Off to the tourny.....

We are heading south in the afternoon tommorow.Kids will be leaving school at 12:45 despite my plea with Michael for them to miss school. It is a Raf thing. So far this year they have not missed school and got dismissed once for teeth. Down to the Cape...we go........if you call Falmouth the Cape.....I think the cape starts at the bridges Sagamore and Bourne.......Stephens hockey team is in a four team tourny vs. Marthas Vinyard players. I am ironing, packing and getting stuff done. I think it takes so much effort to get yourself and the family out for a weekend. The boys wear dress shirts, pants and a tie to every game so that is the worst part of this packing. What can ya do! I will be away from the comp for the weekend. I guess M can take his laptop from work but Nah......We can live without it and I am not really surpose to be "playing" on it, so he says.........I am hosting the team dinner on Saturday afternoon at the function room of the hotel. I guess the Team Manager has to take charge lol......I wanted to cook a great meal here for 13 familes but Michael tought the take out option was a better idea. I see his point. I hear it is going to be in the 50's Saturday and Sunday. Looking forward to the time change also. I will check back in after the weekend. Have a good one all and happy nice weather to all of you...........


We will We are back from Falmouth........Awesome weather!
REALLY AWESOME TOUNRY! We won all 5 games .....Our goalie had 4 shutout games! WOW! We came in 1st place and WON ALL THE GAMES! ALL! They played so weel and so strong. We had one player get thrown out b/c his emotions got the best of him. It is only a game we tell them. He headed home early with his dad even though he was welcome to stay on the bench during the games. The team lunch was awesome, as always being an Italian I over bought but I would rather have leftovers than short food. The first night we did not follow the crowd. We went to eat at a takeout place, thank heavens. The bill was outragous. One mom and her son had to contribute $60.00 for the two of them. This place for pasta was outragous. They wanted $13.00 for ziti and meatballs...I could of fed the team for that lol lol lol ..........SO glad we did not go. Another family also did not go and we were the envy of the wallets after...lol ..........One guy had to borrow $100. for his family of four b/c all he on him was $50.00.....Yes he paid @ $150. for a family of 4 to eat that night...Yeah my veggie and egg pocket, yummy I might add was a mear $5.50. At 8:30 pm who wants to eat a hugh meal? not us.......So Stephen is on cloud 9 and very tired from all his skating and swimming. We have a late regular game tonight and I am trying to get coach to resschd. it for another time. They are all hockeyed out...........

"Whats depression?"

WOW that was the question Ryan asked me this morning. I was like where did this come from. He saw a commercial on ABC Family while watching Family Matters before school. I did the explaining of hormone inbalence and sad feelings ect. He said "oh ok" and went back to watching. As I am making the bed he comes in and says "I don't get it". I am not sure what he doesn't get. The medical part that could be confusing or why would someone be sad all the time. I am not sure if I look into things to deeply or if I drop the ball it will go away. I am going to talk with Michael about it and see what he thinks. Layed back Michael will say drop it intill he comes to me again. I am not the type to brush off. I was brushed off on subjects as a child somewhat and vowed to not give the brush off to my children. Any thoughts out there? Any sence of dealing with this situation before with your own children? Let me know if you may have any insites. I may just be making this larger that it is. See funny how TV puts things out there when you least expect it. You would think that certain programs would chose commercials that target that audience at the time. Like if I were watching home improvemnts shows they have Home Depot/Lowes...>Why when family shows are on they don't put family type commercials? Hey TV exects what is up with that?

Off To Lacrosse

Today is Ryans first lacrosse practice. He has been talking about it for a month now. HE has never been into team sports all that much so we are happy he has an interest. He always loved his Lego Robotics classes as well as golf and art. He is pretty much an in his head type. He told us when we was younger he played T-Ball b/c dad wanted to coach. Well dad coached b/c we tought Ry wanted to play lol.........He is all geared up and ready to play. His inhailer in hand just in case of an attack, he really gets them except in really cold weather and today would be a wind chill of 18 below 0......He keeps counting down our departure time. We are car poolin with Anasteiogist Janes sons from down the street. She unlike Stephens friends parents knows the meaning of "carpoolong"......As you may recal from past posts Stephen has two friends moms that are very one sided and I do all the pooling, if you want to call it that. It is very one sided and Michael and I do all the driving and feeding of these two boys. I love helping people out, I would give the shirt off my back (as long as I have a nice bra on lol lol) but when you are being taken advantage of that can make you feel a little angry. I do not want to by no means take it out on the boys b/c it is not them it is their self centered moms. I would cancel my things over my sond any time and love to be involved as you all might know, it gives me great greef to know they do not attend things for the kids and arn't doing anything to important. Sorry to vent, I should get back on track about the lacrosse. Off we go to do what ever you do in lacrosse. I love the game of hockey and am bias of how great that game is so we will see if I get that concept and understand what it is all about...........Go Tribal!

Karen is in for a treat!

Norma is bringing Karen the homemade stuff from my neighbor on Wednesday. She is in for a treat with the goat milk bar and EVOO skin spray. They both work great. The bar however is smelly. Norma described it as "cat urine". I know it smellsfunny and my nose is super sensitive but I did not smell urine. I mostly smelt a sour smell. It does wonders to the face so I hope you like it K...Let us know...good or bad reviews I can take it...lol....The spray on elbows and hands is so awesome. Have a great afternoon get 2 gether......Wish I were there........

He went to the doc....

After two days of hearing it from everyone, he got an apmt w/his PCP and he sent him for X-Rays.......My call to MIL in Florida was the kicker. I got to hear ont he other line her yelling then pleading with him to take care of himself. Also his older brother who is a doctor said it would be very wise to be looked at. Of course he makes it look like there is no pain but you could see it in the way he moves and turnes his neck. I am just glad he listened. Even Ryan said "dad you would make us go" See even an 11 yr old knows......lol ........Yeah, you tell him Ry!

