Thursday Tea Time - 1st Edition

My good friend Judy from Benmakesten and Homeschool Faith and Family Life has participated in this meme every week for a long time.  I look so forward to Judy's posts about her Tea Time...especially when she posts pictures of here tea cups or other drinking vessels.  For me, it's a way to share a friendly quiet moment with her...even though we live so far away from each other.

The meme is hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.  Ruth describes it this way:

"This meme is purely for heart's sake. This is an invitation to have few minutes each Thursday for a tea break in front the computer and answer the following questions:
1. I'm having...(Share what kind of tea/coffee/drinks you're having.) You can share a bit about your teacup/mug.
2. I'm feeling....(no need to explain why if you don't want to)      3. On my mind....(random thoughts)
4. Then leave a line, a verse, or a quotation to encourage the readers (and yourself).
It doesn't have to be long. Just a light talk to make hearts light. You may want to add a photo or two."

So here is my first attempt at this meme.

1.  I'm having......my first cup of coffee this Thursday morning!  I'm enjoying it with 1 packet of Splenda and some half & half.  The mug is one I purchased at Starbucks several years ago.  I bought it because it reminded me of Fall....my favorite season. 

2.  I'm feeling......a little tired this morning.  I need to get the kids up, but once I do, our morning will begin in FULL FORCE and I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.  I can hardly wait for Easter break when I can let them sleep a little longer in the morning.

3.  On my mind......lots of things.  Tuition for the 2012-2013 school year is first and foremost.  It's a daunting task that must be addressed very soon.  It's times like these when I miss homeschooling the most.  Since that is not an option, I need to move on and allow myself to embrace traditional school with a new zeal and determination.

4.  My favorite verse has always been John 3:30....."He must increase, but I must decrease"

Here is my mug:

 

Please stop by Ruth's blog and join in on this fun meme!  I waited way too long.!

I was tagged!!

I was tagged for this meme by two very lovely young ladies....Mary and Grace from Two Sisters ~ Best Friends!  Here you go....

1.) Did you have more fun at you're New Year's Eve party for 2010 or 2011?


     I would have to say 2011!  We had a family "mocktail" party with lots of great food and a really good movie called "Second Hand Lions"!  If I remember correctly, we SLEPT through 2010!!

2.) Do you have a lot of big plans for 2011?

     Yes, spending more QUALITY family time together!  Today is January 6th and I think we've gotten off to a really good start!

3.) Do you think 2010 or 2011 is easier to write at the head of your school paper?

      I would have to say 2010, but only because I've had lots of practice writing it.

4.) Do you consider 2010 as a double digit year? (Even if it is mathematically NOT....do you personally consider it as one?)

      No.

5.) What's 1 big thing you are looking forward to doing/getting/proving/accomplishing/etc... in the year 2011?

   Getting my 4th grade son through his Saxon 5/4 math book without having to tie him to the chair!

6.) Do you want the year to change to 2011? (Not that you have a choice....but would you rather it stay 2010?)

      No, I'm already very pleased with 2011!

7.) Did you stay up until 12:00 PM on "New Years Eve"....Or couldn't you make it?


      I did fall asleep for a few minutes right about 11:30pm....but I woke up in time! 

8.) Do you think the world will end in 2012?!!?

        NO!

9.) Did you like your birthday better in 2010, or can you not wait until your birthday in 2011?

      I'll let you know in one week!

10.) Do you LIKE or DISLIKE school.?

       I LOVE school!  Learning is fun...even at my age!

11.) Do you like boots, tennis shoes, heels,or flats best???

      Slippers!  I know that wasn't one of the choices...but they are my favorite!

12.) Do you have any special plans for 2011?

      See answer to #2. 

13.) .Do you like winter or spring better??

     Winter!

14.) Favorite ice cream?

      Chocolate!

17.) Do you think you would like it better homeschooling or do you enjoy public school?

