I have a pasta pan

and you're reading saying BIG WOOP! lol Ok here is why MY pasta pan means so much to me! First when I use it it brings me back to another place and time! No not EPCOT Italy lol lol but to the last day of the school year back when I was an Aide at FM School. The awesome class I was in helping Mrs. Lorden, (I swear a teacher who just knew her stuff blindfold and gave her all) that was the last class I was in. Those lil ones who I still think are lil ones are now heading to Masco for the 7th grade. We are talking Kindergartners here. My my the time has flown! On the last day the wonderful parents all pitched in and gave Mrs. L, Mrs. D and myself gift cards to Home Goods. I was in my glory! It was so very sweet of them since I was really more so a one on one but when a one on one you really make it look like you service the entire class. And you really do try to since me being who I am want to help any and all that I can without neglecting the one I have to focus on. Trust me I know how ot work a classroom with a lead teacher. :D So back to the pasta pan. Funny how that day at Home Goods I see a mom of one of the students and thank her immensely for the classes gift and thinking of me. As I am there I realize that this really expensive marked down pasta pan is exactly what I need. So I get it. So for the past 6 years it has got many uses. Each and every time I clean it it brings me back to a time and place. I think of the class all set up and the students at the tables. I recall the reading circle we would sit in, the cubbies I would fill with stamped and sticker ed papers and the :D's of the lil ones. I loved what I did everyday with them. I loved the one on one that I was responsible for. I saw a picture of her at the 6th grade graduation and was floored and teary eyed at how far she has come. I also have this cute handmade gift from her personally that I will cherish always. It is a fabric lunch bag that was made to look like a snowman that I got for Christmas. She is healthy and thriving now no longer sick with disease. That right there makes me smile BIG :D! So there are items in your life that take you back to that time and place that you can't help but have a smile when you recall the events. It is not the pan itself that I cherish it is the nice gesture and thinking of how loved I felt that they the class and parents said oh lets include Mrs. R in the class gift. I keep in my heart another particular gal from that class and I get to see her every now and again. A long time friends daughter who I have had the privileged to see grow up. She is a beautiful young gal who smile still reminds me of her K days. I remember the smile on her face when I she spoke of her uncle with such pride and I said I know your uncle. She was so happy to know I knew her family. We connected and still to this day I feel blessed to have had the year with her in that class. I had other students who mean a lot ot me during the time at FM but this class this last class, kind of like your lsat day of school almost like a graduation and moving on mean so much to me and stay close to my heart. Off to wash that pan again since I boiled many many dozens of egg in it this eve for the Lawrence Food Pantry. The house may not smell to great with all this egg salad but many mouths are gonna be fed and my mind went back to the lil chairs in Mrs. Lordens class again tonight. xoxoxo Love to Miss Victoria and Miss Hannah! <3

an 18 year olds appetite!

The son just got in and is requesting oatmeal! at 10:30 at night he is like I have been wanting oatmeal. So we have some instant packs BUT he dislikes the flavors so right now in an attempt to teach him not just make it for him as I type the slow cook oatmeal is on the stove. I have just enough brown sugar to add for taste and lots of cinnamon. I said you HAVE to stay near the stove to stir /c we ll know how slow oatmeal can get when not watched....as he stands there he now gets 2 slices of bread and adds a dab of pb. He just can't wait for the oats to be done! I say it is 10:30 you nuts? funny the bread is oatmeal fiber one bread...he is gonna get tons o fiber at the late night hour...All I know is he better drink some water to make sure ALL this fibah processes!!!!!!! oh the appetite of an 18 year old!!!!!!!

not a pretty site!!! ICK!!!!

On the front steps.....yup this ugly slimy creature. ICK ICK.....this thing NEEDS to go away!

If you want to make a difference then please help!

Hello All...hope to find you healthy and happy!
As you all may already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I'm doing it again - I signed up for the 2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure! I had such an incredible experience doing the 3-Day for the Cure last year and the other years.... that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, even though this year like past years I really know what I've gotten myself into. I am also going to volunteer for another walk to Crew with my husband and son. For that 3 Day we will take extra special care of the walkers and make sure they are SAFE!

Just in case you missed my account of last year's event, follow the link below to visit my personal webpage, where I tell my story. This event isn't easy, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $2500. that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help end breast cancer.

Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising Web page and make a donation.

http://www.the3day.org/site/TRC/2011/TampaBayEvent2011?pg=peditor&fr_id=1630&px=2999947
If you do not want to donate by cc you can download a form http://www.the3day.org/site/TRGiftForm?fr_id=1630&px=2999947 to mail a check also...or send the check to me 133 River St Middleton, Ma 01949 made out to Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk I am walker ID # 2999947 Event #1630 in the memo section.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Love and Pink Angel Hugs <3
Sunshine Stephie!!!!!!

