It has taken me from my last post until now to be able to sit down and write this, my last post, about Josh.
Last week was...eventful, to say the least.
My husband and I arranged for meals for Gino and his family. There was such an out pouring from the church and the community we were able to feed Josh's aunt's family and his maternal grandmother as well. Three local restaurants; Dora's Place, Sumo-to-Go, and The 27th Grill, donated enough food to feed 200 folks Saturday night with enough left over that Mark, Allisa and myself could feed the family again after church on Sunday. We are so blessed to live in a community that cares.

Wednesday, the church helped Gino clear an acre and a half lot on their property which they transformed into a family cemetery. One of the advantages of living in Harris Co.; all you need is one to four acres, a certified survey and to file the request with the county and you can have a private burial ground right on your own property! It is so peaceful there. Josh loved to hunt that land. He would be pleased.


Thursday the youth pastor, Ben headed a service at the church for the middle and high school kids. The sanctuary was packed; there must have been 600 kids (and some adults as well) there. Ben led Worship and the Vision Band did some of Josh's favorite praise and worship songs, because Josh wanted this to be a celebration, not a sad time. Then Pastor Gino and Diedere spoke. At the end Gino gave an invitation, around 100 kids accepted Christ. Gino has always told us that his heart for youth is the reason he moved to Harris Co. 7 years ago. Diedere shared about a dream she had the night before; Joshua was riding his 4-wheeler, jumping the clouds. She said, speaking to Josh's friends and acquaintances (and this broke my heart) that 'whenever you see me, come give me a big ol' hug...and I'll know it's from Joshua.

Friday was regular visitation for the community. For over 3 hours the family stood and accepted condolences.

Saturday was Joshua's celebration of life & homegoing service. The church sanctuary was standing room only and the cafe area was set up as an overflow video room. The family said their private good-byes to Joshua. The service opened with one of Joshua's favorite songs "Friend of God." Then Haden, Brooke, and Pastor Ben spoke on their memories of Josh. His older brother Caleb spoke and shared some funny memories. Tehn Caleb said one of the most profound things I can ever recall coming from a 17 year old boy. He said I don't think I ever really told Josh I loved him. I know he knew it, but if I could go back I'd hug him so tight and tell him I loved him. His younger sister Victoria read a sweet poem she had written called "I Remember" that was all about her memories from the time she found out about his tumor until the day he passed, sprinkled with childhood recollections.

I don't know how he did it, but his daddy~ our pastor~ Gino gave a moving message about Joshua and God's Sovereignty that included a prayer of salvation. There was a slideshow that brought me to tears. The two hour service was followed by a brief graveside service on Gino & Diedere's land at sunset. Diedere released 15 white balloons, one for each year of Joshua's life. As those balloons drifted above the tops of the trees the sky gently thundered. And half the peopke there (myself included) burst into tears. It was like a sign from the Lord to reassure us that Joshua was now in His keeping.

I will never understand why our Joshua was taken from us. But I am thankful for having known Joshua and know that he has touched so many lives during his short time amongst us. He lived his last year in a way that was powerful, courageous, and inspirational. As Gino shared we have only begun to see the effect of Joshua's life, his legacy will continue.

JOSHUA JOSEPH ZALUNARDO(1992-2008)

On Saturday, May 31st, Cruising 4 A Cause, a fundraiser that we palnned months agao to help with medical expenses is being held. The sponsors have decided to make this an annual event naming it the Joshua Zalunardo Memorial Race. Each year in the future, it will benefit the building of a Youth Center for our Vision youth ministry at King's Pasture Community Church.

Joshua is my pastor's middle child. He was diagnosed with a brainstem glioblastoma a year ago.

At about 9:30 Monday night May 19th, Joshua passed from this life & is free. Very peacefully he took his last breaths. His family was there with him. Joshua has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith. Now there is for Joshua a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to Joshua. 2 Tim. 4:7-8


So.

This is my tribute to Joshua Joseph Zalunardo.

I love you always and I miss you terribly.
Like I told you on the morning that you took your last breath, I will see you again real soon.

Joshua Joseph Zalunardo

September 1992 - May 2008

You will live in my heart forever.