      I prefer homeschooling over public school!

18.) Whats your favorite subject in school?

    I enjoy doing art and science with my kids!

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged!  Make sure to visit Two Sisters ~ Best Friends to read their responses!

BIG THANKS to Mary & Grace for this fun meme!!

Meme Time

I was blog surfing tonight and ran across this Meme while visiting Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight. I thought it might be fun:

1. What's your middle name?

Louise, after my paternal grandmother.

2. What's your favorite magazine?

Family Fun

3. What are you wearing right now?

Pink pajama bottoms, white tank top.

4. What color are your bed sheets?

Sage green.

5. Who was your third grade teacher?

Mrs. Lois Procissi

6. What is the weather like right now?

Wet, muggy, hot....the Florida usual.

7. Do you know how to ski?

Yes to snow...no to water.

8. What was the last thing you drank?

Coffee

9. Dream vacation?

Rome, Italy

10. Favorite article of clothing?

Pajamas.

11. Do you prefer baking or cooking?

Cooking.

12. Is your hair above or below your shoulders?

Above.

13. What drink do you order when out?

Diet coke.

14. What book are you reading?

Southern Living Magazine. Ok, it's not a book, but it's what I'm reading.

15. What did you dream about last night?

I don't remember.

16. What was the last movie you went to?

Eclipse.

17. Any injuries at the moment?

Nope.

18. What color is your bathroom?

Your basic off-white.

19. What's the state of your laundry right now?

Haven't done any in several days. Probably at least 3 loads to do.

20. Do you take vitamins?

Vitamin D3...when I remember.

21. Where do you love to shop?

Barnes & Noble & Hobby Lobby

22. How often do you buy groceries?

One big shop every two weeks with little shops along the way.

23. Do you have a pet/pets?

One dog, three cats and 4 fish.

24. If you are married, when is your next anniversary?

November 15th it will be 13 years!

25. How do you take your coffee and/or tea?

Coffee ~ cream & sugar. I don't usually drink tea, unless it's iced.

26. Mac or PC? Desktop or Laptop?

PC, Laptop

27. Favorite month of the year?

October thru December

28. Do you have a hobby?

Blogging

29. What salad dressing do you prefer?

Wishbone Balsamic & Basil Vinaigrette.

30. Live or fake Christmas tree?

LIVE!

31. Did you walk or take a bus to school?

Thankfully, we lived close so I walked.

32. Do you have any phobias?

Emetophobia, Acrophobia, Atychiphobia (look em up).

33. What's your favorite snack food?

Cheese ~ any and all kinds!

34. When do you take your shower/bath?

Whenever I can, usually in the morning.

35. What time did you get up this morning?

About 6:45am.

36. What's your favorite animal?

Anything that doesn't pee on the carpet.

37. Have you ever broken a bone?

Toes.

38. Do you wear makeup?

Very seldom.

39. Do you speak any foreign languages?

A teeny, tiny bit of Italian.

40. Have you ever played a sport?

If you mean "on a team", no. I've played softball for fun.

41. Your last UPS package contained ...

School books from Catholic Heritage Curricula.

42. What's on your desktop?

A photo I took of the Smokey Mountains.

43. What is your home page?

The Drudgereport.com

44. Extrovert or introvert?

Extrovert.

45. Favorite board game?

Scrabble.

46. What class did you like best in high school? In college?

It's a toss up between pre-algebra with Mr. Senuta or Driver's Training with Mr. Nash.

47. What would you do with an extra hour each day?

I'd like to say I'd do an extra chore or pray...but I'd probably find time to waste that hour doing some needless thing.

48. Do you have allergies?

Ampicillin and Compazine.

49. Are your nails painted?

No.

50. Where are you right now?

Sitting in my comfy recliner!

If you haven't already done this Meme (or one similar), please take a few minutes to answer the questions and post them on your blog! I love reading about my online friends!!

