CONSEQUENCES

I remember as a kid hearing the word consequences.  My mom was big on that one.  I was punished a lot as a teen. Those were the consequences of me shooting off my mouth.  Some people learn and some never do...  

 A New Beginning

I don't care what anyone says you never get over the loss of a pet.  We lost Chase in December of 2019  He was almost 19 years old.  Our world was changed forever.  Then in February of 2020 the Covid Pandemic hit.  Life as we knew it took on a whole new meaning.  The new norm was working from home, standing in lines to go into the supermarket, and masking it up.  Wow!  I took a hiatus from writing and believe I was going thru some kind of depression, as was the rest of the world.

In August of 2020 Chelsea passed away one week after turning 18.  We were devastated all over again.  Our home became very quiet.  Having pups had changed our lives.  They were always in the thick of things.  They had become so entrenched in our lives it was hard to get used to all that quiet which at times was deafening.

Tom and I had discussed getting another dog but we both knew that we weren't ready.  Eleven months later enter Chi Chi.  My daughter and son-in-law had adopted her as her previous owner could not keep her.  They brought her on vacation with us and it was love at first sight.  Chi Chi took to me instantly.  We became almost glued to the hip.  

Chi Chi is a six pound Chaweenie.  She is an adorable little love muffin.  Suddenly our hearts opened wide to accepting another pup into our lives.  A month and a half later Chi Chi officially came home with us to stay.  She is a bundle of pure energy and keeps us on our toes.  She catches on easily and has learned several phrases.  

Just when you think you can't open your heart again that ray of sunshine comes bursting through!  That is our little Chi Chi aka Cheech.  Welcome home Cheech!

   

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TRUMP TRAIN

Rest In Peace Chelsea (Doomie) Bonaldi

 August 29, 2020

Another tough decision was to let Chelsea go today.  I knew it was right when Chelsea bathed my face with kisses when we were in the Vet's office.  She had just turned 18 years old on the 24th.  She was my very special girl.  Chelsea was what I considered a cat in a pup's body.  She wasn't your traditional love monkey.  She was always self-sufficient.  Yet she was always under my feet.  We miss her terribly.  The house just isn't the same and our lives have certainly changed.

We love and miss you like crazy Doomie Girl.

Rest in Peace - Chase (Gizzie) Bonaldi

R.I.P.

Chase (Gizzie) Bonaldi

02-21-2001 to 12-10-2019

There’s a heaviness in our home and it is so quiet.  Chase (Gizzie) Bonaldi has left a hole in our hearts that will never be replaced.  He was a million in one pup.  Everyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting him automatically fell in love with him.  There was something about him.  And that doesn’t even include his antics.

Chase came through odds that were unbelievable – but then again there were so many prayers sent up when he had been really ill back in 2009.  The doctors weren’t optimistic with his prognosis but Tom and I did not waver.  We stood on the promises of God and in time Chase came through.  Some of the doctors had even been shocked.

Chase had what I had called “Chaseanality”.  He was a loving pup and wanted to be with us as much as possible.  He had truly been a lap dog.  We loved him and he knew it.  In turn he gave us unconditional love.

Last night had been a long night.  There was too much room in the bed.  I can’t even explain how I feel besides empty.  I miss that little guy more than words can express.  I miss that special look, I miss carrying him around like a football, I especially miss kissing that little furry face – and having those kisses returned ten-fold.

My heart aches as I know we have to look for a new normal.  Right now nothing feels normal.  Even Chelsea is feeling it. 

Thank you for the outpouring of love.  We really appreciate it.

