a "Holiday"G

I guess I now can relate how the Jewish feel on Christmas Day, This "HOLIDAY" is not one I really celebrate so off to Trader Joes...EMPTY! Clear as can be streets...I even think the Police are watching the game not the roads..I should of done donuts on 114~ lol see if they would blue light me in Michael's truck. At WOW there was one man and 4 other women working out and it was as quiet as can be. Burned over 900 calories in the stair climber. I bet some will consume double those calories while watching the game. Off to take a well deserved jetted bath and get that after you workout feeling clean. I know those of you who burn it and work it to the max know that awesome feeling after you been to the gym and then go get your clean on...it feels satisfying!!!!!!!!! So I will leave you with....GO PATS...I will ask the men here what the score is and then keep to myself...It it were the Bruins playing I would be sure to watch but nahhhh to this because HOCKEY RULES~!

GO PATS...do it for MHK

80 year anniversary

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/video-america-longest-married-couple-163138456.html God Bless this couple...I love how Wibur says It's give and take and compromise."...AND when you are married to your best friend then the days are great ones. I said that not Wilbur LOL...So nice to see these kinds of upbeat stories. "you're in love and that's all you think about" so cute Wilbur!

It's Wednesday

Weird I never liked saying the word...WEDNESDAY....I recall in grammah school(HEHEHHE) back in the St. Lazarus days they would emphasize WED NES DAY! Ya gotta remember the D...well either way it is a weird word to say, don't know why..it just is. I'll see you Wednesday. Oh on Wednesday...I dunno call me crazy I would rather say Sunday. LOL oh I know why...THE SUN! he he I am on a roll this Wednesday :P

START UP MEETING=SGK 3 Day Walks!

At last nights Wakefield stat up meeting I had the pleasure of seeing so many great people. To hear stories of how much impact SGK organization has had on the lives of so many makes me know I am apart of an awesome FAMILY, as we call it..OUR 3 DAY FAMILY! 1.9 BILLION dollars has been raised by Komen to fund drugs that prolong the lives of patients as well as reseachh for studies to find a cure and I love most that they help with expenses that occur like trips to treatment, mamos for uninsured women and men ect. I will never stop walking or giving something of myself till we find a cure, BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Patty Pie for treaking out and seeing just why my passion is so strong. It is so great to know you are now in THE FAMILY XOXO XOXOXOX 20+ years later and we still make eachother laugh luv ya Patty!

follow up with the SODA post

RE-POSTING A FRIENDS POST ON SODA SITUATION! not my writings "I Couldn't Live Without Soda!" But can you live with it? I'm not gonna lie; I was a diet soda addict. Having come from the mother I did (you can read yesterday's WANT post for a bit about Big Norma; there's tons more about her in the archives) -- and I'm not slamming her; she was an amazing woman and very much ahead of her time in many ways -- but she was absolutely a product of her time as far as diet/body image were concerned, I grew up drinking...TAB cola. And then diet Pepsi or Coke, when they were invented; whichever was on sale. We drank lots of it, my brother and I, for lunch and dinner and when we were thirsty. When I was a teenager, I attended a private Catholic high school quite a distance away. I left home at 6:30 AM after a breakfast consisting of diet soda, an apple and toast and took public transportation (two subway trains and a bus ride) for an hour to get to school. Before I walked in to the caf to hang with my friends, I'd hit the corner store for a JOLT cola ("all the sugar and twice the caffeine" was its slogan). This became especially necessary during my last two years of school when my drugstore job kept me busy from 4PM to 10PM three nights a week and then I had an hour and a half of homework to do before crashing in bed around midnight and getting up at 5:30AM. In college, I bought at least two cans of diet Pepsi every day off the roach coach and when I moved along into adulthood and my office jobs, it was not unusual for me to drink four cans of soda during the course of 9-to-5 and more at home at night and on weekends. Trapped at home alone with two babies all day for years meant I was drinking six to eight cans of diet Pepsi a day (before going to my 7PM-midnight cashiering gig at the local supermarket, where I could re-stock the supply) and when I was working part time at the hospital, there was always at least a can or two consumed during my shift and on my meal break. I mean, what was the harm? It was just diet soda. No calories! I had one friend/co-worker at the hospital whom I remember telling me probably in 2003 or so that she had recently quit all soda cold turkey and had her family do the same. She told me all these things about how bad the carbonation and coloring were, what phenylalanines (sp?) do to your body and all this other stuff that I heard as blah blah blah. I'm sure I nodded and smiled and thought Fruit Loop! and I went along drinking diet soda in large quantities for another four years. From Norma....yes I feel NO SODA ALSO! I used to buy the 12-can refrigerator packs and keep two in the fridge in the kitchen and store two or more (stock up when it's on sale!) in the extra fridge in the basement. As I've mentioned, oh, way too many times by now, November 1, 2007 was "the day" I kind of went crazy and cleaned the cabinets of crap food and ran my death mile and all that...but the soda stayed in the fridge; I wasn't getting rid of that. That was going to be my one thing with which to kind of thumb my nose at clean eating. A weird thing happened. About two or three weeks into the clean food thing, I was in the refrig probably getting stuff to make a salad and I noticed there was a full 12-pack and two or three stray cans of diet Pepsi on the bottom shelf. It occurred to me that I hadn't had any in...how long? A week? Ten days? I took one out and kind of looked at it and realized I don't drink soda anymore. Much like in April 2010 when in a Facebook conversation with Josh I realized I don't drink alcohol anymore. There was no conscious decision to "quit" or "give up" either of them...my body had just simply lost its "need" and "want" for them. So I haven't had a soda in over four years and I don't see myself ever having one again. (I posted in mid-November about how the no alcohol thing came about; it's titled "Sober Life" if you're interested in reading about it in the archives.) So, in the now-world-famous "From Hell" post last Friday, I said that one of the stupidest things I've read on a weight loss blog lately was someone whining about how she'd never ever ever no matter what be able to live without soda: “I can’t imagine life without soda!” (Imagine making this statement to your grandparents who lived through the Depression or someone who’s come to the US as a refugee from a war-torn country and how fucking outright idiotic you would sound. If your life would be somehow diminished by the absence of carbonated flavored water, you should kill yourself right now.) Perhaps that poster was being hyperbolic, but I don't think she was. I've had too many real life people say the same thing. A few readers took exception to it in the comments, as is their right. And one of them (the very sweet, funny and intelligent Miss April) nicely took me to task on that line in her response. I replied back to her comment, saying: As for the diet soda whores playing in traffic...I want them to do that not as much for drinking the crap as for having convinced themselves that it is such a great thing they couldn't live without it. Not for a week, or a day or even an afternoon. It's for having such little confidence in themselves to even push themselves to do a very, very small thing ...like not drink a diet soda for a whole day. I said somewhere around here (and I stole it from somewhere else that I wish I could remember) that this really SHOULDN'T be all that hard...getting off heroin is hard, going through six rounds of chemo is hard, growing up in foster homes is hard...respecting yourself enough to make your health a priority by doing simple things like eating right most of the time and exercising in a way you enjoy as much as you can really isn't that hard. Trust me, if you'd asked me at any point prior to mid-November 2007 if I could "live without" diet soda, I am sure I would have said: No Fucking Way. I never tried to "give it up," or thought there was any reason to give it up. I, of course, know a lot better now (there is actually no reason to drink the shit) but my real issue, as I said to April, is that it's really not even the soda itself that irks me...it's people's utter lack of faith in themselves at being able to change. If you consider yourself dependent on soda (as I was) but know that it is seriously no damned good for you and you'd be improving your health by getting it out of your diet (or even limiting it) why not challenge yourself to TRY? For a day. For an afternoon. If you usually drink four cans a day, just skip ONE. TRY. YOU ARE CAPABLE OF SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR.

