lookin forward to seein some "Pink Angels" in the morn!

I was honered....

Yesterday I got to see a beautiful friend try on her wedding dress and was taken back with tears welling up in my eyes. Pam, I am so greatful to have shared that with you. I am excited to hear about all the planning and events that will happen. You amaze me with your attention to detail while always staying on budget and finding ways to put personal touches. I envy you that you are so very good at that. Eighteen years ago when planning my wedding I had one lady from the function place say A B C D E F and it was just what it was. SO to see you plan, make things unique and love fulled it is so touching. I am so excited for you and Scott to make a life long commitment to eachother. You are so sweet together and your tru luv reminds me and Michael of us way back when, and still now but in a differnt way. Any time you need you chat away and let out all you need. AND THE GYM IS CALLING US! I looked for you last night, you must of been hiding...LOL LOL JK!

The Water....

The "water" on Dirty Dancing Night....lol what a night it was!

Training Walks

WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK! Lots of walking has been done and lots of walking to do!
I love walking to prepare for my 20 miles a day for three days. I am walking 10 miles this weekend. I walked 4 miles today. I walk with the Angels to train and by myself. I walk at the Mall, at BJs during hockey practice, parking lots, the school at Lax practice, any time, any where that is the best part it can be done anywhere. I love that I have this energy. Walk walk walk walk walk

Hockey Tryouts!

We were at the rink for 2.5 hours yesterday. I brought Ryan home b/c he has no desire to be a rink rat...lol I walked a bit untill it got colder then brought my walk inside BJ's across the street from the rink. I powerwalked BJ's ...lol This BJs is so not crowded like the Danvers one. The one in Bradford never has more than 4 people shopping at the same time???Go figure...so I took a cart got my 5 items and then did th estore 4 x's...I had this one employee looking at me every time I came by his setup..lol I looked like I was on a mission like when I shp for the Food Pantry but just wanted to keep my heart rate up. I help my tummy in the entire time to make it more of a cal burn..lol I then got to the rink with some time to chat. A lot of people have not seen me only the ones from our team. This was an entire divison tryout and many we have been on teams int he past ect. So I was chating with this dad who he and I have always been great friends with our quest for health. He dropped 45 lbs this past year and is walking al the time too. Back in 2001 we both dropped lbs then and fell off the bandwagon but now have vowed to STAY here for life. So people walking in say hello to Bryan and then I smile my BIG Stephie smile and get lil half ass smiles like at the concert like ok being polite who are u? Then with a hugh OHHHHHHHH from that person they realize it is me. It happend 5 times. It was quite funny. Bryan was like now thats good. I was like WTH I really do still look like me. I had one gal I used to work with have an entire conversation with Bryan and then I said so hwos work u miss me and she was like OHHHHH my ...lol I was like ok...I said hello to her son Harry and called him by name so who was I that I would call her son by name he is a little guy and I would be like how does that person know my sons name and talking with him. So mo she did not "get it" until I said how is work. OK....So it just makes me laugh b/c I really do look like Stephie from before only less lbs. But too funny. Bryan agreed it to be ironic that some people were like OHHH and some really just knew it was me. too weird. Like myself Bryan admited to not having any need for tv these days despite the fact that we used to live our life around whats on tonight and whats for dinner snack time. I love that he got his larger brother on the bandwagon too. I got some friends to go my way and we are both excited to be in this place. Happy Health to you...xoxoxoxo Luv from ur friend Stephie....same Stephie only smaller...xoxooxo <3 lol

It's coming soon! YIPPIE!

Sunday night is the SPRING AHEAD night....yahoo! I love when it is lighter later. I do not care one bit that we loose one hour of sleep, bring it on since it will be nice and light after dinner. So don't forget to turn those closes ahead one hour. Let the sunlight shine on.....

Here comes another concert!

Once again Masconomet Chorus kids (aka mandatory music class) (Ryan was student of the month back in Jan, despite the fact he says he puts no effort, I guess good behavior got it) will be having a concert tonight. OH BOY....oh joy. Black pants ironed and white collared shirt crisp and ready to wear. Ryan said they will be on the stage for about 7 mins. but the concert lasts an hour. He got to watch the vid in class of his brother when he was in 7th grade. What a treat.

Had a Happy 6th Birthday....Miss Jalinas Big Bear Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Jalina...Hope you and your friends had a blast at the party..I loved being your party leader..xoxooxox

LOVED IT!

