California Dreamin........

***Before I begin...grazie to all of you for all your beautiful & healing thoughts & prayers for our daughter Ashley & our family...I want to tell you how much they have meant & how powerful your loving thoughts have been... less than 6 weeks after her car accident...w/ a broken pelvis and all...she was walking w/o a walker, crutches or cane & even more incredible... 3 months after her accident...on this day at the beach...she ran towards the waves and let the water engulf her & laughed with such loud & un-abandoned happiness! & all I could do... was look up at the sky & cry silent tears behind my sunglasses as I witnessed how powerful love & prayer can truly be...Grazie from the depth of my heart mis amores! ***


California Dreamin.....

That is how I feel I am living these days......although...the song Hotel California by the Eagles is what was playing on my Ipod as the picture below was taken...But as I sat on the sand and walked along the shore wetting my toes and looking for ocean treasures... Some great tunes were blastin on my Ipod.... some songs I am not sure many of you would smile at...I was also rockin AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and even some Daddy Yankee, Usher and yes even some Andrea Bocelli! Because if you could hear my life's playlist that plays in that lil jukebox in my head...it pretty much is the same as what is on my Ipod...a crazy mix of wonderfulness, In fact the whole time I was writing this long ass'd post... Led Zeppelin's Kashmir was blastin on my Ipod ...Cause yes mis amores......that's how I roll :)

( My youngest Anaissa & I...taken by Ashley, my oldest...from her cell phone!)
Nissa was actually trying to lift me up and toss me in this picture...but instead it looks like she was lovin on her mami :)

As Summer comes to a close...we decided to play hooky on Thursday.... I canceled all my afternoon errands & plans and told my kids to just grab whatever they didn't mind getting wet in & we grabbed some sandwiches from Subways' along with lots of fruits and water and headed out to Dockweiler, a great beach that I spent many a great days of my youth at and that to this day...also, holds such wonderful memories from high school, of bonfires...coolers....M&M's... dancing to wonderful music & hanging out with all my friends... Where did those days go?? Now I am the mami of an almost 20 & 14 yr. old....


I don't know about you...but I ADORE everything that is ocean related, from the waves, sand, salty air, seagulls trying to steal my lunch...even spotting yucky ocean things like jellyfish & sandcrabs :) But... I am also the first to admit to the fact that as much as I LOVE the ocean with a passion....I also HATE it with such....sometimes so much so that I stay away for years at a time and then cry when I think of past memories.... even as I miss it so much.... I can hardly breath from the pain of missing everything about it.....

I grew up in the So Bay in Southern California....& when I tell you that I am a beach girl through & through...I kid you not...yes...I might not fit the mold that comes to mind when one thinks.... Cali beach girl (blond hair, blue eyes) but from the time that I can remember I was at the beach from sun up to sun down all along the So Cal Coast...I knew every beach like the back of my hand in a time when as kids we were allowed to go off & explore all on our own, we had certain times we had to be back by...when the tide came in...lunchtime...when the water started to glisten w/golden colors...dinner...snacks were...you coming back to the cooler as your tummy told you to feed it! Yes those were definitely the days of my most treasured childhood memories....

Until I was 10...I always thought that when my parents said they wanted seafood for dinner....it meant get ready we were off to the beach...cause daddy was going scuba diving to get fresh fish, crabs or lobster and mami was catching fish on her pole or we kids would be diggin for clams....this was my life...until August of 79....when I was 10 & my daddy Bob...my "lil girl daddy" as I often refer to him was killed...after that...the Ocean and I...well to say our relationship changed...would be putting it mildly.....and it was then that I learned that "normal people" when they wanted seafood...either went to the seafood dept at their local grocery store or to a restaurant to fill that cravin......& yes...to me....well that just sucked ;)

Oh, but how I digress...you all really need to keep me on track here...been so long since I did one of my long ass'd posts that I keep going off in my heads lil bank of memories and the thoughts just start flooding out......So now back to this summer day in the here & now...

BTW....all the pictures on this post were taken by my youngest Anaissa with her cell phone camera! As you all know....I HATE having my pictures taken...because some how I ALWAYS come out looking like a total goober...I always threaten anyone w/a camera and as most of you know...everyone now has to post them on their FaceBook....I ask you....WHY?????
Well on this day...I forgot to confiscate their cells lol.....live & learn mami!

