Am I too early or right on time?

Hello all...I hope I am not too early to make this page festive. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday was an early day at BAB. Five am and the doors opened, Jenni and I had fun with our go green backpacks on and our Hal and Holly in them. I would not have been there otherwise. I was there to work and have BAB fun no black Friday shopping for me. Michael did p/u 2 things yesterday before he went to the office for Stephen. A drill that was like 65% off and something at Sears for the soon to be electrician. The running joke is the kid gets to use power tools...but I still have that microwave fear when I am not home. lol He said to me he could take it out rewire it intall it and still not cause a fire...that kid is so funny. I called yesterday to ck on Ryan and he was like I am fine and playing on line so I have to go or my guy will die...oh ok...whatever. I asked if he ate breakfast and he did not eat the evil dreaded cheese its.....phew....lol JK....Nanna Julie and Lucy make one pie just for Stephen every year and he ate half yesterday and the other on Thanksgiving. UGH.....I guess at 6'2" and slim he can handle it with out an ounce going to his hips like us gals...lol It is the famous ricotta pie. He li so much. He loves them. It is once or twice a year so it is not like he is doing it everyday. The store ones do not compare. Mom and Lucy will sell them if they get the order in fast enough.P/u is the resonsiblity of the person who orders. I think this year they made like 25 of them on a Sunday morning. Ry does not like so much but he looks forward to the jam filled cookies...ick...I no li..
SO I think today may be tree decorating day since S has no work due to the Thanksgiving weekend. 26 days till Christmas....don't loose site of the true meaning of that day...Jesus is the reason for the season...xoxooxoxo

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Hope you are all fortunate to be spending Thanksgiving with family and friends that you hold close to your hearts. Have a wonderful day. Blessings and love....

Happy Birthday Michael

How cool would this cake be for the golfer in my life? lol Not that he woul deat a piece. He like myself has been on the health bandwagon. It is so nice to have a partner doing it with. He has gotton so "buff" from the gym and never wants to eat anything but healthy stuff. His co-workers made him a cake and knew he is not eating cake, well he never really did eat cake otherwise. So they made an Angel Food with berries cake to be a lil bit more safe. He did have a slice. U GO Michael. Our son Stephen wants to take him out to eat tonight and offered to pay. He is too cute. I am off to drive him to the electricians for work, then to the gym without Know Fear..lol He is getting to sleep late b/c it is his b-day. I hope he sleeps late...who knows. I will see when I get back. Did a ton of baking Thurs and yesterday for the Church bakesale today. Have to drop that off after the gym. Ry and I went for a very cold walk last night after dinner. Boy did we have to walk fast b/c it was soooo cold. We chatted but mostly walked fast. lol....Gotta wrap his new clothes for work gift. He always gets new clothes for work and some really warm bed pants the flece kind that are so cozy. So I won't be attempting to make the awesome cake in the pic nor a cake atall b/c he won't eat it. Maybe I can make berries look like the shape of a cake...lol I could make him whipped cream to go with the berries...wink wink.....gasp did she just! lol lol hey he may be 41 but he has got it goin on.....Love you handsome buff man...xoxooxoxox U R my bestfriend and forever true soulmate love..xoxoxoxooxo u rock our world....thanks for all the many things you do and for who u are....xoxoxoxoxo

orange let down

I have not had an orange for a while and had the urge too have one. Got 4 of them from Pace Grocoria in Saugus that always has the best food. They were so beautiful looking but then I pealed it and took the first bite it was such a let down. : (
Not sweet at all really tart. I will send the others to work with Michael for his luch b/c he likes tart apples, oranges and grapefruits while I like then really sweet. I can not eat a green apple...yuck too bitter for my liking. The ones MIL and FIL take home from the sunshine state are the best ever. I am gonna have to wait and look forward to the return trip in April with the bags of oranges. Then MIL will be off to Greece with her friends for the trip around that country. Nice huh! I just want some delish sweet oranges thats all....lol

Am I blue?

Or should I say will I turn blue? lol I eat lots of berries but mostly blueberries. I had a dream last night that like in the original Wonka movie I was blue. I did not blow up like she did but I was the color blue. In the dream the backround was also blue but people were not just me. I was scared to go to work but continued to eat the blueberries. lol .....They are great for the skin and the body. With tons of antioxidents and they help free radicals they are a SUPERFOOD. They taste great fresh or forzen and are so low in cals. I must say they are not cheep but the better the food is for you the more it will cost. Junk is cheep b/c it does nothing but bad so pop some blueberries for a delish treat./////And I hope I stay this color and not turn blue....lol lol

To be thankful.....

I do not want to loose site of Thanksgiving so I will put the Christmas backround back later.