I can't stop dancing around, and can't stop thinking of how awesome this was. I tell you the way they put this together was genius. It was a great night. I am very tired but running on adrenaline.

A son with a permit....

Remember this book? I do. About 1987 on my 16th b-day I took this test and passed and 22 years later so did my son Stephen. So weird to think he is legal to drive or I should say learn to drive. Wed before we were leaving for FL. trip we wentr to the registry and when he passed he said I don't expect you to let me drive home b/c I know how stressed you are already b/c we are flying in two hours. He had a really good point though I did get to St. Agnes parking lot and said he could from there. It is about 2 miles and a really sharp turn onto our Street from Boston St.. He did well but was way to close to the curb for my liking. I am going to stick to having his father take him b/c my stress is too high and I really do not want to freak the boy out. Besides going with the driving instructor I would go with Nana T who had nerves of steel back in the day. lol I will keep it posted in the summer when it comes time for his road test. My my time flies....he was just learning to ride his first big wheel...lol

Velveteen Rabbit

On our "date" the other night Michael and I went to Barnes and Nobels and to Starbucks after dinner. I spotted my most favorite kids books besides The Polar Express. I love to sit in the book store with the new book smell and see all the possiblities there are out there to read. I don't enjoy reading but I do like a good book now and again. Short stories are more my style. I loved when the kids were little and when I had daycare kids and worked int he school and would read to them. I love to get them into the book. Well I reread the Velveteen Rabbit in a comphy chair while Michael looked at some travel books. As my eyes filled with tears I got up and felt like a kid again. I love that story. I love just how loved it makes you feel. I have read it to the boys years and years ago and would now...BUT lol that would be freaky...lol lol lol I do love to read out loud to kids and love to share the passion for a good kids book. Go read this book it is sooo wonderful!

Define Whiney Woh....

Here goes...a "whiney who" is someone who willingly knows and chooses to do a certain thing....by choice now BUT has to make the biggest fuss and issue about what they can or can not do. So many of the post grads at the H&W class Phase 3 mind you are moaning and complaining about all the whahhhh whahhhh things they "can't" have. Well the director of the program put it to them nicely and said feel free to "do what you want" we here at this program are giving you the best possible program and tools to loose and maintain for life. When you choose to be apart of this program this was told to you. If you choose not to that is your perogitive BUT you have come this far and made this much progress why NOW would you have the need to rebell. I am 100% on her side I tell you. Three weeks ago I left class thinking if I have to hear one more "I can't blah blah" I was gonna rip my ears off. How about I said today we say we can have x,y & z. Be happy about what you CAN do. I also said remember when you could not walk to far without getting winded and NOW U CAN! so that is a CAN that far out weighs the I can't eat an entire pan of brownies per say. AHHHHH so frustrating I tell u. I need the class of non whiney wohs.....As of Feb 24th I think it is a Tuesday that is my very last class. I still ck in once a month with the nutrist. and the exercise dept. for the next 2-3 years. After 1 year it goes down to every 3 months. So I will still be very much connected along with the monthly support group meetings for people 8 months out of the program for maintence. Hope all the whiney wohs get a grip and put things into proper perspective.....by then

I got crack a lackin.....

