Reach Out and Show Your Gratitude

 

Holidays are coming upon us!  Are you feeling festive yet?  Have you seen the decorations at the stores reminding us that Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas seasons are on the horizon?  Have you put away all of your Halloween decorations and begun thinking about turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie?  Are you making plans for the festivities?  Ready to share your bountiful gratitude with your family and friends?

I hope you answered a resounding YES!

And if you didn’t, then let’s begin today, for gratitude begins with you.  In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s important to remind ourselves what the holidays are really about ~ sharing time, your presence with those whom you love ~ and reaching out those special family and friends who aren’t nearby.  What better way to do that, to remind someone of how much you appreciate them, than with a card?!  Imagine your friend or family smiling when they open a card from you amidst the bills and boring mail ~ what a lovely surprise to know you are thinking of them!

The card above is one of my favorites from the collection for Thanksgiving.  Who came to your mind when you saw this card?  Want to send it without leaving your computer?  It’s easy to do.  Click below and enjoy a card on me ~ it’s easy to point, click and upload your photos, add some special decorations and mail your card all from your computer!  Your recipient will get a paper card in the mail!

Click here to try it today!  Who’s waiting to hear from you?

Shine On!

xo

4th of July

Celebrating with you today virtually ~ May your day be bright and happy!  May you find loving connections with all whom you come into contact!  May fireworks brighten your nights and BBQ family parties with friends and family make your day special!  Be free to love with a willingness to forgive, to embrace and to simply find the joy in this life.

You deserve it!

Shine On!

xo

Halloween Fun!

Whoops, did I leave my hat at your house?

Happy Halloween to YOU!

Scare On!

Shine On!

xo

I Want Seconds!

Daily Prompt:  Describe the most satisfying meal you’ve ever eaten in glorious detail. 

Well, to know me, is to know that I love my birthday!  In fact, I adore all holidays, but my birthday is especially near and dear to my heart ~ truly!  In fact, today is one of my son’s birthdays and he’s just like me ~ he celebrates his birthday for as long as we’ll allow!  Mine isn’t until March and I celebrate for as long as my family will allow too!

So when the Daily Prompt came today with describe the most satisfying meal you’ve ever eaten, I must admit that my birthday cake every year is the most satisfying!  Not because it’s anything special, no.  It’s because it’s usually surrounded by the people I love and sharing that cake with them on my birthday year after year brings me the most joy ever!  In fact, I intended on enjoying multiple festivities ~ I love going out to celebrate my birthday with family and friends!  I am not ashamed of telling the world it’s my birthday either!  To me, it’s just so exciting to be here year after year, that I never say no if you ask if I’d like to go out to lunch for my birthday!  In fact, I try to make it a week long event!

Perhaps this isn’t what Michelle was thinking when she posted today’s prompt, but for me, it’s true.

The most satisfying meal I eat every year is on my birthday with my loved ones…because it’s filled with love, family and life ~ for all of which I’m so grateful year after year!  Thank you for indulging me!  It means so very much!! xoxo

Seconds for All!!

Shine On!

Let them eat cake!

xo

P.S.  I made my own card from SendOutCards ~ try it yourself for free ~

my pre-birthday gift to you!  CLICK HERE!

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/daily-prompt-seconds/

Come Join the Celebration!

Congratulations!

February 1st, 2002 was the date that I had my bilateral mastectomy due to my breast cancer diagnosis and the pathology report which read that after my lumpectomy, I still had breast cancer in my body.  It’s also the date that marks the fact that I finally took hold of my own health and my life and decided to prophylactically take the non-cancerous breast as well, much to my surgeon’s chagrin.  I can happily report to you, that I still stand by my decision as it was the right one for me.

There is so much I have learned in the last 11 years since that day that I walked into the OR by myself, sobbing after being taken away from hugging my supportive husband who still stands by my side.  In the wake of having had those breasts reconstructed with silicone implants twice since then and then after having one of those implants rupture last year, beginning multiple surgeries to create what I now have for breasts which is body tissue taken from other parts of my body to make new, real, soft fleshy breasts which are mine and not artificial, hard, painful implants which I had endured because I had no choice, I am celebrating!

Since my breast cancer diagnosis on New Year’s Eve of 2001, my life has changed so dramatically that words fail me in trying to explain how richer my life has become.  I have endured much suffering, but I have also reaped many blessings.  I am grateful for each and every day when I arise from my bed to greet the world.  I am thankful for life’s blessings, the big and small ones and I know firsthand the meaning of the preciousness of time.  I practice being present in my life ~ enjoying The Presents of Presence ~ meaning actually being in the moment and enjoying what that moment offers.  My intent to cast worry from my shoulders is an ongoing trial in my life, but I accept that it is a work in progress.

I know I am blessed with a loving family and much support in my life and I rejoice in the fact that I can continue to send out love on a daily basis through my blog, my FB page The Presents of Presence, my SendOutCards business and my actions.   I have struggled through the grief of losing my breasts, fighting the disease through multiple surgeries (more than 10 and counting), ACT (chemotherapy), radiation, the loss of my ovaries at age 35 (salpingo oophorectomy), multiple needles, shots, medications, tamoxifen, arimidex,  the loss of my hair, my self-esteem, my confidence as a woman, the sad passing of friends from the same disease and the mortal fear of reoccurrence.  This is not a pity party by any means, so please don’t mis-understand me.  It’s actually a celebration of triumph!

