I remember when she found out she had cancer I wasn’t much more than eight years old. They didn’t officially tell me, I overheard it and at the time, I knew she was ill but had no idea it was anything more serious than a cold. I had no idea I could have lost her, that now 20 years later I could have been without my best friend, my mom.

When I was about 12 or so I realized how big of a deal it was to have cancer, to fight it and to WIN. My mom wasn’t just my mom…she was a hero, who defied the odds…who survived what both her mother and grandmother did not. She was a survivor! And she survived with grace, and love .

Throughout it all she never missed a school play, chorus concert or teacher conference…she still made sure I had clean clothes and a full belly…and we had fun! Making up songs about chemo, and joking while she waited for treatments and doctors appointments. She LIVED, even though she had been closer to death that most of us come.

My mother is a survivor…and of the many things she taught me one of the most important, was life is always worth living, even when you are facing terrible odds…its ALWAYS worth it!

While I wish ALL Father’s a “Happy Father’s Day “this post is for you Non-Fathers too.

This post is for the absolutely amazing men I have had the honor of knowing that even though they are not blood bound to a child have taken on more responsibility than most and been a father…maybe not in title but it every other way possible.

When I was a year old my mother met the man who would become my step dad. He didn’t know it then and neither did we but that meeting welcomed him into our lives for 29 years and counting. He is not my biological father but he’s my Dad. He rocked me when I was sick, let me put curlers in his hair and play hairdresser, he helped with homework, and was brave enough to teach me how to drive. But the most important things he taught me were to take responsibility, to love and that is doesn’t matter if a man has a hand in the creation of a baby in the womb…it matters if a man helps that child blossom and grow.

I remember one time during my terrible teen years in a fit of rage I said to my step dad “You’re not my father!” the minute I said it I regretted it and while its very likely he doesn’t even remember it. I do, and its one of the things in my life I most regret saying. He is my father in all ways that are most important and I’m so very lucky to have found him.

So here’s to all the Non Fathers, the amazing men who raise children, not their own and while they may make mistakes we are all better off for knowing them. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by a handful of amazing men who without thinking twice have CHOSEN to be fathers to children that aren’t theres, children who may leave them, who may, like I did say “You’re not my father!”..and yet they chose love….

LOVE….That’s what being a father is all about…and we could all take a lesson from them.

• 1 box of white cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of oil
• sprinkles

• 24 thin slices deli ham
• 6 slices cheese, quartered
• 12 eggs

I intend to still run now and again, but really have no desire to stick to the program. I am still walking at least 2.5 miles a day and am back to hiking (my true exercise love) and while Couch to 5k was good for me in the winter months and I may likely do it again next winter.  I’m open to starting back up, and trying running in a different way so we’ll see where it leads me but for now I’m taking a break.

The next hike we did was Henry’s Woods in Lake Placid.

This is great little hike the main loop with green markers is about 2.5 miles, its nice and hilly so its a little more a workout then just a flat out walk in the woods. And the loop meanders beside a beautiful bubbling brooke and through some really picturesque woods with a view of Whiteface. There is 3 other trials there that we have yet to explore but fully intend to go back. The trails are well marked and as of last week still pretty snowy and slick in parts but crampons aren’t really necessary.

• 2 quarts water
• 20 small meatballs
• 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (I also added about a half jar of spaghetti sauce that I had to use up.)
• 2 cubes beef bouillon cube
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup noodles

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add meatballs, tomato sauce, bouillon, oregano, basil, thyme, salt and pepper to taste, celery, carrots, pepper, onion and garlic, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add noodles and cook until pasta is done. Top with cheese to serve.