I am cracka lackin from Katie...lol
I live: on a steep hill but love our house. just not the hill. I would LIVE in Maui or some place warm if M and the boys would move.
I work: but have much fun entertaing and creating memories that last a lifetime.
I smell: of garlic....ewww b/c I made lots of food todya with chopped garlic. lol
I listen: when people talk b/c I can not stand whne people only have seem to listen or care.
I hide: my weight loss journal even though the men in the house know what I weigh and what I weighed but still it is not out in the open.
I walk: fast, even befoe I lost weight. I am speedy walker,I dislike being behind someone who walks too slow for my liking.
I write: to express my feelings.
I see: with my glasses on or my contacts but I need new ones all of my others are gross.
I sing: aweful in Mass but still do it b/c singing praise is prayer with song. I know my kids are mortified..lol
I can: cook and bake my days away and be happy as a clam...though I do not like clams..lol JK
I watch: a lot of hockey and Lax in the spring but so don't mind b/c it is for my sons.
I daydream: before I fall to sleep to get to sleep.
I want: to live in Hawaii.......
I cry: for people who are suffering
I read: when I have too.
I love: my sons and husband and feel blessed to be loved.
I rode: to Florida and MB South Carolina in a mini van and was much happier than flying, I also took Amtrack for 36 hours once home from FL...M said NEVER AGAIN...lol so I take planes but HATE it.
I sometimes: get OCD about things...ok ALWAYS..lol no that is not true
I fear: that this country could be hit again by terrorists
I hope: that my boys are happy and healthy always
I eat: tons of foods from the land....healthy
I drink: only water
I play: Wii Fit....it is so cool
I miss: Nana T being around like she used to be. She doesnt knwo anymore. IT IS SO SAD : (
I forgive: but I have to work on forget part. I try but I am ITALIAN
I drive: so very carfully, I have my CDL but no longer use it...with age comes fear I guess.
I lost: 128 lbs so far...MORE TO GO? OH YEAH THERE IS!
I dream: of a world of Peace.
I kiss: my hunny b/c he has great lips.
I hug: so tight I love those boys
I have: the urge to clean....cook and bake often,
I remember: the smallest of details when it comes to things.
I don't: drink or smoke...no no b/c Paula (my mother) did enough of that for a bunch of people
I believe: in Faith, Hope and Love the greatest of these Love...the greatest gift given by God Our Father
I owe: my health to the team at Salem Heart and Wellness
I know: I WILL walk and help contribute to the end of Breat Cancer, it will not beat us WE will beat it.
I hate: when pople spoonge off others.
I wish: the world were a more peacful place.
I wear: clothes that are way too big but I have been doing better these days with that issue
Maybe I should: move to a warm place but can't.
People would say that I'm: a person who really cares..I hope....or OCD with cleaning...lol
I don't understand: why the world has to be so aweful in a way.
My past is: what made me the person I am today.. I DID OVERCOME AND WILL COME OUT VICTORIUOSLLY!
I get annoyed when: Snow comes
Parties are: when I cook up a storm and feed others.
Tomorrow: is Sunday, I love Sunday........I will be taking the first of many training walks.
Never in my life have I: smoked a cigg or pot....not EVER and will NEVER
When I was younger I: worked lots to make cash to do things that were not afforable.
When I'm nervous: I have t odeep breath or I will go nuts.
My life is not complete without: love from the boys and Micahel
If you visit my hometown: you would see it changed so much but if you visit my hometown now as an adult you will see it is a great subrub saught after and with the BEST Ice Cream around...lol GO RICHARDSONS.....
The world could do without: peole who commit hanis crimes
If I ever go back to school:I would want to study exercise phisiolgy and then learn how to spell it...LOL LOL LMAOF I crack me up...I hope I do u too...LOL LOL LOL
And, by the way: You know the drill...get crack-a-lackin'!

Feel free to get crack a lackin yourself....

50* Sunday ..we hope and 5 miles...

Off to Breakheart Reservation tom morn early to do a 5 miles training walk. Since the weather is going to be nice that is the plan with my 3 day walking friends. I do 2-5 a day on the treadmill but we all know that does not compare to land. The roads have differnt balance issues and we need to aclimate to that when doing the 20 miles a day. I really hope for warmth and look forward to making these miles count.
I look at this as yet another leg of my weight loss journey, I should say life journey. You know those surveys in the e-mails? Well one question was "who inspires you?" I can say now WITH MUCH PRIDE>>>>>ME, MYSELF...really I am so proud I inspire me

Lots of good foods to feed my body

I eat these 4-5 items everyday. I have about 7 items that I rotate. I love the crackers crushed up in the yogurt o% Fage (fayah) Greek plain no fat, Some may say it is a bland type of eating but my taste buds have done a 180 and these items are really yummy to me. He its been working for some time now. I now use Wii Fit to weigh me and I am now down 126 lbs since 4/29/08. Yesterday I saw a neighbor at the gym with her daughter who is studing to be a personal trainer and they both came up to me and said we were not sure if that were you and then we saw it was. OH my. So the daughter and I got to talking and if I were 21 again I would so go to school for what she is going for.(Melissa was a student of mine on the bus way back when, so weird she is now in college) It sounded so interesting and I have this new found love of exercise and whole food nutrition. Ah to be 21 again...lol I would have an infant.....I must say that I feel even better than I did at 21 now at 38. Now that is an awesome thing. Hey! ; )

