Christmas Craziness

Well, it's that time of the year again. 

Christmas.....YAY!

This is my favorite time of the year but for me there is a price to pay before I can relax.

No, it's not the shopping or anything like that.

It's WORK...I am an accountant and in particular I handle local tax and fixed assets at a large manufacturing plant. We shut down the last week, sometimes week and a half, of the year. The plant stops production and uses this time to do inventory and maintenance that they haven't been able to do while everyone was there. 

Everyone is rushing to get things done before the break. This includes spending all their budget.

Agghhh!!! There is so much happening the first 2 weeks in December, it's crazy.

So between the Thanksgiving holiday and shutdown I have a whole lot of stuff to get done, including some major tax filings. I am always fearful that I am going to forget something and not be able to fix it because there is nobody left at work! I haven't done that yet and probably never will, but it's like the nightmare you have about ending up in front of your class at school naked. Bizarre and terrifying. 

It never fails that by the time I am ready to leave for Christmas break I am so frazzled I spend the first off day recovering. 

I have been doing my Christmas shopping on-line and have most of it done already. We put up the tree today and the house is all festive and merry. This helps me to get through these hectic work days coming up. I know when I get home it will be all lit up and sparkling with Christmas cheer, I'll get through it.

Last week-end we went up to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia. They put on a great light show through the woods. They take you on an hour long trolley ride through the grounds and there are Christmas lights everywhere. All I had was my phone camera and I didn't get any good pictures of the the lights but I got one of my sister Wanda and Margot and one of Jacob Marley's Christmas Spirits stop. It was warm that day, but freezing that night, we had a great time.

My sister Wanda and Margot

Jill got a tasty warm "spirit" here.

We have tickets to see Christmas Carol in a couple of weeks at the local Shakespeare Festival, which is one of the best Shakespeare Festivals in the country, by the way. We have seen it several years now and it's become a tradition. Both the lights and the play actually.

Do you have a special Christmas tradition you are looking forward to? 

CIAO, Stephanie

Give Thanks

Give thanks to whoever it is you pray to 
For all you have and had and wasted
Give thanks to the one you pray to
For all you've used and felt and tasted

This is the time of year to look at our lives and give thanks for all we have been given. 
We have the people and things in our lives by the grace of God. It's not some cosmic accident or some random action that our lives are the way they are.

God gives us the things we need and it is up to us to make them work and to build them into a life we love. 

We all have people and things we've lost and circumstances beyond our control, things that tear our world apart and knock us off course. These times are the hardest and test us the most. These are the times for us to be thankful for what we still have and for the people in our lives who give us strength.

It can be hard to give thanks while you are planning a funeral or  when you heard you have stage IV cancer for instance, but try it. Think about what there is to be thankful for and focus.

For instance, a few years ago my brother Michael passed on after a 10 month battle with lung cancer. His was a long and painful struggle and I was his primary caregiver. I thought I was going to lose my mind. This was my big brother and I

loved him very much. There were 3 of us kids,  we lost our parents years ago and we were not close to the rest of our family. Losing a third of our sibling circle was like losing a part of me. A part of my childhood and my history, I still find my self thinking "I gotta tell Mike". But he is not here.

Some times the pain and frustration can be unbearable, but when I get that feeling I have to turn it around and focus on the fact that Michael had faith in God. He believed in God and according to this belief he is with our parents. He is with God. He is no longer in pain and struggling to breathe. He could not be cured in life but he is cured in death. I remember the good times we had and focus on those things. I give thanks that I was able to care for him and be there when he needed me. I give thanks that we was able to say good bye to his sons. 

This year I give thanks that I had him as my brother for 50 years and he shaped my life in a way nobody else could. I am thankful that because of his death me and my sister have grown closer and have a better relationship than we ever had before. 

I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer a little over 3 years ago. Three years ago on Thanksgiving I didn't know if it might be my last one. I was in the middle of my chemo treatment plan and I didn't know if it was going to work. I was scared and I do not remember giving thanks for much that year. 

This year I give thanks that I am in remission and I am still alive. I give thanks for my doctor and the treatment he put me on that so far is keeping me alive. I give thanks for my job that kept me busy through the worst of it and for the money and insurance it provides. I give thanks for the support of my family and the love and care they show me. I still don't know if this will be my last Thanksgiving, but I don't know anyone who has a guarantee of tomorrow. So we should give thanks for today.

