Ernest Paul Bruno ~ aka Grumpy

I want to introduce you to the man that puts a smile on my face everyday ~ Mr. Ernest Paul Bruno, otherwise known as Grumpy ~ trust me, it's not because he's grumpy, he's the total opposite, he's the happiest man I know!

I never believed a love like ours existed until I met him. I was a hard one to crack; I was never able to trust before, I was involved in some horrible relationships in my past, everything from cheating, to emotional & physical abuse. I never thought I deserved to be loved, because all I ever attracted were "losers"! Well, I hit the jackpot with him...he's better than Powerball - I wouldn't trade him for anything!

GOD determines who walks into your life, it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go...

Well, I refuse to let him go. He is a man of so many things, but what I love and admire most is his patience & integrity.

Ernest has stood by me through sickness and health. He gives me the extra "omph" to want to fight and keep going. We make everyday the best day and if we get it wrong, we try again the next.

Ernest, thanks for making my days on this earth the happiest I've experienced thus far!

Ernest Paul Bruno

Memorial Day

My grandfather was in the Korean War & World War II, my dad was a Marine during Vietnam and my boyfriend was in the Navy during the Gulf War. I have several family members that have served this remarkable country... service with pride & dignity.

I'm ashamed how we treat our disabled vets, many struggle to get the benefits they so deserve.

I believe that our service men and women are the true heroes of this nation. I don't condone the war, but I do support our troops and I pray for their safe return.

Please honor those that have died for our country today and always and never forget the value of their life and the selfless act they gave to keep this country safe & free.

Everglades on the Bay

I'm new to this blogging thing. My cousin Becky has a blog called "Becca's Fresh Fruit". She's married to a man in the military, so they tend to travel quite a bit. She uses her blog as a way to keep the family posted and to post pictures of their adventures.

I wanted to start this blog as a way to keep in touch with my family and friends about my crazy, hectic life. I hope I'm disciplined to where I can blog everyday. When you have family and friends that are spread out all over the United States, I'm hoping I can use this as a tool to fill in the gaps of my life. I hope this also saves me some cell phone minutes, and some time. I'm really not a phone person.

As my family and friends know, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in July of 2007. I had surgery in December of 07' to have the cancerous polyp removed and have completed 2 rounds of chemotherapy & 16 weeks of intense radiation. In February of 08', the doctor found another area of concern, and that was when I started radiation. My final round of chemo was completed on May 16, 2008 ~ my birthday. And what a present that was! I have been on a post-operative form of chemo since December. It's an oral pill I take once a day, along with several other medications to keep me balanced, sane and as healthy as I can be for a 35 year old. I'm not going to lie and say that it's been easy or a piece of cake, but I will say that I'm a fighter, and don't count me out just yet.

I think work and the support of my family has been the driving force behind me. I have an amazing job with an incredible company that has been so supportive. I have been able to balance work with my diagnosis and I believe that my job is what has kept me sane since July.

I'm a project manager with the 23rd largest construction company (W.G. Yates Construction Company) in the United States. I'm currently living in Miami where I'm involved with the "Everglades on the Bay", it's a high-rise residentail community that consists of 2 towers at 53 stories each; a total of 849 living units, a parking garage, health center and 6 swimming pools, along with retail spaces that border the circumference of the structure. (see the rendering above) I've been here since March of 2006 and we will be complete by the end of June. I'm going to be in Miami until the end of summer at which time they will me move me on to the next adventure! I can't wait to find out!