From Christmas Chaos To Blessed Contentment...

As we approach Christmas Day...I am forced to look at my gift lists, my wish lists and my grocery lists and I realize I am not prepared for this holiday. I freak out and stress every minute about all I have to do including address Christmas Cards that have been sitting on my desk for the past three weeks. This holiday is turning into a thorn in my side and I look forward to it being over. I have gifts to buy, cards to send, gifts for my child’s teachers, functions to go to, a turkey to make, potlucks to attend and no money for any of it......AHHHHHHHHHH! 

Whew...then I take a deep breath and remember why this holiday is taking place. After going to a little city in Texas and taking a walk in a recreated town named Bethlehem from over 2000 years ago, I realize that I have it all wrong. 

I walk through a wooden gate into this town to be welcomed by camels, donkeys and plenty of sheep and am quickly approached by a woman saying, "Shalom" and asking me if I would like to buy a chicken. I hear her story of how she has no money to pay for her taxes and Caesar is making her sell everything she owns...including pets and her only source of food. I tell her I'm sorry and walk on to be greeted by another woman trying to sell fabrics. I ask her how business is and she tells me she's selling and can't complain but to please not speak of it or Caesar will take everything she owns away. I started to feel pain and fear for these women and quickly forgot my own. I walk in and out of stone houses and shops only to see smiling faces of people young and old and welcoming me with a warm, "Shalom, please come into my home." Believe me, I'm without delusions. I realize now that these folks were actors portraying the little town of Bethlehem but, I have truly forgotten that while walking through. I look up and see a bright star shining off to the east of the town and follow its beauty. 

I am led to a bright cave where I see a beautiful young woman in the arms of her loving husband and together they hold a chubby cheek little cherub. Their love eluminates almost as bright as the star in the sky above them. I look at this child that is to symbolize my newborn savior, Jesus Christ and I start to cry. This sight before me has put all my holiday woes to rest and I am immediately filled with praise. Christmas is not a time to stress over who gets what gift or who didn't receive a Christmas card. 
Christmas is the celebration that we are here because HE was born! 

With my heart filled with the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of our Lord, I wish you all the most blessed year and pray that an even better year comes your way. You are all my brothers and sisters and I thank you for your friendship and love.




I wish you a Merry Christmas...
Con Molto Amore,
Paiger 

Just A Moment Of Thought...

You know it's sad when you're up late at night, had a couple too many beers and you have to watch Chelsea Lately with one eye closed to avoid seeing two of everyone on the roundtable.

Just sad...
Con Molto Amore
PAIGER

Put Up Y'all......

While watching my "guilty pleasure", Chelsea Lately, I was educated on a new term...

Put Up!  Ross Mathews, who I think is just hilarious and a total sweety pie, said that instead of putting someone down...put em up!  Love it.  Instead of insulting a person and making them feel bad...just pay them a simple compliment and you'll be surprised how much it means to them and how much it warms your heart.  Thank you Ross!

It's funny how my day can begin on such a positive note and then I go to a store or restaurant where there is someone working who clearly hates their job.  They will give bad service or just be downright "snippy" and it blows my morning.  The best thing I can do for them is just smile and try to say something nice.  Now mind you, that's not always the case.  I'll react bad, storm out of there, slam my car door and say some form of a curse word....hey, I'm human.  But I just love the idea of the Put Up.  It's a cute reminder to myself to not take it personaly and to be kind to everyone.  You never know...it could make someones day.

Now I can tell myself to put up or shut up.  LOL

Con Molto Amore Everyone!
Paiger

Fearful Courage...

This morning was a powerful service and really stuck with me.  We had a guest speaker at our church (Hill Country Bible in Austin Texas) who is a pastor at an associate church in Gonzales TX, Jesse Elizondo.

He spoke of COURAGE and asked how courageous do we live our lives?
He asked if we Speak Up to call others to join the cause of following God's word?
He asked if we Stand Up for the right in the face of wrong?
Do we Step Up to follow God whatever the cost may be to us?
And finally, do we Set A Pattern and expect the greater reward, God's reward of eternal life?

It was powerful and really made me look at myself and demand the answers to these questions.  God has provided us an amazing world full of beauty and love and I know, for myself, I take advantage of that.  God is everywhere and his love surrounds us but, I tend to abandon my courage to fight for it.  During these past few weeks of recovering from surgery I felt so weak and beat down.  I felt a victim.  Now, a little stronger, I feel like a fighter.  A fighter who wants to take on the weaknesses of my body and beat them down.  I know only God can give me the courage to do that and the courage to share that fact with all of you.

