Be Not Afraid

Please Pray

2012-01-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

My mother-in-law was in a car accident this morning. She was driving a friend of hers home from their weekly St. Vincent dePaul meeting. Her passenger was released from the hospital this evening but my MIL ended up with a dislocated elbow, a broken wrist and lots of bruises. She had a CAT scan of her chest as they were concerned about internal injuries.

In addition, Nathan has strep throat...which isn't surprising since for the last several weeks there has been everything from bacterial pneumonia to the stomach flu roaming around his school. At one point, there were 9 kids out from just his class alone. I knew it would catch up with us. It always does.

This family is in desperate need of prayers....as usual.

Thank you for always hitting your knees for us!

A Day Off

2012-01-11T21:54:00.002-05:00

Today was my day off! I really needed it. After Dan and the kids left this morning, I sat back in my chair with a second cup of coffee and watched old episodes of "19 Kids & Counting". I then fell back asleep with the cat on my lap until 10:30am!

I forced myself to get up and be productive...although I really didn't want to. I put away the last of the Christmas ornaments and decorations. You can actually walk in our bedroom again! I also put away the Christmas dishes and replaced them with our old plain ones. Christmas is officially OVER!

I then tackled the kitchen and got it squared away. I felt like I had accomplished something. I felt like I could breathe...just a little.

As soon as I had a chance, I went online to check the balance in the checking account. Bank of America replaced the fraudulent charges! Yippee! Again, I felt like I could breathe easier. The weight of it all is lifting....ever so slightly.

I fixed a nice dinner...ham, mashed potatoes/gravy and green beans sauteed in olive oil and onion. We all sat at the table...like a real family. Of course, they all complained about the fact that they don't like vegetables...and Olivia reminded me over and over that she doesn't like mashed potatoes. Sigh. You know, it really doesn't matter what I cook...someone isn't going to like it. Night after night of this can really bring you down where you don't even want to cook anymore. Honestly, my children would prefer ramen noodles and frozen chicken nuggets every night. My father (the Italian chef) is surely turning over in his grave right about now! Such is life.

I got the kids in bed early...Dan was outside with the neighbor trying to fix the truck and I sat down with my laptop to watch the Season One, Episode Two of the PBS Masterpiece's Downton Abbey! I finally have found a show that I can enjoy and look forward to future episodes. There's been a lot of talk about it on Facebook and so I figured I'd see if I like it! I do! I'm tempted to watch the third episode now...but I'm starting to get sleepy and they are over an hour long.

This has been a good day. A decent day. A day that I didn't hate. I'm finding more and more that my stress level is waaaay up on the days that I work. It's like I'm so spent by the time I get home, that I just can't handle the normal everyday stresses of raising a family....homework, housework, cooking, etc.

We can't afford for me not to work. So I guess I'll plug along, looking forward to Wednesdays when I have a day off and can spend a few quiet moments by myself without someone wanting something from me. I know that sounds extremely selfish...and it is, however, time alone is what I desperately need these days.

Well, seven days to go till my next day off. Wish me luck.

Update: Dan just came in....the truck is now fixed! That's a load off!

You're kidding me, right?

2012-01-10T19:53:00.001-05:00

I was so hopeful for 2012. I really was. Today is January 9th.....that's NINE days into this new year! Here's what has happened so far.....

1. The husband of a very good friend died over the weekend. He was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months back. They did some chemo, but it just made him too sick so they stopped treatment. He didn't last long after that. May he rest in peace!

Have I mentioned lately how much I HATE cancer!!!

2. The water pump died on our truck! We can't afford a mechanic, so Dan will have to do the replacement himself. This is definitely something he can do....but trying to find the time and the right equipment is the problem. Having two vehicles is a luxury, for sure! For the last few days, Dan has had to take the kids to school as well as take me to work. Because of this, his work day is shorter and therefore has to go back to work after we are all home. This stinks. Of course, then I'm stuck at home with no car.

3. Someone got a hold of the debit card number. We were already running very, very low on funds. Whoever it was, cleaned us out! There is now $17 in the checking account! They bought 3 $50 phone cards for prison inmates! Bank of America is working on restoring the money to the account. The only good news is that....I don't have a car (see item #2 above). I mean, if you're not going to have a car to drive....you may as well not have any money to spend either.

I don't mind mentioning that I'm nearing the end of my proverbial rope. I'm beginning to wonder if the reason I can't find any JOY is because there just isn't any. Everywhere I look, every place I go....darkness. I'm tired of being in a bad mood. I'm tired of yelling at my kids. I'm tired of being disgusted at my life and my circumstances.

This week, in our Little Flowers Girls Club, we discussed the virtue of HOPE. I feel as though I have none. We also discussed St. Monica and how she prayed for her son (St. Augustine) for years and years and years to come back to the Church. If I have to wait (for peace and joy) that long, I can honestly say....I'm not going to make it!

I'm going to turn comments off for awhile. I'm very thankful for all of you....your encouragement and support. But right now, I just need to vent and I don't want anybody to feel obligated to respond to my little rants.

Hopefully, one of these days I'll be able to pull myself up out of this hole.

Goodbye 2011!

2011-12-31T08:51:00.000-05:00

Although I'm grateful for all of the blessings that I have received, I'll be glad to have 2011 behind me. I guess, for me, starting from a clean slate gives me hope. It gives me some encouragement that times will get better and this dark cloud that has been hanging over me will give way to some clearer skys!

I'm not going to pretend that everything is hunky-dory. I can't. But I can see some improvement over the last few days. For one thing, the weather has been cooler. Not as cool as I'd like it to be...but as cool as it's going to get for Florida. I'm not exactly sure why the weather is so intimately connected to my mood...but it is.

I thought I would share with you two things that I've come across lately that has really uplifted my mood.

1. I love liturgical calendars. Sanctus Simplictus has a wonderful example (along with down loadable resources) that you can make yourself! Although the new Liturgical Year started a few weeks ago....it's still a good way to start off the year!

2. I found a new free app for my phone called....Google Sky Map! I spent about an hour outside last night just checking out the sky. The brightest star out last night turned out to be a planet instead....it was Jupiter! What an awesome tool! I even used it today (even though I can't see any stars)....you will love this app!

Anyway, thank you all for your support, your loving kindness, you comments and suggestions, and mostly, your prayers and your friendship.

Have a wonderful, safe and happy new year!

Holy Innocents

2011-12-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

For those of you who read this blog and are not Catholic, today is the feast day of the "Holy Innocents". As the Gospel of Matthew goes, when King Herod learned from the Magi that the king of the Jews had been born...he got a little worried! Clearly, he didn't want to lose his power to another king, so, he ordered the killing of all the children of Bethlehem up to the age of two in hopes of getting rid of this New Born King.

According to the Church, these children were declared martyrs because they died for Jesus Christ.

Frankly, this has always been a portion of Holy Scripture that I avoid. Can you imagine the horror that these mothers went through? What a scene of carnage it must have been. The painting below gives me a vision of what that day might have been like.

I think it goes to show, even back then, just how threatened people were by Jesus. Some days, I don't think much has changed. Nowadays, there is an attitude of denial...you know...if you don't talk about Him...don't make a big deal about Him....or just completely ignore Him...then He really doesn't exist....right? Didn't humankind learn anything from past history?

You can take the name of Christ out of anything you want...off of our currency, out of the celebration of his birth, out of Federal buildings, out of the Pledge.....but it doesn't change His existence. It doesn't change who He is. It doesn't change His Majesty or His Holiness. God is who He is...the Creator of everything and everyone. Deny Him all you want, it isn't going to get you anywhere.....literally.

The painter is Andrea Delitio, an Italian Renaissance artist. They say he was born in Abruzzo, Italy...although there is some debate. The painting lives in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and it is said that it was completed in 1481.

In the bottom center of the painting, there is a mother with her dead child in her lap. She is looking up into the heavens with her hands to her chest. She looks to be pleading with heaven....asking "Why?"
At 46 years old, I still do not understand why God allows certain things to happen to people....especially to the innocent.

In 2011, I lost 6 friends to cancer. Why? Why did they die and why was I allowed to live? There are so many jerks in this world....so many evil people. Why do the good ones get cancer and not them? Doesn't it make sense to rid the world of evil and allow those loving, Godly people to live long, happy, disease free lives?

I'm so tired of it all. Seriously. Why does there have to be martyrs? Why can't we all be Saints?

St. John the Evangelist

2011-12-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

No matter what I do, I can't seem to get out of this funk I'm in. There are moments when I feel like I might be peeking my head out of the hole, but the feeling doesn't last long. Before I know it, I'm back down in the depths of it, in total darkness.

Even in the midst of this situation, I keep looking for a way out. I can't seem to get the Saints (NOT as in New Orleans the football team....but the martyred kind) out of my mind. Somehow, I'm being drawn to them. I already have my favorites....St. Padre Pio, Blessed John Paul II, St. Agatha, St. Anne, St. Monica...etc. But, I feel like I need to go deeper...towards the lesser known or less studied Saints. I feel as though there is something there for me. In addition, I feel as though I'm being drawn to the ancient iconic images. I honestly have no idea why.

Since I have nowhere else to go, and because I feel as though I'm lost....I'm going to lean in the direction that I feel I'm being lead. For those of you who know me...and love me, will you please go with me?

Today, December 27th is the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist. I learned something about him that I did not know....or I think I knew but just never focused on: He was the only one who did not abandon Jesus at the moment of crucifixion. He remained near the cross. Then, of course, Jesus entrusted the care of His Mother, Mary to John's care.

He stayed. He watched. He experienced the suffering and death of Jesus up close and personal. Where did everybody else go? Why didn't they stay? Why did John stay? What did he think about as he watched the Master submit to the will of God? I wonder if at any time he regretted his decision to become a disciple of Jesus. I also wonder if while watching Jesus hang there, did he lose faith in Him? Did he wonder if he had been following a kook all this time?

Still, in spite of what he was thinking....or what he was feeling, he stayed put! This is what I need to keep inside my heart. It doesn't matter what my head is thinking....or what my heart is feeling....God has NOT left me! Even though I feel abandoned....He is here, in the midst of this depression. He SEES me. I matter to Him!

In my reading about St. John, I found that he is the protector of booksellers, writers, theologians, artists, templars, stationers, and typographers. He is also invoked against false friends.

This is a painting by Pedro Berruguete (a Spanish early Renaissance artist) from 1485. It hangs in the convent of Saint Thomas in Avila, Spain (now a museum). St. John is almost always depicted as a youth with an eagle and a book.

I don't know any details about the painting. I can only assume that he is writing his Gospel...or perhaps his visions from the island of Patmos (Revelation).

Bittersweet

2011-12-25T21:23:00.000-05:00

I'm happy today! The kids have each told me several times that this was the "best Christmas ever"!!
I'm glad that my Bah Humbug attitude didn't affect them. That was the most I could hope for.

Nathan served at Midnight Mass! He did a wonderful job and I'm so proud of him. He was very nervous! I had to convince him that the church was so packed full of people, that no one would really notice if he made a mistake.

As I sit here with my family, ignoring the little itty bitty pieces of wrapping paper still on the floor...and watching Elf for the umpteenth time this week, I'm struck by how empty I still feel. Joy never did reach me this year. I guess that's OK. A desert is a desert....even if it occurs during the Christmas season. Perhaps God is preparing me for something major...something life changing. It just might be that this spiritual dryness is needed. I know (with my intellect) that God is there and has never left me. However, spiritually, I haven't been this separated from Him before. I feel abandoned. I feel alone.

I'm not sure that anyone understands. Why do I feel this way? Why am I so depressed? Why am I acting like this when I am so blessed? How can I be so ungrateful. God has given me so much and yet, I complain...I'm not satisfied...I'm empty.

If I could, I would blink and make it all go away! All of it back into it's neat boxes...the tree taken down, all the decorations gone. Leaving no evidence of the joy that is supposed to be in my heart right now.

Still, it's good to know that God's goodness and grace come to us...no matter how we're feeling. I'm thankful that His love for me is not based on my emotions or my mental health at any given moment. He was born over 2000 years ago IN SPITE of my depression and whining (that he most assuredly knew would be here) this Christmas of 2011!

The kids are asleep on the couches (Olivia on the floor) and Dan is asleep in his chair. I think I will cut another slice of rum cake and call it a night.

I hope and pray that all of you have had a terrific Christmas and that the JOY of the season left something for you under the tree!

100 Years

2011-12-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

Oh, to be fifteen again! Wish I was.

FAIL!

2011-12-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

I flew off the handle tonight at Olivia! I blew the situation way out of proportion. I yelled, needlessly. I popped her on the behind, sent her to her room and then....if you can believe it....I demanded an apology from HER!

What is wrong with me? Do you ever have days where you feel like you are the worst parent in the world? Do you ever have days where you feel like God made a huge mistake in allowing you to cooperate with Him and bring forth life? Do you ever feel like your children would be better off with someone else as their mother? Or, am I the only one?

On second thought.....don't answer that.

I was too tired and too lazy to make dinner when I got home from work today. I had an attitude because Dan got home much earlier than me...and he didn't plan dinner. When I got home, he sauntered off to a meeting at church. Who the heck has a meeting for the spring talent show on December 21st????? I get tired of being the only one who clearly has two working hands. It really ticks me off. So, instead of sacrificing my own wants and needs for my family (like normal moms do everyday)....my kids fended for themselves. They had sliced cheddar cheese and crackers....a cereal bar and a frozen waffle (one plain, one with butter and sugar, and the other with peanut butter). They had water to drink!

Yup! That's "mother of the year" material, don't you think?

Epic FAIL!

Rays of Light

2011-12-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

My days are dark. The last two days have been particularly bad. The thing is....I can't really put my finger on the reason. All I know is I have to push away the urge to cry. Today at work, I cried most of the day. I finished off the box of Kleenex that was on my desk. Those that asked about why my nose and my eyes were red, I simply said I had a cold. One of my co workers asked me if I was OK....I told her that I was but I felt like I was hiding something from her. I just wish I knew what I was hiding.

Nathan is spending the night with Dan's sister, so after work, we took the girls out to dinner and then to Target to use a gift card. On the way home, God gave me a tiny glimpse of light for brief few minutes.....As we were driving home through one of the historic districts here in town...admiring all the pretty Christmas lights, the girls broke out in song in the backseat. In perfect harmony we heard them sing, "Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing. You reign now in heaven with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria....Ave, Ave, Maria!"

Of all the songs they could have chosen to sing...they sang THAT one! Thank you, God, for small mercies!

We are home now. The girls are in bed and Dan and I are watching "The Bishop's Wife". I feel safe and secure here in my house...sitting in my chair with all my favorite things around me. It seems strange to me that this is basically the only place I am not anxious anymore. I'm becoming a home-body. It's the only place that I feel like me.

Why is this silly darkness following me? Have you seen the commercial for the anti depressant medication? You know, the animated one where the dark hole keeps following the lady? Or the magazine ad where the dark coat keeps following her? I could have written that. Seriously. It's as though all the things I hate...all the things that bother me or all the things I don't like about myself are closer to me now than they've ever been. I want it to go away. I'm tired of being followed...swallowed up.