Just when you tought you had your Saturday planned.......THEN!....

We had the entire day planned for Saturday. Ryan needs Lacrosse gear for his first practice on Tuesday, a small list for the grocery store,the transfer station AKA DUMP, outdoor skate park,(hear it is gonna be warm), Church, pot luck after Mass, then hockey practice. Well now we have to throw a bunch more places into the mix. Police Station, Claims Adjustor and maybe rental car place, and last the body shop. When I was making dinner the phone rang and I answered knowing it was Michael with a helllllooooo (Mrs. Doubtfire):sometimes he gives a small chuckle. Not this time, he sounded really shocken up and very serious. I could tell someting was wrong. He started with "I am going to be late"......Ok you let your staff out a half hour early and now it is a half hour after you would normally get out(I would expect that from him) so now how much more late b/c ????? He said I am fine don't worry. Yeah I did not like the way he said that. WHY! What is the matter. "I got hit on the side of the truck and spun around in a circle and I am facing the wrong way on the street and waiting for the police to come. Now I am in panic mode...Is anyone hurt ect......It was not icy just rainy. So why did he spin? Well the 17 year old kid driving his dads pick up totaly tought it was fine to blow the STOP sign and drive onto the main road. I was glad he and Michael were not hurt. The dads truck needed a tow and Michael was able to drive away the back of his truck is in need of repair. Michael said the other truck is a total mess. The boy could not find the registration and the parents came to get him. Michael said the mom was nice and asked him if he was ok and the dad was really angry at his son. Michael is his 22 years of driving has only been in one fendah bendah with an really old man who hit him from behind and was not surpose to be driving. Never in an uncontrolable spin ect. I could tell he was shooken up a little and he won't go for X ryas despite the last fendah bendah thing about 13 years ago had him at a chiropractor for months. He stopped running at that point and has not been able to jog since. He waold go in the mornings and love it after dinner on a Sunday afternoon but his HS days of Track are long gone as he tells the boys.......I am so glad he nor the boy are hurt but come on ........IT SAID STOP! That means STOP look THEN pull out. I think some new drivers don't consider why signs are put on the road. I hope this boy learns that he really has to pay attention from now on. Vehicles can be fixed but some injuries can not so I am thankful that there were none. The boy told the police he was in a daze and just forgot to STOP! He admitted he was in the wrong which he was and will learn from now on we hope to STOP at ALL STOP signs. I pray my sons will use good judgement when they get behind the wheel. I don't look forward to that day b/c of the nervous ninny thing I have going on. Saturday brings a long to-do list of unexpected little tasks......

Thank goodness it is almost over.....February that is!

I may be born this month but I really don't like how it lingers and lingers. January is also a month that takes forever to go by. Once we get to March it also seems to stager. My most favorite of them all is April. The month of spring, tulips;also my favorite, and the month of our wedding. Fifteen years ago I could not wait for April to come and still today I look forward to that wonderful month. I think of light purple flowers and pretty white babysbreaths. I can smell the dewy grass and fresh tulips starting to bloom. The sites and sounds make my heart dance. Spring time and fresh warm brezzes of how I long for April........

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

"You've Changed 28% in 10 Years"

"Ah, the past! You may not remember it well - because you're still living in it.
While you've changed some, you may want to update your wardrobe, music collection and circle of friends."

I agree with this but do not agree that I need to chage my circle of friends. I have wonderful friends. I am so fine with the friends I have so this is only 1% true. I am glad I have not changed much in ten years. At 26 I was who I am now in a mom/wife situation but just have gotton older with the kids. lol Maybe in 10 more years I will have a higher % b/c I can be a mom-in-law or grandmother at the young age of 46-50. Stephen and I will celebrate our milestone b-days in 4 years: 18 for him 40 for me.........Change is good? Nah I'll keep it just the same from here till 2030! The year before I turn 6-0 oh! My that seems like a long time from now!

Your own comfort zone....

Drew posted about his own comforts and the regular happenings that keep him stable. I think we all have some thing or another that we need to be "the same". I know someone who flies by the seat of her pants can go and not make a preplan or let loose without any notice. I however have to have all the planning ect done. I think besides the clean thing I have this need to be early for everything. I find comfort in not having to rush and get worked up b/c of running late. My on time is 15 mins early. On time to me is late. I do this every Saturday eve also. I insist we leave for church at 4:15 even though it starts at 5 and it is 4 mins away. First, I need to get the same seat every time. Second I like to park close to the front to get out fast: though the boys and M are always waiting for me b/c I chat with everyone after so that defetes the purpose. Lastly I would NEVER be the one who walks in as it is taking place. I would just turn red and melt if I did. A fellow parishnah always laughs when we talk about this b/c if her husband were not in the choir then she would be that person running in late. I have to be prepared and have the songs and readings ready, also it is a time to connect with my surroundings and get in a peacful mind frame. I am not the only one who takes the same place every week, it seems like most people do so if they are not late and put somewhere they can fit. We have a wonderful couple that sits behind us and we learnt that they live 3 houses down from us. It took 3 years to figure that out b/c we live far from them even though it is 3 doors down we are spaced out enough that you just don't see people often. I think she noticed us getting the mail and made the conncetion. I gotta run to "get our seats" and be on time. Have a great night, I hope you all do your regular Saturday night rutien......

Get me a tissue ...PLEASE!

