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 11- 11/11 Thanks to all Veterans!

It's a lucky Day- and at 11:11AM & PM, on 11/11 make a wish!    What did you wish for? It's a Magical Lucky Day!

My wishes are many- but today I wish all the best for the Veterans who have served our country yesterday, today and always!    Red, White & Blue we think of you and honor you!   Today we salute you- for what you have done for us and our country!    We live in the Greastest Country- and thank you for allowing us to be the home of the free!  

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."  Woodrow Wilson-      

Happy Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Rememberance Day--- We Remember!

Day 10! Thanks for Friends!

Roll the dice, sometimes you may get lucky!  

I am blessed and beyond lucky to have the best friends in the whole world!  I toast my friends from Coast to Coast!   To my friends who are on opposite coast- You may be miles away but you are always close in my heart! I am truely blessed above and beyond to have friends from Sea to Sea!  My friends are there for me in good and bad times!   My friends are a big part of my life-  Some may not think I am Rich- but I feel like the Richest woman in the World because of my friends!  My friends are priceless!

There aren't enough words in the english dictionary to express my thanks & gratitude, just want you to know that I love you and thank you more than words can say!
My friends understand my past, believe in my future and accept me just the way I am.

My journey has been a wild and crazy ride and I love the fact that my friends have been there right by my side!   I will cherish everything you have done for me, everything you are!  My friends keep me dancing, laughing and loving!

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget!
click the link... Thank you for being a friend!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZY5H6vLqVU

Gr8 Day 8- Celebr8 Life!

Life isn't counted by the breaths you take but the moments that take your life away-   I am thankful  for my life!   My life was almost taken at an early age-   

Rewind back in time... Flash back to years ago- I was just a little girl, in the car with my family, 5:30AM my dad was driving the family roadster and I was sitting on my mom's lap, strapped in (Before car seat laws).  My brother was in the back seat sleeping   When faster than the speed of light- our car hydroplaned, the car flipped, rolled, rolled and rolled 10 times down a 50 foot embankment.   

Luckily there was a truck driver that came to our aid- he witnessed the whole accident.   He pulled my family out of the car.   I was thrown from the seat belt and went through the windshield, I was flown so far they couldn't find me.  My dad & brother searched and found me in a near by field, not breathing.   The truck driver loaded us all in his Truck and called for help, this was before cell phones- an ambulance came and met us- We were transported to a local Hospital where angels swarmed...

To make a long story short, my dad & brother were lucky and came out with cuts and bruises, my mom had a broken neck, and was paralized on the right side, she spent 28 weeks in a circular bed with prongs in the side of her head that was flipped every 2 hours.   My right lung was punctured & left lung collapsed, every bone was broken in my body and my body full of abrasions.  I was in intensive care, and spent 28 weeks in an oxygen tent.  Doctors gave me two weeks to live.    

Our will to live was strong and we fooled the doctors- We truly were miracles!   Mom got all feeling back and beat any prognosis.    Soon we were both, running, dancing and singing in the rain!  

We were given a gift & we embrace every day as it is truly a gift, every day is a new gift to unwrap.

Day 7 - Thank Heaven

Thank heaven for little girls.

Today I am thankful for the birth of Baby Kennedy Lorraine Blake, aka BK!

BK is a beautiful blessing!  I am so happy for my brother Christopher and Kacie, they are now the proud parents of baby Kennedy.  I am now an aunt and Linda & Ken are Grandparents- yes this is true my mom is officially a Granddiva!
Kennedy is the most beautiful little girl!  Sending Big hugs from your Aunt Jen!

                               We love you BK- can't wait to see you for Thanksgiving!

Day 4 and Thanks Galore

Wow I have thanks Galore for all I am grateful for!  
  
Today, I want to give thanks to an amazing woman, my cousin Terri Schindler Schiavo, whose life was cut short but her name, honor and legacy will live on forever. 
Twenty two years ago, when she was 26 years young, Terri collapsed in her home and to this day no one knows what caused her collapse. Her family fought for 15 years to help and take care of her- but her husband and the courts didn’t allow that to happen.