PINK ANGELS making a difference

Local places are also helped by the POWER of PINK! PINK ANGELS giving back to the local area to MAKE sure that mamos can be for all!

what a pleasant surprise

At the gym with my walking man after dinner and I got the surprise to see two awesome gals...The excitement over came me and I JUMPED off my machine, bounced over to the front desk with my Stephie cheer and smile...YAY Donna and Diana! happy to chat it up with my Ital gal and her Irish sidekick LOL our mouths all go a mile a minute if only the elliptical went as fast as our chattin! hahahha luv u gals...

Happy Birthday to our now 19 year old son....It was so long ago but feels like yesterday. I can not express just how proud and honored we are to be chosen to be your parents. My heart skips a beat to think of all the joy you have brought to our family. xoxoxo Love you always my baby boy!

ALL KINDS>>>DIET AND REGULAR>>>WATER FOLKS>>>kick the SODA HABIT!

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/3-shocking-soda-facts read this article.....then go to this one and drink lots o H2O AND eat the superfoods...healthy eats peeps....u r what u eat ....you eat crap you fell like crap, you eat healthy foods you fell AWESOME! then go to this article http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/nutritious_foods_for_a_healthy_body/bone_builder_dried_plums.php?page=1

http://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/01/30/eat-well/

one persons trash is another persons treasure

Had a donation from a friend, stuff that was gonna get trashed...WELL the stuff (things happen for a reason) went to a well deserving, very grateful mind you young man, whom is turning his life around. Made me and another person SMILE :D b/c of it! YAY! Please take this to heart, If the item you want to trash CAN be used by another who may need it PLEASE donate it. There is SA, Big Brother-Big Sister...the store SAVERS takes stuff too. The homeless shelters take all kinds of stuff. I love to give to St. Vincent DP box at the church. PLEASE, things that still have life to them, DONATE! Let me know even I will so take it to it's proper place. I shop for the soup kitchen/food pantry (donations from the church pays for the stuff) and they always have people who need the littlest of things in life. DONATE! Thanks!

oh the clothes

Everyday is laundry day...I missed 1 day of laundry this week b/c I helped a friend move and BAM~!that pile was up there. Mind you we have one less human in the house but still have BAM laundry piles! I am just glad that M folds the clothes way better than I do and he does that part! I love to fold towels ans sheets so that is fine on my end! WOW that laundry basket gets full fast!

This is crazy with a huge side of gross

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/chicken-nuggets-how-bad-are-they

have to share.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-frank-lipman/immunity-foods_b_1211129.html?ref=health-fitness#s619210&title=Avocado minus the salmon I love these other foods and THEY DO make you have good clean eats running through the bod! hey and move move move that body..it was not meant to sit on the sofa and stare at a tv...

to update on PAPERWORK POST

How behind on PAPERWORK is the STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS!!!!! Got 3 state payments for Nana T since her passing ands since her death cert was submitted...funny too how the end of the estate ck comes in and after that a regular payment also comes in...hey left hand tell right hand what is goin on....will ya lol

You can choose your reaction.....

Was given this statement 4 years ago and ran with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

getting the fleece on BIG TIME!