Well not to be gross but the nose is a drippin and the eyes are a water'in. I feel fine but the nose won't stop runnin'. I have been ODin on zink, V-c and ecinasha,,,,you know what I mean....I guess that everyone out there has something and now I have it too. I really am not feeling it other than the annoying need to wipe the nose. I have the need to then wash the hands, dry, then rub some Purell. After that I spray the Lysol. Yup can you say jerm-a-phobe....Try not to catch anything...stay healthy!

40 days and 40 nights.....Jesus fasted in the desert..

Today being Ash Wednesday it is the start of Lent as you may already know. The preperation of the death of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More important not just the death but the rising of Him on Easter Sunday. I love Christmas but have always felt so much love and greatfullness for the sacrafice God made to send His son to die, rise and save us from our sins. I feel Easter is a very important time in the Christian faith if not the most important time that explains why we live to someday see the salvation and grace that awaits us in the end. I hope the blessings of God and the Lenten season to sacrafice are with you to truly feel the love that we have from our Father.

Not only to "give up" something for Lent but to GIVE more of ourselves during this time......

Feb. Vacation

I always tought it best to have a March break. Get rid of Feb and April and do a March and get out of school one week early in June. I must say in the cold I am glad to not have to get out early and drive to school or work so I maybe worng in the last sentence. I know Florida does this but also they get out in May and go back in August. So what do you all think. Can the winter/spring breaks and put one in the middle of the two? Enjoy you break if you have one...they fly by so enjoy what you can of it........

They ate the Cheese Nips.....

Am I over the top with being a nervous ninny? I made sure that when I went to the market I got lots of yogurt, pudding and applesauce. I knew if the boys had no school I still would have work. Stephen is a very mature 14 year old and so very resposible, the issue is not that I don't trust him:the issue is I don't want them to chock. We have just recently been letting them stay alone for an hour or so, a trip to the market or some erronds to run in town here. I told them the foods tha tthey can have while I was gone and cheese Nips was not one what I wanted them to have b/c they could chock on the sharp corners. Am I alone on this one? I know they have been eating for many years but you never know, I am a nervous ninny. I gave them the royal breakfast b/c they were home this morn figuring they would be tide over with the 3 snaks of yogurt, applesauce and pudding all very soft slide down without chewing items. The gals at work did think that was extream. One is a mom of a 3 year old and she can understand but also thinks they are older so it would not be a major issue. The coaches wife of Stephens hockey team has 3 boys and does the same thing. I was like wow me too I am so glad I am not alone on this. She is a very nervous ninny. Sometimes she gets so flustered when the boys take a hard check during the game. I flinch but she stands up and mumbles call 911 .......until they get up from the hit...
I was just a little put off that they did not head my cheese nip/cracker warning. They said they were fine so whats the big deal. UGH.........I would be worrying knowing they were eating something with hard edges. I will end this woth I know they have to grow up sometime, but not now later. Also might add I want them to be independent selfsufient boys so I will not do the drastic things some moms are know to do then have their boys turn into needy men....No there will be none of that.........Please don't eat anything except smooth, slide down your mouth stuff.......AGREE???!!!!!

It is like a storm is coming.....

LOL LOL LOL IT IS!.......
Today I think most people were out taking care of buisness. The bear shop was a hoppin'. Many non-regulars in need of lots of help, that's why we are there. So many clueless men getting valentines for their sweethearts. Hey one guy got a bear for his new wife, her last name was Sweet and his is Heart...so she is going by Katie Sweet-Heart....LOL LOL We all had a good laugh on that one. This one guy who knew he was all that and a bag of chips had the notition that he was the only person on the planet that needed help. I was as patient as can be and at one point I so wanted to scream at him and I kept my cool. Even Jenni the Ast. Mgr. said "I don't know how you stayed nice to him" ....She would of exploded at that point. I was thinking of the show on MTV Boiling Point., you win $100.00 of you don't loose it. A hidden camara is there and they do something to you to make you mad and you have no clue you are being taped and they give a time limit, if you don;t swear walk away of blow up then you get the hundred dollars. I was like is there a cmara b/c this is so sureal. There was another bizzare, differnt case today: Are you ready for this....3 bears going into a coffin of an Asian man all three bears had 2 sounds each and represented his children. Yup the oldest daughter came in to make them, she had an I LOVE YOU in one hand of the furry friend and a record a voice in the other. The voice was what ever animal that the child was when they were born...IE the year of the pig/rooster ect......It is a Chinnese Tradition to be buried with things ,,,,she told me the whole story and paid over $300.00 on the things and they are being buried....Who is pressing the sounds in the cofin? I havn't a clue but hey the sound sales/% went way up.........Kudos to her need to put them in the cofin......I did give my condolences but she said they are not allowed to say sorry for a death in their culture, she understood and said I did not know better.........I guess that is the most over the top story so far from the workshop I can say to this date.....I stocked up on some estentials and may have to brave the storm tom. for work, we will see just how bad it is. The car and soon to be Michaels truck will be at the bottom of the hill to avoid any problems getting out. I just hate not having them in the garage. He agrees it is good to keep them at the bottom but feels the garage would keep them nice and clear of snow...Well when you live on a hill you can't have your cake and eat it too.....We will see just how accurate Pete B is on Chnl 7 News and hope it is all a played up thing and it blows out to sea.......We will just wait and see.........

It did not go out to sea....It hit here about 2:30pm in full force, the sleet was as hard as golf balls. That is why there was no school I am thinking. The morning was fine but they must of made a good decision b/c the ride home would of been a slow one. Two times trying to keep up with the drivway being clear and $13.00 worth of icemelt........AHHHH WINTER BE GONE!

A snowy Valentines Day....