There is a saying - Be kind to everyone, you never know what battles they are fighting. This is true, most battles are invisible ones. 

I think my focusing on what you have and not what you don't have will help you in your own battles every day. It gives you power over your thoughts and can direct them in a positive and productive way.

This year I give thanks to be able to share my stories and I hope I made you think. Maybe you have some stories of your own, some things like mine that can be pretty bad. Try to focus in the good things. Even if you have to look real hard to find it. Find it and focus on it, remember when you focus on something it becomes clearer and the things around it become fuzzy. It is something you can control in situations where you may not have much control.

Give thanks to whoever it is you pray to 
To feel his love and see his face
Give thanks to the one you pray to
For mercy and love and grace

CIAO, Stephanie

I got to get organized!

It seems that lately nothing seems to go as I plan. Take last week-end for instance. I announced that I was not going shopping on Saturday. Every time I go shopping on Saturday it takes up the whole day and I have got. to. clean. this. house!!

So, I went shopping on Saturday. 

We left the house around 10 am and first hit Kohls to check out the sales and spend my Kohls cash and use the $10 birthday credit they gave me. Can't let THOSE baby's expire!

Then we go over the Earth Fare for some lunch. They have a really good lunch bar and excellent pizza. I stay healthy and get veggies and a chicken leg. And mango lemon-aid. 

Then we went over to Costco to get some napkins. We buy Kirkland napkins in bulk cause we can be a bit messy and because they're cheap. We buy their toilet paper also, but we won't expand on that.

It was packed. And Saturday samples carts were in full force. Let's see....I tried the bacon, the cinnamon rolls, the yogurt and the spring rolls. I bought  giant package of the cinnamon rolls and the spring rolls. 

Got a churro on the way out and we are off to Walmart.

Once in Walmart I remember several things I need in addition to what was on my husbands list and an hour and $100 later we headed home. 

I am exhausted.

I was on my feet for almost 4 hours. My back hurt. My feet were swollen.

I finish my churro on the way home and as we unpack the car I announce that I am going to put the grocery's away and then just sit down for a minuet.  

Yeah, so everything's unpacked and I sit on the recliner just for a few minuets.......ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

So....

Sunday I should get that cleaning done. 

Well.....I did get some of it done.

I have got to get organized.

I am now officially announcing that I am not going shopping this week end. I am not doing anything until the house is cleaned.

All of it!

CIAO, Stephanie

NINJA Cooking!! Recipe and Review

So, with the cold weather upon us it is time to break out the crock pot for week night stews, soups and casseroles.

I just got the Ninja 3 in 1 cooking system. It's a souped up crock pot. It can be used like a stove top, for steam roasting and baking and as a crock pot.

I tried two of the methods so far. The first one I tried was the stove top method with one of the recipes that is in the cookbook that comes with the Ninja. It is the Chicken Piccata. I had to modify it somewhat because I did not have all the ingredients. The method is to use the stove top function to brown the chicken, remove it from the pot and add rice and liquid. It has a rack that fits inside the pot and it is elevated somewhat so it goes on top of the rice. You put the browned chicken and a vegetable onto the rack, switch over  to the oven function, set it to 300,cover and it cooks the rice and steams the chicken and veggies in 15 mins. Of course you need to add spices and flavor.

It was really good. The chicken was cooked through, the rice was good and the veggies tender crisp. Also, this is a great way to reduce the amount of oil and fat in you diet.

So, I tried the crock pot with one of my own recipes and it came out really good. Here is the recipe for beef tips.

You will need:

2 Lbs of lean stew beef or beef tips

1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 of a large or 1 small onion, chopped

1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic

1 can of beef both

1 tsp tomato paste

6 good shakes if worchester sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 spring rosemary (chopped)

1/2 tsp dried thyme

Gather all your ingredients first-

Chop up the onion and set aside. Add the olive oil to the pot, coat the beef tips with the flour and brown using the stove top function. 

Once the meat is nicely browned remove it and set aside. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until tender. 

Add back the meat and the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Then switch over to the crock pot function and cover. Cook on low 4 hours. 

I served this with broccoli, mashed potatoes and biscuits. The liquid thickens up nicely and the meat is fork tender. I think you will like it. This is a great comfort food meal.

