7 Quick Takes Friday, Volume 7

 

I.

Although the medication that Amelia is taking does not seem to be changing her impulsiveness or her quick-temperedness, she does seem to be focusing a little better on other things.  For instance, for the last two days she has picked up a book (completely on her own...without any prompting from anybody) and started reading...ALL ON HER OWN!  She sits at the kitchen table and reads out loud to herself, coming to me when she needs help with a word.  You have no idea what an improvement this is, especially since she initiates this herself.  I'm so pleased.

 

II.

Amelia also showed a tremendous improvement in her behavior at mass this last Sunday!  I couldn't believe that I didn't have to correct either one of the girls at all!  Clearly, Olivia's behavior can be directly affected by Amelia.  You can bet that if Mia is acting out....Olivia will follow.  This can lead to a bad "mass day" and can turn Dan and I into very grumpy parents.  It's been so long since I've been able to actually hear and concentrate on the readings and the homily!  Too bad that the priest we had filling in for our vacationing pastor is one of those "feel good, liberal" priests that can talk for 15 minutes and actually NOT say anything of substance!  Still, I'm so happy that the girls behaved!

 

III.

I want to move.  I've been thinking about this for over a year.  I really want to move to the neighborhood where Dan's parents and his sister live.  It would be closer to Dan's new job (north side of town) and we would be closer to his aging parents.  I think we might have missed our perfect opportunity last summer when the market was more conducive to buyers like us....limited funds!

We would never be able to move without selling our current house first.  Our house is 60+ years old and it needs a lot of work.....work that we can't afford to have done.  I just want to be able to sell this house for what we owe on it....and some extra for a down payment on another house.  Is that so much to ask?  I feel guilty for wanting to move...feeling like I'm never satisfied with what I have.  The thing is...unless some work is done on this house, we will not be able to live here for the foreseeable future without the house falling down around us.  I don't think it's worth fixing it up, though.  I think we should cut our losses and move.  I guess St. Joseph and I need to have some discussion about what we should do!  Pray for us!

 

IV.

May I ask for your prayers for my sister?  She is back in the hospital...this time with pneumonia.  I think this is her 5th admission for the year!  Her health is not good and I fear that at some point this situation could become very critical.

 

V.

Structural problems with my house set aside...my house is a mess!  I'm feeling very overwhelmed at the moment.  I've really let my mothering and spousal duties slide over the last several months.  I guess I'm just tired of putting all of my heart and energy into all things domestic when my family does not seem to have any appreciation.  It isn't that I'm looking for kudos for myself personally in the form of praise and adoration....but it would be nice if everyone would appreciate their own personal belongings and space.  Is there a reason why my kids can't keep their room clean?  Is there a reason why they keep leaving their socks and shoes and various other personal items all over the living room floor?  I used to pick all this up myself....then I quit doing that and started yelling raising my voice for them to do it.  I'm tired of doing both of those...period!  So I've stopped.  And guess what's happened?  It doesn't get done!  Here's the bad part.....I don't seem to care anymore.  A part of me feels like if they want to live like slobs...so be it.  I'm tired of working like a dog to keep this house in a somewhat reasonable state...but no one cares!  Phew!  OK...rant over!

 

VI.

We've received the class supply lists for the upcoming school year.  I think this family could almost singularly keep Walmart or Staples in business!  I swear, if this were any other time in history, I would consider sending all three of them to public school!  Between tuition, uniforms,  and supplies, we literally have NOTHING left at the end of the month for discretionary spending!  Every cent goes to feed, clothe and educate our children!  I realize that this is what parenting is about....I get all that...but for heaven's sake, does the amount that goes to the school have to exceed what our mortgage payment is????

 

VII.

My summer work hours are slightly different than my "kids going to school" hours.  During the school year, I work 4 six-hour days with Wednesday being my day off (the kids have early release every Wednesday).  During the summer, I work 3 eight-hour days with two days off.  My sister in law keeps the kids for Mon/Tues/Wed and I'm home with them on Thurs/Fri.  I must say, I LOVE my days off...especially the days when we have nothing on the agenda!  I'm able to get things done (laundry and cleaning) as well as spend time catching up on blog reading and Pinterest perusing!  today has been a good day!

