SUNNY’S SECRET AGENT
The story beyond the product that can clean up your life - if you let it…..
By Sunny Sedlock O’Malley
SUNNY’S SECRET AGENT
Chapter One ……………Wishing On A Star
Chapter Two……………Dreams Do Come True!
Chapter Three …………Nothing Good Lasts Forever
Chapter Four ………… The Turbulent Ride
Chapter Five ………… Life Lessons
Chapter Six ……………Treasured Moments
Chapter Seven …………Sunny’s Secret Agent is YOUR Secret Agent too!
SUNNY’S SECRET AGENT
The story beyond the product that can clean up your life - if you let it…..
Introduction
As I began to write this I am sitting at my desk, listening to a bunch of banging and pounding on the roof of my home. It is now after two on a Saturday afternoon and they began before nine this morning. Two weeks ago (July 25, 2010) a bad storm had suddenly come up, turning the very hot and sunshine filled day to black as night accompanied by extremely high winds. A one hundred foot tree located in my neighbor’s yard broke in two, with the tree landing on my roof, causing thousands of dollars of damage to my home and car.
The silver lining in this dark cloud is that no one was injured – not me, or any one of my ten kitties was scratched………..truly a miracle, especially since I was outside by the car about a minute before the tree fell, closing the car windows.
Now – when I look at the photo album for 2010 – it will not look like any other. The entire year has been a complete BEAR, and 2009 was bad too. Long and short – it is as if God has forgotten about me and turned a deaf ear to my prayers. And really, it wasn’t until RIGHT NOW that He told me just exactly what is going on and why He has sat by and watched these events unfold in my life. So if you have made it this far please stay tuned for the rest of the story. It can change your life in ways you would never imagine……..
This is my true life story of joy and sorrow, prosperity and poverty, and everything in between. Right now I am struggling to make ends meet in this economy. I am late on my bills, renting rooms in my home, and trying to breathe life back in my business while also looking for a salaried position. In addition to owning a business, I am an educated woman with an M.Ed. in counseling and guidance, a licensed realtor and insurance agent. I never expected to be in this position, and you might be feeling the same way about your own situation.
So as I do my best to rise again from the ashes I am telling my story and passing on my own personal survival guide. Please make good use of it. You can order my multi-purpose “green” cleaning product, Sunny’s Secret Agent on my web site, http://sunnydri.com. It will absolutely amaze you with its cleaning power on so many things.
This book is available to you FREE OF CHARGE, because I would never want someone not to have information that could be life changing and/or life saving because they are unable to pay for it. Please use every tool I have given you here to prosper spiritually, financially, and in your health. And please do tell others, because there is something here for EVERYONE.
AND – after you read my story, if you find the information helpful, inspirational, or in any way beneficial to you, please consider sending a donation of any amount to help me get back on my feet. If you have a PayPal account you can easily do this by sending your donation to my email address, EJS11715@aol.com. NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL!!! From the bottom of my heart, thank you and God bless you!
Tree on my home on July 25, 2010
Wishing On A Star
When I was a little girl I loved to gaze at the stars on warm summer nights. They would light up the sky with brightness reassuring me that I could sleep tight and a wonderful new day was in store.
I was very blessed to be born to parents who were happily married, financially stable, and dedicated to making sure that the American Dream would be a reality for me, their one and only child. I learned to read before Kindergarten and did well at school. Mom and Dad always planned that I would go to college and receive a master’s degree, which I achieved just after my 23rd birthday.
But in between all the studies there were some great times. I remember all the special birthdays and Christmases together. When I was in second and sixth grade Mom made me a Halloween Party. That was so much fun.
My mother was extremely talented and creative. She would look at a very expensive designer dress in the store and turn to me and say “I can make that.” And she did! We would leave the store that was selling the dress and go to one of her favorite fabric stores. She would pick out a fabric, buy two or three patterns that she would “modify” and within days the new “designer” dress was ready to wear. People often asked her to sew for them and her answer always was “I only sew for myself and my daughter.”
Mom was a perfectionist and she did not want the pressure of sewing for others. I often told her that she was missing the boat not going into business with her skills and talents – but she stuck to her guns. She could do all kinds of needlework too, and our home is filled with her needlepoint and petty point pillows and crocheted table cloths and doilies. Sadly, I did not inherit one speck of her talent.
My dad was a very healthy and strong person who always exercised (before it was chic) and loved sports. He played baseball and football in his youth, and I learned to love the games by watching them with him. He also loved playing golf, and while I tried to play the game I just did not seem to have the right stuff to become a golfer. He stressed the importance of getting a good education. It was because of my dear father’s influence that I went to college and obtained a master’s degree at an early age.