P.S. Don't wait - donate today!
I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A CURE, be it walking or crewing! "Because Everyone Deserves a Lifetime"

lots of movement with laughs too

got to have some really great convo with Miss Ham! Love talking to that lady who like myself LOVES LIFE and LAUGHS more than anything. That's why there is such a connection. Her thinking is to be and stay in the company of positive people and you can feed off the good. Hams energy and spunk is amazing. My face muscles get a workout when we are together! :D gotta luv the Hamalama! xoxoxoxox As for the Big B man...lol Brianna/Cabana Boy! he pointed out this way tooooo funny book!...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwwtO5viUDE We had many laughs the other night! Btween Pat the Bunny and our laughs....what a time! "follow the leader leader leader"

walk and dance

great Tuesday night walk with Angels! :D now to dance around the kitchen to all the new songs Michael downloaded to the Ipod! get him movin and grovin to to get the burn on!

creating addicts everyday!

Not only have I made a monster out of my co-worker Bridget, oh and JW too but a complete stranger at Sundays NSMC walk! Was using the bathrooms and was so impressed at how clean they were (I was the 1st one there to use them lol) and told the lady cleaning them they were immaculate, we got to talking and were sharing cleaning obsessions and told her about the 70% I A addiction I have LMAO! Well she was like I can't wait to get myself a spray bottle and use that too! :D yet another convert! hahahha......I swear I am ADDICTED! Bridget fed into my habit and got me very large bottles ...<3 u B! and I got her a pretty spray bottle for hers! I really do clean all surfaces with a diluted mixture and find it is the BEST! I need cases of it! CASES I TELL YOU!

~sticking to what I know~

I just tried to be a BARISTA in the kitchen...lol WELL it did not go well. Early this morn before work I brewed some chi herb tea stuff.....made it get chilly while at work then just now wanted to FROTHY it and make a kind of frozen drink! WELL didn't happen as well as I envisioned lol I will stick to building bears and taking care of children LOL LOL .....the counter had to be wiped down with 70% isopropyl alcohol mind you....Had to clean my hands after b/c they were a mess also and really all I got out of the concoction was some flavored chunks of ice. Oh well I guess I won't be the creator of herbal slush drinks after all! :D :/ IT IS WHAT IT IS! :P

4 weeks and counting!!!!!!!!!

Less than four weeks till the Boston 3 Day SGK for the cure walk. So pumped! gonna wear my orange safety shirt, gotta be viable/kind of like the orange cones! maybe Michael and Stephen can wear this outfit. that would be cute! So excited....to be able to see every walker...I will so miss walking this year in Boston but look very forward to TAMPA! luv the heat and loving to see a new city! SO please if you want to support an awesome cause go to ......http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/TampaBayEvent2011?px=2999947&pg=personal&fr_id=1630 and DONATE! EVERY LIL BIT HELPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like his mama

So proud of Stephen tonight, we did not know that at the scholarship dinner this eve he would have to go up and say a few things. So without anything written he did sooo very well. Out of the 3 students he went last and started by saying words of congrats to the 2 other recipients. What made us most proud after thank yous and telling of his future plans he made sure to mention how he supports the SGK 3 Day and how is honored to be apart of the FIGHT for a Cure! Oh that boy! Like his mama he has passion for the cause AND can talk to anyone! YAY STEPHEN YAY! lol lol

EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME!

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/TampaBayEvent2011?px=2999947&pg=personal&fr_id=1630
The Pink Angels to Fight Breast Cancer don't JUST walk in Boston for the 3 Day! NO NO, you can't keep us in just one place....LOL LOL We got a HUGE Tampa FL team this year and other PA's in town across America! Please PLEASE!!!!! Really a GREAT BIG PLEASE! click on the link DONATE TO END THIS>...IN our lifetime we NEED to find a cure! your daughters, friends, wives, husbands, sons, aunts...EVERYONE needs to know breast cancer will not take another life! I hold this near and dear and WILL not stop FIGHTING until I can not fight any more....I will ALWAYS be apart of FINDING THE CURE...Because "everyone deserves and lifetime"

who does the casting for these commercials????? NUTELLA!

Say the Nutella commercial this morn while getting ready.....WHAT>???WHo did the casting for that commercial? OK I will hear from people who will say don't stereotype: I am really just being a bit funny here with the notion that when I grew up ONLY the Italian kids even knew what Nutella was! The staple; Italian type peanut butter equivalent! SO why is the mom blond? the kids blue eyes and blond? WHAT! Where are the olive oil skin kids with dark hair and eyes...the mom with her Italian looking persona? I need the number of the casting director...REDO! there are plenty of families I could see cast on that commercial! Then it would be a true replication of the product! Now now don't all get mad taht I am saying this I am really kidding but there is a lil bit of truth to it too!!!!

my babies daddy!!!!

