>> Wednesday, December 31, 2014

YOUTUBE HAS SHUT DOWN DUE TO HIGH VOLUME. Can you believe it? I cant play a single music video. Well we may have to continue tomorrow for the new year. Until I can figure this out enjoy this funny video.

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Thanks for waiting...

Sometimes things don't turn out as you expect. I was busy entertaining guests and could not continue the party. It was better to connect in person with others as we appreciated each others company so it was time well spent. Thanks for waiting. let's continue with a unique version of "Jealous" by Nick Jonas-Chorus Style.

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Stay Tuned on the road....

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Brutally Honest

Someone on Facebook asked What is your theme this year? I had to be gut level honest with myself. I am a talker. It is my double edge sword. I can speak in any arena but knowing when too much is too much is my downfall. This is not easy to say. What are you untruthful about, with yourself? Come on, go there. When you don't want to say it, there the truth will be. It helps to look at yourself in a mirror to admit your truths or say them out loud.

By keeping them quiet or making them meaningless or not a big deal is deceiving yourself. Let's face it, you do not tolerate others lieing to you why lie to yourself. If they can't do it neither should you, especially to someone as valuable as yourself. "This relationship is going no where." "I am selfish." "I am arrogant". "I was mean to that person". "I was prejudice and looked down on..." Otherwise you will be like the person who comes to group never acknowledging who you really are in order to change. You will stay the same way. What's worse is others can see it. (That's also a truth we must face.) So my theme of the year is "Talk less and Do more". What's yours?










Best,
LEA

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Love this song: Eminem and Jay-Z- "Renegade".


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Pit Bull- "Celebrate".


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Maghan Trainor-"Lips Are Movin".


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Welcome to the Blog Party. This site is the first to have an online blog of videos, pictures, and inspirational posts once a year for it's anniversary. We top it off with an artist of the year to be revealed at the end of the night. We got a late start this year but let the fun begin!

We'll start off with Sam Smith-"Latch".

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Happy 5th Year Anniversary Live Ever After





HAPPY 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
LIVE EVER AFTER!!!

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"Love me like you"-Ella Eyre

>> Thursday, September 18, 2014


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Don't Ever....

>> Monday, September 15, 2014


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In Honor of 9/11/2001

>> Thursday, September 11, 2014

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"This is How We Do"-Katy Perry

>> Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Last years winner of Live Ever After's Anniversary Blog Party.


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Marriage is like....

>> Friday, September 05, 2014


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Classical Pianist-Girma Yifrashewa

>> Thursday, September 04, 2014

My husband and I went to see our good friend Girma, who plays classical piano. His specialty is to translate traditional songs into classical music. Enjoy.


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"I love your last name".

>> Tuesday, August 26, 2014

This morning I remembered when we were in our twenties and on date while living in New York City. We took the subway to midtown and had the best conversation. Although it was crowded on the train I forgot there were other people all around us. Somehow the conversation was on the topic of names and I so loved his last name. He really has a cool last name, I thought. In a split second without really thinking of the implications I said "I love your last name. Can I have it?" Realizing the gravity and forwardness of what I asked. I then became sober of others hearing what I had just said and beginning to feel totally embarrassed. He looked at me graciously understanding what I had meant. He then smiled, looked me in the eyes and said, "Maybe, one day". (Three years later my wish was granted).

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"All About That Bass"-Meghan Trainor

>> Tuesday, August 12, 2014


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Cynical

>> Saturday, August 09, 2014

Cynical-Bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic. (3rd definition from Dictionary.com)

I went to a marriage retreat when I was two years a wife. It was so good for me. As married women we need so much help and this seminar was ever year. I never wanted to miss them. They were hosted in posh hotels and wisdom from all cultures were present. Food, interesting classes (wives, husbands, and some classes were mixed; dinner and dancing all for $60-$70 a night, per couple. Those were the good old days for such available prices. Also discount was due to the large attendance. One year, 500 couples were in attendance. It was great spending time with wives of all ages. Sight seeing at night with my husband was very special to me and holds many dear memories.