The clothes you wear in the winter just make you feel so warm and BIG. I really love spring weather clothes, as I am sure most of you do. I often feel 10 lbs heavier wearing all the fleece type bulk. In the old days I would LOVE to bulk up and cover up ever inch of the bod...These days I am not showing skin by any means but do however want to wear clothes that do not add tons of lbs on. Capris and a t is fine...I can't wait to wear the SKORT again..lol I really should not b*itch b/c this winter has not been anything like last though I still want to shout SUNSHINE DAY! And have the April/May weather here always...and then throw in some humid July 100* to get the sweat on! So till then it is the heavy under tights for this gal under the fleece/insulated pants.!!!!!! LONG LIVE THE SPRING~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you must know some people who need this!

I bet you know at least one person who needs these...I am not saying names but know at least 4 peeps! baaaa haaa I however would offer my SUNSHINE DAY Pills....get some smile on and a hap hap happy day!

TULIPS

The beauty of flowers always puts a smile on my face. I was told like 4 years ago to think of a happy place and go there...well I most always go to a field of purple tulips...they just make me feel so special and close to creation.

Dealing with paperwork

Since Nana T's passing I have had the awesome husband helping out so much. He so knows these things way more than I do. He does paperwork ect. Well yesterday I got an insurance paper about her benefits for eye care ect. and how she needs to switch doctors. So I call the 1-800# on the forms to report that she is deceased..so I proceed to tell the man n the other end after giving him her ID # that she is "deceased" and that date was blah blah and the State got the certificate mailed to them ect. So he then says did she die? No sir she is alive and kickin' I like the word "deceased" or I may not have used it in the proper way..Ahh to myself mind you I am lookin at the phone rollin the eyes saying..the state PAYS you to service the calls??? lol A DECEASED person is in fact dead! YES THEY ARE~! So he gives me a DIFFERENT # to call b/c in fact he can not do anything for me....what a shocker....So I then call the OTHER number who the gal there knew how to help and also knew that my DECEASED Nana is in fact no longer alive and in need of health insurance benefits. She also said I am sorry for your loss, that I feel is very professional when they say that. It personalizes the fact that some of the state workers in fact do think of the feelings of others. SO if ya want to Google the word DECEASED sir state callboard man...it in fact means...Noun; A person who has died, Adjective: Dead; no longer living. So yes my grandmother no longer needs the health insurance PLEASE take her off the list b/c I would liek to see the state take care of and give services to other LIVING elderly people.

WE MAY HAVE TO BRACE FOR A BIG ONE

You all know the Christmas show The Year Without A Santa Clause? Well maybe this could be The Year Without a Snow Storm! How great would the weather books look...ALL OF 2012 without a STORM! from now until 2013! NONE! well in mid to southern Florida it can be that way! SO really we SHOULD look at property down there! :D

Back to WIT!

So this morn is the day that the truck gets packed up to make the trip to Boston. Stephen is back to Wentworth this morn, classes start Wednesday. It is bitter-sweet. Gonna miss our boy around here but feeding the 6'3" kid....LMAO nah not gonna miss that. HAHHA ok who am I kiddin, I will miss that too. So woke up before I took to the YOGA mat I see this white substance on the lawn, deck and steps...the driving areas nada..YAY! So Ry says to me "Ma you sad about the snow?" I said Nah no big deal, not gonna make a difference;looks pretty on the lawn....he was like DID YOU JUST SAY THAT! lol So he says "are you tired this morning?".....No Ry, why you say that? He goes "you don't seen as springy, happy like other mornings" "It;s because you see snow huh ma!" Lets start out that Ry like his mama talks A LOT in the am.....I talk A LOT in the AM mid day and PM...lol Ry has always had the gift of gab in the morn so it is a 20 question type morn and always info packed with his telling me facts and stuff. So he seems to think I am not "springy/happy" this morn. I said well Stephen is heading back to WIT and I will miss our foursome + puppy dynamics here at 01949! I know just like last semester it will fly by and we can see him for the family b-days as well as his 19th b-day dinner and frog pond skate at the end of January. As for the every moring/night times together...he there us here. I am so very sure Bailey is jimdandy about his not being here. Stephen seems to be barked at often from the lil beast when he comes and goes. The bags and linens are all lined up Raf OCD...along with reusable bags of snacks and college dorm room type foods. On another note I get to sport a NEW beautiful, earth friendly, animal cause helping, environmentally safe reusable purse today. I have a choice if two beautiful styles. My buddy Austin's mom KNOWS ME TOO WELL...and picked up 2 very savvy fold away bags knowing that Stephie LOVES those bags! Thanks Pam! xo Have a great day all and misses and kisses and sunshiny hugs...

The Annual New Years Morn Walk with the Pink Angels!

Always a great way to start New Years morning with a walk with some of the most fantastic people out there. Love you all in your own special way. Had to trex the hills of Breakheart and so proud Bailey was even off leash keepin up with the big boys and girls! More proud of M and I for letting him get down and dirty and be a DOGS DOG! Lol
Thanks to all the Pink Angels, family members and furry friends for always making my New Years Day morning a special one! :D M joined us for the 1st time and he was "10" lol He said I am a ten! yay! LOL we count off to make sure we have everyone and he was #10.....YOU'RE A 10 BABY! that's for sure!

PINTEREST! oh so fun

http://pinterest.com/ziastephie/
Spoke many times with Pam when she would come over about PINTREST and it always sounded so good BUT nah not for me...WELL GUESS WHAT?! Yup I like it....:D thanks Dana and Pam for the suggestion. Like a scrapbook on line!

A Romantic New Years walk

A romantic New Years Day night walk. Taking the pups for a walk all around Salem tonight was a great way to celebrate the new year. We took Bailey and Myles for a long walk around the pretty lit city. The weather was not too cold and the park area was all lit up near the Hotel lookin very moviesk! lol SO ROMANTICAL!

Life is like....

