In Case You Want To Know...

Visit Una Voce Northern Alabama to hear the talks for the laity on the Extraordinary Form.

I have only been once to a Mass in the Extraordinary form and although it was very very different from what I have been used to at the Novus Ordo. That being said, it made me want to learn more about it. One of the things I liked was that the Priest faced the altar. His posture towards the altar and raising his eyes always to the cross helped me to focus on Christ on the cross as well. When he elevated the Precious Body of Christ it was so very beautiful. We did have a booklet with the Latin and English translation. Sort of a "how to" book. It was very easy to follow.

Kneeling to receive our Lord at the communion rail was also a new experience and one that has been on my heart ever since.

I have encountered Priests who no longer know how to celebrate Mass this way, and I've encountered ones who don't want to ever again. I think it's part of our rich history as Catholics and should not be so quickly done away with. It would be like getting rid of the White house and moving the President into a condo. Pretending all that time before never existed. Just "not right". Ya know?

Anyhow, enough of my chatting. Take a listen to the audios if you like. They are very good.

From Father Z

Found this at Father Z's. Check out his blog. Support him.

Not only is this fun, from a pop-culture point of view, it is true.

The Eucharist, its celebration and itself as the extraordinary Sacrament, is the “source and summit of Christian life”.
If we really believe that, then we must also hold that what we do in church, what we believe happens in a church, makes an enormous difference.

Do we believe the consecration really does something? Or, do we believe what is said and how, what the gestures are and the attitude in which they made are entirely indifferent? For example, will a choice not to kneel before Christ the King and Judge truly present in each sacred Host, produce a wider effect?

If you throw a stone, even a pebble, into a pool it produces ripples which expand to its edge. The way we celebrate Mass must create spiritual ripples in the Church and the world.

So does our good or bad reception of Holy Communion.

So must violations of rubrics and irreverence.

Mass is not merely a “teaching moment” or a “celebration of unity” or a "tedious obligation". Our choice of music, architecture, ceremonies and language affect more than one small congregation in one building. We are interconnected in both our common human nature and in baptism. When we sin we hurt the whole Body of Christ the Church.

If that is true for sin, it must also be true for our liturgical choices. They must also have personal and corporate impact. Any Mass can be offered for the intentions of the living or the dead.

Not even death is an obstacle to the efficacy of Holy Mass.

Celebrate Mass well, participate properly – affect the whole world. Celebrate poorly – affect the whole world.

In each age since Christ’s Ascension, people have felt they were in the End Times. They were right. In any moment, when the conditions are right, the Lord could return.

Considering what is happening in the world now, I am pushed to think about the way Mass is being celebrated, even the number of Masses being celebrated. Once there were many communities of contemplatives, spending time before the Blessed Sacrament or in contemplation, in collective and in private prayer. There were many more Masses.

Many more people went to confession.

Who can know how they all lifted burdens from the world and turned large and small tides by their prayers to God for mercy and in reparation for sin?

A single droplet of Christ’s Precious Blood consecrated at Holy Mass is the price of every soul ever created in God’s unfathomable plan.

So I repeat:

Yep, Dunno, Sorta, Good

My kids watched the teenage video over at Aussie Therese's place and they have't stopped singing it yet. My oldest one actually does a mean Aussie accent.

CSRA Young Marines Take DC

Make a Smilebox photobook

In the Kitchen with Mr. Pinch

Mr. Pinch makes Deviled Eggs. Her favorite.




mmmmmm..yumm


They were gone in a flash!

Do Not Be Afraid!

To be a "fishy" American. Thanks to Mike at Exultet for sharing the following:

On Kneeling in The United States

It has been on my heart recently to kneel for Holy Communion. I have received this way a few times and I must say it provides a focus on the Eucharist that can sometimes be lost when standing. When I kneel my eyes are immediately turned toward the Eucharist. When I stand I sometimes find myself looking at the EME or the Priest or deacon. Unless they raise the Precious Body up to eye level.
Well, it's really been on my mind so I've been praying a lot on it. What does God want me to do. He answered me today.