After doing this meme, I realized that I forgot to do the one that someone else sent me a few weeks ago. Sorry, Jen...my mind is going!!

A thankful woman's book of blessings!

My friend, Judy at Benmakesten, hosts a wonderful meme on Wednesdays called "A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings"! This meme allows a place for us to share all of the wonderful blessings that God bestows on us...everyday! There is no way that I could list them all, but here are just a few:

1. I am thankful for memories of times gone by! I recently received a CD as a gift from a very dear friend. The CD is of his brother's band that used to play in the Bay Area (S.F.) in the early 90's. I had not heard this music in over 15 years! It brought back so many wonderful memories of friendship and good times! It really was a special time in my life. I've listened to the CD while doing dishes and making dinner for the last two nights in a row. The girls and I dance around the kitchen like little kids (hey, the girls are little kids!). Anyway, it's been wonderful remembering and seeing how God was blessing me...even then! Thanks, Paul!

2. I am thankful for my faith! I'm not sure I would be here today if it wasn't for my faith in God and His Church. Seriously. I know that I owe my life to the protection of Our Blessed Mother!

God has given me so much and I realize that it is through the eyes of His Church that I am even able to comprehend what little I do about His love for me. To even fathom that He knew me and loved me for all eternity...leaves me awestruck and very humbled.

3. I am thankful for my blogging friends! I know that it seems strange to call women that you've never physically met "friends", but, it's true! The connection that I feel with these ladies sometimes leaves me scratching my head! These women help me to grow in my faith daily. They inspire me, encourage me, pray for me and share with me...everyday! They mean the world to me!

4. I am thankful for my health! I guess this is one of those things where you don't know what you've got until it's gone! I have learned that taking care of this temple is so very important. I don't do such a great job at this. I need to eat better, exercise more, worry less and laugh a ton!

God has removed the cancer...at least for now! He has given me this time to be with my family and grow in relationship with Him! I pray that I can make good use of this time...whether it lasts for 30 years or 3 years.

5. I am always thankful for my husband and children! They are the reason I get up every morning! They are the reason I have gray hair! They are the reason that I live and breathe!

They are also the reason that I have this strange twitch! They are the reason why I am the happiest that I've ever been in my life! And yet, they are the reason why I need several cups of coffee in the morning and the reason I sometimes contemplate getting in the car and just driving...and driving and driving. They are the reason why I was born...to be a mom and wife! They are the reason I feel so loved! One of them (who shall remain nameless) is the reason I am up right now...posting this at 3:32am! God love em'!

Happy Wednesday, everybody!

Let's play tag......You're it!!!

I was tagged by Mary at The Beautiful Gate.

Six names you go by:
Mom
Mama
Honey
Nance
Nanners
Goat (don't ask!)

Three things you are wearing:
Our Lady of the Streets medal
pink butterfly pajamas
ahem......under clothing

Three things you want very badly right now:
a working washing machine
a quarter pounder with cheese w/fries
for health to be restored to all those suffering

Three things you did last night/yesterday:
went to church
did two loads of laundry at my in-laws house
fell asleep during "Good Eats"

Two things you ate today:
cottage cheese
salad

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
my friend Diane
Dan


Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
go to work
pick up Nathan from choir practice

Your three favorite beverages:
Diet Coke
Coffee
Diet Coke

Now it's my turn and I'm tagging Sarah at So...This is the Road I'm Traveling On and Barb at SFO Mom.

Enjoy!

What Nathan and Amelia say about me.....

I was taking a few minutes to read through some of my favorite blogs when I found this meme over at Tracy's Organic Learning! I thought I would give it a try...although I am taking a HUGE risk asking my kids these questions! But here goes!



Kids are honest. What do your kids have to say about you? Ask your child(ren) the following questions, and post their answers. (Nathan's answers are in Bold Black and Amelia's are in Bold Red)



1. What is something your mom always says to you? NO! NO!
(well, at least they're consistent)


2. What makes your mom happy? When I do good things. Do good things.
(I wonder why keeping their room clean never came up!)


