Miles of Smiles

May I take this moment to thank all of you who made the Miles of Smiles campaign at Stamford Ford Lincoln a wonderful success.

Proud & dedicated dad, Dominic Franchella, owner of Stamford Ford Lincoln, reached out to the community to fill an F-150 Ford truck full of toys and coats for families in our area.

     

Phillip & I are grateful to all who participated in Miles of Smiles and we are thankful for Stamford Ford Lincoln’s Title Sponsorship of our radio show, “Let’s Talk!” a Life, Love and Parenting show on 1490am WGCH airing Live each week and later archived right here for your listening convenience (see nav bar above). The Bright Spot  – all of YOU who made this campaign a success to make little children happy in your own community. Thank you. ~b

Stamford Ford Lincoln 212 Magee Avenue in Stamford, Connecticut

Hurricane Irene Pushes My Bright Spot!

Hurricane Irene ripped through metro New York and coastal towns in our area destroying homes and businesses. Our schools are closed for an extra week because of all the downed trees and power lines on the bus routes. Many people were left without power for a week; all I kept thinking about were the elderly, the disabled and all the Moms who have babies and toddlers to care for in the dark with no water. It also made me think very deeply of the 6-year-old little girl and her family we sponsor in Africa and how limited their resources are with power and water. It makes their plight and struggle for survival really hit home.

We were one of the families who were flooded; we had no power, no communication services, no running water. We’re on well water and when the power goes, so does the pump. Toilets don’t flush, oh, joy! Throw in a period the night of the hurricane and it can pretty much go downhill from there.

But Phillip was my hero, as usual, driving back & forth downtown filling gallon after gallon of water jugs. Sure, we prepared – we filled the tub – but at 2.5 gallons of water to flush, it doesn’t last that many days! He bought a load of Poland Spring and at first I felt so guilty flushing it down the toilet – literally! We used the “refilled” jugs for that and the remaining bottled spring water for drinking & brushing.

But before we could get downtown, we 1st we had to get out of our road – again Phillip & our son were my heros! A tree blocked our road. Neighbors were stuck. We’re far in the back country, near the horse farms and golf courses.

   

We are not a priority area, so I knew workers would not be clearing the end of our road for a while.

 

So in rain and heavy winds, my men cleared the way. I snapped pics, Little Petal supervised. A grand team effort in a time of family & neighborly need.

 

We had our battery-operated radio and listened to the radio station we air from weekly – WSTC & WNLK – it was the only outside communication we had. And we had dark chocolate-covered graham crackers – a must-have during this dodgy week!

With no electricity, time seems to pass more slowly. My stomach was still achy, brushing teeth was a misery trying to not waste the bottled water while cleaning the toothbrush, night came way too quickly and I just wanted to wash my hands!

My buttons were being pushed and I had to push back – I had to find my Bright SpotTM and make it a grand adventure! (See Mission: Bright Spot - 3rd flower tab in the nav bar above).

Finding your Bright SpotTM is not an easy task. The effort comes in times of adversity. But I decided to turn my situation into something great and memorable. We became pioneers and turned the hurricane recovery time into family fun time.

So what exactly was the Bright SpotTM in all this?? We all drove to my Mom’s house (my sister’s family had no power either) for hot showers, home-cooked dinner and good times all together. Then we bought dozens of battery-operated tea light candles and used them for the den, bedrooms, hallways, staircase, etc. It was very pretty. We had our 6-year-old pick out her favorite brand new flashlight and she played with the cats – chasing the little spot light here, there and everywhere. Our little one stayed in our room and we made shadow puppets on the ceiling with her new flashlight. We had friends over and in daylight hours played family games like Chutes & Ladders, Candy Land and I Spy.

We watched crazy men with bike helmets play golf on a flooded course – hello???

And because we had to eat out every day, I didn’t have to cook! And that means NO dishes…which in itself is its own Bright SpotTM!!

Date Your Spouse

We do everything together with our kids.

We ski, skate, travel, bike, scout, dance, read, sing, play & pray together.

      

                   

            

And most of all, we just like to hang out with one another.

 

       

Our kids are our #1 priority, our focus, our love. But there is one thing we know is vital to a strong family unit and strong marriage – dating your spouse.

When couples first meet, it’s exciting, romantic & heart-pounding to be together.

And when you choose one another for a lifetime, that romance & thrill should last a lifetime, too. Of course, mortgages, work, time contraints, exhaustion, these all creep up on us. But taking the time to date your spouse will keep your love on fire!