I think that because the pot is larger and wider than the one I was using it cooks more evenly and reduces the liquid to a great consistency.

I hope you try it. Enjoy!

Oh, almost forgot to mention that the clean up is a breeze! It has a no stick finish and nothings sticks to it. 

CIAO, Stephanie

Truckloads of animals

I have a 23 mile/30 min commute to and from work every day, so I am on the highway for at least an hour every work day and see some weird things sometimes.

One morning I was headed into work early to catch up on some work so it was about 7am. The exit I have to get off is 2 lanes wide and one end is traffic coming on and then about ½ mile down is off ramp. Many times you’ll get over to get on the off ramp and coming up right behind you is someone getting on. They go to the left and you stay in the lane to get off to the right.

This one morning I got over headed to the off ramp and in my rear view mirror I saw a car coming up on me so fast I thought he was going to run right into me, but instead he cut over to the left and veered around me so fast it was over before I could blink and off he went sailing through the air and landing on the side of the off ramp halfway up an embankment. Amazing that the was able to go around me. My guardian angel was with me.

Me and 2 other cars stopped and ran up to the car. My heart was pounding, I didn't know what I’d find. Thank God he was OK..banged up a little but awake and talking. He was an older gentleman maybe late fifties.  I do not know what he was doing going so fast. The other driver that stopped said he thought he was drunk but I didn't smell anything on his breath. Anyway…..that was the scariest thing. Pretty mild when you think about what could have and what has happened on interstates around the world.

This was a human.

 The most disturbing thing I see and I see it on a regular basis are truckloads of cows and chickens. I work in a rural area and there is a chicken (processing) factory about 8-10 miles down from where I get off and a slaughter house at the exit before.

They put the animals in these trailers that have what almost looks like the plastic milk crates for the sides. They need the air to keep the animals alive long enough to slaughter them I guess.

The cows are big so you only see bits and pieces and can’t really make out the entire cow at once. You might see a hoof or a knee or something. The trailer is too high to see their faces. The chickens are another story though. 

They pack those poor things in so tightly, you can see where they have no room to move or anything. You can make out the entire chicken. There are usually feathers wafting off the truck and the smell will gag you.

And you know.... You know where they are headed and what is going to happen.

I usually speed up to get away from them.

Sometimes when I think about them I can't eat meat for a few days. But then, I think it is something primal or some base instinct that makes me over come my revulsion and eat it. It is weird when you think about how our food is processed and shameful. I am ashamed that I crave the meat and protein but fear not having it, thinking I will get sick. Thinking I'll get anemic. I have heard many stories. Humans need protein. 

Another time I was pulling up to a red light and saw only two cows on an open truck. The rails came up to just below their chins and they looked pretty and cute. As I crept along I looked at the first cow and his brown eyes met mine. I felt it's disinterest. Then the second cow, who was looking ahead slowly turned it's head and .....I swear to GOD...it's eyeball was hanging out. This almost made me hyperventilate. WTF!?!?!? 

How. Could. This. Happen? 

These are animals.

People sometimes make fun of me. Saying I like my meat wrapped up in saran wrap on a styrofoam tray. I grew up in the city, I never thought about it. They say I am a hypocrite, maybe I am. How do I deal with this?

I saw two trucks crammed full of chickens today.  I don't look and speed up to get away from them.  Wishing I was braver, stronger and smarter to find a way to stop this. 

CIAO, Stephanie

November Blush Beauty Box - Review

YAY...November Blush Beauty Box has arrived! 

This month's featured item is Cargo High Pigment Pencil in brown. 

This is a light brown, sort of like milk chocolate. It is a eyeliner. I haven't used it yet but it seems to go on really smoothly when I tested it on my arm.

Next is a full size tube (1.7oz) of Pur-lisse pur-protect essential daily moisturizer with spf 30 sunscreen.

I can't wait to try this. I have used (and I reviewed) the pur-lisse pur-youth preserve serum, which I LOVE and I know I won't be disappointed with this daily moisturizer.

Next is a small sample tube of Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Hydrafull Gloss in Sorbet.

It's a pretty peachy color. I don't really like gloss so this goes into my give away box.

Then there is Nick Chavez Horsetail Root Lifting Spray.

It's a good size sample bottle (2 oz) I used it yesterday and it is awesome! I have fine straight hair. I have used many volume enhancer with varied results. This is one of the better ones. 