My mother-in-law texted me this morning, “Have an especially happy day!” and I knew exactly what she meant for I knew that she remembered ~ and I knew that she would be there with me celebrating this momentous event.  I’m still here!  I have no painful implants anymore!  I have come full circle today ~ from having my God-given breasts, to having them removed due to dis-ease, to having them reconstructed not once, but twice with implants, to having been miraculously restored and reconstructed with breasts again which are of my own flesh and blood.

I am not sure that if you haven’t experienced this phenomenon that you can imagine how incredible it is to be here 11 years later celebrating so many wonderful gifts that my life has brought to me.  It is with heartfelt tears of joy, of gratitude and of above all, love that I write to you today.  However, knowing that we all carry burdens while we endure our journey on this earth, I feel like this is OUR CELEBRATION TODAY!  So please indulge me as I invite you to celebrate love and life on the first of February (don’t forget to say Rabbit Rabbit)  as well as family, friends, miracles, faith, joy, laughter, tears, gratitude, blessings, health, compassion, friendship…I could go on and on!

Celebrate Today my friends…Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future…

Today is a gift, that’s why we call it the Present!

May The Presents of Presence

Be with You Every Day!

Shine On!

xo

Coffee Talk…

A cup of coffee shared with you

is time well spent…

and warm memories made.

Thank you!

I saw this card in my SendOutCards catalog click here for more information and I had to include it because Vicki over at http://abundelic.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/coffees-on/  invited me for coffee today and I thought it would be fun to participate.  She’s asked a few questions that I needed to answer…so here goes!

1) How many cups of coffee per day? Well, it depends on what time I get up ~ usually 2 or maybe 3 at the most!

2) What is your favorite caffeine delivery system? My little Keurig!

 3) What was your best cup of coffee? Cafe au lait sitting at La Chancla Bar looking out over the Mediterranean on a bright sunny day, overlooking La Playa Blanca in Malaga, Spain.

4) What was your worst cup of coffee? On an airplane

5) What does your favorite mug say? Mom

6) How do you take your coffee? A 1/2 of a teaspoon of sugar  and a bit of  low-fat half and half

 7) When was your first cup? Spain!

 8) Have you ever gone on a coffee or tea date? Yes, many times!

So now I guess it’s my turn to host my first virtual coffee and tea date and I’m inviting all of you!  Please take a moment to chat below ~

Tell me about yourselves and how you like your coffee or tea! 

Feel free to invite friends and even host your own! 

What a lovely way to keep our energy up  and connections flowing as the week begins!

Have a lovely week!

Shine On!  Or dare I say, “Cheers to Tuesday!”

xo

Daily Prompt ~ My Eulogy

I know I’ve already posted today, but I couldn’t resist…I mean, what is it that you’d like your eulogy to say?  I just think that the concept is so thought-provoking and even life changing that I had to do it….so please indulge me…this is what I’d like mine to say…and this is what I’m striving for in my life. ❤

I would love to see yours as well…just click on the link below and post your eulogy today!

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/daily-prompt-eulogy/

Misifusa was born wearing rose-colored glasses ~ always the dreamer, she looked to romance, to daydreams and to possibilities and never let go of the word HOPE.  She hardly ever arrived early to any appointment nor meeting in her life with the one exception ~ her wedding ~ to which she arrived early as she was so happy to be marrying her husband whom she loved with all of her heart.  He stood by her throughout her lifetime, always standing by her side, holding her hand and lending her his strength when she was weak.  Theirs was a special love ~ a mutual understanding as only 2 Pisces can merge and unite.  Their wedding song was to be a theme throughout their lifetime together, “I love you just the way you are,” and they radiated that love and kinship throughout their blessed marriage.

Misifusa was blessed with 2 incredible sons with her husband.  She adored them and was so proud of who they are ~ she enjoyed every moment with them and always saw the best in them.  Their house was filled with love and peacefulness.  She always felt so grateful that she was blessed with their sons.  They brought her much joy, laughter and peace.

She also enjoyed her cats and felt an amazing bond with most animals, with the big exception of snakes and birds.  She was fond of fresh flowers and had an array of orchids growing in her home.  She disliked housework and cooking and enjoyed a good meal out with her family ~ laughing and smiling.  She was fond of calling her faults “her charms” and many wished she weren’t so ‘charming’ but she found it whimsical and fun to love her whole self.

People naturally flocked to her and she always rooted for the underdog.  She loved helping others and listening to their stories.  Nothing made her happier than when she could make a difference in someone else’s life.  She adored helping them to shift their thinking and to help them to see the light in the darkness.  She strove to shine like a star in the darkest night, hoping that by her example, she could inspire others to find faith, hope, love and joy in their everyday lives.

