The Heart of a Dancer..A Queen Remembered

Good morning ladies and gentleman, as October comes to a close for the month, we remember those who have fought for their lives and are still fighting to this day to find a cure for a disease that comes in many forms. This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and our job is to be educated and aware of the early signs and stay united in the fight for the cure. Breast Cancer is not just a women’s disease but also a men’s disease.

I want to tell you a story about a daughter, mother, wife and accomplished dancer. Her name Sonia Vargas.

This is her story told by my dear friend Valerie Padilla, her daughter.

Sonia Vargas, 23 years ago never knew that simply taking a bathe would change her life forever. She worked as a secretary, was a dedicated mom, wife and she loved to dance. She taught her daughter Valerie, everything she knows about dancing, which I have witnessed first hand, from the Salsa, Tango, Fandango, Bolero and many more. Sonia was around 39 years old when she discovered a lump under her arm during a routine breast exam. Monthly exams of your breast are very important for early detection.

After discovering this lump, she immediately went to the doctor and had a mammogram done and they discovered a mass in the early stages. They were able to start her on chemo and began her fight. Sonia, a beautiful woman, lost all her hair and like most woman, the depression started and she felt she was no longer attractive. The family did everything they could to help her regain her confidence by buying her wigs and telling her she was beautiful everyday to keep her spirits up. Positive prayers and proper treatments made the cancer go away….so they thought.

One year later, the breast cancer that once was a distant memory, came back more aggresive. Sonia was given not alot of options accept for a masectomy. Women who are faced with the prospect of losing their breast, it is not an easy decision. We pride ourselves on how we look and in making this decision she decided to do nothing. Of course, the cancer decided to spread and it invaded so aggressively that it grew out of her body as a 3rd breast on her chest and became a part of her everyday life. She, like many women loved to look and smell good at all times and to have to live day by day with a growth on her chest, losing her hair and feeling sick all the time, it felt like she lost a big part of herself.

Her daughter Valerie, said that as her mom became sicker, she had to take care of her bathing and feeding her regularly. Valerie accounts that the growth smelled like rotten meat to everyone and people stared at her all the time. As the months went by, she became thin and frail and was admitted near Fathers Day of June 1998. The hospital she was admitted to was where she worked and she had the best care around her family and friends. When she was in the hospital, her doctor told her that it was so aggressive that chemo was not working and there was no cure.

She had to make another decision and she decided to keep it from her kids. Valerie was a teenager and being the oldest of 3 children, she felt helpless, pain and she wanted to do everything she could to take care of her mom. Her mom was her inspiration and hero growing up doing the dance group together and she just wanted to help her mom. After awhile, Sonia couldn’t speak but she could hear everyone. All her family, friends and co-workers did a prayer chain and sent flowers to lift her spirits.

October 24, 1998, Sonia Vargas got her wings at the age of 42 and left behind a spirit in her family that will last forever. It has been 21 years and Valerie celebrates life everyday for her.

Valerie and the women of her Empowerment Group just recently took a trip to Puerto Rico October 11, 2019 and we celebrated Valerie’s 43rd birthday!! Chapter 43 for Valerie was important to her and sharing her moms story touched all of us.

Her moms angelic looks, spirit, heart for dance, her love and caring for others and beautiful personality inside and out shines through her everyday.

Below is a chart of what to look for when you do your monthly breast exam. Early detention is the key.

I want to give a big thank you to Valerie Padilla for allowing me to share her mom’s story and to educate other women about the importance of early detection and treatments.