In conducting some other research online I discovered this on the USCCB website:

"The new edition of the General Instruction asks the Conference of Bishops in each country to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. The Conference of Bishops of the United States has determined that in this country Communion will be received standing and that a bow will be the act of reverence made by those receiving. These norms may require some adjustment on the part of those who have been used to other practices, however the significance of unity in posture and gesture as a symbol of our unity as members of the one body of Christ should be the governing factor in our own actions."

So I have a frame of reference. The Lord knows what is in my heart. Now I know what He wishes for me and, most importantly, how to teach my children.

The rest of The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass from the Committee on Divine Worship.

I'm Addicted

Just something I heard...

on EWTN Live tonight.

"To destroy a people, you must first sever their roots" --Alexander Solzhenitsyn

It just struck me as so very relevant on a political and religious level.

Prayer Request ****UPDATE***

UPDATE: Went to the doc this morning and all seems to be well. Not sure why my ankles are swelling but she did some blood tests and we'll go from there. My face, at least, is back to normal. Big relief. Let me tell ya, vanity reared her ugly head here this weekend. It was truly a difficult thing to do, walk out of this house looking like I did. I didn't like the way I looked, but I really didn't like the way I reacted to how I looked. Know what I mean? Anyway, I got a good dose of humility and I thank God for it.

So, for now...thank you all for your prayers and hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.
Blessings!




For me. I don't usually do this, but I've got some weird stuff going on. Short story I had a cystic lesion on my forehead that went crazy (basically a hard pimple under the skin that started spreading across my forehead and my face). I was put on doxycyclene for the weekend, that didn't work, so yesterday they put me on Septra. The lesion was lanced and I have a beautiful bandage on top of what will likely be a small scar. But the lesion is still there, hard as a rock, very very slowly going away. Last night I noticed my ankles looked a little fat. That's usually the one place on this body that I can guarantee is going to be thin. Not now.

My ankles look like my ankles did at 9 months pregnant in June. My cheeks are also starting to puff. I have a call into the nurse to see what she wants me to do, but it's really freaky. I may head to the ER anyhow, if she doesn't call me soon. This is just very strange for me, because I am never sick. Those of you readers who know me, know that. So, apparently when it hits me, it hits me hard.

so if you could, take a moment and ask the Good Lord and His Blessed Mother to watch over me and heal whatever it is that has a hold of me right now. I so much appreciate it.
Blessings!

My Brother is Coming, My Ride is a Wreck, My Waffle is Ready!

Okay, so my little brother is coming to visit today. He's on his way from Disney right now with his family and my treadmill is in the spot where his little ones need to sleep. I've been using the guest room as my office and...um...I'm not very organized..so..well here's a pic



So I went to bed reaeaeaeaelllllly late 'cause I spent the night catching up with an old friend



High school reminiscing. Realizations that..Man! We are getting old! But Thanks be to God we are much much wiser.

Two weeks ago I got rear ended at a stop light on Post. Fortunate for me, he was a really nice..and honest..guy and his insurance is taking care of everything. I don't have a pic of that..cause it's on my cell phone and I don't know where the heck that is right now! I suppose I could call it to find it..but if it's on vibrate..oh man..I gotta find that thing.

But the fun part of the day..after going to bed reaeaeaeaelllly late..I got up reaeaeaeaeaellllly early (5:30) and made this:



then my kiddos got up and asked me, so very nice and sweetly, would I make them some waffles. Okie dokie..so I did..I even added something a little special



Oops..that's for another recipe(I swear the pic is blurry because I'm a poor photographer. **channeling Bill Clinton here** "I did not have a drink of that Jack Daniels!"). I really added this:



which resulted in this:



and I'm already exhausted.

Oh and school books came today.

But I feel curiously happy.
In fact, I feel like singing! One of my favorite songs. In fact sing with me if you know it!

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
by jasonmrazworld

The School Bus is Coming!

Well, not really, but it's fun to think about :).

I finally ordered all my curriculum for this year. We are scheduled to start on September 8th. The day after Labor Day. I have gone through all the old books and put them in bins and am currently going through all the papers. Ugh.
Tons of papers.

