We’ve all dealt with headaches, backaches and all kinds of aches and pains…but what if you’ve been emotionally hijacked? What then? It happens so often it puts headaches and backaches to shame! Ever had to deal with someone at the DMV? Then you know what I’m talking about.
I’ve been reading this book called God Doesn’t Have Bad Hair Days, by Pam Grout.
What a great little book with a fun sense of humor!

All you need is the desire to find peace and happiness in your life to understand this book. It doesn’t matter what your religious upbringing or belief is - this book focuses on how we are all universally and spiritually connected- truly connected to one another. How we can learn to change each other for the better - without even having to speak to one another!

There are some quirky exercises the author asks you to try (and believe me…it makes you ask yourself “Why can’t I do this?). I would highly recommend you buy this book and keep it close by. Toss it in your purse or keep it by your nightstand. It will come in handy (and no…not to peg the person at the DMV with it!).

I look at it like this. If I have a headache, I take a Tylenol to relieve the pain. If I’ve been emotionally hijacked, I reach for my book to get back my serenity and inner peace- even though I’ve thought many times to peg someone so deserving of it with it.

Yeah, I'll be reading my book again...

Happy Reading!

Thought of the Day

At work, our HR Director emails everyone a "Thought of the Day" each day without fail. Believe it or not, these simple messages/quotes help me get through the hustle and bustle of not only my work day but everyday. They are little helpful reminders to brush off the negativity in your life and focus on the positive, focus on the love we need to give and need to receive in order to be the person we were meant to be.

Here is yesterday’s Thought of the Day:

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I get this.
I have had blunders and absurdities creep into my life and even still some try effortlessly to bring me down. But today is a new day. A day to count my blessings and be thankful for them: I still have a job. I have a place I can call home. I have friends that make me smile and are there for me. I have the love and support of a beautiful family. I can go on…

So, today is a new day. Enjoy your day and be thankful for it.

Our Little Girl Is Growing Up

"Congratulations! It's a beautiful baby girl"
I still remember feeling awed as I held this little precious gem in my arms. The faint little cry and her beautiful blue eyes staring back at me. I would hold her in my arms forever.

Those beautiful blue eyes just turned 15!
Our little girl has grown to be a beautiful, sincere, respectful, kind, and quite funny young lady. Jeff and I couldn't be prouder.

College, clothes, driving are topics of everyday conversation these days. Even dating has come up a few times (Jeff does not do well with this topic!) Ha Ha...
Before we know it, she'll be driving home from college to visit and introducing us to her new man.

I guess as parents our role is very simple: to raise our children to emulate our standards of respect, values and morality.
This is how they learn they are loved.

We love you with all our heart, baby girl.
Happy 15th Birthday!

Love Mom and Dad

39...Just Another Number

"You're only as young as you feel."
Couldn't agree more.
Everyone asks me how I feel about turning 39. I feel fine (except these darn allergies and asthma). Otherwise, feeling great.

It's true, you know, about that "outer body" experience. I have it all the time.

Even though my body has aged (and boy has it ever!), I don't feel different inside. I still love to watch cartoons, color with my kids and be silly with them, (and still don't have the coordination for sports). I love to laugh, make people smile, and have fun! I just don't feel 39. Whats' that supposed to feel like, anyway?

My parents tried to surprise me once for my birthday. It was my 18th. The backyard filled with family and friends (in New York). By the time everyone realized I had arrived, 10 minutes had passed. For my 39th birthday, it won't be the "number" I remember. Just the surprise...
A BMW waiting for me outside.

Jeff did it. He actually surprised me!
It could have been a 1972 Ford Pinto sitting out there. It wasn't about the car. It was about him. His mission was to surprise me for my birthday-and he succeeded.

Jeff is a considerate and loving person. Always calm, cool and collected (completely opposite from me). When it comes to his family, it means everything to him to make us happy. For this and more, I love him with all my heart and soul.
He can drive me up the wall with gadgets and "ideas" for the house, but when it comes down to it- I wouldn't trade him for all the BMW's in the world!
He's my everything.