In any event, God allowed a little ray of light tonight with my girls singing that song! I'm thankful. Oh, and by the way, I do NOT take Abilify and I am in no way advocating it just because I identify with their ads. Abilify is an anti psychotic drug. I may be depressed...but I am NOT psychotic! Just so you know!

Jubilee Shalom Duggar!

2011-12-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

You know, I can sit here and boo-hoo all I want about how the Christmas Spirit has eluded me this year, or, I could buck up....get a back bone and decide NOT to allow the enemy to ruin my joy. So what if I only go through the motions....all the motions of preparation for Christmas are good, they are needed and they are necessary. They are part of who I am, part of my heritage, part of my faith. Traditions help to make us who we are. Whether or not I "feel" anything, I still need to carry on my traditions for my family. These are the things they will remember about Christmas and hopefully pass on to their own families.

A priest once told me that if I have been hurt by someone, I need to FORGIVE them. He said that it doesn't really matter if I want to forgive them or if I "feel" like I've forgiven them. I still need to SAY it and DO it! The emotions...or feelings, will come later. So what I'm hoping is that by saying....doing and going through the motions, the feelings of the Christmas Spirit will come later.

Earlier today, I was also thinking about the Duggars and how they just lost their 20th baby. I may have lost (or never cultivated) the festive attitude of the season that I'm used to, but compared to what they have lost....well, let's just say I feel a little ashamed.

The Duggars have truly been a beacon of light in this ever darkening culture. Having experienced miscarriages myself, I know the grief....the sadness that they feel. Even still, they continue to encourage others and share of themselves openly an honestly.

Jim Bob and Michelle have published a tribute to their daughter, Jubilee Shalom Duggar. I share it here to remind us all how precious life is....how even the smallest of souls matter to God....how what seems impossible to overcome.....can be with joy!

Yes, this is actually Michelle holding her baby's hand.

Jubilee Shalom Duggar from John Andersen on Vimeo.

Unintentional Blogging Break

2011-12-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

It seems I've somehow stumbled into an Advent blogging break. To tell you the truth, I don't really know what's going on with me. I'm having a hard time finding the Spirit of Christmas. Each year it comes and goes faster and faster! Frankly, I'm still stuck somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I feel depressed and somewhat overwhelmed. Everything seems to be a chore. Every morning when I wake up, I try to think of something to blog about...but nothing comes. I thought putting up the tree would bring that festive feeling....nope. I didn't feel much like decorating the rest of the house like I usually do. But, I did it anyway. Mostly for the kids but also in hopes that it would bring a better mood....nope. Even the creche (although empty) brings me no solace right now.

There is no joy in my house. That is really a tragedy given the circumstances. Three years ago, I was begging God for my life. Today, I have my life, but I'm not satisfied. How's that for ungratefulness? I feel like such a sorry excuse for a human being...a wife...and mother. I have so much, yet I'm not happy.

I'm dreading the Christmas program at school tomorrow night. I had to search the local Kmart with a fine toothed comb looking for a red top and black bottoms for Amelia. You'd think there would be tons of red at Christmas...right? Wrong! Apparently the colors this year are pink, black, and purple. I managed to dig out a red sweater (this is Florida....no need for sweaters) out of the sale bin...and some black leggings. She still needs shoes but we don't get paid until Friday and the funds have dried up. So, I guess I'll stuff her size 13 feet into a size 12 shoe.

Olivia is covered...I've got her dress and some shoes. She really needs a pair of red socks....but again...NO RED at Kmart. I'll try Walmart in the morning.

Nathan....well, his part of the program calls for a costume that his teachers described as a "military angel"! Yes, you read that right. A military angel. I'm at a total loss with this one. A friend has an army jacket that we can borrow....but I have no idea how to make him an angel. He refuses to wear his sister's fairy wings. I don't blame him.

Anyway...to me, this is all nonsense. I wish I could just go to sleep and wake up in January. Just two more days and the kids are out until January 3rd. I'm not even excited for that.

Have you every wanted to just get in the car and drive....anywhere? Have you ever wanted to just disappear...to a place where no one knows you...where you can be alone with your own thoughts and have no one bugging you? Have you ever wanted to be left alone.....for there to be no expectations of you?

I'm tired. Going to bed.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

2011-12-06T06:58:00.000-05:00

God, we pray that through the
intercessions of St. Nicholas
you will guide and protect our children.

Keep them safe from all harm
and help them grow to become
loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.

Give them strength to always mature
into deeper faith in you,
and to keep alive joy in your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Our Advent

2011-12-05T06:38:00.001-05:00

I should be more prepared for it. It comes at the same time every year, but it always takes me by surprise! It's as if I go to bed on Halloween....and the next thing I know, I wake up and it's Advent already! How does that happen? Didn't we just do this?

Oh well. I love this time of year and I'm just glad it's here. I was somewhat ahead of the game this time, though. I actually didn't pack away the advent wreath like usual. Every single year I say to myself, "Nancy, DON'T pack away the Advent Wreath...you'll need that sooner than any of the other decorations". And every single year, I pack it away. Then, I have to go digging through all six boxes and it's always in the last one I try! Not this time. Haha!....I just put on the shelf in my closet and was able to go right to it! Whew! That was a load off my mind.

There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate the season of Advent. I've spent hours reading blogs and visiting special websites. I've copied, bookmarked, and printed tons of ideas. I wish I had the time and money to try them all. The thing is, if I did try them all...or...did more than I do....I might miss the meaning of these special activities. It's taken me many years to realize that I can't do everything! I want our family to grow in faith and love as we anticipate the birth of the Savior!

As my kids get older, it's harder to keep them focused on anything but what's under the tree on Christmas morning. They are kids that live in a world that is very "me" focused and full of all the material things you could possibly dream of. As Catholics, it's my job to understand and teach my children that while we live "in" the world, we are not "of" it. Setting limits and making decisions ahead of time really helps.

Even as an adult, I can easily become overwhelmed. When I take my focus off of Christ, my 3 page list of things to get done...remains just that...things to be done. When I focus on EMMANUEL, God WITH us....I can then enjoy the preparation and the traditions. I still have my list of things to do, but I can do them with a sense of anticipation and a sense of purpose.

We do very few things for Advent...but they are meaningful and the kids love them. We added one new thing this year and the jury is still out on whether or not we will make it an annual part of our season. Here's what we do:

1. Advent Wreath: This is the second year in a row we are using real candles for our wreath. In the past, we've used a fabric one that worked just fine. We light the candle each night and read a short meditation. We've allowed Nathan the privilege of lighting it! It allows him to feel important as an up and coming "man" of the house and the girls look at him in "awe" as he maneuvers the lighter.

2. Advent Calendar: It's tradition in our family that my mother-in-law bring us an Advent Calendar.
While we love to open the window and see the symbol or read the scripture passage...there was always a fight as to which one of the kids was going to open the door. You've got to know that in my house EVERYTHING is a competition! So, to combat the arguing, I found these calendars on sale at Hobby Lobby! I bought 3 so that everybody had there own. As a matter of fact, these actually have pieces of chocolate behind the doors! I also bought one without the chocolate....just because I thought the picture was gorgeous!

3. Jesse Tree: This is the one thing that we added this year! I've always wanted to have a Jesse Tree but I've just never taken the time. About two weeks ago, I found a pattern for the ornaments that really looked easy and doable for me! Once I printed them out, added the backing, colored them and then got the laminated, it was easy. I found the pattern here. Since these pictures were taken, I've also punched holes at the top and used ribbon for hanging. I've decided not to have a separate tree....we'll just hang them on our Christmas tree.

4. Christmas Countdowns: Although the following little activities are technically "Advent Calendars", I call them countdowns because there is no scripture reading involved. These are just a couple of fun things that I've found through the years that make it exciting for the kids. The first picture is of a freebie from Simple Schooling. They are currently doing a series called "The 12 Days of Freebies". The second photo is of a magnet nativity scene. Each day you put out a new piece.

Another tradition we have is that we purchase a new family ornament every year! I usually get them at large annual Christmas craft show called Christmas Made in the South! This is the ornament that I chose for 2011:

We also love handmade ornaments. I made this cross several years ago. I bought a kit and as it turned out, these ornaments were much harder to make than I thought. So a dear friend finished them for me. This is the only one I made! And this year I found a coloring book with these stained glass looking pages. We used markers instead of crayons. I think they turned out nice!

Happy 2nd week of Advent, my friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:24:00.000-05:00

I was up at 5:30 this morning! It must be the excitement of the day because I hadn't planned on putting Tom Turkey in the oven until 10am! But, since I was up.....I baked a dutch apple pie, made the stuffing, prepared the turkey...got him stuffed and buttered and in the oven at 8:00am! The dishes are done and the mashed potatoes/gravy/green beans and rolls will be taken care of much later. I still have to set the table, though....but I'm pacing myself! We'll eat earlier than I had planned, but that's OK...the day is ours.

Thankfully, the kids are in a good mood! I think Amelia might be coming down with something. She said her head hurts really bad and she has a stuffy nose. She feels a little warm to me, but I haven't actually taken her temp yet. Let's hope for the best.

Right now (8:15am), everyone is eating breakfast and the kids are watching an episode of Power Rangers Samurai (sigh). We'll watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade later. My plan is to eat at about 2pm...then we may take a ride out to the beach! The weather is nice....50 degrees right now will most likely be in the 70's this afternoon.

Whatever your plans are....Have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!

Great Cranberry Recipe!

2011-11-22T16:02:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law makes the BEST cranberry relish/jello you have ever tasted! Seriously! Just in case you were looking for something a little different, I wanted to share the recipe so you would still have time to make it. Here goes...

1 pound fresh cranberries
rind from one whole orange (grated)
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water
1 (3 1/2 oz) package lemon gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 cup drained canned crushed pineapple

Put cranberries and orange rind through a good processor until finely ground. In a large bowl, mix together the cranberries, orange rind, orange juice, lemon juice and sugar. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours (I chill it overnight). Soak 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin in 3 tbsp cold water. Dissolve lemon gelatin in boiling water. Add to the cranberry mixture along with the soaking unflavored gelatin. Add crushed pineapple. Refrigerate until firm. Serve.

I usually allow two days for this. I have also doubled the recipe in the past...especially if cooking for a crowd. Instead of a mold...I just use a pretty glass bowl. I've had many times where it didn't set up properly. You can also add one more packet of the unflavored gelatin...just for good measure.

Enjoy!

My Menu!

2011-11-21T18:05:00.002-05:00

This year, we will be having Thanksgiving dinner here at home with just the 5 of us! Usually, we all go to my sister-in-law's house and I'm responsible for hors d'oeuvres and a relish tray. Sometimes I would also contribute a pie. It seems that we've gotten into a bit of a rut, and all of us wanted to change things up a bit. If the truth be told, I really wanted to go AWAY for Thanksgiving! My idea was to go someplace north of here....like Tennessee, Virginia or north of Atlanta. However, there was no money in the piggy bank for such a trip (wouldn't ya know it!). So...here we are.

The good news is that our house will smell wonderful on Thursday and we'll have lots of left overs! Here's our menu....pretty darn traditional:

Roasted Turkey: I debated about frying it....but I'm craving comfort food that's familiar. I bought a 22 lb turkey this year! It's BIG, I know, but I plan on making turkey pot pies and turkey soup to freeze!

Stuffing: I use the Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix...it's easy and it was on sale (BOGO) at my local Winn Dixie! I usually add sausage....just because everyone likes it! I've been known to add craisins and/or apples...but this year, I'm sticking to the basics. By the way, I do stuff the turkey (both ends) and bake some in a casserole dish too.

Mashed Potatoes: I always make my mashed potatoes with half & half and real butter! They are to die for!

Gravy: Self explanatory! I do not use the giblets.....those go to the cats!

Green Beans: I steam the green beans first, then saute them with bacon and caramelized onions. Love these!

Dinner Rolls: Just your standard "brown and serve" rolls from the grocery store.

Pies: I'm making one Pumpkin Pie, but, I bought two Marie Calendar frozen pies (pecan and dutch apple). The MC pies were another BOGO deal at Winn Dixie!

I will serve wine for myself and Dan while the kids will get sparkling cider!

Hopefully, we'll spend the day watching the parade, some football, maybe a board game or two. Then, after dinner....as many Christmas movies as we can stay awake for!

Friday will be my annual trip to the Christmas Made in the South craft show! Then, it's time to gather all of our Advent supplies...candles, calendars and such. Of course, we'll be waiting for Clive to arrive sometime this weekend!

What are your plans?

Wordless Wednesday....Summer in November addition!

2011-11-16T06:49:00.000-05:00

SIGH.....

Where's the peace?

2011-11-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of chaos? For about a year or so, my life has been in a state of chaos. It's been mostly of the spiritual and mental kind, but the physical kind has reared it's ugly head on a number of occasions.

I have suffered with panic/anxiety attacks for most of my life, but most recently, the way they manifest themselves has changed....less often....but more intense. After some dietary changes that included some natural supplements that didn't do much to help, it was decided that a change in medication was definitely in order. Honestly, I haven't noticed a difference. As a matter of fact, where some places were almost always "safe" from the anxiety (church and work), I have begun to be struck even in those places!
It's frustrating and quite burdensome. I mean, imagine being at Universal Studios....in front of thousands of people....feeling like I was having a heart attack! After an hour or so in the first aid station....and a wheelchair ride back to the parking lot.....I was feeling better. Embarrassed, but better. Then, imagine attending a dear friend's funeral. She and I were diagnosed with breast cancer around the same time. I chose the traditional treatment route...she chose an alternative. While I was too scared NOT to go the way of traditional chemo, she was very happy and very comfortable with her decision. Her cancer recurred and spread. I made it through the vigil and rosary just fine. However, while watching her casket come down the aisle of the church....I lost it! I suddenly couldn't breathe! I felt a terrible urge to RUN! I'm told it's a "fight or flight" response. Whatever it was, I left the church with cold, clammy hands....my heart beating so fast I thought it would pop out of my chest and nausea. I almost drove myself to the E.R.....seriously. Instead, I skipped the funeral reception and went straight home....to bed!

The chaos is not limited to my anxiety attacks. It also lives in the twenty thousand hoops I'm having to jump through with my kids back in school....it lives in the 5 days of work I must do in 3 days (at my place of employment) and still keep up....it lives in the endless money struggles that force me to use coupons and keep them organized....it lives in the laundry piles and the moldy grout in my bathroom. It lives in the undone crafts and seasonal/liturgical activities that look so good on paper but we never seem to be able to find the time to do. It lives in the constant worry of the cancer returning, helping to complete homework, giving my husband the time and intimacy that he deserves.

Where is the peace? Does it even exist?

Spiritually, I have felt uneasy for quite some time. On top of everything else, sin can add it's own chaos. As a result, I've avoided the confessional. I thought that by not thinking about or addressing my transgressions, it would save me additional stress. Ha ha, God is so funny!