A box of chocolates....SWEEEET!
Life is what YOU make of it. Make it a good good life. Enjoy the little things. Love with ALL your being. Give lots & lots but also don't get taken advantage of. Turn the other cheek,,,,,SMILE & show those pearly whites. Talk with your eyes not just your mouth and words. Never say things unless you mean it will all your heart and soul. Know and be thankful. Count those blessings and give HOPE, FAITH, & concern to the world. Please always know that you are loved by at least one person let alone many! So love back. Stop in it's tracks bad attitudes. Really people just be considerate. Hugs to you! Love Sunshine Stephie....Hey lets start the day with a deep breath of air to cleans the body and refresh the soul! Wake up HAPPY that you even woke up and are able to have another day here. :D

Life on the line

Everyday men and women choose to serve their towns to make sure we are kept safe. It is a true heroism to put their life on the line for others. Please keep in your prayers the families of those who serve. RIP Jim Rice and Kudos to Peabody for being such a close knit support system for the firefighters.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year

Health and Happiness as well as love and friendship with SUNSHINE DAYS!

you are what you eat!

http://www.mcmanweb.com/what_you_eat.html

Eat well.....just as if you were to put crap gas in your cars engine putting crap processed food in your body has the same effect. You get half crap results..Why not want to make good choices to function to your best capacity and not be depressed, lethargic and blah! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1224516/How-junk-food-diet-depression.html
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1635 so many links to show that eating well makes your being well....ALSO MOVE>>>>>MOVE IT MOVE IT MOVE IT PEOPLE! exercise. Our bodies were NOT designed to sit on sofas and stare at a boob tube! move it! Like NIKE says JUST DO IT! Hey having sex is movement so JUST DO THAT TOO! {GASP} lol yup Sunshine Stephie said that!

GOD WINK!

Had this very old women, God Bless her soul today at the bear barn...we had some time together picking out a bear for her sick son. She was a dear women who told me all about what he is dealing with these days and hopes that the teddy from his dear old mother will make him smile. Well after I ring her up and she thanks me for all my help and being a "doll" she lifts up the box and makes the same giddy noise that Nana T does when she holds teddy bears....So my eyes well up and I smile huge but almost burst into a sob so I say good bye and walk away with "Miley" thinking I was laughing but I was about to loose it with a burst out full blown cry. SO I go to the back room and then laugh and think that was special....I proceed to go to "Miley" and tell her why my reaction was that! Thanks sweet old lady to make that memory come to the surface!

many questions ...are there answers?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljI4nHcV7kA&feature=youtu.be

It makes me sad and sick to my stomach that this is happening to any kid let alone in our own back yard per say....I so don't understand with all the equality and education on bullying in the schools these days this happens. If you commit a crime you have to pay the consequent. To Molly for sharing what happen, kudos to you for being brave enough to put it out there....to the ones responsible:you deserve to be expelled from school. Not a one should be scared to go to school, anyplace let alone the umbrella "secure" type school this happen at. What ever happen to the pride of community, acceptance of all? We all wish for peace in our lives is that asking tooooo much!

I knew I always liked Kissing Balls for a reason!!!! : )

Origins of the Christmas Kissing Ball

Many Christmas traditions have been handed down to us from the Middle Ages, when the holiday of Christmas became more important than it had ever been. It was during the Middle Ages that St. Francis of Assisi came up with the idea of the Nativity scene, using animals and villagers to re-enact the story of Jesus' birth at Bethlehem, which were eventually replaced by the ceramic, plaster and plastic figures we know today. Many Christmas Carols - O Come All Ye Faithful, What Child Is This - originated int he Middle Ages, and although the words may have changed slightly, a time traveler speeding back to the 13th,14th, or 15th centuries would be able to join the sing-along at Christmas Mass.

The kissing ball comes to us from that time, too. During the Middle Ages, villagers would wind together twine and evergreen branches into a ramshackle ball shape. In the center of this conglomeration of evergreen boughs they would place a clay figure of an infant to represent the baby Jesus. These "holy boughs", as they were called, would be hung from the ceiling along passageways in castles and big houses to render blessings and good luck to all who passed under the bough and the holy infant.

During the 17th through early 19th centuries, such decorations were frowned up. The Puritans, the Reformation and all the new religious fervor sweeping England and Europe meant cleansing away all the decorations of Christmas. But people will be people, and people yearn for decorations and symbolism. By the time Queen Victoria ruled England, decorations were making a comeback.

Many of our Christmas traditions date back to Queen Victoria, such as the Christmas tree. Her husband Albert was from Germany, and the Germans had long kept the custom of evergreen trees decorated to symbolism eternal life and the return of the sun. During the Victorian era, the concept of the kissing ball or holy bough came back but in a different form. People would take a potato or apple and tie a pretty ribbon around it as a hanger. Then they would stick sprigs of evergreen, holly and sweet herbs into the potato or apple until it bristled with them. The resulting "sweet ball" not only looked beautiful, it smelled good too, which was a plus in the days before daily showers!

The herbs in the sweet ball took on the highly romanticized symbolism common to the Victorian area. Simon and Garfunkel weren't the only ones singing about "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme". Each of those herbs plus dozens and dozens more flowers, herbs and plants spoke a unique and private symbolic language to Victorians. The choice of herbs, flowers and boughs could state love, affection, charity, piety and more.

By the end of the 19th century, the kissing ball now symbolized romantic love. It wasn't uncommon to find ballrooms adorned with dozens of decorated kissing balls hanging from the ceiling. One custom had a kissing ball with a sprig of mistletoe hanging from it. This ball would be hung up in a special place at a party. Unmarried maidens would line up and stand underneath, and the unmarried men would line up to kiss the ladies!