So we set up on the sand near the shore.... the kids took off to play in the surf & I began to let myself relax (I always have to take a few breaths and clear my mind when I come to the ocean...it is my own little "thing" I have to do) and enjoy hearing and seeing the airplanes taking off over the ocean from LAX down the road and I am just looking up & feeling the warm sun on my face as the proof shows below... & then later that night....the picture below and all the others, greeted me on my cell...thanks to my daughter Nissa! Thanks mamas :) Had I known when she took them, I more than likely would have made her delete them...smart girl for waiting till I was in bed to send to me ;)

(no...not working the Seks here..as my daughters say...I was just feeling the warm sun on my face)

My nephew Jordan & I walking along the waters edge hunting for ocean treasures for me :) In the far distance ahead of us, you can see a HUGE crane....it was holding a car suspended in the air...they were filming something that afternoon and someone was up in that car for hours! I totally felt for them...whoever they may be...but the crew was really nice....& I never once thought to ask what they were filming lol

Further down on our ocean treasure hunt...I spotted something in the water floating towards me and almost stepped into it a few times...

Below is the little beauty that I almost stepped on...there were alot of jellyfish on the shore that day...

After that exciting encounter...I continued on my merry way...listening to my Ipod, crackberry (blackberry phone) in my hand and keeping sooo many memories at bay in my head...believe it or not...listening to my music helps me with that....alot

Yay me....I found a treasure!! One of many, found by my girls, nephew & me that day! ;) Can you see the cords from my Ipod and it's radio remote all wrapped up with the cord from my blouse..yes...I was a mess...but look closely...you can also see my crackberry....cause...thats how I roll.........

After being completely worn out... from my ocean treasure expedition and eating 1/2 my veggie sandwich...did I mention I have become an accidental vegetarian? Well I have...and I love it along with the cool side effects like shrinking a few sizes and lbs...w/o trying, not to mention my healthier hair & just feeling better all around...who knew???? Not I!

But...this is me after all that excitement...sitting watching the colors of the sand and water changing to the beautiful hues of golds and bronzes as the sun is beginning to set....And I am all at once....feeling a little ill at ease and yet strangely at peace & giving tearful thanks for all that I was witness to on this day.....

(the wind kept pushing my cow boy hat up, after awhile...I just gave up...)

This was the beauty... that we spent an afternoon in anticipation of....so worth it! I am hoping I get to come back again soon and watch...and not have to wait so long in between my visits...because I don't know which pains me more...coming and remembering.....or staying away and missing this.......

Well mis amores.....this lil (stop laughing June :) post was a preshow to what is to come...see a while back I had written a story about some of my childhood memories of the ocean, its beautiful treasures & my dad Bob...and then almost a year ago while visiting my dear friend Nancy of the ever so beautiful blog...Fete et Fleur...well she had posted about a beautiful tiny little mermaid crown that she had made and well....I have to tell you, that......I had fallen in love with it so hard & completely...that my eyes watered from the memories it conjured up in my heart & mind.... Stay tuned for the outcome of that lil story! Grazie Nancy...because everytime I walk by my lil treasure... my heart skips a beat & I am once again...in my hearts eye....daddy's lil girl, walking on the beach behind him, forever his shadow....


Well until next time my dear friends......

OH My Stars.....Can it be?????

Yes...mis amores....I am back!!

How was that for a warning ;) No truly mis amores...I am finally back...thru all of lives traumas, trials & tribulations and just losing myself for awhile there...I am back... I am still working on me, trying to be ok with all that is going on in life but I realized something...you all in our beautiful blogging community have held me together with love & support when I needed it the most...and as bad as things have been in my imperfect life...I know I am not the only one going thru lifes trials...to those of you who are going through your own difficulties and heartbreaks...I send you my prayers and support...know that as I can, I will be visiting you all and catching up with you & your beautiful blogs & postings...I truly hope I don't overwhelm you as I start commenting on a couple or a bunch of your wonderful posts that I have missed :)The lap top is fixed as of this evening...so I can finally start posting & visiting everyone again, since all of my blogging treasures, pictures, favorite blogs lists were all on it, I really need to learn how to put these things on one of those lil doo hickies that I can take every where with me! :)...ohhh how I have missed you all! And for all of you that were so wonderful to have written me the loveliest emails...I received them, but wasn't able to reply due to a bad virus on our desktop computer that my amor was worried I would send to you all and infect your own...but now that issue is cleaned up and in the next couple of days so many will be hearing from me again.... Grazie from my heart...for your love & friendship, it has truly meant the world...

Dawn, Lisa, Rebecca, Nancy and so many others....Grazie for never giving up on me :) Besos & huge hugs to you all!

I truly hope to reconnect with you all...I can't tell you how hard it was when I felt that I was losing my way...not only in life but with the things that I so enjoyed & loved...it really made me panic when I would go into my studio and look at all my wonderful treasures and feel nothing...when the things that bring us so much joy no longer make us smile...it is time to ask why...and I did....I am still working on that...as I start to go through my things and sort them, I am finding that lil old and tattered bebe shoes and clothing still make make me sigh....that is a good sign right???? :)

P.S. Grazie to all my new friends & followers, such a wonderful surprise to see you all :)

Until next time my dear friends,

Giveaway Love to share with you.....

