Cleaning Up The Past Friendships

Years ago I was friends with a girl who I met when my oldest son (now 22) & her son were in elementary school together. Our sons were best friends & we soon became very close too. We had a lot in common, we both loved to dance (go to clubs), were sarcastic & loved to joke around. I was going through some hard times financially & she let me & my three boys come & stay with her until we got back on our feet (for about 3 months.)

Everything was going along fine, I was cleaning, taking/picking up the kids from school, football & baseball practices, I wanted to be sure I was making her life easier & not harder because she was letting us stay with her. Then I found out she was talking behind my back & making hurtful comments to other people about me. I never asked her if we could stay with her, she offered, I refused, but she insisted saying it would be no big deal, it was only for a few months. My feelings were kind of hurt, but I never said anything (which was definitely not like me.)

Then one day, it went a step further I couldn't pick up the kids because of a prior engagement. She said, "No problem, I'll have my friend do it." Okay, no biggy, right?

WRONG!

She had her friend pick up her son & left my two young sons to walk home alone. You can say all you want about me, but when you mess with mama bear's kids, and their safety, it's on! I snapped, I couldn't believe it. Needless to say, that ended the friendship.

About 10 years later I ran into her, (she was in front of me at Target.) I acted as if I didn't see her, even when she made a point of telling the checker that an item wasn't her's, but mine. I continued to ignore her (never made eye contact.)

Then a few weeks ago, I was coming out of a Sushi Restaurant, & she was walking up, I quickly looked the other way & kept walking. Now, here's the thing, I'm not mad at her anymore, I'm a different person than I was 15 years ago. I'm very grateful for what she did...people make mistakes, Lord knows I have. But I don't know why I can't just walk up to her & say, "Hey, thank you for all you did, I'm sorry for the way things turned out." The past is the past.

But that fear of rejection, not knowing how she'll react, leaves me in that, "I can't see you-you can't see me place!"lol! Anyways, I'm telling all of this because I've made a decision to be BOLD the next time I run into her. No more hiding, ignoring & looking the other way. It's time to clean up past friendships.

So do any of you have messy friendships that need cleaning up? Or am I the only immature one?

Wearing Gas Masks?

Recently I heard that Israel was bombed. I have a dear blogger friend, Duta, who I was worried about. She's a wonderful lady who has an amazing blog. She posts pictures of places she visits along with very interesting stories. Stories that as American's, we only hear about on the news (which often gives a somewhat unrealistic view.) Her latest post shows a picture of her wearing a gas mask in 1991, and hiding out as stud missiles were heard all around her during the Gulf War.

Please stop by her blog "Places with Character" and see the pictures & read her story. It truly touched me & made me realize just how sheltered we really are here in America.

Making Changes

I've been working on my book for over a year, but still find ways to put off finishing it. It's in the final stages, but for some reason, I just can't get myself to sit down & type it up. I guess I'm old school, I don't have a laptop & prefer to write in a tablet, cross out, re-write, form thoughts & then try to piece it together when I finally type it up later.

Well, it's now later...& I don't want to type!

It seems never ending. My blogging is a quick fix (thought~type~pictures~post)...quick easy & satisfying.

My book, while satisfying during the writing, creative phase, not so much during the organizational part (not my strength...one walk into my bedroom would prove it!)

Now I've gotten to the point where a change needs to be made. The solution, putting self- imposed restrictions on myself: NO BLOG POSTING UNLESS I TYPE ONE PAGE OF MY BOOK.

That's where you all come in, when you see a post, periodically ask me how my typing's going? Between me & you...maybe I can finally accomplish my dream! Thanks for the support~Lord knows I need it!!

FAVORITE FINDS (Fashion, Makeup & More)

This vintage Sergio Valente jean jacket, is my all time fav...I've had it forever. Check out the details (red stitching, buttons, & cattle emblem.) This will be handed down...it is in my closet forever!




Vintage Sergio Valente jean jacket (bought in the 80's)

A few years ago I had a severe eye infection which forced me to give up my contact lenses, (or risk going blind.) I was lost...how would I ever find cute "prescription" sunglasses?

To my amazement, I found out that I could take any old pair of sunglasses into my eye Dr.'s & have them turned into prescription for only $100.00.

Gucci Sunglasses (purchased at Nordstrom Rack for $80.00,
Full Price $325.00

I found this "train conductor" hat (as my hubby calls it) at a sample sale a few years ago. My hubby teased me every time I wore it, but I think he's finally accepted it (especially when I caught him trying to steal it to wear golfing!) It's now officially one of my fav's. I throw it on to go to the gym, bad hair days or when I'm feeling lazy (which seems to be quite often these days.)


Peter Grimm Headwear- Link (cool hats for cheap)

My NIKE running shoes, (a Christmas present) are incredibly comfortable & they have the breathable fabric which is a must for me. They're also on sale @ Sports Chalet for cheap right now.

Nike.com

Finally, let's talk makeup. I spent years wearing MAC & noticed that it didn't work for a girl with dry skin. I always ended up flaky. I switched to CHANEL...which I loved BUT (yes a BIG but) it was so expensive. I finally found the BEST, NATURAL RICE makeup ever! It's made by PALLADIO, goes on dry or wet, never dry's out your skin & cleared up my break-outs (natural ingredients.) It's available at Sally's Beauty Supply for $10.00. Yes 10 bucks!


You SERIOUSLY have to try this makeup!!

Celebrate Good Times-C'mon

Josh & his girlfriend Charmaine-celebrating his graduation

Today I took my oldest son, Josh & his girlfriend, Charmaine out to lunch to celebrate his graduation. He officially graduated cosmetology school. He's finally done & I'm proud of him for sticking with it...even when he felt like giving up.

