Sugar and Spice & Everything Nice.

Today I am giving thanks and love to my lil niece Kennedy Loraine Blake- this statement may be biased but I think she is the cutest lil girl, she is my favorite adorable lil girl.

We are blessed and thankful to have this lil angel in our lives.  She is the cutest Blake in the Family.

This lil bundle of joy, with her big blue eyes, adorable wild curls and a heart of gold, once you meet her you will never forget her.  She will make your heart smile and leave an imprint on your heart.

Sugar and spice and everything nice- that is what this lil girl is made of.

There's two things I know for sure:

She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
Thankful for all of the joy and happiness she gives in this world. 

So excited, thankful, grateful and blessed that I get to see Kennedy this weekend- watch out your Crazy Aunt Jen & Uncle Rich are coming to Town.  See you soon Love you Kennedy. 

Kicking off 30 Days of Thanks and Giving

This is a candy stick up, hands up and step away from the candy bowl & no one will get hurt!  Today marks a day of not counting calories from all the Halloween candy but a day to count your blessings!   

Every November 1st I declare to count my blessings & give thanks for the next 30 days! Four years ago I started a lil Thanks Blog but I am grateful & thankful for more than words can say. Today kicks off a digital journey to give thanks to all who have touched my life & left footprints on my heart!  Thanksgiving is 26 days away- and It is more than turkey & stuffing... it is Thanks & Giving!  

The Verdict is in... Let the Thanks Begin!  

To Kick off Day 1 of 30, Let's Rewind it Back to the Beginning to where it all began, the very first day I was adopted into the Blake Family!   I was exactly 4 months old.

Two Amazing People, Linda & Ken Blake did the most selfless thing and opened up their hearts and home to bring me into the family.  I became part of the Blake family; made up of Linda, Ken, and Christoper!  Linda, my mom- weighing in at a towering 4 feet 9 inches with a heart the size of the Grand Canyon,  Ken, My dad, who could leap buildings in a single bound, the smartest man alive- my dad, and Christopher my brother, the writer, musician, artist extraordinaire!
That day those three people changed my life forever & I will be forever grateful!  Words cannot express all that they have done for me.   Through the years have been countless laughs, smiles, cheers & tears!  Every moment has helped mold me & make me who I am today.

They are the most amazing people in my life, once you meet them you will never forget them.  
They will leave footprints on your heart! So raise a glass with me, coast to coast to thank the most amazing family- Ken, Linda & Christopher Blake!   We are Family

Day 1 of 30... Thanks & Giving! 

Day 19 Thank You for Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You,  Happy Birthday Dear Friend, Happy Birthday To You!

I am thank ful for birthdays!  I love to celebrate Everyone's Birthdays!  I am the Birthday Bandit!

Each birthday means the world to me, Each Candle, each gift, each bow...  But it means so much more... It means that each day is a Gift... I am truly blessed every day.   I almost never made it to my see my first birthday, unwrap my first gift, blow out my first candle.   

I am thankful every day that I was given the gift of life, the gift to celebrate my birth which was almost cut short.  Make a Wish!

Day 18 Thanks Takes Flight

Today I need to Give Two Thumbs up full of thanks for two Brothers--- The Wright Brothers- who years ago- Dec. 17,1903, to be exact made it possible for Flight!  

I am thankful for their invention that makes the Gift of Flight Possible.  So Today almost 107 years to the date- I dedicate my thanks to Orville & Wilbur Wright for their Passion & Vision over 100 years ago.   So thanks Boys, you have made my bicoastal life possible.   

I am blessed to have fabulous friends and Family Coast to Coast and without Flight I would not be able to share my life with both coasts.  

The Frequent Flyer Air Miles are worth a few thanks too. When I fly the friendly skies I get more flights!  Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner.  Right now I need one more flight for a free one!  Yeah!  

I am thankful to be taking off tomorrow to set sail in the clouds- final destination Orlando, Florida.   Lucky to be heading to the magic kingdom, the happiest place on Earth.  
My bags are packed, ready set go... see you on the east coast...  
Just wish we could do something about Jet Lag, working on that!

Day 17, Planes, Trains & Automobile Thanks

 Ironic that in the Movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles Steve Martin was trying to get home for Thanksgiving, today so was I.   Good thing I left a week early or I wouldn't have made it home for turkey and stuffing.    Airplane peanuts just won't cut it.