In one of the big conference rooms there was a class for the wives and the husbands were talking about whatever men talk about. (Actually it was about respect of your spouse). In our class the speaker was a woman who had been married for 30 years shared about something I never considered. She spoke about Bitterness. This was a foreign concept to me as a newly wed. But now I realized it was stored away for a later reference. She continued to elaborate and told a story of one particular interaction with her husband. He made a statement that she had heard so many times and she surprised herself in rolling her eyes, something she had not done before. When she looked back she realized she had been making similar small gestures, over time,which she never connected. She recalled verbally cutting him off, and having a yeah, yeah, yeah attitude, as well as mimicking him with her lips when he turned away from her. She said it was so subtle and it crept into her heart. Before you know it "Bitterness" had become "Cynical".

As her respect for him decreased so did her love for him. Her heart had become cold. A declining slope. It came to a point where she had dug her whole so deep it was strenuous digging herself out of the "Cynical Pit" she had made, unknowingly. Once out she wanted to caution all wives of the small and seemingly harmless gestures and thoughts we have about our spouse. For some who dug themselves too deep, the speaker said they could no longer salvage the relationship  which was already weighed down with other obstacles and struggles. She was so grateful to have a healthier marriage, she thought how important to share it with other wives and now I share it with you.

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"Don't"- Ed Sheeran

>> Monday, July 14, 2014


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Dating and Marrying Late

>> Sunday, July 13, 2014

Today it's more common to date for several years before getting married. Trends are always changing. At one time society was in a rush to get married in order to avoid being an old maid. I think we are thinking smarter and realizing the importance of men and women getting an education and earning money. Loving life and dating, enjoying your life in a healthy manner before taking the big commitment vow. This helps towards a better sense for knowing oneself, being more seasoned in life and having more confidence in the one you are saying yes to. It is very common for people to marry in their 30's than their 20's. A common fear for women is being unable to have children, Increasingly, women in their 30's and 40's, having children, continues to be on the rise. , Whatever stage you are in enjoy your life. You have to have a healthy balance in comparison to all the work you do. This makes for a healthy you first before finding the other half of you. 

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"Rather Be"-Clean Bandit (feat Jess Glynne)

>> Wednesday, July 09, 2014


 

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"Breadcrumbs"

>> Friday, May 23, 2014

We try to make sense of our plight, when we have no control over a situation. When we try to make sense of what is happening to us. When we do not see a solution or our set goal in sight. When our goal for a job, a relationship, a project is taking too long to come to fruition; it is extremly frustrating. Usually in these cases you are waiting for other people to assist in setting the foundation, or play a part that is necessary for your vision to become a reality. Waiting, waiting and waiting will make you mad and drive you mad. The more steps the more you wait for the fruit of your labor. In the meantime you are loosing money or not earning money; stuck physically, mentally. emotionally and finacially. There are times you may just have a "break". Possibly mild possibley big, but tears are expected to fall from the difficulty of your situation, And how did it come to this anyway? It was not what you planned or expected. But here you are. Then there is the support of people in your life that can be no support at all or just worst, appear to have no faith in you and/or your vision.

Then just like that after months or even years, on a day you did not expect, because of course you had many days of expectation and nothing-it happens. You're still in disbelief after believing for soooo long. Once you have what you want, you realize the real work begins and this can be scary and exciting at the same time. All is now worth the "torture" you experienced leading up to this point. Now take a further look back at the picture. Peer even further into all the incidents which led up to your victory. Link all meetings, conversations, mistakes, unknown influence and unknown key persons. Think of the changes you had to make and tweaking of your plan and following leads. All are breadcrumbs left for you to follow and lead you to your goal. Led by something greater than yourself. You look back and realize how much stronger you are for the task, how much desire has been built up and harness to take you the distance. You realize there is no way I did this on my own and at times you were kicking and screaming, while somehow and unknowingly being "carried". Last of all, you have become wiser for the mission and for life in general. Next time you may follow the breadcrumbs by deliberately looking for them, making the process less stressful and far more exciting. This is maturity and you have entered its gates.....by breadcrumbs.  