Saturday, I was at my wits end. After suffering a horrible anxiety attack while DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I decided that enough was enough! I am done with this! Done, I tell ya!

I got up yesterday with a purpose! Since Nathan was serving mass, we had to be there early. I took the opportunity to go to confession. I didn't really feel like dealing with it, but I knew that I could not go another day! I felt that if I spent too much time doing an examination of conscience, I'd walk right out the door. So, I got on my knees and asked the Holy Spirit to bring to mind everything that needed to be confessed. I held my breath...and went in. I told him everything! I told him about my short temper with my kids and my husband. I told him about my judgemental tendencies, I told him about my recent despair. He listened and smiled....and reminded me that I am not alone! He reminded me that God is in the chaos! He is there in my fear and anxiety. He is there in the midst of my laundry and moldy grout. He see me when I'm overwhelmed with household duties and work commitments. Father also lovingly reminded me that if I have been feeling distant from God...it was not because God had moved away from me. On the contrary, it was I that had moved away from Him.

Ouch!

Wanna know what I found in that confessional? The peace I had been searching for. Father kindly reminded me of the blessing of Perpetual Adoration that our parish offers! Imagine that! Jesus is there for me...Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity...24 hours a day, 7 days a week and I seldom find any extra time to visit. He gave me some wonderful advice! He said, "Nancy, go sit with Our Lord. I don't want you to say anything. Don't even worry about praying. Just sit. Be with Him." And you know what...I did!

Today, I left 10 minutes early to pick up the kids from school. Instead of getting in the maddening car line that haunts me....I parked the car and went into the Adoration Chapel. I had about 15 minutes of quiet solitude. I tried not to thing about anything and just keep my mind and heart clear and open to whatever God wanted to do. A few times, my mind wandered to the things I needed to get done (costumes for Nathan's choir program on Thursday and the meatloaf I was making for dinner)....but when I realized it...I would stop and clear my mind again.

Dan came home to a peaceful house, a more calm wife and happier kids. Before bed, we said a decade of the rosary and then watched a short movie.

Things aren't perfect. When I walked into the girls' room to tuck them in.....I was greeted by dress up clothes all over the floor and the box of crayons spread out across the room. I let it go....even though I broke the yellow-green one on the way out. So their room is a mess....big deal! It will get cleaned up and messed up at least another 2000 times before they move out! Someday, they'll have kids of their own and be frustrated just like I am.

For now, I'm just pleased as punch to have some peace back into my life. I don't know how long it will last, but I know where to go to get filled back up again!

Sharing some favorites.....

2011-11-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

Over the last few weeks, I've come across some fantastic tidbits on the internet! I thought it was time to share a few with you....

1. 22 Holiday Children's Craft Projects: These are sooo cool! I especially love the Snow Globe Ornament and the Leaf Lanterns!

2. Are you in the mood for some soup? Doesn't this Winter Minestrone look delicious? Adding in the Italian Sausage will definitely appeal to may kids!

3. How about a "blog hop" called "Ten Days of.....". Everything from 10 Days of Crock Pot Cooking to 10 Days of Winning your Child's Heart! Tons and Tons of goodness here! It started on November 7th and concludes on the 18th! Enjoy!

4. It's that time of year again...St. Nicholas Day is only 25 days away! Are you ready? Visit the St. Nicholas Center for all of your celebration needs!

5. Another great site is "O Night Divine"....they haven't begun for this year yet but you are free to peruse the site and check out the archives. Look for their site to updated right after Thanksgiving!

6. Speaking of Thanksgiving, are you interested in the REAL First Thanksgiving? Why was I never taught about this when I was in school? And this actually brings up another good question....what else are they lying to us about? Never mind...don't answer that! BTW...here is another good article!

7. Apples, apples, apples and more apples!!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

I Surrender....

2011-11-03T06:50:00.000-04:00

There have been times in the life of my marriage and motherhood where I have felt extremely empty. It's as though I have given and given and given to the point where there is just nothing left. Actually, if I'm truly honest, it isn't so much that I've given, given, given....it's more like it's been taken, taken, taken. Do any of you know what I mean? Is this making any sense? Sometimes it seems as though I have nothing left to give or offer. I'm at my wits end and close to the point of packing my bags and taking a long vacation....somewhere without husbands, kids or responsibilities.

I know that part of the problem is that in the midst of all the chaos, I have not left any room for God. He has been pushed outside of my line of sight, along with the laundry and the tufts of dog hair that roll along the kitchen floor as I rush by. Something is missing. Something is definitely missing!

As I've been eagerly waiting my copy of Judy Dudich's book " I Surrender...", I've been drawn to a passage that I read when she first published her E-book sometime ago.....

"If we are to be a house that serves the Lord, then we must begin by joyfully serving each other! We must surrender our own desires and our own needs to ask God to fill us instead, with a desire to show our family how much they are loved and appreciated."

Today, there are no other words more appropriate for me! Imagine that, allowing God to "fill me" instead of running on empty constantly, or, expecting my husband or children to fill up the space in me that is meant for God alone.

My goal for this wonderful month of November (along with remember loved ones who have died) is to look to God to fill me up rather than looking to my family to fill the needs that only HE can fill. I'm going to concentrate on surrendering to the Holy Will of God all those areas of my life that belong to Him.

If you are on Facebook, look for Judy's "I Surrender" Book Club. We will start reading Chapter One in the next week or so and then discussing it together! I really need this right now. How about you?

All Soul's Day

2011-11-02T00:18:00.001-04:00

Join me today in remembering those who have gone before us.....

Michael Gerald Corniola
Judith Dianne Maxcy Corniola
Louise Damonte
Emil Damonte
Joseph Corniola
Millie Corniola
Joseph Clower Maxcy
Connie P. Rather
Joanne McRee
Clare Widener
Rachel Widener
All Widener babies lost before birth
John and Alice Christian
George Langton
All deceased members of the Widener Family
All deceased members of the Langton Family
All deceased members of the Corniola Family
All deceased members of the Damonte Family
All deceased members of the Dorenzo Family
All deceased members of the Maxcy Family
Margaret Neill
Robert DeLemos
Jeffrey Harmon
Roberta Allen
Patty Bennett
Pete Royal
Joan Lawlor
Mary Fuhrman
Joan Fuhrman Wright
Frank Caputo
Adam Ryan
Charlie Boreani
Celia Bispo
Norm & Jo Bowser
Everett & Louise Provost

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope
that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

All Saint's Day....etc...etc...etc...

2011-11-01T09:02:00.001-04:00

Nathan has been working on a "Saint" project for the last several weeks. Included in the grade for this project was completing (and wearing) a costume representing that particular saint for the All Saint's Day Parade that is the tradition at Assumption Catholic School! The 5th graders got to pick their saint out of a hat. Please meet.....drum roll please.....St. Lawrence O'Toole!

I can take NO credit for this um...um...."saintliness"! Nathan and Dan did the whole thing! Apparently, Dan was looking at a particular picture that he was trying to recreate. Keep in mind, I think my husband is color blind...he doesn't think so. Here's the photo of the look he was trying to capture:

See the ~~orange and red~~ yellow and orange miter? See the flowery patterned cope? See the pale green vestments? Well, anyway, you get the picture. By the way, I'm quite sure St. Lawrence O'Toole wore shoes

The girls, on the other hand were easier. However, did drive all over Jacksonville looking for plain black material. Apparently, so close to Halloween....there wasn't any left. So, I was left with dark blue habits for my two saintly nuns. May I introduce you to St. Rita and St. Mary Soledad.....

Can you tell from this picture which one was St. Rita? I'll give you a hint, she got to wear a teeny, tiny bit of make up this morning...and she was thrilled! St. Rita, of course, is the Patron Saint of Hopeless Causes.

Here is St. Mary Soledad (who took care of the sick and infirmed....hence the first aid kit because I couldn't come up with anything better) and her second grade teacher, Mrs. Bradley!

Here are a few more pictures from things ~~I've never gotten around to blogging about~~ we've done during the month of October!

Birthday gifts from Aunt Kathy!! Thank You...we love you!!!

Soccer Sisters!

Olivia and her coach!

Happy 6th Birthday, Olivia!!

Sometimes, when you get scared at night, sisters are the best medicine!

Mom making candy corn treats for Olivia's classroom!

They were a lot harder to make than I first thought!

I finished...all 18 of them (5 cookies in each bag!)

Looking forward to a wonderful November!

Sweather!

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

"Sweather" is my new term for "sweater weather"! This is my new favorite word! Does anybody know who we contact to have it added to Webster's??

Although it will warm up considerably as the sun comes up....I'm thankful for this rare natural air conditioning.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this break in the hot weather! I know that I spend a lot of time complaining about how hot it is here in Florida. Forgive me for those times when I take the warmth of your sun and the beauty of your ocean for granted. Please be with those that are unable to protect themselves from this cold! Thank you for all that you provide. Amen.

Reading List

2011-10-18T22:12:00.000-04:00

Over the last several days, I think I've received at least 20 holiday catalogs. I'm not really sure how I get on these lists, but they are fun to browse through and dream about the things I would purchase....if I ever won the lottery! Now, don't get me wrong, I would give the majority of it away, but I would most definitely spend some on myself! Well, wouldn't you?

My favorite catalog of all of them is the Fall 2011 Ignatius Press (Books, Films, Art, Music, Audio)! I could go nuts with this one! I don't think I will ever live long enough to read all the books on my list.
Here are some of the books I've put on my "Reading Bucket List":

The Father's Tale -A Novel by Michael D. O'Brien

Mother Teresa of Calcutta: A Personal Portrait - 50 Inspiring Stories Never Before Told by Msgr. Leo Maasburg

What To Do When Jesus is Hungry - A Practical Guide to the Works of Mercy by Fr. Andrew Apostoli

In Defense of Sanity -The Best Essays of G.K. Chesterton, selected by Dale Ahlquist, Joseph Pearce, and Aidan Mackey

Ida Elisabeth - A Novel by Sigrid Undset

The Song at the Scaffold - A Novel by Gertrud von le Fort

The Threefold Garland - The World's Salvation in Mary's Prayer by Hans Urs von Balthasar

Gangland to Promised Land - One Man's Journey from the Criminal Underworld to Christ by John Pridmore

The Life of the World to Come by Abbot Vonier

God in Action - How Faith in God Can Address the Challenges of the World by Francis Cardinal George

Why Catholics are Right by Michael Coren

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers - Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity by Dr. Meg Meeker

Padre Pio Under Investigation - The Secret Vatican Files by Francesco Castelli

Poor Banished Children - A Novel by Fiorella de Maria

New Proofs for the Existence of God - Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy by Fr. Robert J. Spitzer

Money, Greed, and God - Why Capitalism Is the Solution and Not the Problem by Jay W. Richards
An Exorcist Tells His Story by Fr. Gabriele Amorth

No Price Too High by Alex Jones and Diane Hanson

The Face of God by Paul Badde

Benedictus - Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

Images of Hope - Reflections of Major Feasts by Cardinal Ratzinger

Called to Communion by Cardinal Ratzinger

Priestblock 25487 - A Memoir of Dachau by Jean Bernard

Sacred Blood, Sacred Image - The Sudarium of Oviedo by Janice Bennett

With Us Today - On the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist by John Hardon

Healing Fire of Christ by Fr. Paul Glynn

Mother Benedict - Foundress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis by Antoinette Bosco

From Slave to Priest - The Inspirational Story of Fr. Augustine Tolton by Sister Caroline Hemesath

The Grunt Padre - The Servant of God Fr. Vincent Capodanno by Fr. Daniel L. Mode

No Turning Back - A Witness to Mercy by Fr. Donald Calloway

A Memory For Wonders by Mother Veronica Le Goulard

Brave New Family by G.K. Chesterton

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker

The Wonders of Lourdes - 150 Miraculous Stories of the Power of Prayer to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady's Apparitions by Most Rev. Jaques Perrier, Bishop of Lourdes

Our Lady of Kibeho by Immaculee Ilibagiza

Wow! How many is that anyway? Like I said, I'll never live long enough to read all of these but some of them just sound so good! If anyone out there in bloggy land has read any of these, I'd love to hear about it!

Right now I am reading a novel called Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant. It's pretty good, but I'm eager to see if I can find any of the above in ebook format. I just LOVE my Nook! It goes with me everywhere! I think I'm going to look for one of those "bookshelf" gadgets to place on my sidebar so I can keep track.

I'm very excited about spending the next few months curling up with a good book, having my family close by, celebrating holidays and enjoying the cold weather (please God, give us some cold weather!).

What are you reading?

Happy Birthday to my baby!

2011-10-16T11:52:00.000-04:00

Happy 6th Birthday to my little Olivia! I love you, my big girl!!

Better!

2011-10-12T18:43:00.000-04:00

The sting of the last few days has worn off. I'm feeling a lot less defensive and a lot less stressed about the whole thing! To tell you the truth, I think I've been looking for an "incident" to complain about since we've been back in school. I guess I needed some other reason to be angry that we're not homeschooling anymore. I've been looking for some reason to be able to say, "See, it was a bad idea to send them back to school....I was right...we should have continued to homeschool....see, I was RIGHT!" Apparently, I've made this all about me....and really, it's about Amelia.

So what if she's behind the other kids in her class with reading! Big deal! She'll catch up, eventually. I really shouldn't care what this teacher thinks anyway. It makes no difference. Judy was right, let's pretend she went to school last year....so? It doesn't mean she would be reading any better than she is. Not every child is a good reader. Each of my kids has their own unique strengths and gifts. Socially, Amelia is much more advanced than some of the kids in her class. While doing well in socializing isn't going to get her a diploma someday, her attitude can play a huge part! I'm going to focus on encouraging her to read the things she LIKES and go from there.

As far as all the other "issues" this teacher has....I've decided to leave it alone until she brings it up again. If she does, then I will confront her face to face about her biased attitude and request that they pull Amelia out of her class and put her in one of the other 2nd grade classes.

For now, her reading goal for this 2nd quarter has been raised from 7 to 9 AR (Accelerated Reader) points. All we can do is get started and work towards that goal....one book at a time.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement! I sure wish that each of the commenters on this post could have been with me the morning of the parent/teacher conference! She wouldn't have known what to say!

I'll keep you all posted on Amelia's progress. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a great post that I read this afternoon over at Heart of the Matter. This post was written by Christine Hiester, a homeschooling mom of 4. The post title is "Doing or Being", Read it and give yourself a break.

Get ready for a Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway this weekend!

Pride and Anti Homeschooling!

2011-10-10T19:45:00.003-04:00

Tonight for dinner, I'm eating humble pie. Have you ever tasted it before? It's got a strange texture, and it's very hard to swallow. I hope it stays down because I can't imagine having to eat it again!

We had parent/teacher conferences today. Nathan is doing well...he has an "A" in every class except math (no surprise there) but he managed to eek out an 87. Olivia...she is also doing well. She's getting an "S" (satisfactory) in every subject. Amelia, on the other hand, is another story.

