"Meme" So, NOW I know!

Ok, so call me a blog dummy or completly not with it.. but I have seen these various 'memes' around and could not figure out what that word meant. I mean I get the jist of what they do... but the word?

So what's a girl to do? Google and click on the Wikapedia link, and walah! NOW, I know. :-)

Meme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see MEME.
The term "meme" (IPA: /miːm/, rhyming with "theme") was coined in 1976 by the biologist Richard Dawkins to refer to a "unit of cultural information" which can propagate from one mind to another in a manner analogous to genes (i.e., the units of genetic information).
Dawkins said, Examples of memes are tunes, catch-phrases, beliefs, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches. A meme, he said, propagates itself as a unit of cultural evolution and diffusion — analogous in many ways to the behavior of the gene . Often memes propagate as more-or-less integrated cooperative sets or groups, referred to as memeplexes or meme-complexes.
The idea of memes has proved a successful meme in its own right, gaining a degree of penetration into popular culture which relatively few modern scientific theories achieve.
Proponents of memes suggest that memes evolve via natural selection — in a way very similar to Charles Darwin's ideas concerning biological evolution — on the premise that variation, mutation, competition, and "inheritance" influence their replicative success. For example, while one idea may become extinct, other ideas will survive, spread and mutate — for better or for worse — through modification.
Meme-theorists contend that memes most beneficial to their hosts will not necessarily survive; rather, those memes which replicate the most effectively spread best; which allows for the possibility that successful memes might prove detrimental to their hosts

Flashback

I was looking in my old Word files and found some lists I made from 1998.

We had moved from Ohio to Austin to a 2 bedroom apt.
We didn't know what my dh's job held.
He traveled constantly.
I had 2 dogs, as well, one an exuberant puppy, one geriactric and ill.
Most of our stuff was in storage.
We had no family and few friends in Austin.

The boys were 4 and 7. And I was a tender 38. :)

Here are some notes..!

I remember writing the first document.. the title was really a cry of desperation! (Notice the all caps in the titles....lol)

HOW AND WHEN I’LL GET EVERYTHING
DONE


Straightening up clean up as go along, everyone
must
clean up
their own messes!

Laundry Do daily load without
fail. Boys start doing
own laundry. Wash when basket is full.

Cleaning house 30 minutes a day
(see how it goes…)

Dog
walking what can I do? Take both whenever
possible. Have SJ and John help

Household planning so Sunday evening
and Tues am

School
planning “” “”

School reading, internet,
journal Keep spiral journal
out. Do reading
during afternoons and evenings

Grocery shopping ONCE
PER WEEK! If we don’t have
it, we can live
without it. Menu plan on
Thurs., shop on Fridays.

Phone calls Plan
ahead and do them
2-4pm
Don’t answer phone except 2-4 pm

Errands
Consolidate and
go on Fridays and
Tuesdays

Bills/office Do Monday
evenings

Then I wrote this to figure out how to get there...

HOW WE WILL GET THERE...

Every
evening, look ahead to next day

Make notes about what works and doesn’t
work

Keep white board list of ideas, thoughts

Ease into schedule
with boys. Possibly in this order:
regular bedtime
morning routine
time alone with each boy
don’t start with chores right away
give
them sense of time that I’m totally dedicated to them, vs time for them to
entertain themselves
computer and tv to be seen as reward and limited- plan
ahead what you want to use those times to do and see
scheduled snacks
a
particular day means a particular schedule or no schedule
schedule is good-
means predictability, known time to do things you like

Oh, and look at the sweet goals I had for Bryan when he was four! I am so glad I wrote this down!!! XXXXOOOO!

GOALS FOR BRYAN IN 1998 Age 4 to 5
1/19/98


1. Faith: Talk about God. Learn The Lord’s Prayer. Read
and know Bible stories. Involve in family faith traditions.

2. Manners:
Learn how to communicate when angry, not to throw tantrums. Remember to say
please and thank you. Involve in writing thank you notes for gifts.

3.
Love of Learning: Expose to lots of new things (besides computer). Read books,
books, books and go outside and explore. Encourage and spend time with Bryan
doing his age level of activities.

4. Household Chores: Learn to do
chores without complaining. Learn to do them as a matter of course. Goal for end
of year:
get dressed
make bed
clear table
pick up toys
other
chores when asked

5. EXPLORE!
Music
art
books
nature

science

Just a-Peggin' Along...

Ok, today while at Jasper's house I did some planning.

I love it at Jasper's house. It is beautifully decorated. After our walks and medication-giving (the latter is not a pretty site) I just sit in the lovely living room and do my reading, or as today, sit at the kitchen table, look out on the backyard and plan.

The house is perfect and I do not live there, so I don't see 'projects' around me everywhere. It is kind of like being in a pretty hotel lobby all alone.

With a snoring Basset Hound.

Anyway--

There are some things I want to share with the boys this spring. And they are also finding it difficult to get in all the things they want to do. So I wrote a few things down.

Pegs..(thank you Leonie once again for this idea!)

I know we won't do this like clockwork, but it gives us some structure to hang our hats on.

After breakfast each day:
Daily scripture, prayer and read alouds.
The scripture is the daily Mass gospel. I like to share interesting things I find in Magnificat and In Conversation with God. Also we are trying to do three Hail Marys a day as the Holy Father requested for an end to terrorism. And in this we also include praying for ALL world leaders. Then our intentions are offered with an Our Father.

For read alouds I am using my idea box.. and reading articles or snippets I find. I may throw in some poetry, but I always get booed when I do. lol

I tried to peg my things. I have so many I won't type them. But things like housework, Lighthouse calls, bill paying/insurance/taxes, research for homeschool resources, etc. I put them on certain days, but have a check off list, so if I am in the mood I can do them earlier or later.

I have two lists for the boys. One is for them to do weekly- figure out when to fit things in. They want to workout 4X week. They are doing math 3X week. I hope this helps them look at their week and put it on their calendar and get to it.


Dh wants them to do some house chores each week. And I would like them to begin the Joy of Science DVDs and be ready for some discussion by Thursdays. So part of this hopefully will help them find time to get to the demands on their time.

Also, with the CDs and the RCIA program I have just again discovered what a gift it is to know our faith. I hope to share that with the boys. We have done so in an informal manner daily for years. We did more formal curriculum a few years ago... in pieces. But I would like to more systematically learn about our faith. It is so beautiful. And at my parish I have met more people who have fallen away and come back to the Church. The number one reason for leaving seems to be poor catechesis. I want to share this joy.

I wonder if I can with more systematic methods.... I don't know. This is an experiment. One week at a time.

Also S and I will work on credits once a week or so. I am not sure we will ever need them.. but I think they help us see what he does, also what the world counts, and how to be real about it all.