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"Am I Wrong"-Nico & Vinz (Acoustic Style)

>> Wednesday, April 30, 2014



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8 things women don't do......

>> Friday, April 25, 2014

8 Things women just don't do anymore (that they should!)

Click Here for Article. 

 


 

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"Classic"-MKTO

>> Thursday, April 03, 2014


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Repost- Arguing in front of the kids.

>> Sunday, March 30, 2014

Article: Arguing in front of the kids.

I would like to repost as this was a good read and reminder. Written in 2012 and I still remember the lesson from that day.

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Divorced Man-Advice I wish I had.

>> Friday, March 28, 2014

This Guy Got Divorced And Said This About His Ex-Wife... And I Agree With Him.
Gerald Rogers got divorced after 16 years of marriage. Recently he wrote a eye-opening public confession on his blog... after I saw it, I'm totally with him. He writes:

''MARRIAGE ADVICE I WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD:

Obviously, I'm not a relationship expert. But there's something about my divorce being finalized this week that gives me perspective of things I wish I would have done different... After losing a woman that I loved, and a marriage of almost 16 years, here's the advice I wish I would have had...

1) NEVER STOP COURTING.
Never stop dating. NEVER EVER take that woman for granted. When you asked her to marry you, you promised to be that man that would OWN HER HEART and to fiercely protect it. This is the most important and sacred treasure you will ever be entrusted with. SHE CHOSE YOU. Never forget that, and NEVER GET LAZY in your love.

2) PROTECT YOUR OWN HEART.
Just as you committed to being the protector of her heart, you must guard your own with the same vigilance. Love yourself fully, love the world openly, but there is a special place in your heart where no one must enter except for your wife. Keep that space always ready to receive her and invite her in, and refuse to let anyone or anything else enter there.

3) FALL IN LOVE OVER and OVER and OVER again.
You will constantly change. You're not the same people you were when you got married, and in five years you will not be the same person you are today. Change will come, and in that you have to re-choose each other everyday. SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO STAY WITH YOU, and if you don't take care of her heart, she may give that heart to someone else or seal you out completely, and you may never be able to get it back. Always fight to win her love just as you did when you were courting her.

4) ALWAYS SEE THE BEST in her.
Focus only on what you love. What you focus on will expand. If you focus on what bugs you, all you will see is reasons to be bugged. If you focus on what you love, you can't help but be consumed by love. Focus to the point where you can no longer see anything but love, and you know without a doubt that you are the luckiest man on earth to be have this woman as your wife.

5) IT'S NOT YOUR JOB TO CHANGE OR FIX HER...
Your job is to love her as she is with no expectation of her ever changing. And if she changes, love what she becomes, whether it's what you wanted or not.

It gets better to read the entire article click here.

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Niece's Wedding-Steve Harvey

>> Saturday, March 22, 2014

Too funny. His wife must have said why did I get involved? Warning a little raw near the end.


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Patience

>> Thursday, March 20, 2014

Dictionary.com defines patience:

pa·tience

noun
1. the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner.
3. quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

Patience. A noble and worthy virtue to possess especially in love relationships. I have learned from the process of couples working out their differences that this may be one of the basic of all basic valuable tools to a happy relationship.

This is the secret from observing and interacting with couples who have figured it out, sometimes after many many years of being together: The problem is your expectations. Yes your expectations. You may have a particular strength that is your spouses weakness. You EXPECT them to be on the same level as you to change a particular behavior. This causes much stress. Patience says it will take time before they can master the particular thing that is driving you crazy. It may never change. But that is patience. Even if they never change, you will love them anyway.