 

7 Quick Takes Friday, Vol 6

It's been quite some time since I've done a "Quick Takes" post.  Here goes...


1.  We've been getting ready for school!  For us, the first full day of school is August 15th.  I've taken care of uniforms, school supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes.  The only thing left is socks and shoes.  I will wait until the week before school to get those.  We are now waiting for notification on which homeroom teachers they'll each have.  The excitement is building!

2.  I've cleaned off my desk and work space in the corner of my bedroom again.  Today, I bought a new cork bulletin board and semi organized my craft supplies.  It seems I'm in a decluttering and organizing mood lately.  I also took two bags of clothing to Goodwill.  Sometimes I can get discouraged because it seems like all the crap clutter in my house isn't disappearing fast enough. I need to keep reminding me....baby steps!

3.  Over the last 22 weeks (or so), I've been eating healthier.  I've given up all the bad "white" stuff....bread, potatoes, rice, flour, sugar and pasta.  I'm sticking to fruits, vegetables, protein and nuts.
So far, it has done me well.  I'm sleeping better...my, ahem, bathroom habits are better....my energy level is better and don't seem as irritable as I used to be.  All in all, I've lost 60 lbs!  This is all well and good, BUT, I have at least another 50 lbs to go and I seem to have reached a plateau.  My sister-in-law loaned us her treadmill and I've been doing my best to get on it everyday!  Please pray for me that I won't get discouraged and then give it all up!

4.  I have seriously neglected our Little Flowers Girls Club.  I feel awful.  I think it's been at least 6 or 7 months since we've met.  Between school, soccer, basketball, homework and school projects, not to mention all the other household things that I must do, it was getting harder and harder to schedule this in.  I've made a commitment to schedule another meeting very soon.  I will send out an email to all the little girls and their mothers THIS WEEK!  I promise!

5.  I've been thinking about virtues lately.  Particularly the virtue of Charity.  I'm lousy at it.  I'm lousy at all of them, but this one is especially difficult.  Everyone suffers because of my attitude...mostly my kids.  In that famous poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, it says "If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn....If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.  My attitudes toward a certain situation, is really bad.  I'm not being a very good example for my kids.  I'm finding that I'm really tiring of my family and my house being taken advantage of by people that should know better.  In wearing my emotions on my sleeve, my kids are picking up on my unkindness and my lack of charity.  This is bad.  I need to be showing them that we are to treat others (even others that drive us nuts) how we want to be treated, instead of treating them like they really irritate me...even though they do!  Could you spare another prayer for this Quick Take too???

6.  My good friend, Msgr. Steven Lopes, is coming for a quick visit to the United States in a couple of weeks.  He'll be in Atlanta for a special convocation of seminarians.  Dan and I are going to drive up there to spend a day with him when he's finished with his work!  What a joy it will be to see him! 

7.  In honor of St. Anne, Holy Mother of Mary, I thought I would end with this prayer:

Good St. Anne, you were especially favored by God to be the mother of the most holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Savior. By your power with your most pure daughter and with her divine Son, kindly obtain for us the grace and the favor we now seek. Please secure for us also forgiveness of our past sins, the strength to perform faithfully our daily duties and the help we need to persevere in the love of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Saturday), Vol 5

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!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 4)

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.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Volume 3)

I realize that Friday is almost over.....but here are my quick takes for the week!

-1-

We celebrate our "Family Movie Night" on Fridays.  Sometimes we go to Redbox, sometimes we watch a movie that I've ordered from Pius Media, or sometimes, we just watch a movie from our own personal library.  Tonight, I told the kids to pick one from the cupboard.  I'm not surprised at their choice...."Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone".  I can't tell you how many times we've watched these movies!  So much so that Olivia walks around speaking in a British accent half the time!  I kid you not!  Her favorite phrase (in her best Hermione Granger voice) is, "It's just outrageous! I've looked it up, they simply caun't expel you. It's completely unfaar!"  I'd like to start branching out with our movie watching....perhaps getting away from our trusty old favorites and see something new!

-2-

Speaking of new movies, I saw this trailer on Facebook yesterday and for some reason, it looks interesting to me.....

   I've always been a fan of sci-fi and this seems to fit the bill.  Of course, this would NOT be for the kids.

