Decisions and Bargains

I drove to work today, thinking about whether I should go to Utah or not. Still feeling a tinge of guilt. I needed to let my sister know so she could book the room in Vegas. We usually break the trip up by staying there. I read all of your posts, urging me to go (THANK YOU!) and that was all I needed. Just a final nudge telling me I deserved & needed it.

I doubled checked with my boss and she was fine with it. I was worried because it was so last minute. Called my sister (Stacy) when I got home...she was super excited. She was going to book a room in OLD Vegas (The Golden Nugget) because it was really cheap. I told her wait & I will work my bargain shopping magic and find a better one.

I ended up going on my secret little site and booked a room at Treasure Island for $59.00. I've learned to be a great price shopper, but still need to work on my personal budget and using coupons at the grocery store (UGH!).

Now, just because you guys are my close friends, I'm going to reveal my secret site to you...CLICK HERE. I thought a few of you may need a little getaway too and with the economy, my secret site will save you TONS!

I'm so excited! I hope when I come back my insomnia will be gone & my book will be finished, oops...must remember to RELAX too! Thanks again for the push!

SOME OLD VEGAS MEMORIES

Me & My younger sister (April) at Club TAO in 2006...I love going dancing!

My Best Friend Christie (the blonde) Bachelorette party in 2005.


I Always Do Everyone's Hair & Makeup.
Family (Girls Only) Vegas Trip.
Me, Amy, April, Mom, Baby Zoey & Stacy
Me & My Mom (Bet ya couldn't tell...LOL)

Man Cleavage

Random....
Me & my husband were walking at the beach tonight. A man & woman were walking towards us. The man had a flesh colored baby pouch on the front, carrying a new born. From a distance, my husband only sees the top of the bald baby’s head (giving the appearance of cleavage peeking out of a tight top). Before they reached us he looks at me shocked, “That man has boobs!”…LOL! I couldn’t stop laughing! Just thought I’d share!

VISUAL:
Kind of like this but with a smaller baby and tighter pouch.



More Random...
My sister is heading to Utah on Monday to visit our family for a week. She wants me to go and I immediately said, "YES!" Then I thought, "How can I miss a whole week of work?" I'm an independent contractor and never receive vacation pay. One week without pay will really put us behind. Now I need to decide...I'm torn, I want to go so bad, I feel like I need to get away and re-group! Help!! What to do? Am I selfish because I want some time to myself?

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Flip Flop Vs. The Wave-Prayer Request Tuesday

After you read my true FLIP FLOP vs. THE WAVE adventure on Sunday...leave your Prayer Request~It's Prayer Request Tuesday. There is no better way to start your week than releasing all your worries and cares. Turn them over to the Lord today and allow others to pray on your behalf.

THE FLIP FLOP Vs. THE WAVE
By: Lisa Petrarca

“Oh no! Not my brand new flip flops!” Carefully setting the sandals on the highest part of the mini sand cliff, away from the pounding surf. I stood with my feet in the water, waves crashing up, soaking my board shorts, as I struggled to keep my camera away from the massive spray that proceeded.

I left the house in the morning planning on having a great day at the beach watching the Hurley US Open of Surfing Competition. The crowd was packed close to the water, trying to catch a glimpse of the final top two surfers, our local HB boy, Brett Simpson and Mick Fanning from Australia.

The tide began to rise along with the size of the waves. I struggled to get a good shot, fighting the surf and crowd. Before I new it a gigantic wave hammered towards us. I held my camera straight up over my head, looking back to check on my shoes, watching them spin inside the churning water, unable to grab them, they were washed out to sea.



Five minutes later, one shiny silver sandal appeared in the sand. I rushed to grab it…I no longer cared about who won the competition or my pictures, I wanted my other flip flop. We searched and searched…the other one never turned up.

The sand was blazing hot, I ran to the trash can to throw away my one flip flop. Next I attempted to make it from one shaded area to another as my feet started to blister. I wanted to cry it hurt so bad! Finally I couldn’t take it anymore so my husband took off his large flip flops as we reached the scorching asphalt. I didn’t care how they looked…3 sizes to big! I was in pain and needed relief.

