Our Soldier Surprises His Sister at School!
Our son is a Soldier in the Elite 82nd Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade.
Our B-e-s-t CHRISTMAS ever as he comes home unexpectedly & surprises his sister at school after being away for a year!
Starts off with a few kids, then hundreds gather to form a huge semicircle to witness the surprise! The Principal says he saw a horseshoe form with nearly 600 kids!
Thank you to all of the students who came up afterwards & thanked our son for his service!
Credit: Buddy Brown, Lyrics: Daniel Brown, Album: Deep South ~ Stop When You See a Uniform
Click this video below:
The Bright Spot – Celebrating the holidays together!!
20th Anniversary
Happy 20th Anniversary!
These photos are of our weddings in England & America.
They were 4 weeks apart both under a full moon.
In the last group of photos, there’s a picture of us today.
For more on the English wedding, click here: Castles & Vows
Since my beloved father had passed away suddenly the previous year, my husband’s wonderful father walked me down the aisle in England and my father’s best friend, Prince Abdul Ali Seraj, walked me down the aisle in America. My sweet dog, Moussie, with his huge white bow led the way down the aisle!! And I love how Moussie’s standing next to me in the above picture!
For the story on this amazing dog, click here: Moussie
I had wonderful bridesmaids at the English wedding & the American wedding and, of course, the best maid-of-honor, my sister! Most bridesmaids flew back and forth. Look closely and you’ll see my sweet furbaby, Moussie, sitting on the grass with his big white bow in front of the blue dress!!!
Then & now….photo from today. *Poof* ~ 20 years flew by!
I had my bouquet designed after my mother’s bouquet. I’ve gazed upon my mother’s wedding portrait since I was a baby. It was something to love and cherish and admire. She had natural stems and a huge red bow, biggest I’d ever seen. She cradled the bouquet in one arm. I brought a copy of her portrait to the florists in England & the States for both weddings.
The Bright Spot – Love. I love how my mother looks at my father devotedly. She adored him. He was her one and only and she’s lived these 21 years alone since he died but she keeps his memory alive always talking about him when we’re together. It’s sad and beautiful at the same time.
My husband and I have been through a lot these 20 years. Of course, I appreciate all the blessings of our wonderful family, especially my children, and the life Phillip and I have created together.
But there have been many tragedies – 5 miscarriages, Phillip’s aggressive Stage 4 cancer (click: The Good, The Bad & The Spicy), loss of our company in the deep recession, other complete miseries throughout the years, and now the weird lightning bolt that took out our well pump the day before our 20th Anniversary costing us $3,700 wiping out our summer vacation fund for the vital rest Phillip needed since he missed vacation last year because of more cancer treatments.
So you can imagine how thoroughly touched I was when a friend through Facebook whom I’ve never met but mutually feel kinship toward for an assortment of reasons including the fact that she loves animals and is just simply amazingly kind, wrote this:
Wow! Truly, Liz captured the essence of these two decades. Thank you, Liz, for your kindness toward us, animals and all whom you serve.
Castles & Vows
On our anniversary we renewed our vows at the 14th century castle where we wed years ago. The weather was glorious, the English gardens in full bloom, our hearts were full. 
This summer, we enjoyed more than 1,300 miles of pristine landscape in the United Kingdom from Edinburgh, Scotland to Lancashire, North Yorkshire, The Penines, Northumberland, and Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, England.
It brought back wonderful memories from years ago…
We were so pleased to celebrate our union with our family and friends
We married in the United Kingdom and again a month later in the United States. Our maid of honor, best man & bridesmaids flew back and forth for the weddings, both of which took place near sunset on the eves of full moons – that was just a pretty bonus from the Heavens!
I am also very grateful to my wonderful seamstress – who made sure every gown, dress, suit/outfit I wore at the Miss America years earlier was fitted to perfection. In England, she made sure the bustle was perfect! After all, she created it. And she made my gown glisten in candlelight and against the setting sun.
Walking along the centuries-old wall as newlyweds.
And although we enjoyed journeying throughout the Kingdom… (2000 years! Read the sign below:)
…taking carriage rides & visiting local farms where our kids could grind wheat & hand-feed horses and little lambs…
…and enjoying quaint pubs, 500-year-old canons, Scottish castle ruins, 
family, friends & a romantic summer to remember…
…I must say my favorite part of this year’s anniversary was not the trip to Europe, but rather what we did on the “next wedding anniversary” a month later when we returned (yes, we celebrate both).
We took our little one and her friend to see the Winnie-the-Pooh animated classic in the movie theater. As we sat with the girls between us, Phillip reached over their seats to touch my arm. I smiled at him in the dark and whispered, “There’s no where else I’d rather be than celebrating today with our family and Winnie-the-Pooh.”
Later that evening, my mother watched Little Petal as we went out to dinner.
(These are photos by day/sunset are so you can see the roadway. It was pitch black when we were there. I’m sure we would have given our teen an earfull if he did this…)
On the ride home, Phillip turned onto a long single-lane road over a large lake. He turned off the engine and jumped out of the car, motioning me to follow him.
He put his arms around me and looked up, pulling me close. Stars pierced the pitch black sky; the only sound ~ the chirping of the summer crickets. The water was still, the air was warm. He kissed me and took my breath away. I felt like a teenager, blithe and carefree. With every beat of my heart, he kissed me more passionately.
Suddenly, car lights in the distance were heading our way. Our car blocked the entire single lane, and the oncoming driver
would never suspect someone stopped on this quiet, dark roadway.
We scrambled as fast as we could to get into the car as the lights drew closer and
closer. I grabbed my skirt around me and ran as quickly as I could to the passenger side of the car, heart pounding with excitement, fear, naughtiness.
We took off just in time and laughed giddily – I think from the nerves and the rush.
The Bright SpotTM – my husband, the love of my life! Go grab your Honey and smooch him/her! Take out some time and write down your special thoughts about why you love your wonderful someone. Renew your vows and commitment to one another. Castles and moats are great backdrops, but it’s the authenticity in your words and heart that make your relationship deep. Enjoy the little things like an afternoon movie with your kids or a romantic kiss by the lake. If you are single with kids, tell your kids how special they are to you and celebrate your commitment to each other. If you are an adult, tell your parents or grandparents how much they mean to you. A vow is a pledge or promise to the one(s) you love. Life’s so short, do it today.
And a double Bright SpotTM just for YOU!! Thank you to all of you who read this site. 2 million page views & counting in one year because of your support & interest in these stories, our albums, links, and the weekly interviews from our Live, call-in radio show “Let’s Talk!” archived on this site for your convenience.
Thank you all!!
Our Moussebaby
If you knew Moussie, you knew he was one of the most loved dogs in the history of forever.
Saved from a brutal past and surviving on 2 1/2 working legs, we cherished every day together from the time I was 29 until 42.
Moussie was on air with me at the television stations,
he walked me down the aisle at my wedding, 
he soothed my aching heart when I lost my beloved father, he and our newborn came to work with me every day when we opened our own company, and Moussie adored our son and protected our daughter every single day.
  