Every year we went on a family vacation. Dad traveled the world with his work, and when he came home he always went all out to give Mom and me a great time. In 1965 we drove to California from our home in Virginia – almost four weeks of sight seeing, including incredible fun at Disneyland, dancing with Daddy at the Lawrence Welk Show, and sipping a Shirley Temple at the top of The Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. Mind you, I was nine years old. To some, we appeared wealthy, but our wealth was in our love for one another. While we were not “poor” we were by no means “rich.” But – I did not know that nor did it matter. Life was good and even better things were to follow.
My folks told me that as a child I was very into the television commercials. While I really don’t remember most of them, one always did play in my mind………….the old United Airlines commercial that would go “Take me along with you.” Well, you have to be a certain age to remember that one, as well as another one of their commercials in which Hawaii was “our little corner of the world.” To say the least Mom and Dad were well aware of my burning desire to go visit the Hawaiian Islands. On July 27, 1972, less than two months after my 16th birthday Mom and I, flying on United Airlines, met Dad in Honolulu for a three week visit to the islands – Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. It was absolutely a heavenly experience! The moment I stepped off the plane the air smelled so fragrant and fresh………….a beautiful Hawaiian girl greeted my mom and me with beautiful flower leis……….and when we met Dad, who had just arrived from Japan, he presented mom and me with more beautiful flower leis………….it was so wonderful.
That evening when we arrived to our hotel on Waikiki Beach, mom was genuinely tired from the long trip and time change. I was so happy to be in Hawaii I did not want to waste one minute sleeping. So Dad took me walking on Waikiki Beach. The sun had gone down and star gazing was never better! The memories of my first visit to Hawaii are best expressed in the lyrics from Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit song Travelin Man: “I remember the night when we walked in the sand of the Waikiki and I held you oh so tight.”
That trip was the summer of 1972. I did not get back to Hawaii until 1990. I went back with Mom and Dad to our favorite island, MAUI. From 1992 -2007 we made an annual visit to Maui. It is my very favorite destination. The presence of God is always so strong there along with all the love He has for His children.
Dad and me in Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort, October 18, 1996
Dreams Do Come True!
Have you ever experienced something that was so great that it felt like you were living a great scene in a movie? I often had that feeling when I was a student at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA. We had an incredible football team that went undefeated. We were No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the nation. I’m talking about the mighty, mighty Titans of T.C. Williams!
It was an experience I will always remember as simply the best. Even as a teenager living the dream, I can remember feeling that I must be living in a scene from a movie. And – years later, Remember The Titans came to the silver screen. While I am always grateful that this awesome group of young athletes received the recognition they deserved, I am saddened that the racial tension was severely overstated in the film. I remember one day when there was a problem, and the football players served as hall monitors. The players were great, emphasizing that they all got along, the team was winning, and no reason for folks to have problems. And that was the end of it. Every now and then some kids would get into it – but it wasn’t necessarily because of race.
My memories from my high school days are all positive and I consider that time to be the best years of my life. I proudly tell people who ask where I’m from that I hail from Alexandria, VA and that I am one of the Original Titans!
After graduating in 1973 I received a B.A. in Psychology from George Mason University. On my 21st birthday I took my first masters mid-term. Not the way I would have written it, but certainly a worthwhile endeavor. After graduating I worked to help people with physical disabilities. I went into real estate as a licensed realtor, later becoming a property manager. But one of the most enjoyable things I did, where I earned money too, was taking care of people’s pets while they traveled. I met so many sweet people and pets – it was a labor of love from beginning to end. While my services were primarily for “cats only” I did look after doggies, fish, and an occasional gerbil. It was an amazing ride that kept me going strong after I lost my job when the company I was working for was sold in 1989.
I have since worked for the federal government and started my own “dry” carpet cleaning company, Sunny Dri Carpet Cleaning. The product I use is Sunny’s Secret Agent, a fantastic product that has been available in industrial and commercial markets for 20+ years. As holder of private label rights, it is available for purchase on my web site, http://sunnydri.com.
If you go to my web site you will see that the family of Brett Favre endorses my product. People ask me how in the world I got the family of Favre to back Sunny’s Secret Agent. Our family’s friendship was born long before Brett Favre became a living football legend. And yes, I sent samples of Sunny’s Secret Agent down for the family to try. They have achieved great results and their endorsement is not something I paid them to say. They really do use the product and they really do love it.
Nothing Good Lasts Forever
So I‘ve been told – and in that statement there is truth. Everyone, in all walks of life experiences disappointment and sorrow at some time. The important thing to remember is that just as nothing good lasts forever, nothing bad lasts forever too. It only SEEMS like it lasts forever……….
Up to now I have focused on the good stuff in my life………. I touched briefly on the time when I lost my “dream job” as a public relations director with a national real estate firm that was sold by the owners in 1989. Losing a job is never fun, and at that time I had a small, part-time pet sitting service. I took my severance pay and paid two months of my mortgage in advance, and spent a little money to update my brochure and purchase some local ads. For the next six years I ran my pet sitting service from my home. It was totally enjoyable and a wonderful source of income. The only “down” side, and I really have only myself to blame, was that I kept the business small and handled it myself. This made taking time off very difficult.
On October 21, 1992 my telephone rang at 5:00 a.m. It was Dad telling me to come to the house quickly, Mom was not well. I got there in two minutes and the paramedics were already in the house. Mom had a heart attack that morning. Her cardiologist performed angioplasty and gave her a 90 – 95 percent chance of a full recovery. However, she had ventricular rupture late in the afternoon and went to be with the Lord. She had just turned 73 on October 4.
Mom had a history of high blood pressure and 13 years before, she had a double coronary by-pass. She responded well to medication, and even though she had dealt with illness previously, her passing was totally unexpected and very upsetting to Dad and me.
It is now coming up on 18 years since Mom went to be with the Lord. Mom and Dad were devout Catholics and believers in the Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is such a comfort at a time of loss. I knew exactly where she had gone and that she was in Heaven. I will see her again – in His perfect timing. This doesn’t mean that we did not miss Mom or grieve for her. It is just so reassuring to know that He has it covered and all we ever need to do is trust in Him. One of my favorite bible verses is Proverbs 3:5:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”
This verse has gotten me through many tough days. There are many things I do not understand – not even a little bit. People often say that out of bad things something good will come from it. The optimist in me wants to believe that, but really, think about the stuff going on in our country right now that is hurting so many people in so many different ways. What good is coming out of it?
On December 15, 1996 I had gone to pick up house keys for a new client who would be away at Christmas and needed me to pet sit their kitty. The meeting went well and I got in my car and drove to the local shopping center. I went to a restaurant and placed a carry-out order, and went into the drug store to pick up a few other items. I went back to the restaurant, picked up my order, came out, and looked both ways before crossing to get to where my car was parked. No cars were coming, but there was a car parked at the top of the parking lanes, facing me. He did not move. I looked at him and he appeared to be looking back at me. I waited longer, continued to look at him, and he did not move.
So I thought it was OK to go ahead and cross the street. As I proceeded if that same driver of the car that I thought could see me doesn’t drive right in to me, lifting me up on the hood of his car!
I tried to hold on to the hood of the car but fell back into the road. The initial diagnosis in the hospital was soft tissue damage and no fracture. However, they told me to take my x-rays to an orthopedic surgeon. Much to my surprise, the orthopedic surgeon told me my left leg was broken at the knee and that surgery was required. He wanted me to be admitted to the hospital immediately. I told him I could not do that because I had kitty cat clients to feed over Christmas. And so my surgery was delayed to 12/30/1996. I was released from the hospital on New Year’s Eve, vowing that 1997 would be a better year……..
So I spent several months recovering, regaining range of motion in my leg and learning to walk again. While that was strenuous in nature, the worst part is going through the rigors of the legal system. The man who struck me told the responding officer to the scene that he could not see me for the sun in his eyes. However, the officer did not give him a ticket? Why not? Because the accident happened in a parking lot on private property, not subject to involvement by the police department. Therefore it became a civil matter. On January 11, 1999 my case was heard in court with a jury trial. There were no eye witnesses to the accident that came forward on my behalf. The jury ruled in favor of the defendant and I received $0.00 for my injury and the pain and suffering that accompanied it. It was like being hit by a car all over again. The personal pain that came from that verdict is unspeakable and something that I would wish on no one. It greatly affected my health and I began a slow decline that led to a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2001. Sick all the time, I left my job on disability.
By this time Dad was still doing very well. He continued to maintain his home and led an active lifestyle. Toward the end of 2000 at the age of 85, there were slight changes in Dad’s health. An avid golfer, he began to experience weakness in his legs in the knee area. He continued doing life as usual, but the condition slowly deteriorated to the point where he occasionally needed help to his car with his groceries. One day in June, 2002, I happened to be at the same shopping center where Dad had been shopping, and I found him sitting on a bench outside the store with his grocery cart. I said, “Why are you sitting down?” He replied, “My legs just gave out. The folks inside the store wanted to call an ambulance, but I told them all I needed was to sit down and rest for a while and I’ll be fine.”
This was our wake up call that something may really be wrong. Like many men, Dad wasn’t into making a doctor appointment. After many discussions, I talked him into seeing a neurologist. The neurologist, a very nice man, sent him for all kinds of tests, including an extensive blood work-up. The blood test showed elevated levels of IgA Lambda Monoclonal Gammopathy – an indicator that multiple myeloma (bone marrow plasma cancer) may be present, and thus, the cause of the weakness in Dad’s legs.
We were referred to a hematologist/oncologist for further testing that included a metastatic bone survey and biopsy, which proved that multiple myeloma was indeed present. The suggested protocol was low dose chemotherapy (melphalan and prednisone) along with Aredia (via intravenous injection) and possibly radiation therapy. We received the diagnosis on October 8, 2002. Dad was then 87 years old, and in just two weeks we were scheduled to leave on a three week vacation.
Dad rejected it all. He said he wasn’t taking any of that medicine, period. There is nothing more devastating than to hear the news that your loved one has an incurable and terminal disease. It’s like nothing I’ve ever known. There was only one way I could address the situation and that was, and continues to be prayer and faith. In this enlightened age of advanced technology, I believed there must be something out there that could effectuate healing; my job, with God’s help, was to find it. Thankfully, my prayers were answered.
On October 10, 2002, two days after receiving the diagnosis, I turned on my computer and entered these words: “Natural Healing of Multiple Myeloma.” Many potential sites came up on my screen, and many of them appeared unreliable. However, one site did come up that appeared to be authentic. It was the Centre for Integrated Healing, located in Vancouver, BC. It was on these web pages that I read about low dose naltrexone (LDN) and that it had helped people with multiple myeloma, other cancers and autoimmune diseases. It also had a link to the low dose naltrexone web site. I clicked on the link, and there I found the most meaningful information I have ever found in an internet search. I learned about Dr. Bernard Bihari in New York City and the wonderful results he is having with patients taking low dose naltrexone. I printed the information and showed it to Dad. He liked what he saw and told me to go ahead and pursue it.
I called Dr. Bihari’s office after his office had closed, and left a passionate message about my dad’s situation and that I would do anything in this world to save his life. The following day, Dr. Bihari’s nurse called, and told me the doctor was willing to accept my dad as his patient. Since we do not live near New York City, we had all of my dad’s test results faxed to Dr. Bihari’s office. Then, on October 15, 2002, Dr. Bihari, through a telephone consultation, reviewed Dad’s tests results, confirmed the diagnosis, and prescribed LDN, 4.5 mg to be taken nightly between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Dr. Bihari called in the prescription to Irmat Pharmacy in New York City, and they promptly sent it to us via Federal Express. It arrived the afternoon of October 17, 2002, and that was the beginning of the road to recovery for Dad.
Dad followed this protocol ever since, and two years later, at the age of 89, there appears to have been no disease progression. His most recent tests indicated changes suggestive of remission. Dad’s legs remained weak in the knee area as before, he used a cane to walk, but his overall quality of life was very good. This is the miracle I prayed for and I thank God every day for Dr. Bernard Bihari, his wonderful staff, and Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).
Since writing this testimonial for inclusion in the Low Dose Naltrexone Manual my dear father developed respiratory failure and joined the Lord on March 20, 2006. He was 91 years old. I continue to take LDN for chronic fatigue syndrome and will be forever grateful for the blessing of finding Dr. Bernard Bihari and the miracle of Low Dose Naltrexone. On May 16, 2010, Dr. Bihari passed away at age 78. His legacy of saving and enriching lives will be forever remembered by his grateful patients and physicians who continue to follow his protocol by prescribing LDN.
To learn more about LDN, please visit the Low Dose Naltrexone web site, http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org. You can also view presentations from five years of Annual LDN Conferences here in the United States. Go to youtube.com and type in LDN Conferences and you will find presentations by researchers, physicians, and advocates (including me). LDN can save your life or the life of someone you love.
DAD at Jamieson's Grill & Bar,11/20/2003
The Turbulent Ride
Those of you that travel by plane are probably used to hearing the flight attendant suggest prior to take-off that you “keep your seat belt fastened just in case we experience any unexpected turbulence.” Well, from where I sit there are many in this country right now experiencing unexpected turbulence in daily living situations. With a slowed economy, unemployment, rising foreclosure rates, terrorist threats and war – we all better have our seat belts fastened tight.
So what happens when you lose your job or your business? How do you survive in these tough times? I have had to learn very quickly because I am in just that predicament right now. Here’s what I have learned:
I am still waiting for my loan modification due to a technicality in which I did not fill out a form properly. NO ONE from the mortgage company wrote or called to tell me this, I had to learn by calling them myself. So tomorrow I will re-submit the whole package. Yes, it is a total pain and I hate it, but I recommend it to everyone who has a home they love, want to keep, but are having trouble making the payments due to financial hardship.
3) Back to paying your monthly mortgage. Your home is your most valuable asset. Do you have a room or two that you could rent or sublet? There are many people who are looking to rent rooms/basements/garages and this can help you keep your home. I am renting rooms in my home now. If you do decide to go this route, PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!! While most of my renters have been good I did have one horrific experience. My mistake was compromising on price to help the brother of a friend. The final result included an eviction and the end of a friendship. ALWAYS get a signed lease, security deposit, and one month’s rent before the renter takes occupancy in your home. VERIFY the renter’s work history and be sure they are employed before they take residency in your home.
4) Do you have a special skill or product you can offer in exchange for a service? I cleaned the floors and carpets of a large animal hospital to pay for my dear Murphy’s dental surgery. Murphy is a dear sweet kitty who will be 10 years old on 10/10/10. He suffered with stomatitis for months, and I went with the less expensive and less permanent treatments that would help him be more comfortable in the short run. In desperation I offered to clean the floors and carpets – or whatever they wanted me to do to help Murphy feel better. The very kind doctor allowed me to do the floors and carpets as payment to have Murphy’s teeth removed, for which I am extremely grateful! Murphy now feels and looks great. I have assured the folks at the animal hospital that they now have a friend for life in me and that I will be happy to clean for them anytime they need it – free of charge.
Before you give up, think about what you can offer to someone in exchange for their services. You might be surprised by the result.
You’re right, I don’t, but here’s what I do know ………..
Even though He saw me get hit by a car, He blessed me with the ability to recover.
Even though the jury sided with the defendant in the case of my injury, He gave me new ideas, allowed me to discover new talents, and blessed me with the love and support of my family and friends to see me through it.
Even though my dear father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, (bone marrow plasma cancer) that is incurable and terminal, He led me to the treatment that put the disease in remission.
Even though Dad and Mom are with Him now, I can rest assured that I will see them again in Heaven because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Even though my creditors call me every day and I cannot pay my bills and I am in dire straits financially, I have joy and peace knowing HE is in control and my best days remain ahead of me.
Have you trusted Jesus Christ to be your personal savior? All you need to do is say Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I take you as my Lord and Savior. Please help me grow in my walk with you. Please help me see the silver lining in every dark cloud that surrounds my life. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen
You may not feel any differently today, tomorrow, or a month later…….but keep on talking to Him and open your heart, your mind, and your spirit to His love. He will change your life for the better.
Life Lessons
Up until this year I had excellent credit. I always paid my all bills on time, often without any balance on my credit cards. Those who know me well know that I don’t go to the mall. I buy basic “classic” clothes that last for years and don’t go out of style.
My first car was my 18th birthday present from Mom and Dad. It was a brand new 1974 Buick Riviera. I loved that car and kept it for 33 years. The last time I bought a car it was in 2002. Fortunately I do not have a car payment, but only taxes and insurance in addition to fuel and maintenance.
My mother was a stay at home mom who knew the value of a dollar. She could make just about anything with a needle and thread, and beyond clothing she made curtains, draperies, table covers, and even recovered lamp shades! She would say to me, “Daddy works hard for this money, and we must do whatever we can to conserve it and spend wisely.”
Grounded in those principles, I have tried to spend wisely. I believe that we all must take responsibility for our life and destiny. I never had an adjustable rate mortgage, and never got a loan without first being pre-approved. I am struggling now because I don ot have a salaried position and my business, like many small businesses, does not produce enough work to keep up with my expenses. And – that is why I am financially broke. So – what have I learned in all of this:
OK – there are the “lessons” But none of this answers the question: HOW DO I/WE GET OUT OF THIS MESS?
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
First: Define your special skills and abilities.
This is a very short and inconclusive list that I hope will get you thinking about what you have to offer that could be a way to make some money.
Second: Find a need and fill it!
Get out there with your business cards and flyers to your local churches, restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops. Spread the word that you are available to help on short notice and even for a very short duration. I have worked for my neighbors as a pet sitter and personal care attendant over the course of the last 25 years. If I really wanted to make a career of it, I would contact local caregiver organizations and apply for their positions. Since my accident in 1996 I have drastically reduced my pet sitting serving area. This can be a wonderful source of income as well as a very enjoyable way to make money with a flexible schedule on an interim basis.
Since I have been looking for a salaried job for more than a year without getting one, I recently joined the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. This is an amazing chamber that is now 800 strong due to the great leadership that has transformed this organization to being the hottest place to be for businesses in my area.
Check out your local Chamber of Commerce. You might find a whole new career!
Third: DON’T BE TOO PROUD TO ASK FOR HELP!
I know how embarrassing it is not to have any money! Right now I am behind in paying every one of my bills…………..and believe me, either writing it or saying it is like being punched in the gut. I have told my creditors that I would rather have been told I had cancer than be in financial ruin. And I mean it. Not earning money is like dying a slow death. The only difference is that people typically have mercy on the sick but look upon those who cannot pay their bills with disdain. That said, who in their right mind wants to admit to the world that they are in serious financial trouble? NO ONE. But – here I am telling you my story…….you must be wondering why I would subject myself to such humiliation.
So here it is: Yet again I was asking God to please help me with this out of control downward spiral financial situation. I also went deeply into asking Him why He had allowed this to happen this way. I asked His forgiveness – because I must have done something very wrong in the way I conducted my life to be unable to generate business and not get a job. I asked Him what I had done to offend Him – because He has shown me His mercy and provision so many times before. He answered my prayer to find an effective treatment for Dad’s cancer other than chemotherapy and radiation – within two days of the diagnosis. He had answered my prayer to help me find an earring that was a favorite that had been missing for months – by giving my foot a burning sensation that I just had to bend down and take off my shoe and rub my foot. In doing so, I saw the tip of the earring just barely visible in the grass and covered in mud! And how could such a loving Father – who reached out to me two weeks and two days prior to calling my dear dad home to be with Him – telling me He would be taking Dad home and that everything would be all right – how could such a great God who cares about everything that matters to me watch me fall into financial ruin seemingly without any assistance?
And here is what He told me: He said He has blessed me with many gifts and I am to use all of them now. One of these gifts is the ability to write. He told me to put my story down on paper…….because there are so many people who are in a similar situation now. They need to know they are not the only ones who are struggling. He told me that He was allowing me to go to this level of low to use my brokenness to help His children. By telling my story He is using me to encourage others and to let folks know He loves you – no matter what is going on in your life. In these tough times He is there to listen to your problems and help you find solutions. He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
I have been a follower of the television ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta. Dr. Stanley always tells us what I consider to be the greatest Life Lesson: “Obey God, leave all the consequences to Him.” Writing this book is an act of obedience to Him. While I enjoy writing, telling my personal story is stepping out of my comfort zone. I am a quiet, private person who minds my business and expects others to do the same. But God has instructed me to put my story in print so others may benefit. And so be it.
Some Problem Solving Solutions Worthy of Inquiry
People: If anything I have said here makes sense, write and call your elected representatives. Tell them you want them to take the lead in making such changes effective. You are not helpless. VOTE! As I write this we are less than 80 days to an election. PAY ATTENTION TO THE CANDIDATES. EVALUATE WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO.
You are one person; I am one person. Together, we are many. Never under estimate the power of one!
Treasured Moments
In September 2005 we moved to a wonderful home that featured just about everything on the main floor. Dad was unable to climb stairs and it became necessary to have the bedrooms, kitchen, and living areas on one floor. So on September 29, 2005 we moved to a grand home in a community called Villamay. We have a winter river view of the Potomac once the trees lose their leaves. It is a wonderful place where I hope to live until God calls me home.
The people who owned the house before us were great folks who took exquisite care of the property. They had beautiful, high grade, white wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the bedrooms. I asked our realtor if the carpet was brand new or professionally cleaned and he said no, they are just immaculate people.
I have a favorite saying that “Everyday is Christmas Day in Villamay” – and with that, Dad and I had 100 Christmases together. We had a house warming party two days before Christmas, he appeared to be doing well and we were so happy. Two days later Dad said he wasn’t feeling good, and he seemed disoriented. I called 911 and they took Dad to the hospital. The following day he went to intensive care and was on a respirator. The doctors tried to prepare me for the worst. A blood clot had traveled to Dad’s lung. The prognosis was bleak.
I called and emailed everyone I knew and asked them to pray for Dad. I spent as much time as I could by his bedside, playing his favorite music and praying. About a week later, Dad came off the respirator, and in another week, he was released home. While I was overjoyed to have him back at the house, Dad came home on oxygen and with a nasty bedsore. He was unable to care for himself.
Days later Dad celebrated his 91st birthday on 1/17/2006. Even though he spent the day in bed it was a happy day for both of us. Our house was filled with visitors from physical therapy, nurses, and a wonderful lady named Dolly who lives in the neighborhood and helped me take care of Dad.
About a month later one of the visiting nurses felt that Dad should be checked by the doctor as he had a fever, and he was transported via private ambulance to Alexandria Hospital. Dad was there for just about a month when the doctor decided to let him go home.
I welcomed Dad home as always. This time, we had a very special bed that was called the “cadillac” of beds designed for someone who needed to recover from a bedsore. It was large and motorized, and cost $100.00 a day, as neither medicare nor private insurance would pay for it. One afternoon when I went to change Dad, I realized there was a change in his condition. I called his doctor and the ambulance came and transported him back to the Alexandria Hospital on 3/15/2006. Dad was admitted to a regular room. He wanted me to bring him a strawberry milkshake from Baskin Robbins. And so I came to the hospital with a large strawberry milkshake. He loved it.
Dad seemed very tired and slept a lot. His voice seemed muffled. On March 18, 2006 I visited him in the morning and again late in the evening. The doctors and nurses were very generous in letting me visit him before and after regular visiting hours.
That night I asked Dad if he was ready to go to sleep and he said he was – and before I turned the lights off, he put his arms out to me and hugged and kissed me. He told me how much he loved me and thanked me for everything.
This really was not unusual, as we always said good night with “I love you.” The next morning, I left the house at 7:30 a.m. to go to Dad’s room and he was not there. He had just been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as the nurse had found that he had stopped breathing.
In ICU I found Dad on a respirator, fully conscious, and being administered the Last Rites of the Catholic Church. The doctors and nurses all said the end was near. I was given three options: 1) Turn off the respirator and let him go; 2) Maintain the current level of care; 3) Increase the level of care. The doctors told me all the increases would not save him, and while recommending I turn the respirator off, they understood my position that for me, to turn off the respirator would be the equivalent to playing the role of God. It was something I could not do, and so I made the decision that the treatment level would remain the same for the next 72 hours. If necessary, I would revisit my decision.
Forty hours following my decision Dad went to be with the Lord. He was conscious and able to communicate through his eyes and squeezing my hand until about an hour before his passing. I asked the doctor what signs to look for so I would know the end was coming. At approximately 10:27 p.m. on 3/20/2006, Dad was breathing his last. I put my arms around him and said, “Welcome home Daddy – you are with Jesus now. Welcome home!”
Please don’t think this was not a time of enormous sadness for me. I miss Dad everyday. But I know exactly where Dad is – in Heaven with Our Lord and Savior. His health is fully restored. He is alive and well and I will see him again, when the Lord sees fit to call me home. For me, I have work to do, and every day I strive to honor God and fulfill His plan for my life.
Sunny’s Secret Agent is YOUR Secret Agent too!
In 2008 I started Sunny Dri Carpet Cleaning. I wasn’t trying to start a business, but simply take care of something that no one else seemed to be able to correct. After Dad joined the Lord at the age of 91, I had some very difficult stains in white, wall to wall carpeting. First, I tried cleaning with store bought carpet cleaning products with no results. When I had the wet/steam carpet cleaners, the stains diminished but returned within ten days of the cleaning - only to look worse than ever.
Through extensive research I learned about a dry carpet cleaning process using the Brush and Clean system. I decided it was worth trying, and since I could not find anyone in the Metro DC area offering this type of service, I decided to purchase the system and try it myself.
I cleaned those carpets to look like new again. I shared my knowledge with friends who were delighted with the results I obtained for them. One person in particular really encouraged me to take my new found talents and start a business. So I advertised on local talk radio station AM 630 WMAL. Wow! The calls were coming in from all over the region, and business in 2008 was great. I was so happy. Of all the jobs I have done, cleaning the carpets was absolutely the most fun I ever had on the job. The “fun” comes from being able to take something that appear hopeless and turn it around in a short amount of time. So many things in life take a long time either to do or to see a result. I was able to make a difference in someone’s life very quickly, usually saving them time and money. What could be better than that?
Well, something rather amazing happened right out of the blue. The owner of the Brush and Clean Corporation asked me if I would like to have private label rights for one of my favorite cleaning products. I could not believe my ears. What an opportunity! To be able to market the very best “green” multi-purpose cleaning agent – a product that has been used on commercial and industrial markets for more than 20 years – WOW! How could I not go for it?
And so – “Sunny’s Secret Agent” made its debut on my web site in the Fall of 2008, right about the time Lehman Brothers went belly up. A 32 oz bottle sells for $19.95. It comes with an empty 32 ounce plastic mixing container with a trigger sprayer so purchasers can mix and dilute to the needed strength. The next series of radio ads touted the product and how folks could do a professional cleaning at home for a fraction of the cost.
But even with the ads – my business “shook” during the first signs that the country was heading for some serious financial trouble. By Thanksgiving and Christmas, business seemed to be back on track, and continued through January and February of 2009. Then in March, 2009, _______________flat line _____________no calls, no business, and the beginning of my financial problems.
Today, I am just as enthused about marketing Sunny’s Secret Agent as I was in 2008. What I need is a financially sound business partner who wants to invest in some advertising to get sales rolling. I have presented my information to a well known and respected infomercial maker. Right now, they are testing the product for possible inclusion on one of their retail channels. And right now, I am bringing my product to you, the reader, who probably has something they cannot clean, but would rather restore it than buy something new.
If you have something you have not been able to successfully clean, please visit my web site, http://sunnydri.com. I have a home grown video for you to watch. Some tell me it is too long (10 minutes) and not “professional” looking. But here is what I did: I deliberately spilled chain saw sprocket oil, red wine, and coffee on the white wall-to-wall carpet in my family room. Then I cleaned it with Sunny’s Secret Agent using a hair brush.
Afterwards, I spilled red wine and coffee on my favorite cotton nightshirt – spot treated it, and cleaned it in the washing machine. In both situations, the stains came out without excessive effort. Sunny’s Secret Agent is the product that every household needs on the shelf before the spills/stains happen. The longer something remains stained the harder it is to remove. When you have Sunny’s Secret Agent you can relax and enjoy your home with peace of mind, knowing that when something needs to be cleaned you can get the job done and make everything look new again.
“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5
I wrote here earlier that I so enjoyed cleaning carpets because I was able to restore and renew the appearance, much to the joy and gratitude of the client. For some reading this they are waiting for the part where I lecture on right and wrong, good and evil and who is deserving of God’s blessings and those who can expect His wrath.
Sorry to disappoint those who have been waiting for that segment, because it is not happening here. My message is that God loves you and He will meet you where ever you are in life. He is ready to embrace you, walk with you, and guide you through the valley and celebrate with you at the mountaintop. As His servant I would be remiss if I did not tell you that just as my product cleans the toughest stains and restores just about everything to being like new, Jesus Christ will clean you up and restore your life as you are born again in Him.
My product is called “Sunny’s Secret Agent.” But my lifelong “secret agent” is no secret at all. He is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let Him be your “secret agent” too. You will have peace that goes beyond all understanding. He will take you places you’ve never imagined – because with Him, all things are possible. Matthew 19:24-26
Aloha and Mahalo,
Sunny Susan Marie Sedlock O’Malley
Sunny’s Resource List
Please feel free to check out these resources and add as you wish to your list of favorites. Some will be destinations and others will be a first stop on a journey in continued learning and growth If you have a need that is not addressed here please feel free to email me at EJS11715@aol.com. I will do my best to respond to your question in a timely manner.
Alternative Treatment for Cancer, MS, and many other illnesses and disease:
Low Dose Naltrexone: http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
Barter Services:
Breast Cancer Information and Support:
http://www.deannafavre4hope.com
Business Building and Entrepreneurial Services:
Best Solutions Consulting, LLC
http://bestsolutionsconsulting.com
Caring for an elderly or disabled person:
Also be sure to check out your local city or county government web site for free and low cost programs that may be available to you.
Cleaning Solutions:
Christian Bible Study
Andrew Wommack Ministries, http://www.awmi.net
Dr. Charles Stanley http://www.intouch.org
Compounding Pharmacies:
http://www.leesburgpharmacy.com
http://www.skipspharmacy.com Be sure to check out Skip's section on LDN for pets
Converting air miles to free airfare/hotel/car rental:
Visit the web site of the carrier with whom you are registered to earn air miles. Go the use miles section and follow the appropriate links. For example, if your air miles are with United Airlines, go to http://www.united.com
Credit Information and Counseling:
Free Stuff:
Health and Wellness:
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
http://www.proactivwellnesscenters.com
Judeo Christian Messianic Bible Teaching
http://www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com
Look For A Job:
Pancreatic Cancer Treatment:
Pet Sitters and Pet Sitting:
National Association of Professional Petsitters
Property Management:
Community Associations Inc.
Unwanted or Unplanned Pregnancy:
Weight Loss (Medical Weight Loss Program):
http://www.proactivwellnesscenters.com