“Living my birthdays not just for me but for my mom’s life” Valerie Padilla

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My trip to Puerto Rico

I just got back from Puerto Rico on Tuesday October 15 after spending 4 days there and I have to say that it was so beautiful. This island was one of my many trips to take from my bucket list and I enjoyed myself immensely. I went with 7 other wonderful empowered women who I met through a facebook group called Valeries Empowerment Group. (click here) This group I have been a member of since 2018 and I am so grateful to have met all the many different women who are from New York and all over United States. We were celebrating Valeries 43rd birthday here in Puerto Rico. October 11, 2019 I left for Puerto Rico, flight was calm but I almost missed it because of the TSA lines. I hope one day the process gets a little better organized so that people dont get anxiety almost missing their flight. After arriving in Puerto Rico, I met the Queens from Ny at the airport and we all went to our beautiful villa located in San Juan. It was a 5 bedroom 2 bathroom Villa with a pool and great patio area. These are the Queens with Valeries empowerment shirts on. We stopped by a little restaurant in the city near Carolina, Puerto Rico called Carmin. A cute little outdoor establishment. I have to say that I had learn alot about spanish cuisines and speak the languages, which thanks to the ladies who spoke the language, I was able to feel like part of the culture. I ate what they say in Spanish as “Alitas de Pollo” and “Papas Fritas”
which means chicken wings and fries.“Muy Bien” (Very Good) I ended up eating a little off everyones plate, the ladies wanted me to try other spanish cuisines including 4 more chicken wings…I was so hungry, we were all starving from our flights…lol. Our next venture took us downtown to go dancing at Mijani Club in La Placita De Santurce for the pre-birthday celebration. We all got dressed up in our white outfits and dancing shoes for a night of drinking and dancing. Such a fun first night…these ladies know how to Party!! The next day, we were planning to visit Old San Juan for the day. The weather was so beautiful for sightseeing. Today was our Queen Valeries 43rd birthday!! First we stopped off at a neighborhood reataurant within walking distance of our Villa called Levis like jeans..lol We went there for breakfast and dinner the same day…thats how great it was! The restaurant felt so warm and comfortable for our party. Old San Juan was amazing…although the heat was brutal, we took comfort in the many treat carts around like smoothies and coco icees…so good. We also did a little shopping.We visited the city of Umbrellas on Fortaleza street. While visiting Old San Juan, I was told the story about the community of La Perla which was very interesting and sounds like something out of mobster movie. We visited a very beautiful church which looked like one of largest churches I had ever seen called the San Juan Bautista Cathedral.

The next day we went back to our favorite place Levis of course. We went home and had an afternoon family barbeque….so emotional for me and alot of us. Meeting so many of the ladies friends and relatives was wonderful. Hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks and unlimited cuisines to eat. Such a beautiful group ladies…indeed..inside and out❤ Monday morning we all had a nice picnic in Ocean Park beach…so peaceful. Going home was very emotional for me and the girls…we didnt want to go back at all. Our weekend was filled with love, support, crying, laughter, and just relaxation. We are planning our trip for next year already..cant wait to meet more Queens!! As I go back to Florida and they return to New York, I can honestly say that these women are truly my family. Now that I can check Puerto Rico off my list maybe next year I can see Hawaii…What you think?Thank you for reading all about my trip to Puerto Rico! Dont forget to like, comment, subcribe to my blog!!Also follow me on social media via:Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Book Review #1:Rachel Hollis

Hey hey guys, I am doing something a little bit different these coming months where I am going to introduce you to my world of reading. Now, I will admit, I have not read a book all the way through since 50 Shades of Grey Part 1 came out but I have always wanted to read interesting works by other writers. The book I am going to review this month is a book written by a great women who loves to help other women get out of their way and see what the potential that they already have. Growing from tragedy and being able to be successful in life with some bumps along the way is real-life for her and she wants you to know-ITs Normal! Introducing a lady I highly respect for her courage and empowerment of other: Rachel Hollis

I read this book from cover to cover and was amazed at the similiarities we have. I thought I was the only one thinking and going through it. For those of you who do not know who Rachel Hollis is, she is a Mom of 3 boys and a 1 girl, wife to Dave Hollis and founder of a lifestyle website TheChicSite.com and Ceo of her own Media company. She has alot of followers online via instagram, facebook, youtube etc. She is a woman who likes to tell it like it is, she encourages, enlightens and works to help others acheive the same sense of confidence she exudes throughout everything she does with the help of God.