I mean a snowy Valentines date.....lol
I think some resturants will suffer b/c of the snow that is coming. I bet we at the bear shop will too. If the crowds come out today in panic to get their gifts then maybe people won't scramble on the snowiest day so far to get that furry stuffed friend. I sure hope the crowds get to celebrate. We were never ones to hype it up. We feel everyday is Sweethearts Day in our house! I heard the supermarkets were like the day before Christmas with the crowds yesterday. I plan on getting a few things before we head home today just to stay stocked. I have to spend $ on icemelt and loath that very much. The kids are all takling how great this is going to be. I am sure there are alot of unused new sleds from Christmas that have been waiting to hit the hills. I will be back when it is all said and done to give my opinion on it. I am sure you all know what that will before hand so keep an eye out.......Have a great before the snow day and keep that white stuff from piling up..........

Mall Walkers ...A breed in of itself.....

I am sure you have all heard of "mall walkers". they wake up bright and early to walk the mall when it closed to not have to brave the elements. On a Thursday morn @ 5:30am is when I get to the mall parking lot. Not a soul in site and spaces upspaces to choose from, I love it! Once the sixthrity o r seven o'clock hour hits them BAM spaces are gone. All the ones up front because of the mall walkers. It is a site to watch. I have always loves to be a people watcher and I try to catch a glims every so often. You seem to see the same faces day after day. The funniest is this 40ish women who wears a tank and shorts no matter how cold it is and FLIES by about 5 times more than the ones who keep an even steady pace. She is about 6 feet tall and weighs maybe 80 lbs......maybe wet! Her limbs are so skinny that I think my thumb and pointer can fit around the tops of her arms. She once came in around Christmas time walking in cicles around the store over and over again. I asked if she needed help and she continues to walk fast and say she was getting ideas. I let her be b/c I was getting dizzy trying to keep up with her. Well then she did the same thing Friday but wanted me to explain the party policy to her, while racing around without slowing down/.......How not fun is that........I wanted to grab her and say STOP and listen for one minute. So she went on her way. This nice older man who takes care of his grandaughter also has his shorts on no matter what the weather and he brings a trike w/ a pole and takes her around many times. I see him there as early as 700am and still see him in the mall at noon. He shoul djust take residents in there and call it home. Funny how I never go to the mall except to work. I dislike mall shopping, always have. I like shopping centers and outdoor lots that take you to stores outside. I know sometimes malls seem conviennt but I don;t like 'em. Thank goodnes some people do like itb/c that gives me someting to d oat work all week,,,,,,lol.....
SO if your ever in the mood to Mall walk COME ON BY AND SAY HELLO I'm the one at the bear store.............They all know me...the one who smiles big and says goodmoring b/c I too am a morning person but I a, not at the mall to walk I am there to work.......LOL LOL LOL

The weirdest dreams.....

How many of you seem to have really weird and bizzare dreams? I know I do and it seems like more often than not. You know the dreams you wake and it is fuzzy. Or the ones that are so vivid you are like did that really happen? Last night I had a fuzzy one but all day little by little the dream has been coming back to me. I can not go into the long bizzare dream but as it replays it come out and I am like...WEIRDO! lol I love to have the type of dream that a loved one comes to you who has not been around for a while and their voice and face are so vivid. I have those dreams not as often but when I do of my Papa Steve I wake up and wish the dream would never end. He is Nana T's husband that passed away in 1981 from a long arguous battle with lung/brain cancer. I was 10 at the time and in 3rd grade. I recently saw at BABW and old friend of the family and she brough back so many emotions and good times from my childhood. She is and always has been the type that is very in tune with the spirit world. Some of you know my view on the subject and I am not all "into" that so much as to spirits per say amoung us. I have a belief that they are watching down on us and hopefuly give a helping hand when needed. She feels and always felt for many years that my Papa Steven, being so young at his passing and not ready to leave is around me more that I think. SO as that conversation took place the hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention. Weird feeling. SO I leave you with this.....I am on the fence but more over to the Christain side of it not so the spirit lingering side...what is your opinion on the subject in general not so as to Papa Steve but in general???Just another one to get feed back...I loved all the stories from the last post Blizzard of '78..Keep em' coming.....

Bitter Cold.....

So the cold saga continues.......Yesterday the boy I take to school comes out of his house with just a sweatshirt on......Hello Jordan ya think that is a little to light for this weather. I told him a coat would be a better choice and he said he really hates coats. OK I really hate them to but when it is -4 windchill I think a coat is NEEDED. His mother is not there to see him off, hence why I take him to school. I am sure she must lay one out before he goes to school but wearing it is another story. I hope to see a jacket today,,,,,,I hpe to see some relief from this bitter cold too...Stay Warm and keep thinking 3 mnths till April........3 long months.........

1978......29 years ago....

It was all those years ago I am almost sure on a Friday afternoon when the blizzard of '78 hit! It hit big.......I recall most how high the snow was to a just turned 7 year old. My party for that Sunday was called off due to 3 FEET of snow with 5 - 7 foot snow drifts.......do you recall the billzard of '78? Any good stories.....Was New England the only ones hit that bad or was it up and down this coast? Let me know in the comments any good stories or facts........Looking forward to reading......

Bitter Cold.......

It is so cold. The wind chill is over the top. I am freeeezzzzing......I want the summer to come...........or even late spring/////As long as the snow stays away. Lets do the sun dance.....

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY!

Yes ...they keep coming and coming...the first and second month AND the third month in our familes have so many birthdays......Sunday we will behaving family over here for Stephens, my father -in laws, and ME! Yes today I turn the big 3-6! Thats right folks 36 years ago Stephie made her big debute.........I a mnot much for being the center of attention so it is just another day. This morning the boys saw me cleaning the bathrooms and said why are you doing that? Well it has to be done. So they said not on your b-day, no cleaning. OK >>>>>so do I veg out and be the biggest couch potato ever for today? I do know I am not cooking b/c we are going to Not Your Average Joes for my free b-day meal. The one gift I got this morn that I did not ask for or need at all is white stuff. The kind that glistens and makes mucky slushy mess when shovled or plowed. Yeah Happy Birthday Stephie who is not too fond of the snow. Born in a snow storm that must be where my disliking comes from ....lol

Feed those in need.....

