Mikey Meatball

 

My Precious Mike and Me

 

This is ME!

 

Create a Widget for your MySpace Account - People's Choice Awards

Create a Widget for your MySpace Account - People's Choice Awards

Create a Widget for your MySpace Account - People's Choice Awards

Create a Widget for your MySpace Account - People's Choice Awards

To My Wonderful Mom

Hi Mom... I just want you and the world wide web to know how much I love you. I have joined this 29 day giving challenge and if nothing else...it makes me think. But you know what? I am generally a giving person. I think that is because I grew up watching a woman who always was giving, giving, giving of herself to others in need. For those of you who may be reading this and so not know us... I had a terrible accident in March of this year. It was my mother who stood by my bedside, MADE ME EAT, lifted my legs to help me in and out of bed (I had 4 fractured lower lumbar)... covered me over with covers, answered my beckons from the bed... made sure I got up and tried desperately to prevent me from not getting too deeplt in to a depression. It was my mother whose face I wanted to see when I was at a very low point one day... and by golly..she drove clear over her and her at my home is where she and her husband, Cliff stayed for 6 weeks.

She nursed me and loved me... even when I was "unloveable" and stubborn, and being a brat.

She loved me through all of it... she drove me back and forth to the hospital and sat by my side.

She wiped my tears, made me face my fears and was my rock. For that and so many other reasons... my mother has been my "rock". Sometimes it takes a long time to realize that. Heres to you , Mom. I hope you like the picture. I love you.

Dedication to my wonderful cousin and friend.. Wendy Authelet - 29-Day Giving Challenge

Dedication to my wonderful cousin and friend.. Wendy Authelet - 29-Day Giving Challenge

LOVE... NOT IN ANY ORDER

I LOVE MY KIDS.... THEY ARE THE BEAT OF MY HEART... AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

I LOVE MY GRANDCHILDREN... THEY ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED TO MY HEART

I LOVE MY HUSBAND... HE IS MY STRENGTH, MY BEST FRIEND... HE IS MY SOUL MATE.

I LOVE MY MOM AND DAD... I MISS MY DAD AND I ADORE MY MOM... I CHERISH MY TIME WITH HER.

I LOVE MY PASSIONS AND MY DRIVE... I LOVE THAT I LISTEN TO MY HEART

I LOVE MY FRIENDS... EACH A GEM IN THAT TIARA THAT I THINK I HAVE... LOL

AND I LOVE TUG... MY FAVORITE DOG

JUST THOUGHT I'D LET YOU KNOW. :)

laurie

House not for sale, afterall

Well... after a visit w/ the realtor... we are not selling the house RIGHT NOW... we'll wait a little while... time......... Just an update

The 29 Day Challenge...

This is incredibly self rewarding... it is "Oprah Worthy"....

go to my site by clicking the link below and just see how easy it is!!!

29 day gift challenge

Make a Difference

stages...

Well, we are putting our house on the market. Yup, we are. Long story... house on the market...bottom line. Dave and I are just fine... things just happen sometimes and you have to take another looks at plans. So....just to let you all know.

Michael Joseph 1979-2004

WORDS THAT I FEEL... MEMORIES THAT WE SHARED...

My precious son...

I gaze over at a picture of your face so perfect and bright...
I see into those eyes and see to the depths of your soul.

Your smile was that of a movie star... so bright and shining...
the way that you would laugh with that giggle... as your eyes would close as you laughed.

Your life, a bright flickering flame, was blown out 4 years ago,
Why? I'll never know.

I treasure your memory... I loved you with all that I am
I miss your hugs that were so strong and protection all abound
You loved me as much as I loved you.

The dash between your years on earth ... 1979-2004
tells a great story of a wonderful baby, child then man... a story that I adore

You left too soon... and my heart string pull real tight
as I often lay in bed and think of you at night.

I miss you... I love you... You left too soon.
I love that I got to be a part of your "dash"
And I am grateful that I can still close my eyes and see you in flash.

Halloween Party Pics

I have an ETSY store!!!

http://theseagypsy.etsy.com

Great Weekend With Mom and Cliff...

A great weekend with Mom and Cliff. We had a delicious dinner on Sat. night. Sunday was sleep late... the World Series was on until 2:00AM... and Mom and Cliff stayed up to watch it all.
Dave made a delicious breakfast... Mom and I went shopping... Dave and Cliff had their own agenda... Jill and Robbie over for dinner...lobster tails and Daves ribs... Very Good! Lots of laughter, fun, of course NAP TIME and the weekend is over.

A little shopping on Sunday w/ Mom and welll-a!

Cliff and Dave measuring for new blinds...