Courage is not the absence of fear but doing what you fear the most.  Be strong and courageous!

Con Molto Amore,
Paiger

Harley And An Ice Pack...

Day four after surgery was pretty good.  My neck was a little on the sore side today but what better way to deal with it than to have my trusty monkey, Harley and an ice pack?  It did wonders!

Harley was made for me at Build-A-Bear in Houston in 2002 for my birthday.  My dad, my sister, and my brother all put a heart in him before we built him together and we all named him Harley for my love of motorcycles.  I love that little Monkey and when my little darlings aren't stealing him from me, he is on my bed.  This past week he has been by my side along with PD (the greatest little min pin in the world especially since he tolerates the cat sneaking in some snuggle time).

 

They have all kept me company while Deano was at work and the girls at school.  I couldn't have asked for a better recovery this week.  Tomorrow I go to the doc to remove my stitches and draining tube which I'm not looking forward to but, hey, once it's over I'll feel so much better.

Every day I feel more and more like myself.  Swelling is going down slowly but surely and the pain is less every day.

Again...I want to thank all of you for your kind emails, phone calls and texts wishing me the best and keeping me in your prayers.  You are all wonderful and I love having you a part of my blogging family.  A friend of mine told me yesterday that with all the physical drama I experience, it might be wise to just wrap me in bubble wrap.  I got such a kick out of that and still can't stop laughing.  She called it alright.  Paiger wouldn't be Paiger without all the injuries and surgeries.  I guess it just keeps things interesting.  Still...I can't thank you all enough for taking a day to walk in my shoes.  

Happy Friday to all of you tomorrow and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Con Molto Amore,

PAIGER

A Walk To Defeat ALS - Lou Gehrigs Disease In South Texas...

Many years ago my girlfriend, Jenny lost her mom to Lou Gehrig's Disease.  It was actually three months to the day before my father lost his battle with a brain tumor.  So, needless to say we have been there for eachother in huge ways while dealing with our losses.  This is something that is important for me to do not just to be there for Jennay but by the Grace of God...make a difference.  That's why I'm calling on all my blogger family to help.  Whether you donate $5 or $50, will be a tremendous help in researching this wicked disease that doctors are STILL trying to figure out.  There are some breakthrough's happening but, all of us can help push that along with our donations and hard work.  I have listed a link below that you can click on to donate or to sign up to walk with us.  Our team is Carol's Courageous Angel's and my name is Paige Royal.  

http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/SouthTexasWalk?px=2686611&pg=personal&fr_id=6562

Thank you for helping me reach my Walk to Defeat ALS(TM) fundraising goal! This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Why We Need Your Help

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.

This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.

Anything you can do would be so appreciated.  Our Goal is to reach $3000 but we pray that God provides more to help all those who are suffering find some answers and hopefully some peace.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this and if there are any questions...please do not hesitate to comment below.

Good night all you beautiful people out there who take their walks in Paiger's Shoes.  You mean the world to me.  God Bless You!

Con Molto Amore,
PAIGER

Day After Surgery...

A Pain In The Neck...

Alright my blogger family...wish me luck.  Tomorrow morning I am headed into surgery to get a fiesty lymph node removed from my neck.  I just wanted to thank all those who have emailed me and sent their best wishes and prayers.  Thank you so much.

I will post in the next few days after anesthesia wears off and give y'all an update.  I'm a little nervous about it all but plan on hitting the sack early tonight so I can get up and get it over with too move on to the road of recovery.

Have a great Sunday night everyone and thank you all again!
Con Molto Amore,
Paiger

We Haven't Forgotten...

When I was about 13 years old, living in New Jersey, I remember ditching school to spend a day in New York with my girlfriend.  We wanted to pretend we were in our twenties, career women who owned the town.  It was a great day hitting the foot long hot dog stands and cruising around central park admiring how the buildings tower over the trees.  I was stopped in my tracks at the first glance up at the twin towers.  In one second I was reminded of how truly small I am in such a large world.   

I would have never imagined that one day I would be looking down at the same pieces of that magnificent creation that I gazed so high upon.  It used to reach to heaven and now a pile of rubble.  I visited ground zero with my sister this past April and even though I "thought" I was prepared to see what I saw...I had forgotten the impact the towers had on me when I was younger.  My emotions started in as we approached the site.

