The power of Google... and much more!!!!

I am just thrilled to pieces that I found one of my dear friends from middle school, Monica. She was one of my best friends and I've often thought about her and wondered how she was doing... well, I don't need to wonder any more. I've Googled her a couple of times in the past, but found nothing. The last time we spoke was in 1995. This past weekend, I decided to Google her again and I got lucky! I found her! She is as sweet as ever and we finally got to talk this week. We were on the phone for hours catching up. I'm really glad that she is in my life again and that she is doing so well and has an 8-year-old daughter. WOW!

Monica told me about our school having a group on Facebook so I joined in order to find my old classmates and I have found so many people... this is great. I've reconnected with lots of people and finding Monica has been a real blessing. How cool is that!

NAPLES
Last weekend, I went away to Naples, FL on a press trip and my hubby came along. I hadn't been there in many, many years (maybe just once when I was little) so I enjoyed spending a relaxing weekend reviewing the hotel for the magazine, visiting antique shops and hitting the beach. Here are a few pics:







SADIE OLIVE
I am in LOVE with this vintage-inspired online store. They have oldies but goodies (wire baskets, an organizational tray, cake stand, journals, etc.) and I really want some of their unique items for my scrap room... Check out the store by clicking here.

CRAFTY GOODNESS
My dear friend Esther, who is not only one of the sweetest and nicest friends, but also very talented and crafty, is hosting a card workshop here in Miami next Saturday at 9 am. She makes the prettiest cards and the most creative stamping projects. You'll definitely want to check out her work. Here's a link to her brand new blog for more information.

That's all for now. Peace to all and happy scrapping!

One day at a time

First of all, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful messages you left me below. Your comforting words really touched me and I hope you know this means the world to me. I'm trying to cope with the loss of my Mami and just taking it one day at a time. I miss her so, so much, but I keep reminding myself that she is my sweet little angel in Heaven!

Here's a layout I made about Mami (design inspired by the Cocoa Daisy gallery). This is a self-portrait of the two of us on Mother's Day this year.

Isn't she just the most beautiful Mami in the world?




On another sad note, I've found out about a couple of people that have passed away recently and the news has really affected me... First, Aleida Franklin, AKA The Scrapping Rican, was tragically killed in a car accident last week. She was not only a talented and gifted artist, but most importantly, a wife and mother that adored her family. She will be greatly missed. Then, one of my scrapbooking idols, whose hubby is serving in Afghanistan, posted that his unit lost two more men this weekend. Please pray for the fallen and their families...

Hug all those dear to you each and every day and don't ever stop telling them how much they mean to you, how much you love them and live each day to the fullest!!!

Peace to all!

Hanging in there...

...after the loss of my beautiful Mami on Friday. That's all I could say. I know some of you have lost a parent or someone close and you have some idea of what I am feeling right now. It's a rush of emotions that I cannot even explain. I'm okay one minute and falling apart the next. Just dealing with my sorrow and taking it one day at a time. Thanks for the well wishes. This is very personal, but I sat down and wrote this and thought I'd post it since my blog is kind of like my own personal journal.

Sept. 7, 2008

Mami, I will always be your little girl, Vanessita, and La Cucarachita, too! You’ve only just gone to Heaven and I miss you like crazy already. I adore you with all my heart and I don’t know what life is like without you in it and I am not anxious to find out. You’ve always been there for me whether you were close by or miles away from me. Just knowing you were around was all the comfort I ever needed and now you’re gone. Yes, I know you’re in a better place and that you are looking over me and that you are dancing in the heavens above with Cano, Papi, Mama, Tia Flora, Abuelita and the rest of the family, but perhaps I’m just too selfish because that doesn’t seem to alleviate the pain I feel right now – the pain of losing my mother. I want you here by my side, holding me. I want to smell you like I always do. I want to feel your soft hands and skin like I always do. I want to run my fingers through your hair like I always do. I want you to tell me you love me more “because you’re older” like you always do. I want you to correct my Spanish like you always do. I want you here with me right now. Everyone tells me you had to go, that it was time and I know that’s all true, but I don’t want to hear that anymore because it doesn’t change the fact that you are not here and there’s nothing I can do about that. I didn’t want you to suffer anymore and I know you are well and that God is looking over you because you have always been such a saint, a perfect example of all that is true and dear and right in this world. I have lost my parents – all of them – and I am only 32 years old. Aren’t I too young for this? What will I tell my kids? Who will be there for me and for them? Who will teach me what to do when I have a baby? Who will I celebrate Mother’s Day with? Who will love me unconditionally? Who will comfort me and hold me in their arms like you used to do? This is life changing for me and I feel so lost and empty and alone right now… I miss you more than words could ever express…Rest in peace, my dear Mami, and don’t ever leave me because I need you to love me and guide me and help me live my life every single day. I need you to be with me every step of the way. Te adoro, La Cucarachita

A wedding, a BBQ and Jenny Craig!

Hi my friends!!!

I know that I have not blogged much these past couple of weeks, but I've been very busy... lots going on... 10+ hour workdays and deadlines galore! I have no mojo these days, so not much scrapping going on.

On the plus side, my hubby's cousin Tommy and Natalie got married this past Saturday and it was a simple and beautiful wedding. The bride looked stunning and they were both so full of love and just glowing with happiness! This day was long overdue. If you recall, in April I blogged about their twin boys who passed away when Natalie was seven months pregnant. It was so sad and unexpected. Click here to read that post. These types of things can tear a couple apart, but this tragedy and loss actually brought them even closer together. They're on a Caribbean honeymoon cruise right now and I wish them the very best!!! Here are some pics of the gorgeous couple and our family:







The following day we had the "Santamaria End of Summer BBQ Extravaganza." That's what Richard wanted to call it. LOL! Well, it was tons of fun and a huge success!!! Here are some pics of our family and friends at my in-laws' house for the barbecue (I think we should make this a tradition).






Lastly, in between all the stuff that's been going on, I joined Jenny Craig over a week ago and I am happy to report that it's going well and that I love the food! The quality and taste of their meals is impressive. It was a little difficult to get used to eating five times a day, but I'm doing it... I also have had to get used to eating a TON of veggies and fruits, but I am doing it. I've only lost three pounds so far, but it's a start and I plan to stick to it for some time and, eventually, lose a whole lot more so I can get ready to have a baby (God willing! Whoohoo!)... Scary, but thrilling at the same time...

Hope you've enjoyed all these pics... I'll post some scrappy stuff later in the week. Peace to you and happy scrapping!