Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2009! Blessings, Love and Friendship....

I love the snow people...

You may be saying "what?, she likes snowmen but HATES the snow?" Yes that is 100% correct. I think snowmen are the cutest. Anyone who knows me I keep the snowmen out way past the tree. I like to keep the Nativity up also. If it were up to me I would take the tree down Sunday but I will leave it up till after New Year for the sake of the kids. They love that it stays up. One year the day after Christmas it came down and they were sad so I will not do that to them for the sake of me organizing..lol
I just think snowmen, women and kids are just the cutest lil things.
and the song I put on makes me think of floating in the air with a snowman....yup sounds weird but true...lol

Merry Christmas

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas......We were blessed to have had this year as well as many others years. Have a great Christmas Night...

O Holy Night.....

The blessings of His birth be upon the world...

A matchy matchy Thanksgiving....lol

To match or not to matc that is the question....On Thanksgiving Day we so did match. Was it planned...who knows...lol but I love his shirt and I by chance got a new sweater that fits that happen to be the color of his. A month later the sweater is too big already. Down 11 lbs from then. Well it could be more, I will go totday and know. I stated I wanted to be down 100lbs by Christmas Day and was not going to frete or obbsess and I have been trying not too. As of Sunday I was 4 lbs away from making that goal. who knows. I am just proud and grateful to be healthy. I have been beating my mile time on the treadmill. I went from walkin a 20 min mile to under 14:20.Every time I do it I try to shave off more and more time. I plan on doint the Susan G Koman 3 day in 2009. I was told by Tom he would do it with me. 20 miles a day for 3 days in May. So I may be lookin for support come April to donate to a really good cause. It is pretty early in the am...have too many lists to make and could not sleep. I do need to go back to bed and clear my head....

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

You never stop learning...a good lesson!

I was taught in the program (H&W) mind, body , spirit that if a situation is out of your hands and you have zero control over it...IE the snow....the one thing you can control is your reaction to the situation. It can make it 100% better if you have a positive reaction to it. I know all your life you never stop learning and I am so grateful to learn some coping strategies for the snow. It looks beautiful from the sliders, kind of like a winter forest. I will not make it a habit to keep lookin at the street or the hill b/c it is a mess. I have no control over it. It is what it is, an enlighten quote of my boss with many situations. I did listen to the CD the program gives us. It is an awesome meditation CD. One of the tracks takes you to the "beach" in your mind. My body really feels that awesome sensation of lying on the beach with the warm sun rays on you. You are thinking BEACH I taught Stephie was not a fan. Well think again, I have some a long way baby! I truly see the blessing of the beach. I tell you this program has really helped in my well being, not just in the weight loss but in all over well being.This fall when M and I went to Cuddles and Bubbles in Hyannis we had a wonderful time as well as a beautiful fall walk on the beach. I did not want to leave b/c I have a new found appreciation for the beach. He was so happy that I loved the moment of it and was not asking ot leave. I also loved the beach the few times I went this summer too. It was not about the icky sand and how dirty our feet would get it was about our surroundings and love of that moment. I use these techniques in life situations also. I have learnt to step back from things that people say or do. It may not always be the best thing for me to stay apart of neg situations so I was taught to STEP BACK give it time and space. I also see some situations as you need me more than I need you things. I know I am being vague but it also helps to express my mind even if you don't fully get what I am saying. Some of my friends/readers will know exactly what I am saying b/c it pertains to them. The purpose of the post is to show how you truly never stop learing. You can always better yourself, there is always someone out there better than you are and less fortunate than you are too. It is your reaction to the situation that makes it or breaks it. Stay WARM AND COZY.....

In Feb I will be a graduate of the H & W program. I am sad but at the same time excited that I came so far with them. Since April 29, 08 my eyes have been opened as well as my spirit. I already started planning my graduation speech. I have heard others that graduated and felt they did not have as much of an impact as I tought they did and others a deep impact. I want to show the staff just how greatful I am to them for all they have done. I think a batch of fudge would send the wrong message...LOL LOL now that was classic Stephie humor. lol lol

got this in an e-mail....

This song was made b/c years ago they could not openly practice Christian Believes.
I can not confirm it is correct but it sounds good..Feed back if you know it is true? Or Snoops.....
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the
Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and
Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the
Apostles' Creed.