Ryans school had a great service project for an under privledged community, they were to bake loaves of bread to donate to the soup kitchen. It was a fun time in the kitchen with your child and a great thing to donate the item. Not only was it nice to do but King Arthur Flour Company donated all of the ingredients. How nice was that. Every child came home with 4 lbs of flour; wheat and white, a pack of yeast, directions, handy keep fresh bags to put the bread in, and a scraper. The boy I drive to school was not "doing" it so I took his stuff and made doubles. It came out so good. It had a semi-sweet taste and was great with warm honey. I am sure all the familes that got the loaves were pleased. We were allowed to make a half size for our own famlies to sample. I think it was a great idea to do..........

Another Birthday....

Today is Nana Theresas 86th Birthday.......Last year we had a party here for her 85th. Wow what a differnce a year makes or even two weeks for that matter. Last sundays visit to see her brought on lots of emotion. She goes down hill every time we go back. She did know that her b-day was coming up, even knew the date. She did however think it was her 93rd. Now nana don't rush it.......She could tell we were not all there on Sunday. She sees us a a group of four and knew someone was missing b/c there were only three. We told her Michael was painting the family room. She asked about the deck. Funny she remembers we still have no deck just a set of stairs. She offered five years ago to buy it for us....she is so sweet. She said "use my buryial money" ok nana I 'll be right on that. AHHH NOOO!!! She said that "Stephies sister has a birthday coming up too"....my half sister Alycia who she does not remember her name is on the 17th of Feb. she bypassed mine on the 3rd. I asked her whos was the day before hers and she said like a politicial running for public office "many peoples" lol .....Good save nana....I said the hockey boys. She refers to Stephen as the hockey boy and Ryan as the little one. She forgets the names sometimes and with her son, granson and great grandson all with the name Stephen we have labels so she knows who we mean when we say that name...lol ...She asked how Mothers Day was a few weeks back, meaning Christmas. She refers and thinks all the holidays are Mothers Day. Her Paula passed away on that day (her daughter, my mother, Paula was making a statement that day, no I am not being mean just honest)....I guess she is fixated with all holidays being that one b/c of her loss. In the past we would bring her Jelly Belly Beans only kind she would eat, cookies, canolies and chocolates. She looked forward to the treats and loved when my bag of goodies crincked with sound. These days she refuses to eat anything and has no apitite at all. Seven years ago when entering the home she was about a size 8 or 10.....In one year she went to a heafty plus size of 22/24. Yes Nana T the slim never bigger than a 6 or 8 on a bad year ate and ate all that she could find. She is now looking very weak and frail and lost a ton of lbs from not eating. She still insists that she has "thunder thighs" lol She says "Stephie I always had beautiful legs and look at these tree trunks now" ////Up until last year she was the Belle of the Home......She was known for her perfect put together hair and nails as well as her pearls and mathching nice clothes. Now she is what we Itailians call "SCHADTHA"////Messsy and dishevled....She just gave up and does'nt care anymore. It is sad. Before Thanksgiving her great nephew visited and gave her a twenty for a haircut. She claims that $18.00 is far to expensive to pay for a haircut...Yeah in 1940 it was but thses days that is a really good deal. So she took his twenty , not that I could not give her one myself, no she can not bring herself to pay. She got a nice style and was lookin good for a bit.......She cracks us up sometimes when she says who do I have to impress...like the men here can see...lol ......Michael has to do an errond after work towards the city and will stop by to say hello. She always knows his name and says I am Michaels wife...Not Stephie Michaels wife....Thanks Nana.....lol She may not even recall that we saw her recently. She will tell him noone comes to see her these days. I know he will make it a point to tell her we were just there but is it any use to waste words. I guess you just have to deal with this decline as it comes. She still has some good days and is funny as all heck. I like those days and hope to have many more. So to Nana T....the lady who gave me my CATHOLIC EMERGENCY CARD at ten, whoyelledin the store "Stephie what size training bra do you want at 11, with Normie by my side snickering with laughter, and the women whos advice was always BE A GOOD GIRL......Happy Birthday Nana Theresa...YOU raise a good girl........

Happy Birthday to our first born......

On January 30th 14 years ago Michael and I were blessed with our first son Stephen. He has brought us many years of love and happiness. He has since grown to be a very tall and handson young man. I have been told by others that he is respectful, considerate, intelligent, and an honest boy. It gives me great pleasure to hear these things. I am filled with pride to be his mother. I want to wish him an awesome birthday! Happy 14th Birthday Stephen! We love you very much...xoxoxo

Tag .....I'm IT!

Ok now like Normie I could go on and on and ON with quircky things about me......Here goes...
The #1.........I am obsessed with my TEETH! I pre-rinse, brush, floss 3 x's post rinse...re-brush then floride rinse one last time. That is twice a day. As for the other 2x's I brush: I just brush, floss and rinse. It drives Michael and the kids insain......Then I will randomly floss during the day and I carry around the finger brushers and mouth spray as well as a travel toothbrush and small paste. Also in the car and my bag are flosses.

#2....I have to fix things that are not centered or streight. Everything has its place and a place for everything. I am anal and I admit it.....I have to keep things new and clean all the time. Once last week we had workers here and I cleaned the bathroom at least 4 times that day then again when they left AGAIN......Even in work I am a cleanaholic ...they all know this.....