Once we got closer, I couldn't breath and just wanted to cry.  It hit me all the lives lost, the pain, the loves that people lost...it was a lot to take in and no one can be prepared for it.

          

Those towers hovered over the city welcoming everyone to come and enjoy what the greatest city in the world had to offer.  They were powerful, they stood strong and in a split second...crushed to the ground by people who just don't get it.

Never forget to love one another.  Weather we are black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor, forgiving or not...we were ALL created by the Lord.  It doesn't matter what country you come from...we are ALL his children.  Let's remember how we all came together on September 11th to be a better world and let's keep it going.  Help the ones on the streets when they have no one else to turn to.  Let's get involved in our Churches to help guide each other through those questions of, "Why did God allow this to happen?"  Let's meet our neighbors and invite them in for dinner to help make your community better.  

Let's just never stop trying and absolutely NEVER stop remembering.

God Bless EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.

You are all beautiful children of God allowing his light to shine through you.

YOU are magnificent!

Con Molto Amore,

Piager

Nsync Is Not "Gone"...

Alright ladies!  Tell me...who didn't love NSYNC?

Well I did and actually still do.  

AND now I am the proud parent of two little new NSYNCers.

Emma and Gracie came home from school the other day and ran to the computer where I have my collection of all the great tunes from the boy band that gave six packer ab JT his start....they hit play and started dancing around the house singing the songs word for word.  Oh yes, I was a very proud mama!

I know all of you haters out there are rolling your eyes at me right now but...for those of us who went to countless concerts, tried to get into a meet and greet, saved our cash to buy anything with the name NSYNC and made it our mission to know everything there was to know about these boys...it was a blast, wasn't it?

Whether you were 15 or 21...doesn't matter.  You are and always will be a fan.

Now on to the next generation of NSYNCers...may they have a reunion some day!  Ha ha ha.

Have a great afternoon!

"Bye, Bye, Bye"

Paiger

Another Thought About The Power Of Friendship...

This evening gave me a wonderful chance to spend time with some amazing people.  First half of the night was spent with my mother, sister and brother.  They came over tonight to celebrate my sister Dana's Sweet 16.  We had decorations, An Italian feast, presents and just the greatest time.  Everytime I see my brother and sister I feel a constant connection full of love, fun and understanding...even if we may not agree with our music tastes.  LOL
Seeing my mom is always special.  We just sit and talk about everything and I am reminded of not just what a great mother she is to me but of what a great friend too.  I can share anything with her without judgement or disappointment.  I love you mom!

The night ended with my best friend coming over from across the street with one of her friends and the night turned into a deep conversation of losing ones closest to you, boyfriends who take advantage of you and how us three woman are on a path to allow God to remind us of who he wants us to be and get on that path.  There was a very special bond that happen tonight and I felt closer to these beautiful women more than ever.  Without friendship with peers or family...makes life difficult and boring.

Hang on to those people who are there to support you, to encourage you and to tell you that you are worth so much more than what you think you are,

Thanks Dave, Dana, Mom, Patricia, Christina and of course the love of my life...Deano


Con Molto Amore, PAIGER

Looking For Personal Stories...

I have realized that even though It's my blog...I talk way too much about myself.  I think it's time to share others stories of people who have truly overcome...whether it be illness, losing a loved one, being stuck in a bad relationship, or if it's a story of praise of how you never thought you would have the wonderful life you have.  I'm looking for stories to share with my readers.  I want to share inspiration with the world and if you have a story that you may have been too scared to open up about....share it with me and I will be your support in doing so.

call me, text me, or email so we can chat about it.  Always remember that no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.  There are people in this world here to support you, to be your friend, to give you a shoulder to cry on and to be you advocate.  You are God's child and you deserve to be heard.

Please let me know if I can be of any help to you.  It is my calling to love you with the same passion as the Lord loves you.  Be strong and speak out.

May God bless every day that approaches.
Con Molto Amore,  PAIGER

Asking For A Wanted Buyer For One Of My Paintings...

Hello all....
I have a beautiful painting that I fell in love with after doing and now since times have become somewhat rough....I'm thinking it's time to let it go. It's a beautiful painting with big and bold flowers on a Van Gough style backdrop.

It's 47" tall and 24" wide

The colors are vibrant and they follow the edges that run off the canvas which is approximately 3".  The white on the upper right flower is unfinished but can be completed with any color you want.  The picture does not do it justice.  If you would like to see more....please email me, facebook me, or simply comment to this blog.