Ahhhh My Bellas, I have some lovely Giveaway love to share with you...cause your my peeps and all :) But you have to hurry the first one ends TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT!!!...I know...sorry, but since I have been awol...I am just getting back into the swing of things....but I love you all so much I still wanted to share & make sure you all had a chance....even though I bet most of you already entered! :)

Ok mis amores here is the important info!

First....The ever so sweet & lovely Debra of Common Ground is having a French Inspired 1 Year Anniversary Give Away... But RUN.!!!!! It ends TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!!!!

Click here to enter.....

Second.....My beautiful & dearest friend Rebecca Ersfeld For Vintage Living is having a 1 Year Anniversary Give Back! Ends July 6th....

Click here to enter.....

You are going to LOVE these 2 beautiful ladies & their blogs as much as I do!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY BELLAS!!!!!

Until next time my dear friends,

Happy Birthday "Sonny".......My Dad

Happy Birthday Sonny....

Today would have been your 75th Birthday.....and every year since I was a young girl, I would write something for you, a letter, a poem , a drawing...what ever it was, I would fold it up...sit on your lap and put it into your shirts pocket and say...."If I ask you something.....would you say yes?"

So, I couldn't let this year...our first without you, be any different...I had to write something for you....I know, you are reading it as I write it....I know because while I was writing it, I didn't cry...I felt like you were here, reading it, while I was watching your face for your reaction....like always...

Love & miss you more than words can say....

Daddy, This is for you....

"If I asked you something....."

"If I ask you something.....Would you say yes?"
How many times did Celeste & I as children sit on your lap and ask you this...
How many times did you reply "yes", without even knowing what we wanted....
ALWAYS...

How many times did we get what we asked for, whether it was a toy, a gift, a hug, to fix things with mom, school...our lives....
ALWAYS.....

How many times did we as teenagers walk into a room, see you and run to you shouting....
"Sonny!..If I ask you something....Would you say yes?"
ALWAYS....

How many times as adults did we come to you...smile, hug you, kiss your cheek and yes....even sit on your lap and say..."Sonny....If I ask you something....Would you say yes?"
ALWAYS...

How many times did our own children...your grandchildren come to you and say....
"Pampa....If I ask you something.....Would you say yes?"
And How many times did you follow through on your reply of "yes" to all of them...
ALWAYS....

The last couple months....you know...when we didn't yet know, that in just a few short months, you would be gone from our lives...

I came to you...I hugged & kissed you and I said..."Sonny, If ask you something...would..."
You didn't even let me finish....
You said....."NO!"

Dumbstruck....Adult that I was...I blinked back tears and said "BUT WHY???...YOU NEVER SAY NO!..."
You said..."Because...you need to start asking your husband that...your a big girl now....
I got mad for a moment...not being used to being told "NO!" by Daddy :)
And you gave me a hug and said..."What are you going to do when I am gone? Go sit on your husbands lap, SMILE, tell him you love him first...men need to be made to feel important...then very sweetly ask him...
"If I ask you something....Would you say yes...."

Never in my wildest nightmares... did I think...I would have to do this so soon....

This last Sunday...Fathers Day...as I visited your gravesite...Our first of many firsts without you...I closed my eyes and with my heart I asked you..."Sonny...please daddy...If I ask you something...please, please, one last time....Say yes"
I asked you to please let me remember the sound of your laughter...because your voice and the sound of your laughter...are starting to leaving my hearts memory...
The wind kicked up a bit & I wiped my tears...my girls were sitting on your grave, sharing memories of you and suddenly they both started laughing...loud and alot!
I smiled up to you and left you there once again....

Today June 22, is your Birthday....But... I have one wish to ask for from you....Please grant me the strength to one day... be able to watch videos of you...so that I can hear your laughter once more...

And Sonny....I did what you asked.....Chris smiled....and said "yes"

Dad....I Love & miss you more than words can say....Loving you always and a day...your Rose

Healing Grace....and the power of wonderful friends....

**6/11/10....I have to tell you, I had a beautiful long post....but I guess I have been away from blogging for so long that I thought I was moving a picture down and proceeded to erase the whole thing! My tears from writing it were dry...now I have fresh tears of frustration :) So I am redoing this shorter one...I hope you all understand and can forgive me...because time is something I don't have a lot of these days...Hoping that will change soon :) **6/16/10.... But call me crazy...but because I love y'all so much...I am willing to give this one more try... :)

Healing Grace....that is what all your thoughts, prayers and good wishes, phone calls, emails, visits have meant to me and our family.....That is what all of your wonderful prayers and thoughts have done for me personally.....they have been my families and my own Healing Grace..... how can we, ever thank you .