My husband & I date once a week. We plan something fun like evening horsebackriding followed by hors d’oeuvers & dinner…

 

…or smooching at sunset on the beach…

…or just bopping the heck out of each other!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we like to

 

 
 

sail, snorkel and snog,     

   

 party or chill…

         

…and even work together in our own company – choosing to sit in the same office – much to the shock of our staff and those who visited (“Don’t you two get sick of each other,” they’d chide, “working all day across from one another and then seeing each other at home?”)

Nope, we look at each day as a gift. We celebrate it with our children and with each other.

 

 

 

And sure, gala events are nice (scroll down to see more on this summer event in the next story),

 

but it’s our routine Friday night pizza & a movie at home that’s my all-time, hands-down favorite!!!

 

Just hanging out with my husband, putting our feet up, throwing on a sweatshirt or fleece, a ponytail & little white socks, snuggling under the covers and watching a movie on NetFlix, now that’s a good time!

 

The Bright SpotTM – So go grab your Honey, the one you chose for your lifetime and make memories just hugging & kissing and all the wonderful little things you used to do before the bills and the laundry and the dishes.

 

 

It doesn’t matter what you do – and it doesn’t have to cost a penny - just spend quality time with your One & Only.

 

 

More photos above under “Our Photos – Hand in Hand.”

 

Happy summer lovin’ on the last of these lazy, hazy 2011 summer days.

 

 

Daddy

My Daddy was my hero.

Kind and loving, generous and hardworking, he loved his family and we adored him.

Below is a photo tribute for my father. Happy Father’s Day, I miss you so.

 

The quote, “A Happy Childhood Lasts Forever,” sums up my father’s parenting style – an amazing storyteller, an excellent Santa, a funny Daddy who was bigger than a mountain and softer than a teddybear.

My father held us up and made us believe in ourselves. (Me in the 60s, my sister in the 70s):

 

One of 7 children,   (2nd in pic), he left his country and came to the USA in his early 20s, with no family, no friends, just a few dollars in his pocket, and worked tirelessly to put himself through college, met my mom, got his MBA,  

and they built & earned a life together living the American Dream.

 

                                                             (1st Christmas with mom)

He worked day & night to give my mom, sister & me an incredible life, for which we are forever grateful,  

 

but even with life’s ups & downs, there he was with a huge & brilliant smile – the most optimistic person I’ve     

ever known! My strength in “Mission: Bright Spot” (read above) comes directly from Daddy.

He founded 6 companies, and as busy as he was, he was never too busy for us. Daddy dropped everything if my sister or I phoned him or popped by the office. He would stop conferences mid-meeting and get up to kiss us & give us a great, big hug.

 

                                               

(Good eye if you recognized my favorite little blue daisy dress above in the picture from 23 years ago – it’s the same dress I wore last year for the photo in the above header of this website – I’ll never get rid of it! 🙂

 

Inventor of several patents, Daddy was a math genius and was there anytime we needed help with school work. Education was of the utmost importance to my father! Education and persistence.    

He always made it a point to pick us up at the airport. When we were little, he read to us at night, took us skiing, ice skating, sledding, horseback riding, boating, and every summer filled his car with neighborhood kids for a trip to Dairy Queen.

 

Daddy loved to dance…

 (gala in the 80s)

…but God needed him, so I never had the chance to dance with him at my wedding.

I met my incredible husband on FATHER’S DAY and Phillip & my Dad share the SAME BIRTHDAY! Signs everywhere!

At our wedding in England, Phillip’s wonderful father walked me down the aisle. Too weak to travel due to illness, my sweet father-in-law did not attend the wedding in the States.

God has called my dear father-in-law as well.  Now both Dads watch over us.

 

My father’s best friend, Ali, escorted me in the States.(Daddy and Ali goofing around in the 70s)

Many years have passed since my beloved father died suddenly and unexpectedly.

He was laid to rest on Valentine’s Day…appropriate for a man with such a big heart.

He was smart.

He was strong.

He was cool.

He was kind.

He was goofy.

And he was my hero.

My father loved children, it is clear.

   

He lives on in our family & our memories 

and I thank you for sharing this beautiful & poignant holiday with me.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddies in the world – no matter how busy you are, nothing can take the place of your quality time with your children. Nothing.

   

This note sits atop my computer screen. My father was an inspiration to me and to many whom he mentored. Charismatic, fearless, a visionary, entrepreneur, motivator, a true patriot, he was larger than life and is deeply missed by all who knew him.

The Bright SpotTM   –  

 

 

 

Bold Moves

Immigrants, Aliens & the All-American Girl

My parents were immigrants.

My husband is an immigrant.

 

My cousins are immigrants. My friends are immigrants. They all came here seeking the American dream.

My parents became citizens, started with nothing and worked day & night to make that dream a reality.