Today I was up at 5:00AM, rushed around like a wild turkey, jumped in the mustang for Ontario Airport, stuck in endless miles of traffic, with my gal pal on GPS guiding me all the way.  

Then I am ready to strip down for my body scan- I was ready for my close up= even hoping for take home poloroid pictures.  Thought maybe I could use it for my christmas card photo.

Then I walk to my gate get in boarding line only to hear over the intercom that there is an electrical problem and the plane is grounded until further notice.   Why are we being punished ha ha!  Well we finally get on the plane- and head to Oakland, then we fly to Houston, then land in The Magic Kingdom, Orlando. 
What seems ike 3 days later, 3 times zones later.  Now I know why they call it the happiest place on earth- because by the time you travel to get here--- you are so happy to be here- that you are so happy!
Next Stop Disney World- Bring on the Mouse! 
Thankful that I could fly home to be with friends and family for thanksgiving.  :-)

Day 15 Amazing Grace

I am thankful for all the amazing people I have met along my winding road, speed bump filled, twists & turn journey called my life.
So many I can't even count.  I have been blessed to meet some amazing people, from famous Musicians, Professional Athletes, and even Published authors.   
One Author, Nancy Daly, a dear friend of many years, flew 3000 miles to give San Diego a gift this week, she graced us with her presence!   She spoke at a wonderful hotel in Downtown San Diego- called the Ideal Hotel,  what a great place and a super presentation.  Her words were priceless, she had us on the edge of our seats, hungry for more.
On this November night we were lucky to meet some other wonderful people, their stories touched my heart.  You never know who you will sit next to on a bus, a plane, a train, or a park bench.  Each has a story, has a heart and soul.

Thank you to all the amazing people who have touched my life, and thank you Nancy for sharing your gifts with us.  If you ever get a chance check out Nancy at nancyrdaly.com or one of her many books wonderful books, "A Left Brain Thinker on a Right Brain Journey",  "Finding Joy Admist the Chaos" & "Leaders who Win and Leaders who Lose."... 

More amazing people and moments to come...   Huge Thanks! :)

Day 14 I Have Been Everywhere Man

Take a listen... morning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAOaLbFFZUQ&feature=related

I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere, man. Crossed the desert's bare, man. I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel I've had my share, man. I've been everywhere.   
I am blessed to have lived from Coast to Coast- I was born & survived Cold Brrrr Winters in Buffalo New York, then Family took a two year break and we jet setted to Iowa, we survived tornado alley- We did have our share of Tornados!  I think I saw Dorothy and toto!   Then we went back to Buffalo- where we survived the worst Blizzard in Buffalo's History- then Dad's Job transferred us to Philadelphia the City of Brotherly love.  When we had enough of Cheesesteaks, eagles, the liberty bell- we loaded the family roadster and went back to Buffalo- Spent High School years back in B'flo... 
Then the day I graduated High School--  I was off to College- I shuffled off to ohhhhhioooo... Went to John Caroll University- spent 2 years there and then Shuffled back to Buffalo to Finish my degree at University of Buffalo-  after I graduated I was off to Baltimore Maryland for Graduate School- Finished Graduate School- Got a great job with Entertainment Publications and then was Transferred to San Diego California- I stayed there for a few years then set sail For Florida... Landed there- did my time on the South East Coast and then Had to head back to my pacific postcared paradise... I set sail for San Diego- where I landed a year ago and so happy to be back in paradise!  

I am blessed that I have lived in the North East, South East, Mid West and West Coast- I have survived Blizzards,Tornado's, Hurricanes & Earthquakes...  

I am thankful for all I have met along the way- and all the friends and memories that I will cherrish forever!

Day 13- Thank you for the Ocean Blue

Take a guess- What am I?   She is one of the only things in life you can always rely on, she will always be there, always by your side, she will never leave- you all ways know where to find her, She has her high and low points, She crashes into the shore her power so present but ever so peaceful. The sound is loud but causes calm, full of relaxation.   She is known worldwide and can be found in every corner of the globe. Most have seen her, touched her, experienced her.... Watched the Waves of her... The Ocean.....