Next is Smartfx Smartlash Eyelash Enhancer.

This is suppose to be an eyelash enhancer, I think sort of like Latisse. It claims to give the appearance of fuller lashes without any side effects. I am going to try this. I always had great lashes but when I had chemo they all fell out and they have not grown back they way they were before, so I am hoping this works. I'll let you know.

Next is Paula's Choice Resist Ultra-light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum. 

It's a sample (trial size it says) .17 oz. It has hyaluronic acid and is an anti-aging (wrinkle) serum. I will use this :-)

Lastly is Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Maximum Volume Mascara in Black.

This is a full size mascara and I love it!!

The box toss in's are 

NeoStrata Antioxidant Defense Serum, .07 oz. it neutralizes free radicals and fights oxidative damage. and a tiny sample of Angel's Magic NHEB-05 Lotion, this is a face and body lotion. I love the angel!!

This is a monthly subscription for $24.95 or you can also get a one time box for $34.95.

http://www.blush.com/product_November+2013_55381.htm

Best beauty box out there!!

CIAO, Stephanie

I try to keep a distance from

We all have things that make us shiver and grimace and gag. I have a lot actually. It's not that I'm a prissy prude, or anything I just have a weak stomach and low tolerance for slimy, shady stuff.

Here is my list-Part 1 

1. People who talk with food in their mouth. I know, I lot of people do this and it's not so bad. I am talking about the ones who just can't seem to shut up or hide their chewed up food while they yap away. GAG...I try not to look at them.


2. People who wear way too much perfume. I once had a co-worker who would just dose herself with perfume, everyday. You could smell her as soon as she walked in the door. One day she tried a new one that as soon as she came in my eyes started to water and my nose started to burn. It was like this all day. It must of bothered more people than me because that was the only day she wore that particular kind, thank God! This is always a tricky situation, because if you say something you can hurt their feelings but if you don't you may need oxygen. Best to let HR department know about problem and let them handle this.

3. People who don't like dogs. What..really?? If you don't like dogs, you can't be trusted. My dog Mitchell has shown me so much love and understanding, much more than some of the people I know. They are all about unconditional love and acceptance. They will lower your blood pressure and ease your loneliness. Treat them right and they will die protecting you if they need to. Dogs are the most awesome being.



4. People without compassion. I mean really, do they really think they are perfect? Or that things can't/won't happen to them? Give it time, it can and it will.

5. People who are bi-lingual but when they are in a group with others that speaks their language, don't bother to speak English, even though they KNOW you can't understand what they are saying because it easier to speak their native language, Really??...no, it's rude, like whispering.

6. Rude cashiers at the grocery store. Right, I just worked all day to earn money to come here and spend it at a store with some rotten person who is a miserable SOB at the check out..Then......the ones who grab the card out of peoples (usually an older person) hand and start pressing the buttons with a look of contempt because people are not going fast enough. A warning to all cashiers, I have made a vow that if I ever see you do that to someone again or if you try to do it to me, I am going to break your fingers! Get a different job before someone (me maybe?) loses it on your ass.

7. Women with uber long talons. They usually have them done up with sparkle and art. There is no way they can DO ANYTHING! And, it angers me when they have small children, I know they scratch them all the time just trying to swipe their little noses and stuff. Plus how do they...you know....take care of their own personal hygiene (you know what I'm talking about)

8. Breast Cancer Awareness Anything. If you are not aware of  Breast Cancer by now than you have been living under a rock.

9. People who abuse animals. Now, these people should have to endure each and every act of cruelty they have ever inflected on an innocent animal. This is a sub-category of item #3 and #4. 

10. Drivers who, when beside you on the interstate see your turn signal, pretend they don't and speed up or stay right next to you so you can't change lanes, then....when you slow down to go behind them, change lanes and get in front of you. 



These are just some of the things I try to keep my distance from. Life is too short to waste it on the things and people that don't have value. What are some of the things you try to keep your distance from?

CIAO, Stephanie

Just a reminder that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. I have a special blog for this that I will put out around my birthday, which also happens to be this month and as a stage IV lung cancer survivor I am thankful to be seeing 3 1/2 years after my diagnosis. 

Trick or Treat

Well, tomorrow is Halloween.

It's not the Halloween of my childhood anymore. Times have changed so much.