Amelia is having a lot of trouble with reading. At least, the school thinks so. I agree with them that she is not reading books that are at the second grade level, for the most part. She still likes to choose books with pictures and simple stories. Her favorites are the Berenstain Bears, Curious George and other picture books.

She has a tendency to anticipate what the word will be and shout it out BEFORE she actually reads it. It's as though she looks at the first few letters and decides what she thinks the word is. Here's an example....tonight, she and I were reading one of the Jigsaw Jones Mystery books. The sentence in the book was "Even worms and broccoli". She read "every worms and broccoli". I'm sure this is very common with early readers. In other cases, she'll add letters to words...for instance, the sentence was, "Joey wore glasses and, judging by the bird's nest on top of his head, he didn't own a comb", however, she read ".......by the bird's nesting on top of his head". At other times, she'll get to a word she doesn't know and just stop. She won't even attempt to sound it out.

Anyway, we have been offered some group tutoring at the school. Once or twice a week, she'll go with a couple of kids from her class and work on reading skills. Most recently, we were offered a one on one tutor with funds from Title I. She was given an assessment test and scored considerably lower than she should have based on age and grade. Dan and I are eager and willing that she get any and all help that she needs to meet the reading goals set by the school. We want her to enjoy reading and so I am trying to tread very lightly here so she doesn't become discouraged.

Here's the part where the humble pie comes in....

Today, I was confronted for the very first time in my life, with an educator who was definitely anti-homeschooling! It is as though I had abused my child. By the time I left, I felt about 2 inches tall. She told me....and I quote, "Amelia is not ready for second grade". She said that she only just found out that we had homeschooled last year and that she was surprised. She said she had also heard that homeschooled children usually did much better than kids that went to traditional school. She also mentioned that this had to be the reason why Amelia was having so much trouble quieting down in the mornings and assimilating into a large group setting! IS SHE OUT OF HER MIND?

I was stunned. In a nice way, I tried to explain to her that because our kids had started out in school and then homeschooled, we had some big adjustments last year. I told her that the beginning of the year was somewhat rough but that by the end, we were in a really good grove and Amelia was moving through her material very well and that we had her assessed at the end of the year by a public school teacher (yes, it was Dan's sister) and we were told that her reading was right at grade level.

She then informed me that since it was my first year of homeschooling, perhaps I had a learning curve too and....well....you know.....perhaps it wasn't the best year.

I guess it wasn't enough that I felt inadequate about homeschooling my kids all on my own, but now, I had to have one of their teachers tell me....in no uncertain terms....that I pretty much ruined my daughter and because of me, she really shouldn't be in second grade and will probably need to repeat it.

I'm so upset, I don't even know what to do! I'm ready to pull them all out of school and tell them all to go jump in a lake! My feelings are hurt, my pride is hurt and I'm steaming mad. Down in the debts of my soul, I knew that if one of them didn't do well in school this year, it would be my fault. I knew it would be because I wasn't disciplined enough, I wasn't organized enough, I wasn't smart enough to homeschool my kids. Apparently, I failed at homeschooling and I'm failing at motherhood.

The funny thing is...I CHOSE this teacher for Amelia! Yes I did! Out of the other two choices, this teacher was really the best one. How in the heck did it work out that THIS teacher is anti-homeschooling! How did that happen?

I can see now that Amelia will struggle all year. Amelia is "damaged goods" to her. It won't matter what things Amelia excels or fails at, it will be the fault of homeschooling....and I'll be the mother that failed her daughter. Sigh.

Pity party at my house, want to come?

St. Faustina, pray for us!

2011-10-05T08:02:00.001-04:00

Celebrating the Feast Day of St. Faustina today!

I remind you, My daughter, that as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over justice. My daughter, try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature, but above all from you, since it is to you that I have given the most profound understanding of this mystery. (1572)

October - My favorite month!

2011-10-03T22:31:00.000-04:00

I love October! Don't you? This is my absolute favorite time of year! Here in Florida, we don't get much of a fall and our winter only lasts about two weeks....but that doesn't usually start until February. Still, the weather here in Jacksonville has been THE BEST these past few days! I'm not kidding....they've been the "open all the windows" kind of days! This morning, it was 51 degrees outside! Nathan and Amelia whined about needing a jacket to go to school. My little Olivia, who is just like her momma, said she didn't need a coat!

On Saturday, the girls played outside ALL DAY! They built a fort, played on the swing set, chased the cats, picked pecans and tried to hide from the fire ants! I aired out the house by opening all the windows! It felt so good! I watched the cats chase butterflies and lounge in the shade of the trees. Dan brought out the hammock from the garage and took a nap! I ran around the house, cleaning, folding laundry, changing beds, put beef stew in the crock pot and enjoyed the energy that the cooler weather brought! The kids decided they wanted to have a "camp out", so my hubby put up the tent and made popcorn. Olivia came in the house about 10:00pm complaining of being scared....but the rest of them slept outside all night! I enjoyed the cool weather from the comfort of my bed (I'm not really a camper).

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. A dear friend has sent me some wonderful hand made items to give away in honor of this special month! You'll be hearing more about that in the days to come! I must admit though, I'm tired of the pink and all the talk about "awareness". I think, for the most part, everyone is "aware" of breast cancer. Heck, most people have been personally affected by it...either themselves or someone they know! I think we should begin to move away from the "awareness" aspect of the disease and start doing more for research or helping those with the disease to cope better on a daily basis. I've got lots of ideas I'd love to pass by you...stay tuned!

We also celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary this month! I love the rosary! Sometimes, as I sit and ponder all the evil in the world today, I begin to realize more and more that one of the greatest weapons we have against the enemy is the rosary! This is from "The Secret of the Rosary" by St. Louis De Monfort....from The Seventeenth Rose...."The heretics, all of whom are children of the devil and clearly bear the sign of God's reprobation, have a horror of the Hail Mary. They still say the Our Father but never the Hail Mary; they would rather wear a poisonous snake around their necks than wear a scapular or carry a rosary". All the more reason to make saying the rosary a part of our daily prayer time!

There are lots of other Feast Days this month.....St. Francis of Assisi (4th), St. Faustina (5th), St. Gerard (16th) and Blessed John Paul II (22nd) just to name a few! Why not take a few minutes each day and read about each Saint, ask for their protection and favor!

Enjoy your October!

Finally, some relief!

2011-10-01T08:13:00.001-04:00

Now THIS is what I'm talkin' about!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday!

2011-09-28T05:57:00.002-04:00

Disclaimer: This is NOT Florida!

Picture Post

2011-09-26T20:48:00.000-04:00

I'm behind in posting pictures so here goes....

Exclamation Cookies...to show our excitement for the first day of school!

They were shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate!

My kindergartner - Olivia!

Amelia - 2nd Grade

Nathan - 5th Grade

The girls were playing "Pin the Tail on the Donkey"...Amelia fell asleep in the mask!

Universal for Nathan's Bday weekend - Bubba Gumps!

Our day begins!

City Walk, Universal Orlando.

Emeril's and Margaritaville!

Islands of Adventure

Hard Rock Cafe - The Colosseum

Hogwart's

Dr. Seuss in the shrubs.

Dr. Seuss Trees

Daddy and his girls.

The Rump.

Sinbad's Lost World

Hogwart's Express

Inside Ollivander's. Nathan got a Harry Potter wand! (that's not him)

Too hot to do anything but play in the water in Toon Town.

Nathan's sword for the Fraternus Challenge

There are more pictures, but for some reason Blogger is not cooperating tonight! That's it for now. See you soon!

Autumn/Fall Thematic Unit

2011-09-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for something fun and different to do with your kids, check out this seasonal thematic unit with SchoolExpress! I've been a subscriber to their newsletter for over a year and I love it!

Last year, we did a quick unit on Pumpkins! The kids seemed to enjoy it and we learned some interesting facts that we didn't know. As a matter of fact, after learning more about pumpkin vines, we realized that we had some growing in our backyard! Apparently, after carving our pumpkins several years ago, Dan had thrown out all the seeds and "guts". Fast forward to last year....some of those seeds had sprouted! Imagine that! We never got any pumpkins out of it....but it inspired us to plant and nurture some of our seeds THIS year!

Anyway, check out this FREE Autumn/Fall thematic unit by clicking here! Be sure to download it by 10/1/11! And don't forget to sign up for the SchoolExpress newsletter (you can do that by clicking HERE)!

Enjoy!

***Just so you know, SchoolExpress did not ask me to review this item or promote their services in ANY way! I'm simply sharing this with you because I LOVE this company and the services they offer!**

She's Alive!

2011-09-19T20:33:00.000-04:00

I thought I would post an update.....for the two or three of you that still read this blog! I'm sorry I've been so bad about posting, but, our lives are very busy right now. Just to quickly update you....

1. The girls are playing soccer! Their practices are at different times...and different days! Thankfully, their games are on Friday nights so Dan and I can each watch a game and have them covered. Nathan has choir practice on one day and they all have Rosary Club on Wednesdays. It's been a chore to keep up with shin guards, cleats, song sheets and rosaries.

2. We are still getting used to the homework situation. Nathan and Amelia have homework every night! Olivia (Kindergarten) only has it about 3 nights a week. I have to make sure that I check each back pack every night just to make sure I'm not missing something. Also, if there is a school notice that goes out...I usually get the same notice THREE times! Therefore there is lots of paper flying around here!

3. I've had a set back at Weight Watchers.....but I'm working on it! Enough said!

4. Dan's Godmother passed away recently. She was 80 years old but in bad health. While her death was expected, she and Dan were very close. RIP, Jule!

5. While I hesitated for several months, I finally gave in and read "The Help". It was a good book but it seemed to drag on and on. I'm told the movie is really good and so I plan to see that as soon as I can.

6. Dan gave me my Christmas/Birthday present a few months early! I am now a proud owner of a brand new Nook! I mulled over the Nook versus Kindle thing for several weeks and finally decided on the Nook. So far, I'm very happy with it! Since I can read magazines and newspapers (as well as library books), I've decided that by purchasing this new gadget...I'm also decluttering my house! If you could see my bookshelves....you'd know what I was talking about. Anyway, it was very reasonably priced, although, I did not purchase the one with all the bells and whistles! It's less bulky than carrying around a book and so far, the machine itself keeps track of what page I'm on....so no more bent, shredded, folded or missing book marks!

7. Spiritually, I've been in a bit of a dry spell lately. It's funny how sometimes I feel like an outsider looking in on my life. I could give anyone advice on what to do during the "desert" experiences that all of us inevitably have......but I can't seem to think of a single thing when it's actually ME in the arid dryness! My wonderful friend, Judy from Benmakesten, had some words of wisdom for me recently and she really helped me to see how the enemy can slip in...unnoticed! It is during these times when I truly identify with the Footprints in the Sand poem! I know that right now, when He seems so far away from me, it is the time when He is holding me the closest!

I promise to be better about posting! I have lost of pictures that need to upload and I have some homeschooling materials that I'd like to put up for sale! I hope to get back to regular posting soon! Thanks for hanging in there...I miss you guys!

Tid Bits

2011-09-01T21:18:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done a "favorites" post. I've not had much time for blogging lately. The kids are well into the routines of traditional school, but I'm finding it hard to get back into the swing of things. It's a lot to keep track of, but we're managing to keep our heads above water! This is a good thing! The bad news....I have over 1000 posts in my Google Reader (AGAIN)! How does this happen?
I refuse to just press the "delete all" button because I'm afraid I might miss something very important! So, I'll spend my free time during this holiday weekend (read that....at night when everyone is in bed) catching up on what you all are doing!

In the mean time, I wanted to share with you a couple of quick links that you might find helpful or interesting:

1. I receive regular emails and updates from the wonderful website called CurrClick. Today, I saw a really nice copy work packet on pumpkins (right in time for fall) for only 50 cents! You have got to go check it out! They have a product preview on most items so you can look at the material before you purchase it...you can even turn the pages! If you look through their index....you could be there for hours! Lot's of free stuff too!

2. Lacy over at Catholic Icing has a wonderful post up today on "creating schedules" with a link up called "Well Ordered Days: Honoring God in the Details"! I am not an organized person...never have been and that's probably not going to change much. However, I think it's important to have routines and I even believe that it's beneficial to make lists (even if you never use them)! I do want to honor God in my state in life. I really enjoyed reading about the schedules that these other moms have. Thank you Lacy! If you have a schedule that works for you....go link it up!!

3. If you are a member of Catholic Mothers Online, you need to see Angie's post about blog hackers! Please make sure you have the correct coding for linking to CMO! It only takes a minute and it could save you a headache later on!

4. I tried a new fruit smoothie the other day....and I'm hooked! Since being back on Weight Watchers (I've lost a total of 20.6 lbs thank you very much!), I've been struggling to get in all of my fruit/veges servings in a day. These smoothies have helped me to do just that! Although it's 8 points to drink the entire bottle.....it is well worth it! My favorite so far is the Green Machine! You have got to try these!

5. Last week, I watched the movie, "Karol: The Man Who Became Pope" on EWTN! I can honestly say that this was one of the BEST movies I have ever seen! Truly! The sequel called, "Karol - The Pope, The Man" was also excellent! This is a great family movie (although, there are some parts that show the brutality of the Nazi regime) and I think it is a great way to learn about the life of Blessed John Paul II!

6. Another family movie that I can recommend to you is Soul Surfer! This is the true story of a young lady who was the victim of a shark attack while surfing and lost her arm. We rented this through the "on demand" feature from our cable company. You usually get access to the movie for 48 hours. I can't tell you how many times we watched this movie in that time frame! My girls LOVED it! You will really enjoy it!

7. As long as we are on the subject of t.v./movie programming, I have a few others that I would highly recommend. The National Geographic channel aired an awesome interview with former President George Bush this week. It's called "George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview". In this interview, President Bush recalls the events surrounding that fateful day. It is scheduled to re-air on Saturday, September 3rd at 10pm. You can also catch the entire episode on YouTube, but I believe you have to watch it in several parts. Excellent!

8. And lastly, the Discovery Channel is airing a series called "Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero". I've watched the first three episodes and it is very well done and worth watching. While they obviously make reference to the awful events of 9/11, the focus of this series is truly on the REBUILDING! It's awesome and I think this would be appropriate for all family members. It's a testament to the resiliency of the American spirit. To me, it's the epitome of patriotism.

O.K. I'm done for now. Enjoy your holiday weekend!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-31T00:18:00.001-04:00

Update!

2011-08-25T21:04:00.001-04:00

I should have gone to meteorology school! Did I call this one or what? Totally bypassing Florida and aiming right for North Carolina and the Outer Banks.

We've been somewhat cloudy all day. As it turns out, there are some outer rain bands from the storm that are reaching us. The forecast calls for "breezy" conditions tomorrow. Obviously there will be high surf and major rip currents, and probably some beach erosion. But, North Florida has dodged the bullet...again! Phew!