As the 20th century unfurled, kissing balls fell out of favor. Only the mistletoe remained as a symbol of love and romance. But some traditionalists still love the lore, the mysterious and the romance of this very traditional Christmas decoration.

So here's to the kissing ball....SMOOCHES! xoxox

My love!

Waking up beside you everyday makes it a brighter day!
I am grateful and thankful for the life we have together and most of all to have a BEST FRIEND that gets me better than I get myself. I do believe in true love, happily ever after b/c you are my prince and I your princesses. So many memories and so much laughter with a little bit of OCD thrown in makes it all so very special. Love you my sweetest! xo Love your Jelly Bean

Student of the Month!

YAY RYAN YAY!
SO happy to receive the letter sent home with his nomination and acceptance of Student of the Month! That's our boy!

Date and Nut Bread!

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/old-fashioned-date-nut-bread-689213/
Nana T used to make delish things and Date and Nut Bread being one of her A+ could win a Blue Ribbon items. I recall being at Mann Orchards and seeing a loaf holding it up to my nose and tears streamed down my face when Michael handed it to me b/c it WAS as if I were a child again holding that similar smell to my nose at the table in the kitchen of 90 Barnes Ave. He also LOVED her special cream cheese sweetened whipped spread. OH so yummy! I am making some of these loaves this year. I know I do not have her recipe but will try this one sent in an e-mail from the Disney site. We will see. I will post about them. Funny how I don't have any obligation to go to the Don Orione Home now that Nana T has passed. Before we would make sure to include a trip there at some point of the weekend or my Wed afternoon visit alone. So was saying this at breakfast Sunday to Ryan and Michael and before Michael could answer Ry says you can still go see her and I was like oh ok! shoulder shrugs! He said at the cemetery. I smiled at my kind hearted boy who said what his dad was going to say but it is so not the same. So in our travels yesterday Michael drove by the cemetery. I can honestly say I feel closer to her in the comfort of my own home looking at the ornaments she gave us way back in '92 and the most resent one I got and put a pic of her and I in. It is is favorite color powder blue. I feel most comforted looking at photos of her wrapped in the last afgan she made, once again a powder blue color. As I look back to the color selection we made in our first house in 91 we had powder blue I think everything in our dining and living room. Now that I think of it was that her influence indirectly? Just like you don't have to be in a 4 wall building called a church to feel close to God you don't have to be at the final resting place of your loved one to feel close to them.

NANA T & ME

It happened. I have been for a while now been wanted Nana to come to me in a dream. Last nights dream she was there. Just her and me in the old kitchen at 90 Barnes Ave. The oven all old like I remember it. I got to have a huge cry with her in her arms AND best of all she was the old Nana T with all her faculties about her. Sounded like her, felt like her and smelt like her from back in the day. I woke up way to soon from it but am still grateful I had the small amount of time that I did. I know all day I am going to keep thinking of it. Love you Nana T!

GROUPON!

I am allll for Groupons....for a year and a half now got many good deals....this morn there was half off at McDonalds...Are you kidding me people...b/c eating that cheep junk isn't enough now you can save half off of on it....get outta town with that deal!

interesting

http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/11/a-new-way-to-look-at-alzheimers/248650/


Like the cure for cancer I so in my lifetime want to see a cure for alzheimer's....COME ON WE GOT TO FIND CURES FOR THESE AWFUL DISEASES

Singing Hearts!

~every single day do something that makes your heart sing~

THE Santa!

so ya he HAS to be the real one hey!

Famous Quote...oh so well wrote!

We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.
Henry Ward Beecher

I so believe this with all my heart <3....I can't say enough about the deep deep love in my heart for my sons. They make my heart beam when I think of them. Just to get an unexpected hug or a text out of the blue make my heart happy! I love you guys oh so very much....my big one and little one....ok not so little any more!

LOOKIN FORWARD TO IT!

Gettin ready to do a shot 6 miler with the Pink Angels this morn. It is already in the 50's so how can we let perfectly good weather go to waste. After that off to fuel up on a WG shot. YUM!!!!!!!!!!!! Get my gulp on, lookin forward to the 4 of us setting up Christmas decorations and puttin the ornaments on the tree. I still get teary eyed when I see the homemade ornaments from years past as well as the special ones that mean so much through the years. We have a tradition of playing the Grinch (Jim C version) while we put up the tree, that or Polar Express. Michael loves to keep saying HOLIDAY WHOBBIE WHATIE...lol Yes he can be a funny guy,,,lol Off to semi bundle up...Not really needing lots of layers this morn. Need some Biofreeze for the left knee, it has not been the same since coming back from Tampa. It has like a numbness to it. I think I may of OVER FROZE it up....lol Yup addicts can do that! Have a wonderful Saturday all. Hope you day is warm with love from the heart <3 and sky! x o

even a grown up has a heart of a child!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTNXl1NEb5Y&feature=related

All grown up now, not a child but my heart still can dream.......I love those words...
When being a grown up reality hits close to home but never ever loose sight of the childlike desire to feel that things could be "that right would always win"......and love will never end...this is my grown up Christmas wish!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! We here at the Raf house did. :D
off to the bears at 330am for some pawsome gingerbread people adventures. Also Alvin and his crew we will also see you. Get to wear a Hawaiian style shirt today..YAY..now if only we lived in Hawaii! lol Made all the sangwiches for my fellow bears so their tummies will be full on the sales floor. Have a great weekend all xoxoxo

Time for the 4!