We received final report cards and the kids were so excited. They were so proud to show Dad that they all earned A's and B's. My high schooler pulled a 3.2 average and is discovering that life is waiting on him, just around the corner. I think (and I stress "think") he's beginning to take things seriously.

I am so proud of all of them. They worked very hard and none harder than the big boy. Term papers, book reports, essays and Algebra tests, he was plain tired of it all. But he pulled through. He got all B's and 1 A...in Religion. I cannot argue with that. Thanks Be To God.

So, books are on their way and shelves are being reorganized. Schools supplies are purchased.

New pencils, so precisely
sharpened,
crisp, white paper beckons
Colorful and true
colored pencils seek out
a shape
crayons neatly stacked in a row
books, so fresh and vibrant
stories, knowledge, life
opportunity knocks at each door
what lies ahead
determination, perseverance
Patience
Foundations built
rock solid
Christ leads
we follow (kb)

This vs. That

You can read this or you can read that.

Which one do you choose?

Liturgial Renewal almost complete

Thanks to Catholic Knight for posting this.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have launched a new website to help American Catholics study the new text for the 3rd Edition Roman Missal.

I encourage you to read and study these texts as part of your spiritual reading. The changes are beautiful, especially to the Eucharistic prayers.

Check it out below...implementation could come in 2010.

3rd Edition Roman Missal

It's all His Fault! (Or is it?)

I just finished reading The Temperament God Gave my Spouse by Art and Laraine Bennett. What an eye opener! I hadn't read anything previously relating to the temperaments, choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, and melancholic, and this book forced me to look further into myself, do some research and figure out my own temperament before I could see how it works with my husbands.

I discovered that I am a mix of choleric and sanguine. While my hubby is more sanguine-phlegmatic. How we work together and respond to one another directly corresponds to our temperaments.

Art and Laraine use real marriage experiences of their own and other couples to illustrate how couples with different temperaments are able to better their marriages by realizing how their temperaments work and how they can make very small changes in how each spouse responds to the different characteristics of each temperament. Most of the changes come from within as we discover our own temperaments.

Of course we can't change our spouse. We can only change how we respond to our spouse. I highly recommend this book for all married couples and for those who are in pre-cana or preparing for Marriage.

You can get it at The Catholic Company!

Throwing It Out!

Splenda, that is. I think it's wreaking havoc on my body and I don't like it. I can't say for sure but I have had some weird symptoms since I started using it again and I don't like it. So, out it goes. I had one packet this morning before doing my research and am now sipping a cup sans sugar or chlorinated sweetener.

It's actually not that bad. One thing Atkins has done for me is help me to stop those sugar cravings. I only use Splenda in my coffee. I try not to buy products that have Splenda in them. I don't drink soda (haven't had a soda in more than a year)anymore.

I am headed to the doc today to see if this latest issue is a result of my splenda intake. Whatever it is, I am not using it again. In fact, the whole box is going out in the trash today.

Has anyone here had any adverse reactions to Splenda or other artificial sweeteners?

Father Trigilio & The Wedding Garment

Father Trigilio at the Black Beretta has hit the nail on the head with a very controversial topic. I say controversial because it's not politically correct it is just plain old correct.

Here's a sample:
"Then I go to suburbia and see Super Casual take over like an Ecoli epidemic. Every school and place of employment now has 'dress down' days. When dressed up, in formal or business ware, the idea of LOOKING special helped people to do their job WELL."

Read the rest of the article here.

I Need an Intervention!

I actually needed to work out on the treadmill today.

I felt very strange before hand (like I was getting really hyper). I felt better afterwards.

Help.

Small Successes

I've been a small successes stalker for a while. Reading the posts and quietly telling myself this is a great way to hold myself accountable to get things done. I think I'm ready. I'll set some goals for next week and see if I can meet them as well.

1. I am working on the laundry. That's a big one for me. But I did manage to get it down to a reasonable two waiting loads. I had 4 overflowing baskets at one point. Now only two and it's actually sorted. Big success for me.

2. My schoolroom has been calling my name for awhile and I am finally getting it organized for the new school year. We're about halfway there.