I thank you all from the depths of my heart and soul for not only your beautiful thoughts from my last post...but for the enormous amount of love, thoughts & prayers that so many of you have sent to us these last couple of weeks, through posting about it on your own blogs, emails, phone calls and posting on my FaceBook page, I can't begin to tell you how full our hearts are as a family with all the love support and strength that we have gotten from all of you...... As some of you know, the tragedy that struck our family on May 21, at 2 a.m. when our oldest daughter Ashley was in a horrific car accident caused by the stupidity of a drunk driver.... has at the moment turned our lives upside down..

The driver T-boned our daughters boyfriends car, thank God, he was ok, but our daughter is currently recovering at her grandmas house from a broken pelvis, it is broken in various places and there is no cast, no brace...nothing, she just has to lay, sit, rest and heal...Because if she is not careful she can make it worse and possibly need surgery....she is 19 years old, was supposed to start her first job that Thursday, had her college class finals that week and was to start her summer classes...needless to say....none of those things are done at the moment...Her hopes and plans are to become a pediatric nurse, so that she can help and be with bebes and children, to give them comfort and help them heal, these are her words....These plans are all on hold for now....as sad as this is....I don't mind....not one iota...Because after we saw the pictures of the car she was in, with the passenger side almost completely gone..we know how blessed we are that she is here to continue to love and cherish her and our lives with her....don't get me wrong, when this first happened and I saw my child looking so little, mangled, bruised, battered and broken, laying in her hospital bed...I felt such a tremendous amount of hate for that drunk driver that I actually got physically ill for a couple of days.....I lost 10 lbs in 4 days...I slept maybe 12 hours...I would smile while I was with her and panic each time she tried to move....but I didn't cry in front of her....no....there was enough time to cry when I was home alone....then I could fall apart....and I will tell you something....reading all your emails, comments and talking to so many of you on the phone...lifted my spirits like you wouldn't believe....

See.....the man that cause my daughters accident...well when it first happened, I wanted him, in pain, mangled...yes I will admit it as ugly as it is to say it, it is even worse to feel it, but I wanted him dead....then I thought about how we all felt seeing our lil Ashley in the hospital and seeing her in pain and then I started to think of how his family must be feeling, was he young, married, did he have kids.....all I knew was the fact that he was someone's child....and that his parents must be feeling such immense pain, heartbreak and anguish over their own child.....see, the officers that were investigating the accident.... came to see our daughter and told her, that the man that hit her would never be a problem again....see....turns out....after he almost killed our daughter and her boyfriend, he proceeded to flee the scene....only to lead police on a high speed chase that was televised on the news and as I would later find out, viewed by many that know us....but at that moment, no one knew our Ashley was involved....well he proceeded to lose control of his car and crashed it on the freeway...from what the officers said....he broke his neck and is paralyzed from the neck down.....Justice??? I don't know...I only know that I feel like it is such a stupid waste of life because had he just stayed....his own life would be so much different....I try to forgive and ask God to give me the strength to do so....but I won't lie...it is hard...hard because my daughter is recovering at her grandmas home.....not ours, we have a 2 story house...doesn't work well in the recovery of a broken pelvis....our lives are soo drastically altered at the moment that I hope and pray for things to return to normal soon...but honestly at the end of every day when I feel over whelmed and discombobulated ( love this word ;) I remind myself that Ashley is can move around, it is limited but she can move, in time she will walk with out her walker, her crutches will be her main mode of transportation and the wheelchair will sit in storage one day when it is no longer needed...but the most wonderful thing of all is the KNOWING that our child will one day again...walk on her own and God-willing will run on the beach again...like she so loves to do and embrace the ocean waves that give her so much joy and laughter....laughter that I so miss hearing from her lately....

So now that I have updated everyone...I truly hope that you understand that if I don't make it personally to each of your blogs or email to let you know how much your thoughts and prayers have meant to us...it is only because at this moment, time isn't on our side....but I am hoping that with school being out this week and only having to go between our "2 households" I will have a lil more time to start visiting everyone again and leaving my comments...cause....well.....I know how much my opinion matters **wink** But know that I have when I can visited many of you, I just didn't leave a comment...sometimes there is just no time and other times, I am just so drained emotionally that I can't put my words into sentences that make sense...I hope you all understand and I am also hoping with this post...that after this long self & life imposed hiatus...that I haven't been forgotten by our wonderful Blogland that we all love so much, because I promise....I haven't forgot you....I miss you all tons and tons :) Much love to you all my amores...and know that you all mean so much to me and my family and that your support and love has kept our hopes and hearts afloat!