Celebratin the loves b-day this weekend....Raf's ova last night and then since Stephen slept ovah we went to breakfast for Michael's B-day! Love having the 4 of us together. For ya b-day here at the River St Raf house you get to pick what place ya want to go to for your b-day meal. Well M loves loves loves the Outback and I am very surprised he picked a b-day breakfast meal instead. He loves Fredies in Middleton for breakfast so off we went. Stephen was happy b/c quote unquote that place is "da shit" yup that's right folks I let the kid use fowl words. LOL Da shit being good A+...yup once again one would think it would be crappy but no da shit means good. OK well alrighty then! So many local faces there good thing I am with the other 3 who look similar to what they always looked like b/c I give my great BOG Stephie Smile :D and I sear peeps just don't know me. They then look at who I am with and hten get IT! lol Oh Well I don't take offence b/c hey I do look different. The food was great as a matter of fact da shit to be exact lol JK! also got to walk a lil then get the paper to read and send S on his way. He has 3 hockey games this week and needs he car for them. He is also off to a WIT hockey game this afternoon. I picked him up some of the above pic. I do not endorse or really approve of it but he said they really help him keep his energy up playin. He said he is older now! LMAO! oh ok...."I will be fine Ma" as he puts it. So he has 4 of these things and hey .....it is mega vit B but I do not liek the Turaine stuff in it. BLECK! so anyway .....this was a happy mama who had the 4 of us together. He is on his way back to WIT. We will get to have him Wed to Sun eve YAY! off to get food for Thanksgiving Day meal and some baking items too! Happy Beautiful Sunday to you! Enjoy this nice weather! xo

Happy Thanksgiving

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRua_Jpy79U&feature=relmfu

The Dash...something that mattters

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

I had to Blog about this, for it was my kindhearted, handsome, loving brother-in-law Rob who brought up THE DASH in our lives yesterday at Nana T's service. I pointed out how Michael put the collage of pictures together and one of the pics was of me right after having Ryan and I did not look all that appealing. So jokingly I said "ya I can thank Michael for putting that up there, funny how huge and bloated I am looking, like I want that on the board", Well Rob pointed out it is all apart of the DASH....that time in-between your birthdate and your passing date that MATTERS the most. It is that very DASH that makes up the times of our lives. I have tried to pride myself on making that DASH have deep meaning. Not just to me but for all the others I come in contact with through my years here on earth. It may be for the closest of people in my life or it may even be to a stranger who I may never meet again, Though I truly want, regardless if I know them or not to have MY DASH matter. I NEED to thank Rob for pointing that out because every moment we live makes up our DASH! Go through life making sure that your DASH is well spent. That you make your mark....This particular song makes me think of just that....I WAS HERE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XZ12nrz47U that a moment to listen..this was my first 3 day walks anthem....I live by the moto....."I wanna do something that matters" ...."do something better with the time I was given"/////something that says I was here.......ou will notice me
I'll be leaving my mark like initials carved
In an old oak tree, you wait and see

Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold, I don't know
But I'm ready start 'cause I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/l/lady-antebellum-lyrics/i-was-here-lyrics.html]
'Cause this dream's too strong and before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
'Cause I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place!

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
And leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?

And I know that I, I will do more than just pass through this life
I'll leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?
I was here

As I look back in the treasure chest of memories of Nana Theresa I can say she did something that matters....She had a huge hand in molding me into the person I have become. Thanks to you Nana T for making YOUR dash matter. xo

It hurts but there is some comfort there

Knowing that Nana T is out of the body that broke her down mentally and physically makes the blow a little more easy. It is never easy to loose a loved and cherished one. Though I find comfort and relish in the fact that she lived her live fully. It is a testament to say she was never really sick in her live until the dementia, muscular degeneration , and ALZ set in big time. That women ate rappi greens with hunks of garlic.....she loved cooking with hunks of garlic...the stuffed chockies as she would say had white slices that were very visible. I would never eat them stuffed just steamed. Now I too LOVE garlic. I guess it does ward off the bad. She loved her many many cups of tea, black of course.
I lay in bed or daydream of the many things we did through the years. It helps knowing there are many events in the treasure chest of life that can be looked back on. That is worth any amount of money out there. I so do treasure that. Yesterday at the bear barn there were two "God winks" as they are called with Nanas involved. I guess that was her telling me everything is ok. : ) I love you Nana T and you will always be with me.

11-11-11 Veterans Day

Sending out THANKS to all those who served and still serve for our country to be a FREE place to live. Freedom is not Free since they give of their lives while serving. I am proud to be an American. Equally proud of the sacrifices that these men and women take on and choose to be soldiers. Also lets not forget the families that wait stateside for them when fighting over seas or even on the home front. I say a prayer for their safety and bow my head with humility for the blessings that they will all stay safe. MUCH THANKS ARMY, NAVY, AIRFORCE, MARINES, COASTGAURDS, RESERVISTS ect!

way to much to blog about

So basically I am just letting it go for a while. Don't have it in me to say all that I want to say about the weekends walk ...so much to write about. Got word that Nana T has stopped eating pretty much and now it is a matter of just a small amount of time that she can be at peace. SIGH!

leaving on a jet plane!

I do know when I'll be back again! :D
Walking the Tamapa 3 day to fight like a girl...and put an END to cancer once and for all. Imagine life without cancer, we would walk just for the sake of walkin'.
My Pink Angel team will be representing BOSTON in the SUNSHINE STATE....how appropriate SUNSHINE STEPHIE in the state she loves the best! :D ok not the best...second best Hawaii takes 1st place. How cool would that be the Maui 3 day....oh baby!
I want to thank from the bottom of my heart the wonderful donors who help make my walk possible. It's because of your donations to the cause that we walk and can fund research for new drugs ect to put an END to this disease. I am PINKED UP to show my passion for the fight. Post some pics IF I get them from teammates LOL ya all know my mo with pics ....someday maybe I will be a pic person! till then wait to be tagged in pics on FB! SO I will be back on the line as I call it after the 3 day. Love and thanks once again to all of you who support this fight....xoxoxoxoox I WALK BECAUSE I MUST!
http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2011/General?px=2999947&pg=personal&fr_id=1751
this is my link to donate to the 3 day ....fundraising never ends....untill the cure is found does it end!