I know I blog about Josh a lot. I guess that is because I so strongly identify with what his family is going through.
I lost my mom to an aggressive brain tumor several years ago, but I remember the whole process from diagnosis to the end most vividly.

Sunday was Mother's Day. Josh's mom (our pastor's wife) gave the message during service. Josh was having some difficulty breathing. After the service I went to speak to Josh, like I always do. When I looked into his eyes, I saw my mother.
That night Joshua had a dream that he was healed; up and walking. He also told his daddy he wanted to be healed.

I told my husband on Monday that Josh looked just like my mom did at the end. I was very afraid we were running out of time. Yesterday evening, they had to airlift him to Egleston Hospital in Atlanta.

Today they did the MRI to check the tumor growth. The news was not good. The doctors have stopped his experimental treatment and they are weaning him off the breathing tube.
Now would be a very good time for a miracle. Otherwise, it looks like my visit with Joshua on Sunday will be the last time I get to look into his eyes, kiss his cheek and let him know just how much he means to me and my family. The doctors say it is a matter of just a few days, max.

The sadness is overwhelming. The loss of such a sweet, beautiful and vibrant child is devastating me. But at the same time, there is a feeling of relief that once his soul leaves this mortal plain, his suffering will be over. And every time I see a goose fly over my house, see a deer in my pasture or hear the splash of a fishing lure hit the water, I'll recall how much Josh loved those things. And this is how I will choose to remember him.
In his athletic shorts and Georgia boots wearing his baseball team's t-shirt and grinning from ear to ear.

This picture is Joshua on his 15th birthday in September of 2007. It is one of my favorites. Almost every boy here, I have known since they were small and watched them grow into young men.


Joshua was released from the hospital yesterday. He is very weak but his spirit's are high.

Joshua's results from the MRI he had last week came in, the tumor (he calls it 'the lump"!) has shrunk another 5% in 3 weeks for a total of 44% since starting the 'experimental' treatment from the Burzynski Clinic.

He had developed 2 new spots in his brain. The doctors were not sure if this was new growth or dead cells. These 2 "spots" have increased some. The doctors are puzzled as to why the original tumor is shrinking & not the 2 new spots. It could be dead tissue or swelling.



Since the original tumor is responding they are going to keep Joshua on the medicine & gradually increase to full dosage. Please Pray that Joshua's body will strengthen & tolerate the medicine. He has had some ill effects from the increases in the past.

Wow, I can't believe how lazy, er how long its been since I actually posted.What can I say? I suck. However, once again daylight savings time has kicked my keyster.I am still not used to the time change. Thank god for Starbucks....

Josh is still hanging in there. We had a scare this past week when he developed breathing problems as a result of the flu. The symptoms were the same as if the tumor had grown and was shutting down brain receptors. But it was determined to be a complication of the flu and not new growth.He is such a brave, strong kid. I *heart* him so much. We took him for a walk a couple weeks ago and even if it takes him longer to say it, he is still quite amusing. Y'all keep praying for him.

Joshua is improving now that he has started chemo. He is also doing radiation. He is talking some and eating soft food. He still has trouble ambulating due to left sided weakness and dizziness from the tumor itself. Pray that his spirits remain high despite all the set backs he has had. Everyday his mom has him say positive, uplifting things out loud to encourage himself. He has been moved from ICU to a room. He still has a long, hard road ahead of him. But he and his family are greatly loved and supported.

Miss you Josh and hope you are home and healed real soon!

prayforjoshua.com

Josh is my pastor's son. He is 14 years old and has an inoperable brain tumor. This family needs your prayers.Visit his website and leave a message of encouragement on the message board.Josh came home from the hospital Friday, but had to be transported by ambulance back to Egleston this morning. Lets claim total healing for this brave young man. Josh is a warrior and a such a free-spirit! So, please pray to whomever you call your Higher Power. And if you are not a prayer person, please send healing thoughts and good wishes his way. Hugs,Angie

What an F'd Up world in which we reside.













As quiet as it is in our lovely little town of Pine Mountain, GA, we have once again been touched by a national tragedy. Jamie Bishop, son of Sci-fi novelist Michael and wife Geri Bishop,was one of the victims of the Virginia Tech gunman, Cho Seung-Hui, a 23-year-old undergraduate senior majoring in English.