We still need to pray for all that end up in Irene's path! At this very moment, she is a category 3 hurricane....very dangerous. If you are anywhere near her path and your local authorities are giving you instructions to either leave or begin protecting your life and property....PLEASE HEED THEIR WARNINGS!

We are praying for you!

Here we go again!

2011-08-21T12:59:00.000-04:00

Irene is getting stronger and more organized. The hurricane models are pretty close this time and Florida is in the cross hairs. Still, I think this storm will end up moving more north and then east and bypass us all together. I think the people who need to really watch this storm are those in the Carolina's. Either way, by the middle of the week, we should know more.

It looks like the Dominican Republic will be hit...again. I think those that live in the islands in that area have had quite enough of this! We need to pray for them!

Apparently, Saint Medard is one of the Saints we can look to for protection from bad weather.

Jesus Our Lord, Saint Medard served as a bishop during very difficult times, and his long life of spiritual leadership created a tremendous impression on the people. Because of his patronage against bad weather, we ask him to intercede for us during the storms of our lives as well as the storms in nature. Protect us and our homes. And Lord, help the victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Send in more helpers and multiply the supplies that are needed for their aid. You calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; deliver us from the storms that are raging around us now. Saint Medard, pray for us. Amen.

(adapted from Catholic Fire)

7 Quick Takes Friday (Saturday), Vol 5

2011-08-20T09:22:00.001-04:00

1. Well, the first full week of school is over! We got through it, but I am exhausted....and I mean that with every bit of sincerity I can muster! Because we've put them back in school, my work schedule has changed. Instead of working three 8 hour days, I'm working four 6 hour days. This may seem insignificant to some....but, trust me, this does major damage to the psyche! In addition to that, I have to deal with the car line twice a day now. Previously, Dan would take them to school and then I would pick them up. Now, I'm doing both! Our parish school is located directly next door to the church and to the local Catholic high school...and on a major street! Can you say "TRAFFIC JAM"! Thankfully, I've been able to find some patience lurking around inside of me and I've managed to not blow a gasket even though it's obvious that some of these parents have no brain!

2. The last few years (including our one homeschooling year), Nathan has played soccer and basketball. Since we couldn't afford for all three of them to do sports, the girls had to support their brother and just watch. This year, the girls are going to play soccer and Nathan will sit out. They are very excited! I'm just hoping that their practices are on the same day. In addition to the tuition, school supplies and uniforms.....soccer was $70.....EACH! Sigh.

3. We are going to allow Nathan to do Scouts! I hesitated because of the expense and the commitment, but this is something he's wanted to do for several years. He was a Tiger Scout at one time, but it didn't work out. At that time, it was one of the most disorganized groups I had ever seen. The leadership was awful. Things have changed significantly since then, and I think it will be a much better experience for everyone. He will be a Webelo.

4. As if I don't have enough to keep me busy....I'm also going to start a Little Flowers Girls Club with Amelia and her classmates! I have to get permission from our pastor and the principal first. Fr. Fred had agreed to allow me to do this several years ago...but then I ended up dealing with breast cancer and all that comes along with that. As it turns out, I think Amelia was a little too immature for the program and so as it turns out, I think she is much more ready now. I'm still trying to figure out which classes we should offer the program to....there are 3 Kindergarten classes, 3 1st Grades and 3 2nd Grades. That could potentially be A LOT of little girls. Because Olivia is in Kindergarten and because she is Amelia's little sister and will have to be everywhere with me....she will have to be involved and I don't know how that will look...for her to be there and then not opening it up to all Kindergarten through 2nd grade. If any of you have any experience with LFGC, please contact me and share you thoughts on this. Thanks.

5. Last night the kids were visiting some friends and so Dan and I had a night out. Since I'm doing Weight Watchers (lost almost 18 lbs already!!!), I ate a salad at home first and then we stopped at Cracker Barrel. Dan had dinner but I had dessert and some coffee! Then we went to Redbox and got a movie. We decided on The Conspirator since this is a movie that we've wanted to see and one that would probably not be appropriate for the little ones. When we got home, Dan switched on the "surround sound" (what is it with men and the need for movies to be so LOUD?). Since our bird's cage sits on top of the entertainment center, Dan decided to move the bird to Nathan's room (mistake #1) because he thought the loud noise might bother the bird. He set the cage on Nathan's desk (mistake #2) which is considerably lower than the top of the entertainment center. We also didn't close Nathan's door (mistake #3) because the kitten's litter box is in there. We decided to NOT close the cat up in Nathan's room...for obvious reasons. But, we figured that since the cat was asleep on the chair in the living room....everything would be OK (mistake #4). When the movie was over...Dan and I went to bed and totally forgot (mistake #5) about the bird. Everything was fine over night. HOWEVER, this morning while drinking my first cup of coffee, I heard a LOUD CRASH coming from Nathan's room. When I got there....the bird cage was laying on the floor....bird seed EVERYWHERE...the bird was hanging on for dear life UPSIDE DOWN and the cat was sitting on top of the cage, staring VERY INTENTLY at the bird! This was not good! It took me about an hour to get everything cleaned up, the bird cage fixed (it broke), the bird calmed down and the cat fed (cat food) so she would quit licking her chops as she stared at the bird! THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE! Imagine how Nathan would feel when he came home from his sleep over to find his bird had been eaten by his cat. The moral of this story is.....If you have a bird and a cat living in the same house....DO NOT get distracted by watching a movie with your husband for the first time in months and thereby letting the cat play with the bird!!! (P.S....the movie was really good!)

6. Today is the wedding day of a very close friend in California. This is one of the reasons why it is so hard to live far away from the place where I grew up. I won't be able to be with them today to share this special day. Congratulations Paul and Dana! May God bless you and give you many, many happy years together! I love you!

7. So far, I do not like ANY of the Republican candidates for president and the current Democratic choice is NOT ACCEPTABLE at all for another term. So tell me, what's a conservative, Catholic, Republican mom of 3 to do? Pray, Pray and Pray some more!

That's it for this week. Join Jen at Conversion Diary for more 7 Quick Takes!

Apologizing!

2011-08-11T23:37:00.000-04:00

There is no particular reason for my lack of blogging lately. I think it's a combination of a couple of things. For one thing, I've been concentrating on my eating habits a lot. Weight Watchers and I have a date every week! I've been journaling like a crazy woman, trying to keep track of every morsel I put into my mouth! I just wish I could lose it as fast as I can gain it!

Secondly, we've been getting ready for the kids to start school! Nathan went for a 4 hour orientation on Wednesday and the girls stayed home. Today, the girls had their orientation and Nathan stayed home! Tomorrow, everybody goes for the entire day! I have been filling out and signing forms, writing checks (sigh), putting special dates on the calendar, registering for soccer (the girls only), reading notes from the principal, the PE coach, the music teacher...and the computer teacher as well as signing up for the mandatory 15 volunteer hours each family has to do! It's been a whirlwind. I'm hoping that once the first full week starts, things will calm down.

Amelia told me she had to stand in the corner today! THIS WAS HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! She was there for F.O.U.R. hours! How can it be that my daughter would have to stand in the corner on the first day of school...for talking, no less!! Sigh...this is going to be a long year!

Today, after we visited their classrooms and left them in the very capable hands of their teachers....I cried. I cried because my kids won't be with me this year. I cried because I had to throw away the Catholic Heritage Curricula catalogue. I cried because we won't be homeschooling anymore. I cried because their teachers will get to see more of them than I do. I cried for all of it. Boy, did it feel good to cry! Apparently, I had been holding in a lot!

Hopefully, I won't be licking my wounds for much longer.

All is good!

2011-08-02T12:45:00.000-04:00

I had my annual mammogram this morning! Can you believe that I didn't tell you guys about it before hand? I can't either! I usually whine, snivel and agonize over it for days! This time, I asked God for peace and LET HIM GIVE IT TO ME! It's funny, I usually ask for peace and then worry anyway because a tiny part of me doesn't trust Him to take care of me...even if the results weren't good. This time, I decided to trust! The good news is that the results were "negative for malignancy"...but the better news is that, I trusted God! I didn't worry at all and I can tell you that the only time I felt even a tad bit anxious (actually, my teeth were chattering from nervousness) was AFTER I had the mammogram and was waiting for the radiologist to look at the digital films.

This was my first visit to the new Hill Cancer Center! They moved all of the mammogram facilities from the hospital to this new building. It's very nice. All new modern furniture and a flat screen TV that only plays peaceful music and serene landscapes with waterfalls and beautiful birds (I prefer Fox and Friends...but that's just me)! The gowns are also new....mauve instead of pink. I swear, when I walked into the waiting room, it looked like Mary Kay had thrown up in there! The old out-of-date magazines are still there though. Tsk, tsk.

In any case, I'm glad that's over for another year! Phew!

It's over!

2011-08-01T07:46:00.000-04:00

Well, our short stint without traditional school, is over! As most of you know, our kids will be back in our parish school as of Wednesday the 10th! A part of me is very sad! Trust me, it's not because our parish school is bad...on the contrary! I've always said that if my children can't be home with me, then Assumption Catholic School is where I want them! The reason why I am sad, is very simple....I'm a mother and I want to be with my children!

As much as I want to be able to control everything, I can't and the reason why they are going back to school is very much out of my control. So, I've had to really embrace this decision and to accept it as what's best for our family right now. Most days, I'm OK with it.

I know most homeschooling families are currently in the middle of selecting curriculum, ordering books, and getting their school rooms in order. Right now, I'm trying to make a list of resources that I plan to try and sell. I've had to throw away the CHC catalogue this year.....heartbreaking! Still, I'm moving on.

This year, Nathan will be in 5th grade! For the first time, he will have a locker, dress out for P.E. and change classes! This is an exciting step for him. He's very excited about being back in school and seeing his friends. However, he keeps asking me, "Mom, why can't we homeschool again? I'm going to miss you!" I think he's right at that slightly awkward stage where he wants/needs independence yet, he wants/needs his mom. I did my best to explain to him that for everything, there is a season and that we were blessed to have last year together and now, God has allowed a different path for this year.

Dan and I got a babysitter for last Friday night. We went out for dinner....ALONE! We talked and laughed! It was wonderful! After dinner, we went school supply shopping. After price comparing, we ended up at Walmart where we spent $134 on supplies for all three kids! We both thought the number would be closer to $200 and we were pleasantly surprised! Right now, our dining room table is spread out in three piles. Today, I will load up each backpack with new loot!

We also spent about $139 total at the uniform store! Nathan needed P.E. clothes and a new pair of uniform pants. The girls have plenty of skorts and shirts that still fit them. Everybody got new shoes, new socks and haircuts. As far as I can tell, we're ready, except for a run to Sam's for lunch box items.

The schedule is a little strange this year. For one thing, they get out an hour early EVERY Wednesday! I feel bad for parents who both work 40 hours or more a week! Thankfully, I work only 24 hours a week and so Wednesday will be my one day off so I can pick them up early. On Wednesday the 10th, Nathan has orientation from 8am to 12pm...the girls are home. Then, on Thursday the 11th...the girls have orientation from 8am to 12pm and Nathan stays home! Finally, on Friday, they all go for the entire day!
This will include the Kindergarten "BooHoo" breakfast for Olivia!

Amelia will be beginning 2nd grade which includes First Communion preparation! This will be a very special time. I know the teacher she will have will do her very best to prepare her spiritually. Right now, Amelia is in the middle of the "Me, Me, Me" stage and I'm looking forward to curbing that attitude. I'm hoping that this year will help her to see that she is not the center of the universe and that she needs to share her world with others!

All in all, I feel OK with where things are. I've been here before. We know the routine. I'm ready to jump through all of the hoops. I am so thankful that God allowed me to have this past year of homeschooling! It was truly a gift! I can't wait to see what wonderful things God has planned for this year!

Happy Blogoversary...

2011-07-25T17:57:00.000-04:00

.....to me! I just realized it when I read a comment from another reader (thank you, Teena in Toronto)! You'd think I would have noticed my own blogoversary button!

It's been three years! Here's to another three and many, many more!

BTW, this was my very first post!!

Prayers Please

2011-07-24T16:08:00.000-04:00

I need to ask for your prayers again. Another dear friend of mine F.M. was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. Please pray for all involved (including doctors and nurses). She is overwhelmed and very concerned about telling her small boys. I wish I could take all the worry from her, but I can't. But I know Someone who can!

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Blogging Friends

2011-07-23T07:46:00.000-04:00

A funny thing happened when I began blogging, I made some life long friends! Just this past week, I was able to meet one those online friends! She and her husband were traveling through my area and we made plans to meet for a meal! It was WONDERFUL! We ate at a lovely little crab shack at the beach on a gorgeous day! I wish I could share a picture with you, but we didn't take any. We were too busy chatting, sharing, eating snow crab and getting to know each other a little better!

I am so honored to be online friends with these three lovely bloggers and I would have LOVED to have been able to attend this little gathering! Wouldn't you?

In case I haven't told you all lately, I am very thankful for your encouragement, support, prayers and friendships! God has richly blessed me with knowing you! Thank you for sharing a little of your lives on line!
God is so good!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

2011-07-22T22:29:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture that can always make you smile*

I'm back from the "Photo Challenge" break! Here's something that can make me smile....ALL THE TIME!

I know what you're thinking....and yes, I KNOW Nutella is not Weight Watcher friendly. But, I'm OK with that. I can look at the picture, can't I?

You have GOT to see this!

2011-07-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

About an hour after I put the girls to bed, I went in to check on them. I do this because...well, they've been known to NOT stay in bed! Sometimes I find them wandering around their room in various stages of play. Tonight when I checked, they were both sound asleep! However, THIS is how I found Olivia......

Somehow, she got herself wedged in the laundry basket and fell asleep!

I was curious to see if she was really asleep or if she was just faking it!

Nope...she's really sleeping!

With her hands over her chest!

The Shepherd's Voice

2011-07-16T22:34:00.000-04:00

On one such occasion the Shepherd said to Much-Afraid, "When you continue your journey there may be much mist and cloud. Perhaps it may even seem as though everything you have seen here of the High Places was just a dream, or the work of your own imagination. But you have seen reality and the mist which seems to swallow it up is the illusion. Believe steadfastly in what you have seen. Even if the way up to the High Places appears to be obscured and you are led to doubt whether you are following the right path, remember the promise, 'Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left.' Always go forward along the path of obedience as far as you know until I intervene, even if it seems to be leading you where you fear I could never mean you to go.

Remember , Much-Afraid, what you have seen before the mist blotted it out. Never doubt that the High Places are there, towering up about you, and be quite sure that whatever happens I mean to bring up there exactly as I have promised." --Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard,( a portion of Chapter 14)

You have no idea how much comfort the Shepherd's words to Much-Afraid bring to me! For almost 16 years I have tried to get to the High Places and become Grace and Glory, but alas, I am still Much-Afraid. My companions, Sorrow and Suffering are still with me. However, I know that Joy and Peace are in the High Places, waiting for me!