3 day training and da toes!

The training of a 3 day walker....lots of long training miles so that on the 3 day ya don't poop out..so this leads to many foot issues. We call them 3 day walker feet. So I in the past never had major issues with my 3 day walker feet. As for this year running in 2 5 K's I lost my pinky toe nail. ok not bad a pinky...well NOW the big toe toenail is now gone. UGH! sorry to be so forth coming with the toes. UGH! SO when telling M about the latest loss of nail he says..I hope I keep all my toes training for the 3 day. I said well my toes have yet to fall off just the nails LMAO! I knew what he meant but it was cute to point out we will not be at a toe loss, we hope! Keeping the nails is hard for running/walking people. It could be worse. I have had co-walkers who's feet were soooo bad that mine looked pretty! off to soak em in the salts...EPSOM SALT!

I never liked Applebee's not ever!

So today to get a bite to eat we stopped @ Applebees on the way north heading home b/c Ry and Michael saw a 2 for $20 commercial. So they got an appetizer and two meals for 20. I got get this I AM a cheep date LMAO! $3.49 salad. It was that b/c she made it an add on to an entree. It would of been like $5.59 but the waitress was very nice about that being apart of what Ry ordered. So one would think it was safe being a non meat eating person that a side salad is safe and has no animal products but nooooo. Not @ Applebee's.....there is like NOTHING on that menu for me to pick so I went with the safe bet of the SALAD...so I go to dig in AND there is BACON! ......she had stepped away when I was to dig the fork in and eat it so I said to the boys I can't eat this it has bacon....we wait about 7 mins to see her again and I nicely tell her the problem and she looks at me like I told her I cane from outer space. So she says let me see what I can do. WHAT!!!!!!!!!! OH OK .....now if you know me I DO NOT EVER get mad at people in any industry let alone the service industry. So she comes back and says they will make you another one with out the bacon I asked if that was ok. So I thanked her, smiled and waited for the next salad to come which made me think did they scrape the bacon off and just return what was first sent out? But when she walked away I said to my men ok so they were maybe contemplating not issuing me a non bacon salad and she had to get approval? LMAO! So yes I am a cheep date to a restaurant...water for all of us...the 2 for 20 meal and 3.49 plus tax and 20% tip....not a bad price for a meal that them 2 enjoyed. As for me I said to M "I TOLD YA SO" I suggested that we stop @ Costco for me to get the big container of spring mix for $5.49 and I would of had enough salad for 3 serivings but hey they wanted an entree and they got it. OH WELL...I so would of rather a shot of WH and a small shot of ginger from Sol Bean for the same price maybe even a little bit more $!~

45 from 90!

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone....saw this in an e-mail sent with 45 little quotes written by a 90 year old.I think of Nana T who also is 90 but could not verbalize herself.. I have to share b/c they all seem to hold value, thank you Karen for the share! : ) I always look forward to your e-mails!

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time.. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come....

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
So back to the cry one! Seeing Nana T today as every time I see her I seem to try my hardest to contain my tears. It very rarely works though. I should take my own advise like I say to friends...."like laughing when happy...you should cry when sad b/c you would NEVER hold back the laugh so why hold back the tears...it is such a valid emotion and if needed then do it...no shame in that"/////
So it was so heart wrenching when Nana T cried first. When putting my cheek next to hers she burst out into tears and in my happiest voice I told her how beautiful she is and how much I love her and she means so much to me. She then says don't worry. So by her saying that and realizing she comprehends more than people may think I had to burst within reason to not alarm her....It was so good to have Michael right next to me, the one who knows me so deep and so intensely that he takes the weight of my worry and supports it when I can only support so much. He knew I could tell that he ust knew that by her saying that it would start my tears. I feel some what good to know that she comprehends to an extent when we talk to her. My first words to her today were "come stai? " and she said oh eh! meza meza...that there shows me she is some what getting it a we lil bit. When she opens her eyes she tears up..I think it is easier for her to keep them closed when we are there emotionally. I tell ya I LOVE THAT WOMEN...she is MY NANA T! to sit and hold her frail but oh so still soft hand and have her grip it back also gives me a sense of warmth! I LOVE YOU NANA T...ALWAYS WILL! xoxoxo Love YOUR STEPHIE!

yay

http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/bestpaying-degrees-in-2010-hot-jobs/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast802

this made this WIT mama happy! I know he still has a few years to go but it is great to see that the degree will be in demand. So sad to see college grads who can't find jobs in their field.
#6 on the top ten list!

would NEVER even if I had tons o cash spend $ on a bag! this vid kind of explains why!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3NgzQ9Pcsg&feature=share

I really like the message that this points out. Maybe that my friends is why I can sport my $1. reusable bags, like a pocketbook...lol it is the person holding the bag not the expensive fancy bag that makes the person...I <3 my matching reusable collection of handbags! it makes me me! lol

Stephen and Mama.....Lil Mama and BIG MIKE as S call us!

Outside Stephens dorm area on Sunday after the Jazz Breakfast!