I am thankful for her beauty, for her strength, her calmness & serenity.   She is always there for us when we need her, she never lets us down.  She will never leave us!    This Natural Beauty Gift given to us by mother nature- she can't take care of her self so we have to do it for her.   She can't clean herself or prevent others from polluting her--- 
So we have to do our part to take care of her since she can't!     Clean up after yourself when at the Beach and when you can, participate in a Beach Clean up day!   I am thankful that I can help out and was able to donate time and energy in helping to collect 3500 pounds of garbage & seaweed from the local beaches this weekend!
We surf, sail, swim,sunset with her... we need to be thankful for her and protect our earthly treasures!  
Gotta go catch a wave.... 

Day 12 Thanks for Footprints

Today I am thankful and blessed when wonderful people walk into your life and leave footprints on your heart!    Many people enter our lives, some for a reason, some for a season, some for a lifetime and some leave footprints on our hearts!   
I am so blessed by all of the people that have entered my life and my heart!   So many that I can't list them all wouldn't know where to start.  If you are reading this you have made an impression on me and my life!  Some come at the right moment when you least expect it and some you have waited for all of your life! 

Thank you for being part of my life, for making your mark and hopefully leaving footprints on my heart.  I may not always be near, but I keep you close to my heart!  

Day 9 Thanks & Healing

Today I am writing about Thanks & Healing, so many have been stricken with illness and disease!  I am blessed and thankful for all who have fought the battle with cancer!  Many friends and family have had to fight the battle- some lives were ended too soon.  
They are looking down on us and spreading their wings around us!  I know you are there- and I love you!
I wear a pink ribbon every day to remember all who have fought and are fighting cancer.   I wear it close to my heart & I am always thinking of them.
I am thankful I have my health and try to give anyway I can.  I haven't had to fight the battle but I can be there to offer support anyway I can.  I can give healing hugs & shoulder to cry on.   I try to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
My prayers are always with you---  Prayers and thanks to My uncle John & Alan Cooper who lost their battles- they are angels in a better place!  We love and miss you!   Prayers of strength to so many friends who are survivors... Helene Webster Goldstein, Amelia Harrison, Michelle Jegal, Barbara Brown, Debra Rounds to name a few...

I will continue to do anything I can to help find a cure.  I have walked over 400 miles raising funds for a cure and I will keep walking till a cure is found. 
I have a breast cancer boutique- all sales go to Cancer Research.

30 Days of Thanks & Giving

Do you have a candy Hangover?  This is a Candy Stick Up- Put your hands up, Step away from the candy bowl & no one will get hurt!  Today marks a day of counting calories & blessings.  Today kicks off the Annual 30 days of Thanks & Giving, a journey to give thanks to all who have touched my life and left footprints on my heart.
Thanksgiving is 27 days away- and it is more than turkey & stuffing... it is Thanks & Giving!

To kick it off, let's rewind it back to the beginning to where it all began,  the very first day I was adopted into the Blake Family!   I was exactly 4 months old.
Two Amazing People, Linda & Ken Blake did the most selfless thing & opened up their hearts & home to bring me into the family.  I became part of the Blake family, made up of Linda, Ken, and Christopher!  Linda, my mom, weighing in at a towering 4 feet 9 inches with a heart the size of the Grand Canyon,  Ken, My dad, who could leap buildings in a single bound, the smartest man alive, and Christopher my brother, the writer, musician, teacher and artist Extraordinaire!
That day those three people changed my life forever & I will be forever grateful!  Words cannot express all that they have done for me.   Through the years have been countless laughs, smiles, cheers & tears!  Every moment has helped mold me & make me who I am today.  
They are the most amazing people in my life, once you meet them you will never forget them.  
They will leave footprints on your heart! 

So raise a glass with me, to thank the most amazing family- Ken, Linda & Christopher and our newest addition Kennedy Blake!   
Cheers from Coast to Coast to my family I love the Most!  xoxoxo  :)

Thank you!

Day 30 Thank you God!

**********THANK YOU GOD!  For all of our Blessings*******

Day 21 Size of Success!

The size of our success is measured by strength of your desire, the size of your dream; how you handle disappointment along the way!

Many measure success in Dollars!  To me success is getting up more times than you fall, and building a strong foundation from bricks that have been thrown at you along the way!  

Many think that to be successful you have to be rich,  I am rich, but rich with friends, my friends are priceless.