Meet Joan and Lloyd...

I worked out and decided to drive down to Laguna for my lunch/writing/reading spot today. I'm glad I did. It was cloudy, windy and cold at first, but soon a bus load of elderly people showed up and brought the sunshine with them. The clouds cleared as they slowly emerged from the bus one by one. They made their way down to the beautiful view overlooking the ocean. I took some pictures and was walking back to my chair when I noticed a couple of late comers deciding to get out and see the view. An elderly man was trying to help a shaky, wobbly woman out. I ran over to help and "Lloyd" and I each grabbed "Joan's" arms as she slowly shuffled along to a cement seating area. 

She kept telling me I was going to earn my Girl Scout buttons today!😃 After I sat her down she said, "You better tell your scout master that you helped a little old lady today." Lol! 

 I said, "Oh I think He already knows...my Scout Master is Jesus."

They smiled as I said, "Just give me a holler when you're ready to go back." I loved that even though Joan had trouble walking, she refused to just sit there in that bus.

Soon she was ready to head back. Lloyd and I were able to get her all the way to the steps when two young lifeguards came by and helped her the rest of the way in.

Im thankful for meeting wonderful people today who still know how to enjoy life in the midst of their trials!

Jump on today's "THANKFUL TRAIN"...what are you thankful for?

Falling Behind-Dancing, Walking & Games

Since I started my blog I've become so addicted to adding images with my posts that it's caused me to fall way behind on my postings. For example...every year I do a post and pictures of the annual Homecoming dance...which I still haven't officially done (officially=posting to my blog not just Facebook.) I have so many cool pics and want to share the big day with all of you. Wait till you see the amount of kids that were at one house before the dance.

Elijah & his homecoming date Sarah

I also haven't updated my son's CIF football games which by the way...his team's been winning (semi-finals this Friday.)

Elijah after last Friday's BIG second round CIF win 52-14

We also did another walk in my dad's honor to help stop the #1 cancer killer-LUNG CANCER. I don't know about you but with all the fundraising & awareness for breast cancer, I somehow thought it was #1. It really hit me at the lack of fundraising efforts and publicity that lung cancer receives.

Post set up along the route in memory of my dad

 So my sister, son Josh & his girlfriend headed to San Diego to pound the pavement.

My oldest son Josh, his girlfriend Charmaine & my sister Stacy

So now you've received a little preview of my upcoming posts/pictures...if I ever get around to spending the extra time to catch up (fingers crossed.) I think it's important to post these life occasions...it's a sort of journal and fun to look back on years later to see what was going on in my life way back when. The details seem to get lost in the memory of events if they're not written down.

And So This Is Christmas & A Happy New Year

The holiday is winding down and tomorrow will be my 11 yr. wedding anniversary. Normally every year we go away somewhere, but this years a little tight, so we're staying local. I'm sure I'll come up with something free for us to do. Besides living by the beach is a constant vacation.

That was just a little preview of my New Year's resolution...find the good in all things. Look for the positive in every situation and stop focussing on the things that are not going my way or I don't have. There's always something good in every situation. This past year has been a life lesson, learning to be frugal, budgeting, being wise with our money. Sometimes diffuculties are lessons, once you make it through, you look back and say, "I've learned so much!"

I'm going to make it a New Year of being grateful in ALL things.

My life is blessed!

Goodbye 2010:

and so this was Christmas, I hope you had fun...























What's your New Year's resolution?

The Game-The Wedding and Race for the Cure

We lost our football game last night by 7 points, but considering how many penalties we had & that our starting quarterback went out hurt, I have to say that most of the parents were pleased w/ that score, it could've been worse.

Tonight's the wedding & after all of your help on my "Fashion Police: I Need Help" & the fact that I found out the bridesmaids will be wearing long black dresses, I've decided to wear it. Thanks for ALL your comments/help! I think I'm going to turn to you guys all the time for my questionable fashion outfits!

On Sunday my friend/manager Marsha, my bosses wife, Marianne Park (who has beaten breast cancer) & a few more friends will be walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (click link to find a race in your area).

I will also be walking in honor of my friend
Joanne Phillips who passed away last year from this terrible disease.

Most of us feel so helpless when we/ or our loved ones are struck by cancer. I've made a decision to try to be pro active in helping raise money for the research & ultimate cure of ALL cancer. It doesn't take much to get up early on a Sunday morning, pay $35.00 (each) & get a group of friends together to walk or run a 5K.

It's simple...and it WILL make a difference.

A Place To Give

We will be moving on April 3rd. We have soooo much stuff in our house after being here for 8 years. I was planning on selling some furniture and stuff on Craig's List. My husband said, "Why don't we donate it all instead."

To be honest, at first I thought, "Ya that's a good idea, but we could really use the money to help us with the cost of this move."

But the more I thought about it, he's right...we've been blessed with so much...too much. There are so many homeless families out there right now. It would be good to make a difference in some small way.