Fox News says this about Jamie:
Bishop, 35, wore his hair long, rode his bike to campus and worked alongside his wife in the foreign languages department at Virginia Tech, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was known for his gentle manner and generosity toward students.
"I don't think he was the type of person who had an enemy," Troy Paddock, a close friend whose wife also teaches in the German program, told the Times. "He was a very friendly person. He was a nice and helpful person."
The Georgia native was an avid hiker, movie and Atlanta Braves fan, and was said to be very popular with students.
"He was very outgoing, a very personable individual," Richard Shryock, the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, told the Times. "He was someone who took teaching very seriously and was a good colleague to be with."

The media vultures have descended upon Pine Mountain, harrassing the locals for any little scrap of info they can unearth. Scavengers. Part of me understands they are just doing their jobs, but part of me absolutely abhors the intrusion.
I have kids the same age as some of those victims. My God. What a world.

The Amazing Jill Shalvis, Author Extraordinaire!

At least I think she is amazing and I'll tell you why....
Every so often an author come along who is both talented and personable.
One whose writing combines all the elements of a good story. Relationships, humor, strong primary characters, memorable secondary characters and engaging storylines.
To me Jill is an author of that caliber. But don't just take my word for it. Read any one of her books. She is one of my auto-buy authors...yes, she is that good!

And may I suggest you come visit her newly designed web-site and hang out on her highly entertaining blog when Jill share snippets of life as a glamorous, jet-setting member of the beautiful people. For daily updates, click here
http://jillshalvis.com

One of my personal favorites so far is "Aussie Rules." And I just found out, Aussie Rules has been nominated for a RITA!! Go Jill!! I'm not good at book reviews, so let me quote what Harriet Klausner had to say:

Melanie "Mel" Anderson manages more than just the North Beach Airport in California; she helps her employees and her business partner with their scrambled lives. To Mel this is her family though she misses her surrogate mother the airport owner Sally, who disappeared a few years ago.

Australian Bo Black owns the deed to the airport and plans to take control of it. He wants to find his father's missing plane and regain what should have been his except Sally conned his dad when they briefly married. However, his plan goes awry as he needs a revision because all he wants to do is sleep with the enemy who to his amazement he loves; even more shocking is Mel reciprocates Bo's deepest regard while everyone else thinks they make strange bedfellows while wondering if it is AUSSIE RULES or Yankee control.

The key to this fun contemporary filled with eccentric characters is the background North Beach Airport seems normal so anchors the delightful story line from veering to far from the tarmac. The war between Mel and Bo is fought on several fronts elating the audience as they skirmish in the skies, on the ground, and in the bedroom. Though the climax seems to gentle of a landing for such a zany soaring tale, Jill Shalvis rules with this fine battle of the sexes.


Her latest, which is on the top of my TBR pile is "Smart and Sexy". This is the first of a three book series featuring Noah, Shayne, and Brody, running an exclusive air charter service named Sky High Air.

Smart and Sexy is Noah Fisher's story. Again, not my words:

Noah Fisher has worked for months to make Sky High the most prestigious charter airline in California. He’s long overdue for a break - something involving ski slopes, cold beers, and hot ski bunny babes, not necessarily in that order. The itinerary doesn’t include being hijacked by Bailey Sinclair, gorgeous widow of one of Sky High’s wealthiest (ex-) clients. But here they are, and being crammed in a cockpit with the scared, stubborn, unbelievably sexy former model he’s been fantasizing about invokes Superman tendencies that could get Noah in serious trouble.

Bailey is desperate to find the stash of money hidden by her conniving, thieving late husband - before the bad guys he owed find her. It’s a long shot, but nothing compared to the gamble she’s taking by being so close to Noah. Every minute in his company has Bailey thinking about doing crazy, reckless things like touching, grabbing, kissing… Suddenly, seat-of-your-pants seems like the only way to fly.

I know you want more, so click here for an excert:

http://jillshalvis.com/excerpts#excerpt12
So now that you know about the fabulous Jill Shalvis, go forth and purchase!! Smart and Sexy will be a good start, but once you have read Jill's entertaining brand of story-telling I know you will on a back-list hunt for the rest of her titles!