3. My stained glass window. Hubby and I worked on this one. We finally got the large window covered and it looks great! I love the privacy it offers and also the beautiful colors that shine during the day.

Okay..now next week. Let's see what I can accomplish.

Have you Heard?

About Yoursphere? A social networking site for kids only that verifies identities for all members and has an extensive security staff.

My son is interested in this, he saw an ad in the Catholic Register and has been asking me about it for the last few months. I just got a chance to visit the site. I am interested to hear if any of you have heard of it or have tried it.

A Little Birdie Told Me...

about Microsoft Publisher. Well bust my blanket! I love it. Flyers, invites, brochures and much much more. The ability to put together professional quality pieces is so awesome. If you haven't tried it I highly recommend it. Not that I'm pushing for Microsoft, although I could use a few of their millions (if anyone from Microsoft is listening hint hint) but it is just a really great program and I have to tell ya'll about it.

Now I've heard that those Mac folks have some pretty cool stuff and I'd love to try it out. My hubby bought this computer and it runs on Vista. Well I can't use my photoshop with it and that is a real bummer. I can't get the dern software to load correctly on this vista platform so I have to load it on an XP platform in another room. Big hassle right now. I hope Microsoft comes out with a fix for this. So far I haven't found one. If you know of one please please please let me know.

Knock! Knock!

HI Ladies, I'm Your New Avon Lady! If you haven't tried Avon in a while take a new look. The products are some of the best beauty products on the market for very competitive prices. Avon has something for everyone, kids, men, mom and dad and of course, pamper yourself without breaking the budget.

Not only do they offer great products, but the opportunity to have your own business is incredible. For just $10. Yes, $10. No kit to buy, no inventory to have on hand, just $10 and you can be in business for yourself with a proven successful company. Many women have taken the Avon opportunity and built highly successful businesses on their $10 investment. You can too!

Click on the Avon link in the right side bar and pamper yourself. Or to find out more info about starting your own Avon business click the picture below.

Oh No..It's O!

The whole email collection program is ground to a halt. So says the Great O. Obama that is. I can't even call him President anymore. In the words of one famous black woman "It ain't fittin', It just ain't fittin'."

So many mistakes, so little time.

He does not seem Presidential to me. The way he speaks, the way he walks, the way he looks and dresses. He commands no respect. Regardless of his policies (which I don't even think are his), he's got no class. I think he's trying to play to the Hollywood, pop culture, easy laid back guy but that's not working.

There are still folks out there who love him, in some weird way, they continue to be caught up in the campaign high days. I liken it to beer goggles. If they sober up they'd see him for what he really is. Just a guy who should have never been President, simply because....he has no clue what he's doing. It's never fun to wake up and realize your mistake.

Picture Page

Where The &%&%$^#^ Is the Teleprompter?

President Obama, at his town hall meeting, was speaking about how private companies will still flourish under his healthcare plan. He cited an example:

Federal Express and UPS.
He said they were doing quite well up against their government counterpart. In fact, he said, that they were doing very well, it was the U.S. Post Office that was not doing so well.

So the "government" agency is the one with troubles.

I can still hear the audible groan from the left and all of his staffers.

One of those.."you said it" moments.

Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn

www.salvationhistory.com

August 16, 2009 - Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom’s Feast

Readings:

Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:2-3, 10-15
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

The Wisdom of God has prepared a feast, we hear in today’s First Reading.

We must become like children (see Matthew 18:3-4) to hear and accept this invitation. For in every Eucharist, it is the folly of the cross that is represented and renewed.

To the world, it is foolishness to believe that the crucified Jesus rose from the dead. And for many, as for the crowds in today’s Gospel, it is foolishness—maybe even madness—to believe that Jesus can give us His flesh to eat.

Yet Jesus repeats himself with gathering intensity in the Gospel today. Notice the repetition of the words “eat” and “drink,” and “my flesh” and “my blood.” To heighten the unbelievable realism of what Jesus asks us to believe, John in these verses uses, not the ordinary Greek word for eating, but a cruder term, once reserved to describe the “munching” of feeding animals.

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-25). In His foolish love, He chooses to save those who believe that His flesh is true food, His blood, true drink.