Ashley w/her cousin Alan
Dawn, Lisa, Rebecca, June, Lovey, Fairmaiden, your calls, emails and support...kept my head above water and kept me from the dispair, depression and fear of not being able to rise up once again from my knees...I thank you from my heart....because you listened, you gave me strength and you will never know just how much I held on to you for fear of drowning in dispair when I felt so alone and lost....I don't know how I will ever thank you all...love, love love you! Those that I didn't personally thank on here...please know it wasn't from forgetfulness, but because I would have to do a whole other post and right now...I am just so emotionally drained after doin this long assed post :) Much, much love to you all!!

One more thing....Kate...I am thinking and praying for you and your mami amor...I send you huge healing besos & hugs!! Anne, I am so thankful that all our prayers for you have been answered...I have tried so many times to call you amor, please call me anytime, I want to hear your beautiful voice...I think it would make my heart smile :) Thinking of you...Love you both :)

Until next time my dear friends....my amores......

Letting Go...Finding old friends and being ok with life....

I have been gone for a few days and yet...as I look at my side bar and see all of your new updates...I feel as if I have missed soo much...but I am trying to come back...I truly am...Thank you everyone for your lovely comments and emails...they have meant the world to me.

On Sunday April 26th, I got a call from a dear friend, letting me know that one of our dearest friends... Joanne, had just passed...I don't do well with death, I never have, when loss hits me, it knocks me to my knees and knocks the wind out of my sails....when we lost my dad last year in March, I was so lucky that I had soo many of you wonderful ladies, that gave me such support both emotionally and mentally, I will forever be grateful for that...So this time, I felt I just needed a few days to wrap my mind around this new loss and the fact that I would never see or hear from my sweet friend again....I still haven't taken her off of my email contacts or my cell...they some how give me comfort when I see her name....I believe it or not still have my dads name & number on my cell, same with others I have loved and lost...this somehow comforts me...I guess letting go...is different for everyone, but I thank you all for understanding and your support when I have needed it...whether I knew I needed it or not...sometimes just listening....means the world...Thank you so much Dawn, Lisa and my amor Chris...My own mr wonderful...Love you guys :)

My Ita (grandma) used to say that when someone you loved passed...God always sent someone else to help fill that void, so that the hurt wouldn't be so heartbreaking...when we lost her, weeks later my beautiful niece Natalia was born, when we lost my dad, a few months later my baby grand nephew was born, he would have been my dads first great-grandchild.....When I found out about my dear friend Joanne, my heart was hurting and I could feel the saddness seeping in and I started to panic....I knew what that meant and I didn't want that old now familiar feeling of loss and saddness that can overtake my life to come back...not now...not so soon after just picking myself up from my dads loss, I was truly afraid of how long and how strong "This" would last this time...I prayed and I talked to my constant source of love and strength...my Ita for help and guidance, like I did when she was here and at my old age I would still sit on the floor with my head on her lap and tell her my problems and fears...she always listened with not only her mind but her heart...I believe in my heart...that even now in heaven, she still does this for me....I asked her to help me, so that this fall wouldn't be so long and hard because I was afraid of how my family would be affected....I told her to please help me because I was feeling so sad and my heart was feeling lonely...my friend Deb, talked me into joining Face Book which I swore I never would, this blog takes about all my computer knowledge that I have and that isn't much lol and I typed in a friends name that had meant soo much to me when I was a young girl in high school, I had tried through the years to find her, on Classmates.com, our high school Alumni website, you name it, I tried it...no one that I knew, knew what had happened to her and you know what?? I went on Face book typed in her name and Voila.....There she was! She looked just the same, still beautiful, like a little porcelain doll and still had that beautiful smile that said, I am your friend...here I am...we reconnected, have talked everyday since I found her on the phone and I can honestly tell you the first time after we talked on the phone, when I hung up I cried...because I had missed her so much through the years and when we talked....it was like it had been just days before the last time we talked....not over 20 years....Today she sent me a text to my phone and said...she had prayed and asked her mama who is now in heaven to please bring someone into her life, that loved her and would be her friend and truly care for her, then I sent her a message when I found her...my eyes started to water...because I had forgotten in my excitement in finding her...that just a few days before...I had asked the same thing from my Ita...