Mi Familia

Even though I was born an only child, I was blessed with a BIG beautiful family. My big sister, Carmen, has always been someone I've admired greatly. My lil' sis, Shirley, well, what can I say, she's my Lucy and I'm her Ethel! Both are smart, loving, devoted women who are not only beautiful on the outside but radiate beauty on the inside. Between them I am a proud Aunt of (4) nephews and (3) nieces.

I also have (2) sister-in-laws, Stephanie and Amy, both also so beautiful and loving. Between them (actually only Stephanie) I have (2) beautiful nieces and (1) handsome-of-a-devil nephew. We're still waiting on Amy!

We were so happy to have had them all come visit us here in Charlotte throughout this year so far. It's always a BLAST to spend time together. A minute never goes by without the sound of laughter in the air.

Family means everything to Jeff and me. We teach our girls to always love one another no matter what, to never hold grudges and most important - to be thankful for each other.
We are so very grateful for all our blessings.


Carmen's Crew...missing Rachel :(


My daughter and goddaughter at the No Doubt concert! Great show!!


The Maldonado Crew


The cousins at Discovery Place


Stephanie and Pepaw...finally made it to Charlotte!


4th of July with the NY cousins in Charlotte


Cruisin' with the golf cart


The girls with Princess Mia


BBRRRRR!!!!!!


and everyone knows these two!...love you guys!

Let'em Eat Cake!

The last few weeks have been filled with joyous birthday weekends!
We first had a wonderful "FIRST" birthday for the most adorable, Jack. A fun pool party theme which challenged me to make his "pool" birthday cake. Not too bad for my first attempt (if I say so myself).



I also had made his sister's(Hannah) sleep-over cake. I was so glad the cake was a hit with all the girls!


This past weekend we had a Bunco Birthday Bash where we celebrated our sweet Gigi's 40th birthday!
Bunco is our monthly ladies night out to play dice. We have a phenomenal group of women that get together and just have FUN! I mean, come on...there's tons of good food, plenty of laughter and with drinks like California Concoction and Pink Pantie Pull Down, you know we look forward to this!!
So, of course, I wanted to make a unique birthday cake for my girl, Gigi, to go with her "Pink" themed birthday (LOVE YA GIRL!). I came up with a flower cupcake bouquet basket. I'm so glad everyone loved them and not many were left.








Decorating cakes has really become a passion of mine. The challenge of creating something unique for everyone to enjoy is very rewarding.
Baking the cake...30-35 minutes
Decorating the cake...2-3 hours
Bringing a joyous smile to the birthday girl/boy...PRICELESS!

Thank you for your Donations!

I can't thank everyone enough for the support and donations Briana and I received during the Relay for Life Cancer Walk on May 29th! It was my second year participating and Briana's first- but certainly will not be our last...
This year was extra special.
As most of you know, my dad was diagnosed with low-grade leukemia/lymphoma this past December (2008). Fortunately, he has no symptoms and does not need chemo at this time. His doctors say because he is so active and in great shape they believe he could be symptom-free for some time. He attended Relay as a "survivor" and, as you can see above, was honored to have led part of the opening ceremonial survivor lap.
Briana truly enjoyed this experience. She's now old enough now to understand her own muscle disorder (juvenile dermatomyositis) better and what it means to be in "remission". She's already looking forward to next year's Relay!

A BIG thank you goes out to our dear friend, Amber! It was her determination and faith that started the "Cancer Commandos" for last year's Relay for Life. She and her family have been an inspiration to us all!

Entering the Blog Zone!

Well, I finally did it....I created a Blog.
I was hesitant to do this as I am a very private person and really wouldn't have much to say (I know Shirley would argue this). Would someone really want to know about me and my life?
The answer is YES....my family would.
We may chat over the phone once in awhile but it's when we visit with each other that reminds me how precious that time is with them, how much I miss them and how they are not here to know about the little events that happen in our life.
So, this is for them.
I'll be honest...I may not update this regularly but my goal is to do so. The hustle and bustle of life is getting old and I need to make time to gather my thoughts once in awhile. This may be a great tool to help preserve those special moments and events in our life....and a way to share them with you!
Happy Blogging!