How many of us try to make it through life by ourselves? Handling all of our problems, finances, worries and cares alone. Saying, “I can do it, I’m a strong person, I don’t need anyone!” But the troubles mount, the pain begins to build, we can no longer cope with things alone. We need help, running for one shaded area after another…temporary relief.

Sadly, what we don’t realize is, just like my single flip flop, we are not meant to work alone. I could not make it across the mile long stretch of sand with one shoe, just as we cannot make it through this life without our Lord’s help. He sent His son, Jesus to be an example, to die for our sins and to teach us to turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and supplication for EVERYTHING!

Don’t hop through life alone, He is waiting for you to ask for His help!

The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit O Lord my God.
Jonah 2:5,6

Smash Face!

I don't know what's going on with me lately but I look like this!

At work this is how I feel. I look outside, then move closer to the window, closer, until I look like her. Dreaming, hoping to get outdoors and be creative. I've worked indoors my whole life, clothing store manager, banking, office manager...I feel stuck! Don't get me wrong, I feel so grateful to have a job, especially now, BUT......

I want to feel a purpose, a sense of making a difference in the world. I want to be creative. My whole life has been spent with figures & numbers. Which always shocks me since I HATE math, calculations and things of that sort. But that's what I do, that's what has paid the bills.

I have dreamed a lot! BUT....

Like the picture says, why do I stop myself? It's weird, when other people have hopes and dreams I can help, encourage and push them. My dreams on the other hand, I sabotage. I've been writing a book for a while now (one of my biggest dreams) BUT....I always find things to side track me. It feels like I will never be able to finish, so I go for the quick fix (I'll Blog instead). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to Blog, BUT....I told myself I would set a schedule and write 30 minutes everyday until my book is finished. BUT....it's easier to put it off write a quick little short story on my Blog and then of course it's too late to work on my book.

Now, do you see the pattern developing here...BUT...BUT...BUT? I need to eliminate the BUT's from my life and then and only then will smash face end and my dreams begin!

So for all of you SMASH FACE...BUT people out there, try to join me in chasing your dreams by eliminating the BUT's!

Dreams create the ability to see beyond our current situations to the hidden possibilities deep within us.
By: Lisa Petrarca

Can You Help With A Wedding?

A friend of mine was just on the news trying to barter her services (babysitting, cleaning, sewing, mowing lawns) anything to help pay for her wedding. She is a full time nursing student who spent several years caring for her paralyzed (from meningitis) terminally ill mother, who recently passed away. She has been engaged for 9 years. Her wedding day has been put off due to her mothers illness, money, time and school.

She now wishes to finally marry the love of her life. She is offering her services on Craigslist to fulfill her dream, in exchange for a place to have her wedding, make up artist, hairstylist, flowers, photography, cake...all the wedding necessity's. If you are able to help with your services, please let me know and I will forward the information to her.

Be Sure To Read Her Story..She's AMAZING! Here are the links to the stories:

http://begbarterorbride.com/
http://cbs2.com/local/Kerry.Coryell.Beg.2.1094729.html
HER BLOG
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/kerry-says-wedding-2500769-mom-ago

I know there is so many caring, giving people out there who live in Southern California. If you think you or someone you know might be able to unselfishly help someone's dream come true, please let me know!

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

After you read the incredible story below, be sure to leave your prayer requests in the comment section. I will add it to our weekly HB Gathering Group to have others pray for you! Don't carry your burdens alone another day, turn them over to the Lord!

Cherokee Indian Legend
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His dad takes him into the forest –blindfolded-and leaves him...alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified-could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth...and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically - never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

Need a Laugh on Monday?

I've been having a rough couple of days. I haven't been able to go to sleep until after 3:00 a.m. for the past week. Then I try to get up and get ready in the morning and I'm knocking things over, bumped into a wall, stabbed myself in the eye with my makeup brush and then........THIS!