Lunch with my gals...minus Katie ; (

We so missed you Katie. We WILL be doing this again soon. Had lots of laughs and good times as always with my Jenny and Kristen. I swear you could be in a dark room with no seats empty and still have a blast with those two...Really!
Had a beauts time at an amazing store....lol and the lunch at Teresas Italian Resturante was top rate...Gotta love the family owned places huh...Hey where is the pic at the tall tree there? That was good one.....I took these from Kristen not my pics I am a pic stealer...lol Gals we will be going back there and to the STORE too...lol With Katie of course.....Hey the gift swap was not hte same without her but still a laugh and a half...xoxoxoxoxo

Dear letters.....

I got this idea from Pam http://www.pamela-anne.blogspot.com/ to do the Dear letters... here goes......

Dear McDonald's Fast Food joint or any other fast food joint out there,
I am writing to let you know I was a patron in the past but will not longer be. Come to think of it I have not been to any of your places since April 29, 2008. I no longer have a need for your crap food. I will not even be taking my children to your place. In the past we did get take out about 2-3 times a month in the past due to hectic schedules or convience. What were we thinking? We put that high fat crap in our systems and paid money for the stuff you call food. The food you serve clogs the arteries and puts nothing of nutritional value in our "tanks". Your greasy fries cause the skin to age and your substandard beef should not really be called meat. I wish your company no ill will but want you to be aware you are really doing this world a disservice. I hope you sleep well at night and good luck with all the new and exciting "healthy" items on your menu.
Sincerely, a rehabilitated customer

PS those nuggets can NOT really be all chicken they look like crap...My 100% white meat chicken does not look like that....

Remember when....

Any of you remember the year without snow? OOOOOHHHH I so do. I wanna say '01 maybe '03. I recall my friend Susan from church who loves the winter was so sad about it. We walked twice a week and would go out if it were cold. I told her once it snows no more walking. She was like it is so fun in the snow. OH NOT FOR ME! lol Her husband got snowmobiles for the NH house and they could not use them since it was a winter with like one snowstorm with maybe 2 inches. I liked that year. It is nice that it is Dec. 12 and we have yet to have some. PLEASE stay up in the sky. I can hope can;t I?

Q & A

Questions and Answers

1. Do you put up outdoor Christmas decorations?
Just a wreath and two little lit up trees
2. Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie?
I love the white snowball cookie...or butter horns
3. What is the best gift you ever gave someone?
I think the boys ....When we got them Thomas the Tank board and M and his dad built them a really nice table and the board and all the sets with bridges....they loved it M and I loved it too
4. Do you like fruitcake?
No way
5. What is your least favorite Christmas song?
I have to say Santa Baby.....annnoying or the Chipmuchs singin songs
6. Do you go to church on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day?
Christmas eve at our old church in Revere....so classic Our church does a very modern Mass we like that weekly but for Christmas Eve we love the old traditonal one
7. Do you hang Christmas stockings? Where?
we did but don't now....first house in Middleton had an awesome beautiful floor to celng. fireplace this one does not but one year we hung the stockings on the top window ledge about 12 feet high...we decided it looked to tacky...lol
8. Do you truly believe "it's the most wonderful time of the year"?
It is a very special time of year. I also love Spring and Easter
9. Have you ever worn a Santa hat?
yes
10. Are you more like Scrooge or Father Christmas?
Mother Christmas
11. Do you hang mistletoe?
We used to in the Revere house but not now
12. Does Santa wrap presents or just place them under your tree?
used to place and display but now since they are older they unwrap....it is hard b/c gifts are so differnt now that they are teens
13. Can you ice skate?
I did back in the day at the Orient Heights rink in Easta Bost back in the 80's I so wan tot skate next winter....
14. Do you love snow?
If you know me u will know that answer.....
15. Which do you prefer-- giving or receiving?
giving b/c I like to see smile and make happy happy
16. Candy Canes-- yuck or yum?
Yuck!
17. The 3 best things about Christmas?
there are more than 3 so I will not list bc/ I may be here all night..lol
18. What type of decoration should stop being made?
garland puffy garland....do they still make it...I hope not
19. Do you listen to 24/7 holiday radio?
I love the music on 103.3 and 105.7 so yes and I play Pandoras Radio on the comp when I am home...
20. Rudolph or Frosty?
Rudolph b/c he is NOT made of snow.....SNOW BITES! lol lol

Whats up doc?

