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Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back

The unflinching true account of a teenage girl's descent into society's underbelly -- and her mother's desperate and ultimately successful attempts to bring her back.
How does an honor student at one of Los Angeles's finest prep schools -- a bright, beautiful girl from a loving home -- trade school uniforms and afternoons at the beach for shooting up in the back of a van in rural Indiana? How does her devoted mother emerge from the shock of finding that her daughter has not only disappeared but had been living a secret life for more than a year?
Mother and daughter tell their parallel stories in mesmerizing first-person accounts. Claire Fontaine's story is a parent's worst nightmare, a cautionary tale chronicling her daughter Mia's drug-fueled manipulation of everyone around her as she sought refuge in the seedy underworld of criminals and heroin addicts, the painful childhood secrets that led up to it, and the healing that followed. Her search for Mia was brutal for both mother and daughter, a dizzying series of dead ends, incredible coincidences and, at times, miracles. Ultimately, Mia was forced into harsh-but-loving boot camp schools on two continents while Claire entered a painful but life-changing program of her own. Mia's story includes the jarring culture shock of the extreme and controversial behavior modification school she was in for nearly two years, which helped her overcome depression and self-hatred to emerge a powerful young woman with self-esteem and courage.
An unforgettable story of love and transformation, Come Back is a heart-wrenching and humorous portrayal of the primal bond between mother and daughter that will resonate with women everywhere.

Today I came across a trash can full with pansies plants, now while I understand they are considered"annuals" in this neck of the woods and we are heading out of the standard "cool weather" pansy season but this still irritated me and managed to get under my skin. It hit a deeper cord of realization of how we live in such a disposable, throw away society and "for looks" based world. These little plants had plenty of life in them yet because our programming of looking like the Jones's, prim, proper and in place it was time for them to be replaced by the "summer annual flowers".

I wonder how often in our lives we really consider our actions, what do we really do out of habit and if we stopped to think about it that these things actually made sense. Perennial or self seeding flowers that serve a purpose of being edible or medicinal that come back every year would be functional beauty that could be minimal to no energy or money exerted year after year.

Admittedly our human nature yearns to fit in, look good, stay in with fashion, keep our lawns tidy as our reputation in town. But when do we wake up to realize it isn't working, it doesn't make sense, it really doesn't make us happy.

Although the neighboring state of Georgia is known as "The Peach State", South Carolina, only half the size of Georgia, grows more peaches. And the small town of Johnston, SC, lays claim to being the Peach Capital of the World.


The best time to visit Johnston, as I did once, is during the town's annual Peach Blossom Festival, held every year on the first Saturday in April. There you will find food, crafts, music and much more. Early April is when Johnston is the prettiest, with not only peach blossoms, but also azaleas, dogwood, and other flowers are at their best then.

Come back to Johnston in mid-summer and bite down on a fresh tree-ripened peach that has been warmed by the hot South Carolina sun. That's got to be one of earth's most delightful taste treats. Bland grocery store peaches, picked green and trucked in from California, aren't even in the same category.

8 POWERFUL WAYS TO INSPIRE TODAY’S TOUGH CUSTOMERS IN TOUGH TIMES AND MAKE THEM STICK!

“With Jim Champy’s well-proven gift for keen management analysis, today’s essential notions of business transparency, channel and customer alignment, and enduring cultural values become palpable, memorable, and—most important—usable.”
Alan Spoon, Managing General Partner, Polaris Venture Partners

“If you love the game of business, you’d be hard pressed to find a book with more ‘good moves’ per page than INSPIRE!”
Paal Gisholt, President and CEO, SmartPak

“Full of insightful ideas, this book is for those who like winning, who embrace innovation, and who wish to transform how they lead. It is not for the defenders of the status quo.”
Michael Dowling, President and CEO, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System

“INSPIRE! provides ‘food for thought’ and insightful guidance for all companies. This is particularly important in today’s economy where even established companies are looking for ways to maintain the growth they have enjoyed in better times.”
Chiquita White, Section Head, Product Development, Procter & Gamble

Jim Champy revolutionized business with Reengineering the Corporation. Now, in Inspire!, the second book in a series about what’s new and really works in business, he takes on the challenge of inspiring customers–even in tough times. In an era of commoditization and ever less loyal customers, this book shows how to keep customers coming back.

Drawing on dozens of original case studies from companies in a variety of industries, new and old, Champy reveals how to define a consistent value proposition your customers will be passionate about–and will stay passionate about. You’ll learn how to engage a new generation of customers who value transparency and authenticity above all...how to reinvigorate your company in the face of brutally tough and creative competition...how to go beyond mere marketing campaigns to lead crusades customers want to join.

Once again, Jim Champy has given businesses actionable solutions to one of the most challenging problems they currently face: making customers stick.

How to reignite customer loyalty by…
• Bringing authenticity to everything you do
• Creating new products that reflect the best of what you really are
• Delivering new value based on convenience, simplicity, and honesty
• Nurturing your mystique
• Choosing the right channel partners
• Doing well by doing good


8 POWERFUL WAYS TO INSPIRE TODAY’S TOUGH CUSTOMERS IN TOUGH TIMES AND MAKE THEM STICK!

“With Jim Champy’s well-proven gift for keen management analysis, today’s essential notions of business transparency, channel and customer alignment, and enduring cultural values become palpable, memorable, and—most important—usable.”
Alan Spoon, Managing General Partner, Polaris Venture Partners

“If you love the game of business, you’d be hard pressed to find a book with more ‘good moves’ per page than INSPIRE!”
Paal Gisholt, President and CEO, SmartPak

“Full of insightful ideas, this book is for those who like winning, who embrace innovation, and who wish to transform how they lead. It is not for the defenders of the status quo.”
Michael Dowling, President and CEO, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System

“INSPIRE! provides ‘food for thought’ and insightful guidance for all companies. This is particularly important in today’s economy where even established companies are looking for ways to maintain the growth they have enjoyed in better times.”
Chiquita White, Section Head, Product Development, Procter & Gamble

Jim Champy revolutionized business with Reengineering the Corporation. Now, in Inspire!, the second book in a series about what’s new and really works in business, he takes on the challenge of inspiring customers–even in tough times. In an era of commoditization and ever less loyal customers, this book shows how to keep customers coming back.

Drawing on dozens of original case studies from companies in a variety of industries, new and old, Champy reveals how to define a consistent value proposition your customers will be passionate about–and will stay passionate about. You’ll learn how to engage a new generation of customers who value transparency and authenticity above all...how to reinvigorate your company in the face of brutally tough and creative competition...how to go beyond mere marketing campaigns to lead crusades customers want to join.

Once again, Jim Champy has given businesses actionable solutions to one of the most challenging problems they currently face: making customers stick.

How to reignite customer loyalty by…
• Bringing authenticity to everything you do
• Creating new products that reflect the best of what you really are
• Delivering new value based on convenience, simplicity, and honesty
• Nurturing your mystique
• Choosing the right channel partners
• Doing well by doing good