And.. I want to check in on their world more often. I am often surprised at the level of thought and creativity that encompasses their world. They are thinking.

Just peggin... always a dangerous point, as it is easy for me to try and take over. Ah, will take this to adoration next week.

(If I can quit thinking about my grocery list...) lol

Ya Want to be Around Happy People?

Our parish is doing 24 hour adoration for the first time next week while our mission team is in Guatemala. I signed up to be a 'team captain' for 12 hours on Tuesday. I am on call if someone can't come and today I make reminder calls to all our adorers.

Most every one answered the phone. They were all happy, delightful, peaceful, very happy-sounding people. And when I thanked them for taking the slot they were mostly taken aback, like it was a privilege to do so.

What a joyful group of people. I wonder why? :) Maybe they are hanging out with good company in their spare time...

"Jasper, COME!"

Jasper is a 60-plus pound Bassett Hound with a mind of his own.

He also suffers from allergies, poor thing, and is usually miserable. Well, he may not really be. Bassets just always LOOK miserable. lol

To get what he wants, he BAYS. Very loudly.

He also recently hurt his neck, threatening his owners with the possibility of a very expensive surgery, or the worse alternative. :(

His neck is better, but when walking him, we must be careful not to pull his neck.

Now, walking him may sound simple, but HE pulls.. and lumbers, and puts his fat black nose to the ground, drags his ears and tries to rustle up food bits. His favorite haunts are the corner of the driveway where the trashcans are always placed on trash day. And the neighbors yard across the street as they constantly keep bread scattered on the ground for the birds.

Tonight we walked Jasper. We try to do what we can to give them what they need 30 minute visits. A walk, some belly rubs, tennis ball throws, or practice with commands can relax them so much for the remaining hours alone waiting for their family's return.

So, we walked Jasper. . Sigh.

He pulled, he went to the 'garbage spot', he tried to go across the street to the bird bread yard.

But, I couldn't pull. I could not risk hurting his neck.

So, I got a bit smarter. Food is his motiviation for most of life. So I took a treat. When he would not come, stubborn canine, I would say "Jasper, COME!" and put a bit of treat in sniffing distance from his nose.

He would perk up!
Look up!
Follow me!
Hey, he even broke into a trot a couple of times!

It was great! We went down the street, then he started rooting in a neighbor's flower bed. So.. I pulled out my secret treat-weapon and declared:

"Jasper, COME!"

He lifted his head and sauntered.. now jogging to me! It only took 5 treat/comes to get him back in his own backyard.

The neighbors must have thought I was nuts, I am sure I looked very wierd. They never came outside, so maybe that tells me the answer... lol

I think that was a lot of physical and mental stimulation for him, as hc flopped down on his tile floor and was soon breathing heavy and off to slumberland.

He has a lot of personality, and we sure love him.

Good boy, Jasper. :)

Padre Pio

Oh, we all are finding such wonderful Lent reflections and I enjoy all that you all share.

Here is an entry from Padre Pio's Words of Hope that jumped out at me, especially in the midst of parenting and homeschooling.

-----------------------------------

Humility

1 Peter 5:5 "...clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

But my pride insists that I race ahead of God in order to avoid trials.

Padre Pio's assurance: "...try more and more to hold firmly to humilty and charity which are the mian supports of the whole vast building and on which all the rest depends...If the heart is always striving to practice these two virtues, it will meet with no difficulty in practicing the others."

"When you are unable to take big steps on the paths along which the Lord leads you, be content with small steps and patiently wait until you have the legs to run, or better still, wings to fly. Be content with being a little honeybee in a hive for the present; a little bee that will quickly become a big bee, able to manufacture honey, beacuse God speaks to those who are humble."

"Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, accepting with submission and pateince the tribulations he sends you, so that he can exalt you in due time, by giving you his grace."

Lord, give me grace to humble myself before you, to wait for your directions and to bear my trials with patience. Thank you. Amen.

Back in Top Form

My 16 yos who had his wisdom teeth out on Tuesday polished off a mess of nachos tonight.

He's BACK!!

Lenten projects and life

Yesterday the boys helped me set up a special Lenten package for our parish's lighthouse display.

I ordered 50 copies each of 4 titles:
15 Things to Do Amidst Suffering by Jeff Cavins
The Spirit of Sacrifice in the Family by Fr. Groeschel
The Healing Power of Confession by Dr. Scott Hahn and
The Battle for Souls: Christ's Redemption by Fr. John Corapi.

From an idea in last week's Lighthouse newsletter, I put all 4 CDs together and put a pretty purple ribbon around them, and B typed up a little slip that went on each listing the titles and the price: 4 CDs for $10. (A great deal, since they are normally $3 each)

We put the basket out with all the little packages at the vigil Mass tonight. I hope it will be helpful! But, it is nice to have a project the boys can help in. Stacking CDs, carrying boxes, typing and cutting slips, etc. Tonight B got to help store the CDs, in the sacristy- his first time in there, and my second.

Our dogsitting has been nice, too, in that they can take part. I remember last year when money was tight trying to decide whether to really make that into a 'real' business. Advertise, get insurance, etc. Something kept telling me No. I like it because it is something the boys can be involved with and doesn't pull me away. I know I am lucky to have the main income provided by my dh... gosh I guess I need to tell him that.

But, with Lighthouse and the petsitting, the boys have been involved. That is nice.

This weekend and early next week, we have 3 different dogsit customers.

Monday will be fun.

AM we visit a Basset
Noon time we visit the Basset, Beagle and Australian Shepherds
PM we visit the Basset and Austrialian Shepherds.

If it is Tuesday this must be Beagles? lol

I have my RCIA duties Sunday and we are still doing a little extra for the Lighthouse stand at the parish. Life is full. :) Life is good, especially as I try this Lent to stop looking at what it is I think my life is missing. It is not missing anything. This is the life God gave me and it is full. :)

Penance- Lenten life

From my priest as a penance after confession:

For a week-

Say an Our Father when you wake up.
Say an Our Father before you go to bed.

In between do all you consciensously can to spread God's Kingdom between the two Our Fathers.

I realized the obvious ways (for me right now that is Lighthouse), but then realized it needs to start at home.

Harder.

Peggy Noonan- Voice of Sanity

I don't read a lot of blogs, but I enjoy visiting Peggy Noonan's, who I often find to be a voice of sanity.

Peggy Noonan's blog.

And then if you want insanity:
Click Here


Ok, so I don't read a lot of blogs? Actually I will check into The Drudge Report now and then to pick and choose my news stories without having to wade through TV.

They have a list of blogs and incredibly Mrs. Noonan's is just two away from Rosie's but thankfully, lightyears different!

Our family has been beginning to talk about the 2008 elections, but our choices look dismal at this point. Asked my dh, who do I vote for if all the serious candidates are pro-choice?