I am going to review this book in 4 parts:

Why did I pick this book to read?
What part of the book, really hit home for me: (ex. made me cry or have a aha moment)?
What is one thing I took away from the book that I will change in my life?
How would I rate this book out of 5 stars?

Rachel Hollis: Girl, Wash Your Face

I picked this book because it came highly recommended online. I was curious as to what washing my face meant so I said this might be a great book just by the title, so I bought it. I never realized when I opened it, I would never be able to put it down. It spoke to me so well. Everything, well almost everything, was so similiar to my life I couldn’t believe that this nice young lady had gone through all that and still managed to be a great women waking up everyday helping people with her wisdom and lending a helping hand.
A part in the book that really hit home for me was Chapter 15: I Will Never Get Past This- when she talked about her family. Not being as close as she wanted to be after the tradegy just trying to salvage what was left of her relationships and picking up the peices and moving forward in church and counseling, which is always the best medicine. I cried through the whole chapter.
One thing she stressed so much in her book about it being happy with who you are. It doesnt matter what you didnt accomplish or who hurt you in your past, you are responsible for your own happiness. Never let others believe you are never good enough to try new things or pick where you left off with years ago. Always try to be you and be happy for you not anyone else. I realizes that in trying to make others happy all at once, I have made myself unhappy. I have decided to run away from toxic or negative things and let others be unhappy by themselves and take care of me first. Be there after I am taken care of then console others.
5- star rating from me for original content, very personable and uplifting!

Looking forward to reading her other book:

Girl, Stop Apoligizing

Ordered my copy from Barnes and Nobles today and will start reading after my 2nd book which is from a new first time author who writes about how the word of God influences your life processes everyday. Click link below to purchase Marcus Myrick’s

Click link to purchase e-book at: Amazon.com

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She Cave….Finally!!

For many years…women have been trying figure out why there has never been a place a woman could get some peace and quiet. Most men who shop for homes or apartments are always looking for a bachelor pad…women on the other hand are looking for functional space. Well, I have been through both and being a mom of 3 and wife for over 20 years…I need my space!

So I did something about it. I cleared out one of our sheds one day into the other…actually I put everything outside and the kids put it in the other shed during a rain storm. It was so wonderful to see them all work together. Stage 1 of my shed was cleanup. You wouldnt believe how much dust and dirt is in a shed along with bugs…ugh. Step 2 was finding furniture. It wasnt hard for me to find some stuff to take from the house but I needed a really good sofa. One day me and my husband was doing our 3 mile walk one-day and I passed by a neighbor of ours and they were getting rid of a futon which at Walmart you can get 300$…omg Me, Sr and Jr loaded it up in the van about midnight and checked it out and it passed inspection-YaY!! Step 3..last step was getting a few accessories like a fridge and air conditioner-it can get Hot in sheds.Everything in its place…tada

I love it so much!! Let me tell you, I have had so many movie nights and it so peaceful in my She Cave. Some of the products I purchased:

I have always wanted a hammock and I got one. I got most of my items on Walmart.com or in person like these items:

and a couple pillows along with my Live, Laugh, Love rug.

Thank you for reading…just wanted to share a great accomplishment!!

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One Fabulous Blogging Year

It is the one -year anniversary of MMMoffamilyentertainment and we have had a phenomenal year!! I started this blog last September as a outlet to help me talk about all the exciting things my family does and it has turned into something so much more!! I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of my blog whether you were there from the beginning or you became a big fan recently. I have many goals for this blog and I want to continue making an effort to grow this blog in the coming years. Here are some of the highlights from this years blog….

