Sunday, November 26, 2006

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness




Did you know that November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness? My dear friend Nancy Flemming lost her beloved husband Harry to this terrible disease that is hard to detect. Nancy started her Foundation, the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Foundation shortly after Harry died. Her goal is to raise awareness and money for research. She is dedicated to this mission and I am so proud to be her friend. She is doing something big. This year Andrew and I walked in her PCA walk. The walk was almost 3 miles and took us over the Ringling Bridge. What a site to walk over the beautiful bridge on a beautiful and chilly Florida morning. I was so proud of Andrew he made it all the way! Next year my whole family is going to walk! Andrew and I walked with David and Mackenzie too!

Our frames at K2





The assignment was to get a frame and decorate it. Make it your own. Each of us, Megan, Nikki and I are three different people, three different kinds of scrapbookers. These ladies inspire me, amaze me and wow me. They are so talented. I am honored to be among them. We all got our frames at the same place, Raymonds used furniture in Sarasota. Wow, what a place. Nikki turned us on to it. I love the headboard Nikki did. It is so shabby chic. Megan was looking to create something contemporary. I feel in love with the mirror. I can't wait to hang it in my house. I love the shape. Come stop by the studio and see our frames in person.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving


I am sitting here this morning. It is 7:33 am and the whole house is quiet. It is chilly this morning in sunny Florida so the heat has kicked on giving the house that nice cozy warm feeling.

This is a hard day, the first of many Thanksgiving Days without my dad. I have had a couple of phone calls and emails yesterday with friends thinking of me and wanting me to know at this time of year I am in their thoughts. How kind, how lucky I am to have so many people who care about me.

For the first time since my dad died I felt "bright" the other day. It was a feeling in my whole body of hope. I miss him today, but I miss him everyday. He is the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of before I go to sleep.

I am thankful this year as always. I am thankful for my loving family, my friends, our home, my families health. I am healthier this year. I am back in my smallest size jeans and pants in my closet. I am thankful for Amy who showed me weigh training at the gym!

Five years ago on Thanksgiving morning I woke up in my parents bed in their old home in Ft. Lauderdale. Andrew had an ear infection and a fever and I was about to see my Aunt Paula for the last time. What a Thanksgiving that was. It is hard to believe that was 5 years ago. I miss Aunt Paula so much. When something good happens I still want to pick up the phone and call her. She was so much a part of our life. She was able to be at all our celebrations after Andrew was born.

This morning I woke up in my own bed. But somethings don't change. Andrew and Jeff were right there besides me. I heard the patter of Andrews feet on the tile at 6 am run to our bed and climb over me to get into the middle and fall back to sleep.

I am so sad for my mom this morning having to wake up alone. My heart is broken for her. There are no words to describe how badly I feel for her. There are only tears.

My dad loved Thanksgiving. He loved turkey and sweet potatoes. He loved stove top stuffing. He loved his family. He loved to sing the duck and turkey song and this was the one day of the year my mom let him do it.

I wish all my family and friends a peaceful day today. Thanksgiving is a calerie free day! Take the time to reflect today. Think of all you have to be thankful for and enjoy the day. Right now my heart is heavy but I do feel brightness in there. It takes time. I have been down this road before. The first without them. Mommy, Daddy, Nanny and Aunt Paula. My dad had so many sayings. Some he would say over and over. I think he did that so that when he was gone I would hear them. I can hear him say, " Jocie, life is for the living." "Nobody ever said that life was fair." " You have two choices, you can either join them or be a survivor."

I was blessed to have my dad for 42 years. I only had my mom for 14. I had my Nanny for 27 years and my Aunt Paula for 37. I live for them, for my family for the future. I believe that one day we will all be together again, but not now. I have living to do.

Be blessed for the things you have. Be blessed for the beautiful memories you have. Be blessed for the people in your life. My son just woke up and came in to the office and gave me a big hug. I just felt his warm body. I am blessed. I love you Daddy. I miss you.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

SHE Party Pics



These were taken of me on Friday night at the SHE Party at K2. Megan snapped these of me at the end of the evening at about 12:45. It was a long night but a great success for K2. Megan and Cathy worked so hard to photograph each person just right. Nikki was at the computer and the whole event ran really smoothly. Joline did hair, Regina did Mary Kay makeovers, Karen, Gail and Amy were everywhere. The studio was hoping and I made say FULL of awesome product. I need to make my holiday wish list. Later I will upload my "bullentin board". Each design team member made one and mine is a mirror. I took pictures of all of our boards. Nikki's is awesome and is a headboard. Megan's is ultra cool and sleek.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Jeff's birthday Gift



Megan turned me on to the website www.wonderfulgraffiti.com and I had to get one. The company is amazing. They have a great website and great customer service. I ordered this and adhered it to our bathroom mirror. They have great quotes and monograms. I ordere a gift certificate for a baby shower I am going to this weekend and it came packaged so cute. I can't wait to get a quote for our hallway. I hope Jeff likes his present. I love it!!

Dicky V



It is not everyday that you go to breakfast and get your picture taken with your girlfriends and Dick Vitale! The Broken Egg opened this week in Lakewood Ranch and we all met there for breakfast this morning and there he was. Dick splits his time now between the Siesta Key location and the Lakewood Ranch location.

The food was delicious and we got to sit outside at a nice big table. I highly recommend the pumpkin french toast that Karen got. It was so good!!! Fern and I got the sampler and we laughed when we saw the pancake you got with your one egg was as big as the plate!

I admire Dick Vitale, he was good friends with Jim Valvano a true hero to me. Dick is always raising money for the Jimmy V Foundation. Dick is very personable and will poise with everyone for a picture. He handed out autographs today too. What a gracious person.

Welcome back to Florida Karen and Stan. We love having you all back in the Ranch!