American-born, they taught my sister and me to honor this country to the core, fly the flag and pledge our alligence. My parents are the greatest patriots I know and I’m proud to be an All-American Girl. We are teaching our children the same rooted values and love of this great nation. When I was selected as Miss Connecticut to represent my native state in the Miss America, I was very honored. (See “Our Photos” above for Miss CT pics, or click on “My TV Website” in the navigation bar above for more related news/videos/press releases & charitable work as Miss Connecticut.)

 

For Memorial Day, we went with our children & friends to the Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York City.

  

It’s Fleet Week and NYC is electric!

My Mom was excited about the Intrepid – she told me that on its LAST voyage around the world in 1971, it docked in Portugal, England, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Scotland & Norway & she told me that she took me on the Intrepid in 1971 in Kiel, Germany with my Grandfather & we all had a wonderful time & she remembered it well. I don’t remember, I was little, but how cool is that! 

 

We honored the young…

 

…and our elders who fought years ago for our freedoms like this World War II fighter pilot who flew this very plane!!

It was a very special day to remember.

Then we headed to Mars.  We took a space shuttle and landed on the Red Planet.

Some of us were ready to meet the Aliens…

 

…and clearly, some of us were not!

                                                  (I mean, really, what is up with Phillip here????)

The Bright SpotTM   – And to top off this marvelous day, this All-American Girl threw caution to the wind when it came to boring, ole calories and I ate my All-American apple pie with whipped cream…oh, yes, AND the Boston Cream pie – hey, if you’re going to indulge, do it right! Yum!!

 

For an awesome look at our phenomenal history, watch “America: The Story of Us” – a 12-part series, action-packed, incredibly edited, unbelievably riveting, a powerhouse epic - you will be amazed in the 1st minute of the series, I promise. God Bless America!!!!

A MILLION Thanks to YOU!!

We hit our 1 Millionth page view on this site since its launch 6 months ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We only have YOU to thank as our faithful readers of this site and as listeners of our radio show, “Let’s Talk with Bianca & Phillip” on stations WSTC and WNLK, and streaming LIVE worldwide.

                  

With guests from around the nation, our show focuses on Life, Love & Parenting issues. We welcome all of your input and respond to every e-mail.

The show is archived on this site every week! – just click on the Radio Show flower in the navigation bar above to select a topic of interest to listen to at your convenience.

                          

We’d love & appreciate your vote ~ only takes a minute.

     Please click on this Vote Now image ~ you’re eligible because we stream Live.

On the VOTE NOW survey above, please forward to page 4 & under Radio Personalities: type in “Let’s Talk with Bianca & Phillip,” and under Radio Station (local): type in “1400am WSTC, Norwalk.”

Then just hit “Submit” at the end. You don’t have to give your information.

The Bright Spot  – YOU, YOU, YOU!!  Our readers, listeners, followers and friends, THANKS A MILLION!! LITERALLY!!

Thank You & Thank You Again

                

 ~ especially to Mama Hen at www.MamasLittleChick.com !! I am forwarding these awards to some of my sweet followers who take the time to e-mail, comment and follow this site regularly: Chelsea, LeeAnn, Kerry, Marissa at Let’s Move It Mommas, Rayan Turner, TV’s Take, Jinnia, ThetaMom, The Planet Pink, Hello Sneakers-Goodbye Heels, Mrs. F., Mommy Spirit, Melissa, WallFry, Discovering the Me in Mommy, Erica, Jill, Warren, Stefanie, Adrienne, Grace, KatieMay, Hannah, Scott, Pooneh, Parisa, Becky and Dr. Yakini.

I cannot believe it, almost a million page views in just 6 months because of all of you ~ thank you!

     Would you please do me a favor & take a minute to vote for us by clicking on this Vote Now image ~ you’re eligible because we also stream Live.

(This site, The Let’s Talk Mom.com, is updated every week – my husband & I host a parenting program Live on 2 radio stations, 1400am WSTC & 1350am WNLK – it’s later archived on this site so you can listen to any of the shows at your convenience. See flower in nav bar above.) 

On the VOTE NOW survey above, please forward to page 4 & under Radio Personalities: type in “Let’s Talk with Bianca & Phillip,” and under Radio Station (local): type in “1400am WSTC, Norwalk.”

It would be so wonderful and appreciated, and you don’t have to give any of your info on the last page or fill out anything else unless you wish to. Just hit “Submit” at the end.

The Bright Spot  – YOU!!  YOU are our Bright Spot – for without you as our readers, listeners, followers or friends, we wouldn’t be here. So thank you, thank you, thank you from our hearts to yours.

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