3. What makes your mom sad? When I'm not being good. When I do bad things.
(I wonder why NOT keeping their room clean never came up!)


4. How does your mom make you laugh? When she tickles me. Tickle me.
(It's strange, I'm really not that aware of all the tickling going on in this house!)


5. What was your mom like as a child? Uhhhh, I don't know. Ride her bike.
(Nathan usually asks me things like.."Did they have TV way back then when you were a kid")


6. How old is your mom? 44 44
(....and this is what they remember!! Geez)


7. How tall is your mom? Oh my gosh, you are.....66 feet long??? Big.
(No Amelia...the questions wasn't "How WIDE is your mom!)



8. What is her favorite thing to do? To read and to go out to the 40 Days for Life site. Go outside and read....and you like to tickle me.
(How come I don't remember all this time to read?)


9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Sleep. You snuggle Olivia.
(I am rarely without one of them....so "no" to the sleep answer and yes to the snuggling!)


10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? It will be for working on computers.
When you married daddy.
(???????)


11. What is your mom really good at? Reading, cause you're always finishing books in like 2 days! You're really good at games.
(What...no mention of my cooking....sigh)


12. What is your mom not very good at? Fixing computers. You're not very good at painting our faces.
(Apparently, that face painting course I took didn't take!)


13. What does your mom do for a job? Works at Baptist Hospital. You work.
(blah, blah, blah)


14. What is your mom's favorite food? Green Beans. Broccoli.
(this is wrong on so many levels!)


15. What makes you proud of your mom? Working for money for a house to live in. You sometimes pick me up from school.
(no sainthood material here!)


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Minnie Mouse. Caillou.
(I guess this could be worse....like George of the Jungle...or Spongebob.)


17. What do you and your mom do together? We write in journals together. We try to make projects together.
(Try is the operative word here.)


18. How are you and your mom the same? We aren't the same. We look like each other.
(Really?)


19. How are you and your mom different? You go to work and I don't. God made us different.
(True enough!)


20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because when you get mad at me, you say it's because you love me. You help me.
(Yup!)


21. What does your mom like most about your dad? I don't know. You kiss him.
(There are so many reasons!!)


22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? To church. Disney with Nathan.
(Both are correct....as are a million other places!)


Well, I'm quite sure I won't win any "Mother of the Year" awards with these answers.
I must tell you...I wasn't very impressed with Nathan's answers! Although, in his defense, he was trying to watch a Harry Potter movie on the Family Channel over my shoulder. He was NOT interested in answering these questions. I think I'm afraid to ask Olivia...

If you're reading this...consider yourself tagged!

A Name Meme

I was tagged by Therese at Musings of a Mom!! Thanks Therese!



Copy the questions from my post and paste them in a new post on your blog. Erase my answers and put yours in. Use the first letter of your name to answer ALL of the following questions. If the person before you has the same 1st letter pick a new one. You CAN NOT use anything twice, and you CAN NOT use your own name for the boy/girl question. After you are done, tag 5 people.......



1. What is your name?: Nancy

2. A 4 letter word: Nice

3. A boy's name: Nathan

4. A girl's name: Nina

5. An occupation: Nurse

6. A color: Nude

7. Something you wear: Necklace

8. A Food: Noodles

9. Something found in the bathroom: Nail Polish

10. A place: Naples

11. A reason for being late: Nausea

12. Something you shout: NO!

13. A movie title: Nim's Island (we just watched this...good movie)

14. Something you drink: Nyquil

15. An animal: Nightingale

16. A song title: National Anthem

17. A verb: Nudge



Here are my five tags:



Barbara at Praying for Grace

Therese at Aussie Coffee Shop

Barb at SFO Mom

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

Michele at Mama in High Heels

Interview Meme #2

My friend, Aussie Therese had sent me some interview questions a few days ago that I missed because.....well, just let me put it this way.....Hello, my name is Nancy and I'm addicted to Facebook! Anyway, if you thought you were bored with the first set of answers....sit down, relax and enjoy the second set! Thank you Therese!