-3-

A swarm of little pesky moths have invaded the pantry.  I really don't like bugs...of any kind, really.  I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend....cleaning out the pantry....with BLEACH!

-4-

You're never going to believe this!  I've actually decided to NOT check any luggage on my Rome trip!  Today I bought this carry on set (Great price on Overstock.com!) It's the exact dimensions of what is allowed for carry on baggage.  Last time, Delta lost our luggage and we couldn't change clothes for 3 days!

We also have a very short connection in Atlanta and this way, I don't have to wonder whether or not the luggage made it on the plane.  Now that the luggage situation is decided, I have to work on getting my Verizon cell phone to work in Italy.  Any suggestions?

-5-

It was almost 90 degrees today in my back yard!  That's HOT!  Tomorrow, I'm taking the kids to their Aunt Fran's house to swim.  It's that time of year...sunscreen and new bathing suits!  Although I prefer the fall and winter months, it will be nice to enjoy the warmth of the sun and playing in the pool!

-6-

When Lent is over, I plan on making this wonderful Chocolate Kahlua Cake recipe that I found over at bakedbree!

-7-

I can't think of anything for #7!   I'm obviously going through a "dry" period where I don't feel like writing and I don't have much to say.  Hopefully I'll feel more in the mood for blogging over the weekend!

Visit Jen at Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Volume 2)

-1-

This week, I had a breast cancer re-staging PET Scan.  I think that's just a technical name for "checking to see if the cancer is back".  It is always a very emotional time for me.  In my day to day life, I can pretty much (not always) put this whole cancer nightmare behind me.  That is, until it's time for the regular testing that will be part of my life forever.  During this time, I cry a lot...my temper is quick and I'm pretty much a big baby!  Intellectually, of course, I know that to worry is not very constructive.  I also know that God is in control no matter what...but I am human and weak and I often fall into the trap of satan's lies.  The good news here for this week is that I've been blessed now with my 2nd CLEAR PET SCAN since being diagnosed in July of 2008!  There is NO CANCER in my body right now!  You have no idea the weight that was lifted from me upon hearing those results.  It's like you've been given a new life...one that is fresh with opportunity and possibilities.  The bottom line is that I can be a wife to my husband and a mother to my children with a whole lot less stress and with a renewed spirit.  Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support of me.  I am blessed beyond measure!

-2-

This week was stressful in other ways too.  Unfortunately, the decision has been made to send our children back to school next year.  I am devastated that we will no longer be homeschooling.  I can't tell you what a joy it has been for the last several months to have my kids at home with me!  I have learned so much right alongside them!  Homeschooling was never something that Dan wanted.  It was something that he agreed to because we didn't have other any other option at the time.  Since Dan and I both work part time, some of the homeschooling responsibility has fallen on him and this is just something that he is not comfortable with.  Homeschooling needs to be something that we BOTH agree on and are both committed to.  Dan has found a Charter School that he has visited and feels comfortable with.  I am disappointed because things were finally coming together and for the last several weeks, we were getting through Nathan's math without much difficulty.  I had finally decided on curriculum for next year and was looking forward to a homeschooling convention during the summer.  Well, things change and we must move on.  I'm sure I'll have much more to say about this as time moves forward.  Pray for my children as they are about to experience the Duval County Public Schools for the first time.  Lord have mercy!

-3-

Dan finally broke down and agreed to take the bird to the vet!  As I mentioned before, we found the bird outside a couple of weeks ago.  It was in the cat's mouth and we rescued it, but, not before his foot was injured.  As a matter of fact, he is missing a toe on the left side.  His top toe has been a little red and inflamed since he joined our family, but yesterday, it looked to be getting worse.  So, off to the tropical bird vet in our area we went.  ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY dollars later, we returned home with 3 different medications for his infected foot! Have you ever tried to give a small parakeet medication?  Nearly impossible! The good news is that other than his infection...he's a healthy bird.  I keep calling it a "he" but actually, the bird is very young and according to the vet, it's hard to tell if it's a male or female right now.  We have a follow up appointment on the 21st. 

-4-

Today (Saturday), Nathan has his first Altar Server Training! I'm so excited!  Soon, my son will get to service on the altar for the first time.  Is this every Catholic mother's dream...or is it just mine?