WIT weekend continues

Back from day two of WIT Family weekend. Day one we had Stephen pick out our pumpkin, sign us in as a family but did not attend Casino Night...S had plans with his new buds and we got to watch our nephews and learn new and interesting facts from Evan. :D As for day two...bright and early on our way to the city....Michael taking the wheel (phew) no median strips being driven over HAHAHAHA.....met 3 new families, ate a very delish free lunch, took a walk to the Pru for a lil, had tons of fun walking and explorin the campus, did some cool stuff to raise money for the Jimmy Fund (love a good cause). While the boys watched a soccer game I went to see the deans address who btw in a room full o people before she spoke made a bee line right to my seat to say hello and tell me how happy she was to see me...her fellow Italian girl on campus :D ......when I went back to find the boys at the field house Michael asked if I made my way to the Dean..I said nope SHE made her way to me ...SHE LOVES ME! :D A 3rd years students mom heard me and said you know the dean personally! YUP I DO! lol lol...After some more outside activities on the quad we went to the pumpkin area that smelt pretty nasty. Ok it smelt FALL LIKE...lets put it that way! They were lining up the carved pumpkins with glow sticks for tonight's hayride that we will forgo since we left S to tend to his group of friends. This other family to not have to drive 3 hours north are staying in a area hotel and we will be meeting them for a quick dinner in a lil bit. Funny how they went 40 mins north of the city to get a decent hotel rate. Bright an early tom. am we head back for the jazz breakfast. Also it was so exciting to see the new student center that is being constructed...a ten million dollar project that will be named the Flanagan Something Center when complete in March 2012....the 10 mil was donated by Mr. F a WIT alumni who must have done well for himself. The BEST was seeing the presentation of how WIT students are working with the City of Boston to make the WATER FLOODING situating make rhyme or reason in the age of over population of the city. WIT Civil Engineering students are drawing up programs to have excess rain water be utilized in holding wells that will make the flooding situation have better flow and less taxxing on streets and the sewer system. Just hearing and seeing the real life input this institution has make me beam with pride to have our son be able to learn at a place that you are not a number and can thrive in the path you choose to study. The under 3900 or so student population make it easy to have an 18 to 1 ratio. That also makes me feel good that they are very much focused on by the professors. So far we are pleased and delighted to be parents of a Wentworth student. That is why we got the shirts you see in the pic. Pink for me of course....They did have WIT mom and WIT dad shirts but I did not like the fabric as much as I did for these ones. Off to see Tayors parents in Andover and pick up some items to take to him tomorrow. WIT we will see you in the am for jazz brunch!

"OUR MARTHA"

AN EARTH ANGEL that is what she is....OUR MARTHA as we call her. She is all ours, A Pink Angel who we love to hear, see, hug, laugh, feel close to and have many memories made with. Her beautiful smile has always been a sight that makes your day. He locks of dark curls blow in the wind and she lives her days with such hope and thankfulness. Just to hear her speak about how invigorating it feels to take her lunch time walk over the Mass Ave bridge and the awesome feeling of the wind in her hair makes my heart leap knowing that it is the little things that make such a big difference in life. To live everyday knowing just how much of a gift it is to be together and able to make new memories makes it all worth it. So to you OUR MARTHA you are loved so deeply and with such passion from your family, friends, co-workers and especially your Pink Angel team.....You are now that dark curly locks lady xoxoxoox love u lots and lots

"FIND COMFORT IN ME"

When "ANGELS ON EARTH" want to do something THEY DO IT! that's for sure......TO say that last night was touching is an understatement. I have a team of PINK ANGELS that show so much caring in life. Eileen our "nutty knitter" who has talent to the high heavens whipped up a BEA U TIFUL! COMFORT SHAWL for our dear Bridget.....The words you see in the picture make the concept so embracing to surround her or anyone receiving the shawl feel wrapped in love, caring, and healing vibes. It is wonderful to be with these people who have as much passion as I do maybe even more than myself for the cause and cure. I wake up everyday being extremely thankful to have met them and to be a PINK ANGEL. To you Bridget may this wrap you in warmth and love knowing that there are so many people who love and care about you always. xoxoxo Love Sunshine Stephie....

Pink!

Love the door mat AND the bag from ECCO....so would not spend @$50 on a bag...NOPE...not a bag person..well ok I AM but the $1. reusable ones! :D NOW THAT'S A BAG! hahahahaha ECCO also had these awesome walking shoes with the "pink" ribbon of course! Weird...ya think I'd be all pinked out! lol Not today..but yup every other day! :D support the cause, find a cure, END THIS! once and for all CURE CANCER ALL CANCERS!

people not things are what matter....

but why am I still ticked off???? UGH.....The cute lil hybrid needs TLC...a busted tire and some wire thingy broke from me avoiding a stupid college boy in his bike darting out infront of my car in the BIG BAD CITY OF BOSTON! To avoid hittin and hurtin him and/or another car I had to ride up on the medium strip...and BANG! WHAT A NOISE IT MADE> PANIC ATTACH! Good thing Stephen is the opposite of his reacting mama. He does so well in situations with stress....His brother is like me sometimes and he is like his Michael. SO Stephen took it delt with it and sent me on my way with the lil donut and I was panic the entire time heading North. He talked with me most of the trip in speaker so my hands were at 10 & 2.....I am glad people or persons were not hurt but ticked off that it happen. UGH.....really people...don't dart out between cars on a bike or on foot. Was taught that at a young age. Learnt my lesson on that with some roller sk8's on LOL LOL .......wink wink ....so we wait for cousin jj to call and say he can take my cute lil baby who is only 18 mnths old. in perfect off the lot condition, well maybe not now! UGH....but I look at it all...things can be fixed or replaced people can't I would not be able to live with myself knowing I hurt or injured even if by accident another person....so keep the eyes on the road...