Growing up not having a father..not the best thing ever...but having a very loving papa made it a lil bit easier, no I stand corrected a lot easier. Losing Papa Steve was a hard blow at a young age ta boot. I also had the pleasure to have an outstanding uncle who I love and cherish to this day. With that said regardless when you father is not apart of your upbringing there is a puzzle piece missing and it is not an easy thing to get over.Fathers Day being a reminder of that. When all your friends are saying how much they love and cherish their dad. You deal with it but in the back of your mind you always think of the what if's and other scenarios that might have occurred. Knowing that feeling of absents I NEVER EVER wanted my children to feel that. I wanted them to have what I didn't and I am pleased and honored to say they got that and more. Blessed with a man who not only has shown nothing but unconditional love, respect, and pride towards me; he has shown and acted as the best dad around for our sons. He quote unquote would shovel shit if he had to to support us...he would take a bullet for us and would never ever leave or have us in any danger. He has always stated that he could never understand how a man could put a blind eye to his flesh and blood. He says how can men not support their kids? I as a mother do not understand it since the love for your children is so very special and deep, it is a selfless kind of action that is automatic, well atleast for most I would hope. I always joke with him and call him my daddy too. LOL I love most sayin "you're my babies daddy"....and we just laugh! :D As for his own dad, he had a role model of epic proportions. It's a no wonder why he is such a great dad. I since day one have felt like a "daughter" to my FIL....The dance that took place at our wedding was so special, I felt such a deep love and connection it really made me feel loved. I know where he gets his loving, caring and daddy like qualities and feel equally blessed to have had him get such an awesome upbringing. As for the DNA half of me that was and still not involved or apart of my life...Still to this day I can say I was jipped in a way ...no correction HE was jipped BIG TIME.....he made the choice to NOT be in MY life. He is the one missing out BIG! I could be the wallow in my sorrow type or I can put on my big girl pants and hold my head up high and not let that define me. AND I DO! Head held high! Knowing that HE MISSED OUT more that I ever did. Another Fathers Day approaches and I have no need to be sad because there are many more dads in my life that I can look to and say HAPPY FATHERS DAY to ....the most important being the one who has been there since minute one, who through the years has shown and gone above and beyond the tile of father...he is a true dad! Smart, Best Bud, Strong in spirt, Gentle, Caring Supportive,Wise,In Charge and most of all loving in an unconditional way......Thank You to my Best Friend and Love. I would not want to have gone through the past 20 years with anyone but you by my side. oxoxoxo

Quoted from Dr. Sears......."HEALTHY EATS MY FRIENDS"

"Pesco-vegetarians eat fish, dairy products, and eggs along with plant foods. (We believe this is the healthiest diet for most people)."
I guess I now have to be a label of Pesco-Vegetarian.....I eat tuna fish, white albacore with a lil evoo and vinegar. I try to have 75% Vegan but can not be a true vegan because I really really love cheese. I get much protein from cheese and eggs. I no longer drink cow milk unless last resort. I enjoy a good almond,soy or rice milk. Mostly the almond one. I do not push being a non meat eater in others meat eating faces, I just no longer like or want to consume meat. It has been since the end of April 08. As the years have passed I still cook the stuff for the family but do not at all like the smell. I do it b/c of my Italian Mama love..hahahha I am still told my meatballs are AWESOME! Funny how I tried to make FAKERS and they sooo knew....that was trashed. I do not like those food processed into "food" for example...meatless chicken nuggets or fake ribs...a soy product with bbq sauce to cover the meatlessness of the item. As for the Tofukey aat holiday time or soy franks for summer...so not touching that either...the more pure and untouched the food the better...it just seems like if you were to put in your car a bunch of sludge and gunk, like your car the body will function in tip top condition when feed and fueled with healthy stuff...so off to cut up the greens and chop chop the veggies, add some beans and omegas and what a meal, I mean fueled source for me! Healthy Eats!

June should be warm? or no????

Today the outside temp read 56*...really? June 13th....I think that's just not SUNSHINE enough for me. It did however "warm" up at around 1:30 went for a walk at the Lake with Bailey and the temp said 67* .....THEN like 71* in the sun that peeked through about 10 mins and then not so much.....LOL On another note, my A button keeps on stickin' There are many words that need the vowel A and I have to go bck & look or press really hard for the a to type. UGH an Aless board. hahahahha see without me pressin hard on the A tht would look like hhhhhhhhhh makes no scenes.