"You mean, Pro-abortion?" he corrected me. :/

Isn't he wise? He says that we need to vote for the one that will do least harm. This will be a tricky year.

Where are our leaders, Oh Lord? Keep praying!

Saint Quote of the Day

Such a beautiful reminder during Lent...


Saint Quote - Saint Seraphim of Sarov

Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian activities, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God.
~
Saint Seraphim of Sarov

For full post and picture click here.

From My Neighbor, Ann

This tickled me!

A 45 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to
the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death
experience.

Seeing God she asked "Is my time up?" God said,
"No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live." Upon recovery, the
woman decided to stay in the hospital andhave a face-lift, liposuction, breast
implants and a tummy tuck.

She even had someone come in and change her
hair color and brighten her teeth! Since she had so much more time to live, she
figured she might as well make the most of it.

After her last operation, she was released from
the hospital. While crossing the street on her wayhome, she was killed by an
ambulance.Arriving in front of God, she demanded,

"I thought you said I had another 43 years? Why didn't
you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?"

God replied: "I didn't recognize
you."

Thanks, Mom

(Read in the oral surgeon's waiting room in Reader's Digest)

"My mom can make anyone feel guilty. She used to get letters of
apology from people she didn't even know."

-Joan Rivers

More Lighthouse Talk

The past two weekends I have attended the Lighthouse kiosk after all the Masses at my parish.

I have met more people in the past two weeks than ever at my parish.

And it is so wonderful.

They will come up and look, avoiding this person (me) who is standing next to the stand.
I will ask if I can help, or if they have any questions please ask.

Then we get to talking.

Sometimes it is a Scott Hahn big fan and we trade stories.. and others listen in! Sometimes it is sad elderly person who says their child has left the Church, what can she do? Sometimes it is someone who is looking for ways to explain the sacraments to a family member.

But we have gotton into the most wonderful conversations. I have learned so much and met the neatest people. Here are some of them:

An elderly lady who is devout Catholic, but doesn't read the Bible much. She fled the Nazis with her family when she was 5 and has a beautiful Austrian accent.

A grandma and her two darling teen grandsons (twins) who live in Dallas. She was getting CDs for them and the boys and I talked as I graduated from the school they just moved to in Dallas. We talked about the CDs and how they should listen to their grandma! And how she will be mailing new CDs as they come out. They were so sweet and polite.. and just good kids.

A lady whose husband does not like the Church (he is Methodist/Baptist) and how her daughters had to negotiate which Chruch to go to. Now the girls are grown and in college but still they are on a journey decided which way to go.

Many quick drop ins asking for titles on things such as suicide, pain, confession.

Father told me that one person got the Anger and Forgivness CD and that caused him to come to confession the next day! Whoo hooo!

So many lovely lives. This has been such a blessing. I know it may prove rough later on, but I am counting the blessings now.

Joy of Science

I am enjoying the Teaching Company DVD the Joy of Science by Robert Hazen.

What I like: His goal is for everyone to have scientific literacy. I have just dabbled in the talks so far, did a bit 'o googling on the man, and skimmed the books he has written that my library owns... but am finding a common thread.

He is one of those professors who is passionate about learning, particularly passionate about their chosen subject and wants to break the university ivory castle walls and share it with everyone. He gets across that everyone can be literate and treats people like they have a brain. He reminds me a bit of Dr. Louis Markos who is here at HBU and I had the pleasure of seeing talk about CS Lewis and the classics. I love these kinds of professors!

Anyway, one thing I really like about Dr. Hazen is that he stresses that science is really not to be lumped into categories, such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc. Yes, they each have an area of discipline, but they overlap. The world overlaps and what is science but studying our world? In a way he demystifies from the beginning and says these separations were brought on by academia in the 18th century because the universities had to provide more professorships, so they had to create more departments. Funny how man's needs can shape our view of the world/science.

Ok, well in the first talk he laid out 4 reasons why we should all be scientifically literate. Which by the way he describes as a general understanding of how the world works, not down to formula levels, etc.


From the TC site:

Dr. Hazen cites four reasons why you should strive to become
scientifically literate:

1. Scientific literacy helps you as a consumer
make informed decisions—about health care, diet, nutrition, exercise,
environmental issues, and the plethora of technological choices that we all
face.

2. Many of today's jobs depend directly or indirectly on science
as well as on technologies that are developed from scientific discoveries.

3. Scientific literacy helps you provide your children with a firm
foundation as they study science in school.

4. Learning about science
allows you to share the joy of humanity's greatest ongoing adventure of
discovery and exploration.

Humm.... Yes, I can see this. But what is missing? That when we learn about this world we are seeing what God created... that this is his world and when we understand a bit more we are seeing a little more of his handiwork! Maybe that fits in #4? Or maybe all of the above are a subset of this? lol

He does make some good points about what science is. Science is something that is 'proven' through data and the data can be reproduced and "proven" again. I think this is a great foundation to help explain science to myself and my kids.

We all know that the explosion of science and humanism in the 18th century went a little berserk... with Darwin and other's theories turning many scientists into mini-gods and then the technological breakthroughs we have seen (and are still seeing) also leaving people almost worshiping science. I have seen how it was embedded in my world view as I grew up and have had to sort it through in my adult years. Science really is a god of our times and I think has led some Christians to back away from it.

But, it really is, as Dr. Hazen says, a voyage of discovery. I think if we can keep our heads, it really is a wonderful way to see God in all aspects of the natural world.

Wow.. I must have had good coffee this morning! Still reading? lol

I like lectures and am not saying one needs to watch lectures to discover science. Some of the best discovery I ever had was with my sweet boys when they were younger. We did hours of nature walks armed with field guides and oreos. Oh, and the kitchen experiments! What fun. And we learned a lot. More than I did in school.

Then when we went to Hilo Hawaii and as we settled in after a long flight I picked up the notes left by our bedside and read that a Tsunami could hit any moment. What was a Tsunami? I learned fast, and didn't sleep a wink that night, but we went to the local Tsunami museum the next day.

Now I know all about Tsunamis.

So I am looking at science in a different way. In fact it is a bit of a shame that I was taught that chemistry only consisted of what I learned in my chem class in high school. Sigh. It was soooooo boring.

Oh, we did get a giggle last night. Dr. Hazen helped write the national standards for science curriculum. Not sure who uses it, but he mentioned schools a lot.
He then went on to say that everything in there is included in this series of lectures. (I think the DVDs have MORE that what is in K-12, as some of his talks I have sampled do go further into college level).

But he said, these DVDs have it all. I looked at my youngest offsping wryly.... ok.. so we can watch these DVDs or sit in a classroom for 12 years.. I know what I would rather do! Lol !

Thinking about Journeys

I have been listening (as you all know.... lol) to a lot of Scott Hahn lately. It has been nice to revisit Scott and hear some of the stories of his life sprinkled in his talks and testimony.