Remember it works the opposite way as well. You have a weakness in character or a particular area that drives the other person mad and can be frustrating. What is it you expect from them.....patience. The humbling part of a relationship is its balancing act for complementing weaknesses with the others strength. Honestly listening to your spouse and following through with what they tell you will be the secret to your growth in that area. Why? Because it is their strength.

You both are the greatest resource for each other. Use what has been given to you. Be open to the fact that you can learn from your spouse. Go a step further and encourage them by letting them know it is a strength that you would like to learn from them. It might not be right away but it will take a lot of stress of of the relationship.  So be patient with your spouse.  

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Wrong Number-Carol Bernett and Tim Conway

>> Wednesday, March 19, 2014


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Bravery to Love

>> Monday, March 17, 2014

For an independent study course I took in college, I presented a research paper on migration immigration and subcultures. What has always been fascinating to me is the study of relationships within a culture's subculture. It is assumed that two African American people have a lot in common and should date and marry. Similarly European people will be perfect for one another, as with Latinos and Asian cultures as well.

Just because you are two people from the same race, same background, even same town does not make you compatible. Why? Because there is "subculture" which levels the playing flied. There are different norms and customs in each household causing friction on how to raise children, who has the dominant role, how to handle conflict, etc. It doesn't matter if your from the same place speaking the same language. How many people speak the same langauge and grew up in the same location and are not compatible.

What has shown to be the secret to a healthy relationship or marriage has not been how similar you are but how you work out your differences. This is true with all marriages arranged, of the same culture, of the same country, of the same clan, of the same tribe and interracial couples. As a species we are always developing, advancing and becoming inclusive while keeping our morals and values. We will always be different from our peers, relatives and even within our own family unit! Only your loyalty, expression of love and bravery to love the other person is what really truly matters.


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Story of refinding love.

>> Tuesday, March 11, 2014

So beautiful I thought I would post. Makes you think about your marriage. Click link to read article.


Article on AV Media

http://avms.opti.netdna-cdn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_m9yoacIkrh1r7gwiqo1_500.jpg




When I got home that night my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking about divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed – dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.
So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.
If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Written by: Kimmies Floral
- See more at: http://avmediastudio.com/blog/married-or-not-you-should-read-this/#sthash.ZqjAN2cZ.dpuf
When I got home that night my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.
Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking about divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?
I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!
With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.
The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.
In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.
This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.
I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.
My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.
On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.
On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.
She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.
Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.
Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.
But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.
She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.
That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed – dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….
The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.
So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!
If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.
If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Written by: Kimmies Floral
- See more at: http://avmediastudio.com/blog/married-or-not-you-should-read-this/#sthash.ZqjAN2cZ.dpuf

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"Not a Bad Thing"-Justin Timberlake

>> Wednesday, March 05, 2014

There is nothing like a good love songs for couples. This is my new song addiction. Enjoy.


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>> Sunday, February 23, 2014

Women's Day
Friday, March 28, 2014
Northern Virgina @ The Mason Inn

As we build the structure of our lives, we create a dynasty that 
will leave an impact for our family, friends and community.

(Click Below for more info)

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Marriage Retreat
March 14-16, 2014
MARYLAND

"Place me like a seal over your heart,
    like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
    its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
    like a mighty flame".
-SONG OF SONGS 8:6

(Click Below for more info)

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Recipe Tips

>> Thursday, February 20, 2014

I wanted to share some very interesting tips for accentuating drinks and food: I've experimented throughout the years and these are some ideas that have stuck with me. They may not all be the healthiest so use in moderation.

1.The best punch is one that has a powdered mix with soda and no water added. (You can drink water after).

2. Once I had no lemon for my tea so I had the great idea of putting one teaspoon of lemonade. (You will not need to add sugar).