B-day recap

Thanks to all of you who sent the well wishes for my b-day yesterday. In the am aftre the house emptied I enjoyed a long spa bath with epsone salts and bubbles in the jetted tub I said we did not need. HA I am so glad he got it now. btw it is like a swimming pool to me now since I dropped the weight..lol then I enjoyed some Passion Tazo Tea...love that stuff. Watched the crap snow come down thinking I have to get S at school, got a call early he got out at 1 instead of 220. Dropped him off got ready for work and off I went. I hate to drive in the snow but hey I had to do it. I did an awesome b-day party for Zoe and had lots of fun with 18 6 years olds. The mom was so impressed and happy offered my a $20 tip BUT we can't take tips so I asked if she would donate it to a cause and she said she would. Just wish I could of taken it for my breast cancer 3 day cause but once again can't take tips. So I freated with Pam about driving in the snow. We were gonna go to the gym after work but I was not staying out later than needed to drive again in the snow. I got a call from the BILs singing me a happy b-day..lol put them in speaker so Pam can hear. lol
Got hugs from Paula and Michelle B who also have the same b-day. I was so excited M stopped by...so miss her. So happy to see Paula too. My night ended with laughs from Tom on Facebook and about 25 mins of Wii Fit. Then off to bed to find a really sweet card from M on my pillow and a gc to buy a new bathing suit for Fl. He so said I want you to pick it out I did not want to pick one out and not have you likeit. See after 19 years knowing me he gets it. LOL So that is the b-day recap. I really do not ever make a big deal of my b-day except for 20 years ago in 89 when I told Nana T I WAS going to school on my 18th b-day b/c Pope John announces ur b-day on the loud speaker and I HAD to be there. Well my cute Plymouth Horizon Pwder blue only one year old got reemmeeeed about 4 times by 4 seperate cars b/c of black ice. So now u see why I HATE to drive in incimant weather? UGH....that was so sad when that happen.

Another blast from the past

So Ryan comes to me last weekend and says "I really want a rubix cube" I was like huh? where did that come from. Well did you know these days no store has them? We had to order it off Toys R us the website, Not avlbl. in stores. Ok so we wait and yesterdya it came. First off I have always hated them, second I really don't see the need to focus and focus to get frustrated for so long but hey he wanted it and had his own cash to get it. He is enthralled with it and can't wait to get home after curct. training to use it again.

~Happy 16th Birthday Stephen~

Today our first born turns 16. WOW where did the time go? He is so happy to go get his permit. We are going to try today after school, I hear that it is not easy on a Friday afternoon at the DMV so Monday may be our better option. Before I get him from school after I work I am going to head out to get him not a cake but 4 canolies, his favorite. I know he will so eat all 4! HE WILL.....HAPPY BIRHDAY to my baby,,,,lol yes he still is and always will be my baby. They both will be....lol

Rest in Peace Capt. Rick Cashin

It was sad watching the news last night to hear of a State Trooper from the Danver station was killed on Rt 1 in Saugus. Two men came to mind and it sent chills down my spine thinking of these two men and the familes. Well my premis was correct., I am deeply hurt to say, this man was one of the two that came to mind. Ryan had him two years ago as a Lacross Ast. Coach. He had lots of passion for the kids and the sport. He treated them fairly and if you wern't so good at it he took the time to show you the way. Ryan goes to school with his son and the other sons is Stephens age. He has two older daughters also in their late 20's. He put a lot of time, effort and love into his community and it is truely a tragic loss for not only his family but the Tri-town too. Please take a moment in your hearts for him and the others he left behind, tonight at dinner we did. Rest in Peace Capt. Cashin.

many birthdays....

This weekend the Rafts celebrated Papas birthday, Stephens, Mine, Auntie DD, Auntie Vanessas, and Owens...And yes if MIL sent me the pic of the cake I would of posted it. It had all our names on it. lol We have a lot of b-days end of Jan and Feb. Then MILs is in March. I smelt the cake just to see what it smelt like. No need to taste. I did have some wonderful raw almond and dried blueberries with a few chopped spirullina bits...yup...thye looked and said what it the green stuff...Some tried it and DID NOT like...but I LIKE ...so that is all that matters...lol smelling food these days makes it fine. I smelt a Dunkachino (they are back) that Dana had at work. I recall back in 2000 when building this house (stress city) I drank many of those and packed on the weight as for Michael his stress lead to dropping many lbs. Not a fun time but with the Grace of God and our love we got through the many challenging days. Smelling food helps b/c I can get the jist of the food and I really dont need/want the food. I was told at post grad class today "whatever it takes" lol if that helps then smell away...lol So a GREAT big Happy b-day to all those mentioned. This year Stephen will be the BIG 16 on 1/30....wow has the time flown by....