#3....I spell something aweful (as you have seen) It does not bother me ...you would think it would but it does not. I think it bothers others more b/c they know I have some inteligence and do not make the extra effort to look twice and double ck. Half the time if I do take a look I may still spell the word incorrectly.

#4....I AM A GERMAPOBE! I have to use antibacterical soap/spray/cleaner/hand lotion ect...I love to kill germs......

#5....I have to readjust myself like 4 - 6 times before I get comfortable in bed. I am so sure it drives Michael CRAZY> Not so much these days b/c of the wonderful recomendation from Jim and Norma to get the memory foam mattress. We are on our 5 th night with it and it is so wonderful. I still have to toss and turn to get comfortable but the motionless efeect helps not bounce M........

#6....I can not have not a bit of light at night. I have to pull out all the sensor night lights or close the hall bathroom door. I have to cover the little light on the phone and the clock radio has to have something covering it. I also have to ck like 4 times that the time is set for wake up. I set it in the morning but ck before I brush teeth, then again. I will get comfortable then ck again. Just to be safe...Yup OCD! I do not find this needs medical attention it does not bother me in any way it is just a quircky thing I have. Same things with the doors and locks and alarm.......I gues that makes 6 I could go on but I do not want you to see my in a crazier light than you already do....LOL LOL LOL ..............

The party went well....

What a hoot......the 7 gals doubled ...yes 14 was the final count.....By the way it was her 75th b-day. They had so much positive energy! I loved them........The party girls daughter had the party for her and said her limit was 10 friends well she brought more than that. Kind of like the tables were turned and the daughter was like MOM I said ten is your limit...lol lol lol There were so many personalities to deal with and they were so funny when I did my "stuff"//// I was so happy to be their party leaded. They even asked if I could go to lunch with them...lol I had to stay and build more bears. It was so nice to be asked. I was told they were asked not to come back to a resturant b/c they were so loud once. Wow! These girls really know how to party.....As I was getting to know them I had the notion of who they would be when "we" grow older. I could relate to who was who in the croud of gals I know. At one point I asked if they go on any day trips...LOL LOL Well they have been on more than just day trips....China, Japan, Iceland and Indonisia to name a few....HELLO! I mean maybe a play or movie....HELLO! Three out of the 14 had their spouses still. Funny those were the 3 that were not over the top and very refined,,,lol See what age and no husband will do to ya they said lol Ruth said "you get to let it all hang out and she mean Hang b/c that is what happens at that age it all HANGS" lol lol I was so happy to hear that they had a ton of fun and barrels of fluff LOL ..........Just wanted to fill you all in on the BABW party ....See you don't have to be a kid to have FUN!.........Bear Huggin' and Lovin'

I just had to share this one.....

Bumper sticker of the year: "If you can read this, thank a teacher and since it's in English, thank a soldier"

I think this would make a great one........Agree? I am sure you will. I am not one for bumper stickers but it is clever.

The year I was born......

All the info in reg print does not matter, just the BOLD faced words.... I have just realized why I am such a Disney fanatic.......WDW and I were born the same year........I have visited WDW 13 times in 35 years. The first visit I made was in 1989 the year I was a senior at PJH! Yes folks I was NEVER taken there as a child and have the need to make up for this tragic loss. I voed with my husband who has many childhood memories of the family vacations in Disney to have our children get the DISNEY vacation fun! So out of the 13 times at Disney 12 of them were with Michael and the boys. Our first time there was when Stephen was 3 and Ryan was 6 mnths. Some may say that is a waste for them but the fun and memories for Michael and I are still as fresh as the day we flet the Florida sun. We are not at all ones to spoil our kids and we always go on a budget. We only stayed in the park once b/c of his cousins wedding. The other times we get grreat deals with hotels or houses off property that make the trip a money friendly time. Last year on our trip a cast member (employee of Disney as they call them) asked us if this was our first trip to the park....I WAS SO PROUD to say NO our 13th........He said oh you are a Floridian ...oh no a Bostonian.........yes a Bostonian that would leave Boston in the blink of an eye and MOVE to Celebration, Harmony, or Reunion Florida in a heartbeat....So the wonderful year of 1971 the happiest place on EARTH was open and Stephie came into the world.......



In 1971 (the year you were born)
Richard Nixon is president of the USCharles Manson and 3 of his followers are convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murderAn earthquake in California's San Fernando Valley kills 64 peopleNew York Times begins publication of classified Pentagon papers on US involvement in VietnamThe $70 million Kennedy Center opens in Washington, DCA four day revolt at New York's Attica state prison ends after being stormed by 1000 state troopersA new stock-market index called the Nasdaq debuts DISNEY WORLD OPENS
Intel releases world's first microprocessor, the 4004Ray Tomlinson sends the first e-mailLibertarian party established in USAKid Rock, Denise Richards, Sean Astin, Winona Ryder, and Ricky Martin are bornPittsburgh Pirates win the World SeriesBaltimore Colts win Superbowl VMontreal Canadiens win the Stanley CupThe Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is publishedThe Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour premeires on television"Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel wins Grammy for song of the yearAll in the Family premieres

It really didn't amount to anything..YIPPIE

I spent most of the night tossing and turning AND praying that the white stuff stay up in the sky. I looked out Ryans window at least four times during the night. It maybe had a small coat of white but that was it. At the 5:05 am up for the day viewing I saw black pavement and danced a jig of yet another bullet dodged. As I woke Stephen up at 5:20 he said "is there school?" OH YEAH there sure is, no 1 hour delay nothing. As I sitt here and type I can hear cars going by at a regular speed so I am sure that icy roads are not a factor. I have a 10:30am party to do at work today for a 5 year old boy and his friends. I recall last year that when there was an early moring party and a flake was on the ground it would get reschd., I really don't think this will be todays case (I hope) ...........Next week I have a party for seven 70 year olds...Yes folks you heard me....7 0! I was asked by the 51 year old daugher not to have them sit on floor in a circle. LOL Now that would just be mean. I have a problem at BABW not having enough seating for these gals when they are making their bears. I was even thinking of taking in some of our folding chairs from home....I think we have 3 that can go, the other 1 has a pretty chair cover and serves as the computer chair here at the kitchen dest I type at daily. Can you just picture me walking in the mall with 3 folding chairs but worse trying at 2:30 when the mall is bustling taking them back out......What is she doing with folding chairs....lol .......Off I am to get ready for the day. Hope your day is a great one. Try not to feel too bad about no white stuff. I am ! LOL LOL See ya and God Bless!