3. When living abroad they had no BBQ sauce so I made one of ketchup, mustard and honey to cook and glaze the meat.

4. I will never buy french dressing again as the secret recipe is ........ketchup and mayonnaise. Mix to your own taste.

5. I will never buy tarter sauce again as it is mayonnaise and sweet relish.  Mix to your own taste.


6. I learned that lemonade taste great with mint leaves in them. Let it stand for a while to absorb the flavor.

7. I love drinking tea from a clear glass mug with raisins, apples and other fruits on the bottom. (Even a cinnamon stick).

8. Once I ran out of bread for french toast and used the raisin bread that was there. Yum, Yum.

10. I use my own hero Italian bread when it gets hard. I place in a bag and crush it to make bread crumbs for breading chicken breast. Works just the same as store bought and I do not have to throw it away. I tried it with left over bagel but it did not work. It did work with left over croissants.

11. I enjoy drinking egg nogg in cereal for a nice change. You can dilute a little with milk if it is too egg noggie.

12. I love Pina Colada. In blender just mix pineapple juice with coconut water and ice Coconut water has become the new craze for health and hydration. I use coconut water with milk and put in my cereal as well.

13. Make your own Shirley Temples that cost $6 at a bar restaurant. On ice, mix Sprite with the cherry juice/syrup from the cherries in a jar. 

14. My island makes great tea from choosing leaves in the backyard. If you can find a store that sells lemon grass, boil it with or without ginger for a refreshing taste. (There are other leaves but not sure what they are in U.S. In my country we call it "Bush Tea").

That's all I can think of for now. Happy cooking or should I say mixing.



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I Didn't Know My Own Strenght-Whitney Houston

>> Saturday, February 15, 2014

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Power of Perseverance-Part II

>> Thursday, February 13, 2014

Everyone knows this popular verse:
1st Cor 13 Love always protects always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

From looking back, good really came to me just for preserving. That family member who was negative about my future success, shows regrets for ever treating me so poorly. I was never rude to them and this must have been the sour in their milk. I feel so bad for them, more like pity than anger. For the professor who inadvertently stated I would not make a “fine clinician”, I graduated with a 3.75 GPA regardless of his grade of a “D”. I eventually sought counseling myself after I went through a mild despair for having to leave the job that I loved, settle for a menial job and then be the only student rejected from a program that would change the course of my life. What did I do? The year the program started I paid for the classes offered by the program. Because it just started, the courses were not closed to the student population. The look on the professor's face when they walked in and saw me sitting in the front seat, was priceless. The professor walked to their desk and addressed me by saying, “Well hello”. In my response, “Hello to you too.” After a year of taking courses the student's thought I was one of them, accepted and registered with the program. When they found out I wasn't in the program, a few students started advocating for me. I applied the second year and was excepted. I improved the menial job given to me after the State said I could not keep my former job due to licensure requirements.

Upon leaving to come to Virginia, over the year in a half of looking for work, I was able to start a non-profit even with a few naysayers. The job I prayed for gave me great experience but there was a lot of bias. I was stuck giving 100% with no way to advance compared to other peer members in the agency. Then I had an interview that I wasn't going to attend because it was working for a new private practice that just opened. All I kept hearing was the horrible words from the last interview at that former private practice, “You are not private practice material”. I mean, she would know, right? She would know what it takes and maybe I did not have what it takes. I actually showed up just for the practice of the interview, not expecting them to hire me. Several months later, I was on a forum with the best of the best in my field and there she was; the woman who said I would never work for a private practice because I could not change a light bulb, I mean I was not private practice material. She saw me and my name but I guess did not have the nerve to approach me. All in all I have learned sometimes love and passions have to be redirected. I also learned that sometimes perseverance means “prove them wrong”. But lastly, you will never be disappointed in the long run for persevering and sticking to what you believe to be true and right. There is always a good and sometimes refreshing pay off.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Best,
The Advisor, Talker, Sensitive One, Fighter, Extrovert, Believer, Mother, Wife, Perseverer, Ponderer, Survivor, Optimist, Human Being....

