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Peace Be Still

DRINK & THINK HOUSE

Ian is an incredible force of wind and rain wrapped up with lots of unknowns…I have placed all of my trust and faith in GOD. It is in his hands. My place and the Store are located on the Caloosahatchie River.

I feel so blessed and fortunate because Monday and Tuesday I was working in Miami. Not knowing what to expect or any idea of what we would be doing with this storm. As I said goodbye to a wonderful team of educators in Miami —they reminded me to reconsider staying in Miami instead of driving towards the storm.

I thanked them and reminded them that GOD brought me to Miami safely and he would return me to Ft Myers safely. GOD orders our steps and our faith delivers us from any evil. I prayed my Psalm 91and headed home. As I drove I could felt peace and not even when the GPS warned of the storm or when my phone began to alert me that in the area I was in there was a tornado —-I continued to feel the peace.

Upon arriving to Ft Myers —I received word that we were under mandatory evacuation. I realized that it would be now or never in getting a room in a hotel so I began to call around. Everything was booked —as I was trying to get a room —I needed to stop and get gas so that I could return the rental car I had used to travel to Miami. Several fo the gas stations had already closed down and had wrapped the pumps. I came across one and based up —this gave me some time to focus on calling for a room. I located a place that only had one room left but it was for only one night……… Never hesitated with booking it and thanked the young lady. I trusted that somehow GOD would provide us a second night of shelter.

I headed to drop off the car and David picked me up. We headed back to the condo to grab a few things and Sonja. We made a stop at WaWa to get dinner and headed to the hotel. While checking in the woman realized I had been her neighbor at the RV park and she sparked a conversation with me. I asked her if she thought we would be able to get a second night because of the storm and she said they were booked but to ask in the morning.

We woke up to hear the storm was gaining more strength and the category would be changed to a 5 —I asked the front desk if we would be able to stay another night and she said she would write down our room number and interest in staying. She remained me they were fully booked but to call later when staff arrived.

I continued to feel the peace within and trust in GOD—about an hour later the front desk called and asked if we were interested in staying another night. I confirmed it but he told me he would let me know later and reminded me to not worry or stress that even if we did not have a room —we would be able to stay in the hotel for shelter. I hung up and shared that with David.

I continued to finish up some work and answer emails and texts from friends and family. Two hours passed and the phone rang—it was the front desk letting me know that a “little birdie had told him —we wanted to stay another night.” I chuckled and said “yes, the birdie is right.” He said you are checked in for another night just come down and let us reactivate the room keys.

My feeling of peace continued…however I realized that we did not have any food for later. LOL. See when I grabbed a few things in my place I grabbed a couple hard seltzers, a wine bottle and my collagen. I never bothered to get any snacks or food….I remembered that hotels have a little market within and walked down since elevators had been shut down since power keeps going in and out. I was so happy to see they had chips and frozen dinners.

The winds and rain continue to intensify but my feeling of peace is still with me. My store ..the condo all of it is in GOD’s hands. Whether the 12-16 ft water surge happens or not I know that GOD brought me to this point and everything has a purpose. He has gone before me and knows that what is ahead I can handle. My God father Guillermo used to tell me —GOD gives us what he knows we can handle and I finally understand those words.

With peace, faith, love and hope —-wishing all of South West Coast Floridians safety and peace.

XOXO,

Paula

Hard Work = Luck

Drink & Think House

The ballet in Philadelphia

As I am off to work on this Labor Day — I can’t help but to remember a statement I read recently…..Gary Player, the nine time Masters Golf Championship winner said “the harder I work, the luckier I get.”  What an incredible statement!

I reflect on my own parents success.  Both came from very humble and poor beginnings.  Their childhood was  plagued with challenges and turmoil….yet, they both reached success.  

People only see the final result of their hard work throughout their  life with the homes, the cars, the vacations and comfortable retirement but what they fail to recognize is that all of it was the result of hard work!

Enjoying Relaxing Summer Days in Cape May

Both only reaching an elementary level of education realized early on they wanted more for my sister and I.  They united to work hard to make that happen.  My father got his GED before my sister was born and my mother agreed to take on the responsibility of the entire household and raising us so my dad could concentrate and focus freely on work.