Featured Entrepreneurs from November 2018-April 2019 These entrepreneurs were interviewed by me and were picked to do a feature for the month. Check out their interviews under “What’s Your Business” menu section. From left to right: (ManySkirts, Lauren Najar, Devion Ayers, Michiko Riezz, Danielle Renee and Kate Scully)

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Entrepreneurs on the rise….I had the pleasure of working closely with all these women professionally from placing and ad in my blog to supporting and sharing their business opportunities or products in Social Media. Check out their ads under “What’s Your Business” From top to bottom: (Lashameka Jones, Crystal Ervin, Demetria Brown, Laurie Goodman, Lorraine Bradshaw, Tiffany Hiatt and Michiko Riezz)

Celebrating Black History Month….a look at Black History legends who made history. All these people for the 28 days were ones who were the first to accomplish something in their time. Check out the “Black History” section of the menu to see the posts for February 2019.

Family Shenanigans…I did an experiment with my whole family from January to June this year that involved having family meetings and working together. Check out our outcome under the “My Story” ….its a laugh.

Awards and Recognitions….so this past year I have been recognized by my blogging community as not only a great writer but very inspiring. I was nominated by Charli Dee of Life with Charli and Outdoors with the Skis

as a Sunshine Blogger twice, been challenged to answer 73 questions by Charli Dee about myself-which is no easy task and I have been recognized by the organization P.O.W.E.R for my inspirational writing and things I do in the community. Check out these post under “My Story” in the menu section.

My 31 Day Blog Challenge for August….I saw this challenge on Twitter from one of my favorite bloggers Ashlee Nicole of Ashlee Nicole Explained,

she was doing it and I said I am up for a challenge!! I did 31 days straight of writing and you can see my prompts under “My Story” in the menu section.

Speaking from personal experience…I wrote a lot about being a wife , mom and just being human. it is very hard to run so many roles. Check out my post under the “Getting Real” menu section or click below

Setting Goals for the last couple months….Well I hit some milestones on my blog and I wanted to grow my social networks and strive to hit a particular number for each one. MMMoffamilyentertainment was able to hit almost 300 followers for the year. Twitter– I hit my goal of 500 followers in 3 months. My Pinterest, I started with 7 followers in May and reached my goal of over 100 followers last week. And last but not least my Instagram at 500 followers.

New Goal!! Okay, so, my birthday is December 31 and I would love to reach that magic number of 500 followers for my blog!! If you haven’t subscribed yet…Go Now!!

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Thank you to all my readers and followers for making this such a great year for MMMoffamilyentertainment!!

Vogue Magazine…73 Questions Parody

I know you guys just learned about me for 31 days…but I’ve got a surprise for you!! I get to answer 73 more questions blogger style about myself in this post!! I was nominated by a fellow blogger whose blog I deem as one of my favorite, her name is Charli Dee. She has won many awards for her blog and shares the same spirit I have. Check out her Vogue Magazine Blog 73 Questions Parody on her blog here: LifewithCharli

Ok, here it goes…may not be done till the end of year with post…just kidding..lol

1. What’s your usual Starbuck order? Anything that gets whipped cream on it. Last one I had was a latte with cocoa mocha flavor and whipped cream.

2. What does your work station look like?

3. Favorite food?

4. Favorite author?

I don’t have a favorite book author but I have my favorite blog authors. Check out my post click here:5 Favorite Blogs

5. What do you think about open relationships? 3 or more is a crowd-So Nope.

6. What is your favorite video game?

7. Guilty pleasure treat?

8. Favorite movie?

9. Favorite Author? I don’t have a favorite book Author but I do have favorite blog authors. Check out my post on my 5 favorite bloggers, click here:5 Favorite Blogs

10. Twitter or Instagram? Twitter most definitely!!

11. Desktop or Laptop? Laptop. I usually use my phone most of the time.

12. Best advice you’ve ever received? Keep doing what your doing, it will all pay off in good time.

13. What project are you working on right now? I am currently writing my first book series that will be out next year.

14. Favorite Color? Red and Black

15. Did you get good grades in school? I graduated public schools with a C average and I graduated college with an A average.