That's one thing I've always tried to instill in my kids, "NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER QUIT! FINISH WHAT YOU START!"

I didn't live those words because I was always afraid of failure. I usually wouldn't even attempt things or if I did, I wouldn't finish what I started. The fear of failure and/or rejection was overbearing...stifling me.

So I just stayed in my comfort zone.

I'm so glad that I've been able to encourage my kids to push through the difficulties & even when they got fearful, they learned to step out in faith and "DO IT AFRAID, BUT JUST DO IT!"

So right now I'm singing...

There's a party going on right here a celebration to last throughout the years. So bring your good times and your laughter too we're gonna celebrate your party with you
Come on now (C e l e b r a t i o n) let's all celebrate and have a good time.
(C e l e b r a t i o n) We're gonna have a good time tonight let's celebrate, it's alright.

Congrats JOSHY!

It's Officially Over & Begun

My photo break is officially over. During my "time off" I planned on finishing a book that I've been writing & working on for over a year, however, that familiar self doubt started to creep in and I often found myself looking for other things (blogging - 'quick fix' for my inner writing bug) instead of being as diligent as I had hoped.

Now track season has officially begun...picture time! I love taking pictures almost as much as writing, but with the amount of shots I have to take (all of the boy sprinters) I sometimes find myself getting a little overwhelmed, (going through the 300+ photo's weekly, deleting, editing, downloading & emailing.) Why can't I just be independently wealthy so I can spend ALL my time writing & taking pictures? Sigh...work tends to get in the way of my true passions. Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY thankful to have a job & especially with two AMAZINGLY incredible bosses who go out of their way to thank me daily (I mean really, who gets thanked as they leave everyday) but work is still work right? Enough about me...blah blah blah...I can go on forever sometimes!

Welcome to track season...and...for my fashion friends (I don't want you to be too bored) check out the spikes (running shoes) most of the boys design their own online at Nike iD.com.

my son Elijah (left) 10th grader running Varsity-woo hoo!
Coming from behind on the outside-4x100 Meter Relay



intense race!

We won our heat!

4x200 Meter Relay **we won again**




some of the hurdlers

love capturing the intensity on their faces!


Congratulating the little sophomore on running so well!

We're off to a great start, especially considering we haven't had a track to practice on yet (they've been putting in a new all weather track & we don't know when their going to be done.) Makes it a little tough on the boys & coaches. Luckily they were pleasantly surprised!

Only in Southern California

Elephant in the clouds
double click photo's for larger view

We took a trip out to Moreno Valley for a funeral service for our friends dad who passed away. It was a touching & beautiful service, which is exactly how it should be done-'A Celebration of Life.'

We were driving home & I noticed the amazing light shining down through the clouds. I was thankful I had my camera with me...these are the things that took my breath away.

It's as if the Lord was guiding him home...



The following week while my parents were here visiting we headed down to the beach to grab a bite to eat and sit out in the warm California sunshine, catching some rays.


They really enjoyed this...they live in Utah and it's snowing & freezing there this time of year. It was really windy as we headed down to the pier. I turned to take a few shots of the beach & palm trees when I noticed the picturesque snow capped mountain tops framing the palm trees.

Only in Southern California can you head out in the morning to surf and then an hour later be on the slopes snow boarding/skiing.

I don't think I could ever live anywhere else...

all photos by: lisa petrarca

Celebrating a Miracle

Honda Center after the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Mighty Ducks
Waiting to meet coaches & players:
My hubby, Elijah, Me, Dad, Mom, sister Stacy

I feel like I've been gone forever! But the little break was important...we were celebrating a miracle! Not a small miracle, but a real life, honest to goodness answer to over a years worth of prayers.

As many of you know, my dad has been battling 4th stage, inoperable lung cancer and given no more than a year to live. After his most recent CT scan his pulmonoligist told him, "If I hadn't known your background, I never would've known you had cancer." They've never had a patient at their facility, in such an advanced stage of cancer survive this long. He is currently on maintenance drugs.

My mom and dad made a celebration/birthday trip out to attend my dad's favorite hockey team, the Detroit Red Wings southwest games, (which he actually was asked to try out for when he was a young goalie growing up in Michigan. He enlisted in the Marines to serve his country instead & then came back & played Semi-Pro Hockey for the Reno Aces.)

The Red Wings and their owners, the Ilitch family are an incredible, caring group of people. They gave us passes to go down after one of the games. We were taken into a private room to meet the head coach, Mike Babcock (also the gold medal winning coach for the Canadian Olympic hockey team) and his coaching staff. Coach Babcock invited my dad to attend their private practice in Phoenix & then had him come into the locker room to hang out with the guys also.
My mom & dad w/ Coach Babcock

Coach Babcock, Me, My Dad, Asst Coaches Paul Maclean & Brad McCrimmon

My dad has won the battle of his life, been given a second chance & had his dream of meeting & hanging out with his favorite team/coach fulfilled. We feel so blessed and honored to have been a part of this AWESOME event!

My mom cracks me up-she went up to this player & said, "Who are you?
You're cute, will you take a picture with us?"

Elijah-goofing around in the holding area

Hanging out w/the press waiting to meet the coaches


More Detroit Red Wing Players.


Red Wings vs. The Kings Game-a couple nights before

No Anthony wasn't eating two pizza's-he's holding mine!

Thanks for taking us mom & dad-it was AWESOME!

My cousin's wife-Amy & sister Stacy