Jesus is the reason for the season....Don;t loose site of that...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
An Artificial that can pass for real....the mess of the real lingers for months later.....u know us...lol

3. When do you put up the tree?
either the weekend after Thanksgiving or the next.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Ilike to take it down early but M keeps it up till New Years Day or a few after that. At that point I am like.....clean it up...back to reg.

5. Do you like eggnog?
eh....I could take it or leave it and this year it will be left...

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A bike

7. Hardest person to buy for?
now the kids since it is no longer a Toy thing...I guess

8. Easiest person to buy for?
M b/c he is so easy and appreciates anything

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
3 of them. One really awesome one I got as a gift from M 5 years ago and I love it, one white lil porclin, one that we got together our first year as husband and wife, and a lil set that I had when the kids were small to play with.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. Love giving and receiving them. Though I like to send a Happy New Year one to surprise people after all the others were sent...; )

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
This ugly coat from my aunt when I was 10...hated the coat. lol

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
The Santa Clause

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
October, our Christmas Club accnt matures and then we get the cash that M saves all year. He has been since 1990. He is such a savy smart money man...he should teach classes....lol

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
ha ha Yes! it was from a student when I worked at the school. Did not match my kitchen but it did my mothers...so I put a Stop & Shop gc with it..lol and I never turned it over...OPPSSSSSIIIEEE It was writen with Sharpie marker...to the best teachers helper ever, I love you Mrs. R lol lol lol Well to my surprise ....Hey she got a gift now didn't she...lol

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
MILs pumpkin roll up.....oh so delish.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
SO MANY

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
MIL AND FIL EVE and Mass at the awesome Immaculet in Revere...such a classic Mass and Our house Christmas Day. I love doing Christmas Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Sure can.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel

21. Presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
The 4 of us on morn and the rest of the fam Eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
That people loose site of the TRUE GIFT of Christmas. Jesus is the Reason for the Season.....

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color?
I love the ones we have collected since our first Christmas 17 years ago and my new Willow Tree Angels he gets me and others too.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Mils homemade Ravioli that I will not be eating this year. But my meatballs are A+ so I will be having one and yum yum that will be.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
To be 100 lbs down.....IT COULD HAPPEN ....I AM 81 lbs down as of now from 4/29/08 SO FOLKS>>>>WE WILL SEE....BUT it is only a number.....I am not stressin on the number but the health of my being...That is the important part....right!

Merry Christmas friends! Hope your Christmas is one with blessings and love.

I love Katies blog stuff.....here goes

1998


10 Years ago.....

1.) We moved to Middleton Aug 1998 or was it 97
2.) bought a second car b/c we moved to the burbs
3.) was married for 6 years at that point
4.) had a child in K and one not in school
5.) took care of many kids and loved it

5 THINGS ON TODAY'S TO-DO LIST

1.) Grocery shopping/Laundry
2.) cook/bake for tom.
3.) take Ry and his friend to rel ed class today
4.) take my many vitamins
5.) cuddle with my luv bug

5 THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE

1.) start a college fund in Steven Diors memory
2.) donate/help family and friends and others
3.) put $ aside for the boys future buisness
4.) cook and bak for people all day
5.) shop for things for us and others. I am not one to like to shop but I would learn to like it....lol
6.)live on the island of Maui

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED

1.) EastaBostah, MA
2.) South Yarmouth, MA
3.) Revere, MA
4.) Middleton, MA
5.) Maui, HI.....yeah ok.....lol as if....someday if not in my dreams...

5 JOBS I'VE HAD

1.) mom...the best job out there....
2.) too many others to list at this point lol

You know the drill...get crack-a-lackin'!

Not just turkey but deer too....

On the way to our "date" aka our gym time together, we almost hit a deer running so fast across the road it was a flash. I think my heart rate was in arobic mode after that without doing the treadmill. I was so glad we did not harm Bambies cousin nor the truck and most of all ourselves. I guess living in the burbs with turkey, cows, baby fox, Chestnut the horse,lil bunny fu fu, alvin the chipmonk, and now deer must happen out here in forest land. Our "date" was a good one as always and now we are going to enjoy something to drink Tazo Tea for me and a big glass of Crangrape for him.

The Sack Lunches

Today a very young man/kid came in and he looked younger than Stephen but he was fresh out of HS as of May. He was a sweethearted kid.He was funny when we did the heart cerimony and really respectful. I asked who the bear was for and he said a present for his mom. I said that was sweet and was like awh...He then told me he was leaving tom. to serve in the Army and then my eyes weld up with tears. So young. I thanked him for his service and said I would keep him in my toughts. He said thank you for such a fun way to make his mother a present that she could have while he is away. I told him to hold her tight and give her a hug that she'll never forget. He said that he has been all weekend long. And there flowed more tears. I tought of my own boys and could not even imagine what that mom is going through right now with her "baby" off to fight for ALL OF US. You just got to love the commitment and dedication these men and women give to serve our Country. When he was making his BC he asked me to put HIS b-day on the BC so it could represent him. To think this boy was born in 1989 the year I was graduatin Pope John HS. To think from then till now the changes are so .....I am at a loss for words. God Bless that boy and all the others out there.