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Power of Perseverance-Part I

>> Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I have been learning a lot about perseverance. As an attribute love, kindness and giving get a lot of attention. Not many people speak about the attribution of perseverance, as it is also an important construct as the last three. Only now am I realizing how important a trait to persevere.

I had a family member tell me growing up I will never succeed and I will be a nobody compared to his daughter. What did I ever do to them at 12 years old. I once had a professor write an email to my Neropychopharmocology class stating he was not writing to be biased but “these are the results of the grades. All those with A's will make fine clinicians one day”. I got a “D”. In graduate school the program director started the first Accredited Counseling School in the area. Twenty students applied and all were excepted except me, the only one with actual experience. I could only assume it was due to me being the oldest of the group. My job at the time could not keep me in the position without at least an enrollment into a program for future licensure. So I was transferred to a less interesting job. 

Four years later, I moved to Virginia leaving the comfort of everything and everyone I knew. It took a year and a half to find a job. During my job interviews one in particular stood out. She read about my situation and appeared nice enough to have me interview at her private practice. The interview appeared to be going well. I spoke to her of my experience in agency work when she said this is not the place for you. I was surprised to say the least and asked her what she meant by the statement. She continued to say in private practice you have to be able to take on independent activities like change a light bulb. In my mind I said “What?” Out loud I stated, “I can change a light bulb and even buy the bulb in order to change it.” Then she said the haunting sentence, which came out of her mouth in slow motion...... “You are not private practice material”. The interview pretty much ended there. I didn't mention all the rejections of love and likes throughout life, relative to everyone else' s experience of rejection. And later, the responsibility of raising children with my best friend. 
(TO BE CONTINUED TOMOROW) 

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Happy-Pharrell Williams

>> Thursday, February 06, 2014

Finally a happy song about being happy. Very hard to do because it's clean and has a catchy tune.


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>> Wednesday, January 29, 2014

My review on Amazon.com for the new book: A Lady in France, written by Jennie Goutet and blogger of A Lady in France.

Jennie's book is not as much about her travels around the world and meeting many interesting people as it is about her touching the lives of many. In her humility to tell her story, the beauty is her ability to go beyond impacting others around her and to bring them healing. As the reader experiences the author's highs and lows of life, they are able to witnesses her compassion and encouragement towards others. You feel the intensity of her pouring herself out in order for others to have physical, mental and emotional healing, even when she herself was in need of love and support. It's a great read on total sacrifice.


God seemed to have placed her in the right circumstances and time frame to be a balsam, agent and remedy to the human spirit. You can see it from the beginning chapters of her teaching in Taiwan with the children and her effect on them, to her travels to work for a company in India, her charming spell on her future husband, her warmth and understanding towards acquaintances, her endearment in holding a dieing orphan, her forged courage to unite a hurting church one member at a time, to the final chapters of struggles to bring about the best for her family, and her secret saving prayer for an unknown woman with cancer in the bed beside her. In every encounter she brought something special to the other person. It is in reading this book that she continues to bring healing to her readers in becoming introspective of life, strengthened in core and to love oneself all while realize our capabilities are more than we can ever imagine.

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I Choose You-Sara Bareilles

>> Sunday, January 26, 2014


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Thinking About You-Calvin Harris

>> Saturday, January 18, 2014


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Healing for the New Year..

>> Friday, January 17, 2014

Following up on my New Year's change of character for anxiety, slight impulse control when speaking, I have since learned after the 20th of January people usually quit their new years resolution. This is interesting as I guess you loose focus with all the other things added to your plate. Resolutions can get drowned out, modified or switched.

For me I have added to my resolution of  character and started encouraging the people at work,  church, family, community etc. I realize people need to know from other people what their strengths are and what you appreciate about them. In some cases forgiveness needs to be granted and asked for. These are  healing  and nourishment of the human spirit that I think are appurtenant for 2014.

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A New York Visit

>> Wednesday, January 08, 2014

The only grandchildren who all happen to be boys had not seen each other for one year. This was their reunion upon visiting my mother in New York.



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