 
I spent the years ceaselessly protecting & caring for his broken leg & mangled paw, carried him over any asphalt or concrete, lifted him up staircases and into my car…
 
 
 
 
…met with prosthetic doctors in Texas, surgeons in Connecticut, boot fitters in New York, and pet massage specialists in Illinois in any effort to help ease the strain & pain on his permanently broken leg. Â Â (Dr. Randie Shane with Moussie)
  
When an emergency procedure led to an overnight stay in the hospital – Moussie’s 1st night away from me in an unfamiliar place – I immediately ripped off my shirt in the car and had my husband bring it to the ER vet so Moussie could feel comforted with my scent all night long.
 
My husband & son administered an IV in his neck for weeks following.
 
There is nothing we would not do for our animals. They are family. We are a tight family.
We used to jest with friends that if Moussie, Phillip and I were in a canoe and it was sinking and one of us had to get out, Phillip swims. 🙂 (Unbelievably, one person didn’t get it…she said, “Oh, you have a canoe?” Â *sigh*)
 
People have often quipped if they return from Heaven, they’d like to come back as one of our pets!      Here’s a few reasons why:
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
Moussie worked the morning shows with me. My neighbor, Kristi, babysat him till I was done with the noon news. She always had it 
on the TV so he could hear & see me. He had many wonderful sitters: Stephenie, Adrienne, Mark, Dottie, Kep, John and Shanie, just to name a few.
Reminiscent of Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley, we, too, crisscrossed the United States, enjoying adventures on the free roads, visiting many states and friends along the way.
Birthday dinners of filet mignon, cuddles under the covers, drive-in trips to Sonic, and his fun job at the TV stations listing the school lunch menus on the morning show and assisting with the weather, and even the contest “Where’s Moussie?†for viewers spotting him around town. Moussie was loved and cherished every minute of his life in our family.
Raised by grandmothers & mothers who were healers and lovers of animals, it was natural for Phillip and I to instill deep compassion, respect and love of all animals. All children should be taught kindness toward every creature, big & small.
   