She survived breast cancer and other health issues which knocked her down for a bit, but she overcame them with sheer endurance and lots of love from her family and her talented doctors.  Her role as the peace-maker was self-given and she reveled in trying to help others to find peace in their lives and with others.  She felt her intuitiveness and found strength in her faith, relying on angelic help when she encountered sadness.

She enjoyed her SendOutCards business as it brought her much joy to send out love to others.  Her published books were a cathartic writing which was well-received by readers all over the globe.  She loved revisiting Spain where she had lived for a time and spoke fluent Spanish which she taught for 11 years in the public school system.  She found peace at the beach, watching the waves roll in.  She loved being on the water and would awaken early just to watch the sunrise in the peacefulness of the mornings with her cup of coffee.

She loved her family and friends and drew great strength from them as well.  She adored singing, reading, writing and relaxing with family and friends.  At times she could be fearless, but mostly she was conservative in her actions to her chagrin.  She launched the highly successful The Presents of Presents and could often be found traveling the world after her boys graduated college.  She was grateful for everyday and her mantra was:  Yesterday was the past, tomorrow is the future.  Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called THE PRESENT.

❤ ❤ ❤

Christmas All Year Long…

Christmas is a little bit of home that we hold in our hearts

Have you noticed that a few blogs have snow gently falling?  How cool is that?  Thanks WordPress as the virtual snow just raised my spirits up a notch!  My heartfelt thanks to my blogger friend David at http://davidkanigan.com/  for kindly letting me in on the way to make it snow!  FYI:  You should stop by and see him as well ~ he’s a master of cool stuff!

I love snow, don’t you?  Watching it gently fall outside while I”m cozy and nestled warmly inside?  Ahh…it’s beginning to feel a bit like Christmas…and it feels so good!  Now if the Jersey weather would just be less tropical, I’d be happy!  I know, I know, there’s time for cold ~ I agree…but a nip in the air would make it feel more like Christmas!

Lucky for me, I found this card last night when I was working and when I found this one, I knew that I had to use it for my inspiration.  You see, for me, it brings up the possibility that if we were to keep that little bit of home in our hearts all year long, we could make the Christmas Spirit last all year long…how wonderful would that be?  Can you imagine it?  Wouldn’t you like it?  A bit of holiday spirit everyday?!

Imagine a Baker’s Dozen of Warm, Gooey Ways Our Lives Would Change

When We Keep the Christmas Spirit in Our Hearts for 12 Months

1.  We feel the love and generosity in the air all year long.

2.  Everyone stays on their best behavior so that Santa and his Elves don’t put them on the Naughty List!

3.  More people are singing and smiling everyday!

4.  The Season of Giving and of World Peace is an everyday occurrence.

5.  Gratefulness is a daily sentiment ~ instead of tipping only at Christmas!

6.  Happy memories with family and friends occur more often!

7.  Reminiscing about those who have passed keeps their memories alive.

8.  A lightness in heart keeps people huggable.

9.  We sit down and enjoy our meals ~ with our families and friends!

10.  We send cards filled with loving words and pictures of our families and connect more often!

11.  I Believe is a sentiment heard more often than not!

12.  We enjoy the twinkling of lights and take time to contemplate their beauty.

13.  We embrace The Presents of Presence each and everyday!

Join me…let’s keep the Holiday Spirit glowing!

Keep Twinkling and Shine On!

xo

In my search for a good  follow up to yesterday’s post, I checked out the newest cards to find one as my inspiration.  You may not know that most of the images that I feature in my blog are actual cards from my business which I use to springboard my blog post ~ hopefully bringing to you, a bit of inspiration.  If the picture/card is not from the card catalog, then it’s one that I made in about 5 minutes from my own photo and the templates/elements of the free system.  If you want to try it for yourself, you can click below…

http://www.rememberchristmas.com/deanery

Oh my Deer ~ December 1st!

Hello Everyone!  Happy December First!  You know what you need to do now, right?  Say “Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit White Rabbit!”   If you are scratching your head and wondering what in the world I’m talking about ~ see my post on this monthly family ritual!  https://misifusa.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/rabbit-rabbit/

But that’s not the only reason so sound the alarm for December 1st!  It’s also time to think of your holiday cards and gifts!  I know, I may sound like a commercial, but because SendOutCards does not advertise, you can only hear about it via word of mouth ~ from one system lover to another!  So that’s why I write about it!  I love this company so much for what it stands for, for how easy it is to use, for how inexpensive it is to send a card, a gift and to make something special with my own pictures, videos and logos…you only pay for what you use ~ and it brings a priceless smile to everyone!

I was playing the photostore the other day, making ornaments for friends/family, working on a 2013 family calendar (shh…it’s a secret!) and even trying my hand at making playing cards for our family with our years’ pictures on the cards!  But that’s all for another day…

Today, I give you a little present…check out our webinars for SendOutCards…they are free, informative and let them know that I sent you!

Make your holiday cards and gifts special!

Shine On!

xo

Click here to see SendOutCards Christmas Webinars!

Cyber Monday ~ Holiday Cards!

It’s not just on Cyber Monday, but ALL YEAR LONG!

Click below to see what you can do!

Christmas cards!