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.......