Faith

My writing has really been struggling this year.  Talk about a hiatus - it's been too long really.  I think I fell into a depression without realizing what was happening.  It started when I had gained close to twenty pounds within a couple of months.  Next came the many doctor visits for different things.  Until finally the discovery of the C-word and then the subsequent surgery.  
My family and friends pulled together to help me get through it.  Of course it hadn't helped that I had just started working again and didn't have time to take off.  I know what you're thinking so I won't even go there.  I was worried about many different things and not only work.
Needless to say I was back to work in a week.  It wasn't enough time but I pulled it off.  I wish I could say that the surgery had fixed everything.  Of course it fixed the biggest problem - it got rid of the cancer.  Thank you Jesus.  
It's not quite a year that I am now cancer free, and believe me, I thank God every day for that.  Yet, I don't feel any better.  I am still getting monitored, they are testing that my medication is adjusted accordingly yet I am still sluggish.  Throw menopause into that mix and you have some combination.  I go to bed tired and I wake up more tired than when I went to sleep.  It honestly doesn't make any sense.  I am tired of being tired.
The weight still hasn't come off.  Not that I am trying much mind you.  I don't have it in me to exercise so I can't even go there.  I am lucky if I can make it to eight before contemplating the bed.  Not fun.    
I went on vacation with two of my girlfriends and had to push myself each morning just to get out of bed.  Sure, we had a blast, crossed two things off of my bucket list, (another blog) and it was a fantastic time.  It would have been better if I had been thirty pounds lighter and not so tired. 
So now what?  Find another doctor.  Keep looking for what?  I'm really not sure at this point.
Exhaustion is a hard battle to fight.  Especially when you do not know exactly what you are fighting.  It's been ongoing and uphill all the way.  So, I put it in God's hands and trust that He will pull me through.  And He will.  He always does.  All I need to do is to continue to have faith.  

2019 - The Year of the Bucket List

I have the book.  I have the list tucked inside my mind.  Yet I hesitate...  Why?  The moment it goes down on paper is the moment it becomes REAL!  It's there.  It's front and center.  You can't take it back.  Not that I would want to...  The only thing is that if I do not achieve the goal wouldn't that mean failure?
At first I thought so.  My Bucket List is not so big but to me it's a real tall order.  I mean, I am reaching.  I guess I should start with the things I had already accomplished on my Bucket List.  I traveled on a plane by myself.  That might not mean much to some people but to me that was major.  I knew I had to do it for myself.  And that is as good a reason as any. 
So - there's one for the book...  

Now - I have how many more pages to go...  I have accomplished more than I actually give myself credit for.  I have quite a few goals that I still need to achieve.  With a book like this...  Well - that's half the battle!

Cover Reveal

So much going on.  Not enough time to do the things we want to do.  I've heard this a million times and have felt it a million more.  How the writer in me does not explode I have no idea.  I have all of these stories running around in my head - and the need to get them down on paper overwhelms me.  That is why I have snippets all over the place.
I finally put The End to Coming Home for Christmas...  It felt like forever but that also has a lot to do with timing.  I did not want to change the title.  I wanted a feel good Christmas story with that promise of a second chance.  If you love someone I believe they deserve a second chance.

And here it is...   Cover Reveal:

Tentative Publishing date:  October 2018

The Many Facets of Love

When I think of love I think of the many facets of love.  There is a love between a husband and a wife; a love between siblings; a love between a mother and a child.  All of these types of love are different yet they are unconditional.
The love of a husband and wife is the love that is always changing.  It evolves as does time.  What once began as a fairy tale love story soon becomes deeper and stronger as time steadily moves on.

The love between siblings is a strong bond as they share their parents.  They are first friends as well as first fighters.  They can love one minute and hate each other the next.  Yet they will stand up for each other no matter what the circumstance.  Whether they stay close or move away - whether they speak every day or every so often - they will always share that sibling love.

Then there is the love between a mother and a child.  That love is a special bond that no one can break.  A love that can sometimes be trying as a child begins to assert themselves.  That usually comes with a strong dose of tough love.  (Tough Love - a post for another day.)