  
 
 
   
    
  
  
  
    
   
 
No words were better spoken than those of Don Vincenzo Giobbe, circa 1700: “…and I whispered to the horse: trust no man in whose eye you don’t see yourself reflected as an equal.â€
Such is our belief for all animals…so it is no wonder our 8-year-old daughter published her 1st book, The Healing, How Little Kids Can Help Even the Tiniest Critters, and she has been busy with author’s visits/book signings and will sit on a panel of doctors & healers in a few weeks to discuss her book from a child’s perspective. (Author’s Visit with 77 children/10 adults)
Teaching children to use gentle voices and soft hands is so important.
  
  
  
  
Teaching kindness, compassion, respect and tenderness is the premise for my children’s book,     Moussie Tales, due out when I finally find the perfect illustrator who can actually capture Moussie’s eyes, an ongoing search, indeed.
The understanding and care you show your children yields understanding and care to those in the world around them.
Over the years, Moussie thrived along with all of our family’s animals and life was great.
    
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
We spent many beautiful years with Moussie, and when he passed away, a huge part of my heart went with him. (Getting the worst news ever from the vet on my 42nd birthday)
Saying our good-byes.
  
Days of yesteryear…
The final goodbye 🙁
Shattered and lying in bed, I wrote Moussie a letter that raw and painful day he crossed over Rainbow Bridge waiting till I would once again embrace him in my arms. I didn’t know my husband found the letter on my laptop and built an entire website dedicated to Moussie around it! Www.MoussieTales.com People wrote the loveliest comments on his Remembrance Page, thank you all!
The Bright SpotTM 
-Â Our darling Moussebaby brought us years & years of joy. For that, we are forever grateful. When our neighbor brought us The Rainbow Bridge poem, it was the only thing that eventually comforted me. Picturing Moussie running freely without pain, the wind flapping about his beautiful soft ears, eased my pain. Until I hug you again, rest my sweet, precious Moussie. I love you!!
100 Pounds in 100 Days
Week 1: Lost 21 pounds combined in a week – Bianca 12 & Phillip 9
Week 2: Lost 38 pounds combined in 2 weeks – Bianca 21, Phillip 17
Week 3: Lost 47 pounds combined in 3 weeks – Bianca 26, Phillip 21
Week 4: Lost 53 pounds combined in 4 weeks – Bianca 30, Phillip 23
Week 5: Lost 58 pounds combined in 5 weeks – Bianca 32, Phillip 26
Week 6: Lost 61 pounds combined in 6 weeks – Bianca 33, Phillip 28
Week 8: Lost 68 pounds combined in 55 days – Bianca 40, Phillip 28
** Day 100: Lost 100 pounds combined – Bianca 70, Phillip 30 **
Lose 25 – 40 pounds in 40 days guaranteed! Never gain it back!
Call or text Dr. Werfel: 845–590–9764 for consult & testing.
Use Promo Code: “Bianca” for a special offer!
If you’ve been packing on the pounds lately, it may not be what you think!! Here’s the scoop on surprising reasons why that might be & an answer. Last Christmas, I was rounder than usual but felt okay:
11 short months later, I’m thinking who’s this girl in the mirror??
Seriously, what was going on with my weight? Button-downs burst open at the bust line. Zippers refuse to budge at the waistline.
I was always long & lean as a child & in my 20s, 30s & 40s. I’ve always gotten away with a few pounds here & there because I’m tall.
To get an idea of my body type, here are some photos of yesteryear…and at the bottom will be the photos as a puffball! At the end of this journey, we’ll show you a series of photos guaranteed to fright!
……………………………..20s
………………………………….30s
………………………………….40s
………………………………..Late 40s
……………….>>>>>>>>>>>> Here I am end of March 2014>>
But now I’ve passed the margin of slack-ability! And I couldn’t understand why.
I’ve always taken good care of my health. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink. My heart is strong. My cholesterol is good. I wear the best moisturizers, use salon products for my hair and I still only buy my makeup from the very best – from my years-ago TV makeup consultant, owner, Gail Hayden of Maquillage Makeup Media, in Dallas. I’ve eaten the same Greek salad with vinaigrette dressing every week for the past 15 years, I love fruits & vegetables, and I buy my family good foods.
True, I have a demanding sweet tooth – chocolate is definitely my weakness! – but it has never caused me this much gain.
And true, this year there was a lot
more late-night writing accompanied by late-night noshing, burning both ends of the candle, owning our own company, busy-busy-busy with PTA happenings & school events, working at the radio station, running in & out of New York City for work, and loads of family & friend activities.