I would love to have my most prized work to date hanging in one of your homes, offices, or studios.  Thank you all so much.  Have a wonderful night.  May God bless your weekend!

Con Molto Amore,  Paiger

P.S.  More paintings and fabulous rings to come from Paigers Creations

It's So Fluffy...

Have you ever found yourself gritting your teeth so tight when you look at a cute animal or a fuzzy toy?
I was sitting in the movie theatre yesterday watching Despicable Me (which was AWESOME by the way) and there is a scene where a little girl completely freaks out over a stuffed unicorn.





I completely understood her craziness. Furry animals, fuzzy stuffed toys and a baby "anything" make me react just like Agnes.
Go to the store, find a fluffy animal and just squeeze it tight. It will make all your problems go away. Sure people will look at you funny in the aisle but consider it a dare and go for it.


Con Molto Amore, Paiger

Hello Friends...

How are you all doing?  I've been away for about two weeks now which feels like forever.  I was a big baby about my hand and didn't feel like blogging and then we went out of town with the kiddos to have some fun on the Texas coast....Complete with a brilliant sand castle made by our cousin and all the children.

My hand is almost all the way healed.  Still swelling but the brace is off and I'm using it just fine.  As I keep saying, it is turning out to be such a great summer with all our friends and family that we are able to spend time with.  I've been working on new projects to offer through Paiger's Creations and I'm getting prepared for school to start next month.  

I just wanted to let you all know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth...just super distracted.  

I pray that you are all having a great summer.  Stay safe, stay sunburn free and hydrate hydrate hydrate!

Con Molto Amore, Paiger

More than I Bargained...For July 4...

Happy late 4th of July everyone!

I hope all of you had a blast and I pray that all your festivities were safe.  I had to share with you than mine ended up not so safe.  Paiger The Freak Of Nature has struck again.

Yesterday afternoon I was preparing for our party for the fourth and needed to go up in our attic to get some buckets to hold water balloons.  Now in our garage (which looks like a second living room in our house) there is a large industrial fan in the ceiling right next to the attic opening.  As I got halfway down the ladder...I tossed the heavy buckets to the floor before making my way further down.  Once I lifted my hand from the toss.............thump thump thump thump....my right hand gets caught in the fan that fortunately wasn't at the highest speed, just the second highest speed.  At this point I about fell off the ladder but was able to hang on with my other hand.  Whew, I felt like I was in a kick butt action flick were they hang on to the base of a helicopter and you hear the blades whirling around your head except I was crying like a baby.  Ha ha ha
Anyway, long story short.  I shrugged it off, had our party, drank a few cerveza's and didn't feel much pain.........Until I woke up this morning and realized one of my knuckles was missing.  Well, actually the swelling just covered it.  So off to the ER I went.  After Xrays showed no break, the doc came to the conclusion that I tore a ligament and did some damage to the tendon.  Fun stuff I tell ya.  I was wrapped up, told to rest it as much as possible and they sent me home with some Motrin to take down the swelling.

Here are the photos of this wonderful journey....

I'm wrapped up at home, icing, resting and taking my Motrin like a good little girl.  My wonderful daughters even helped me to make my cast more fashionable.  That's my girls.

Thanks for reading my story of what a klutz Miss Paiger is.  Now I have an awesome story of how I braved a ceiling fan attack.

Have a wonderful night everyone and remember, it's not a good idea to stick any part of your body into ANY kind of fan especially going at incredibly fast speeds.  I don't recommend it.  Ha Ha Ha

Good night to you all.  May God bless every day of your life.

Con Molto Amore,  PAIGER

Cherish Your Friends...

I had a great night tonight spending some time with some very dear friends.  During this fun evening I had a chance to sit down with my girlfriend and we had an opportunity to share in eachothers pain in losing someone extremely close to us in our lives.  We found comfort in talking about our personal experiences, we found that the more we talk about our loved ones the more we healed and we found that we are not the only ones out there dealing with such a painful loss.

Everyone who has had to lose someone dear knows this pain.  Every loss is a unique one.  It's not to be compared with.  Everyones experience is different but the cost is the same.  Being a support to eachother and loving eachother the way God promises is the only way to heal.  To some, we may talk of our loves lost a little too much but to us, it's therapy.  When you grow up knowing a friend, a parent or a sibling and then in a split second...they are gone...you don't know the proper way to deal.  There is no instruction manual for this.  Certain friends and family will try to comfort you but untimately, they don't know what to say.  God bless them all for trying :-)

My best advice to give in closing is to not be afraid to talk of your loved ones.  They were an important part of your life.  They are part of what makes you who you are today.  They loved you.  As they look down from heaven and watch you...............they are so proud of you.  Take what you've learned from them and cherish it.  They will always be a part of you no matter what.

