the new saturday...

My "Lowell friends" (as I have come to call them since moving back home)

and I always used to say, "Monday is the new Saturday."

Since we're all in the restaurant business, we work all weekend 

and our "weekend" begins on Mondays, and we look forward to our day off 

and would often make plans to have some fun. 

This Mon/Tues was a super fun weekend. :)

I made some super yummy food, 

hung out with the kiddos, 

and my Lowell friends came to visit. :) :) :)

Started with lots of vegggies...

and made a teriyaki stir-fry over white rice.

and...while the kiddos watched Batman

I made this "Protein Loaf"

 (egg whites, oatmeal, cottage cheese and fruit).

Delicious and Nutritious. :)

Then on Tuesday (the new Sunday)

the L-town peeps insanity ensued...

Bri put on a puppet show. HaHaHa

There were big smiles all around. :) :) :)

We had a great weekend.

For those of you looking forward to the
more traditional days of rest and/or fun...

Enjoy the weekend!! ;)

living with intent...

Last night the Lady Indian's season came to an end...

I was working, but I got updates from my Uncle Pitou
and my Field Hockey coach, Shelia.

I know that they played really, really hard
and should only be proud of how they played

and of their season. Girls, I'm so PROUD of all of you!! :)  

Stay Big.

I have been watching The Biggest Loser for the first time this season 

(even though it's the 10th...I have been missing out!).

In last week's episode,
the contestants all completed a 5K after 8 weeks of training.

In the very first episode they did it in teams and could "tap out" to switch off - most couldn't last even a couple of minutes.  In eight short weeks, they all were able to accomplish a 5K on their own. :)
It was awesome to watch and share in how far they've come.  

Sooooo, I've been inspired to run a 5K, too!! :)

In eight weeks!!

It is to benefit a local Autism program.

I have recently made friends with a very special little boy named Adam, 

a new playgroup kiddo, 

and he has Autism, so it's a very special cause.

Autism Awareness 5K

I've decided that I want to run lots of races for causes that are important to me.

This way I will have to keep up with my training
and I will be helping people along the way. :)

Speaking of training, I started today!! 

I have been working out and trying to get back in shape for about a year now, 

but I am in no way a "runner."

I hate to run.  I despise it. I loathe it.

The last time I ran anywhere near that much,
I was probably getting forced by a high school coach (see above) and that was...
as much as I hate admit it, a decade ago.

But off I go... ;)  

Today I decided to hit the 5K button on the ol' treadmill and see how far I got...

I ran the whole thing!!! I couldn't believe it.  

I would never have thought that I could run 3.1 miles.  

But once I got going, it felt really good!!!

It took me forty minutes (which is terrible) but for my first day,
I was happy that I was able to jog/run the whole 5K.  WooHoo!! 
NEVER thought I'd say the words, "I ran a 5K today." :)

The even MORE shocking part...I can't wait to do it again!! :) :) :)

I leave you with this...

-inspiration has just been swirling at me from every direction-

lovebugs

ballin :)

On Monday night, the NBHS Lady Indians 

kicked some serious butt in their district basketball game...

they won 51-24

(it's hard to take pics...they move so fast!!!!) :)

That middle blur is my Mini-Celtics asst. coach, Ashley.

She played AWESOME!!

And she had some hard-core fans...

That's Joe and Ty, both are Mini-Celtics (and her brother and cousin) :)

They will be cheering her on tonight as the Lady I's take on #1 seed Hopedale.

It will be a hard fought battle, but I believe they can do it!!!

GO INDIANS!!!

(they better win...I am still sore from scrimmaging them on Tuesday!!!)

GO GIRLS!!! :)

Happy Birthday, K!!

This weekend we celebrated K's 30th birthday. :)

(my Mom made this, in celebration of his favorite color, ORANGE)

On Friday, Blake and Danielle came over...

he showed us a slide-show of his time in Afghanistan.

I so appreciated the glimpse into his service for our country. :)

We (well, I) had some fun with a brother/brother photo shoot...

Later my sisters, B.I.L. and cousins came over...

They were headed to an 80's party after 

(to explain some of the questionable attire...

the old folk-K and me-stayed home...one party a night is enough!!)

The NEXT night...Our friends Scotty, Kristen, and B came over...

they were snowed-in up in Laconia, NH the night before.

CHEERS!!

Here's the boys...

or the DIRTY THIRTY CLUB

as I like to call them. :)  

They have all very recently turned the big 3-0!! :)

We had a blast at the bar across the street from our apartment...

It was such a fun weekend!!

I was so happy that K had a wonderful weekend 

with his closest friends and family. :)

Have a wonderful week, my friends!! :) :) :)

foooood is gooood

Spent some serious QT with the munchkins this week...

and went to bed seriously early as a result

BUT

I did manage to cook some "BOMB" food :)

(as my BIL Chan would say)

I made these keilbasa, broccoli and cheese croissants...

 light keilbasa, reduced fat croissants...CHEESE :)

 Livi loved them :)

and what do you do with the leftover ingredients?????????

YOU MAKE A PIE!!

Gosh, do I love good eats!!

There is no greater joy in my whole life than preparing 

and sharing yummy food  :)

tuesday with monkeys

It's quarter to 8:00,

do you know where your coffee is??

I sure do!! It's in the biggest mug I've got. :)

I'm on double monkey duty today and Dayton should be here any minute...

I have also taken friends advice and have fallen in love with 

ALMOND MILK.

40 cals a cup. :) 

I'll be pouring some over my Honey Nut Cheerios for a 3 pt. breakfast. :)

Yesterday...

I spent the day with goober...

and we went to lunch with Grammy and Biddy, Auntie Beth and "YaYa"

at the Trolley Stop

It's school vacation week...

and Dad wanted to take us there

'cause that's what Granddad always did. :)

Kenny's 30th birthday is on Friday.

His best friend, Blake, who has been serving in Afghanistan,

is home on leave. :)

He is coming to Kenny's (mini)party of Friday

and that's a better gift than anything I could ever buy him. :)

I can't wait to see him and give him a big huge hug!!