I was always very much into the Halloween spirit by the time the day came. At school we usually were preparing for it weeks ahead of time. The decorations, the party and the art work. The anticipation!

I grew up in Connecticut. The north east can get some pretty cold weather by this time of  the year and I remember many Halloweens having to wear my coat over my costume. This wasn't so bad if I had a not so great costume, but if I had a great costume that year I wanted everyone to see it. I tried to put my coat on under my costume one year but that didn't work out very well, I ended up not being able to move my arms and I ripped my costume. That was OK though because after I wrestled out of it I put it back on under the coat and hid the tear!

I usually got one of those one piece suit costumes that came with a plastic mask held on with a little rubber band. One year I was a fairy and got a magic wand of some sort to carry around with me. The mask usually didn't fit right and the inside would get all wet and nasty from your breathing. The cold would just make them even more brittle than they already were turning them into little torture devices when you had to take them off. Sharp edges and little kids faces - not a good combination. By the end of the night my mask was usually cracked and broken from repeated removals and careless tossing around. 

Strawberry Shortcake - That mask and the one piece costume - Love it!

Skeleton - Always popular.

My parents would give us a pillow case and we'd go off. I usually tagged along after my brother and his friends. We would come back with a load of candy that would put most people into a diabetic coma now a days!

I grew up in a city and that meant block after block of 2 to 3 family houses. Back then it was still OK to trick or treat house to house and everyone gave out candy. We all had our favorites and me and my brother would trade back and forth.

We never got cut with a razor in our chocolate, we never got poisoned and nobody ever died! We always had a good time. 

Now, hardly anyone goes house to house. We have Trunk or Treat in church parking lots and other venues like malls, etc to bring our children. We are so scared of the bad people who may harm our children. They have been cheated out of one of the most fun and scary nights of the year and that is kind of sad. 

It's up to us to make it as magical as we know how and to make being scared as fun as we can!

I hope you have a SAFE and scary Halloween!!

CIAO, Stephanie

Chella Hgihlighter-Product Review

I received a Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter in my October Blush Beauty Box. I tried it the next day and have used it every day since. I don't use it as a highlighter though, I used it as a concealer. 

Here is what I do, I used my regular concealer in the inner and outer corners of my eyes, around my nose and through the dark marionette lines around my mouth. Then I take my Chella highlighter crayon and go over my inner eye area. That is my worst, darkest area, nothing ever seems to work just right. The Chella crayon actually makes it just about disappear and brightens my entire eye. 

The color is a spot on match for my skin tone, which hardly ever happens in my subscription boxes so I think I just lucked out there. The crayon goes on smooth but is not greasy, it is very dry actually and it does not wear off.  

You can find it for $18.00 at the DermStore and Amazon.

Great Product.

CIAO, Stephanie

Saturday relaxing

I love Saturdays. I get to sleep late, I got up at 7:30 this morning....3 hours later than usual!!

And I have chores ahead of me,but I have all day to do them.

I am going to put up some Halloween decorations, I have to unpack them from storage. I usually buy at least one new decoration for each holiday every year, this year it was this cute bat night light. 

I also got a couple of great looking vinyl tablecloths for Thanksgiving. I have a square table in both my kitchen and my dining room and square tablecloths are super hard to find. I don't know if it's because a lot of people buy them or not enough people buy them, so they don't stock a lot. But, I scored 2 really cute ones, for $3.99 each at Burlington Coat Factory. I like vinyl for this purpose because they can be cleaned really easily.

If you have read my blog in the past, you may have seen my pitiful herb garden. I tried, but it just did not work. I LOVE fresh herbs when I cook, but they can be expensive. I have bought the packages that can found at the supermarket but I end up wasting most of them. I usually only cook simple dinners during the week so I would use some on the weekend then they would sit in the fridge until the next weekend and most of the times they were wilted. There are some I use a lot, like rosemary, so I am going to try keeping live plants again but only a couple and in the house. Here is the rosemary I bought yesterday. I'll be using it in a chicken recipe, yum! Wish me luck! 
This rosemary plant is $2.99 at Publix.

Have a great week-end folks and take the time to decorate, celebrate and appreciate! 

CIAO, Stephanie

Why I love Fall

Fall has arrived. 

It is still pretty warm during the day but it is starting to cool down a bit at night. When I leave the house in the morning the air is cool and clear.