John’s High School graduation

See my dad worked 6-7 days a week.  Growing up my memories spending  time with my dad are of when we would either vacation or on the off chance he was off because of national legal holiday.  By the way vacation only happened because the factory he worked for would force a close every summer to make adjustments for the new line of vehicles they would be producing in the fall.  My father worked for General Motors in Linden, NJ.  

As you can imagine, he worked long hours at General Motors and as if that was not enough —he also drove a city bus after working many hours at the factory.  My parents knew that one income in the 70s was not enough for them to reach their goal of raising my sister and I with all the potential they never had.  They wanted us to get an education and to attend college! They wanted a better life than the one they had as children and young adults.

My mother sacrificed having a spouse and time as a couple to take care of us, the house, grocery shop, clean, pay bills, school meetings, run my sister and I to all of our extra curricular activities, and take care of anything and everything that needed to be done because my dad was never home or free to do any of it.

I never heard them complain of the hard work they were doing.  They continued to work hard every day….their success or as some might say their luck has been more they could have ever imagined.  They have owned 3 homes, many new cars, countless vacations, catholic education for my sister and I —-eventually experiencing the ultimate culmination of seeing us graduate from college.  

Their dream of seeing us reach all the potential they never had— has been a tremendous success for my parents.  All of it came from their hard work which led them to be luckier than they imagined.

My Grad School Graduation

This value of hard work was instilled in my sister and I at a very young age.  She and I have instilled that value in our children.  But we along with our mother —recognize that with GOD first all things are possible!  With God’s love and awareness of working hard we have been very lucky.

Wishing you all a blessed Labor Day and remember that everyone one of us can be lucky……..with hard work!

With love, faith, and hope!

Paula 

XOXO

Family and Friends…..

DRINK & THINK HOUSE

Christmas Celebration with Family in Jersey 2019

I been so blessed to have family and friends come out to visit and see the store. All anxiously waiting for the opening. I was extremely happy last Friday 1 minute before the end of business —I filed my final application for inspections. It has been a long journey with loops, drops and unexpected highs and lows. One thing that has made this ride fun has been having my family and friends around to vent, cry and toast. As Bette Midler so graciously said “you are the wind beneath my wings.” They truly are!!!!

Christening Celebration with Family in Jersey 2018

I appreciate each and every one of them. As a little girl, I could understand the value of family so early on and as I grew up and began to branch out —-I valued my family even more. Along the way —I learned that people will enter into my life for many different reasons and part when their time is done but those that continue to be with me are my friends. For that I am as well very grateful. My friends are my second family and I value the joy they bring into my life.

When I am with them no matter how much time has gone by since our last time —we pick up right where we left off. Time feels like it has not passed.

Thanksgiving Celebration in Ft Myers 2020

As I count down to the start of a new adventure ——I am so blessed to share this with my family and friends. I recognize that every time we have gathered— whether for happy reasons or sad ones there has always been something constant ……..our enjoyment of a beverage which typically has been accompanied with something to eat big or small this is where my creation of Drink & Think House was born.

Thanksgiving Celebration with family in Miami 2017

See the beverage and snack is just the start —- the laughter, tears and memories are what makes the experience eternal. I always envisioned capturing that feeling in a place where people could come and feel like they are part of our family and welcomed in our home.

Family Vacation with my sister and her family in the Outer Banks, NC 2021

I believe that is what I have created here at Drink & Think House! A place that feels warm, comfortable, relaxing = the feeling of home. With the many pictures of my family and friends displayed through out you will get a sense of how important family and friends are to me.

Family Fun Day at the Jersey Shore, 2021

You will also see many books scattered througout the store along with fun family/friendly games to capture you for a longer stay in our home 🙂 I know that once you get to visit us —you will feel part of our family.

Keep checking in and finding out when our ‘House Warming’ will be.

With love, faith and hope

XOXO

Paula

Maddy my son’s girlfriend, John (my son), Graciela akaGracie and Josh her fiancé.