1. Who is your favourite saint and why?

If you would have asked me this 20, 15 or even 10 years ago...you would get a different answer than you're going to get now. Over the last few years, I've read about lots of saints and I must say...I'm fascinated by the lives of these great people of God. There are two saints that I particularly identify with...St. Dymphna and St. Agatha. St. Dymphna and I have been acquainted for quite awhile. She is the patron saint of mental illnesses and of happy families. I have suffered for most of my life with an anxiety/panic disorder. It became more pronounced when I gave birth to Nathan. I had a bit of post partum depression with the panic attacks. That was probably the most scary time in my entire life! Anyway, St. Dymphna was a comfort to me. And...St. Agatha...well she is the patron saint of breast cancer patients. She's my new best friend!!

2. What is your favourite food to eat?

I had the best of both worlds as a kid. My dad's parents were immigrants from Italy! To me, there is nothing better than smelling fresh garlic sauteing in olive oil. HMMMMM. On the other hand, my mom was born and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia! Her nickname was "Georgia Peach". I grew up on collard greens, grits and fried okra! Both of these cultures define who I am. But...guess what??? My absolute favorite food.....Chinese!!!!

3. If you could visit any country in the world (all expenses paid)where would you go and why?

I would go back to Rome. Dan and I spent Thanksgiving, 2007 there for our 10th wedding anniversary! It was the best vacation I have ever had!!! I had a very profound spiritual experience while we were there. It truly was a pilgrimage for me! Rome is incredible! My faith was recharged! If you ever....EVER...get the chance to go.....GO!!!!

4. Would you still attend mass if it was made illegal in the USA?

Wow....this is an interesting question. Honestly, the thought has crossed my mind that at some point in my lifetime...this could quite possibly be an issue. If not in mine, then maybe for my kids. I believe my answer would be "yes". I would hope that it wouldn't ever come to that, but, I don't think I could live without the Eucharist. I think that I would find a way....underground or in a home...somewhere, somehow.

5. If you had over a million dollars to give to any charity who would you give to and why?

Without a doubt, I would give it all to Shaohannah's Hope. This is a foundation created by Christian Music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. With 50 million babies murdered here in the US since Roe vs Wade, this foundation is working to help ease the financial burdens of adoption. Adoption costs are very high and there are good people out there who would gladly accept these children into their families...if only they could afford it.

If any of you are interested in participating in this "interview meme"...just email me and I'll send you 5 questions that you can answer on your blog!!

Interview Meme...

Thank you Therese at Musings of a Mom for sending me the interview questions for this meme...

If you want to participate, simply leave a comment saying "Interview Me", and I will send you 5 questions, and then you can answer them in your post, and the chain continues...Here we go!

1. When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think I have a vague memory of wanting to be a nun...and wanting to teach. It seems the nuns that taught me as a kid had a huge influence on me! I remember them like it was yesterday....Sr. Francesca in 3rd grade, Sr. Diana (RIP) in 5th grade and Sr. Madeline (RIP) in 8th grade. These were remarkable women! They each made an impression on me and I wanted to be just like them! I'm so thankful that my kids have sisters from this order at our school (if you've seen HI LUCY on EWTN...you know who these sisters are). Later on as I got older....I knew my vocation in life would be wife and mom. This is where I truly belong. I will say though, if I had not met Dan when I did, I would probably be in religious life right now. I'm glad it worked out the way it did!

2. If you chose to do something different than the answer in #1, what changed your mind?

As I said above, I think God must have placed the vocation for wife/mom in my heart because the desire was very strong for quite some time. This is where I belong. I feel a completeness that I never thought I would have. It's almost as though I knew my children before I had them....before I was even married. I am far from being the kind of wife/mother that I want to be. I mean, I could give you a list of things I don't do very well....as well as a list of things I've totally messed up! I guess that's what sin is.....missing the mark! I do that everyday!