 

The Power of an Unwavering Prayer

For two long years I had questions of a personal nature.  I couldn't understand what was going on and why.  I have never questioned God.  I had questioned myself but never God.  I had faith and knew that while I was only able to see a piece of the puzzle that God could see the entire puzzle.  
For two years I felt as though I was in a transitional phase in my life while I was in a constant state of flux.  But while I was in this state of flux there were so many great things happening all around me and some not so great!
Two grandbabies were born into our family just three months apart.  Aria Sandra, my little namesake, and Antonio Manuel, my little miracle.  Aria was born in Florida where my son and his family moved, two years ago.  I got to finally meet her when she was almost a year old.  We had a full house at Christmas Time!  (Aria Sandra)

Before Antonio was born we learned that my daughter had thyroid cancer.  Our family stood on the word of God, especially His promises.  I can't even begin to imagine how it was for my daughter.  That C word can strike fear into the strongest of people but she was more worried about her unborn child then she was concerned for herself.  She was strong! 

She followed all of the Dr.'s orders without hesitation.  They would give her six weeks from the birth before they would do surgery. 

(Antonio Manuel)

We formulated a plan of action covering the birth of Antonio to the surgery to the subsequent treatment after the surgery.  Since she would be treated and would be radioactive so to speak - Antonio had to be removed from the house for 2 to 3 weeks until she was given the all clear from the doctor.  There was no question about it - Antonio would come and stay with us and we would FaceTime so she could speak to him.

There was a lot involved to have this plan come to fruition but we pulled together as a family.  There were no other options - this is when I believe I really began to understand, at least a little bit, of how God makes things work together for our good.  All those times that I prayed.  I prayed for strength, for healing, and a lot of other things that couldn't be put into words.  That too is when I realized The Power of an Unwavering Prayer!

All About the Bass

A little more than I want to be - but hey - why deny the facts?  I am bringing booty back - front and center...https://youtu.be/7PCkvCPvDXk

Miracles are all around us!

Miracles are all around us!  We just have to hold them close to our hearts!  Praising God for one of the biggest miracles in my life!  My family!

Tribute to my Mom

Mother's Day 2017

Tribute to my Mom - Catherine Ann De Lorenzo

If I can say one thing to my mom on this Mother's day - aside from telling her how much I love and miss her - I would have to say how proud I am of her.  She's been gone for almost 25 years and I am only now just learning how strong my mom actually was.
Life comes full circle. It amazes me sometimes. Just when you think you know all there is to possibly know you are blindsided with something else. Something you had never known and no one had ever told you.  You discover it quite by accident and suddenly you're entrenched in the past.  There are things we learn about our parents as we age that suddenly make them more human than we thought possible.
My mom was a single mom and she took care of her three girls single handedly.  Being a single mom back in the 70's was a whole other ball game.  Especially doing this on your own. She was both mom and dad to us through our most impressionable years.  So, to learn something new, something that should have remained buried, makes me look at my mom with a new respect and a new understanding of how much she had actually sacrificed for me and my sisters.
If I could be 1/2 the mother my mom was that would be a great accomplishment.  Happy Mother's Day in Heaven Mom! Until we meet again... I love you!

Love Endures All

I don't remember the exact date...  But I remember the pain in my heart.  Sudden, swift, and stabbing.  My breath left my body and my mind could not comprehend what I had learned.  Love is a funny thing.  Love knows no age - knows no limits - knows nothing about time.  Love endures all!

Precious Promises

2016 was certainly a year to remember! God was definitely working miracles within our family circle. There were some moments that may have been trying but thru it all - God was on the throne. As we continue to petition our great Lord I know that 2017 will be our best year yet! Doors will open and windows will bring in God's blessings.  The Lord will continue to deliver His precious promises!

Praising God thru good times and bad

There are those days when you feel like life is beating you down, this is when you stand on the Rock and praise God thru the storm.  It's when you feel like not getting out of bed.  Not doing anything.  This is the time to dig your heels in and pray as well as praise.

There is something about praising God that brings up your spirits.  When it feels like you are alone just call out to Jesus and He will be there with you no matter where you are.  Such a great promise!  Help is there just for the asking.  We serve an awesome God.
Remember to praise thru the good.  That good is only possible because again - we serve an awesome God.  He hears all and answers our prayers great and small.