Had a visit to my PCP yesterday. She has not seen me for a while and I shocked her that I am 12 lbs away from being down 100lbs.....She was so funny, she pretended to not know me. I got that at the Christmas concert on Sunday from someone I said hello too. She was so proud and glad that I am doing so well. She did however comment about my boobs...yes I said BOOBS....what could she have said...well while doing the breast exam that I so hate but so approve of (early detection is needed if something was wrong) she comments..."OH"....so now my heart sinks I think she found something...NO she was like wow u were really large before and you DID loose a lot of weight in your chest. Maybe when you are at your goal you can think of the operation for skin removal. OH NO I CAN'T! lol I could not even watch Discovery network documentary about it you think I am gonna have IT! NOT! I am NOT vain like that I can live with it. Unless it was medically needed NO WAY NO HOW! I am just glad to be the picture of health and have stamina to exercise and sustain long term movement. I love the 1 mile and two mile tone and walk vids that I picked up at Borders. I do one after the other to do 3 miles with weights...Tone and Burn. I feel great and always want to move not just sit on the sofa at night.Even when watching our shows I am on the floor strechin or doing something. These days I have to b/c I am sooo COLD all the time. I really never was cold. I would sweat even if someone was cold. Now my teeth chatter. lol I just tought I would share. This week I dropped 5.5 lbs I worked hard for that. Last week it was only like 1.2 so at Heart and Wellness they said it all comes off eventully so don't fret it WILL happen when u keep it up. OH and I WILL be keepin it up....I will be so sad to leave H and W when my weeks are up but till then I will work my tail off there and here. Have a great day. Off to have some whey pwder in my yogrt. with fresh blackberries...yum

BTW I have to mention ....Dr. Agnes is and was my biggest modivator in this weight loss journey. It is when I switched to her from a really crapy doctor in my mind and experience (M still goes to him..yuck...Dr A never even called M when he had his Kidney stones to see how he was....Dr Agnes called me to ask how M was. Why b/c I was at her office in the summer when it happen and he was at he hospital and SHE was concerned about US not HIS PCP, how awesome is she) B/c of Dr Agnes I woke up and smelt the tulip.

The Ten Commandments of Christmas

At Mass this week we were given this...I had to share. Also yesterday I went to the most touching Christmas Concert ever. St Agnes Adult and Children's choir sang a medley of songs for Advent and Christmas. I got chills during some of them, the power and Majesty of music as prayer brings out the true Holy Spirit within your heart. Kayley, the girl I watched for many summers had a solo and she really has improved in her singing. I was honored to be asked to be her Confirmation sponsor when she is confirmed in October with Stephen. She said it so cute and was like "You took care of me when I was younger and you known me for a long time AND you really love God so I think you would be the person who would want to be my sponsor" She is a very simple 15.5 year old girl and I am touched that she thinks of me in that regard. Never loose site of the true meaning of Christmas...It is so not about the hype of gifts it is about you and yours sharing in Gods love that He sent His only Son down to save us and have eternal life. Blessings and Love...Stephie

1. Thou shalt prepare early. Don't wait until the last minute to get into the Christmas spirit.

2. Thou shalt keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season. Resolve to read one of the Gospels during December. Mediate upon what it means that Christ came into the world.

3. Thou shalt make Christmas a family time. Do things together: Decorate the tree, play games, bake cookies, shop, write cards, have devotionals, go caroling, attend church together.

4. Thou shalt remember those who are less fortunate. Contribute significantly to an organization serving the needs of others throughout the year. Give a Christmas gift to your church.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with every gift. Put some thought into the gifts you purchase. Give a gift that represents you. If possible, make something instead of buying something.

6. Thou shalt learn to be a good receiver. Many of us have trouble receiving graciously and gracefully.

7. Thou shalt put music into Christmas. Buy several Christmas CD's and play them again and again. Attend church choir cantatas and special Christmas programs. Sing carols with loved ones.

8. Thou shalt slow down. Remember: Christmas is supposed to be a season of peace, not hypertension.

9. Thou shalt remember to worship. The church is the place you are most likely to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

10. Thou shalt receive Christ into thy life. Don't just talk about the Christ of Christmas, receive him into your life as Lord and Savior.

Therory of life...Hot Chocolate!

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at
a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now
retired.

During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress
in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the
professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot
chocolate and an assortment of cups—porcelain, glass, crystal, some
plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help
themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:

Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving
behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only
the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot
chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases
even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot
chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups…
And then you began eyeing each others cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and
position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and
contain life.

The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you
have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the
hot chocolate provided us.

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make
the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate!!!
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I love this part...so true "The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make
the best of everything that they have"