Believe me when I tell you that this is one of the best books I have EVER read! My copy is worn and tattered. There are notes and prayers written in the margins, pages have been dog-eared and ripped. I have played out the scenes of the book in my mind like a movie, over and over. I KNOW what the Shepherd looks like, and I KNOW His voice. What I don't know is how in the heck I can still be in this place after 16 years! It's two steps forward, and three steps back. Why is God so patient with me?

"I am here, " said Much-Afraid, still kneeling at his feet, "and I will go with you anywhere." Then, the Shepherd took her by the hand and they started for the mountains.

Not sure

2011-07-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure what's going on with me. Something is, though. God is doing something. It has to be big because I haven't felt this uneasy in a long time. We have a history of this you know, God and I. It almost feels like a "warning" of sorts. Maybe "warning" isn't the right word. Hmmm. Perhaps "preparation" is better.

Physically, I feel worse than I've ever felt (and that's putting it mildly). Emotionally, I'm flat lined. Spiritually, I'm floating....and I don't mean "high". I'm just floating along, in no particular direction, with no particular goal.

I know that when I am in this place, I should be drawing closer to the Lord and His Mother. For some reason, I can't. I think I need them to draw closer to me this time.

Depression is a funny thing. It makes you feel as though you are stuck....like you can't move, when really all you want to do is to run.

"Fervently, I seek my God in the material things of heaven and earth, and I do not find Him. I seek the reality of Him in my own soul, and I do not find it. Yet I am determined to seek my God. In my yearning to understand and look into the invisible things of God by means of created things, I pour out my soul within me. I have no other purpose henceforth but to reach my God" --St. Augustine's Commentary on Psalm 41,8

"I call upon You, my God, my Mercy, my Creator. I had forgotten You, but You held me ever in Your sight" --St. Augustine's Confessions 13, 1

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 4)

2011-07-15T06:18:00.002-04:00

1. Going to a funeral today. We are laying to rest my good friend Patty B. I went to the vigil/rosary last night and it was a true celebration of her life! What an incredible woman! I thank God that He allowed our paths to cross. I am blessed to have known her. Rest in peace, Patty!

2. The kids have been attending Day Camp at our parish school for the last 3 weeks. They've really enjoyed it! Although I know they are safe and well taken care of there, it seems more like day care. I guess I was expecting something more like Vacation Bible School. Anyway, although it's costing us a fortune, Dan has pleaded with me to allow them to go for one more week. He really needs to work the extra hours as he has much to do at the schools to get them ready for the new school year to start. This goes against everything I feel in my heart, but I need to do this for my husband. Lord, help me to be supportive WITH a good attitude!

3. Gas prices are going up again! They had gotten down to $3.37 around here just two weeks ago and the price is now somewhere around $3.59 today. I wish I understood more about economics. The way the prices fluctuate makes it seem so arbitrary.

4. I can't believe the final installment of Harry Potter is finally here! I suppose it had to come to an end at some point. We have really enjoyed this series. For me, this was a true picture of good versus evil. Without giving anything away, let's just say that I'm glad it ended the way it did. I have found myself very attached to these characters. I will miss them.

5. I have gained so much weight over the last few months! I weigh more now than I EVER have! My doctor and I have discussed that it's really important that I lose some major lbs over the next few months. I wish I could afford Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem to jump start some weight loss for a few months. If I could lose about 40-50 lbs on one of those programs, I could then move to something less "extreme" (like Weight Watchers) to maintain. Anybody out there feel like sponsoring a "hefty" woman for a couple of months?

6. ALLERGIES!! Enough said!

7. I received the MARCH/APRIL issue of Homeschooling Today magazine (nothing like receiving it late!) yesterday! I wanted to share with you a poem that appeared in this issue...it touched my heart:

The Shepherd

by William Blake (1757-1827)

How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot!

From the morn to the evening he strays;

He shall follow his sheep all the day,

And his tongue shall be filled with praise.

For he hears the lamb's innocent call,

And he hears the ewe's tender reply;

He is watchful while they are in peace,

For they know when their shepherd is nigh.

Visit Jen at Conversian Diary for more Quick Takes.

You can't.....

2011-07-13T20:23:00.000-04:00

.....make this stuff up!

Cancer is just pure evil!

2011-07-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

I lost another dear friend today due to complications of breast cancer. I'm not sure I can do this anymore. In the last three months, I have lost three friends to this disease and another precious friend lost her father just last week. Today is one of those days where I've become somewhat angry at God. I don't get Him. Why?
Patty leaves 4 beautiful young children and a loving husband. I don't know what to do. I feel like crawling into a hole and just going to sleep.

Rest in peace, Patty. I know I will see you again someday! Say hello to Jesus for me.

Update in pictures!

2011-07-09T20:21:00.000-04:00

It's been very busy here in my neck of the woods lately. On top of that, I've been having some health issues (yes, again!). It seems that this is my life lately. Anyway, I'm 99% sure that the issues are NON cancer related, but I won't be completely sure until I see a few more specialists. So, please keep me in your prayers.

I had wanted to post about Father's Day, Independence Day and our new cat....but time just got away from me. So, instead, I'll just post some pictures to show you what we've been up to.

FATHER'S DAY

The kids and I decided we would make Daddy's present this year. I had this idea in the back of my mind from Family Fun Magazine (I think) and thought it was something we could pull off. I just went to Hobby Lobby and picked up 3 cardboard block letters and some paint. Here is what we did:

Each of the kids got a letter to paint in Daddy's favorite color (maroon). After everything was dry, we got cleaned up and went down to church to take a few pictures.

My handsome boy, Nathan.

Amelia

Little Olivia

Aren't they cute?

I am so blessed!

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament

Our Rosary Garden

Area for meditation

This is Shake n Bake. He showed up at church one day and has never left.

I think he's beautiful. We all just love him.

The bell tower.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

We were blessed to be able to spend this holiday with some wonderful friends! We had an incredible FEAST at their house and then were treated to a fireworks extravaganza! Thank you, Susan! We had a blast...literally!

That's it for now. Will be back to posting regularly again this coming week...I need to finish my 60 Day Photo Challenge...I think day 30 is next!

Have a great week everyone!

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-04T06:49:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday USA!

Landslide

2011-06-29T08:31:00.000-04:00

I don't get much time alone in the car. Fortunately for us, we live less than a mile from my work, our church, the school and the grocery stores. However, yesterday I had a doctor's appt on the other side of town. Since the kids are at camp this week, I was able to enjoy about 25 minutes in the car...ALL BY MYSELF! I turned the radio on and tuned in to a "classic rock" station (I was in that kind of mood)! About 10 minutes into my drive, a song came on that brought back tons of memories for me. Does that ever happen to you?
Listening to that song took me back to another time and another place in my life. It was a pure moment of bliss to visit that part of my past.

Go ahead, click on the link below...turn up the volume on your computer...sit back...close your eyes....and go (for just about 3 minutes) back to that place, wherever it takes you! Hum along...or sing along. Just enjoy!

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

2011-06-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of something you are afraid of*

Sadly, fear has had a very prominent place in my life ever since I can remember! There are a TON of things I'm afraid of...but here are just a few:

Flying roaches! These things DISGUST me! This is the #1 reason I don't like living in Florida!

Flying...well, actually...I'm not so much afraid of flying as I am afraid of crashing!

Yes, I'm afraid of a recurrence.

Anyway, these are in no particular order and if you know me at all....these aren't a surprise.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

2011-06-26T23:23:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of yourself and a family member*

This is my favorite uncle. I guess I was about two or three in this picture. I have a very vague recollection of this bedroom. I remember that I thought of it as the "purple bedroom". Every morning when I would open my eyes, the room was a purple color. It didn't last for long, only a few minutes but I loved that room!

Years later, I realized that the windows in my room faced towards the east and when the sun would rise in the morning, it would cast a purple glow on the pale pink walls. I wonder if this is the reason that I am so fascinated with sunrises and sunsets. I ALWAYS stop to notice the way the sky looks early in the morning and at dusk. There is no painting in this world that is more beautiful than the canvass that God uses every day! Sometimes I pretend that He made that painting in the sky just for me!

I needed this!

2011-06-25T22:21:00.000-04:00

This has been a rough week. I had to say good bye to a dear friend. Pete was diagnosed with lymphoma in November. He never really responded to treatment. There is so much I could say about Pete and how he lived his life. He was special. If ever there was a person that could be considered a Saint...it was Pete. He spent his entire life showing Christ to others. My world is a little more dim now that he is gone.

Anyway, I came across this post tonight and it really lifted my spirit and I wanted to share it with you.

God and the Post Office

Air Quality Alert!

2011-06-22T20:19:00.000-04:00

Well, today was another air quality alert day here in Jacksonville. The fires near the Okefenokee swamp are inundating us with smoke. It's recommended that everybody stay indoors. This is really starting to cramp my summer style!

Earlier this week, two firefighters were killed while battling this blaze. Please offer up your prayers for their families.

Here's a view from space showing where the fires are and the direction the smoke is going.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 26

2011-06-21T13:16:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of something that means a lot to you*

Ask this of me tomorrow, and you may get a different answer. But today, this is what means a lot to me.....

The Church

Image Credit

The Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Father

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Blessed Mother

Image Credit

The Rosary

Oncology Appt

2011-06-20T11:21:00.000-04:00

It's been four months and that means it's time for my oncology check up. Except for some pretty rough allergy symptoms, I've been feeling pretty well. There is really no need to be nervous for this appointment, but leave it to me to conjure up some worry.

Last week I went to my regular doctor because of the allergy symptoms. To be on the safe side, she ordered a chest xray because I've been short of breath. Thankfully, the xray was normal. This was good news and gives me increased confidence that the appointment this afternoon will go well.

My annual mammogram is due in August so I have another month or two before I start stressing about that!
I'll have to have some lab work done today to check for certain tumor markers. I'm expecting those to be fine too.

Overall, I can't complain...or I should say....I shouldn't complain! Itchy, watery eyes and excessive sneezing is something that I can handle (with a little help from Claritan or Zyrtec). I have many aches, pains and stiffness in my joints and bones...some of it due to my weight and some of it due to the cancer medication that I take daily, but, it's mostly just annoying. Since my sleep study and subsequent need for a CPAP at night...I am waking up without headaches and feeling refreshed!

I have much to be thankful for! Next month it will be 3 years since my diagnosis. I'm moving right along. Each year that there is no sign of cancer is year of victory for me! Cancer truly does change your life. It changes it in some pretty horrible ways...but also changes it in many beautiful ways.

Just because I'm feeling a little "punchy" today, here are some ways that my life has changed since cancer:

1. The realization (in a very tangible and concrete way) that I am NOT in control of ~~everything~~ anything!
2. That even if you have decent medical insurance...you will pay a fortune in co pays, deductibles and various incidental medical needs.
3. That doctors and nurses are human and make mistakes.
4. That you can get away with having a bad attitude if you are bald.
5. That some of the most effective chemo drugs are actually poisons used in war to kill people (for instance, one of my chemo drugs had 'mustard gas' as an ingredient).
6. That no matter how strong your spiritual life is, you will still be scared sometimes.
7. That life is fragile.
8. That you are stronger than you think you are.
9. That you are NEVER alone.
10. That some friends will not be able to handle the 'cancer' thing and will withdraw from you totally.

In truth, I've learned much, much more and would never have enough space to list everything. I think the best way to describe cancer is to say that it is a JOURNEY! A coming of age of sorts. Your life is constantly changing from one day to the next and you are NEVER the same person that you were BEFORE the diagnosis. You BECOME flexible...you have to be! You find strength in your tears. You realize that you have been given a wonderful opportunity to touch other people....not in a grand, dramatic, "Sainthood" type of way....but in the small hidden ways. Like when you smile at the nurse who can't find a vein and has stuck you several times.....or when you share some comforting words to a new cancer patient as they sit in the chemo chair for the first time....or when you can call the garage attendant by name at the cancer center. You may never be aware that you are touching people. Seriously! You may never know what happens in some one's heart after an encounter. But rest assured that God WILL BRING good out of bad! What satan means for evil, God will turn it around!

So let the cancer rage...as it were! Let the doctors, the nurses, the drugs, the advances in medical technology do what they are supposed to do...and you do what you are supposed to do...LIVE one day at a time! Take each day in stride and do your very best to see the glass as half full! Allow yourself time (days, if you have to) to feel sorry for yourself and wallow in the deepest sorrow you've ever known....and then...get up and move on!

Dare I say it? BE NOT AFRAID! Sigh.

O St. Joseph, protector of those in agony, take pity on those who at this very moment are engaged in their last combat. Take pity on my own soul when the hour of death shall come for me. Do not abandon me; in granting your assistance, show that you are my good father, and grant that my divine Savior may receive me with mercy into that dwelling where the elect enjoy a life that shall never end! Amen.

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T09:23:00.000-04:00

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

2011-06-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of your day*

Over the past two weeks, the days here in Jacksonville have been filled with smoke! Apparently, there are several fires burning in the surrounding counties (and a very large fire in Georgia)! It has been so HOT here...reaching into the upper 90's in the afternoon! Between the heat and the smoke, it feels as though I'm living on the surface of the sun! The smoke has made it hard to breathe. As a matter of fact, I ended up with an inhaler because of irritation in my bronchial tubes and my lungs. I can't really tell if it's allergies or the smoke! My guess is that it's a little of both! Anyway, here is a picture of my days....lately!

This is a photo of downtown Jacksonville on Wednesday of this week! I've been keeping the kids indoors which means a lot of computer games, videos, board games and playing dress up....as well as several episodes of Spongebob (ew). As a matter of fact...the following conversation transpired between Amelia (age 7) and myself yesterday...

Amelia: Mom, is Bikini Bottom real? Because if it is, I'd like to live there!

Mom: Nope, it's not real, Amelia....it's a CARTOON!

Amelia: Darn!

Please God, take the smoke away so my kids can go back outside to play! Amen.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

2011-06-15T06:51:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of something you wish you could change*

I wish I could change the hearts and minds of those who believe that to be "pro-choice" is empowering to women. True feminism is to not allow yourself to be exploited or oppressed (and that includes the unborn). True feminism is to realize and embrace all that it means to be a woman, to respect all human life, to reject violence....especially in cases of a seemingly untimely pregnancy...or for convenience. All human beings have inherent worth....simply because we were created in the image and likeness of God. There is a notion out there that abortion liberates women. There is nothing farther from the truth.....and that's what I wish I could change.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 23

2011-06-14T05:37:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of your favorite book*

It's difficult to pick just one. Over the years, I've had many favorites....from all of the Berenstain Bears books to the Catechism of the Catholic Church! I really enjoyed the Twilight Series as well as reading all the Junie B. Jones books to my kids. But, since I'm asked to post a picture of my favorite....I'd have to narrow it down to just two:

The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

If you have not read either of these books, you are really missing something.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 22

2011-06-13T00:05:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of something you wish you were better at*

I wish I was better at gardening. I don't know what color my thumbs are supposed to be, but I can assure you they are not green! The soil here in Florida is very sandy...much different from what I'm used to in Northern California. We've tried tomatoes (I got about 4 small ones), eggplant (this plant looked very healthy and gave me two gorgeous eggplants but that was it), red chili peppers (these are still going strong), and lettuce. The lettuce did very well! It gave me about 4 good crops worth. Then, we had a particularly rainy week and I forgot to check the lettuce! The next time I went out there....it had grown, grown, grown and had flowered. The leaves were HUGE...but very tough and bitter. I pulled the last of the lettuce up about 2 weeks ago. I also tried growing some carrots. They didn't get very big....