My dog (Siberian Husky) lays in the walk ways, sprawled out making us step over her all the time. Normally I'm pretty graceful, stepping carefully over her without a problem. This morning however, in my sleep deprived state, I went to step over her, she moved at the exact same time leaving me nowhere to put my foot as I tried to avoid stepping on her leg.

I had nothing to grab onto as I went completely down, my right arm twisting back to break my fall. Both feet coming off the ground, smacking my butt on the hard wood floor, my back flopping back, landing on the corner of her stinky, hairy bed. I guess I still stepped on her and she started yelling (howling) and charged at me as I lay on my back, legs in the air, eyes wide staring directly into hers. She seemed scared and confused, wondering why I stepped on her and then had the nerve to lay on her bed!

I started yelling at her and then quickly jumped up, afraid my husband or son would walk in, while I lay sprawled out on the dogs bed and start laughing at me...paying me back for always making fun of them when they fall. Just thought you would all love to get the visual and start your Monday off with a laugh!

Is It Zoolander?

Jullien had a casting today with the famous men's fashion magazine, Arena Homme +. HE BOOKED IT! Now the bad part, he has a job on Monday that he booked last week so he can't do it! At least it's good for his ego to know that he could've booked a job for one of the top magazine's. I'm sure there will be other opportunity's.

On Monday he has a full day of shooting, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., who said modeling was easy? He's a football player and has played since he was five. He knows all about hard work, but when he calls me after a photo shoot, he says, "Man, that was so tiring, mom!" I laugh and say, "What, you're not turning into a prima donna on me are you?" LOL! He doesn't like when I joke with him like that, but I don't care, it's funny.

I guess all that posing, holding weird positions, bending, squatting and giving that Zoolander look would wear anyone out.



Someday he may be able to strike those AMAZING poses!LOL!

Here's Jullien's newest pics...I love the blue one.

Photos By: Kevin Polvent

Jullien's Modeling Update

The jet setter is now back in New York after graduating High School, flying off to Paris for two and a 1/2 weeks, which made him pretty homesick. He feels very comfortable in NY and now realizes that he will have to actually move there. Which makes me sad but I'm so proud of him!

He has been booking several jobs~Look Books and magazine's, one coming out this month and another next month. He finally is getting pretty excited because the money is starting to come in. I'll put the link up once they're out for you to see.

He has also been getting tons of positive feedback from top designers, photographers and stylists telling him he is going to be HUGE! Yay...let's see those huge paychecks, mama needs a new pair of shoes...J.K. LOL!

In the meantime, here's a few photos:



















Calvin Klein

A Golfing Mishap

Anthony went golfing today to try out his new golf clubs and he took Adam with him. Adam is new to golfing, but is pretty athletic and a quick learner. Anthony was getting ready to take a shot, swinging his club back over his head, the club swooshed through the air, striking the ball with exact precision. A split second later the ball hit him directly in the neck! He grabbed his neck, looking around, thinking that his ball must have hit a tree and ricocheted back pounding his neck. He yelled, "What the HECK!" spotting the ball next to his feet.

Adam was almost on the ground holding his stomach, laughing till his eyes started to tear up. Anthony swung at the ball...that angry, hurt, and frustrated type of swing. Of course he missed it and then decided to kick it to release some of the pain in his neck. He finally realized that Adam had been directly behind him hitting his ball too. However the ball curved and hit Anthony...a clean perfect shot! He yelled, "You're done with this hole...get outta here!"

I wish I had been there to catch it all on camera...can you imagine what a prized possession that would be! LOL!

Prayer Request Tuesday

I wanted to remind everyone that it is prayer request Tuesday. Once a week I am inviting everyone to send in their problems, burdens, concerns and anxiety's. Let others pray for you during your time of need. You can never have enough prayer!

FEELING SHIPWRECKED?

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
Jeremiah 32:27

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3

LET THE LORD RAISE YOUR SAILS AND GET YOU BACK IN THE RACE FOR THAT WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU!