3, 2, 1 ......Happy New Year!

When the ball drops tonight and I am deep in a dream snoozzin away, I wish you all a year filled with love, laughter and light heartedness. May you and your familes be blessed with 365 days of happiness. Happy New Year to all! WOW it's almost 2007! Remember Y2K! That seemed so long ago..........

Hugs are wonderful.....

This TEST was "How do you communicate?"
Well here it is I SURE AM A HUGGY PERSON< this I already know. When I am being told a story face to face I like to hear it and let the person know I am 100% interested and attentive to what they are saying. I also like to let people know I DO CARE! I love attention so I like to give it back whole heartedly........

You Communicate With Your Body
This isn't as bad as it sounds, it just means that you're a "touchy-feely" person.You need a lot of affection in your life. And for you, this means both giving and receiving little touches.Warm hearted, you bond with people easily. In fact, you often feel a little sad when you're not in the company of others.A little moody, you tend to be controlled by your emotions. But a bit hug always comforts you!

New Stuff!

Don't you just LOVE when you have something new? Well I sure do! I have a brand new hairdryer that works fabulous. My hair takes forever to dry despite that it is almost shoulder lenght. It is really thick and Michaels cousin who cuts it is like here we go again when it is time to dry. So my old dryer was crap, it would dud out and have to be shooken voilently and them you had to blow into it to make it get cool. It was not a fun task in the morning so I changed my routien to the pm. Now I can have the am's back. This dryer has many functions and Ions that help dry faster and less damage.....Let me tell you it is a pleasure. As for the other new item that makes life a pleasure, the Shark Iron. WOW this thing presses with one glide and makes the best creaces in the clothes. My other 7 year old iron took water by the gallons to keep it hot and them needed to rest if you did too much with it. It was also on the fritzts. I am the Iron Queen so this type of item is like a novelty not a chore when using. If the item makes it easier it is not as bad of a task. So off I go to make all our clothes smooth and crisp without starch. This iron ROCKS!.........Yes I am that excited about an iron and a hairdryer, it doesn't take alot to make me happy HUH!

The Fish!

This is a story with a moral, take it at face value OR look to the deeper meaning. .....There was a boy who grew up wanting for many things....Mostly all aspects of his life were broken. No father, lived in a welfare housing project, never had new stuff all hand me downs. Well one day the boy is out in the alley of his building and he comes across a bowl, never did he see such a perfect piece of glass, not a flaw to be found. This bowl was spotless and seemed to be the greatest treasure the boy ever saw; could it be to good to be true he tought? While looking up and down the alley the boy found no reason to leave this perfect gift there so he took it with much thanks and pride to have such a wonderful possession og his own. FOr days he glazed hour after hour thrugh the clean, clear glass. One day it came to him, "let me find some sand and put it in my bowl. After the sand he took some tree branches and positined them just so to make his "world" in the bowl look just right. The bowl slowly became his creation og a "perfect place". He then came across a tin can that seemed to have no dents. He took it cut it in half and made a tunnel in the bowl. He also put pretty colored stones from the ocean near by to make this place the best place he ever saw. The boy wanted so badly to put fish in this place of perfection but knew that his mother, who worked many long hours just to poor some food on the table and pay the bills could never spare but even a dime. He put himself to work again as th ecold days grew short. He made his way to stores when it snowed and offered to shovel for even just a few cents to earn money for the fish he longed for. The day came early in the spring when his hard worked payed off. He made his long journey all alone to the pet store far from his neighborhood beacause a pet store would not stay in buisness in such a poor area of town. The residence of his area could never spare any extras t ofeed animals let alone themselves. Holding the bag of fish that are finnaly in his reach he placed them ever so lovingly in the "perfect" place he created for them. Once again hour after hour he stare into the bowl loving the creation he gave them, BUT for what it was worth they just would not swim through the can tunnel made by the boy. In his toughts he had the notion when creating the world he would give them a place to have to be in a peacful place and go there from time to time to be at one with creation. He said to his mother after many days of longing to see the fish go into the tunnel "why won't they go to the place that I set aside for them to be closest with the creation?" The mother told him "I think if you could turn into a fish and go to the bowl and give them the GOOD NEWS of the peace place them they would maybe, hopefully chose to go there".......God sent His son to us to be able to give us the Good News that there is a better place, a place that we can choose to or not choose to be apart of...I pray that this world chooses to be apart of the perfect place He has sent for us....God Bless and Merry Chirstmas.........All my Love Stephanie

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.....

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tiding to you and blessings to all. May all of your wishes come true and may the angels always be protecting you. Make memories that last, this Christmas and past. Have family and friend time, chesish the good times. Give thanks to above for the bestest gift of love.

To shy to show off his talent.....

Today at Ryans school there will be a 3 hour time set aside for the school (grades 4-6, Ry is in 5th) children to show off their talents in front of everyone on stage. A student can pair up with a friend or go solo. Of course my RY is way to shy to have an entire school, teachers and all watch his awesome talent for drawing or even his Lego building skills. At drop off today (much more crowded than regular, parents had to drive b/c bus ride limits items taken on the bus) there were so many bags and boxes being brought in by the kids who are more than willing to display their talents. Ry is just not one of them who does not like to be ohed and ahed at, nor does he like to be the center of attention, just like his mother, NOT! I am ok with that but just wish he were as proud of his talents as Michael and I are as well as his big brother. Stephen draws well but still goes to Ry when he needs that extra look of finish in his drawing. (They do not get that skill from me, I have seen first graders draw better than I do) For a week now I can hear Stephen telling Ryan "why not just bring in some stuff, or take in some Lego things to show". Then Ryan comes to us and says "he is making me do it", We are like huh? he is being encouraging. Well, we did not push the issue. This morning Ryan told us about one of the boys in his Lego Robotics before school program who is taking in one of the creations the class did. Ryan thinks that they should all take the credit b/c four boys put the work into it. So we told Ry to speak up and say something. Once again not an agressive kid and he keeps his words to himself. So I am dying to hear the story if the other 2 boys go to boy # 1 and say "hey we all created that".....Then maybe Ry will pipe in with "yeah me too" //////Oh well what can a parent do but keep sending the positive vibe and encouragment to thier children and accept them for who they are......I love you dearly my creative Ry Ry........

It sucks to see your loved ones get old...

As you all know I am an extreamly positive upbeat always happy gal. (Maybe not when it snows and we have to be somewhere) I am very excited that Christmas is coming and lots of joy is on the way back in the back of my mind I can not stop thinking of Nana T. Thanksgiving was the first Holiday that she had to stay in the home. She is in an Italian/Catholic famous nusing home. (on the hill is a hugh cross and the Madonna Nation Shrine graces the Don Orione Home, it is on the way to Logan Airport: all you have to say is the lighted cross on the hill and people say "oh thats what that is") She has been there for 7 years now and was able and with it up until recent. We would have fun going to lunch with her in Wintrop ( the place I mentioned that Normie and I would go to as young gals) for chicken cutlet parm subs. She swears up and down the food is horrible in the home. I am sure it is not the best but it is really not bad for nursing home standards. She went in there an average size older woman, she was always really slim and put together. One year after being there she gained tons of weight from eating all the cookies and candies as well as goodied we would take to her. Funny that we had to buy new clothes (bigger sizes) and donate her slimmer clothes to the other women who may still fit in them. These days she has lost her will to eat and claims everything is aweful, even her beloved jelly beans. She could eat them by the pund and knew when we would buy the cheep ones and not Jelly Belly Brand. Seven years ago we had to come to the realization sh eneeded all day care b/c she lost her site to something degeerative blah blah ....She had very little worng with her and was the one at the Don that took care of all the other ladies and men that we so worse off than she was. This August the nurse told me she is not the same Theresa like before and do not expect it to get any better than this. Well I am sad to say it has gotton so so so very worse. It is a heart braker to see the women who let me drive her car with a permit and take me here there and everywhere growing up and now is in a constant state of cluelessness.......She is confused when we see her and is so frail that you are scared to touch her in fear you may bruse her. On Thanksgiving morn I left there with a waterfall of tears knowing she HAD to stay there and not be with us b/c we were told we can not risk taking her out of there anymore b/c of her psyical and mental condition. Every year she comes here for Christmas dinner. The last time she was here we had her 85th birthday party at my house with a few close family members last Jan. 31. Since that time we took her out 2 x's and it was a very argous task with her condition and came to the realization it is just not possible. I feel so mean to leave her ther on the holidays and it breaks my heart that we go for a while then have to say bye. Every tim eI hear the song "I'll be home for Christmas" it takes my mind to the place of no she won't/////It is killing me mentally. I have to be strong and remember old age happens and it is a part of life. It is out of my hands. But I refuse to like it not one bit.....I am sure all of you have seen it, it sucks to see your loved ones get old! (Sorry for the harsh word SUCKS>>>>>but no other adj could express how I feel...

The Danvers Explosion

Today the Town of Danvers will be having a Christmas Party for the people who were affected by the explosion the day before Thanksgining. There are @ 90 children who are displaced at this time as well as their families. It is hard to deal with that at any time but it is the Christmas Season. I am proud to say that Build A Bear will be donating bears and goodies from the great thinking of our generous and loving Dana (Cheif Bear in charge). It was so nice that Bearquarters approved of it also. I am heading to help set the bears up. I am so happy to make magic and be able to put some bear huggin' and lovin' in the arms of those children. I ask of you one thing, stop take a moment to look around and give thanks for the loved ones that surround you. Who is the reason for the season? You know that answer. No store bought gift can replace the gift of eturnal life and love that was sent to us 2006 years ago in a manger under the brigest star that ever shown...........

It went well today ....BL (Bear Leader, Dave), myself and Pam, a wonderful young gal who has lots of spunk and creativity were honored to help out today. I can not imagine what these people are going through. The ones who ran the event were so up beat and loving to their fellow neighbors. You can see just how close the people from Danversport are. It was nice to see support like that and give smiles to all. So glad I got my warm fuzzy holiday feelings ..........

The face of an angel......

I tried to post this yesterday but Blog lost it and I was in a hurry to go to hockey practice after having been out ALL day and needed Michael to get take out because our day was so hectic. I was angry about them loosing it because it was such a special story. here goes Again...Hope Blog does not X this one....

Yesterday while working the busy crowd a face of an angelic person approached me. I kid you not. She has this "Touched By and Angel" glow to her. Almost likeshe had this peace about her. Her head was covered by this beautiful white angora hat and made her face look even more preety than it was. Smiling and offering her my help we went around the store and got some cute things for her daughters 5 and 7. She told me my help ment so much to her and I as always make it known how much I love doing what I do and do not mind at all. As we were gliding about the store (at this point I got to focus on her for a bit b/c at noon it always seems to die down b/c of luch time) I had in my head boy is it warm out today she must be so hot with that hat on in here b/c the mall and our store always seems to be so very hot to the point I want to run outside and get some air, a dry stale heat. Once we got to the register it hit me and I noticed close up she had lost her lashes and eyebrows and hair. I had to pull back the tears, in that split second I pictured the 2 girls and a loving husband having to go through this as well as her going through suck an aweful illness. When I greeted her before our time in the store I said hello hope your day is going well are you lookin for anything inparticular. She did say this is a good day and I said I am glad to hear that with my big Stephie smile. It did not register to me till that moment what she meant by a good day today. One of the many I hope she will have while fighting to see her girls grow up and become women someday. I have always had the fear ever since I was 10 and first had to deal with cancer at home with my beloved Papa Steve,when he lost his hair, even though there was not a hugh bunch despite he was 62. His battel was a long one and it was really like I lost a father b/c he was the only father I ever knew.I don't know why to me I do not think I would have the strenght to have the out ward appearence of me change. I know I would be greatful to be alive despite my hair loss but still fear like the 10 year old from 25 years ago that I would have no hair. I continued to have a wonderful time with this guest and loved the peace and calmness she alouded (sp) for our short time together. I still see her pure angelic complection with green as grass eyes and the smile of heaven shining through to my inner most spirtial being. She really made a mark on my heart. I went out back after for a bit to clear my eyes because after she left I filled up with emotion and needed to pull it together. I hope that she herself is being guarded by the love of God and the angels and can glow to others the glow I got to see.

Tick Tock Tick Tock......

The time is a tickin' Just 12 more days.......

Valley League Roundup Hockey News

.....Alex Vieweg scored twice, Jordan Blatti had 1-1-2 and Jake Rogers and Kyle DeCologero both set up a pair in Methuen’s 4-2 win over Newburyport; and Peter Villani pitched a shutout and Stephen Raf.... set up two goals in Masco’s 3-0 win over North Reading.


This is an excert from the VL Roundup news letter fromone of the leagues that Stephen is on. This week he was mentioned because the game they played with the North Reading team was a shut out. The NR program is one of THE BEST around here and we all know from past experience it is hard to beat that team t any level. It was nice to have a shut out against a hard team to beat and it was just as nice knowing Raf 77 got a mention. Just wanted to share.....GO Raf!

When at the games and people yell Raf! the REF sometimes looks up and thinks he is being yelled at LOL ......

Snowmen and Christmas Trees

AS I wait for the two pans to cook in the oven I am listening to 103.3 to hear the festive music while I bake this beautiful sunny Sunday morn. I am not fond of the music right now, it is all Elvis all morning. I am not and never was an Elvis fan. I really dislike his sound. I think the only song I like is the one from Disneys Lilo and Stick soundtrack. Micahel bought that for me 5 years ago and I think it was for maybe 2 songs that I really liked. I know I may catch some heat on saying Elvis is not that great but I just feel that way is all. I can not help it. You would think at this point I would turn it off or turn to a CD of other music but it is on and I am baking. I have the cutest pans for muffin tops and they are like the title of this post Snowmen and Trees. I will be sending 3 dozen with Stephen today to his friends house for a tag football game before his hockey practice. I am sure 12, 13 year old boys will eat those up as fast as a spiral goes across the lawn. I don't remember what I did before we had the computer at the counter desk when I used to bake. After I clean the mess and wait for the baking to happen I jump on the comp and type away. I bet I would read a fast article in a magazine but I have kept that to before bed. I keep them in the nightstand drawer and feel I sleep more sound after having read for a bit. It seems like the Elvis tunes are over (thank goodness) and I am off to take a look at the yummy batch of double chocolate muffin top snowmen. Enjoy you Sunday and take in the sun while it lasts Lots of Vitamin D for everyone.......

80's Edition

I am on a pursuit to find the 80's Edition Game today from Trivial Pursuit. I am looking forward to seeing if I DO know lots about the 80's having been a child of them......We are heading to my oldest BIL's house tonight for our yearly dinner/game night before Christmas. We have a Yankee Swap of funny items ranging from Rock Salt to melt the snow to pot holders and serving spoons. I most always like to get the ICE MELT and they all know it b/c of our steep hilly driveway. It saves almost $11.00 when I get that handy gift. Our two contibutions to the swap this year are a grow it yourself head it grows herbs to cook with, that looks like a caveman if you ask me and a four pack of soap on a rope, really nice smells. It is just a fun little thing to have a laugh with a ten $ limit. He has an old victorian type home with lots of period details and is a stickler for things being in their place (gasp not a Raf boy) but always has dust everywhere and there is always a broken toilet in one of the bathrooms. Ryan asked us at dinner last night "how old is Uncle Johns house?" we said 100+....he said oh is that why the toilets don't always work and it is really scary in the downstairs bathroom? I know growing up to see a new house was very differnt. To even see a 20 year old house was like WOW that is so new. So I guess in this day and age with houses poppin up all around and Ryan never really living in a house that had any age to it, it is very differnt to see an OLD house like that up close. There have been updates since he bought the house 14 years ago but it still has the old charm feel to it. You could never build a house like this these days, it sure would cost a bundle to put so many old charm details. Ryan pointed out that his uncle once a peditrician now turned lazer doctor for lines and hair ect makes alot of money so why does his house have to be so old, can he afford to buy something else? We looked at eachotheracross the table and had the notion we have to set this boy straight. We were NEVER ones to put emphasis on a person by how old or new their house was nor by how large, small or how much they could spend. We asked him if there was something wrong with the fact that uncle had an old house? He said yeah mom you hate old houses .....AHHHHH Just because I am not found of living in an old house does not mean there is something wrong with it. It is not my style and I am not one for details like those in an older home. BUT RYAN there is nothing worng with uncle having the house he wants.......oh ok was what we got, then to the next topic. I guess I did not have to "set him" on the moral track, he just needed an answer and was not judging like I tought. We have always said it is the size of your heart that matters..........Right now my heart is saying I love these boys so much that I want to steer then in the best direction possible and have them be loving, helpful, compasionate boys that will turn into men that are just as strong and loving as their dad. Having said that off to the store with high hopes of finding this game. Maybe next post I will ask some 80's trivia and see just how 80's you are..........

ID

This is a funny one.........Norma is sure to remember this and laugh.....
When we were at the age to venture out of our neighborhood to the next town over Norma and I would take a bus really close to our houses and go to the "center" in Winthrop. We would go to ALL the shops and take our $10.00 plus bus money. We made sure to get lunch at McDonalds, very new to that area at the time. Like most pre-teens/teens of the 80's you carried an ESPRIT bag. You must recall the brightly colored cloth deep bags. In my ESPRIT bag was the must have brush and Aquanet to keep that BIG hair look staying as big as possible. Along with a wallet and lip gloss I was given by Nana Theresa a piece of cardboard the size of a credit card the read "I am a Catholic, in care of emergency call a priest"////////Yes it was a card that requested to call a priest NOT 911 or a doctor A PRIEST! Now we had a good laugh at this card thinking back at it when we were in our 20's but then at 12 years old I took this card very serious. lol .....Well maybe not. I also had paper with info about where I lived and phine #'s to call if I were to maybe GET LOST. I do not know. We were only aloowed to go to the CENTER......no furthur. I recall bying stickers at Billy Bagleys Pharmacy, it was a soda pop bar type store with a RX area. He was later busted for giving drugs to minors....those Bagley boys...remember that H!
This story comes to mind because in the mail today I got a calender and a mass schd. for the Christmas Masses being held at my grandmothers nursing home this season, AND what pretell was in this packet of goodies...Yes you guessed it AN ID card that you can fill out that states "I AM A CATHOLIC IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL A PRIEST" Do you think they went to Nana T's room and asked for ideas to put in this mailing, or is it just a Catholic thing to do? I had to laugh when I saw the card and remember how funny it is to think that I was the card carrier all those years ago and I can still carry one today. I have an organ donar sticker on my Mass LI but should I also write in cast of emergency please say a prayer BUT PLEASE call 911! I think 911 and some paramedics may help but a prayer or two would not hurt either...But to first call the priest........yeah unless he went to school for MD or RN I really think calling a professional would be the first call after your call out to God for help b/c medical help can save lives.......So carry what you may but Thank Heavens for Nanas.........

It's begining to look alot like Christmas....

It is so nice to drive along and see the twinkle of the lights adorning houses and trees. I set my station to 103.3 to hear all Christmas songs while driving my "6 horse sleigh".....(get it 6 cylander car) ..........So many are complaining about this time of year but we must count our blessings because there are so many that may not be here to celebrate Christmas or what ever holiday they may celebrate. We are blessed to share another year come and go and be thankful for the air we breath to know we are alive and kicking for yet another year........

I still do not like the snow but am greatful to have the blessings of live and love......

When a man loves a women and vise versa.....

You know it is love when you are up sick at night, like 3am coughin and hacking and maybe pukein' too and the love of your life wants to help you and not stay in bed for their own comfort. I got up with a hugh problem of couching and chocking. I tried so hard to be quiet but it was not working. I could not help it. For some reason the boys slept through it and I was glad they were spared the untimly wake up. As for Michael, he wanted to help and just "be there" for me but when you are feeling that crappy you just want to scream. I really wanted him to sleep so he too was not sleep deprided. I will be off to bed soon to catch up with the lost sleep from an early wake up. I have a feeling that I will once again be "propped up" to keep the coughing at bay....
I wish you all a winter free of colds and coughs......

I have a feeling that I am not that bad since I have been eating and taking lots of veggies and fruits....the anitoxidents are making it really bearable.....

Keep that snow outta here.......

Oh my, am I so glad the past few days we have had 60* + temps. I am in glory to have the nice weather. On the morning news I heard it will get cooler, maybe even down rigth cold but Please oh please keep that snow away. No need for it to come today, not now not EVER! If it were up to me snow would be banished from the weather table. Do I sound like a grinch when it comes to snow? That is what I am trying to do. I would love to be THE GRINCH WHO STOLE SNOW! That is how much I HATE the snow. Being in Massachusetts for 35 years, all my life you would think I would like it a tinsey bit. NOOOOO not even a tinsey bit. (OK maybe when it flurries) that is IT! It was stated that Monday we may be seeing some snow.....NOOOOOO! please, please stay away...come on December 25 and go away the very next day and STAY AWAY!
See I will go crazy if it snows and snows and snows....it is like I may need to go to a mental ward for the winter in sunny Florida or maybe the Carolinas......Way south.....Please Jack Frost don't come for a visit, take a year or ten off,,,,,Relax have a hot cocoa and just RELAX.......

Repair the roof day.....

Mr. Raf had a roof leaky leaky leak..on on his roof he had some turkeys, peck/ peck/ peck/ peck peck.........So on this morning he had to climb...up! up! up! up! up!.......to fix the roof that had a leak bang! bang! bang! bang! bang.............

So listen up you wild turkeys STOP pecking the roof........go peck some trees.......
What a nice thing to hear bright and early on a Sunday morn.......Stephen can sleep through it, as for Ryan he is making sure that all is going well up there....soon he will be able to help fix the roof.........

Morning People.......

Yup THAT ME! It is now 5:03 am I have been up almost an hour now. IT IS "BLACK FRIDAY". Got to be at the workshop @ 530 so I had to get up and "do my things". I am off to the biggest shopping day of the year, to work of course, not to spend.....I am far from one to shop on this day. The best place to be is the supermarket. Not a soul in sight b/c they all over gorged from yesterday and do not need to get food items. As for the dept/mall/chain stores I am sure it would send my head spinning. I refuse to give in to the "hurry 500am sales". Yeah, you go get your bargain I bougth what I needed to buy...weeks ago at a real sale, with normal stores hours........So if you are heading out to the stores bright and early I say UGH to you.....Stay home take a day off break and relax....rest up.....Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are 32 days away..........enjoy your day...I better not see you shopping today......lol lol
Beacuse of the early morn ( I NEVER take naps) I crashed at 400 today till 600 and woke up a confused and dazed person. It was very busy today and we sold lots of gift cards as well as stuff. Note Now until Christmas if you spend $35. or over you can get a ten dollar gift card for half off....Ok who gets that???I hope you all do....What a time trying to have people understand it....YOU PAY $5.00 and the gift card is a TEN dollar card....Now that is 50% off of the card ...I swear some people just can not GET the concept.......lol
SO hint hint Nancy.....get Drews bear soon and get a half off gift card while you are at it..........

"A Thanksgiving Miracle"

Many here in the North Shore of Massachusetts are celebrating a true blessing this morn, being thankful to have their lives in tact. Yesterday at 250am a HUGH explosion went off about 6 miles or so away from our house. ( I heard a weird noise and was like was I dreaming)The residence of Danvers were shook like an earthquake. Houses near the boom were leved. It was said that they were lucky to have been laying in bed b/c if standing they would of been hit with major glass. Our store had a bit of damage as well as the mall only 2 miles away. Reports as far as southern ME and NH felt the rock also. The New England home for the deaf has 40 displaced residence and many families are living with friends and realitives. I could say what a sad thing and go on and on about how "aweful" this is. I am going to make it a point to state that not ones life was lost in this tragdy and that minor injuries were fixed and sent home the very same day. It is being called a "Thanksgiving Miracle"..............SO as we give thanks today with our familes and friends let us remember all those who are apart from their loved ones and pray for the lives spared in such a horrible explosion. They may not have the "things" in their houses but to have life and love of others,,,,,,,,the blessing of health and well being is a wonderful thing.........God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.......

Happy Birthday to my one true love.....

Every November 22nd I get up and give a birthday hug and kiss to my one and only TRUE love. This morn I had to wake him for that hug and kiss because I was out the door at 5am to unload the truck today. He did not mind the early wake up because he loves the kisses and good wishes. I make it a point to tell him his age (hehehe) and let him also know I will always be 4 years younger...(hehe) This is the year before a big ONE! The big 4-OH is 365 days away next turkey day....It will be forty years next year that he was born right on Thanksgiving. I love to hear the story of how my father-in-law ate a turkey club sandwich from the hospital calf THAT Thanksgiving Day. Michaels 2 year old brother sat home with Nonie and Papa and had the BEST dinner ever that my mother-in-law "whipped" up before she went into labor. Not one of her 4 boys were small ones, Michael was called a big turkey when he was born. lol......He is far from a turkey....he is the sweetest nicest calmest quietest gentelest man you would ever meet. ( Except when I bent the bumper to his truck LOL).....So to you Michael, I wish you a happy day and a year blessed with love. Love you then, now and always........Your Browneyed Girl.....

This week....

there is lots to do! Thanksgiving fast approaching and good cooking to be done. I think the worst part is the shopping because the entire town is out at the market it seems like at the same time. To help experdite the process I go t oanother town to shop so that I do not have to say the 30 hellos knowing that I am a social butterfly. Really I drive 9 miles furthur north or 6 miles south for a differnt Market Basket, or as Ry used to call it Maskit Baskit. They have the best prices compared to the larger chains and you get alot for the money without bogo's and "sale" items it is always a great price. If I had it in me I would trea up to Salem NH to the SUPER Walmart but that is a haul and a mob of a crowd. So try to remember (I will take my own advise to heart too) do not loose sight if what this fourth Thursday of the month means. It is not just about good food, it is being thankful for the blessings of family and friends: health and love. God Bless, enjoy your week of prep for the upcoming Thanksgiving........

My result...BOSTON....REALLY NOW!

What American accent do you have?
Your Result: Boston

You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.

I took that online test What accent do you have and I got Boston..... How weird.....NOT!

If you ever spoke with me ya could so tell and know I am a true Bostonian,,,,,,,,,

Friendship

As I was thinking about the movie last night, drinking my juice smoothie at the breakfast bar I went into the "papers drawer" and took out the little Hallmark book Normie got me a few Christmases back. It is titled "Conversations with Remarkable Children on Friendship". It is a little book with really cute drawings of childrens views and comments on friendship. Some are so funny like A friend is someone who tells your mom when you broke your leg going down the slide backwards when you told them not to do it" (good advice huh?) I got to the page of the book I was revisiting and the heart that she put around this comment turned on the water works just like the first time we read it together. A four year old wrote "Having a friend is better than having a sister sometimes"...........A heart was drawn around that quote and Norma wrote some really sweet personal words. Well lets say more water works..........She may not read this post for a few weeks since DSL and the computer may take a while but when you do "girlfriend" RIGHT BACK AT YA.......We may not live close but my heart is always with you and one of the other children quoted said it well "..even if you are not standing by their side, you know they are with you in your heart and soul, not every kid could have a heart friend" Well Normie you are my longest and dearest HEART FRIEND EVER>>>>>I LOVE YOU>>>>>>STAY SAIN! Love your little friend Stephie.......xoxoxoxo

Look at my Happy Feet.....

Bearbuilder perk # 7, getting to see Happy Feet the Movie for free at IMAX 3D before it is out ......
YUP I am going tonight BABY! I get to see Mumble, Gloria, Lovelace, and Ramon dance their happy feet away......How cool is that? I will let you know how awesome the movie is on Friday (the day it comes out) But yes I get to see it first with my fellow bearbuilders. You know how the firemen have the brotherhood, well we have the bearhood......Bearhood code of honor, to build the best, loving and huggy bears ever!

Lincoln and Kennedy

History Lesson
AJB you might like this one you are the politics King............
And to all who may want to know some info about our history.....It is weird...I tell you....
Have a history teacher explain this----- if they can. Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946. Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960. Both were particularly concerned with civil rights. Both wives lost their children while living in the White House. Both Presidents were shot on a Friday. Both Presidents were shot in the head. Now it ge ts rea lly weird. Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy. Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln . Both were assassinated by Southerners. Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson. Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln , was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908. John Wilkes Bo oth, w ho assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839. Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939. Both assassins were known by their three names. Both names are composed of fifteen letters. Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.' Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford.' Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse. Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater. Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials. And here's the kicker... A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe. Creepy huh? Send this to as many people as you can, cause: Hey, this is one history lesson people don't mind reading

It's Monday AGAIN!

Like I am reporting anything you don't already know. I am sure you realize what day it is. Just wanted to throw it out there that Monday is here the start of yet another week. Hope your day flies by and hump day comes fast, after hump day it should be all down hill. The Holidays are fast approching because the hours, days and weeks just swoosh on by. In preperation for the upcoming "food fest" we call Thanksgiving Michael and I were on a three day Fiber Fast this long weekend, I am happy to report it was very sucessful. He and I ate only steamed or non cooked veggie with steel cut oats (they were not as good as regular oatmeat) and 2 sevings of fruit a day and tons of H2O w/lime/lemon or apple cider vingar. What a treat. I am glad we are back to other foods today, but we are making really good choices of healthy foods. (thats the plan) I will tell you this my energy level was through the roof and my skin is so smooth. I have a friend who does this every 4 weeks and she says it is great for your digestive system to clean out and start over. I really want ot do this a few more days but was told by her that three days is the most efective and then continue to eat based on the Pericone way. I am sure you have heard of that guy. He can be googled. SO that is my update for the start of a fresh cleaned out new week...........Off to the gray dreary hum hum of a Monday........and to a bowl of REAL oatmeal....not that steel cut chewey stuff............

What a great day!

This weather today has been so wonderful. Pickin' up leaves and throwin' the football around has been loads of fun. When you come in from the warm air you could smell the spring like smell in the clothes. It may be November but the day has felt like early April. As I look out the kitchen slider and admire Chestnut (the name I gave the horse next door) on the hill I look down to the grass and admire how leaveless and green it looks. It is a pretty site that I will long for in weeks down the line. When the white blanket hits I will admire it but have stress of the winter concept.
I can not express enough how greatful I am to have this view right now that puts me in a happy mood. Lets hope and wish for many more days of this because I thrive for these days.....enjoy yours and breath in a fresh breath of warmth.....

Spaghetti Squash!

Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta.

I has a few carbs but lots of fiba (fiber).

It taste great with a drizzel of EVOO (extra vergin olive oil)

Top with lots of parsley, pepper and grated asiago cheese

It is a meal in itself, just like a bowl of pasta without all the carbs

Rain Rain!!!!!!!!!

Rain rain go away don't come back another day if you do I will cry because I can not see the sunshine................I NEED SUNSHINE AND I NEED IT NOW>>>>>>>>>
I know it is 10:26pm but enough with the clouds and rain. I can stand cold IF the sun will shine while it is cold. SUN give me sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I like the SUN?

Lets see if the rain clears.....at 456am on Thursday morn of course the sun is not yet up but will it peek it's way out today,,,,It is not looking promising.....I need some natural Vitamin D.

Glad to report that driving home from school p/u today the sun was shining so very brigth that I put on my sunglasses and was so thrilled to see it.....Yippie for the sun........

Hump Day!

Wednesdays are bitter sweet, they feel like you are half way there at the same time you have half way to go! Something to ponder. While driving home from youth group last night after Christain got out of the car Stephen said that on a four day school week it seems that it goes by slower than a long week. I have to agree with him. I am so looking forward to the four of us being home on Friday. We have running around to do but not until noon. Can not wait for the "Royal Breakfast" (that is what the boys call a big homemade breakfast of Eggs, frenshtoast bake, saug/fruit/grilled english muffin tops and hot cocoa not from a packet homemade with melted cocoa and cream..do I have your attention?) I made myself drull while typing since I had an apple and a glass of soy milk this morn. That does not compare to the Royal Breakfast. So go off into the hum drum cloudyhump we call Wednesday with the notion that Friday WILL get here before you know it and keep thinkin of LONG WEEKEND...LONG WEEKEND.. LONG WEEKEND........Repeat after me LONG WEEKEND..Enjoy your day!

C-Section weirdness! not for the faint and wossie....

As we were folding clothes and ironing this evening the TV was on and we were watching Inside Edition.(I had to look away and block my ears)! Now I had two children one natural (no drugs what so ever) and one an emergency c-section, he came early. I have also watched many TLC Baby Stories to see that when having a c-sec you should not be able to feel them cutting and prying the baby outor be in so much pain you feel that you are "near death". I do however know that a little feeling of pulling is to be felt. Seeing Anna Nicole Smith's homemovie of the birth of her daughter was agony. First you have a women who looked like she was on drugs, not the legal kind and second she claims that the epadoral did not work (Jane please help with the spelling Mrs. Anesthesiologist). OUCH and ewww is all I can say. ANS is known for being a drama queen so is it all an act like her stunts in the past or was she really in awful pain. I would not wish that kind of pain on anyone so I do hope it was all for the cameras. If it was true pain I feel really bad that she had to endure a surgery without proper anesthetics. If not and she was "puttin' on an act" then ugh to her. I wish her well with her new baby and feel so bad about the loss of her son. I hope she can find love with the Howard lawyer guy that I knew all along she was with during her awful reality show. I am and have always been a reality show junkie and watch even the most horrible shows being reality based. So I admit I did watch that show and hated every second of it...I always said she was with Howard I just could tell.........ANS God Bless you and Danni Lynn!

Off to the movies!

As you all know I LOVE to entertain.......About two weeks ago we had a group of friends that we haven't seen in a long time over for Sunday dinner. We have shared years of friendship through Michael working with most of them, they have moved on but as for Michael he is still in his long term relationship with the bank.(lol...21years and counting)(atleast we know he is commited)When I cook I always make sure to count for leftovers. It is the Italian in me that has to have enough and more for a croud. I sent them all home with containers full of yummy treats. Well I must say Savy was the only one that sent the containers back and put a little treat in them for us, 4 movie passes. Was that just so sweet. We never go to the movies b/c it is very expensive for 4 of us. We wait for the DVD to come out and watch it at home. We are so excitted to head out this morn to see the 12:00 show of Santa Clause 3!!!! I will let you know how it was, I am sure it will be a good one. We have enjoyed the other two so this is the final in the triligy. Have a great fall day. And stay warm, it is really getting chilly these days. I guess it has to happen at some point and I have to acept it............Bear Hugin' and Lovin'...Stephie

Palm Beach Fl. VS. The Trumpster

ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Palm Beach Florida officials are mad at the Trupmster, who has the moto "bigger is better" for flying a really large American Flag at his Florida estate. I guess it is @ 80 feet in the air and zoning for signs can not go that high. I did not know that our flag is now a SIGN. Also PB said that it makes the area look like a car dealer strip mall. Are the PB officials that snob stricken that the American Flag represents cardealers? UGH! The funny thing is if Trump does not lower the flag by a certain date he will be fined $250.00 per day until it is. Well if I were Trump and had the cashola that he had I would pay daily for the flag to fly high. I do know and understand every place has zoning laws ect. but in this case I just think it is funny that a man with all his money will be taken to court for a flag that is too high. Trump...pay the legal bills and pay the 250 per day as long as you can afford it...And I am so sure he can. I guess Milania will have to go without 14K gold wraped candy for a few days...Not that she looks like she even ate a piece of candy in her life........LOL LOL

My 1st Build a Bear Ever!

Thanks to my boss Dana (as well as friend) I have my 1st BAB ever! I named her Holly Jolly and she has red & green bows, a really cute present on her paws and is a cute white maltipoo. (the newest of the kennel Pals collection due out today) I guess those are the perks of being a bearbuilder! Got her yesterday as a Thank You from the Boss Lady. We had our holiday kick off party/meeting. As you all know retail has a six week busy period from black Friday(day after Thanksgiving) to Christmas Eve.......THEN the 2 weeks after Christmas are nuts! All the little cuties are coming in to redeem the girt cards and have some fun over Christmas break. I hosted this years party for the love of entertaining and the love of cookin for a crowd! SO a great big Thanks for my BAB! She is well loved and will look great under the tree when it goes up the Saturday after Thanksgiving! Have a Holly Jolly doggy day!

Have a beary happy Halloween......

It is koocky spooky at the BABW! I am sporting a friendly witch ensemble and love to wear something other than the denim and khaki wear that has to always be worn. It was so cute today I overheard a girl in the mall say "look mom a witch is over there", so I looked around and opps she meant me....hehehehehe.....Silly, when you hav eon the stuff you forget why others are looking at you. lol ..........It is fun I think it makes for a friendlier day, if that is at all any more possible at the workshop. We got some preschoolers in their costumes. Lots of outfits being bought to "match" the bears. I am sure we will get our share tommorow of trick or treaters and lots of spooky kooky will be had by all..........Have a beary silly hallowen and stay clear of the tricks......Just treats..................

From the land of the lost!

How many of you remember on Saturday Mornings the show LAND OF THE LOST? I watched that show faithfully and HATED it. Well not hated it but was scared crapless from it, but still watched. I was chatting with one of the workers from the Halloween store at the mall and he mentioned this cool mask. I saw it and freaked out it took me back to the Land of the Lost show. It had these awful looking alien type creatures that would freak me out. I googled it this morning and got sent to www.landofthelost.com click on the song that will really get you a blast from the past. Why is it even though I highly loath this show I watched it over and over? I was so scared that the kids would NEVER get home again. I never liked the whole idea of the prehistoric era so I guess this was what bothered me the most. I guess we are creatures of habit and we just do what we always do.........sit and watch!

What kind of Christmas Tree are you?

*You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree
Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents.From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.* I can agree with that.....I LOVE TO MAKE HOMEMADE EDIBLE GIFTS>I think they are from the heart and more personal. I think of exactly what the recipient likes and taylor make it for them right down to the presentation. I do not claim to be Martha ( I would not want to dare be compared to that money laundering witchlol) sorry John F................but I do love to put a smile on a face and yummys in the tummy so I will this year as always make some yummy treats and make them look of so very cute. A classic gift for a classic Christmas gal!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month....

Just a little reminder to sport your "pink". At the workshop the bears are dressed with some pink sashes like the pink swish. I always have one on my car and a little one on the antena. It was taken once but Walmart mostly carries them in the sock area on an endcap. I was honored to bake 3 dozen cookies with pink M & M's and cook up some fudge also w/M & M's. Michaels work lost a wonderful women to this aweful sickness and they are having a bakesale to honor Joanne. In years past they had bake sales and Joanne was an avid baker and helper of many fundraisers. To show that that the bank misses and appreciated all the work she did and gave of herself , even during her treatments the money will be donated to the Susan G. breast cancer fund. Please remember and pray for all the women, men and children that are affected by this. God Bless and may the angels always be with you.

My RY RY is doing great!

Ryan had his "procedure" today. We had a long day even though it is only 300pm. Up at 5am, a half hour earlier than regular, on the road to drop of Stephen at a friends to take his bus, and an hour of 128 traffic. We had to be there by 730 this morn and we got there at 729.....Now to little miss anal that is considered LATE! Not on time LATE!..........Michael and I both got to go into the pre-op area but after that only one of us could "scrub up" and go into OR. We all know that would be Michael. The word of small incision made me woozzy when Doc was going over the steps. I could NEVER work in a hospital or anything medical. As I sat in the waiting room it brough back memories of when Stephen had a herniah (SP) removed when he was 4. We were lucky to have an old friend and classmate from PJH there as an intern to give us the white glove treatment. (Normie, what was that awesome kids name that became a doctor with the dreamy curly black hair from Melrose...he was so handsome and the nicest person back in HS..I am stumped for his name). I felt most fortuane because there were lots of other moms in the waiting room for much longer problems. I got ot have some play time with a cute 3 yr old boy who was missing his brother who was in or for atleast 4 hours, so my 50mins or so could not compare with this poor young pregnant mom of the boy in OR the 3 year old and her almost due baby;another boy! Dawn I tought of you b/c of the 3 boy thing. So we have been home for 3 hours now and Ry has been fine. Nothing to eat because he just has no need or desire for it. We will see how dinner goes. Thanks for your prayers.

Where were you at 4:00 am?

We were on a ladder. Yup I said ladder. Deep in a dream I sprang from my sleep to hear a beep from the smoke alarm. They are hard wired so the battery has to be really low for this to happen. On Thursday eve I sent Michael to CVS for the bogo batteries because that was when the beeping statred...Then it stoped when he brought in his hugh pacakage of goodies. He was sent for 4 items....2 that he had to pay for and 2 that would be free: hence BOGO........He brought back a lighter for a candel, Sweedish Fish(for himself), and a smelly candel. At the point when he got here with the batteries the beeps stoped. I being a women said to change ALL of them at that point. Men have other ideas. He thinks if it is not broke don't fix it. Well if it had all new batteries maybe, just maybe on Sunday at 400am we would not be on a ladder. We have really high ceilings and of course the beeping came from the one at the highest point. Murphys Law! We also had to change the one in Ryans room with a chair. He did not move nor at breakfast did he have a clue what went on. He claims he never "hyper-sleeps" , but I beg to differ. At 420am when this was all set he made the suggestion of kicking in the heat for a bit due to the temp reading 58*. Now here comes another post alltogether....lol .....IT DID NOT GO ON...Even though he went down and turned on the burner. We have plenty of oil and the house is only 5 years old, we get a tune up every year from the same burner man....so what is the problem? At this point, do we even bother going back to bed? We share a cup of heat(orange tea for me and vanilla chi for him) and ponder ........with blankets on our shoulders. Finnally I think sleep enters our minds again and we head off to bed for an hour or so of shut eye. Cozy in the warmth of the bed once again awoken by a beeping NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is now 745am and down to the garage he goes keys and ladder in hand....Oppss forgot those two above the cars....Not only did he have to change the batteries the cars had to be moved into the cold of the dark day. Then a BEEP from the truck....a light goes on ...OH MY WHAT IS IT WITH THESE BEEPPPPPSSSSS!!!!!!!!! He gets the handbook of the truck ...low tire presure....off to the gas station for air...STOP THE BEEPING NOISES>>>>>>PLEASE

And the winner of the St. Lazarus School spelling bee is.......

not me........... As you have noticed I am not a great speller. All my life I have had the worst time with pronouncing and spelling. Herbs are the worst. I boch the words and also flowers. I ask my children how to spell words from the computer when typing or writing letters. Ryan has never got under a 90% on his spelling tests. Stepen is also a good speller but has to think about it unlike Ry who belts it out lickety split. Was I lazy in studing in the lower grades? No I tried so hard and was very frustrated when Nana T would test me and I would get the word wrong over and over despite studing for them. She was very low key and di dnot get really mad when I would make the same spelling error over again. The words that Ryan comes home with are so over the top sometimes. I guess it is due to the BIG MCAS test that expects them to know everything. His most recent power word was juxblah blah posion.....it was out of my league. (Normie please post the proper spelling).......How do fifth graders get these over the top words...? I should resort to homeschooling.....LOL LOL LOL SO Ry can teach me a few things lol lol ........ This was the year I correctly spelt MASSACHUSETTS........Yippie It only took 35 years living here to get it!

Have you heard of Acai?

This stuff is GOOD 4 U! About 6 months ago I went in search for it at Wild Harvest to find frozen blocks of it. I was not pleased with the taste when adding it to our Yogurt Smooties at breakfast. It has an intense taste with a chocolate undertone. You would think I would go loopy with the taste of chocolate but it was too dence and lacked umph. SO I found it today in juice form with a choice of passion fruit or mango. I got both and LOVE passion fruit. You have got to try the stuff. It has more anitoxidents than blueberries and is so tasty. It was low in calorie content for the size of the bottle and the carbs or sugs it has is naturally occuring so that is better than processed sug. So give it a try if you can find it........Also Ponoranit Juice is yummy too......(I know I spelt it wrong) .........

In the mornings darkness.....

It is 645am and still rather "dark" out there. I am sure in 2 weeks it will be a bit more light when we turn the clocks back. Then I will type at 400pm and vent about how dark it is early. I tell you the truth I think I have a mild case of SAD when the fall ends and winter begins. I am an extermly stable and hapy person in mostly all aspects of my life but this winter thing has ALWAYS got me SAD....There is a real thing called Seasonal something Disorder. DR. Phil..HELPPPP!

I refuse to put on the heat!

OK raise your hand if you woke up this morning and it felt like December! <<<>>>...... I do not think that the heat should go on this early, yes we are frugal I mean cheep....lol BUT come on it is sooooo cold the outside temp read 27* HELLO! Why is it so cold so soon. We were in shorts last weekend when it was 70's and balmy. Ugh to how fast the weather changes in New England. I so badly wanted to stay under the toasty warm covers this morning so did the kids. I woke to Michael with the comforter over his head and at that point I knew it had to be cold in here. lol Even if I wanted to turn the heat on after he left for work it was not possible b/c we, I mean he shuts down the furnice in March and it may be turned on around November. I may have to turn it on this week because our neice Selena is coming for the day on Wednesday. Ryan has a half day of school and I took the day off from the bears. The little 2 year old peanut will freeze if she comes here and it is like this. I will have to resort to turning on the oven for an hour with the door open. That was a trick growing up in the triple decker in the winter when the electric went out during a storm the gas oven still worked so we could stay semi-warm in the kitchen. We now have an electric oven so that would not help in a power outage but it will on Wednesday before she comes lol. I leave you this morning with this, no more sandels no more short sleaves and wear your jackets, we have to come to the realization.. it is FREEZZZZZINNGGG these days,,,,,,,,,STAY WARM AND GIVE A BIG BEAR HUG TO THE ONES YOU LOVE>>>>>>>Bear Huggin' and Lovin'

Don't hit fast forward...just don't do it!

I was so excited to hear that "Click" the movie was out on DVD yesterday. I called the place near by (not many left) to hold it for us. I wanted to see it so badly when it first came out but we are mostly a family who "waits" for dvd. A fellow Blogger said it was a great movie and I have to agree 100%. I Love Adam Sandler movies so I knew that this would not be a disappointment. Ryan, at the start of the movie called the ending and I was in agreement because it just looked like it was heading in the direction that he stated. Smart boy that Ry. I must say it has an awesome undertone of a spiritiual meaning without being shoved on your face. If you have not yet watched it please do so. I was in stiches. It does not take much to put me in stiches but it was really cute and funny. It was well worth the $3.75 and think of all the $ saved from not going to the movies....not spending .....$10.50 x4=42for tickets /popcorn and soda $20.00... sitting on the couch with familyand a fuzzy fleace blanket priceless.......CLICK

Update............

Back in the summer I posted about "Jack", a little boy who was a member of our church and town. Everyone knows and LOVES this family. They are rays of sunshine any time you come across them. Well on Thursday Jack had his second opperation to remove the tumor in his head. The first one was not able to get the entire thing. With weeks of radiation and this last opperation I shout with thanks and praise to God that IT IS GONE! The opperation not only got rid of it, there is also no need to continue any radiation b/c that is how great this turned out. Thank you for your prayers far and wide and thanks to the Higher being that watches and blesses over us. I am typing through the tears, of thanks and joy and so gald to report this awesome update. Have a wonderful day and never loose faith. God Bless!

No Fried Dough...but Veggie Tempura was great..

.............not like there was "NO" fried dough, 5 stands to be exact. I was not in the mood for a piece of dough that cost $5.00. I can make a platter of it for under $2.00. SO thats what I am doing tomorrow. After apple pickin' in NH and Saturday eve Mass I will hit the kitchen with yummy smells of fried dough and apple yum yums. The fair was not overly crowded last night, I like that. We had some really fun family time together. It is always the same year after year. I think that is what makes it feel so special. I am glad we went to our yearly visit and am lookin' forward to the Apple Orchards......Next Apple Cider Donuts.....oh how yummy, hot and crisp....can you picture it? Can you almost taste it? The smell alone will send you to a sweet and tender place. See you at the orchards......

The Topsfield Fair...

...the oldest fair in our country, so the sign states. We will be there Thursday afternoon. Michael was able to buy reduced rate tickets from the bank. That is a help because the Fair is now $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children. And what do you get for $10.00 you ask. A walk through the gate. Yes you and a lucky guest for $20.00 can mosey on through the turnstyle and enter to a world of smelly cow pooh and oil scents of the frydough queen. You may even take in a few whifs of pig smell with a nice aroma of gas on the side. It is a treasuretrove of smells. We do however enjoy our yearly visits. About 17 or so years ago Michael and I went there on a "date", it has been a tradition ever since. Back then we were just 2 people in the crowd. These days at the fair we walk about 3 feet and chat with all the other locals that we know from the TRI-Trown.....We cannot walk around without saying at least 500 hellos to fellow Middletonites and locals from church ect. It is like one big block party. It makes you think of the days 17 years ago when you were just another fair patron. Last year Ryan entered a freehand pencil drawing for the "artist" exihbit. He got an entry blue ribbon and many people mentioned they saw it was his. He did not place because his entry was "political" I guess politics and the fair do not mix. He drew an airplane (Army style) in the backround with an American Flag and an Airforce Solider saluting the flag and had the title as "Support Our Troops, God Bless America" ....I guess both the political and relg. aspects made it "an entry" and not a contender. Well I read the rules and regs and I guess I did not read them closely. So this year when the form came in the mail Ryan declned despite our encouragement to enter. We were not going to push him. I recall how proud he was when we were at the fair last year and his old art teacher came up to him and was so happy to see one of her students work. She made a hugh deal that he was her only student that has ever entered and he had the abilty to have an enrty worth entering. (got all that ) ....So I will be a bit sad to go to the art exhit hall and not see a Ryan original.(it now hangs proudly in his room) So this years fair also brings a step in the "growing" up stage for Stephen. He was at opening night on Friday. His best friend who lives in Topsfield (residence get opening night tickets free) had an extra ticket for him to go to opening night for free. We were hesitant to drop off and p/u and not be there. With lots of thinking and trusting we "let him go". Don't get me wrong my belly was in knots for 5 hours. Yes from 3:30-8:30 he was at the fair with "friends" and not us. Funny when you live in a small town how many people know you and "watch" out for the other kids. You can't do wrong when all eyes are watching. I have no notion that he would do worng because he has a great head on his shoulders and is a leader not a follower, the hard part is the "letting go" part. I know we can't be with then 24/7 but they are our"babies", they will always be our "babies". SO back to the fair stuff. We saw that Thursday is going to be at the most 63*..........We have gone to the fair in hot weather and it is not the same. It has to be cool, crisp, and fall like to truely be "The Fair".....SO folks I will give reports on how it goes and how yummy the bad for you fair food is.......Have a great day,,,stay warm by giving lots of bear huggggssss!

Happy Birthday....

.......to ALL the people who celebrate a birthday on this September 29........LOL LOL ALL the people...I know my BIL is 36 today and a year after he was born this gal from Philly was also born...........She is the BIG 35 today....A Beary Happy Birthday to her! I say Beary because she too is a "Bear" we are all bears at BABW....She is not just any bear she is the BIG A** IN CHARGE BEAR>>>>>The TOP BEAR<>AND A GREAT HEAD BEAR AT THAT>>>>A very happy weekend of fun and laughs to you Dana, the beary best boss bear ever.........

MISSING.............2 Hubcaps........

I am so angry and feel naked when I drive the car now. I discoved my two passenger side hubcaps missing when I got out of the car to go to work on Labor Day. Yes, Labor Day. I know it took me a while to "vent" about it. We were at a BBQ at MIL & FIL's and I have a feeling they were taken then. I looked on line and it would be @$90.00 to replace them......OK come one, I am sure they are PLASTIC stock reg small caps........UGH...I refuse to pay that kind of money to feel fully dressed. (lol) This post comes becasuse at school drop off today a very observant student came to the window to say hello. He was a funny, get in trouble but mean no harm kind of kid when I worked at the younger school. He was always respectful and made it a point to go out of his way to say hello at all costs. He said "Mrs. R did you hit a pot hole?" I was like no why Luke are my tires flat. He continued to tell me I had two missing hubcaps...Ph yes I know they were taken a month ago. He pipes in ........I think when you loose two it is because you hit a pot hole. NO KID LISTEN !......lol they were TAKEN.....He was very cute about it. Back in the day he was also a know it all kind of boy too. His grandmother owned the bus company for our town and he knew EVERYTHING there was to know about EVERYTHING., even at age 6. So I have this 11 year old making it a point to tell me to rethink and retrace where I may have hit a pothole to find out how they "feel" off. I still think they were taken. STOLEN TO BE EXACT! Someone told me I should find a car like mine in the mall lot and take back my hubs....Well he was joking a little and I know that karma is a *itch and I would NEVER TAKE what is not mine. AN eye for an eye would have this world in a tizzy if we took notion to do bad to others b/c they did bad to us. So I leave you with....I am OCD and it KILLS me to drive w/o 2 hub caps....the whole being of the car is off, uneven, I have no choice b/c I have more needed things to spend my money on. OH maybe this can render an entirely new car.....AHHHHH HAAAAA NOT! wishful thinking......Drivin' around half complete................What can I say it gets me to where I need to be.............sigh....................

Opps watch out for the tree....

As I was driving to pick up at school from work the radio station broke in with news that the Hood Blimp crashed in Manchster by the Sea (the place where old lady made us put the rock back on the beach). Just imagine what the residence may think of a big ugly over sized HOOD thing will do to their upscale ritz facad. I hear the driver was fine, just waiting a while to be saved by a helecopter or what not. It was a traffic nightmare reported from a friend who sat in it for almost an hour. At one point Mix 98.5 was poking jokes about it but in the end it could of been a real bad situation if he hit a building or other structure....I am just glad it did not POP because lots of milk would of been everywhere....Milk is what powers the entire inflated balloon...really it is.......ONLY JOKING>>>>>So hey Hood Man stay clear of the tree.....

Lots to see..

Yesterday we headed over to an office park(HOW FUN lol) to view a local airports runway. The small Beverly airport was too crowded to get an up close look so we got word from friends that a lot to the east was full of on lookers like ourselves. It was a great view and the boys and Michael were very impressed. Oh, did I mention they were using the new binoculars to see WWI and II fighter planes. They were doing an airshow for the day despite the strong winds. The HOOD blimp had to be grounded because of the wind. It was a sight to see. A nice older couple told us a story of his time in WWII and they were so sweet. She suggested a "ride" on a newer plane. I could tell she was joking because the cost per person was $250. OH MY .....you had to see the lines at the airport to take the short in a circle ride.People must have money to burn. First off don't have that kind of money, second I don't care if it were free.....the less I have to be airborn the better. I am not the happy fly for no reason type. Heck I am not the fly for a reason type. If it were up to me car trips would be my mode of travel to Florida all the time. Our trip ended with a yummy treat from a farm near the lot. We live one mile from a wonderful homemade farm icecream stand but enjoy this one better. I guess when you can get the cream near by it is worth the trip for a differnt type of cream. Have a nice day and get your head out of the clouds...

A Gray Day...........

We have needed a little rain to get the water levels up so it is not all that bad that it is so gray and glum today. I wish I had it in me to stay under the covers and be a veggie master this morn, but I just don't feel it is productive. I did stay in bed a little later thatn usual but get a guilty feeling when I do that. The more I type the faster and harder the rain comes down and the Chestnut Beauty on the hill next door is running in a circle and seems a bit confused. His overcoat and hair I am sure keeps him dry but I don't know maybe he should be in his stable? I can not make that call because I don't know the first thing about horse care so maybe I am out of line. So as I look out the slider and enjoy the sight of falling rain and a horse running amuck around in the mud.Enjoy your wet day and take the rain in stride.

What do you like?

I got this cute thing from an E-Mail buddy......See what you are........
If you were to choose ONE of these deserts what would it be...JUST ONE>>>>

Angel Food Cake/Brownies/Lemon Meringue/Vanilla Cake w/Chocolate Icing/Strawberry Shortcake/Chocolate Cake w/Chocolate Icing/Carrot Cake/Ice Cream
I for some reason picked Carrot Cake.......Most who know me would think I was a CHOCOLATE CAKE w/ CHOCOLATE ICING type........That is b/c I am addicted to chocolate.....BUT I DISLIKE cake that is chocolate....does that make any scence? Well I LOVE carrot cake with cream cheese frosting...YUM YUM>...SO see what you like do not read below before you pick....Pick first....and let me know....I wonder if this helps us get to know eachother better..... ; ) Bear Huggin' and Lovin' xoxoxoxo Stephie


==================================================================


ANGEL FOOD CAKE.... Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and> fuzzy items. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice> cream cone at the end of the day.. Others perceive you as being> childlike and immature at times.>> BROWNIES... You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion> of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you> whip out your saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense> of humor and direction. You tend to be v ery loyal.>> LEMON MERINGUE... Smooth, sexy, and articulate with your hands, you> are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't> try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at> times, but you! have many good friends.>> VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING... Fun loving, sassy, humorous.> Not very grounded in life; very indecisive and! lack motivation.> Everyone enjoys being around you. You are a practical joker. Others> should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for> life.>> STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE... Romantic, warm, loving. You care about> other people and can be counted on in a pinch! You have many> friends who love to be around you. You also tend to melt. You can> be overly emotional at times. Your sense of loyalty and devotion> are paramount.>> CHOCOLATE ICING ON CHOCOLATE CAKE... Sexy; always ready to give and> receive. Very adventurous, ambitious and passionate. You can appear> to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to> take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to> laugh.>> ICE CREAM... You like sports, whether it is baseball, football,> basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate,> but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote> control. You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.>> CARROT CAKE... You are a very fun loving person, who likes to> laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang ou t with you. You>are a very> warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal>friends.

It's ONLY Wednesday!

I am all for the saying "stop to smell the tulips". (thats my version)I like when time is an option and rushing is not needed, but come on. This week is as slow as can be. It is only hump day! I feel like it should be at least Friday or even Saturday. I think maybe because we have had very few people at the workshop. Cleaning takes up time but not that much. I feel the linger at home also. Homework has been taking forever on Ryans end. Boy do 5th graders get tons of homework or what. Stephens seems just as long as it always been and he is more independant than his brother. With youth group last night, Lego Robotics and four hokeys to go till Sunday I think this week may never come to an end. Please don't take this as a compliant, I am just stating the facts. It has been summer like the past 4 days and that may contribute to the time feeling like we are on slow motion. When it is nice and warm the days are longer and you get more done before the sun goes down. In the winter when the sun leaves before 5 pm that makes for a short day. I really really am not looking forward to that. I am sure alot of you are not too. SO I guess I will take this slow week in stride and be thankful that the time is not flying because the days will get shorter and so will my smile once we see a dark dinner sky.........Enjoy your day and hope "you stop to smell the tulips"........................

Our annual summer trip to Quincy Market in Boston

Well it felt like summer and we did not quite make it before Labor Day but what a time today. The weather was just awesome. I wish we could have days like this until Late November early December. We ate at the most fun place ever, Dicks Last Resort. The wait staff is over the top and the atmospher is crazy. They have the best food rated Photom Greatness from the show. We were also sent to Bearded Papas ( the best creampuff in the WORLD) I will tell you we were "sharing" two between the 4 of us...Well yeah after the two were gone we then HAD to get two more to share.....We should of just got 4 one for each...OH Well sharing is caring!!!! I of course had to make my way to the NEW Build a bear with a FRIENDS 2 B Made area......I know I spend my weekdays there all the time but this store was the best. They has so much more thatn we do and I wish we could have a friends 2 b made section in our store......I would be all over that........The boys waited outside with Michael but after being in the store "way too long" I got them in the door to find me. Hey I wait a long time at the GOLF stores so they can wait at the BABW! We saw atleast 4 street perfomers and they were a hoot........Funny how I always feel abliged to give a few dollars and Michael is like ahhh no.......Hey they entertained us a bit might as well....I do not like how you can not get into the main buildings while they are performing b/c the crowd blocks the doors.......I was very wigged out by the crowds there were so many people there today, I am sure the nice weather was alot of the reason. I love to people watch while the boys go in the stores I am not fond of like the Discovery Store. Thet spend a good 40 mins looking at all the stuff in there while I PEOPLE WATCH> I must say what a diverse world we live in ...I guess I have to leave my small town to see this more often. lol I rather just be in a small town ..I am no longer a CITY CHICK...I am a country girl.......and proud to proclaim it....
So that was the day........I am so glad we made the trip, it is a yearly tradition that I do not like to break...Our next yearly outings will be Appple/pumkin picking in NH and the Oldest Fair in America TOPSFIELD FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nice small town happenings no big city freakyness,.......hehehehe Have a great night....Bear Huggin' and Lovin'

A walk down memory lane.......

It is funny when you have a friend of the boys in the car and you listen to the conversation (pretending not to really listen but kepping track word for word) the things that 13 year old BOYS talk about. I recall when I was a 13 year old GIRL our chats were about the cute boys and things like that. Well boys do not hit the "girl crazies" as soon as the girls hit the "boy crazies" so I am not hearing any chit chat of the girls in eight grade. I am hearing of whos bike has hugh wheels, or whos roller blades has really fast spinning wheels, or who gets to ride 5 or 6 miles from their house to a busy area of town. It is funny what they talk about. Todays 35 to 40 min car ride to hockey practice was directed to me to recall funny events when the boys were little. This came from my sons friend (mentioned in a post from the summer) who is with us alot and has gotten to know not just the cordial funny Stephens mom but the also she can yell when she is streesed and be supper goofy when it is time ect....the good the bad the ugly...We all know that only certain friends we have grown up with get the entire package when they are always with that certain adopted family...you get the picture.....SO I basicly told them of the POT story from yet another previous post......I pointed out and made a hugh deal of just HOW BAD that was of "Eddie the tenant" to do that stuff but the boys found it to be super funny that I had the notion that it was Spanish Food smell and not Weed smell......So Stephens friend who has parents 18 years my senior said "You weren't a HIPPIE back in the 70's like most parents were?Pot was done often back then" ////AHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO KID b/c I was JUST BORN !!!!!!!!! lol lol lol How can you be a HIPPIE in a crib babling goo goo gah gah!!!! I was like how old do you think I AM !!!!!
I did say it in the most funny of ways........ I just tought it was maddening that a 13 year old has the notion that ALL parents were HIPPIES.......SO with that topic open they mentioned the "air heads" .....I guess a name given to students at the JR/High School that are suspected of being POT smokers.......OK so as I almost drove of the edge of 495 and into a gardrail I was like HUH? SO you mean to tell me you know of 8th graders with a cloud of suspiction that they "do pot"////I am like aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh! The best part of the story is one of the students they mentioned ( I know him as a trouble maker so no doubt there) is the gym teachers son. OK! His mom and dad are both PE teachers at all the schools in out TRI_TOWN School district......Yeah thats really health concious of the gym teachers son.....SO don't forget always open the door of communication so the "POT" talk is not left a secret and your 24 year old thinks it is SMELLY SPANISH FOOD>>>>>>If you know what I mean ........

Bear Hugin' and Lovin"

Always be beary friendly..Sharing is the beary best thing a bear can do.......Love your teddy bear.......Give it lots of care.......Bear huggin' and lovin'............................!!!!! We all have some bear qualties in us..........Show your true bear colors............Bears Rule!

More Pics

Last years school picture and last years hockey picture

Ryan Stephen

The top picture was taken on our 10 year Aniversary in 2002.....15 years in April baby!

Here are the pics..........

This was taken in December 2001 at my brother in laws wedding...The boys were Jr. Ushers....they look so young my how 5 years matures a person ...lol ........

Always Hug the bears you love...........

I was able to have a wonderful John F scan some pics and send them to my e-mail. I would LOVE to post them but I am not computer savy like that. I have been sittin here from 505am till now @540am and trying my best to do this. I want to wake up Michael but will not just because I am impatient. At 530 am is when I start my day and I am now late in the start. SO keep an eye out for some pics b/c by 630 he has to get up lol....I will nab him before he showers (I hope) and get him to take a look...........Hope you can see them soon........

The rich get richer.....

Well the BOGGER won......6 votes to one. I do not have much to say about it. Also Americas Choice vote gave Janelle $25,000. I really wanted Chicken George to get it but Jani gets everything when it comes to America voting for her. Oh well BB allstars is done....Got to move on..........Hope next season is a good one. I look forward to getting to know HG's that have not already seen play.......................That's it .....End of story.............Oh well.....I feel like Eyeor, Pooh Bears friend............OH BOTHER!......Not Brother.....

In a few hours......

the Big Brother winner will be announced............I am waiting on the edge of my chair......I will be back later to VENT on how this played out...........I am going to have BB withdrawals when it ends. I will have the Amazing Race to look forward to but not this years Survivor...no that gets a no go for me.......So Yippie for BB FINALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Years later.......

When I went to take Ryan to school this morning there was a poster in the front foyer of the school with the time and place of the 9/11 memorial tribute that the school will be having in front of town hall across from the school. It is nice to know it is 10 mins after school starts and I will be able to attend. I would however request to go to work late if needed. I hope that as the years pass we never forget the families that lost loved ones. Time is said to heal all wounds but I am sure total healing may never really happen. With the help and strength of God I can pray and hope that these families as well as my fellow Americans can give our emotional support not just on the Aniversary of this tragic event but always. ......I have put together a few words to "NEVER FORGET"


This is titled HISTORY,
I shed a tear for History...............
His story, her story, our story......History is not just a story, it is true life. We may not have been there to see it but to hear of it makes us feel like we've lived it. I have learnt of many wars and hear people speak of Vietnam, WWII Pearl Harbor and other historical happenings that took place before my time. I have to shed a tear for history. I may have not been there or had lived it first hand but my heart acks all the same. I hold a place close to my heart for the brave Americans young and old that keep us "safe". Though to shed a tear is a true understatement when it comes to a day that will be forever etched in our hearts and in the history books forver. The differnce with this well known date is that I was able see the true horror unlike how years ago they are just stories. I know many other dates in American history are a terrible reminder of loss, this day is also a horric day of distruction and lives lost. This ever life changing day will be with us always. I have so many emotions from this day that words can not describe. This gross event has changed not only Americans but the world. I look at it as the brain is like a camcorder, once recorded it can play over and over. Time may fade the picture but it is always there. It may not be as clear as the first recording but made clearer with memory. In a way some do not want to remember and have it be a blur over time, but on the other hand it would be a total injustice to try to forget. So as the saying goes "9/11......NEVER FORGET" God Bless America! Land of the Free and Home of the Brave!

Twas the Night......

Twas the night before the first day and all through the house...lots of creatures were stiring, mom moving her "mouse". Typing away lots of numbers and keys to find out what the supplies might be. Iron the school clothes, clean off the shoes, got to get ready for the back to school blues.......All the parents excited to send off the children, for it's been a long summer and the time is a brewin'. Gotta love the first day of seeing them off and knowing their brain may never shut off. SO too all of the kids waiting for the first day, get lots of sleep there's no time for play!!!!


Have a great back to school time all you deserving parents out there!!! We all know I am sad to see them off to school once again b/c I love to spend time with all the kidos but it is a part of life and we must move on ...come on Old Man Winter BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no I did not mean that...so sorry....I was foolin old man please be nice to us!!!!!!! ; )

A funny Stephie story!

Reading another bloggers post recently about concernts brought up this funny Stephie story. In the comments it was stated by other bloggers that a certain place that the concert took place was a place where the "pot" smell did not linger. Well funny story.............In High School I was a "good girl" and still am.lol. I had the notion that when the kids went behind Donut Maker (the donut shop acroos from Pope John XXIII H.S. in Everett, MA) they were "smoking cigs". I was put off by that notion alone. Well it took about 4 years after HS to realize it was the wacky tabacky. My good friend Michelle let me know in a conversation about "Corbett" a boy I dated for about 2 months as a Freshman. I wondered why all the Fendi girls(richer types) would ask me where is Corbs. I really really was so nieve that I did really think in was cigs. Reg everyday cigs. That alone made me grossed out so without a doubt I would of never thunk "pot". We go to a Catholic School and I am on SADD (Students against Drunk Driving) and I am on Campus Minisrty. How would ANYONE ever do a thing like that? It is illegal! SO my first POT smelling incedent happen when Micahel and I had our first house in Revere with an inlaw apartment in the Basement. When Nonie(Micahels grandmother who needed a place to rent when she got evicted) God Bless us for taking her in ... left to go to the home we had a renter named Eddie a kid my age at the time (24) that was a boyfriend of a girl M worked with. We thought what a nice Spanish/American kid. (I point out his ethnic backround b/c later in the story you will see what that has to do with him) I was surprised to see that all of his young like myself friends had such expensive nice Beemers and Caddys and Lexus cars. Wow these labor workers do really well for themselves. (Yeah ok little girl) SO on the Friday nights I would waddel in from my Bank job at around 830 pm (bank closed on Friday at 700) all 6 months pregnant with our second baby. (first one tucked in his room /window above Eddies door) yes! I would smell his aweful smelly "Spanish cookin" so as I pull up to the driveway Michael is yelling from our sons window "Eddie 3 strikes your out" "You are out of here at the end of the month" ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! ok now I am like Micahel I know this food stinks so bad but we evict him for it?
Well as I get to the door Michael explains how he has been sheltering me from the TRUTH that the smell of the "bad" food,it is POT! AHHHHHHHHHH I start like a bat out of hell down to his apartment. Screaming and yelling how dear you bring that into my house I have a baby on the way and a 2.5 yr old upstairs and the smell is out side his window.......He almost got a slap in the face from me because I was so mad. Well his reponce was "my sister does it and she has kids, whats the big deal?".....OK you just do not know me well engough Eddie b/c I have NEVER IN MY LIFE DONE THAT EVER! He told me I was a lier! I fought for almost an hour about how I was not lying. Well Sorry kid I tought you cooked really bad Spanish food and come to find out you are smoking POT/DEALING in my house! He told us he was going to sue us for evicting him. I was like yeah and what judge was going to be like yes illegal pot is fine to smoke outside the door of your apartment. I am all stressed out typing this let alone when it was happening. So little Miss Stephie was so not with the whole pot thing that she had the notition it was smelly Spanish food.......I hope I got you to laugh and I wish I made this story up but it is the Gods honest truth...Thats the funniest part of the story ...HUH!

I was in a tizzy.........

I was trying to post and I LOST the link to Create a new post. AHHHHH...I get on the phone licketty split and called Normie to "find" the link. I wanted to vent about yesterday. Our friends took us to a place in Marblehead yesterday to a semi-private beach. We were in the area of GRAND homes in Old Town right on the ocean. So the boys had tons of fun and hours of entertainment. Then all of a sudden the crazy lady looking out her window came all the way down to the beach to YELL at Stephen, Ryan and their friend Joe that they moved a ROCK! So my first instinct as a "nice" person is to tell the boys put the rock back.I did not know moving rocks was illegal. I had them put it back just to appease the lady. My friend JoAnn was like "why did you let her get her way?" I am not one for confrontation so I did not want an argument with this "Abners wife" lady. Get it from Bewitched, the nosy neighbor. So I will not be making the trip to this place soon because my sons like to move rocks.....lol

It's STICKHA time again!

So it is the last day of the month and my inspection stickha expired. I will not go till September 1st b/c now next year I can get one year and one month longa (so Bawston). Last year it was up in July and I waited till August, so see year after year I will go one more month than the last. I am not one to "play" with the system, but I did figure this one to be a win situation on my end. Please tell me people don't go many months with an expired stickha????( I know it is STICKER! but when you grow up here it is a cah with a stickha.....lol.....U know what I mean Pam and Dana). So I was told by my MIL you can not do that. Well I have been doing this for atleast 4 years when I figured out that if I wait till the 1st day of the next month of experation I will get that months # and have an additional 30 or so days from the previous year. Like I am "screwing" TAXACHUSETTS in any way? Massachusetts has more things for us to pay for, this is one more way to get $29.00 every year from us. ( See Normie I now know how to spell MASSACHUSETTS lol) So with hope on my way bright and early Friday morn to the inspection station, I hope not to encountha a trooppha....yah! those Mass. state troopphas!

It's that easy!

So that is the slogan that Staples tries to convey in the numerous commercials that are playing over and over. Along with the song "It's the most wonderful time of the year" they are hyping up how wonderful back to school is. Every August we get our letters from the schools stating what is needed for the upcoming year. We got lucky last year and Ryans school did not want any parents buying the stuff. PTO "gave" the supplies away. I guess they were very much in the positive when it came to money in the account. So this year we ventured to 3 different stores with two lists in hand. The Sunday fliers had lots of good bargans so we went to check things out.
I must say the last store Staples was the EASIEST! The most crowded too. It did indeed feel like Christmas shopping because everyone and their mothers (lol get it) were in the 3 "it's that easy" isles. We were glad to get some of the other sales items at Office Depot and Walmart because the sales were great, but it was a mess trying to "find" what you needed. As for Staples, Kudos to them for really steping up to the moto...b/c it was that easy......And to the little first grade boys mom that let her out of control son push the wagon into me and all the other mothers...Thanks lady.......It is called control your son...maybe he will get a really strict teacher this year and put him in his place!......So I hope you all have it that easy .....lol lol

TAG>>>You're it!

TAG...... I am it now....Normie taged me........

1) The one household chore I don't mind doing is....None of them lol B/C I love to clean..freaky huh?.2.) The last person to make a surprise visit to my home...My friends Ex-Husband to return a clean dish of something I cooked for him back in April.3.) I cannot comprehend...the money people waste on needless items.4.) At this moment I wish...that the war would end and we could be at peace in the world and not have to worry about terrorist. ever again!5.) The last serious discussion I had was....about Stephen taking E-Rays for his braces.6.) The thing that made me laugh the hardest today was...While watching my neice Selena (2) she kept saying "I love aunties truck" the entire time we were driving in it. "we go bumpy bumpy"///The funny thing is Uncle tries over and over to correct her that it is "Uncles" truck/and maybe tied for 1st is when we were at the bank, (where Michael works) Ryan said "is there a helapad on the roof to remove the big bags of money?" We broke out in laughter and said that is what the Brink trucks are for...lol
So if you get tagged.....make sure to answer all the questions..........

A HOLE IN ONE!

I guess to all the golfers out there a "hole in one" is the ultimate thing to do in the game of golf! Well at Stephens last clinic today he was on the 3 hole loop.....(a practice area of three hole all par 3 each hole.....) His first hole was a HOLE IN ONE!......"SO kido what do you win????" "Well mom, I get to put my name on the "board" for my age group"...."WOW! no free 3 hole loop pass, no free bucket of balls for the driving range???" No none of that, but he got to put HIS name on the 13 year old board.......Guess how many names were up there???come on GUESS!!! on the 13 year old board....NONE....well now there is one.........my RAF///// His uncle who is a lesson instructor at the place is so proud to see that name on the board...My FIL, who was of course there as he is all Saturday mornings with his 4 grandsons was one proud papa today.....You have to know my BIL's and FIL they are the ultimate GOLF family......These Raf boys have had custome made clubs since they were old enough to walk.....Owen my 2 year old nephew drives a mean straight ball....really u gotta see the kid......AS for the eldest Raf grandson to get a hole in one before age 18...(none of the other Raf boys ever got one...not even Uncle Tony the ex golf pro...lol ) He has made Raf history......I am sure Mil and Fil are bragging to all their Sat. Night dinner friends at the Golf Club as I type...So thanks papa Rob for all the clubs, shoes, gloves,bucket of balls and lessons b/c without your generous donation to the "golf" Ry and S would not be this good today....Love you Papa.....Glad he made you proud....

Golf ends and Hockey begins.....

Saturday is the last golf clinic for the boys. I have liked our Saturday morning out early in the summer air, to go bright and early and start the day with some fresh air. After tom. there will be no more early golf outings but very,VERY early hockey practices. They say ice hockey is not for everyone. The 430 am car rides to a cold rink 1 hour away is not some peoples idea of fun. I must say though that the day does not fly by when started at 400am. That is the plus about getting out of bed before the birds. The funny thing is when we get home around 930am the boys are asking for LUNCH.....lol Yes lunch.....I respond to LUNCH! IT IS 930am......but if you look at it 5 hours after you wake up is almost lunch time........SO I start cooking dinner at 100pm on a Saturday b/c it is like having lots of time on my hands. I look forward to preparing my many meals on one day freezing them and pulling it out to cook for a night that is crazy and to busy to cook. It beats take out b/c it is less expensive and better than fast food junk. I have done this only two times this summer b/c it is better to do it in the fall and winter and we are not pressd for time like during the school season. So you all know in two weeks I will be having me Sept. fall cook off....lol Two days of cooking morning noon and night ...........I do look forward to it because a GOOD WIFE always has dinner waiting for her man when he gets home form work.....lol .............well in the 1950's she did ....wink wink .........

The smart ones make it easy!

At the Bear shop Monday night and tonight I will continue to train a new "Bearbuilder" who will work there after school when it starts. I have done training a few times before and it could be dreadful if you have to train an airhead type. I am so glad to say this girl is such a smart one. She also catches on fast and has a nack for being freindly. Ya gotta be freindly, I mean really friendly to work at the BABW! It makes me look forward to going in tonight and gives me hope that the teens are on the right track to being our future in a positive light. I hope that many teens out there "get on track and stay on track" so that this country can prosper and not be a disfunctional place. So off to entertain the masses of the bear buying society. My job is a stage and I do all the acting and entertaining to put smiles on the faces of many. Don't forget I also contribute to the econmony of the retail industry. Gotta keep the American Economy rolling.......