Here’s a tidbit about night eating, according to an article in Shape magazine & Steven Shea, Ph.D., December 2014, “It’s the work of your circadian system, which amps up cravings come sundown…†“Your food urges peak at 8pm and stay high until midnight.†Sound familiar? Watching night-time TV & munching… And for me, it’s writing into the wee hours, I just love it!!
There are many shocking reasons why people gain weight. Many think it’s because someone ate too much. But that’s not necessarily the reason why 1 in 3 people in the United States is now obese…a true epidemic! Below is a list from an article by Jeff Roberts earlier this month, The 5 Surprising & Less-known Reasons You’re Packing on the Weight:
1.) 30 million pounds of antibiotics are used to raise livestock in the United States each year!!! The meds are used to stave off disease and promote weight gain!
2.) Growth-enhancing drugs are also pumped into livestock to fatten them up. What do you think those drugs are doing to the humans who consume them? Many countries have banned these growth-enhancers!
3.) If you’re not eating organic, you may be eating genetically-engineered wheat, sugar, soy, corn and other grown products.
4.) Many cosmetics, household products, plastic storage containers, and home cleaners contain hormone disruptive chemicals.
5.) Artificial sweeteners may actually increase your appetite & stimulate fat storage in your body. Diet foods are not what they are cracked up to be. Eating raw & fresh foods is best and most natural for our bodies. Junk food is targeted and marketed to children. As Mr. Roberts points out, when was the last time you saw an ad for apples or kale?
So here are some early photos of our journey. A far cry from just a while ago on the couch. Then & now:
Not only have we pudged out, we’ve aged because of it. Here are more pics from this week. I feel like a snowman with these 3 extra tires around my midriff! And just so you can see even more of our roundness, we changed into brighter tops:
…I thought the fatigue, gain and aches & pains had to do with age. I hear so many folks quip, “It’s all downhill after 50,” or I hear ads that women over 40 will experience weight gain, weariness and bloating.
Well, apparently, that’s all malarkey!!!
Dr. Howard Werfel says, “There are 90-year-olds who are kayaking or doing yoga somewhere in the world right now, and 40-year-olds who are creaking & groaning throughout the day. It has nothing to do with age!”
Oh, well there’s good news!!
I heard an ad for Dr. Werfel on the radio where he said people can lose 25 – 40 pounds in 40 days!!
G-U-A-R-A-N-T-E-E-D!!
All natural! No prepackaged foods, no shots, no cravings, no surgery, no hunger!!
The good doctor did it himself! 220 to 189 in 40 days!!
Call/text Dr. Werfel: 845–590–9764 for consult & testing. Use Promo Code: “Bianca” for a special offer!
Why is there no hunger? “Your appetite will naturally be satisfied by the 2,000 to up to 7,000 calories of fat you will be burning per day due to the weight loss program!†“We are not aware of any program on the planet that can do what this program does…†So I wrote down his phone number and tucked it away.
I was tired of feeling tired and my breasts became huge. Yeah, to some that sounds great. But it’s not – they are boobs out of control! Hauling around heavy breasts is no easy task!
(<<Look! My neck didn’t change – but it feels like the twins are taking over my body!)
Dr. Werfel’s program is fast, easy, affordable and guaranteed! And I know when I lose the weight, my breasts will go back to their normal size!
About a week before I finally called the doctor, I was in the store picking up 2 plastic tubs of kitty litter. That’s the key…I was picking them up trying to heave them into the shopping cart by their metal handles. Phew! I thought, how much did those buckets weigh? That’s when reality hit: I weighed the combined 
pounds of those kitty litter tubs! I was hauling around 2 buckets of kitty litter on my back wherever I went. NO WONDER I WAS FLIPPING EXHAUSTED!!
But then came November 11th. A mom from school asked me why my father wasn’t sitting with the other vets by the flagpole at a big, school-wide Veterans Day ceremony. “He’s my husband.”
Yes, you can imagine she just wanted to vanish into oblivion at that moment. But the fact was I was turning pleasantly plump and Phillip was not only rounding out but looking older than his years. After all, he’s only 3 years older than me.
………………………………………………. * * * * *
(pic long ago…)
He rocks my world! To me, he’s as hot as he was the day I met him. To him, he’ll say I’m as lovely. Good man! We don’t see each other’s faults, roundness or laugh lines. We joke about our tummies. But now I knew it was time to get serious about our health.