I decided to find someplace that will give directly to the families, not just a drop off center that ends up selling the stuff in their stores, but an actual shelter that helps people get back on their feet & into a place of their own.

I found the perfect place!

Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter

I printed up the info and then noticed that they also need volunteers. Once things settle down a little bit, I would love to help with the kids 1 night a week.

I've felt a pull on my heart for a while now to do something for others.

I want to encourage you all to seek out shelters in your area and see if you can make a difference in some way...we all have something to give.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WEBSITE

I just had someone E-Mail me today regarding my Business Opportunity website...I realized that I haven't updated it in a while since CHANNEL 5 NEWS did a report on it. Make sure you stop by and check it out...YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED! It has something all of us ladies are DESPERATELY looking for. I know it has made a HUGE difference for me.

I don't usually promote my business on my Blog (other than the icon off to the side), but with all the new publicity it's receiving, I think it's only fair to share it with everyone! Click on over and check out the news report and live pictures!

Ryan Seacrest Stopped By...WOO HOO!

Today I've designated as movie day...it also will help give back to CHOC Hospital (Childrens Hospital, Orange County).

I know ALL of you have heard of Ryan Seacrest (American Idol host) and his radio show KIIS FM...well they visited CHOC Hospital to try and cheer up the kids who are VERY sick. Our son's team mate and friend is there and they paid him a visit (stop by his blog) http://LukeGane.Blogspot.com. Luke has a video message he posted for all his friends and family...a MUST SEE, here is the direct link http://lukegane.blogspot.com/2008/09/video-message-from-luke.html.

KIIS shot a video on Saturday and it's on this link
http://www.kiisfm.com/pages/lollipoplive08/?_show It's the Viral Video. Just click on the photo and you will catch a few quick shots of Luke getting down...it's a fun video.

Check out the entire site. Make sure to watch the video because if they get at least 100,000 hits, the Anaheim Ducks will donate $10k to CHOC.

TODAY IS YOUR DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Just watch a video and send it to your friends and family. I told you it's EASY to reach out and help others!!!

And you thought it was going to be just another boring, ordinary day...WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!

100th POST: I CAN DO IT?

Looking back...I think my most fulfilling posts have involved making a difference. We all have problems, stress, money issues, family issues...it's amazing when you finally stop spending all your time thinking about yourself. The what if's, how come, why me, it all doesn't matter. I can say this because as we go through one of the most trying times in our life right now, I know that the monetary things are not the most important. I feel at peace...I spend my time trying to help others and not think of myself. Things are out of our control, so I choose to take control of the situations I can. Finding ways to help other people. On the day of my 100th post...I was able to be a part of something special.


OGGI'S PIZZA & OC PIZZA donated ALL the Food~100% of Profit benefitted the Gane Family!

Owner of Oggi's in the striped shirt with Al & Maria

Jr. Midget Team Fundraiser Dinner

Raising money to help a family with a sick child is something that far out weighs our situation! I keep praying for a purpose in my life...being the change in someone's life has given me a direction. "I am only one person...what can I do?" This question was one that I often asked myself, which was followed by, "Nothing I guess, so I wont do anything." Year after year, excuse after excuse, I would repeat this. Until I realized, I can do small things that might make a BIG difference to someone else.

If you have been pondering this...I'd like to encourage you to start with SOMETHING! No matter how small, the little things will lead you into bigger things, before you know it, you've changed someone's world. The less time you spend focusing on yourself the better you'll feel.

Today our team gave of our time and money to help relieve the burden for a family with a sick child. Small but meaningful, rewarding and encouraging...I can make a difference in someone's life...one small act of unselfish giving at a time. I would like to challenge you and ask that by the time you reach your 100th, 200th or 500th post...you write about something that inspired you to be the change in the world!

I have attached a few of my favorite posts from the past year...I hope they will inspire at least one person to reach out~I started with a true story about an amazing experience that changed my life.

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE - A TRUE STORY
http://searchwarp.com/swa278027.htm

DOES SOMEBODY NEED YOU?
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/05/does-somebody-need-you.html

INSPIRATIONAL POEM ~ PUSH AHEAD
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/04/uplifting-poem-push-ahead.html

THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/03/this-will-give-you-chills.html

CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A DAY
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/01/can-you-make-difference-in-day.html

THE EDISON BUM
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/07/edison-bum.html

INSPIRATIONAL STORY FROM DR. IN SOUTH AFRICA
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/07/inspirational-story-from-dr-in-south.html

AN ATTEMPT IS EVERYTHING
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/06/attempt-is-everything.html

THE INVISIBLE MAN
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/05/invisible-man.html

PLAY VOCABULARY GAME ~ HELP THE HUNGRY
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/04/play-vocabulary-game-help-hungry.html

I HAD A REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/03/i-had-really-cool-experience.html

SKID ROW
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/02/skid-row.html

HELP KIDS IN AFRICA
http://lisapetrarca.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-kids-in-africa.html

I would like to close my 100th Post with a story:

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. Joshua 1:9