"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ......... No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow -- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" 
Romans 8:35 - 39


To all my brothers and sisters out there...May God's blessings shine on you every minute of every day of your lives.


                                         Con Molto Amore,  Paiger
                                     

Summer Summer Summer....

Hello My Friends...
Summer has shown to be an already busy, fun and certainly HOT one!  I'm having a great time hanging with the girls and their buddies playing slip and slide, sports, swimming and of course the occasional Star Wars shoot out with water guns while creating the never forgettable sounds of the stun guns...."pew pew pew pew pew pew..." Gotta love it!

We've spent time with our neighbors having a cold one and watching rainbows....

We've enjoyed pranks being played on us by those very neighbors....

I got to celebrate a very special birthday with my family...

I've even been surprised at 2am by a thirsty cat...

Along with my graduating 1st grader, I was honored a second time with my youngest graduating Kindergarten.  

One of my exciting experiences took place this past weekend.  We grabbed our dear friends, Mike and Patricia and headed for the lake to do some fishing and meet up with more buddies.  We left at 4:30 in the morning and were on the water and catching fish by 7am............and ladies and gentlemen..........

PAIGE ROYAL CAUGHT HER FIRST FISH!!!!!

It was awesome!  Being out on the water as the sun rose, breeze in my face, throwing that first cast and feeling that tug on the line.  I feel I am a full fledged "Bass Mistress" now.  Ha ha ha

Sorry for not posting anything for two weeks but, will try to get better.  One of these days I will be disciplined enough to post every day.  Enjoy this wonderful summer everyone.  Use plenty of sunscreen, drink tons of water and laugh every chance you can.  Enjoy your friends, be a kid with your children and their buddies, love your spouse and cherish your family.

Con Molto Amore,  Paiger

Armadillos...The Texas Speedbump...

...Or they are great for racing!

You know you live in Texas when you go to an elite party for work and they have armadillo racing.  I'm reminiscing about last Thursday when Lexus Of Austin threw a party for their employees for reaching elite status yet again and it was a blast.  It was a carnival theme full of great food, gambling for raffle tickets, chicken poop bingo, fortune telling and of course...dillo racing.

Here are Dean, myself and our brother from another mother, Joey.  Joey was the winner, Dean came in second and I was third............out of the three of us racing.  My dillo didn't even make it to the finish line but the judge just said, "just go ahead Darlin...you're done".

Before the race began, we held our dillos by the base of the tail with one hand and the other covering it's face.  Mine was going so crazy in my hands I thought, "Whew boy, when I let you go you've got this".  Well, he froze at the start and as I urged him forward, he ran backwards to the starting line.  Those little suckers are difficult but, oddly adorable.

I did get some Armadillo Droppings as a consolation prize so at least I didn't go home empty handed.

And I got a pretty henna tattoo which I LOVE.  It is pacifying me for now of my desire for another tattoo.  

All in all...what a great evening!  Thank you Lexus for knowing how to show your employees one heck of a time.

Have fun y'all.  Life is a carnival.  There are many great rides.  A lot of chicken poop and if you are feeling too stressed...grab an armadillo and challenge someone to a race!

Con Molto Amore Everyone, PAIGER

I Saw God Today..

I love when I have an opportunity to witness the beautiful artwork of God and today's showing was truly spectacular.

Got to Sunday service a little later than usual and seating was difficult to find but we found a few by the hearing impaired section.  We got there right as the worship songs began.  I usually find myself moved to tears during this time while I reflect on the amazing life the Lord has provided me but this morning was a little more special as I watched the woman translating the songs in sign language.  It was beautiful and powerful watching the people sign back along with the music.  It didn't matter whether we could hear or not...we were all worshiping together.  We were loving our Lord and praising him for the life he has given us and we were doing it together.

I then watched as communion was passed to one another.  A gentleman signed to his friend, "Jesus died for you" and then his friend replied back, "Thank You Brother".
Those two simple sentences had so much power and I saw God in that moment.  

God is everywhere and in everything.  Let's all take the time to stop and look for him and we will see such beauty and love in the world.  May this week show you that you are a beautiful sculpture in God's great gallery.  The trials we all go through is God chiseling and molding us to be perfect in his eyes.  We are his children and he loves us greater than we will ever understand.  Have a beautiful night!