Sometimes....letting people in, even when you think you are just fine...makes all the difference in the world doesn't it...I used to say that I didn't want to let new people into my life because losing them was too painful and not worth it...My Ita said..."How sad you think...I think it is even sadder not letting people into your heart and sharing love with them, because think of all the wonderful times, laughter and memories you will have missed out on, if you don't let those people into your life and heart...isn't that worse....losing them and always wondering what could have been....maybe you could have made a difference in their life...don't be selfish....love people and let them love you"....Did I ever tell you at 93 my Ita was the wisest person I had the privilege to have loved :)

I thank you all for your patience, concern, and most of all for your beautiful friendships and I promise I will be back earlier tomorrow with a new post, some lovely giveaways and news to share..

And Ana....Welcome back into my life amor....you & your friendship were truly missed!

Until next time dear friends,

A lovely Giveaway and some good movies for a cold ugly day...

First....I want to thank every single one of you for your beautiful birthday wishes for my mama..It meant the world to us all! THANK YOU !!!! Her Birthday was spent rather quiet without my dad and...she had a molar pulled and was a little swollen and a tad uncomfortable...So we had her cake and ice cream the next day when she wasn't looking quite the chipmunk and could enjoy it :)

***************

Everyone... loves a giveaway...but a fun one to boot? If you haven't visited Kasey of Lola B's wonderful blog yet, your in for such a treat, her blog is full of beautiful pictures and she has such a fun, witty and insightful way of writing, she really grabs you from the get go! Kasey is giving away the lovely necklace below called Fly Me to Paris, among some other lovelies :) Good Luck Everyone......and....Your Welcome :)

To enter click HERE...
Giveaway ends.... 4/23 at Midnight

Now I was going to originally use this picture below of Jean-Pierre, whom they met while on her wonderful trip to Paris, but thought better of it in case the winner decided to sue me because he wasn't included in the Giveaway prize they received in the mail...hence...the above lovely picture instead :)

Ps..You really should read her Girls In Paris...Day One post Here and then Girls in Paris...Deux Here if only to see where Jean-Pierre (pictured below) comes into all this and laugh so hard ya might just have to run and tinkle from her oh so witty writing :) And enjoy all her beautiful pictures...

And...incase you notice me rather quiet on my visits this week...tis only because I am doing some family obligations and will be back to visiting as soon as I can...But while I am working, I will be watching this movie tonight "The Young Victoria" I hope it is good....

Update***I loved this movie, but was rather disappointed with the ending....I, like many had read about her throughout the years and I just felt like the movie ended at the best part...when their lives together were just beginning...but the costumes and actors were wonderful, the scenery, locations and sets (palaces) were amazingly beautiful...gotta love period pieces :) Will I watch it again....You betcha!

I watched "Everybody's Fine" earlier today....tried to watch it three times before while I cooked and or cleaned the kitchen and I knew it was good, but kept missing so much, so this morning while I worked I finally saw it...I think it is a WONDERFUL movie...Not a Christmas Holiday like I thought it was going to be, it made me think of how many times our lives echoed the movie...always telling our parents or loved ones what we think they want to know, you know...the happy stuff only....and how we sometimes are guilty of not listening and only hearing what we want to hear.....I think at one time or another we are all guilty of that :) I can't tell you how many times I went to my dad with my troubles because I didn't want to trouble mama, dad always listened and would say..."let's not bother your mother with this...it'll be fine".....and you know....it always was...but now he is gone...and it is time to tell mama everything...not only the good.....Funny....my girls think I don't know or notice....but you know what??? I see them doing the same with not only their dad...but my mama as well, they go to them and try to spare me what they think I don't want to hear....I guess this movie kind of opened my eyes to that...kind of ironic if you think about it....I thought De Niro was fabulous in it.... Anyways I really enjoyed it, if you get a chance to see it, let me know what you think :)

Well "Young Victoria" is waiting....

Until next time dear friends,

Happy Birthday, Mia Bella Mamma Maria.....

Tomorrow, April 16th.... is my beautiful mama's 64th Birthday!

I look at my mamas pictures....and I look at every nuance that is her....and I try to find me...my eyes, my lips, my nose, my chin, no, nope...I don't see it, I don't see me in her beauty...BUT.....ask anyone and they will tell you....I have her strength, her sense of humor and her wickedly strong ability to hold a grudge and never forget the things I want to remember...notice I say...the things I want to remember lol

If I could grant her, her biggest wish....I would in a heart beat...without her even asking....I see it in her eyes...I hear it in her voice....I feel it in her quiet laughter...I would give her....just a few more precious moments with her own beautiful mama...my beloved Ita and her beloved husband Sonny...But I know that they are all around us...we can feel them.....loving her now, as they did back when a simple touch could make a memory to last in our hearts forever.

But God has a way of lessening the pain along the way, so that small miracles like holding your first great~grand bebe, can make your heart beat strong once again with the hope of many more beautiful tomorrows....