This was my lettuce before my first crop! I think it did so well because the Blessed Mother was watching over it!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 21

2011-06-12T00:09:00.002-04:00

*Post a picture of something you wish you could forget*

No way around it....cancer sucks.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 20

2011-06-10T23:52:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of somewhere you'd love to travel*

See Photo Challenge Day 15.....

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19

2011-06-10T00:37:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of you when you were little*

This was my 2nd birthday...celebrating with my Aunt JoAnn & Uncle Tom! I can't believe that this was 44 years ago!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18

2011-06-09T07:15:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of your biggest insecurity*

I'm sure you didn't visit my blog today to see a list of my many insecurities. I gotta be honest, I'm tempted to list as many as I can think of! However, I'll spare you the gory details and just share a picture of two. And by the way, these pictures are NOT of me (I don't think the rules on this photo challenge said that the picture had to be a real one)!

Believe it or not, I'm very insecure about my weight. I think it has gotten worse since my mastectomy and hysterectomy. It's all tied to self esteem....which I've struggled with for a loooong time! Food has just always been a comfort to me during stressful times. I'm 46 years old now and I'm not so sure that I can reverse this. I try so hard to make use of other resources when I'm feeling particularly low or depressed but it always comes back to food. I don't know if it's because of an "addiction" gene that I inherited (wouldn't it be nice to blame someone else!) or just simply the fact that I'm Italian and we Italians LOVE food! Either way, it's a problem that I'm currently working on with a vengeance!

My other insecurity is my parenting skills. What I find interesting is that if Dan and I wanted to adopt children, we would have to go through years of preparation. We would have to provide a home study, financial records, medical records, detailed mental health history and so on. However, when I went to the hospital to deliver Nathan, they just wrapped him in a blanket and said...here ya go! He didn't come with an instruction booklet. No one thought twice about handing him to Dan and I and letting us go...letting us LEAVE the hospital! When we got home, we put him in the bassinet and stared at him. We looked at each other and said, "OK, what do we do now?" The point I'm trying to make is that there is no right way to parent. I think a case can be made that there are several WRONG ways, but the jury is still out on the right way. So what does a mother do? You learn as you go. This leaves SOOO much room for error!

It really hit me the other day that I could be seriously messing with their psyche. Am I filling them with guilt the way my mom did with me? Am I allowing them to grow? Am I encouraging them to explore the world around them? Am I hindering their creativity? Are they going to hate me when they grow up? When they act up at a restaurant or the grocery store, are the other people around us judging me? Well, I don't know the answer to any of those questions but, I do know this.....I fall terribly short in my own expectations. I guess I can only hope that my kids are easier on me than I am on myself and that God sees my heart and my errors and fills in those gaps!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

2011-06-08T08:54:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently*

My recent trip to Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II (now Blessed) has had a very intense impact on my life. Although I posted these pictures once before....Blogger somehow LOST that post and I haven't yet had the opportunity to upload them again. If anyone ever tells you that standing in the middle of St. Peter's Square is not a moving experience (Catholic or no), they are outright lying to you! I don't think there is anything that has so deeply affected me (not counting the birth of my kids) the way that St. Peter's does. I know that I can't adequately express it, but my very soul was touched and uplifted. It's something that affected me to the very core of who I am. I can honestly say that I will never be the same after having been there.

OK..enough talk, here are the pictures from the Beatification on Sunday, May 1st, 2011.

The White Stuff

2011-06-07T11:18:00.003-04:00

As some of you may know, I've given up the "white stuff"! It's been about a week now, without it. I have my good days and my bad days. Overall, I think I'm doing really well!

If you're wondering what the "white stuff" is....well, it's just that....anything white. Primarily, pasta (oh the humanity), rice, sugar, potatoes & flour. I've also eliminated almost all dairy and, for now, grains. Are you shocked? Does it seem extreme? Well, you should be and it is. However, I'm at the point where I've really got to do something pretty drastic. For one thing, I've had GI issues for as long as I can remember. I had my gallbladder out in 1996 and things got MUCH better. But over the past decade, things have gotten out of hand again. Although I'm not a sweet eater, I have an addiction to high fat items. Things like cheese, pasta and bread. These things are really good for you...in moderation. And trust me, THAT is where the disconnect lives.

I've talked before about my mom's alcoholism. My sister followed in her footsteps. Thankfully, I don't have that problem, BUT, I have an addiction that's all my own....FOOD. See, you can go through a 12-step program for alcoholism and never touch the stuff again! The thing with food is that you HAVE to eat to survive so it isn't as easy as just avoiding what you're addicted to. **PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM IN NO WAY IMPLYING THAT IT IS EASY TO DEAL WITH ALCOHOLISM! I'M VERY AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS A DISEASE**

Anyway, I'm sharing this because I'm excited that I made my first batch of pancakes without white flour! I made ALMOND FLOUR PANCAKES this morning. Very interesting...and very delicious. You'll need to get over the texture difference in order to truly enjoy them for what they are!

Almond Flour Pancakes

1 cup almond flour (meal)
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
2 TBSP coconut oil
1 TBSP sweetener (I used Sucanat)
2 TSP cinnamon

The batter will be much thinner than what you're used to and there won't be any bubbles to let you know it's time to flip them over. It may take a couple of pancakes before you get it.

I served them with some organic butter and agave nectar. Honestly, they were delicious!

My diet consists mostly of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meat. I've enjoyed shopping at the local farmers market and using a new cookbook that I bought called Everyday Paleo! Here are some pictures from the last week!

fresh, organic produce from local farms

fresh strawberries from Starke, Florida

Fresh blackberries...I cooked them down.

made a nice syrup for ice cream...it kinda looks like blood...doesn't it? I can assure you, it's all blackberries!

stuffed zucchini and mushrooms

baked chicken and veges

Please ignore the disgustingly dirty oven.

I'll be sharing more about this new way of eating as it unfolds for me. This is new and hopefully life changing...but in a good way. In the weeks, months and years ahead, we will expand our small garden and hopefully be able to grow some yummy things to help supplement this VERY EXPENSIVE way of eating. I think it's terrible that the most affordable things at the grocery store are the processed foods full of chemicals.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your prayers and any ideas that you may have.

Have a great week!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

2011-06-07T01:17:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of someone who inspires you*

Pope Benedict XVI

Glenn Beck

My friend, Judy Dudich

George W. Bush

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15

2011-06-06T00:15:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of something you want to do before you die*

Aurora Borealis

Grand Canyon

Crater Lake, Oregon

I have been very blessed over the years to be able to visit and live in some wonderful places! The beauty of the Pacific Coast in California can't be matched! The tall Redwoods and ancient Sequoia's, the sunset over the ocean, the snowy mountains of the Sierra's and the fields of flowers and produce in the Central Valley....all are incredible to behold. But, the above 3 places are dreams I've had for a very long time. Eventually, I'll get to each one...when the timing (God's timing) is right.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

2011-06-05T08:27:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of someone you could never imagine your life without*

My reasons for living (picture from Oct 2006)

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 13

2011-06-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of your favorite band or artist*

I'm not sure I can narrow it down to just one. I'm going to break the rules today and post more than one picture! And these are in NO particular order.

Journey

Kenny G.

Margaret Becker

Stevie Nicks

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

2011-06-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of something you love*

Well, I can not tell a lie....I LOVE this stuff!

However, it doesn't go too well with the Paleo way of eating! So, I guess I'll just have to dream about spreading this smooth, chocolaty goodness all over my waffles....and have a pork chop instead!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 11

2011-06-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of something you hate*

Hate is such a strong word. I guess it should be saved for something that I feel strongly about.

This is a 'two-fer'.....this picture kills two birds with one stone.....so to speak. I guess it could be said that I 'hate' the way this country is headed, and, I 'hate' the fact that it's legal to murder an unborn human being. That just about covers it.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10

2011-06-01T00:00:00.003-04:00

*Post a picture of the person you do the most messed up things with*

Where do they come up with this stuff? I mean, really. What exactly does 'messed up' mean here? I don't really do 'messed up' stuff, at least not anymore! However, if I changed it to, "post a picture of the person you do the silliest stuff with"....well now, THAT I can answer! That would be my BFF Becky! Now, I mentioned my friend Kathy back on Day 2...and she's definitely the person that I've been closest to the longest. But Kathy lives in California.... Becky, on the other hand, is my 'Kathy' here in Florida!

Becky and I can be very silly together. For instance, this picture was taken at the Jacksonville International Airport last month when we were leaving for Rome! It was she and I that spontaneously decided to make this BOLD trip to Rome for the Beatification. I can honestly say that she brings out the best in me! She is a second mother to my kids and I feel very much at home in her house. We are alike in many ways. Just like Kathy, Becky will be my forever friend. Hopefully, we will laugh together for many, many years to come.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

2011-05-31T06:42:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of the person who has gotten you through the most*

This is the person who has gotten me through the most! He has been there through everything...from miscarriages to infertility, through 3 rough pregnancies and 3 Csections (and one very long labor), through financial difficulties, health difficulties, through broken washers/dryers, infestation of fleas, tropical storms, skinned knees, construction of forts, burned biscuits and many, many bedtime stories!

Sometimes, I don't know why he comes home...why he doesn't just keep driving right on passed our house and not stop. But, he ALWAYS comes home. There isn't anything he would not do for us!

Thank you, my love, for all that you do for us! These have been the BEST 13 years of my entire life!
Thank you for loving me!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

2011-05-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture that makes you laugh*

As I was looking through our photos, I came across this one of Amelia taken about 5 years ago! She has always been a climber and I can't let my eyes off of her for one minute....otherwise....things like THIS happen! Do you know how long it took me to get all the diaper cream off of her????
I plan on showing this picture to her future husband!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

2011-05-29T00:54:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of your most treasured item*

No, I don't consider my children as "items".....but there just isn't anything else on this earth that I treasure more!

Supporting Planned Parenthood - 2nd post today

2011-05-28T13:40:00.000-04:00

I just received my copy of Christian Action News! When it comes, I try to share any updates to the list of companies that support Planned Parenthood. Remember, these are companies that fund Planned Parenthood and therefore support the abortion industry. If you can, do your best to AVOID the following companies. The list is long today....so here goes:

AOL
Bahama Breeze
Bank of America
Bayer Pharmaceutical
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Capital Grille
Chanel Fragrances
Chevron/Texaco
Christian Dior
CIGNA Insurance
Clif Bars
Craig Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
Diane Von Furstenberg
Disney/ABC TV
DuPont Products
Ebay/PayPal/Skype
Este Lauder
Gannett/USA Today
GlaxoSmithKline
Goldman Sachs
Hearst Publishing
Hilton Hotels
Hooters
JAX Jaguars
Johnson & Johnson
JP Morgan Chase
Kenneth Cole
Kaiser Permanente
Kimpton Hotels
Laureate Education
Lettuce Entertain
Levi Straus/Dockers
Longhorn Steakhouse
Lost Arrow
Olive Garden
Marriott Hotels
Maui Jim
McGraw-Hill
Merck Pharmaceutical
Microsoft/BING
Midas Auto Repairs
Nat'l Amusement/CBS
Nationwide Insurance
NIKE Sports
NY Times
Pizza Pizza
Polo-Ralph Lauren
Red Lobster
Seasons 52
Select Comfort
Staples Office Supply
Starwood Hotels
Symantec Software
Time Warner
Wachovia/Wells Fargo
Whole Foods
Products from China
(Source: Life Decisions - updated April 2011 www.fightpp.org)

If you are vacation planning....here are some details about which hotels/airlines you might want to avoid:

Airlines: Southwest
Hotels: All Disney (including Disney Parks, Disney Cruises, Disney Resorts, Disney movies, videos and Disney stores), Hilton Hotels (including Double Tree, Conrad, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holmwood Suites, Home2, Hilton Grand Vacations and the Waldorf Astoria), Kimpton Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Resorts (including JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, AC Hotels by Marriott, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, EDITION Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Marriott Conference Centers, Marriott Vacation Club, Renaissance Hotels, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, TownePlace Suites, ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartments, Grand Residences by Marriott), Starwood Hotels & Resorts (including Aloft, Elements of Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Meridien Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, St. Regis, The Luxuray Collection, Westin and W Hotels).
Restaurants: Bahama Breeze, Capital Grille, Hooters, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Pizza Pizza, Red Lobster, Seasons 52.

"Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins."

James 4:17

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

2011-05-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

*Post a picture of the person you'd love to trade places with for a day*

You're going to think I'm nuts (that's assuming that you don't think that already!), but I really, really don't want to trade with anybody for a day. I know, that sounds nuts but it's true. Trading places for a day with a movie star or a really wealthy person is not at all appealing to me. I mean, how much of their lives (wealth or notoriety) could you really experience in only one day? Not much. It would almost be a waste of 24 hours.
Of course, I wouldn't mind trading CHECKING ACCOUNTS with a really wealthy person for a day! I could do some serious damage on Amazon.com!!

I thought all day about who I would choose when I wrote this post. Finally, I came up with someone who I wouldn't mind trading places with for one day. Here's her picture:

Yes, that's Michelle Duggar! I would trade with her for one day! I chose her because I truly believe she is a happy person! She's a person that sees the glass as half full! Her faith in God is amazing! To tell you the truth, I would just love to have 19 people call me "mom"....even if just for one day. If Dan and I had met earlier in life...and if I had not had any fertility issues (and then eventually, cancer)....we would have many more children!
I always dreamed of having a large family and I'm always amazed when I meet people who have more than 5 children. One of my best friends has seven! She is an amazing woman too! She homeschools all 7 of them! I think that these are the types of women that we should emulate and hold up as role models instead of people like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey! Mind you, I have nothing against them, but people like Michelle Duggar and my friend Paige M. are doing the most important job there is, bringing children into the world. Nurturing them and teaching them to love and care for others, teaching them to love and serve God and teaching them about taking care of each other and being an example to their younger siblings.

Michelle Duggar's life is FAR from perfect...but perfection is not what I based my desire to trade places with her on. I just wanted to see how she does it...to watch all those little ones running around and watching how their family (all 23, including the daughter-in-law and the grandchildren) works.

Go ahead, call me crazy. I don't mind.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

2011-05-27T01:00:00.000-04:00

*Post a picture of your favorite memory*

This was hard. I have many wonderful memories! I don't think you would be surprised to learn that meeting my husband and birthing my children are my very BEST memories. However, to me..."post a picture of your favorite memory" means to pick a favorite memory from my past....my distant past. Even with that caveat, I still have many memories to choose from, but I think I'll choose this:

Seems like a rickety old house doesn't it? Well, it isn't! This is the house that I spent EVERY SUMMER from the time I was born until just after my father died. My grandmother and grandfather owned this home in the town of Monte Rio, California. It's better known as the Russian River area.