The Court declared her feeding tube be removed, 2 days later Congress enacts Terri's Law, 2 days later Court denies request, and 14 days later she died of starvation at the young age of 41. 
She has the most amazing, loving family I have ever met, Uncle Bob in heaven, Aunt Mary, Cousin Susie, & Bobby. I wish every family had half the love they share for each other. Their strength, courage & grace is more than can be measured.

They continue to share her story and help other people through their foundation http://www.terrisfight.org/  in hopes that no one ever has to endure like Terri did.

Terri touched people all over the world, without ever saying a word.  She will live on in our hearts & memories forever. 

All are invited to celebrate Terri’s Day- an International Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Terri Schindler Schiavo, which will be observed each year on March 31, the anniversary of her death.
                         "Where there's life, there's hope." Thank you Terri and the Schindler Family. 

Uno, Dos, Tres... Day 3 of Thanks & Giving!

Uno, Dos, Tres...Day 3 of Thanks & Giving!

Today & Every Day I am forever thankful and grateful for my amazing family- The love and Grace that makes up my amazing family!

Love my Crazy Cousins Kyra, Greg, Tony, Nicky, Suzanne, Bobby and the youngest & cutest members of the family Olivia, Sophia & Blake!

Uncle Joe, Aunt Mary, My aunt Teresa & Marie call me Sphenia- a russian diva princess- I wear the tiara proudly!  They are the glue that keeps us together.

Miss my Aunt Pat, Uncle John, Uncle Bob and Cousin Terri- they are up in Heaven Dancin- and Blessing the earth with 3 angels.

Hate that we are so far apart- but you are always close in my heart! from Coast to Coast- Love you all so much!  Come visit me!

Whenever our family gets together- its all laughter!

Day 2- Thanks to U!

Today November 2, (day 2, Greetings to you!)   Sending up Thanks to all the Angels looking down on Us!  They are everywhere- you may not always see them, but their beautiful hearts & wings are taking flight and wrapped around you. 

Sending thanks & giving hugs to My Four Wonderful Grandparents, I wish you were here today- I would say I love you in every way!   My Grandparents- from the Golf Course to the Kitchen Table- the memories have a hold of my heart & I cherish today & always!

First Viola... Grandma Blake, Who made the sun shine brighter, hearts beat louder, and smiles grow larger.  She was tiny but mighty.   I can remember the big Italian Feasts she would feed to all who entered her home.  And the lil hands that would sneak in the kitchen and eat the hot meatballs sizzling off the stove!

Next up Shine- short for Moonshine... My Grandpa Blake,  The Head of the table, head of the house, Golf Pro, Card Shark, NY Yankee Fan.  (Grandpa, sorry the Yankee's didn't win this Year!)  Devoted Husband & Father of Two, My dad & Aunt Teresa!   What a house!   Grandpa- I miss how every holiday meal he would sneak fresh dollar bills under our plates and we would lift our plates after we said Grace!    Lord, bless this Family & Food we are about to Eat!  AMEN.
I will always remember Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa's!
A true Italian Family- We had Lotsa Rasta Pasta with our Turkey & Stuffing!

Grandpa Egbert, My mom's Dad, He raised two Beautiful Daughters my mom & her sister, my aunt pat!  Wow did he have a BIG JOB raising those two wild women!   Kudos to you Grandpa!  Grandpa we love you and miss you- Your life was taken too early but we honor and cherish the days you graced this planet!   I can remember your laugh, your hugs & your infectious smile!

Lastly my Grandma Egbert who I never had the joy & pleasure to meet, she was taken up to heaven before I was born.  But her legacy lives on in our hearts!   She was one woman I wished I had the chance to meet- I know she is truely one of a kind & I know she is dancing up in Heaven with the other angels!   Especially dancing the Charlston- her favorite Party Dance!  She was and will always be the life of the Party!   I know my mom gets that trait from her, and I know it was passed down to me as well.   So hugs to you Grandma!  Lets Dance!

I know you are looking down on us & you make my heart smile!   So My Heart, Hugs & Thanks go to you my wonderful Grandparents....
Buongiorno -( good day italian)  xoxox muah ;)

Day 2 of thanks & giving... To my wonderful Angels, My 4 Grandparents!

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.