heart for a decade. Jade has this fabulous gift of being able to laugh at herself. While deeply empathetic, she is equally lighthearted. She loves to talk. She loves to text. She loves to hug. She loves to listen. She brings sonshine into any room.

Can you imagine being in the room with both Dots? It is one very happy, fun place!

I have slept soundly all night long since December 31. I feel complete again. My family is whole. I feel whole.

Now, I just need to find our family jet so we can all see each other every weekend!

Meanwhile, I guess we will have to keep texting.