Robbie and Jill

Gram and Joey... lobster tails and Daves Ribs!!!

My NOVICE photography...

Me and "Tug"....

Lauren Rose...

This is a recent picture of Lauren!! She keeps busy. Today is her 1st wedding anniversary... Happy Anniversary, Lauren and Steven! Lauren keeps busy working for her husbands company and for UPS. She continues to create and draw... her God given talent. She is precious to me... part of my world... and if I were to sit on a porch across from God...I would say, "Thanks for letting my borrrow Lauren". I love you, Rosey.

Michael made this for me in 1998!!!

A lovely Lily

MIchael

I so miss Michael... for some reason I feel so near to him when I am near the ocean. I can still hear his voice and see his smile. I hear his laugh. I cleaned out a cupboard the other day... I have a few of his clothes. I think that the clothes will have to disintegrate before I give them away. I am fiercely protective of all of his trinkets and very few "things" that I have of his. I know that they are "just things" but they are so precious to me... as they had some meaning of significance to him.
I took this pic in the sand at Cocoa Beach... and then right after that I looked down and there was a gorgeous piece of abalone shell.

MY BFF and Capt. Robbie

Michael Joseph Lapinsky

Cocoa Beach

Having a wonderful time... the weather is great...nice and warm and sunny. Yesterday, we went to see Charlie and Beth at their condo. We had a great time. I took a nap...by the pool and apparently was the envy of many who only wished that they could nap"like that"..LOL a PROFESSIONAL napper. Then last night we went to a comedy club... where we had a lot of laughs. Dave is having such a great time that he wants to spend another night! Great with me... I just have to open the store for 10:00 tomorrow...so I need to be on the road for 7:30. No big deal...another day by the pool is AOK w/ me. And we are going to Kyles Krafts this AM to buy a "pimping" (as my dear friend Capt. Robbie calls it) TOILET SEAT. That's right...toilet seat. They are one of a kind. LOOOOONG STORY. Stay tuned for pics.

Cocoa Beach

One more thing... Headed to Cocoa Beach on Thursday....overnighter with hubby. YAHOO!!!!
Stay tuned for pics and details.....

October...

Well... lets see... have a new job and I am the manager!! Yeah, me. Also, went to RI and spent time with my grandchildren, and son and DILTBOD (daughter-in-law to be one day)... lots of excitement... BUSY. Been working both at my new job at "Go Fish" and also on my new jewelry line and appropriately named "The Gypsies Suitcase"... visit www.serendipitydotme.blogspot.com to view some of my new pieces!!!

Enjoy the pics...

Go Fish!

Click on the cooresponding link on the right.... a great place to shop!!!!

Home Again

Well...home again! Great to be home. Today is Saturday and I have been home since Tuesday night. Dave picked me up at the airport and we went out to eat... it was yum.. The very next morning I started my new job at "Go Fish" with my new position as manager. I am very happy there and have met some incredibly nice people. Again, great to be home.

Monday...

Well... here it is the day before I go home. I am really missing Dave and Joey. Sometimes l feel like I have one foot in one world and one foot in another... God knows my heart is with everyone!
Yesterday was a tailspin of a day... Rochelle, Cassie, Kyle, Noah and I headed to the flea market... we had a good time... Nancy and Alex met us there and Rochelle took Noah and Alex and Nancy and I had a afternoon to just hang out... yes, I took a nap. LOL Nancy even made me a nap bed in her guest room. Nancy...yes... ANTI NAP Nancy. This stupid hand/wrist/arm does not like DAMP weather and I was seriously aching. Nurse Nanny put the heating pad on my arm and I woke up feeling so much better...after napping we went to Trudy and Ismael's gorgeous home and took the tour!!!! Trudy had the dining room all set up beautifully and we all sat together and had a delicious dinner. Uncle Kyle was the star of the day purchasing two laser pointers for Noah and Alex. A very good day...but by the time that Rochelle, Noah and I got home I was EXHAUSTED.

My Beautiful Family....

RI Vacation

Visiting Rhode Island...