Feliz Cumple Anos mama...le deseamos un ano lleno de amor, felicidad con familia y queridos amigos siempre con nosotros, haciendonos siempre sonreir ....

(I know I more than likely totally butchered that, how in the world do you add accent marks above the letters?? lol, but she knows, it is full of love from her girls, My sister Celeste & me, my amor Chris, all your grand bebes, and our entire family & friends that love and adore you ALWAYS! )

Happy Birthday Maria!!!!!

Thank you all for allowing me this special lil moment to honor my bella mama,

Until next time dear friends,

My CraigsList Chronicles Part 2...wall of roses freebie... and a beautiful Giveaway.....

First before I share this lil Craigs list story with you, I want to thank everyone that has visited my lil blog and left me such lovely comments and become new followers...I am truly humbled that you like my lil blog...everytime I see I have a new follower....I think....They like me, they really like me...I know, my own Sally Field moment :) I know....I'm a goober...I am the first to admit it!.....Ask anyone that knows me lol But, my dear amores....I have tried to get to visit each of you, but if I have missed you, please know that I will soon be there to visit your beautiful blogs too...but just incase I still missed you....I'm sorry, I am trying, there are just so many beautiful blogs that I love and only so many hours in the day to visit.... darn life, family, carpools, taking care of my home for getting in the way :)

Did I ever mention that I LOVE Craigs List??? Well....I do...not just for the treasures that I have found, both to buy and as freebies...but for the lovely people that I have come across.....I have made many a new friend through Craigs List :)


A few months back, I shared my first Craigs List story with you here, about my dad and that beautiful cabinet full of lil drawers that I got right before he passed away and I promised to share some more of my Craigs List stories with you...hence...The Craigs List Chronicles were born....This is where Part 2 comes in...

The Wall of Roses...
A bit ago, while searching through the Craigs list Freebies section...this title caught my eye.....Free Wall of Roses....Soooo of course I had to see what this was all about lol ...I LOVE roses...I really do, I clicked on it and this is what I saw...well actually it was a very close up picture of the wall of roses, but roses and flowers no less :)

The add said, "Free... Large piece of wall from a Marc Jacobs show"...I called the number, and the guy, lets say Ian...to protect the innocent :) was a sweet heart and said Many had called him for it, he asked me why I wanted it, I said, I like to do art projects and decorate with flowers around my house and I will also pass them on to friends who can use them for their own projects or just to decorate with, long story short we talked a few times on the phone for awhile lol (those of you that know me, I can absolutely hear laughing at this point... Cut it out, your interrupting my story... YOU know who you are!!! LOL See I have a habit of making friends everywhere I go...I can't just see something, buy it and leave, nooooo....I just can't help it, I like making new friends : ) He said...Rose come on over....the wall is yours....my mr wonderful being the amor that he is was game for taking me to go pick it up... Ian, was the sweetest guy, when he saw me, he actually came over and gave me huge hug lifting me off the ground and spun me around, and said I have a big personality for such a tiny lil person...he meant because I'm short...not thin :) lol did I mention he was about 6'4, if not taller! I am 5'4 but, anyone would seem tiny to him right lol He shook hands with my husband and told us that the piece of wall came from a Marc Jacobs show that they had just done, this one one of about 10 pieces of it...the wall for the show was huge and there was a pink car that was displayed in front of the wall of roses and he hugged me once more and said he was glad the flowers were going to a nice person, that wouldn't throw them away but that they would be reused and appreciated....Honestly the whole time we were talking with him, I couldn't stop smiling or laughing with him....his personality was completely infectious! My amor, was sweet enough to take all of these pictures for me below including the wall above :)

To be fair...as you can see...there are ALOT of flowers...some roses, a few lovely cream peonies, but mostly pretty little and some large magnolias :) but I still love them all :)

After we took all the flowers off the large piece of drywall, which was about 4ft x 4 1/2 ft....I had enough flowers to fill this huge pretty metal container that was another freebie story for another time :) btw, the container is large enough to bathe a bebe in...I haven't tried yet...but it is big, and the bench is large enough for 2-3 people to sit on :)

Dawn amor, I took the 2 bench pictures below!!! Aren't you proud! See I am tryin :)

Thank you Ian!!!!!! Every time I see these pretty flowers, I smile and think of him and his great personality!

Thank you for indulging me in my telling of one of my little stories...but now I want to share this beautiful Giveaway with you!

The lovely Shellagh of the beautiful blog Ticking and Toile did a lovely 2 part interview with Christina Strutt, author of the beautiful book below called "At Home With Country" and to add to the fun, she is having a lovely Giveaway featuring the Beautiful book below for one lucky winner!!!

Click here to enter....