Con Molto Amore (with much love), PAIGER

Real Men Of Genius...

Paiger Presents Real Men of Genius


I was at a hockey game tonight and had a "thunderclap" of inspiration.  You know those Bud Light "Real Men Of Genius" commercials?  Well, I decided to add one of my own.  Enjoy and hope you have a little giggle out of it.  Thank you all for taking a walk in Paiger's Shoes and showing me support for my goofiness.
Con Molto Amore (with much love), PAIGER

Today, we salute you, Mr. Thunderstix inventor.

When other "so-called" fans use there hands to clap, you are the true fan armed with 17 inches of pure noise making magnitude. 

You stand behind your greatness eventhough you are what makes the $90 seats seem cheap.

Foam finger? What foam finger?  You have the power of not one but two excaliburs of turbulance to distract any points gained against your team. 

So paint your chest, dye your hair and slap that plastic for the ones you root for,
Mr. A Whistle Is Not Good Enough
Because when the score is down,
you'll be there to blow out the opposing teams eardrums!

A Search Into My Past...

Hello All,
Just wanted to send out a quick "buongiorno" and let you all now that I am still here...just been an interesting couple of weeks finishing out the girls school, working on business organization and just getting used to two little ones with me 24/7. I have to admit my head is spinning a little. Whew.



Something I wanted to share with you is a project I have started. I am in the research of my life...literally. I have started the process of building my family tree and wanted to share with you all just how much fun it is. Thanks to a good friend of mine...I signed up with www.ancestry.com and I couldn't believe how much information it is constantly leading me to. THANK YOU DANNY!!

I am starting with my mother's side which is a blast. Today I found ship manifests from my great-grandparents immigration from Italy to New York at the Ellis Island website. There are actual copies of the manifests, naturalization requests, census reports and even photos of the ship that brought them over.
Kimmi...I'm sending it all your way as I find everything!

Me and Nanny when I visited in New Jersey

I encourage everyone to find their stories within their ancestors. I never thought I would get so much out of this and feel such pride...and I haven't even started on my Dad's side yet. I can't wait!

Con Molto Amore (with much love), Paiger

Kimmel's Handsome Men Club...

I was messing around on the computer today and came across a video that I thought was awesome. I don't really watch Jimmy Kimmel but I think I'm going to have set the DVR for him every night.

If you have ten minutes to spare and need to laugh at some celebrities...you'll enjoy this. Be sure to watch to the end. Very funny!

Have a great night!
Much Love
Paiger

The Cake Boss Rocks!

I watch every Monday as Buddy and his crazy family bring joy into the lives of so many people.  They have made beautiful cakes for everyone from  the folks at Sesame Street to a drag queen who wanted a cake big enough to pop out of while wearing a christmas tree costume (what a funny episode with Miss Richfield 1981).  Buddy made a life size cake of his wife for her thirtieth birthday and an amazing cake of all things New Jersey for the Governors inaugural ceremony.  He is an ispiration as a baker and with all the "reality" shows out there, it's awesome to watch such a genuine family.  A family that has stuck together through the toughest times and built this amazing business that has lastest three generations.

I had the chance to visit Carlos Bakery in Hoboken NJ this past April thanks to my big sis. 

I was awe struck as I studied all the cakes on display and took mental notes on everything...

I hung out by the consultation area

I stared at all the photos on the wall of cakes and the family at Carlos

And ate the best Canoli I have ever had

I pride myself on learning new things from Carlos Bakery.  Whenever I make a cake I always think of how Buddy would do it and then just go for it.

Thanks Carlos for making me want to be a better baker and for teaching me not to be afraid to take a chance with it.  I have had fun doing these cakes so far and am excited for my future making them for Paiger's Creations.  

Make sure to visit Buddy and all his family at www.carlosbakery.com and be sure to watch them on Monday nights on TLC.  AND, if you're ever in Hoboken...go to Carlos Bakery and taste a little bit of heaven.

Take a look at my blog: Cake Anyone that I posted in March for a few of the cakes I've done.  There's more photos to come.
Have a great night everyone!

Mucho Love,

Paiger

A Letter To My Dad...

Hi Dad....

I just wanted to drop you a line since I can't call and tell you that I love you and I miss you.