Originally this house was at ground level but the Russian River is notorious for flooding. Soooo, they raised the house. That first landing is where the front door used to be after that first raising. Well, apparently that wasn't high enough, sooooo, they raised it yet again! I think this did the trick as I don't remember the house flooding again after that.

Raising the house created a HUGE basement that my sister and I used to spend hours playing in. It was cool and dark and relatively clear of "critters". What you can't see very clearly from this picture (I swiped it from Google Earth) are the many, many redwood trees that surround this area! I grew up around the redwoods and I truly miss them. I can still smell the air as we would pile out of the car after the 90 minute drive to our summer house! Clean air that smelled of freshly cut redwood trees and blackberry bushes. To this day, whenever I have blackberry jam, I get the vision of this house in my mind.

These were some of the very best years of my life! The little yellow house to the left of our house was owned by my aunt. Each summer, the entire family (immediate and extended) would end up at "the river" for the 4th of July celebrations. This is where we spent the Bicentennial! Tons of cars, tents, motor homes and all my cousins! We would pick blackberries until our hands were stained and then my grandmother and aunt would make homemade jam. Every night after dinner, many of the family would sit around the dining room table and play "21" and drink coffee. My nanie would let us have a cup of coffee with the grown ups! We would then go to sleep on freshly laundered sheets that had dried on the clothes line. As I remember, they were crunchy! I loved it. When we would wake up in the morning, it was usually freezing in the house. Nanie would make us stay in bed until she had lit the fire in the fireplace and the house was warm.

We played outside all day long! My sister and I used to have contests to see who had the most mosquito bites! I distinctly remember counting to 23 one time! This was back in the day (late 60's, early 70's) when no one worried about sunscreen or bug spray. We took long walks, picked wild flowers, had parades, rode bikes, played war (yes, even us girls used to play that!) and played hide and seek. Everyone was always happy.

If I had known then, what I know now, I would never have left that house. After my grandmother died in 1975, it just wasn't the same. We still went up to "the river" a lot, but my Nanie wasn't there. Still, we enjoyed our family time. The summer that Charles and Diana got married....I watched it from the old, broken television (with the tube that had gone out and everyone had pink skin). The day Elvis died, I was at "the river".

When my dad died in 1982, we didn't go up there anymore. Finally, my papa decided to sell it. It was just too much upkeep and he was getting older. All my cousins were growing up and "the river" didn't have much appeal anymore.

This house is truly my most favorite memory! Thank you for letting me share it with you!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4

2011-05-26T00:05:00.003-04:00

*Post a picture of your night*

Honestly, I'm not really sure what this means. Of my night? Well, I suppose my night looks pretty much like every body's....sort of like this:

Seriously, this is pretty much what I see at night...when my eyes are closed and I'm sleeping!

I guess it could also mean....what does my city look like at night! So, here is a picture of the skyline in Jacksonville, Florida....at night.

The strange shaped building in this picture used to be the Independent Life Building. Then, years later, it was Modis and now it belongs to Wells Fargo (doesn't everything?). This was the tallest "skyscraper" in Jacksonville from 1974 to 1990. This seems funny to me! I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and this building is NOT a skyscraper! When you can't see the top half of a building because it's covered with fog, or when the top 20 floors sway to and fro during an earthquake....ONLY then can you call a building a "skyscraper"!

It also seems funny to me that my husband, during his running years, would complain about running up "hills" in certain parts of Jacksonville. Hills? Hills? Where are the hills in Jacksonville? The highest point in Florida is only 345 ft, and that's in a place called Britton Hill (notice that it's called a hill and not a mountain) which is located in the panhandle. The highest point in Jacksonville is about, get this, 40 feet! I suppose you could call that a hill, but I think a "hump" might be a better description.

So there you have it....my night.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

2011-05-25T00:00:00.002-04:00

*Post a picture of the cast from your favorite show*

Cast of LOST

Before LOST came along, this was the cast from my favorite show:

Cast of Everybody Loves Raymond

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

2011-05-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

*Post a picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest*

That's yours truly in the middle! The person on the left (on my right), is my friend Kathy D. Kathy and I met on a diocesan retreat back in the summer of 1982 or 1983. This picture had to have been taken sometime around 1990.

She has been a loving, committed constant in my life ever since. Kathy has seen me through thick and thin, good times, bad times, happy times, financial crisis, medical crisis and every other kind of 'times' and 'crisis' that you can think of. When I moved to Florida in 1997, I was heartbroken that we would be apart. Thankfully, the miles have not destroyed our friendship. I admit that since getting married, having kids, working part time, homeschooling and all the other things I have going on in my life....I don't call as often as I should. I'm just bad at stuff like that! Kathy has a pretty hectic schedule too and so I'm just glad when we can cross paths, even for a 10 minute phone call. She always makes time for me.

Since I've known her, she has NEVER once forgotten to send a birthday card, Christmas card or gifts to myself, Dan & the kids. She was extremely supportive during my cancer treatment! She is truly my best friend. She is part of my family and I know that I am part of hers, as well. I couldn't imagine my life without her! I wish that all of you could meet her!

Kathy, I don't tell you enough how much you mean to mean or how much I love you. I'm sorry for that. You certainly ended up with the short end of the friendship stick. But, you are always in my heart. You are part of me. Forever!

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

2011-05-23T12:56:00.000-04:00

Several months ago (or, I guess it could be 'weeks"...I don't remember), I saw something on Facebook called The 60 Day Photo Challenge. I shrugged it off as another one of those things that would stress me out if I had to post a picture every day for 60 days! Since then, I've noticed that several blogs I follow have taken on this challenge and it doesn't look quite as frightening as I thought. So, I've decided I can do this! Who cares if I skip a day, I'll just double up the next time! I mean, the title says '60 Day Photo Challenge'....it doesn't say it has to be consecutive! And so, I am embarking on this challenge! If you're interested in the list of what to post for each day, try clicking here.

60 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

*Post a picture of yourself with 15 facts*

I had no idea when I decided to do this that the very first day/assignment was going to cause me problems. You see, I have a strict NO PICTURE OF MYSELF UNLESS IT'S FROM A LONG TIME AGO WHEN I WAS THINNER policy on this blog! So, this is the photo that I'm willing to post today:

This picture was taken when I was 9 months pregnant with Olivia! She was born in October of 2005....that's almost 6 years ago. That's about as recent as I'm willing to get! Sorry. Here are my 15 facts:

1. I have a problem with my weight.

2. I am a San Francisco Bay Area native.

3. Cheese is my favorite food (see #1).

4. I am afraid of flying roaches....the kind that live in FLORIDA!

5. I am addicted to Bubble Island on Facebook.

6. I haven't worn panty hose in over 4 years!

7. I have quite an extensive cookbook and magazine collection.

8. I prefer mountains to the beach.

9. I have a hard time getting through one whole day without Diet Coke (yea, I know).

10. I love being a Catholic.

11. LOST was my most favorite TV show of all time.

12. I enjoy a good thunderstorm.

13. I love being a home body with my kids and husband.

14. Sometimes, I take things (and people) for granted.

15. I wish we could afford a new house, or a remodel of our current one!

I can hardly wait for Day 2!

!!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-22T15:09:00.002-04:00

Two things.....

2011-05-19T13:53:00.001-04:00

First....

Are you aware that the "rapture" is supposed to happen this Saturday? Apparently, the whole entire world has been notified that we should all be "wrapping up any loose ends" and saying our good-byes. For those of you who plan to be raptured....we'll miss you. For the rest of you, I'll see you Sunday!

And second....

Fox has picked up a new show set to premiere in January called "Alcatraz". This is another time-travelling show produced by JJ Abrams (of LOST fame) and features one of my favorite people....also from LOST....Jorge Garcia (Hurley)! I must admit, I'm a little excited about this. It seems that television has absolutely no appeal to me since I don't get to see Sawyer every week. With JJ Abrams writing/producing and Jorge acting....there is hope for a decent show!

The Holy Staircase

2011-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Did you know that there are over 900 churches in Rome? Of course, not all of those are Roman Catholic, still...that's a TON of churches for just one city that's less than 500 square miles. By comparison, Jacksonville, Florida has just 52 Roman Catholic parishes and is the largest city (land area) in the Continental U.S. I mention this because I was in Rome for 6 days and was only able to visit 4 churches...including St. Peter's Basilica.

Eventually, I will get around to sharing all 4 of them with you, but today I wanted tell you about the Holy Staircase.

Across the piazza from the Basilica of St. John Lateran (this is the Pope's church as Bishop of Rome), there is a place called the Holy Staircase.

                     "The Holy Staircase is said to be stained with Christ's blood, as it is popularly identified,
                       at least since the mid-1400's, with the marble steps that Jesus climbed and descended
                       twice on the day of His Passion, on the way to trial before Pontius Pilate in the
                       Praetorium. St. Helena, Constantine's mother, is said to have brought the Scala Pilati
                       from Jerusalem to Rome as a gift for Pope St. Sylvester I (311-314), who installed it
                       opposite the old Patriarchate. The devout climb the 28 marble steps (faced with 18th
                       century walnut planks) on their knees. The old Chapel of the Popes is at the top of
                       the staircase, concealed behind a heavy grille. This is Rome's most venerated site,
                       called the Sancta Sanctorum because Pope Leo III (795-816) stored countless precious
                       relics under the altar, in one large and three small cypress cases.
                       In other words, this Chapel is the location of "the Holy of Holies", no different from
                       Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. An architrave set on four porphyry columns states,
                       "Non est in toto sanctior Orbe locus" (there is no holier place on earth).
                                                                         -from Macart's book St. John Lateran

As you can see from the photo, there was a line of people waiting to climb. I had no idea what I was in for! This looked much easier than it was and I will admit to you all that I was not prepared for the spiritual significance. This was extremely painful! Every step made my body ache. The closer I got to the top, the clearer the painting of The Crucifixion became. Good Friday took on new meaning for me.

By the time I reached the last step, I was a mess! I was a crying, sweating, aching, shaking mess! I don't think my knees will ever be the same again. As I knelt during Mass these past two Sundays since returning from Rome, I was reminded of this experience and in awe yet again at the love that God has for us...for me.
The pain and suffering that I felt was just a fraction of what Our Lord experienced. He could have stopped it. He could have set Himself free. He chose to suffer.

****On a side note, Blogger has apparently permanently lost my Beatification post. At the advice of others, I checked my Google Reader and found the post there. I've done a copy/paste to a word document so that I can repost it at some point....however...the copy and paste didn't work for the pictures.....sooooo, I'll have to upload them again. For those of you that commented on the post.....Blogger apologizes...profusely. In light of my experiences at the Holy Staircase, I'm inclined to FORGIVE them, but I must admit.....Blogger is really starting to get on my nerves....just sayin******

Lamenting

2011-05-13T22:19:00.000-04:00

I'm lamenting the Beatification post that Blogger seems to have lost! It took forever to upload those pictures! I certainly hope they are able to restore it! Am I the only one that is missing posts???

Home

2011-05-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

I'm home from Rome and recuperating! As soon as my head is clear of the fog and the jet has lagged it's last....I'll begin posting my adventures! For now, just know that all of you were in my prayers and the Holy Father sends his blessings! Ciao!

It's Time!

2011-04-28T18:01:00.000-04:00

As I write this post, there is only 19 hours left until I leave for Rome! I'm very excited! I wanted to let you know that I will be praying for ALL OF YOU in a special way this week! Please pray for me too. I hesitate to call it a vacation because honestly, it IS a pilgrimage. The evil one has been working double-time to mess things up.....but he won't win!

PRAYER T0 IMPLORE FAVORS THROUGH

THE INTERCESSION OF BLESSED

JOHN PAUL II, POPE

O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having

graced the Church with Blessed John Paul

II and for allowing the tenderness of Your

Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of

Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love,

to shine through him. Trusting fully in

Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession

of Mary, he has given us a living

image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has

shown us that holiness is the necessary

measure of ordinary Christian life and is

the way of achieving eternal communion

with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and

according to Your will, the graces we implore,

hoping that he will soon be numbered

among Your saints. Amen.

*With ecclesiastical approval

AGOSTINO CARD. VALLINI

Vicar General of His Holiness

for the Diocese of Rome*

For graces received, contact:

Postulazione della Causa di Canonizzazione

del Beato Giovanni Paolo II

Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, 6/a - 00184 Roma

Have Blessed Week!!

R.I.P.

2011-04-26T16:19:00.001-04:00

My friend Adam passed away this morning. He fought the good fight. I am so sad. Adam and I went to school together. As a little girl at St. Jerome's Catholic School, I considered him an "icky boy". Our dancing teacher, Mrs. Washburn, used to make us dance together. She'd say.."Mr. Ryan, take Miss Corniola's hand". Then we would waltz our way around the cafeteria with all the others. He had sweaty hands!

As adults, we saw each other every once in awhile. We had mutual friends that occasionally brought us together for parties, graduations, drag races and other car related events. His wife is an angel! She is one of the sweetest, most giving people I've ever met. She has loved and supported Adam since they first met. They've had ups and downs, just like everybody....but they stuck it out. They have a beautiful son, Austyn, who is 16 years old.

In November of 2010, Adam was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Brain Melanoma. Apparently, there was a particular "spot" that his wife urged him to get checked out by the dermatologist....but he never did. He blew it off like ~~most~~ a lot of men do when they are busy taking care of their family and not taking care of themselves.

If there is anything to be learned by this story, it is to use sunscreen....see a dermatologist periodically and make sure you check dark spots and moles to look for changes. Melanoma is serious. Melanoma is aggressive. Melanoma is deadly.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Wordless Wednesday....on Monday!

2011-04-25T19:17:00.000-04:00

Photo Credit

Every now and then you run across a photo that is so.....well, let's just say...appropriately perfect, that it just must be shared! This photo was taken on Easter Sunday evening. While there is much more that could be said here.....I'll leave it alone considering that this is a Wordless ~~Wednesday~~ Monday!

However, I would love to have a Caption Contest....just for fun! If you can think of a really good caption for this picture.....email me or leave a comment. At some point, I'll post the responses (anonymously, of course)!

Is it wrong?

2011-04-25T08:21:00.000-04:00

Is it wrong to give my children pink Peeps for breakfast this morning? What about Sour Patch Jellybeans? Lollipops? Well, too bad! I did it anyway! I got so tired of saying "NO" to their every request for candy. They keep asking for their chocolate bunnies, but I did manage to decline that request (Hey, I do have my limits)!

You'll notice my new countdown clock on the top of my sidebar! I'm definitely in travel mode! I'll be back later with a more thoughtful post! I hope you all had a wonderfully blessed Easter!

Rome, here I come!

"Why do you search for the living......

2011-04-24T07:22:00.001-04:00

amongst the dead? Jesus is not here, HE IS RISEN!

Indeed!