Gosh, it has been so wonderful to see, hug, smell all of my little grandchildren. I have had such a relaxing time and felt so welcomed. I have been staying at Rochelle and Noah's house... feels like home. When I first arrived at the airport there, at the bottom of the escalator was "Moms Pride and Joy"... Kyle...just as handsome as ever. Then to the car to see Beautiful Bright Eyed Cassie Cakes.... off to my "hotel" Noah and Rochelle's. The next day... a "trash and treasure day" as Kristen and I call them... just driving aimlessly and combing every little town in the sticks and in CT. and buying what we both respectfully call a "treasure". That night my sis in LAW AND I WENT TO twist and had a great time. After a time and a small trial we got them to make the FROZEN MUDSLIDES deliciously and we talked and laughed and had a terrific time. The next day we went out to eat with Cassie's Mom, brother, Michael... me, Cassie and Kyle to the Cheese Cake Factory! YUM. Later, Cassie and I took naps and Kyle went to work. When Cassie and I awoke... we went to go and see Kyle at work! I was so proud to see him working hard. Picture to be posted of the handsome lad at work soon...I did meet a very nice lady named Vicki who is also the owner of the restaurant that Kyle works for and her son is attending school in my home town! So, I exchanged phone numbers w/ her and hope to see her and meet her son when she is in town! Seeing Kyle every day has been grrreat....I didn't get to see him yesterday...he worked and Cassie worked too. I DID however, have a GREAT day with Lisa, Riley, Mandy, Steven, Logan, Tyler and Noah!!!! Mandy made a delicious dinner of ham and sweet potato's with marshmallows...corn, garlic monkey bread...ummmm. OF COURSE I took my usual nap... the boys played in the sand and were "just boys".... enjoying one another. Uncle Steven was the star hit with the boys... playing with them throwing the multiple balls that were being tossed his way.. never skipping a beat! Lisa found a deer tick crawling on Mandy and Mandy about died. GG (me) decided that it was THEN a great time to stay inside....LOL... today its rainy but stay tuned for the update!

This is "TUG".. he likes me, Auntie Bling MORE than Capt. Robbie

Babysitting T U G !!!!

What a day... doggie sat for TUG. TUG is my American Bulldog that my friend Capt. Robbie thinks is his. Actually... its the other way around. Tug is great... Tug takes NAPS! How cool is that. He is incredibly adoreable. He prominently wags his tail when he see Auntie Bling coming by. Picture of Tug coming soon!

PICS....

Steven's Short Visit...

It was fantastic to see Steven and spend some time with him. He was only here for a short visit. Personally, I get to see him and his wife and the boys and all of my other children in September. Not true for Dave and Joe.

To Karlene

To Karlene Broken Seashells, Broken Hearts

There is a book entitled "My Beautiful Broken Shell"

written by Carol Hamblet Adams

The author shares the brokenness of her heart and spirit as she struggled trough a difficult time. She was walking along a beach one day searching for perfect seashells to add to her collection. After awhile she comes to realize that the broken seashells reflect her own heart. In each shell she sees those who are hurting and who have lost loved ones, those who are frightened or alone. Like all of us, each shell in the vast sea is tremendously resilient after fighting so hard to keep from being totally crushed by the pounding surf. We, too, come to realize that it takes courage to remain on the shore after being "tossed by the storms of life and worn down by the sands of time"... despite the unrelenting pain and suffering in your hearts. Like you and I broken seashells represent our tears, deepest sorrows and pain from the loss of our precious boys. The turbulent crashing , waves of the sea followed by the calm waves , teaches us the true meaning of strength, courage and faith. The brokenness of each shell comes to remind us that when our hearts are shattered beyond belief, we can survive even the most horrific storms in our own lives. As each beautiful, broken shell doesn't pretend to be perfect or whole, it allows for its brokenness to be seen, knowing that within the center of the shell lays immense beauty.

Broken seashells don't exist alone, but are surrounded by a vast number of seashells, each broken in their own unique way. Like all of humanity, when you truly look around you see that we are all wounded in one way or another. As rare as it is to find a perfect shell in the midst of hundreds of shells lying on the beach, it's equally rare to find any one of us who has not experience deep pain and sorrow. As the broken shells lie close to one another, we are reminded that we too, live in community with each other and when we draw upon the strength and courage of others it helps us through the most difficult times.

Peace to you today, Karlene... honor BJ... and think of happy times that you shared together.

Laurie

"Whats a Sea Gypsy"?

I am a SeA gYpsY. A wanderer. At least my brain is a "wanderer"... And the Sea.... well... my love for the ocean goes back as far as I can remember. Playing in the waves at Sand Hill Cove. Mom would pack up the kids. Sometimes she would make us go strawberry picking first and tell us that if we picked a certain amount we could go to the beach... well, little did we know... we were about 5 minutes from the beach and Mom had made herself a handy little plan. Smart Lady!! She still is smart. Wendy and I had the most fun at the beach... and prob. went the most often. You see.. the beach was an ENTIRE hour from our house and if you live in Rhode Island...well, thats a LONG ride!! LOL. I just always loved the water... oceans, ponds. Mermaids are sort of a new "kick" I'm on. I was introduced to altered art and a mermaid was the first thing that I altered and then I got a job and was surrounded by mermaids and the rest is history... I love mermaids. So thats the story to "Whats a Sea Gypsy"? Or we could go with "I travel the seas in a huge yacht with servants and maids and live very large." That would be fun... but it would get old... knowing me. The Sea Gypsy.