You would be proud of me these past eight years.  I feel I've overcome quite a lot.  I've been very sick but with the Lord's healing power I became a healthy and active woman.  I am married to a wonderful man who has taken the greatest care of my heart.  Do you remember introducing us to your friends as your son Dean and his wife Paige??  Well, Dean does.  He felt so special that you loved him as much as you did.  You two will always be brothers in Christ and strongest of mighty warriors.  Dean says tug on your ear for him.  The girls talk about you all the time.  I love introducing them to their Pappa Dave and sharing all my wonderful memories of you.  I just wanted to tell you thank you for being the greatest father and for teaching me how to be a woman thirsting for the Lord and loving my family.  You and Mom have helped mold me into who I am today and I will never have the words to justify how greatful I am.  I feel you looking down on me every day and I hope that I'm doing you proud.  I am so blessed to have been your daughter and I will always love you with all my heart.  Give Grandma, Grandpa and Pop Pop a big hug for me up there and I will talk to you soon.

I love you Daddy!

My Last Kinder Grad...

Well, ladies and gentleman...
It's official!  I have two daughters out of Kindergarten.  Emma Graduated last year and Gracie just graduated this morning.

There's my happy little graduate!

Here are proud Mommy and Daddy!

To celebrate this wonderful achievement...Mommy dove into her Italian heritage and made a big 'ol batch of Pasta e Fagioli (pasta and beans).  Its something I remember my Nanny making when I was little.  It was one of my favorite comfort foods and still is and Gracie who is a very picky eater actually liked it.  Rock on!

Have a great night everyone!

Paiger

One Of My Great Mistakes...

This week is always a test of emotion for me as I approach the day I lost my Dad to a brain tumor.  I think of him everyday regardless but instead of feeling sorry for myself that he's not here to be with me, enjoy the relationship he had with my husband or meet and play with his granddaughters...I'm trying to focus on the memories of my Daddy.

One of my favorite things to think about is sailing with him.  When I was in high school, we used to take a couple trips to San Diego every Summer.  My mom and dad would rent a Catalina at the marina and we would stay on the boat the whole vacation.  We would sail in the morning, sight see during the day, go out to dinner and then snack on cheese and crackers while sailing into the sunset.  It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and not just visually.  I look back now on those times and remember feeling so peaceful and so full of love.  If there were any differences going on between me, my dad, my mom or my sister....it all melted and we would just enjoy eachother.  We were closer to God and closer to eachother.

During my dreaded teen years...I was troubled to put it mildly.  I made a lot of bad choices and hurt pretty much everyone around me...especially my father.  When I was seventeen, I decided to test my parents love by running away.  I pawned all my heirloom jewelry, I packed my bags, I wrote a check from my mothers account for $3000, signed her name, cashed it and bought a plane ticket to Florida.  I had a friend who had family there and we thought that it was brilliant to just get up and leave.  I hurt my mother, I hurt my father and I left my little brother and big sisters with no explanation.  I was just there one Thursday morning before school and after, I vanished without a trace.  Through prayer, patience and some brilliant detective work...it was my mother who had found a tiny piece of paper with my flight arrangements written on it.  My father then got on the next flight to Florida to find me and bring me home.

After running from police, sleeping on the street and just being scared to death...I ended up back at the house of my friends family in Orlando.  On this day it was Easter Sunday.  This family brought me to church with them and when we walked back up the driveway after mass....I saw my father sitting in a car on the side of the street.  I flipped out, ran inside and hid in a closet.  The woman of the house invited my dad in and came to get me.  She told me that I had to talk to my dad and this had to be mended.  She was a very wise woman!  I left the closet and walked down the hallway that seemed to go on for a mile.  At the end my dad was sitting on the edge of the couch just looking at me.  His face showed no emotion.  His eyes were the most blue I'd ever seen them.  I stood in the family room looking back at him as he slowly stood from the couch.  He walked over to me, stopped and fell to his knees.  He hugged my waist while drenching my shirt in his tears.  He asked me why?  Why did I run?  What about our family made me feel like I had to run away?  Are we lacking communication to where that was my only choice?  Did I not trust my family with my problems?
The questions kept coming as he cried harder and my only answer was, "I don't know but, I want to be taken back home".  So that's what my dad did.  He thanked the family for everything they did for me and he walked me out of the house practically in his arms...he didn't let go of me till we had to get in the car.  We flew home to be greeted at the gate by my mom, my sister, my brother and my grandma.  They all just showered me with hugs when I got off the plane.