You know the old saying, "If it's not broke, don't fix it?" Thats kind of how I feel about authors who develop a huge following for a series they are writing. When they first hit the scene, all their releases are paperback, (i.e. affordable). Once the PTB discover they have a cash cow on their hands, new releases are all hardback. And unless I can coerce my local librarian into purchasing the HB, I have to
beg, borrow, or steal until the PB release comes out. (Luckily she likes me and knows I have good taste in reading material)
Do you know how much I hate that? Unfortunately, when it comes to books, I am an instant gratification kinda gal. And until I get my hands on that book, I feel like I am missing something.
Like there was a party and I was the only loser that was not invited. *sigh*
Welp, it looks like another of m auto-buy authors has been thrown on to that bandwagon.
And don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy for Ms. Harrison (can I call you Kim? I feel like I know you.... :) ) The general population equates HB to credibility, which in turn means better visibility, better promotion by your publisher, increased revenue and better book sales. (or at least I assume so, I'm no publishing insider!)
That being said, anybody want to lend me Kim Harrison's newest, "For a Few Demons More"? It releases on 03/20/2007 and if it is as good as her previous installments, we are in for a treat.
Now where did I put the number to my library?

This is a new-to-me author and I am spreading the word!
Also see my myspace blog for the same meme.

http://blog.myspace.com/angie_lah

The VISIONS OF HEAT meme
1. Which psychic power would you most like to possess?
The power to read minds. Although my spawn swear I already posses that ability.Being an empath would probably be ok, though. Running around reading minds all the time sounds like it might be exhausting.

2. If you could see the future, what would you like to see?
Do my spawn ever learn to make a bed or put away laundry?

3. Imagine you woke up one day and could shapeshift - what would you shift into?
One of my dachshunds..Think about it. Sleep all day. Get taken on walks. Have tennis balls thrown for you when you wanted. Get cool doggie treats and yummy dog food (of which I only eat the little tan squares and bone shaped pieces, leaving the big, brown round pieces untouched) I can think of worse ways to spend a day....

4. What kind of a paranormal creature would you invite over for dinner if there were no limits on who you could ask?
I already have dinner with two teenaged boys every night. Any paranormal creature would be an improvement.

5. Which future innovation do you wish would hurry up and get here already? i.e. flying cars, a transporter, computers with artificial intelligence, an auto chef?
Auto chef sound cool. Then my spawn would stop complaining that there is nothing to eat in the house.

This meme was begun by Nalini Singh to get the word out about her next book, Visions of Heat http://www.nalinisingh.com/visions (releasing March 6). Want to play, too, and enter to win a $50 Amazon voucher plus an ARC? Click here http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2007/02/visions-of-heat-meme.html for details.

The small miracle that is Chai Tea....(from this point on to be known as CT, since I am too lazy to actually spell it out every time.)Could it be only a year ago that I discovered the joys of CT? So much so that it has almost rivalled my obsession with all things coffee? I just came off of a 21 day fast where I gave up caffeine, all processed foods, white rice and flour, bread meat, candy and junk food. (It was a church thing)Basically it was a vegan diet and guess what? I didn't hate it! And my cholesterol levels actually dropped to normal AND I lost ten pounds! What does this have to do with CT, you ask? The first thing I broke the fast with was CT. It was like a little slice of joy......The worst part of this whole fast thing was giving up coffee and tea. And ok, bread and pasta, after all I am Italian and you know how we love our carbs. But I did find a really good whole wheat pasta that I topped with a nice Puttanesca sauce. So, if you have never had CT and you enjoy things that taste slightly like pumpkin pie, go forth immediately (if not sooner) and indulge. No, no. No need to thank me.Just sharin' tha love.

One Freaky Picture!

Okay, how weird is this? I cannot imagine that kind of cold. I get frostbite in 40 degree weather...not really, but I hate the cold!

I just read the best book ever. Deborah Smith's "Crossroads Cafe". It was awesome. This is how her website describes it:

A beautiful woman, scarred for life.

A tortured man, seeking redemption.

Brought together by fate in a small town high in the majestic Appalachian mountains.

Live. Love. Believe.

What are you waiting for?? Read it!

Jennifer Lebreque is having a little posting giveaway at her blog.
Go on over and post for a free book from Jennifer! She has 5 or 6 more to give!
http://jenniferlabrecque.com/wp/334/reader-appreciation-day/#comments

You will love her!