16. Dream Job? Check out my post on what my dream job would be, click here: Dream Job

17. Play Sports? Unfortunately no since I have been disabled. I used to love basketball.

18. Do you have a degree? Yes I do. I have an Associates in Business Management.

19. Nationality? African-American

20. What’s your favorite type of blog posts? When people are recognized for their blog writing by fellow authors and writers. It is very rewarding when the people who read your writing appreciate it and acknowledge it to the world. It makes blogging so worth the time spent.

21. What do you like to collect? I like to take a lot of pictures with my phone when I am traveling with the family or friends and place them in folders on my computers with labels and dates so that if my memory goes I can remember the experiences that way.

22. Describe yourself in three words? Caring, patient and inspiring.

23. If you were a rapper, what would your stage name be? MC MomBoss

24. Who was the last person you Dmed? My cousin.

25. What’s on top of your wish list right now? Eating that Stouffers Pizza in the oven.

26. Sorting houses? Griffyindor

27. How many tattoos do you have? I currently have 5 working on the 6th. Check out the meaning behind them on my blog post here: Piercings and Tattoos

28. What are you most grateful for? I am most grateful for my health. It has been rough the last 4 years but waking up every morning, I am grateful that I have a purpose.

29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month? I was able to congratulate my youngest child, who is 16, for getting her start in the workforce. I am so proud of all 3 of my teens for becoming so independent.

30. What’s the best thing that has happened to you today? Earlier today, my bff told me that she is going to be coming to see me in Florida in two weeks!! We have not seen each other in 24 years..so excited!!

31. What’s the best thing ever? Retirement

32. Favorite Season? Spring. Florida only has 3 seasons here, hot, hotter and stay in the house or you will melt hot…lol

33. Favorite Holiday?

Christmas!!! Coincidentally my birthday is 6 days after and I love the gatherings and songs played on the radio along with the classic movies. Not on Hallmark during summer…lol

34. What fictional character do you relate to? Jackie Brown, she was a middle aged strong, intelligent, hard-working black woman looking to be a world traveler and be comfortable in life…no drama.

35. Do you like surprises? Yes, as long as they are good ones.

36. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever received? My youngest son Devon, now 19, he is a blessing.

37. Which surprise made you cry? When I got the news my grandma died.

38. What’s the best surprise you’ve given somebody else? When I first started my blog last year, I featured entrepreneurs and one lady in particular, who was an self-published author, was so shocked that she let everyone know it was her first time in a blog.

39. Do you like muffins? Yes, all kinds, especially ones with fruit in them.

40. Do you cook often? On occasion but mostly I am teaching my teens how to cook something.

41. What’s your favorite dessert? Anything with sugar in it!!

42. Is there a dessert you don’t like? Anything with yellow prevarian cream in it, I like white cream.

43. Cake or Pie? Seriously….I cant choose between these two. If I sit down to either of these I require milk..lol

44. What’s your least favorite food? Veggies…YUK!! I will eat them but I don’t have to like them.

45. What’s your favorite condiment? Barbeque sauce

46. It’s 4am on a random Saturday, what are you eating? Probably scrambled eggs.

47. If you could teach a college class, what would it be called? Life Sucks 101

48. Best Animated Film? Secret Life of Pets 1 and 2…so funny!

49 What has a guy done or said to impress you? My husband bought me a car. I usually buy my own cars.

50. Best thing to do on a first date? Be polite and listen to the other person when they speak.

51. Whats the worst thing to do on a first date? Being rude and talking too much.

52. What’s the funniest pick up line a guy/girl could use? “Are you tired because you’ve been running through my mind all day?”

53. Best Comic Book Character Right now my favorite is IronMan.

54. Name 3 things that can always be found in your purse? Check out my goodies in my purse and you will be surprised! Click here: What’s in my handbag?