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This may not even be a true story...Let us hope it is. My heart was touched by it and I had to share. As we honor our Vets and the people who have much courage to serve our United States of America we go into the future with hope that they will ALL return safe and sound. God Bless you all and your families.




I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my
assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book
to read.
Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a
conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated
nearest to me.
“ Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for
special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq “

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack
lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we
reached Chicago , and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he
planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for
just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we
get to Chicago '
His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I
walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar
bill.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed
tightly.
Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ;
it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the
soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked,
'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and
went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner
plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane,
heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did.
I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming
down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked,
I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers
only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held
out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's
hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military
pilot.
Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'
I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my
legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached
out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my
palm.

When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to
deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put
something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without
saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the
base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars.
'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about
time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their
fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a
prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our
country. I could only give them a couple of meals.
It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check
Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of
'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many
people in This country who no longer understand it.'

This Monday and next

They are gettin married....AGAIN! How cute....they are restating their vows to eachother on the beautiful island of Maui....ahhh so lovely. They stole our idea..LOL JK...Michael and I have had this planned since 1998 with the idea that in 2012 ...not too long on our 20th we will restate our vows with our sons in Hawaii...I did say the Disney Cruise but they so don't agree with that one. They said we have been on there enough and look forward to a non disney vacation...as if@ lol
They are the cutest family as I said in post past. It is so funny how Hannah I think says your "gonna get married AGAIN"? They showed how much fun they had in Calil on the 5 day layover to Hawaii last week. It should be a good one...I know I am lookin forward to it after M and I workout tom eve, thats our idea of datin' lol we are together right!...

On the band wagon....

Since we are going to do some Christmas shoppin today I am getting on the bandwagon....lol Yes my last post stated "too early" but hey go with the flow....

Ck this out....

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/

I think I got this last year in e-mail too. It is really cute. I love the easy treats that can be made. The entire web site is cool too. So weird that already on 103.3 fm and 105.7 fm the Christmas songs have begun. At the workshop they have been playing since the day after Halloween. They don't play all the time at BAB but the radio has 24/7 of the stuff. I LOVE Christmas music but too soon. Though I found myself yesterday switchin back and forth from the 2 stations while drivin to and from my neice and nephews house. Had a blast watching the kids. They are two sweetie pies. Selena is so smart and helpful and Justin only cries when he is hungry. He eats a ton. He is 6 mnths old and as big as his sister was at a year...lol She is a lil bit of a thing still. She said I broke the tv b/c it would not turn on but I was not clicka savy to thier tv..lol they have an entire set up of "toys" when it comes to the tv. Hey u don't need tv all the time so we spent our time on eye spys and Auntie Stephie says games. Instead of Simon says it was Auntie says....And who can resist legos. Build walls and houses. Had a blast...I wish they could stay forever young. Back to the point of the post.....yes I know Christmas is coming and I think Kristen from Blog has a countdown clock going on hers, but oh my it comes so fast. Enjoy the season, don't over stress, make it fun and be thankful for it. Live in the moment and cherish the PEOPLE it is so not about the STUFF.....Not just this time of year but all the year ....people mean more than anything. Love costs nothing and matters most....XOXOXO Love, friendship and blessings.....Stephie

Some words to live by.....

"As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. As long as we have hope, tomorrow awaits. As long as we have friendship, today is beautiful."

Blessings, Friendsip and Love.....Live everyday with greatfulness and thankfulness...
{{{{HUGS}}}}

November is Diabtetes Awareness Month

Just keep in mind how awful of a disease this is. When I was little and hear Nana T say diabetic or he has the "diabetes" never taught it was a "bad" thing. Just taught Papa Steve had to "watch" how many deserts he ate. Lets make him the sugar free pudding she would say, or get the sweet and low for Papa. Yeah we know know that pink pack can do more harm than good. ick sweet and low....nasty. As I got older and saw my mother get the disease (who mind you took it way to lightly and brushed it off as nothing) I could see just how severe it could get and the other health effects that came with it if not properly treated. I learnt my lesson the hard and sad way and refuse to get this b/c of genetics or lifestyle. I am proactive in the fight against it and vowed back in April to take good care of my health. The road is still long and I accept that, the measure I took to make my chances drop were hard but really good that there is something out there to drop the % of getting this disease. I have the need to put this out there that Nov. is diabetes awareness month and to "fight" for all those who struggle everyday to keep the levels even and LIVE with the disease. They don't have it easy by any means. Keep them in your hearts and prayers.