A Day of Remembrance September 11, 2006

Five years ago today, we lost 13 of our close associates, thousands of neighbors, and our offices at 1 World Trade Center.

On the second anniversary of September 11, a four-by-four-foot stone memorial plaque was dedicated to the memory of those lost in the tragedy. Located in the lobby wall in the MetroTech Center in Brooklyn, New York, the memorial honors those we lost and celebrates the ingenuity and adaptability of our workforce. Etched into the plaque are the names of each colleague lost and a phrase that reads,
"Together we will show the world that the things that comprise the American Spirit, our hope and humanity, our dreams and our love, are not kept in buildings, but in ourselves."
Following are the names of those recognized on the memorial plaque:
Edward Beyea
Vivian Casalduc
Brenda Conway
Elvira Granitto
Winston Grant
Ramon Grijalvo
Cynthia Giugliano
Lorraine Lee
Jerome Lohez
Alexander Ortiz
Andgela Scheinberg
Ayleen Santiago
Abraham Zelmanowitz

This is part of an article from our company intranet site. I don't think anyone will mind that I have quoted it here. This was just one of the many Blues under our corporate umbrella, but we are all family. I did not know any of these individuals personally, but their loss is still felt, today more than most days. I pray peace and strength to their families and to the families of all who lost a loved one on this date five years ago.

If paranormal is your thing and you want a sneak peek at Diane Whitesides Texas Vampires series click here:

http://www.dianewhiteside.com/bondofblood_excerpt.html

Oh look! Exactly 2 months since my last post!! Blogspot is Satan's playtoy. Or maybe it is just my computer. As stated earlier, we all know that I am the world's spottiest (is that a word??) blog updater. But lately, everytime I have even thought about posting a new entry, blogspot freaks on me. It won't upload my pictures or it will only let me post one picture or it flat just doesn't post my entry.Now granted I am not the most computer-savvy (savvy :P I love that word.. makes me think of Jack Sparrow!) person that ever sat at a keyboard, but come on! It can't always be me! Can it?? Although, I did have an IT techo-geek refer to my PC issues at work as a PEBCAK.(Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard). Luckily I have a sense of humor or he'd still be walking with a limp. I have been trying since July to upload a few pictures of our last beach adventure, but BS is just NOT cooperating.
And look!! Another rainbow at the beach! See how special I am? Most people just get sunburned at the beach..I get rainbows. It sucks to be you. :)
Seriously, we had a really good (read childless) time with 2 of our best friends. See how much fun we had? Check out my good buddy below!


Personally, I would have waited for one of the rolling valet racks. But I guess you take what you can get....

We just returned on Friday afternoon from the first week-long vacation we have had in YEARS!!
One whole week at the beach...it was so lovely. I love the Gulf Coast beaches...Panama City Beach has the softest, whitest sand. And for once, the ocean was perfect. The only really bad day was Monday when Tropical Storm Alberto made its presence known. It was really quite fascinating to watch the resort make "hurricane preparations". A few people actually left, but all we got was 20 minutes of rain, overcast skies, and mondo big waves. And around 5:00 PM, check out the picture...a rainbow!
I also got to read three excellent books...
"Aussie Rules" by Jill Shalvis (it was my favorite...lurrrved Bo Black!) Jill is one of my favorite authors...you really should check her out. Seriously.
"Hot Item" by Carly Phillips ( a satisfying end to the "Hot Trilogy") and
"The Good, The Bad and the Undead" by Kim Harrison ( I love her series just about as much as I love Sookie Stackhouse and Merry Gentry!)
Back to the real world on Tuesday. *sigh*
It was nice while it lasted.....

Yes. It's that lovely time of the month when all the males in the house are walking on eggshells and shooting each other sideways looks, rolling their eyes when they think I'm not looking.

It ain't easy being the only female in a house full of testosterone. Was one girl-child too much to ask for? At least I'd have an ally.
Even half the canines in this house are male, so I'm still outnumbered!

I need me some serious beach time.
Ahhh, well. Nothing a Xanax and tequila shooter won't cure......
Instant vacation!

Which Level of Hell is This?

I saw this and immediately thought of Jill Shalvis! This is for you, Jill....