Hello out there.....

Hello to all .....not much to report or post about just a friendly Thursday morning hello. Keeping it light and sweet. Stay warm and bundel up the cold is nasty out there. Make a cup of hot cocoa, tea or mud brew and warm your bones up. Enjoy you day!!!!! STAY WARM!

The LOOOONG Weekend!

I love 3 day weekends. Something about not having to get things in order on Sunday night for the week that makes it so nice. We had the chance to go for really inexpensive $ to a weekend at the timeshare MIL & FIL got for the kids as this years Christmas gift. (every other year is a family vacation or a gift year, this year was a gift year, how nice are they?) We have lots to do this weekend and just could not blow off to N Conway. Ugh ! Well a little ugh and a little sigh of relief. I am sure there is some white stuff up there and the less white stuff I see the better. My mental health has been wonderful due to the great winter we have been having. LOL ! Then there is the packing and shopping for food. Sometimes I think (like Normie) it is a bit of a hassel to go away. If it were a quick drive to Florida then I would have no quames about it but not to snow country lol......I know Karen and her family as well as Drew and all you other freaky winter lovers beg to differ. Since they bought the time share (a week in Oct. that can be transfered to other times and locations w/ a 4 year rotation b/c there are 4 familes involved) we get calls to go for the $89. weekend special. Not per night, per weekend. Where can you go for that price? This weekend we will be home here in the @ 50* weather loving the fact that it feels more like the end of March than the beg. og Jan. ...AND NO SUNDAY WE ARE NOT GETTING A LOT OF SNOW>>>>>>>TOO WARM TO STICK and make a difference...Sorry to burst all the winter lovers bubbles.......; P .............Remember the winter @ 5 or so years ago that we only got 1/2 " of snow the entire season? LOVED IT!

The feeling of smooth......

I have been using this homemade goats milk soap for about a month now and my face is so soft and supple. A neighbor near us whom I just reacently befriended even though our boys have had a friendship in school for many years. She is an "off the boat" Greek women and loves the Italian that I have to offer to our conversations because there seem to be a few simalarities between the two cultures. In her basment she makes beauty products from natural oils and milks and sell them at craft fairs. She sells them so cheep too. I have been having Stephen (14 as of Jan 30th) use the soap to help with the teen oils that he has on his face in the shower and it has made a great differnce on him too. Ann at one time was a nurse in a dermatologists office and has stopped working for the past 5 years to raise 4 boys all of which have the best skin for teens and pre-teens. I am sure her basement brews and olive oil diet contribute to that. She also made a small bottel of a spary oil (smells nasty) to put on your hands at night and then keep on a pair of silk gloves(5.00 at Bed Bat & Beyond). I can not sleep with anything on my hands or feet so I do it about an hour or two before bed while watching TV or reading. I was told by 4 people that my hands were so so soft. So to you Miss Greek ANN goddess of oil...thanks for the basement brews.........here is her web site..... www.annssoaps.net PH# 978-777-0324 The Goats milk soap 4oz and O OIl and Lavender spray the two best products...Tell her Stephie sent you ....lol

Tag I'm it..........Paige I did it! lol

Here goes...A- Available or Taken? TakenB- Best Friend?boy=Michael girl= Normie Cake or Pie? CakeD- Drink of Choice? Pelgrion water from Italy with Lime E- Essential item you use everyday? toothbrush and deodorantF- Favorite Color? purple/lilacG- Gummy Bears or Worms? neitherH- Hometown? Eastie BabyI Indulgence? ChocolatesweetsJ- January or February? February K- Kids and Names? Stephen and Ryan L- Life is incomplete without?Michael, my kids & God M- Marriage Date? April 26, 1992N- Number of Siblings: 1 half sister O- Oranges or apples? apples in the fall; oranges anytimeP- Phobias or fears? Bees/driving in the snow/small spaces Q- Favorite quote? Bear huggin and lovin R- Reason to Smile? my theeth are the bomb...best set of choopers S- Season? Spring; new beginningsT- Tag 3 or 4 people? Normie,Karen, Dawn, and DrewU- Unknown fact about me? I want to own a Sk8 clothing store so my boys and I can work there V- Vegetable you don't like? OckraW- Worst Habit? biting my nails when I'm really stressedX- X-rays? ankle Y- Your favorite food? so many to picksweet/Italian Z- Zodiac: Aquarius (sp) I am a true water sign....Friendly and easy going.....

How Stephie came about.....

All my life I never liked when I was called STEPH..It is ok to write it to keep it short but to say it I am not too keen on it........I like Stephanie.......There was one person who started Stephie a long time ago when I was maybe 3 was my Papa Stephen. The called him Stevie so it was right for him to call me Stephie. When he passed away when I was 10 it killed to hear it from anyone but Nana T. She still to this day says "OH STEPHIE" and Norma imatates it so well. Time went on and Norma (Normie) and BN (Big Norma, who is very little mind you but the older of the pair) called me Stephie without any hesitation from me because it is like a term of endearment from them. I now very much like it in the form of how it is used today. Jim, Normas husband suggested my "comp" name be Stephie as in Stephie Says....At first I was Mom who builds bears but the Stephie Says was just so appropriate. I never hear it from Michael and would find it weird if I did. Just like to call him MIKE is so Carol Brady. He is a Michael and will always be just like I am a STEPHIE!