55. Favorite drink? Water and anything with alcohol in it.

56. If you could play a historical character in a movie, who would it be? I don’t know.

57. Kittens or puppies? Both are way too cute but if i had to choose it would probably be a puppy. Since Sage my 4-year old dog came into my life, he is such a sweetheart.

58. Favorite sushi roll? I don’t eat anything raw.

59. What lipstick do you use? I don’t use it. Burt bees and Vaseline do just fine for me.

60. What foundation do you use? None, not even soap on my face, just water.

61. Blow Dry or Air Dry? I wear my hair natural now so I like to air dry.

62. Who is your favorite fashion Icon? I would say my daughter right now. She knows how to put outfits together beautifully. She is my fashionista.

63. Favorite Disney Character? I don’t have one.

64. What are you doing tomorrow? Going to a 5$ movie.

65. Movie you laughed the hardest through? This movie I recently recorded on cable, me and my husband laughed till we cried called Hot Tub Time Machine 2. Both are very funny.

66. Movie that made me cry? Tyler Perry “I can do bad all my myself”

67. If you could sing a duet with anybody, who would it be? Celine Dion

68. If your life was a song, what would the title be? “Taking it one day at a time.”

69. What is your favorite animal? Anything cat related, like lions, tigers and kittens.

70. Favorite Illustrator? I love Charlie Brown cartoons so probably Charles Schulz

71. The person you want to have coffee with? Anyone who is into great conversation and eating good southern food.

72. What country would you like to visit? Well in October, I am going to get to visit Puerto Rico next will be Germany next year.

73. Best way to decompress? Laying on a beach without a care in the world….any other time just getting good sleep.

So now here are the 10 blogs I nominate from Twitter to sit under the hot lamp and chair and answer deep questions..lol Have Fun!!

@Cherishingflo – Cherishing Flo
@DevinVandriel – Devin Vandriel
@Lisaalioto – Realistic Optimism
@CoffeeSunsets – Coffee and Sunsets
@Can_lemonade – Canadian Lemonade
@lewisjfclarke – Sir Lewis of Clarke
@elleaimevous – Elle Aimevous
@alifeonadime – A Life on a Dime
@LittleBlackDr – Little Black Dress
@31i55a – The Girl Who Drools When She Sleeps

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Thank you to all my readers and followers until next time…

31 Day Challenge-Day 31

Things that can probably drive a person crazy but I try to hide about myself….let’s get started

I grind my teeth all the time. I believe it is a nervous tick I have, as a result my jaw is always hurting.
I like to sleep on my stomach because I don’t like looking at the ceiling. For some reason, the ceiling creeps me out.
I like to keep the closet door closed because I think there is something living in my closet.
I do not like my food cold at all. My meal has to be steaming and the cold stuff has to be the right temperature.
I walk through my house in the dark and hate to turn on lights. I figure if there is a power outage, I am prepared.
If I have a light on, it stays on and my family goes behind me and turns them off.

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning all about me…wait till next month when I dig just a little deeper!!

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I am still trying to reach 500 followers by mid September but I will settle for 200!!

Thank you to all my readers and followers!!

31 Day Challenge-Day 30

Food, Food, Food…..

My favorite comfort food(s) are

Chicken Wings in any way-fried, baked, boneless and with bone and ….

Ice Cream of any kind….so so good. My favorite kind is Butter Pecan.

That’s all I got..I am hungry now!!

Stayed tuned for tomorrow Day 31, which is the last day of my challenge!!

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31 Day Challenge-Day 29

Things I want to do before I kick the bucket….

I want to travel to as many places as I can all around the world. I have started my journey this year by making my way to Puerto Rico in October.
I want to write at least 5 books that I self publish.
Making everyday a celebration of living. I want my family to see me happy everyday and enjoying life. I want my kids to remember me having fun with friends.
Getting an RV and going on a road trip with the family. The last time we went the five of us on a trip we drove in a car 7 hours from Florida to South Carolina. We didn’t like the drive there but the trip was one to remember. I am thinking if we had a bigger vehicle we will be good.