I pulled out Dr. Werfel’s phone number and made an appointment that would change our lives.
The doctor explained why any diet or program anyone attempts often ultimately fails. More times than not, people actually gain back even more weight. The doctor explained how this program will have anyone losing 25 to 40 pounds in 40 days, guarante
ed! And how & why you will NOT put the weight back on!
The doctor said it was a mix of unbalanced hormones and outside factors contributing to our gain and the epidemic spreading across this country.
I came to learn that there are hormonal disruptors in our everyday products such as certain toothpastes, facial cleansers, lip balms, vinegars and even frying pans!
Here’s an example from the program’s manual. It’s very specific and eye-opening! To get a complete list, try this program by calling Dr. Werfel today for consultation/scan at 845-590-9764. Use Promo Code: “Bianca†to get a special offer!
Phillip and I are doing this journey together. Dr. Werfel put us through the series of tests. The program is customized to every individual. Every person has a different reason why they can’t lose weight. Dr. Werfel pinpoints it through special technology & tailors the program to your body.
After our evaluations, test results showed my metabolic rate is that of the 78-year-old – what! Phillip’s is 64! My visceral fat level – the dangerous fat that the gathers around your organs and waist (a.k.a. tummy fat, “middle-age spreadâ€) that even give off their own !hormones! is a 10. It should be 6 or under making me at risk for stroke, diabetes, and other weight-related ailments. Phillip’s is 12!
Can’t believe in the middle of our 1st Week we had the ULTIMATE test!! T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G!!!! The foods, the smells, the desserts, the cozy eating atmosphere! But you know what Phillip and I had? Dr. Werfel’s coaching and his tools to get us through it. Not only did we have a spectacular family & friend event, but we lost a combined 3 pounds!!!
The manual from this program says, “You can do whatever you put your mind to, whatever you plan for: as long as your plan is right and your commitment is strong! I want you to inspire people. I want someone to look at you and say because of you I didn’t give up! So stay committed and let’s get started!!â€
The Bright Spot – That’s the message with this system. So get some answers today. Call or text Dr. Werfel right now for a consultation & scan at 845-590-9764. Use Promo Code: “Bianca†to get a special offer!
In a few weeks, I will be posting that frightening series of pictures – yup, all in a row! – that we’ve been capturing during this journey. From Ewwww to Ahhhhh…you will be amazed!
www.40DayReset.com or call 844-40-Reset
Here’s Phillip’s before & after pics since he reached is goal weight down 30.
So we traced back what happened in the past year that caused significant weight gain for me – I was very ill (lungs) for 4 months & had to take Advair, Symbicort, Hydrocodone, Zithromax, etc., and, worst of all – Prednisone! Prednisone, a steriod, has many side effects including weight gain.
Add that to the toxins in our everyday lives, growth hormones in our foods, use of plastics, etc. and it was a recipe for hormonal imbalance & gain. With Dr. Werfel’s program, my hormones are now fully balanced, the pounds melted off faster than they packed on & I’m back to my normal self!!
So here are the frightening before pictures, as promised, and my photos 70 toxic pounds lighter! We took a bunch of snapshots last night in my clothes I haven’t been able to squeeze into in over a year. Dropped from a draining size 16 back down to a comfy 4. So nice to feel my own real clothes on me once again thanks to this amazing program! Sharing with you now:
(Below) On the left, I’m 30 years old & on the right, I’m 50 (taken last night). So happy to fit in my favorite little red silk dress…size 4.
……….>>>>>>……>>>>>>>.. 30 50
The nice thing is that this hormonal reset program only eliminates the toxins & fat in your body & not lean muscle. Quick snap in a swimsuit & a shot I texted Phillip showing him what I was wearing under my coat when I brought him his forgotten briefcase one morning…hummm.
Our Little One gave me these lovely flowers & snapped these pics on our porch:
Text Dr. Werfel…do it for yourself today!
If that’s not motivation enough, do it for your family!
For more information, just click on the Radio Show flower tab in the navigation bar above & listen to our 4 interviews with Dr. Werfel: December 19, 2014 / January 16, 2015 / March 27, 2015 / April 24, 2015.