Listening to his talks on this conversion and Confession I heard again about his childhood. He was basically a juvenile delinquent. Then, he was put on a path to Christ in his teen years and bound for the ministry at age 17. Then of course he found the road to Rome.

But, thinking about homeschooling our kids today. Trying to find the 'best' way, method, etc. Making sure we do 'enough'. And not 'too much'. (lest it squelch the love of learning).

I am beginning to think that really most of this stuff is out of my hands. That is a funny thought considering how much blood sweat and tears I have put into this endeavor, especially in the early more schoolish years.

I did not hear Scott Hahn once mention a 'subject' that he found important to him on his life journey. What I did hear was his love of truth and desire to learn. And also his famous tenacity to search and research.

How do you teach that? His home was not perfect. His dad had a German temper. He was in public schools. I gather he did not have as close of a relationship as many families I know have with their kids. In a way the adversarial relationship may have spurred him in his search.

So, do I need to create adversity?

When you look at people and their successful lives (I am defining success in terms of strong faith and ordered family life and giving back to God)-- what can I see in their childhood that gave them the tools? It seems there is a variety of experiences... good loving families that gave them the roots. But sometimes it was adversity that caused them to search. Or both.

Fr. Groeschel talked about the virtue of faith in his CD. He said that it is a gift. We have to be open to it but cannot manufacture it. But we must be open. Until we have this virtue others could evangelize all they want and it does no good. I can't forcefully infuse this into my kids.

So.... what is the role as parent? What do I need to give my kids, if not subjects which are often long forgotten?

It is easy to see (well, not easy but becoming apparent) that we really have little ultimate control. So do we do nothing?

No. When we disengage, often the kids are worse off than when we over engage. Kids need those boundaries, love, guidance. But we can't manufacture the outcome we want.

Nuts.

So what do we do/give?

Thinking out loud-

Truth.
Authenticity (and not hypocracy)
Share my loves and passions, especially my faith journey
Share love of learning about God's creation
Help them to learn to order their lives

And let God do the rest?

(notice the question mark at the end...)

Shuffling Along

I went to our big park yesterday and was all set to listen to The Spirit of Sacrifice in the Family by Fr. Groeschel while I power-walked. :)

I put my CD in my little holder I wear around my waist, put on my earphones and was set to go.
I listened for about a half mile and was really enjoying his wit and wisdom.

Then, he seemed to jump to a different subject. He just got into that, when he moved on, but I didn't see much connect to what he had just said.

Humm.. I know Fr. B is getting on in years. Maybe this was not the best CD. Humm.. I just ordered a bunch for my parish. Maybe I need to re-think this selection.

Then I heard him tell part 2 of a story I had heard during the first part of my walk...

I pulled out my CD player and saw that I as walked and bounced along the 'shuffle' function had been activated and it was shuffling the tracks! lol

My shuffled brain!

What we are up to...

Just a check in, or I guess also a record for me to keep track of things!

I have been farily involved with Lighthouse lately and thus sharing much of it with the boys. A big personal order came in yesterday so I have asked the guys to sort out the orders for everyone and put them in the right piles. They also were the ones to set up the order and prepare it for entry. :)

Much discussion on my discussion with parishes. How they each do things, what comes easy and not for me trying to do the CD ministries there. Other Lighthouse managers in our city and how we are sharing accounts, etc.

Discussion on the CDs I am listening to... I think I need to stop as I have so much in my head now, I need to let it settle! Fr. Larry Richards is a wild speaker! :0
I have listened to two CDs on Confession this week, one from Fr. Larry and one from Scott Hahn. My brain needs to stop and think for a while....

Boys have spent last few days busy on their projects and doing a lot of writing.

B is still in the Civil War, now readng Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. I asked him if he thought the author was biased, as I read a little about her and she gets a bit preachy at times.

He said, "Do you mean biased against slavery?!"

Humm.. I stopped. Could he see that even if she was speaking out against an evil that she also might only show part of the story? A subtly I think he did get from the look in his eye...:)

We talked about our LOTR discussion group and decided to stop at the end of this month. It is waning a bit and the discussion is getting somewhat repetitive. Boys want to start a new group to discuss Star Wars, so we will move forward with that.

We are really enjoying the personal DVD player I invested in last month. Boys use to to watch DVDs I suggest... currently they are watching Winged Migration (really cool visual documentary on birds.. the followed and filmed these migratory birds around the world for 4 years- the making of the documentary was neat, too)


Also from netflix I have been getting Modern Marvels shows- currently they are watching the one on the history of the computer. They are not much of TV watchers, so they take the DVD player to bed and watch a bit before sleepy time.

We are continuing with Catholism for Dummies- each reading independently. Boys are listening to some Lighthouse CDs, but I asked them to try the Boys to Men virtues tapes next.

I need to catch up with their video games and their writing as I have been so busy lately. That is my plan today!

Ok.. over and out....

Jeff Cavins

Ok, here is the short version. ;)

I was going through RCIA in 1997. (my third go-round)
I was about to quit. (again)
A couple of charismatic evangelical Christians who were converting to Catholicism (another story) brought their friend Jeff to the meeting one Sunday morning. They also told me about the book Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.

I talked with Jeff about my continuing concerns.
I read the book.

I converted.

Then, that summer I went to the Applied Biblical Studies and Defending Our Faith conferences at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and got to talk with Jeff more. He is such a lovely person, as is his wife Emily.

I would see Jeff on Life on the Rock on EWTN. Then, he left and was replaced as host by Fr. Francis Mary. I didn't see Jeff anywhere... though I don't get EWTN, I check in on the computer, etc.

Last night, I listened to the newest Lighthouse Catholic Media CD- 15 Things to do when Suffering by... Jeff Cavins.

Wow. Now I see where he has been. He had been undergoing incredible physical suffering and has used it to share with others. I then found his website today:

Jeff Cavin's site
Check out his site.. lots of good stuff!

He is such a wonderful witness.. humorous and human and always willing to share. I also saw that he is bringing his Great Bible Adventure to Houston in March! I hope to go. Also saw a post that he has received the imprimatur on that program, too.

God Bless you, Jeff!!

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I loved this Saint Quote of the Day

Saint Quote- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta


We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if that drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed.

~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Our Parish Weekend

I am exhausted as we had so much going on at my parish this weekend.

I am sponsoring a catechumen into the Church so had a retreat all Saturday morning to attend. Then Sat evening, I went up to attend the Lighthouse stand after Mass.

Then Sunday I attended the stand after each of 4 Masses, attended Mass with my Catechuman at 9am (but we left before Eucharist), went to the Rite of Election at 2:30 and also ushered people in from 12:30 - 2pm, then attended Mass for me at 5:15! I logged a bunch of hours!

