The advice I wrote on here recentIy was also entered into a writer's website contest.  I hope that by posting my experience on other websites, it will motivate and move people into ACTION.  To my surprise they put the article on the front page which makes it easier to access.  I hope you will all click on the link and vote for my article....here is the correct link http://searchwarp.com.

 

Hi Everybody,

I entered a writing contest at SearchWarp.com about making the world a better place to win $100.00.  I  wrote about my experience yesterday and need your votes to help me win.  Here is the link http://searchwarp.com/swa293159.htm or type in searchwarp.com and Lisa Petrarca.

Thanks for your votes....wish me luck!

 

I went to work today and my boss said she had to tell me something and I have to say yes.  I said, "Not until I know what it is, I've learned my lesson from the past.  She said i am going to take you shopping for groceries today for your family!  I started to cry and told her, "No, I can't allow you to do that."  She said, "It's on my "bucket list" (things to do before you kick the bucket) to perfom random acts of kindness and you can't deny me my wish".  I cried more, hugged her and thanked her.

My husband and I have been praying and trying to have faith that we would be able to come up with enough money to buy groceries and make our house payment this month.  I have to tell you that it was an answer to our prayers. 

We went to the grocery store and she kept adding more things into the basket, despite my protests that it was already more than enough.  We had to get another basket just to hold all of the food.  We went to check out and I couldn't believe that the bill came to $500.00!  I got an instant headache because I was so stressed that she had spent so much money on us.  I hugged her and told her, "Thank you for being our  "angel".  

On my way home I went into the store (I forgot to get milk when we were shopping, I guess I was so overwhelmed...I forgot the basic necessity).  As I entered the store a homeless man was sitting off to the side of the store.  I wished that I had money to give him after the gift I had just received.  Once inside the store I knew my husband's paycheck was just deposited and the whole amount is supposed to be used for our house payment, but I decided to take t$20.00 of it and buy him some food.  If I had been given such an amazing gift, the least I could do is give to someone with even less than me.  I walked out and looked over to see someone else walking away after dropping off a box of pizza to the homeless man.  As I reached him, he had just finished scarfing down three pieces of the pizza, he looked up at me and said, "Do ya want a piece of pizza?"  I was shocked...someone with absolutely NOTHING was offering me some of the small amount of food that he had received.  I told him, "No thank you," and set the three bags of groceries down along with a blanket (it was very cold out).  He said "Thank You!" He covered up and continued eating the pizza.

I just want to encourage everybody and let them know that when you have faith, prayers are answered!  Once again someone has gone out of there way and touched my life and the life of my children.  Kindness and love can change the world.......one person at a time.  Today was a great day!

My son was staying the night at his friend's house this weekend and they were hanging out with some girls, when my son thought it would be funny to play a joke on one of the girls.  He got into her car and acted like he was going to take off in it (he is unlicensed).  Everyone was standing behind the car.  He thought he put it in neutral and was going to rev the engine like he was going to take off.  Well the car was actually in drive and while he was looking back at everyone, he floored it and started to head straight for a house.  He swerved around the corner and hit the brake but still hit a parked car head on.  No one was injured except my son is having some back pain.  The girl whose car it was and my son came up with a plan to tell the police that she was driving to protect both of them (she wasn't supposed to let anyone drive her car).  

So, the police came and they filed a false police report.  The next day my son, husband and I all went down to the police station to make him tell the truth.  They were really nice (my son was very remorseful and crying), they said we have to wait and see if they will file misdemeaner charges against my son and the girl whose car it was.  I also don't know if we are going to have to come up with money to fix both cars, but the girls mom said they are going to try to run it through their insurance policy.  Luckily the girl's family is very nice.  But I don't know if the insurance co. will come back on us, which would basically force us to have to sell our house to come up with money to fix everything as we are completely strapped every month without the added expense.

At least no one was hurt and it could have been alot worse.  I guess I'm thankful that he is learning a lesson early, sometimes I wonder why we parents end up paying for our kids lessons (Oh the joys of parenthood!!!!).

On a brighter note, Natalie is improving and they have posted a new picture of her in the hospital.  I would like to again invite everyone to post a little comment to her.  I know how special she feels getting messages from all the way down under!  Here's the link  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nataliebuchoz  just click on guestbook and post your message.