Happy BIrthday

 

Happy Birthday, Cassie Cakes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CASSIE!! 8/10/08

Today is your birthday, so have a lot of fun... hopefully you don't have to work, and neither does my son. Celebrate your life and all that you are...and know that in my "book" you are a shining star. You bring my heart joy when you get to "come by"... and fill the days with joy as they fly, fly, fly. You have come to mean so much to me and your wisdom I do admire... in fact I think that I just might take you on for hire! Today is your day to embrace just what you have, the woman you are, the love around you and of course your Ky-Zee... even though he can be stubborn just like a pesky bee. So... blow out your candles and know that they reflect all that you are.., an amazing woman and a shining star. Happy Birthday. With all my love, Mama Fuller MUAHHHHHHHHHHHH

To My Precious Kyle, Heart of My Heart

I know that you've heard all your life that emotions make men weak

you must be brave you must be bold and tears are for the weak

And so you've held it all inside like you were taught to do

you kept it all inside like the world taught you to do

its time to know the truth...Real men cry, real men feel , tears are for the meek ,men are not made of steal. Real men hurt in spite of what you've learned. Believe me when I tell you.. real men cry.

Forget what you were told to be. Just be what you are. A man of passion, fire and dreams, who listens to his heart. A man who doesn't hide himself behind a wall stone and shows the world he's human and made of flesh and bone.

Kyle, you are amazing and any mother would be honored to have you as their son. You are among my most precious gifts from God. I am more than proud of you and all that you are and all that you can be. You are amazing and today, I just wanted to honor you you . I love and adore you, son... Momma Dukes

To My Michael

Thank God we have our memories to keep you so alive, those memories have become many people drive... getting through another day without you physically by.

You and I had so many fun times... searching for Indian arrowheads, riding bikes, "our" movie, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles"... oh how we laughed. A man you soon became. My most valued treasure? Your loyalty to me. We shared a special bond... my first born child and my friend.

Looking at the above picture which is dedicated to you... reminds me of a conversation that we once shared about "feeling small as we stood beside the ocean". I look at this picture and I see a majestic power in the background as the waves crash so strong and loud... then my eyes move forward to where the loudness eventually turns to silent, tiny bubbles... that eventually disappear. Perhaps that is why I feel so small when I stand beside the ocean... its a lot like life. Ever changing. Sometimes mesmerizing, serene and fierce.

I miss you son, my own "piece of the ocean"... with that captivating smile and those hugs so strong and from your heart. Your loyalty toward me will always be a treasure. Thank you for that, Mike.

I'll meet you "at the ocean"...

Mom

To My Michael

In My Amazing Son

 

Thank God that we have memories to keep you so alive,those memories have

become many people's drive… getting through another day without you physically by. You and I had so many fun times… searching for indian arrowheads, riding bikes and so much more. A man you soon became your loyalty to me still the same. We had a special bond… my first born and my friend. I know you'd like this picture… I took it myself.

Yes, Mike, I still feel small when I stand beside the ocean. I look at this picture and I see a majestic power in the backround in the crashing waves so strong and

Loud… then my eyes move forward to where the loudness turns to silent, tiny bubbles… that eventually disappear. Maybe thats why I feel small when I stand beside the ocean… its a lot like life. Ever changing. Sometimes mesmerizing, serene, and fierce.

I miss you, son, my own piece of "the ocean"… with that captivating smile and those hugs so strong and from your heart. Your loyalty toward me will always be in my heart. Thank you for that, Mike.

I'll meet you "at the ocean"…

Mom

 

 

 

 

 

"Michael"

"MICHAEL JOSEPH"

Michael's (on right) birthday was yesterday... he would have been 29. He is pictured above with his most loyal friend, David Bejbl. Michael passed away on August 8th, 2004, suddenly. As his mother, I miss him every day... more and more. His birthdays make me angry because its another year that he is gone and another year that he has missed with his precious son, Noah. I know that Michael is with God and there are rare times that I literally feel his prescense... but nothing will ever replace that AMAZING smile and his tender heart and his bear hugs and loyalty that he always had for me. Happy Birthday, Son.

I love and miss you.

Artist Trading Cards

Heres a peek at a NEW venture I am embarking into!!! ARTIST TRADING CARDS! So much fun! These are a few pics of a 9/9 swap that I entered....my color for this swap was PINK...perfect! Enjoy the pics!