One thing I came away with was how beautiful it was to have a large parish santuary because we were able to host the Rite. It was awsome seeing the bishop- what a beautiful Rite and ceremony.

And, attending the Lighthouse stand was wonderful! Especially after the 9am and 11am Masses, when Fr. N gave a TERRIFIC annoucement and endorsement for the CDs.. we were mobbed! And I interacted with so many people. I met more parishioners this weekend than I have met in 8 years of attending Mass at my parish. Can you imagine?

Next weekend I am going to stand up and make an annoucement at each Mass. Please pray for me... that I say the right thing, take the 'me' out of it and say what I am supposed to. And that I figure out what that is this week. I also am NOT standing behind the ambo.. but out front of the alter. We have a BIG Church. I have nothing to hide behind. Gulp.

Oh, I listened to Fr. Corapi's new talk on Christ's Redemption today... oh, it is great! All about everything.. the mess of the world, our identity in life... I just love him. I enjoyed housecleaning because he was talking in my ear!

Two and a Half Inches in 5 Months?!

Something was out of kilter.

It took a few days to figure it out. Wait, that is it. I am looking UP into Bryan's eyes. I thought he had been getting taller...

"Bryan! Get in here! I have to measure you!"

The boys know not to resist when I am on a tear like this. I get it in my head I have to measure them and I have to. They start ambling toward the kitchen kicking off their shoes, and back up to the wall where I mark heights on the wood molding.

Bryan did so and I marked it. Up 2 1/2 inches since September 2006. Now is is officially 2 inches taller than me and just plain taller than me. I am 5'6 1/4" and always felt rather tall. Well no more.

I am the shorty!

Funny, because his jeans have been looking short.. and now that I look they are well, about 2' 1/2" too short!

Schedules, Growing Up, Life

I think we are in (another) transition stage in our house.

Well, the last big transition was dh working at home full time. He does travel sometimes and see clients, but he is home the rest of the time. It has caused little ripples I didn't expect. Such as now eating dinner together most every night is not as important as we see each other so much all day long. First time our life has been like this in our 24 years of marriage!

Now, we are seeing changes with the boys' and my schedules. I am doing more outside.. as they need me less on a minute to minute basis. They are becomming more independent. Our ships often pass in the night.. literally as they LOVE to stay up late and I like to go to bed early as I enjoy early am workouts and getting things done in the am.

We have been talking this last week about how we can meet in the 'twain... and I explained the idea of pegs to them again. Trying to peg their life so everything gets done. My oldeset is especially wanting to get his workouts in. His biggest challenge is he needs so much sleep and it takes up too much of his time.

Younger one is frustrated b/c he needs less sleep and has to wait for older one to wake up to get started on their plans. :0

Glad I am writing this down, because I know things will soon change again. Wasn't that long ago I could not sleep unless my little ones were asleep too!

Thursday After Ash Wedneday

Yesterday, like many of you reading, we went to an Ash Wednesday prayer service at our parish.

It was beautiful. This year God is gracing me with feeling like I am part of our larger community and not just on this journey by myself. Not just part of my (large) parish, but part of our world wide Church.

I know feelings are fleeting and are not the basis of faith, but I do like this one and am savoring it. For the first time when trying to decide upon my Lenten sacrifices/additions, I did not feel all alone. Maybe in part this is because I always fail, but this time I shared some of that with my family.

My sons decided on a sacrifice they would do, and I see them forging their own way in faith.

In part it is because I have been immersed in the speakers on my CDs and that always helps center me. Last night I picked up John Newhaus' book Death on a Friday Afternoon and actually started getting into the book and it connected. I have tried to read that book in two prior Lents and failed.

I know this is just the beginning. I will pray for all of you all on your journeys. I also am keeping in mind (and on the front page of my blog) a quote that Susan at UC passed on. About seeing what God has for me this Lent, not what I decide I have for me.

After the prayer service John made a nice pot of red sauce and I cooked some pasta. We cut up fruit and ate a very simple dinner. Ah. Simple. No elaborate clean up. Just a nice quiet dinner.
Actually I think that was more of a treat than a sacrifice. Maybe that is part of the point?

Love to all. If you stumble on your Lenten journey, know I am praying for you and what God has to give you. It is all good.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told

"Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
from Catholic online

More Happy Lighthouse News

A downtown parish that ordered from me also had their launch weekend yesterday.. and they ran out of CDs by the 3rd Mass.. (they had 6 total Masses)-- they were a hit and the pastor was thrilled.

This is just so neat.

Lighthouse Launch Weekend!

When a parish begins the Lighthouse CD ministry, the best way is with a 'launch' weekend. It gives the best visibility and allows the pastor and everyone else to really highlight to the parish what it is all about.

Yesterday we began the launch at a parish one town over. This was the first one I have been involved with and it was terrific!


The parish volunteer and I put announcments in the bulletins the past two weeks, and Father asked us to kick it off at the Sat. night Mass and at today's two morning Masses.

He asked me to say something during the annoucments- 1-2 minutes, tops. This really helps to explain the program, if you have someone who really cares about it talk, and give their story, so I understand.

So, yesterday I wrote, John edited and we got the talk under two minutes. I arrived torward the end of Mass and the annoucements came, I was nervous. Ok.. I thought- I am just nervous of what other people think of ME. That doesn't matter. I looked at the big crucifix over the alter and pretended I was speaking only to Christ.

I was out of my comfort zone.. but not alone.
Immediately my butterflies dissappeared!
He called me up, I stood behind the ambo and the read/said my talk. I sat down.
Whew!

After Mass I went to the gathering space where the display stand was and... it was a hit! People were lining up and waiting, 10 or 15 at a time to take some CDs. After the last Mass, we counted the donations and the covered their cost of the CDs plus more! So they are re-ordering quick for next weekend.

The best part was when I talked with people while they waited in line and answered what questions I could. I love speaking b/c then people come up to you and feel they know you and share. One man wanted more CDs to reach his young children. A woman (who I had met at a homeschool group years before) wanted titles for teens. Another elderly lady wanted mulitple copies to send to all of her grandchildren. Another woman asked me what my old Protestant denomination was, as her dh (standing right next to her) is Catholic, but she is Presbyterian. I told her "Methodist" but pointed out the Scott Hahn conversion story CD. He is the Presbyterian anti-Catholic pastor who converted and now is a tremendous apologist. :)

The one that touched me most was a 40ish man who said his wife was raised Catholic, but now 'hates' the Church. He went on to describe how she had been to Catholic school during her youth and always in the Church, but now would not even talk about it. You could see the pain in his eyes. I showed him the talk Seven Reasons to Be Catholic that we had on the stand and he took it with him.