Fear of the Lord, the desire to live by His will, is the beginning of true wisdom, Paul says in today’s Epistle (see Proverbs 9:10). And as we sing in today’s Psalm, those who fear Him shall not want for any good thing.

Again today in the liturgy, we are called to renew our faith in the Eucharist, to forsake the foolishness of believing only what we can see with our eyes.

We approach, then, not only an altar prepared with bread and wine, but the feast of Wisdom, the banquet of heaven—in which God our savior renews His everlasting covenant and promises to destroy death forever (see Isaiah 25:6-9).

Let us make the most of our days, as Paul says, always, in the Eucharist, giving thanks to God for everything in the name of Jesus, the bread c0me down from heaven.

Disappointment

Last night at work we played the movie Bruno. I wasn't sure how this movie would go over so it was only scheduled for one showing. That worked out because we only had 20 folks come to see it. What really disappointed me was that 4 of those 20 were children. Three 12 year olds and one 4 year old.

Two of the 12 year olds(boys) came out almost immediately. When asked why, one boy replied "Well! He's gay and I've seen too much!". The movie is full of graphic and perverse sexual activity.
Mom, however, sat in the theater until the movie ended while boys were out in the lobby. Very disturbing.

Any message that Sacha Baren Cohen was trying to put out was lost under the shocking content.

I Might Be Hooked!

On Close to My Heart stamps that is. My girlfriend has introduced me to this beautiful craft after I have been dormant for a few years. The feel of the papers in my hand gave me a thrill! Oh no!
I have about 2 sets of stamps right now, in a drawer in a closet somewhere that I haven't touched in years. But the feel of the paper, the crisp, clear acrylic blocks and the catalog, with it's pages and pages of beautiful layouts and cards....ohhhhh man! It could be addictive.

And get this! The stamps are so thin that they can store in a photo box! No more huge plastic bins to store my crafts stuff. Oh I might just be able to love this one.

And here's a shameless plug for my girlfriend, after all, she introduced me to these acrylic wonders.

Lola's shop.

Prayer Request

I have a friend who has requested prayers.
J. has asked us to pray for Liz Crowley. She has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. She has a six year old daughter and her hubby just returned from a middle east deployment. She is scheduled for a biopsy tomorrow. Please keep her in your prayers that our Lord will comfort her and our Lady will keep her close during this struggle.

Federal Government (EEOC) goes after Belmont Abbey College for Being Catholic - Catholic Online

Federal Government (EEOC) goes after Belmont Abbey College for Being Catholic - Catholic Online

Shared via AddThis

So...What do you think?

St. Clare, my Patron, Ora Pro Nobis!

Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not. Keep reading

Sing!

I found this little gem in my inbox this morning over a cup of hot joe. Thanks Sarah! I just about burned the inside of my nostrils off. DO NOT LAUGH WHILE DRINKING HOT COFFEE! It's not a good feeling. :) But this little ditty will be in my head all day. It must be that catchy, secular tune..
Gather Us In

Here in this place, our comfortable parish,
All of the statues carried away,
See in each face a vacuous visage,
Brought here by guilt or by R.C.I.A.

Gather us in, by Beammer or Hummer,
Gather us in, so we can feel good,
Come to us now in this barren Zen temple,
With only a shrub and an altar of wood.

We are the young, our morals a mystery,
We are the old, who couldn't care less,
We have been warned throughout all of history,
But we enjoy this liturgical mess.

Gather us in, our radical pastor,
Gather us in, our unveiled nun,
Call to us now, with guitars and bongos,
Hang up your cellphones and join in the fun!

Here we will take some wine and some water,
Whether it changes, we really don't care.
But when the Sign of Peace comes, our pastor,
Jumps from the altar and hugs like a bear.

Gather us in, the privileged and snobby,
Gather us in, the liberal elite,
Help us to form our personal Credo,
Give us a choice between white bread and wheat.

I don't know where it came from but it's just right.