Life has many distractions.  Taking care of a family, keeping a house, and working.  That is the short list.  I've purposed to give it all to God.  I will continue to praise Him thru the storms and thank Him for His blessings great and small...

The Power of a Patient Prayer…

The Power of a Patient Prayer…

I will begin by saying that in the last twenty five years I have seen so many miracles.  I have stood on the Word of God through many trials and tribulations.  I have seen God move in subtle ways and I have seen him move as though a blazing wildfire. 

Another thing that I had come to understand was that God’s timetable was a lot different than mine.  Patience had never come easy for me.  Waiting for my prayer to be answered showed me that I was going to learn patience.

Romans 12:12 reads:  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  (New International Version) (NIV)

And I was determined to remain faithful, especially where prayer was concerned.  I especially did not want my prayers to turn into something repetitious.  I was going to stand strong and not waver.

In this world we live in it is easy to become a skeptic.  Negativity seems to be the norm.  And it’s easy to become as negative as this world is.  The harder you try to live your life right it sometimes feels as though you are always swimming against the tide.  These are the times when you need to stay close to God, read the Word, and strengthen your faith.

In John 14: 12-14 Jesus says:  “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  (NIV)

I stood on this promise.  I believed that God was going to answer my prayer; it was just a matter of when.  I’d had ups and downs.  Had to practice Tough Love.  Which if you are a parent you know how tough Tough Love can be.  Through it all I placed my petitions at the foot of the cross. I will admit that one of my biggest problems was that I would lay it down before God and without thinking about it I would take it back.  I didn’t mean to do it.  It took some time for me to realize that I could not fix this problem.  Only God could fix it.  By picking it back up I wasn’t allowing God to handle it.  After I accepted the fact that only He could do what I was asking I started thanking God for my prayer being answered.  I prayed that my household would be saved.  I believed God for this miracle.  Now it was time for me to have patience.  In Romans 10:36 The Amplified Bible reads:  For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.

So I continued to pray for patience.  This patience went on for fifteen years.  My husband and I continually petitioned God’s throne.  We were standing steadfast and we were not wavering.  And we weren’t the only ones praying.  There were a lot of people praying.  We put in a lot of prayer cards.

And through that I also prayed that my joy would be full.  I was not giving up.  There were days when I would turn on the radio, STAR 99.1 when I was on my way to work and a song would come on and I felt as though God was reaching out to me, assuring me that He was working behind the scenes.  My resolve would then be strengthened.  I was standing on the Promises of God and I knew He was going to come through.  I was also standing on the Word.

In Galatians 5:22-23 I read:  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  (NIV)

Standing on God’s promises seems easier when everything is going great.  It’s when adversity strikes – when you really have to dig in your heels and stand strong on those promises.  It was a long road.  But when everything came together it was worth it.  It’s all in God’s timing.  And God’s timing is always perfect.

Antonio Manuel

Welcome to the Family Antonio Manuel

April 5, 2016

6 pounds 15 ounces

Welcome to the family:
Aria Sandra
12-31-2015

Welcome 2016 - Bring on the festive borg....

It only takes a moment to get totally blindsided.  I’ve always said that if it wasn’t for my faith I would have thrown in the towel (so to speak) many years ago, I wasn’t kidding.  I believe in the power of prayer just as I believe in miracles.  I’ve seen them come to pass and I believe many more are in the making.  I have claimed that 2016 is going to be a great year and I still stand by that declaration.  Our family is growing and continues to grow.  I am watching God’s promises coming to pass just as we had prayed they would.  My heart sings with the song “Our God is an awesome God!”

I have made many resolutions for this upcoming year.  I look forward to a promising year. As I say goodbye to 2015 I can truly admit, if only in my heart, that I will miss it.  But I am looking forward to bigger and better things. 

Bring on that festive borg...