As the volunteer and I compared notes at the end we noticed there were many people who wanted to know more about their faith, and specfically how to bring fallen away Catholics back. So, she ordered copies of How to Bring Fallen Away Catholics Back by Scott Hahn and it will be ready and waiting for that gentleman and others next week.

How cool is that?

Ok, here is my little talk.. I loved doing it, after the first time, anyway. By the second and third time, after I found out that Fr. F was happy with it, I embellished a little more. It was fun!

God is so good.. all the way home I thanked him for this opportunity and maybe that is why I spoke at Cm meetings all those years, to get me ready for this. And my conversion.. that is may touch others. This is just too good.

My name is Cindy Kelly and I am a parishioner at ______. I
appreciate the invitation from Father to let you know more about the
wonderful new CD ministry that is beginning today at St. ___.

If I may I would like to share briefly with you why I am talking about these CDs today and how they have affected my family and faith life.

I grew up in the Bible Belt as a Protestant, but married an Irish New Yorker cradle Catholic. Upon my son’s First Holy Communion, I had to face it. What did Catholics really believe? I had much mis-information about Catholicism. It was also difficult for me to find Catholics who could explain their faith to me.


During my search, I found a wonderful resource: a body
of knowledgeable, inspirational and exciting Catholic authors and
speakers. They not only explained the faith, but helped me
grow spiritually, deepen my personal faith and come to a true love of our
Church. I also realized learning about our Catholic faith is a
lifelong endeavor.

My cradle Catholic husband also found his
faith deepened tremendously by these speakers. He has found the more he
understands his faith, the easier it is to share with our children as well
as people at work and through his prison ministry work. (Where btw
they are always looking for men to volunteer as mentors…)

My husband jokes that the largest denomination in the US is Catholic and the second
largest is ex-Catholic, but, unfortunately, many who have left the Church
have done so because of their lack of knowledge of Church teaching and
Church history.

That is why Lighthouse created this CD ministry--
to bring this knowledge to parishes and St. ____ now has them available for
everyone. You can listen in your car, or at home, or on the go. Many are
perfect for teenagers and we have passed several on to our sons.

There are titles covering all aspects of the Catholic life and
they are perfect for sharing with family and friends, children and
grandchildren. The CDs are located in a wooden stand in the space by the main
doors of the Church. They are free, but a $3 donation is requested
to keep the ministry funded. If you are able to give a bit less or more, that is
fine- the goal is to get the CDs out to the parish and keep it funded for
more.

A big thank you to _______ for coordinating this for
St. _____.

My prayer is that these CDs will bless you and St. ____
parish. Please be generous in your donations as they all go directly into
bringing more titles to St. ____. THANK YOU

Some Integrated Life that was Unplanned

I took Bryan with me to meet with the parish volunteer at a local parish who is launching the Lighthouse program this weekend.

He helped carry in the stand (he helped me put it together last week), carried boxes, listened to us talk about the plan for the parish and walk through the church to see where I should sit when I attend the Masses and make short annoucmements this weekend. We had some nice short discussions about this parish, our parish, the CDs, etc.

Dh is working at home full time- has been since July. I found something interesting, that my non-talky husband now comes out of his cave now and then ready to share some tidbit of his day with me. I think the guys at the water cooler used to get this when he was in the office.. but now I do! I think this is much like what happens if our kids are at school all day.. by 4pm they are talked out. But now we all get the best of each other. Well, when we aren't tripping over each other... this togetherness takes time to get used to, too.

Dh had Bryan copy reciepts to send in his expense statements. Stephen then weighed and attached postage. Many discussions ensue about clients, travels, etc.

Just some tidbits from here... lots happening, but little planned...

Today is LOTR and tennis. Our fun but busy day. Crisp cold and beautiful outside!

Joyfully Making Learning Connections

We had our second meeting of Joyful Learning Connections last night. I just love that little group... and it was nice and small so we got some good talking in until almost 11pm....

We talked about all sorts of things... structure or no, how to give up the schooly model, strewing, high school, joy.

I was telling the others about Leonie's idea for pegs. Melissa Wiley wrote a wonderful summary and application of summation of pegs on her blog. Then I just got lost in Melissa's wonderful blog. I just have to be careful when I read it because it is so beautiful, she writes so well that I start wondering how she does it all...but it is good practice for me to ground myself and not compare.. :0 and enjoy being encouraged and inspired by her ideas.

But, otoh it also got me thinking about the rich world we do have on the Internet. I go back and forth, thinking I spend too much time here, or writing or reading about ideas. But then I realize that is part of my vocation and if I can seperate out when I am in information overload, or start to venture to the comparing mode... so much is gained by these on line connections.

Anyway, I got to reading (again) about her Tidal Homeschooling. I found an excerpt that really describes well what I was trying clumsily to say last night at the meeting. Here is how Melissa puts it..

Then it occurred to me that I've overlooked an aspect of
my beachcombing scenario. I'm the one strewing the beach with treasures for the children to discover. You see, this is where the metaphor breaks down. Sometimes, yes, I am simply the person bringing the children to the metaphorical strand and turning them loose to explore. But other times—a lot of the time, when I think about
it—I have visited the beach in advance and filled the tide pools with
interesting creatures; I have hidden the treasures behind the dunes.

This strewing is something unschooling parents talk a great deal about.
It is the same thing Charlotte Mason meant when she said, "Education is a life. That life is sustained on ideas...we must sustain a child's inner life with ideas as we sustain his body with food," urging parents and teachers to provide hearty feasts of 'living' books and firsthand encounters with the natural world.

Of course, Miss Mason recommended regular and orderly mealtimes, while an unschooler would probably say that the human mind thrives best when allowed to graze. But in both cases, we see a committed, thoughtful parent doing the shopping and preparing the food. I am doing just as much preparation (to jump metaphors again) during our low-tide times as I am during high tide.

Whether I am piloting the boat on a fishing trip—as I am doing now with our studies of German and Shakespeare—or whether I am hiding bits of sea glass in the sand for a wandering child to discover (or not), my role is indeed that of "guide, philosopher, and friend."

You can read the whole post here.

Cordio and Juliet

You MUST read this rendition from my friend Rebecca. Too funny!Clickie Here-ie!

News I Have Dreamed Of!

I love it! Naps are good for me! My overstuffed nap-loving dachshund will be so happy to hear this! (Karen, no cracks about "your" dog... lol)

And to boot, the New York Times finally has some news fit to print. :0Clickie Here-ie!

Maria, thanks for the link!

The Way it Oughta Be

Today I cleaned toliets. I shook off the bad mood, and kept my composure.

That was many hours ago.

Tonight I went to a wonderful mom's meeting (Joyful Learning Connections) where we talked about finding joyful ways to homeschool, and connect, and of course, learn.

I am now working at the computer, trying to wind down.

I went to visit one of my toliets and as I reached to turn off the light noticed...