Here of some of the things I look forward to:

1. Cooler weather. After the unbearable heat of summer if feels good to be in the sun without breaking into a sweat in 2 mins.

2. Halloween. I love the abundance of candy and the night after night of creepy movies. Not to mention all the cute little kids.

3. Creepy pictures and posts on Facebook. Living in these times you can bet there are entire pages devoted to all things creepy and scary. Check out:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/CreepyPlaces

4. Thanksgiving. I love the turkey and all the trimmings. The getting up early to put the turkey in the oven and the baking and the green bean casserole!! We tried eating out a couple of times and it just wasn't the same. The leftovers are part of the whole deal.

5. The long Thanksgiving week-end. Four glorious days off eating, shopping and lazing about.

6. Black Friday. Yes, I am one of the crazy ones that hit the stores at 4AM. If you plan it right you can score the haul of the year. Try teaming up with a couple of your friends to hit several stores right at opening time. There is something for everyone. 

7. The smell of fireplaces when you step out into the cold air. Combine that with the crackle of leaves and the smell of dirt and you have the makings of a great day of outdoor adventure or....yardwork.

8. Snuggling on the couch under a blanket with a good snack and a great movie. Turn down the heat and conserve energy!

9. Soups and stews and crock pot dinners. Start them early in the day, low and slow and by the time dinner time rolls around your all set. 

10. The chance to wear all my awesome sweaters. Since I have to wear a hideous polo shirt uniform for work and considering they like to keep the office as cold as a meat locker, I am building up a pretty sizable sweater collection.

What's your favorite part of fall?

CIAO, Stephanie

Can you go home again?

You know that old saying "You can never go home again."

Home for me was a railroad rental apartment in the city. My family consisted of my Father and Mother, my sister and my brother. We had a old dog named Blackie and numerous cats throughout the few short years I can count as my childhood.

We were not rich by any means, not even middle class. We always had food and a roof over our head. There was not a lot of physical displays of affection and we would probably be called dysfunctional by some standards but I knew my parents loved me and did the best they could. We didn't do much and we didn't have much. 

But I had my own room and it was home.

When I was 13 I watched my Father battle cancer and lose. We had to move to a different state and we went from working class to welfare class. My sister had gotten married a few years earlier so it was just my Mom, me and my brother. So, my teen years were quite different than my earlier years. Life... different and harder. But I still had my own room and it was home.

During these years I would remember my earlier "home" and want to go back to the way things were. We moved back for a few years and it never felt the same. Like when you have worn out your favorite pair of shoes and have to throw them away, so you go and buy the same style and size by the same manufacturer but they just don't fit the same. They are not as comfortable. My son was born there and I had to watch my Mother die there. After my Mother died the economy was really bad, so we moved south where my sister was and my brother and his kids followed about a year later. Life went on.

I have been here ever since and I got a college education, bought a house, raised 2 kids, owned a couple of different dogs and watched my brother battle cancer and lose. 

A year and 1/2 after my brothers death I was diagnosed with the same cancer that took his life and so far I am winning the battle, been fighting over 3 years now. 

I imagine that I am not the only person, when in this position, reminisce and long for their younger (healthier) days and "home". The home where we felt the safest and the most taken care of.

So......my sister indulged me and we boarded a plane and went back to the city we grew up in. It seemed to be nothing but a ghost of what I remembered so vividly. Everything was smaller and more congested. The city is decaying, an old industrial town that went belly up about 20 years ago and never recovered. The old railroad rentals have long been torn down and most parts of the city I do not even recognize.  

When I remember that trip, about a year and 1/2 ago, I realize that I am home now. We have built a new home and have created a place for my kids to feel safe and where I am loved.

My son is now married and my daughter has a beautiful daughter of her own. My daughter and granddaughter live with me and my husband and we have a dog. We are not rich by any means and we may be considered dysfunctional by some standards but there are a lot of physical displays of affection and I love my family and do the best I can. We do a little and we have a little. 

I have to share a room with my husband and it is home.

It's true.....you can never go home again because where you are now is your home. Home is where you hang your heart.

CIAO, Stephanie

Here are some pictures of my trip to my childhood town.....

The elementary school I went to. Now condos

The church where I made my confirmation

The hospital where my Father died. Now a retirement home.

My school bus stop and a great place for a toasted corn muffin. 

An empty factory. One of many.