I know he will take this job seriously and do his very best.  What an honor!

-5-

Have you ever been on a pilgrimage?  God willing, I will be attempting to go to Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1st.  When Pope Benedict announced the date for the beatification, I felt a very strange sensation go through me.  It almost felt like an electrical current.  I can't exactly explain it in words, but it was a feeling in the depth of my being  that I needed to be there for this historic event.  I have made accommodation and airline reservations without a clue in the world how I'm going to pay for this.  I know I will be in good company as there are expected to be upwards of 3 million other pilgrims  in attendance.  There is a new website that the Diocese of Rome has set up for JPII's cause.  Click here for more information.  Join me in praying this prayer.

-6-

I am still reading the book on Padre Pio that I started several months ago.  It's hard to find time to sit down and concentrate on reading for any length of time.  However, I've added two new books to my library.  The first is called "Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends-How to Fight the Good Fight at Home! by Sarah, Stephen, and Grace Mally.  The second is called "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza.  I saw a recent interview with Immaculee and I was riveted by her story of surviving the Rwandan Holocaust in 1994 by hiding out in a tiny bathroom with seven other women for 91 days!  What an amazing story!  Hopefully, I will find some time to read in the coming weeks!

-7-

For several years, my camellia tree outside the front of our house has had a weird condition.  I think it's some kind of fungus. It resembles a fine white powder on the bottom of the leaves.  Anyway, I thought for sure that this year I wouldn't get any blooms.  As a matter of fact, most of the leaves are gone now...the tree looks bare.  There are some buds, but not many.  Usually, I have many buds already flowering by this time of year.  All the other camellia trees/bushes in the neighborhood are covered in blooms!  Not mine....until this morning!  I see one tiny bud opening up to pink petals!  I'm so happy!

Visit Jen at the Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 1)

-1-

We're getting ready to take Nathan to summer camp on Sunday.  I have that queasy feeling in my stomach again!  Some of you might remember how I agonized over this last year.  Anyway, the good news is that this year, he will be in the Ocala National Forest (2 hours away) instead of Northern Georgia (7 hours away).  This means that WE WILL DRIVE HIM TO CAMP and participate in the opening mass!  This will make things much more tolerable for his "worry-wart" mother!

-2-

The laundry basket with clean and folded laundry is still sitting on the edge of the couch where I put it LAST SATURDAY night!  It seems that I'm the only person living in this house with ARMS!

-3-

I believe that I've come to the point in my life where I can't watch the news.  The things that are going on in this country have me, at times, in an altered level of consciousness (or ALOC for any medical people out there).  Am I the only one who gets sick to their stomach when contemplating all things political?  I mean, I think there should be a seizure warning posted before watching Robert Gibbs take questions.

-4-

I am just about finished with curriculum planning for the upcoming school year!  I have two small purchases to make and I'll be done!  This has been a very exciting process!  Everyone is itching to get started, but we've tentatively marked the second week of September as our official start week!  We have a surprise trip planned for the kids the week before Labor Day so we'll wait until AFTER that to start school.  I will take the kids shopping for some supplies as we get closer.  There is nothing like starting off the school year with a brand new box of sharpened crayons!

-5-

It's my understanding that the Federal Government has extended unemployment benefits to 99 weeks (in states hardest hit by the recession).  You read that right...99 weeks!  99 WEEKS PEOPLE!  I remember many years ago when my mom lost her job to downsizing.  She spent her 6 WEEKS of unemployment working like a dog to find a job before her unemployment ran out.  She applied  for an extension and was granted an extra 6 weeks.  It took her another 4 months to find a job.  During that time, she had to move and her car sat idle for a long time because she couldn't afford to put gas in it.  Thankfully, now there's no rush to get a job.

-6-

Is it me or is my sarcasm shining like a light in the darkness this morning?

-7-

I'm so ready for the weather to get cooler!  It has been so terribly HOT here this summer!  I realize that I live in Florida...but there have been days when even the cats have been panting!  It's just no fun to be outside when it's that hot!  We live about 14 miles from the ocean so those afternoon sea breezes do not usually make it to us.  I guess I'll need to remind myself of this come February when a thin layer of ice appears on my windshield.

Check out more "7 Quick Takes Friday" over at Jen's place.