How clean it was.

Wow... I need to notice the good things more. It looked really beautiful.. gleaming white. I did a good job.

I have been reading in In Conversation With God how we should not discount those little boring jobs we have in life. Often, it told me, we will shirk those duties to do more important and interesting things. Has that author been bugging my house?

So I am working on that, and I think I just recieved a little reward.

Join me as I dabble...

Join my on my new blog as I dabble in the colorful world of art....

I hope to scan and post my works in progress... and will try and put up the failures as well as the things I like. This is a learning process... and every stroke is teaching me something new.

I am starting with my favorite subjects, my canines.

Please drop in!

St. Valentines' Sweets for my Sweeties

Here is my plan for V-day... Taste of Home is nice b/c sometimes they give you a break and tell you to buy packaged things, like cake mix! I loved the idea of messages on the cuppycakes!

I am having fun thinking of what to write on them. Have to be short...

Hugs.... Smack... Kiss.. Love...Cutie...lol

Will be fun to see who chooses what word... :-)

Any other ideas?

Conversation Cupcakes


INGREDIENTS


1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon butter flavoring, optional
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 to 2 drops red food coloring, optional
1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring, optional
1 to 2 drops blue food coloring, optional
PREP 45 min.
COOK 20 min.
TOTAL 65 min.

DIRECTIONS
Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
Place paper or foil liners in a heart-shaped or standard muffin tin. Fill cups half full of batter. Bake according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, cream butter and shortening in a small mixing bowl. Add vanilla and butter flavoring if desired. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk until light and fluffy.
Divide frosting into fourths; place in flour separate bowls. Leave one bowl untinted. Add food coloring to the other three bowls; stir until well blended. Frost cupcakes. Pipe untinted frosting around edges and decorate tops with Valentine phrases. Yield: 28 cupcakes

Ok, Ok..something new...:0

Ok, Ok, I know for all my loyal readers you are getting really tired of seeing that chocolate cake on my blog. So I am making a new post. Just so you won't have to look at it.

Let's see,what shall I post?

Well tongiht I did to go to Rosie O'Donell's site. I check The Drudge Report occasionally and get some news there. I must say he gives equal time because he lists Rosie along with Rush Limbaugh.

When I read Rosie I just wanted to hug her. She is a poor lost soul. By the grace of God, if not for that, there could go I- any of us.

Her laments on Anna Nicole were incredible.. she adored her. Rosie is searching. She clings to children, much like Michael Jackson Imo. She needs. NEEDS. And only if she could find the Ulitmate Giver, she would be so happy.

Anyway, it was an interesting trip to see her and I am praying for all lost souls, and hope I am prayed for, too.

OK, what else?

Well...

Today I worked a lot on my painting. There is this really great site called Wiener Dog Art and I love her style! Turns out she lives in Texas and her last name is Kelly and I feel a bond, but I haven't told her.

What I have done is print out some of her art and used it for inspiration. Tonight I got a great rendition of Ralphie in all his craziness, and got half of Boomer in his inertness.

I think I may start a sub- art blog and post some things there.

This was a nice Sunday... John was researching his gardening and recipies, boys were playing with their new Wii and I was painting.

Then we all had a nice dinner together interesting conversation. We had a debate over whether the newspaper subscription was too expensive as I told the boys I tried to talk them down (and got $30 a year off) but still don't feel it is worth the price. Boy, did that get reaction as everyone supported the sections they read. Then when John said the Chronicle is a hopefully soon customer of his, that sealed it. I am writing the check to continue the subscription today!

Then, John asked them where they wanted to go on vaction and we started our usual go-round.. AHH.. life!

(Don't scroll down or you are going to see that chocolate cake again.. maybe I am just tired of it since it was in our house all week!)

Next Up From Taste Of Home...

Another choice of B's... but I forgot to buy coke. Hum... wonder what I can sub?
Planning to bake tonight....

Humm, what is that garnish, mint? I wonder if I should run out and get some coke. I see it takes a lot. Gosh, I am in the mood to bake, maybe I will!

Cinnamon-Chocolate Snackin' Cake
From Taste of Home

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 cup cola
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FROSTING:
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
6 tablespoons cola
1/2 cup butter, cubed
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup chopped pecans, divided

PREP 30 min.
COOK 35 min.
TOTAL 65 min.

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in marshmallows; set aside. In a small saucepan, bring the cocoa, cola, oil and butter to a boil. Pour over flour mixture; mix well. Stir in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a large saucepan, bring the cocoa, cola and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and 3/4 cup pecans until blended. Spread over cake; sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cool until frosting is set before cutting. Yield: 15 servings. Editor's Note: Diet cola is not recommended for this recipe.

Made Yesterday... Gone Today!

Found this in this month's issue of Taste of Home Magazine. B marked several recipes for us to try.. . see the yellow sticky notes? :) this is a good one!

Not hard at all... if I can make this, you can, too!
Celebration Braid
From Taste of Home

INGREDIENTS


2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water

SERVINGS 32
PREP 35 min.
COOK 20 min.
TOTAL 55 min.

DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter, sugar, salt, eggs and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four pieces. Shape each piece into an 18-in. rope. Place ropes parallel to each other on a greased baking sheet. Beginning from the right side, braid dough by placing the first rope over the second rope, under the third and over the fourth. Repeat three or four times, beginning each time from the right side. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under.
Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Beat egg yolk and water; brush over braid. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 1 loaf.

Here is the magazine's picture:

How an ex- 80's business woman came to mop her own floors

I was tagged by Leonie.. thanks Leonie.... :0 So here I go!


Aprons – Y/N?

My mil gave me a beautiful lace sheer, black waist apron to wear at my cocktail parties before my dh and I married. Humm.. where is it? lol


Baking – Favorite thing to bake:
I love to bake! Coffee cake on Christmas morning. Bread in my machine. Pizza crust and other things we will try. I have made my own pie crusts. Yeah, eat my dust! lol lo lol
I love to bake when I have TIME. If I don't.. I won't even try.

Clothesline – Y/N?

Nope. I do hang clothes on hangers all over my laundry room to dry. Or when my dryer went out, used my fence. Thought I have thought of installing one just to get outside daily and commune with the birds.

















Donuts – Have you ever made them?

Nope. One vice I don't have and never care to make. Plus we get Krispy Kreme for my guys when they get a hankerin'...


Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day:
One load of laundry or more.
Straighten up. My guys are really messy. :0
Make bed.
Cook.
Clean up the kitchen. The kitchen is my ZONE>>>>

Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
I have three freezer zones:
Over the fridge in the kitchen
Chest deep freeze in laundry room
Left side of side by side in the garage

Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Of course! Their names are Stephen, Bryan, Boomer and Ralphie!

















Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
I was taught how to clean house by some guy who wrote books.. and I forgot his name. But I laughed as I never listend to my mom (who is a PERFECT housekeeper) but ended up getting tapes and books from a guy in SF CA, who gave me all the clues I needed. Still use his methods. :)


Ironing – Love it or hate it?
I don't buy anything that needs ironing. My dh's shirts go to the laundry.


Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?

Kitchen drawer. And I am so devoted to it I even had a handle installed on it that says:
JUNK


Kitchen: Design & Decorating?

I love my kitchen. We moved in this 1973 house and it was an little avacado box. You could not see the kitchen table from the kitchen.. it was a seperate box. So when we moved in we allocated funds to remodel and now our little dark avacado box is a bright happy yellow kitchen. I can see the outside from it and all the sunshine plus the kitchen table and we have a big island (I designed and the guy built) and we cook all the time. The kitchen is the center of our house.

But even when we were in houses with smaller kitchens, they were still the heart of our homes....

Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?
When I look around and even though it is not perfect I see my mark and feel content.

Mop - Y/N?
Yup. But we put down Amtico.. looks like wood, is not.. so I can go a LOONNNGG time between.. like 2 weeks or more! (my children are all over 12)

Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Washing machine.. if it does not survive the spin cycle, I throw it out. lol
But I only wear about 2 times a year so not much of an issue.

Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?
Light has been burned out for 6 years, so open the door. lol

Pizza - What do you put on yours?
Cheese.

Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Nap, read, internet, paint, or.... , nap, nap, nap.... teens love it when you nap because you are not bothering them to do things you want them to do. Win-win!

Recipe card box - Y/N?
No.. binder. Everything is in a binder.. lol

Style of house -
2 story. Traditional.. meaning we have real rooms.. lol

Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?
Placemats and paper towels for napkins unless comapny, then cloth..


















Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
Semi - organized.

Vacuum - How many times per week?
Umm.... well, once.. maybe a week.. or maybe umm.. twice a month? However often I can talk the boys into it... lol
Could this be why I have allergies??

X’s - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?
Yup.

Yard - Who does what?
Well it is dh's job. (Maria, that is one thing I loved about renting in CA.. the gardener) In the HEAT of the summer I talk dh into letting Isrido do it.. he is the yard guy that has done many neighbors' yards for almost 20 years. The weeds start to get to me as dh si so busy so I will do. Boys and I do potty patrol. I always wish the yard looked better. But we live in a neighborhood where this is an art.. so i need to let go..



















Zzz’s - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Start the dishwasher. And lock the doors. And let the dogs out. And fluff my pillow..

Oh. that sounds good. 'Night!

HOW Cool!

Today Mr. UPS man brought the order for my parish to my house.. for the Lighthouse Catholic Media stand and Cds... ! My living room is full of boxes and I opened a couple.. one is the donation box.. beautiful cherry wood with a plexiglass sign that says.. Suggested donation $3....

And I plan to have to have the boys put it together for me tomorrow before we deliver to the church. And the placuard, with the holy family.. so cool to have in our house!

Our kick off is Feb 24.. and two other parishes I have been involved with kick off Feb 17.. please pray for them all.

This is so neat.

Iowa

I was watching the beginning of the Super Bowl and saw a player was from Iowa.

I got to thinking about Iowa. I have never been there. I have always been curious about it.

I assume it has lots of beautiful farmland. I found the total population is just under 3 million. Gosh, that sounds good after living with many more than that just in Houston.

And, they are the US's top producer of eggs, pork and corn. Wow.. we need Iowa.

Here are some beautiful pictures I found of Iowa.

I like Iowa.

"This is the best apple pie I have ever had in my life."

What our 16yos said after he ate a piece of my dh's first attempt to make apple pie.

I had to agree.. it was good!

You Gotta Love Teens

A friend told me that her 15 year old son recently said this, in referring to his unknown future plans. You just have to love the honesty and wit.

"I could either be an Archbishop in Thailand or married in Pittsburgh."

More Thankfulness and my Current Booklist

Well, part of my conversation with my old (really OLD lol) friend today was on life.

Of course.
Duh.

But it got to how my dh has given me to opportunity to be at home with the kids, then homeschool.

In that, I have lots of time to read, learn, discover. Actually it is really a job requirement to keep the atmosphere rich around here, and I have to always be learning new things and finding resources to pass on. And as many of us have said, often this 'second' education is richer than our first.

I thank my husband for giving me the time and resource to do this.

so.. here is my current stack of books I am reading simultaneoulsy.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beacher Stowe
The Two Towers by JRR Tolkein
Fed Up! : The Breakthrough Ten-Step, No-Diet Fitness Plan by Wendy Oliver-Pyatt
Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard A. Swenson
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Catholicism for Dummies by John Trigilio and Kenneth Brighenti
The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood by Mark I. Miravalle
Chemistry for Dummies by John T. Moore

and other misc things....

A Nice Day: Flowers In My Garden

I got up early today to have a call with my Clonlara advisor. We usually talk very early Friday mornings. I always feel so good after our calls. We talked about learning styles, math, learning, life, etc.

Then as I was getting the kitchen together my old friend.. I call her my really OLD friend, as she is 5 months older than me. lol! I have known her since we were nine. She called and had a client meeting about 2 blocks from my house (she lives 45 min away and we don't see each other enough), so we made plans for lunch.

Then we proceeded to talk for an hour on the phone. Well, we had things to say!

Then, an old homeschool friend who moved away about 2 years ago called and we talked for an hour! Fun to catch up.

Then, I went to lunch and talked to my friend for another hour. lol One of the things we talked about is how wives need to talk more than husbands. We laughed and laughed and she is one friend who knows me inside and out. I told her some of the ocmments the Clonlara advisor would give me, like "Cindy, don't borrow trouble!" and she would laugh and laugh. She has seen me borrow a lot over the years. I borrowed clothes from her in college and lots of advice over the years.

Everyone needs friends like this. Who know you better than you know yourself.
What a gift.

But, what a nice morning. To have three (well four) beautiful conversations in one day. I felt so happy, having such lovely people in my life. And thought about how I have even more... some e-friends and long distance, and some local who are like flowers in my garden!

I came home from the resturant and picked up the boys, who were fed, dressed and ready to go. (Those of you with toddlers.. this WILL happen one day!)

We went to our Lord of the Rings discussion at the local bookstore. Another mom and dd had come up with the topic of the art of LOTR and Tolkein. She had discovered that he was an artist! I had no idea. I really liked the discussion, though the boys didn't as much.

Then off to pick up the boys' friend from school and to tennis. Then during tennis I came home to get a check to pay the instructor and had another quick conversation with a friend with whom I am planning some new support meetings here locally. Nice.

Then to pick up boys at tennis and home for a nice nap on the couch with the dogs.

Well, I *was* going to clean the house today, but I think this was time well spent.