BOOM BOOM CRASH!!! AND A BIG BROTHER IS A COMIN SOON TOO!

the drive home was a crazy one...the skies blackened and opened up like a rolling in of zoombies lol lol the rain fast and hard...the noise so not like a regular storm...crazy flashes and a very crazed driver...ME! So we did make it home with Ryan making sure I knew that we were GROUNDED...the wheels ground us...Ya but it is still freaky as ll freak show....As I get in I look at my e-mails after chatin with Michael that he was close by..yay...he also in the mess....the e-mail reminds me that on July 7th the new season of BOG BROTHER starts...YAHHHHOOOOO.......been watching them since day 1 just like Real World. I get people who say you watch reality shows? really! YUP I SURE DO.....beats scripted shows that are ACTED out...lol lol I so know I will catch some nay sayers and peeps who will say oh okkkkk like reality is not scripted but ya know what you watch your shows and I watch mine. I do not like TV shows...I like reality shows...I have 2 majors ones Biggest Loser being my #1 and Big Brother up there like #2.....So as July heads our way the DVR will be set to record the season....I may watch the day it is on or look at the show that is DVR'ed ,.....I am not a slave to BB but to BL I basically am because I workout the entire 2 hours BL is on....as for BB...I hope in the 13th season they bring out the WOW factor with TWISTS! ...I so think I could be a houseguest esply NOW that I can so do the crazy psychical stunts they have to do from time to time...and on the psychological end of it..eh I see myself taking it! :P Have a great storm free eve people and SUNSHINE HUGS from Stephie xoxoxoxoxo

B's are lookin great!

4-0 third period...YAH BABY!!!! Hey lets hope that Horton is well. My my that was low and cheep of Vancouver. SO WIN IT FOR THE HORTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOOOOO B's!

things I may not have done at 340lbs

I have to say way back when I TRIED to kayak and it did not go well. I think I did not know how to manage my weight and stay centered. Maybe I just had to much to center. Well tonight thanks to Susan,,,mind you back in 2001 Sue was the motivator to push me walking when I dropped 80lbs but did not keep it off, she called out of the blue with the crazy question "what are you doin,? U wanna go kyackin right now????" I said what now?????Q!!!!!! ok what do I wear...LOL AND I so did not mean it like a social event that I had to DRESS UP! I meant do I find clothes that would be water proof ect...so she said flip flops, bug spray and something you don't care to maybe get a lil dirty. DIRTY! huh!!!! LOL LOL I realized life os to shot to worry if I get a lil dirty! Nature has dirt...I have grown to love the outdoors and nature so dirty comes with the territory. As we load th eback of her 4x4 (mind u they would never fit in the hybrid lol nor would the hybrid haul such Lbs. LOL LOL) we got a lil dirt on us and a great upper workout b/c they are not light items....Our upper body workout continued with gliding and rowing against the currant, Why make it easy and ride the currant when you can push through it.!!!! SO off we went in Middleton, but felt like Maine....It was quiet, beautiful and so refreshing. I felt alive and well to be out ther enjoying Gods great creation. WOW you could even see the bottom of the Ipswich River..it was way cleaner than I would imagine. The best part is we got to catch up with each others goings on and enjoy some rays of sunshine that was still pretty bright. I am no longer a kayak virgin...hahahha I may even ride the rapids like Michael did at the KNOW FEAR place in Norhtern Maine White Water Rafting. Yup the really fast in the blowup thingy event. I opted out those times he went b/c of lack of interest and out of comfort zone type feelings. This eve will be in my memory and I want to send out a great BIG thank you to Sue for the offer and please ask again..I LOVED IT! My new THING>..lol love the upper body workout!

Pomp and Circumstance

que the music....ba ba ba ba ba ba hum hum hum hum....ok u get it lol lol
So happy, proud, bitter sweet with emotions from tonights NSTHS graduation. Funny how the class Valedictorian said it..."this is an end to the beginning of of future".....So true! We are so proud Stephen 5 years ago made the choice to attend NST with the hopes of getting in. Yes it is a school that you have to test into and have the grades and reason to go there. One of the guest speakers stated that in Massachusetts there are over 1500 students on waiting lists to attend Voc schools. He excelled immensely there and we are so happy he took this route instead of a conventional HS. Don't get me wrong our town HS is a wonderful one and we initially made the choice to move to this town for the school system and small town feel. Also we did miss seeing the kids that he started with in Kindergarten way back when graduate also. We also feel that the past 4 years at NST we have formed a new family. We also get to stay apart of the NST family with Ryan. SO happy he has taken the NST road following in his brothers footsteps but making his very own unique path. SO grateful that not only does he have a HS diploma but also a Journeymans Cert also. Not many HS grads can come out with the ability to say they can be an electrician day one out of HS> We are happy he wants to study the engineering aspect of the electrical field as well. So he takes away NST the blue collar end of the field to apply it to the white collar design of it and that there people you could not get at a town school. We couldn't be more proud and still after all the chairs are put away and caps and gowns returned I still think he is my baby! my lil baby born on Jan 30th 1993.....it is like maybe 1996 right now in my mind lol lol I still have a lil 3 year old right???????

Go B's!!!!!!!!!

COME ON BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!