Giveaway ends...Wednesday morning, April 14th...Good Luck!!

Well amores, sleep is coming to me quickly...Thank you Tylenol Simply Sleep!
(I'm not paid to say this...just thankful for it :)

Until next time dear friends,

The beauty of nature in our yard & Giveaway love....

***Warning....Grab a cuppa coffee or tea.....another long ass post ahead..lots of pictures :)


I love when I look through old pictures and find wonderful surprises I forgot all about like the ones below...I am awed by nature in all is wonder...but sometimes the little pieces of nature that I come across in our own yard....well the beauty of it so inspires me...because the knowledge that there are soo many little worlds existing within my own world...truly boggles my mind

Awhile back we were working on cleaning up our yard....raking the millions of leaves from or avocado trees and trust me, after filling up 3 green trashcans and 5-6 huge construction trash bags full of leaves...there are millions of leaves lol we are lucky in the sense that we live in So Cal in the city and yet have over 1/2 an acre of yard...but not so lucky when you have to clean it and mow and rake...well you get the picture....

Anyways I digress......as I was saying, we were raking and I was cutting some branches down from the avocado...trust me they were skinny lil branches...it is all my weakling hands could manage to cut :) and when I cut one of the branches the heavier ones would then go up higher without the weight of all the smaller ones hanging on...well apparently when I did this and the bigger branch shot up...it catapulted this gorgeous lil bebe hummingbird to the ground :( my aunt picked it up because she was afraid the hawk flying above or stray cats would get it....mr wonderful climbed up a very tall ladder and placed it back in its nest and you know what??? the mama fed it and what seemed liked days later...that lil bebe was flying around with its mama :) How awesome is that!!!! We were all so happy because, we had always heard that when you touch a bebe bird, it's mama would then turn its back on it and let it fend for it's self and we were all so scared of that happening to this gorgeous lil one.

(doesn't it look like this lil bebe is saying "FEED ME!" :)

These next set of pictures were also taken by my husband... mr wonderful :) You can definitely see the difference in our picture taking skills lol he is great at getting really beautiful and clear shots...but I always feel so bad bugging him to take pictures for me, but I have my new lil pink beauty and as I practice using it, I will hopefully be able to take better pictures to share with you and hence...be able to post more ....wooohoo...betcha just can't wait right...yup see how well I know my peeps :)

(Dawn amor, one of these 2 nests above is now sitting pretty in your casa :) look at the bits and pieces of paint chips from our home and the neighbors in the nest, along with string and bits of paper...how awesome is that!!)

The next 2 pictures were taken in the tree on our sidewalk, jackaranda tree (I think that is what its called but have no idea how to spell it :) Anyways it is a pretty tree with tons of purple flowers...the drawback is having to clean up all them flowers and the sticky gunk they leave on your cars and all over your floors from sticking to your shoes and trust me...they stain hardwood floors :( But on the plus side...the humming birds love them...and we LOVE the hummingbirds!!!

Now.... these next 3 pictures are of our lil Lola, or as lovingly call her "pudge" because when her fur gets long, she looks like a lil ball of fur....hence...the pudge and it just stuck...she seems to love that name more :)


Can you tell she has attitude? And just so you know in case you are offended because she is wearing clothes...she LOVES it, in fact if I hold up bebe clothes she barks and dances around, because she thinks they are for her and when you put them away, she whimpers for quite a bit...my girls say that is her way of pouting cause she didn't get her way :) And yup.....you guesses it....she is the VP of my Fru Fru Gaudy Girls club...now g'head and admit it....you know you wanna join too! :)

(Dawn amor, thank you so much for fixing all these pictures of Pudge and makin her purrtiful :)




In this next picture...look at her baring her teeth (she never does this!) when my daughter tried to take the clothes off of her...told you she loves it :) ohh and by the way...the skirt is from the Build A Bear store, belongs to my youngest Kitty she made there and for a few minutes was "loaned" to our lil Pudge

And this is Pudge in all her fru fru gaudy girl glory :) My daughter says that in this picture...Pudge is sayin "smack that" lol

Ok, now on to some important stuffs.......Giveaways!!!!

***Please note that all giveaways will remain on my Giveaway Section on my R. sidebar until they are over ***


First....Is Andrea of Vintage Bella Studio is having a lovely Giveaway here!

Winner announced Saturday April 9th.

Second...Miss Sandy of Quill Cottage is having a Sharing Spring Giveaway here!

Giveaway ends Sunday April 10th.

Third...Myrna of More Than Heirlooms is having a Birthday Giveaway here!
Winner announced Tuesday April 13th.

Well amores, time to run and start dinner, the masses in my casa be hungry :)

Until next time dear friends,