Now, of course there was a lot of counseling and talking about why I felt the need to do this but I never realized until I was an adult that I was testing the love of my family.  I didn't trust them when they said "unconditional love".  Eventhough it destroyed them doing what I did...they loved me!  They did everything to get me back!  They sacrificed!  That's love!  That's family!  That's unconditional love!

I thank God for my family everyday.
Love your family!  Tell them everyday that you need them and NEVER give up on them.

Have a great night and as usual...Mucho Love, Paiger

Today's Ah-Ha Moment....

What is it about Jane Austen that captivates most women? Why do we crave her and her stories so much? The romances of love lost, love found and of course, love denied is like an addiction to most women. Maybe it’s the innocence from a time when dropping your scarf was the way to catch a mans eye. A touch of the hand was considered too provocative and thus, kept veiled from others around or to walk along side one another alone was an act of passion. When a man placing his hand on the small of your back was testimony of not you being his property that he owns but that you are in fact, the one who owns his heart.
Jane, whom I refer to by first name only by being so close to her novels, is brilliant in her storytelling of accomplished women who, in their right, were strong willed and independent women who deserved the kind of incandescent love that Jane so naturally explained.

Reading the ardent words of an argument between Darcy and Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice, one can see the passion pouring out of every harsh word only to end with two people realizing that they are truly meant for one another. The same love can be said with Knightley and Emma. A young woman so eager to bring lovers together is unacquainted with the fact that Knightley yearned for her without saying a word. The last of my favorites is Col. Brandon and the care for Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. He took care of her at times when she pushed him away without a second thought and his love only grew stronger for her until finally, she came to realize that it was his love that gave her strength. We long for love like that. We long for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley and Col. Brandon to walk into our lives and sweep us off our feet. We compare all men to them but not in a sense of the actual gentleman but, the idea of certain traits that we all hope he possesses. A man of character who is passionate enough to fight and not be afraid to stand up to the woman he holds so dear. A man who will always have that longing for the woman he loves even though they may already be hand-in-hand, he longs for her smile, her laugh, her touch, anything that shines of her essence. Finally, a man who is willing to fight whoever or whatever is a threat to his one true love…even if it is herself.

When you find such a man, keep him close. We were made of man’s rib by no accident. Our job is to protect the most precious of organs…his heart. Like the rib, we are strong yet delicate but we would be broken before letting anything damage the heart that is so willingly entrusted to us. Here’s to the women who love old fashioned and to the men that cherish them for it.



Author to below is unknown but, what a perfect poem…
I cannot promise you a life of sunshine;
I cannot promise riches, wealth, or gold;
I cannot promise you an easy pathway
That leads away from change or growing old.
But I can promise all my heart's devotion;
A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow;
A love that's ever true and ever growing;
A hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow. 

Getting Back On Track...

After having a tiring and funky week I am making the promise to myself to get back on track with taking care of myself.  I have drastically fallen off track with staying Gluten Free, drinking enough water and taking my herbalist supplements and boy am I feeling the effects this.

So with you all as my witness...Paiger has started anew today and will not fall off track again (well, hopefully)  I did not realize just how much this routine has changed my life for the better until I broke from it for a week.  It is amazing....and I will share it all with you.

Thanks to a beautiful and amazing woman named Kandee Johnson (visit her on youtube and on her blog at www.kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com) I have added a few things to this routine that increased the effects and have helped me tremendously...  Thank you Kandee!!

I take 3 supplements when I wake up:

  1.  Maca Root - Great for your eyes and skin

  2.  Echinacea - A natural form of antibiotic that builds your immune system

  3.  Fish Oil - Great for cardiovascular health

I take a 2oz shot of Organic Acai Juice

Visit them at www.tahititrader.com

I will usually snack on a couple of Gluten Free Sesame Seed bars and a bunch of water just cause I am not a breakfast kind of person.  Then at lunch it's usually fish or chicken and veggies followed by a smoothie snack and thanks to Kandee Johnson...Nutiva Hemp shakes are thee best.  

Visit them at www.nutivahempshake.com

Now, I'll be honest...you HAVE to add a few things to this to make them taste as fantastic as I say they are.  I'll mix in some frozen fruits, coconut oil and sometimes some frozen yogurt and YUM YUM YUM.  They give me a ton of energy and just make me feel great!

So, this is day one back on the right track.  The only downfall today was not eating enough but, I will work on that tomorrow.  I look forward to day 2 on the right track and getting some energy back.  Thanks for hanging in there with me you guys!

Have a great night and Mucho love,

Paiger