$3.00 ....not worth it.......

Today was our 6 month dentist visit. The boys and I are on the same days and Michael is off on his own. At one time it was a family trip but he messed up about a year ago and is off our rotation. Michael has been with this practice since he was 2. (not one for change) I really like the hygenists but dislike the new dentist that took over for the ailing one from M's childhood. I have been seein them for 17 years now and Love having the same cleaner all the time. We still head down south even though there are a handfull of really good ones up here. It is all what you are used too. We never have dental issues due to the fact I am a brushing vigalanty when it comes to all of us. So seeing the dentist is for about 1 min and he says lookin good again...then goes on his way. We leave the rest to Diane, an experienced women of about 25 years behind the same chair. Since I was heading south and about 3 miles from Logan Airport I offered a ride to my co-worker/friend who is heading to Florida today on buisness. Bright and early we get her, chat on the way and end up at Ternl. C before you know it. A quick goodbye since the Troopas are all over the place despite it is 750am. As I am exiting the airport I read the sign "left lane RT 1A" so I stay in the LEFT lane to get to the highway I just came off of. (Now mind you when I was 17 -20 I drove a shuttle bus from an off site parking lot to & from the airport, knew it like the back of my hand) Not now it is all refigured and a MESS! SO the left lane that I think is the correct way takes my to a TOLL BOOTH to go into the city....Panic sets in I want to back up, can't do that...more Troopas.......OH GOD WHAT DO I DO....You may be saying, "just go through the goshdarn tunnel and turn around what is the big deal?" WELL THE BIG DEAL IS IT COST $3.00 TO GO THROUGH THE TUNNEL> I DON'T HAVE A COLD RED CENT ON ME! Not more than a quarter and a penny. My sons are frozen in fair b/c they see my panic set in. I get to the tollbooth and in hyper talk with lack of breath from hyperventalating tell this nice in the quiet box women "I don't know what happen I read the sign I need to go to Rt 1 A I read what it said I did it right how did this happen?" She is like calm down just go through here get off at exit 25 turn around and take rt 1 a after you get to South Boston. "BUT YOU DON'T UNDERSTND I HAVE NO MONEY!!!!!!!!!! WHAT AM I GONNA DO?????? I DID NOT MEAN TO GET IN THIS LANE I DONT HAVE MONEY JUST A DEBIT CARD!!!!!! CAN I BACK UP!" NO please do not do that you NEED to calm down.....Is her helpful responce. I am like what do I do if I have no money!! She looks into the car (now the lane is filling up and cars behind me start to beep) She says nobody in the car has anymoney? No they are my sons and carry no money. She picks up the walkie talkie thing OH NO she is reporting me what am I gonna tell Michael...No I am about to cry but continue with a little unappropriate laugh b/c I laugh instead of cry out of a fear I guess. So Ryan in the back seat says are you laughing b/c you are fooling her. NO I WOULD NOT FOOL WITH TIS WOMEN! I REALLY HAVE NO MONEY ON ME! So she looks back out and says my supervisor says you can write a cheak ........Really for THREE DOLLARS>...Yes to the whatever MTI or something...Then I write 1/6/06 she hands it back to me and says change it to 07 and put you initials.....OH MY GOODNESS what else will go wrong. Now the line is really long......SO I thanks her from the bottom of my heart and drive through the long tunnel. I get to South Boston and now panic again b/c I can not find the sign that she told me about. Ry looks out the window and says take a right...What Ryan how do you know....He looks to the left and sees the building his Aunt works in & remembers going there via the tunnel to get something at her office one day when he was with her and I was working. Really mom trust me I have been here before...Take a right.......so I go that way not trusting this boys insticnt and what do ya know...a tunnel heading back North....SIGH>>>>>I stay in the middle in fear of taking yet another incorrect road. I see Rt 1 A North and sigh a big sigh of relief b/c I am now on a road I know. I was almost 3 miles from this road in deep fear b/c it is THE CITY! I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE IN THE CITY! of Boston that is......So I just don't think $3.00 was worth a tunnel ride in a circle to get out of the airport. I can't wait to tell Jenn this story when she gets back. Knowing her I may get a Flavored Water from all this feeling guilty that she had me spend $3.00 to get out of the airport.............lol lol lol
Yes it is yet another crazy Stephie moment in the life and times of ME!

Early to bed.....

Early to bed, early to rise makes one healthy, wealthy and wise........Ok I am going to bed early tonight to get up for another early truck unloading with my pal Amy at BABW! Even though it is work it is like going to the gym to get a workout. I like the extra activity it puts in my day while getting paid to do it. At 500am the world is so peaceful and quiet. I drive along listening to my soothing music and have time to reflect and not be in a rat race rush. I wish every day the drive to work was this serine. Good night to all and sweet dreams to you. Hope the night brings a fresh new start to a brand new day................Yawn,,,,,,,so sleepy.........

What a view!

As I look out the slider and look at the sun rise I can't help but feel the view looks like a spring morning. The way the sun hits the field where Chestnut grazes looks so peacful and serine. A new little wood building was built this week and it looks very rustic. I wish I could share the view but am still in the 80's with the techno thing. I hope when I head out for the drive to school and work the feel of weather will be a warm as it looks. Have a wonderful day filled with "back to regular" things. Stay warm and remember @13 weeks 'till Easter!

I hear birds.....It not only looks like spring, it sounds like it too.

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!