Thanks everyone!

 

Hi,

I wrote a poem during my recent personal struggles that I have been dealing with and wanted to share it.  It's kind of therapeutic to get the painful hurt and stuff inside out.  Thank you to all my friends who allow me to feel safe enough here to share my most painful hurts.

  MY HEART CRIES OUT

By:  Lisa Petrarca

 

My heart cries out in pain

How long will my child’s anger remain?

My strength is gone and it’s hard to keep pushing along

An error has kept my life on hold,

Always waiting and wondering for the secret to unfold

Sixteen years of shame with no one but myself to blame

The heartache should be mine alone to bear

Yet my child is left with a wound that is unfair

Please help us Lord to make it through today

Walk in front of us and guide the way

Help us to feel your light so the darkness will fade away

Lift this cloud, this black curtain that is covering our eyes

Your forgiveness and love will overcome the years of lies

For your strength and compassion will plant the seed

Trust only in you so you can fulfill our need

Yesterday I posted a website for everyone to go onto to offer words of encouragement and support for Natalie as she fights back from her injury and paralysis.  She is seeing daily progress and has some feeling in her toes.  I wanted to give everyone the direct link so you can see her pictures, hear her daily progress and let her know that your thinking of her so here is the direct link   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nataliebuchoz   

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead

The following website has been created for Natalie during the "fight of her life".  The sixteen year old girl was paralyzed during a family ski trip over the holiday's.   The following website has been created for family, friends, even strangers to give their support, no matter how little or how big, no matter with words, or with financial assistance.  The family posts daily progress updates, photos and reads the messages that people have written to Natalie daily.  I wanted to pass this along to everyone I could to ask for your support.... this family has a very long road ahead of them.  http://www.caringbridge.org then enter nataliebuchoz (no spaces) in the box for web page.   

Life can twist and turn and your entire world as you know it can be changed in a single moment.  As parents I think that we all can relate to the agony that Natalie and her family must be going through.  Please support her with a kind word, prayers and/or financially.  Let her know that everyone all over the world is thinking of her!!! 

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that there hasn't been much change.  She only has feeling in one of her big toes if it is squeezed extremely hard.  They will be transfering her to a hospital closer to home to start rehab.  My son is going to organize some car washes and would love to have any other fund raising ideas from anyone here at Minti to try to help her family with the expense of rehab and the alterations that need to be made at her home to accomodate a wheel chair (door widenings, ramps etc.)  This will be a long hard road and I know that any little bit of money we can come up with through fund raising will help.  Please reply with any ideas you may have!

Thanks,

Lisa 

Today Natalie's mom was tickling her feet while she slept and her toes curled which was another great sign. It just goes to show you the power of prayers!

Will continue to update you all with info as I get it.

Have a great day

We celebrated our 8 year anniversary and struggled to decide on what to do.  Generally we take a trip but we were a little tight for money this year and had to stay home.  So we kicked around a few ideas....of course I always want to go dancing, but he never does.  We decided to go to an amusement park, they were going to have bands playing and fireworks.  I always get motion sickness but I can handle roller coasters as long as they don't have loops.  The park we chose only had 1 roller coaster without loops and it wasn't running.  My husband talked me into going on a ride that had only 1 loop...so I said, "Okay, I'll try it."  I made it throught the first loop okay, even laughed a little.  Then came the spiral twists that went on throughout the whole ride.  I kept my eyes closed and kept telling myself, "You're not going to throw up...You're not going to throw up!"  It finally ended and so did my fun night.  We had to get a water and sit me down on the bench.  I felt so nauseas the rest of the night!!  The funny thing is my husband even felt a little sick later that night.  Oh the joy of old age!!  Can't even enjoy the Amusement Park anymore...will it ever end!?!LOL

Hope you all had a better time than I did!      

Hi Everyone,

Here is the latest news.....Natalie was awake and being fed today when she told her family that she could feel her toes.  I was so happy when I heard the news that I wanted to cry.  What an amazing way to start the New Year!!  I'm so grateful for my many caring and loving Minti friends.  It's such a great feeling to know that people on the other side of the world are concerned and thinking about the same things that you are.  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY WONDERFUL FRIENDS!

Love,

Lisa