3. Is there a song today that you identify with? Why?

Yes....it's called Breathe. There are many versions out there, but I like the one that Michael W. Smith does from his Worship CD. I identify with this song because it's a prayer...crying out to God. I am desperate for Him and I am most definitely lost without Him.
Then, theirs always "It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To"......you know, the cancer thing!

4. Is there a skill or craft that you have always wanted to learn but haven't yet? If so, what has kept you from learning it?

When I was little, my grandfather (dad's side) would always ask me two things whenever I came to visit....Have you learned how to cook and have you learned how to sew. For some reason (probably because of the era he was born in) these two skills were of the utmost importance to him. I always wanted to learn to do both of these things....partly because I wanted to please him. Now, as an adult, I see the value of both skills....especially when you have a family. I think I've done ok with the cooking thing (Grandpa Joe would be proud...especially when I'm cooking Italian) but I never learned to sew. I mean, I can sew on a button and I've learned to hem pants (although with the invention of Stitch Witchery...there really is no need to hem anymore) but, I've never done anything beyond that. I've always wanted to learn to sew. I've wanted to make clothing and I've always wanted to quilt. Whenever I'm in a fabric store, I have a strong urge to buy fabric. The vivid and vibrant colors just draw me to them! I really don't know the reason why I've not pursued sewing. The excuse I've always used is not having a sewing machine. But, I know myself and my propensity to clutter. I think a sewing machine/table would just be another place to accumulate clutter and sewing projects would be just another thing to not finish.
This is very sad when I see it on paper. Hmmmm, and they say love of money is the root of all evil.....I think it's not finishing what you start!!


5. What is one hope that you have for 2009?

My hopes for 2009 are mostly related to health. I hope for a cancer free year (40 years, actually), I hope for health for my family. I also hope to home school this next school year and I hope that our family (both immediate and extended) realize the blessing we have and move closer to each other and to God.

Book Meme

I was tagged by Dawn at A Helping Hand for this book meme. Here are the rules....

1. Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.
2. Open the closest book to you...not your favorite book or the most intellectual, but the closest book to you, to page 56.
3. Write the 5th sentence...as well as two to five sentences following that.

The closest book is "Scaling Down: Living Large in a Smaller Space" by Judi Culbertson and Marj Decker. Here is page 56, 5th through the 11th sentences...

"Even the worst cases of sentimentality can be taught to discriminate between what truly means something to them and what is a knee-jerk response. Here are some of the culprits we all face.
Yes, there are people who can receive a birthday, sympathy, or Christmas card, smile or feel touched, then let it go immediately. But most of us can't. We imagine how the giver went to the trouble of picking out just the right message, then mailed it or delivered it to us with a gift. The card has entered our orbit and become part of our personal history. Fortunately for most of us, unless a card has a warm personal message or makes us laugh all over again, we realize it does not need to be saved."

And now I tag the following.....

Chris

Esther

Jen

Nichole

Rebecca

Simple Woman's Daybook

Please visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's blog!!

FOR TODAY Monday, September 22, 2008...

Outside My Window...stillness, absolutely no wind, no movement

I am thinking... I have so much to do today

I am thankful for... LIFE

From the kitchen... vegetable beef soup and corn muffins a friend just brought over

I am wearing... still in pajamas

I am creating...a master plan for when chemo starts

I am going...to call the pediatrician when they open because the girls are sick

I am reading... my October issue of Family Fun Magazine

I am hoping...to get all the laundry done today

I am hearing...Brian Kilmead's voice from Fox and Friends

Around the house... dusting needs to be done

One of my favorite things...watching my children laugh

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, chemo, family time

Here is picture thought I am sharing...