Ode to My Thighs

Oh Thighs, how lovely
you used to be
So muscular and thin
Firm and solid, you stood apart
No dimples in your skin

On Sunny days the shorts
were short
and swimsuits had no skirts
to run and play were easy feats
and I never missed dessert

I woke this morning
and took the hill
that left you in this pain
I had to make it happen if I should
ever wear shorts again

Oh Thighs, how lovely you
used to be
so muscular and thin
I'll walk a thousand miles
to slim you down again.

Here's Why...

Reading through the blogs from yesterday it appears that many of you had some issues with blogger for a bit..here's why:
Twitter Down: It's an Online Attack on One Political Blogger

Apparently the hack wasn't meant to silence you but him.

Be Careful Who You Talk To

The White House blogger, Macon Phillips, has this to say to America: (emphasis mine)

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.
So what exactly does that mean? What does the White house intend to do with those "fishy" comments? Or commenter's? Can't speak out against the policies any more.

Barbara Boxer, that wonderful California Senator, seems to think that well dressed folks at town hall meetings are plants from the opposition and are there to hurt her President.

Something is Rotten in Washington D.C. It's starting to stink folks.


source: White House Blog
Barbara Boxer

Retreats

Tonight our women's group is having a mini-retreat. We have invited a wonderful woman, Ellen, to come speak about recognizing and using your gifts and talents.

It is the start of our MCCW(Military Council of Catholic Women) group this year. Please keep us in your prayers. I pray that it is successful for the women involved and the parish community.

I am also in the process of creating a mini-retreat area for myself. I have this huge bedroom. On one side is a little sitting area. We have put our couch and love seat there. I am in the process of making it my little prayer spot. A place to go, play some soft music and pray. A small place in my home where I can get away and waste time with Our Lord. Father D. reminded us this Sunday, in our busy days, we waste so much time, make sure we waste some on God.
I loved that.

I have committed myself to saying a particular prayer daily and this really helps. It is a reminder to stop and retreat into Him.

I've even gotten hubby to join me in reading the Bible at night before bed. He's not a fan of sitting in my retreat space. He'd rather sit in bed, but he likes the music :). We are reading Hebrews right now. We take turns reading a couple of chapters a night. I love to listen to him read the bible. I am so thankful that he prays with me.

Have a blessed day!

What I'm Thinking Wednesday...

I am thinking about Fibroids and estrogen dominance. I've been doing some research on this whole fibroid issue. Fibroids seem to be most prevalent in women who are estrogen dominant. What does that mean? That the estrogen/progesterone balance is out of whack in our bodies.

Progesterone is released at ovulation, if you don't ovulate than you don't produce progesterone..or at least not enough to balance out the estrogen. Here's the tricky thing though..even if you do ovulate you can still be estrogen dominant. Phytoestrogens are a group of chemicals found in plants that can act like the hormone estrogen. These are also found in some of the foods we eat. Particularly soy. (Now, go check the ingredients of the food on your shelf, you are probably eating some type of soy whether it says it or not.)

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring and mimic estrogen in the body. Xenoestrogens,substances foreign to the human body that, directly or indirectly, act like estrogens, are chemically produced and can wreak even more havoc. Yet we take 'em in, probably without evening knowing it.

Birth control (this is why women on birth control gain weight), benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate and octyl-dimethyl-PABA, estradiol, alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives (namely methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butylparaben),phthalates,nonylphenol(a chemical added during the manufacture of plastic to prevent it from cracking) also found in some detergents, all of these estrogen mimics can cause cancers and infertility in women. Check your ingredients.

In my search to understand fibroids, I realized that this overabundance of estrogen could be my problem. Once fibroids grow large enough, they can actually produce their own estrogen. Well that certainly won't help will it? Not only does an overabundance of estrogen cause health issues it can be linked to obesity as well. Fat cells can actually produce estrogen.

So what can we do? Well, I encourage you to check ingredients. We are inundated with chemicals and hormones. Try to eliminate these.

I am headed to the doc on Friday to discuss my fibroid issue. I am going to ask all these questions. I encourage you to talk with your doctor as well. Please feel free to comment here and share your stories with estrogen dominance.

There are many sources online that offer information on estrogen dominance. I encourage you to research this if you think it may be an issue for you.

Feast of St. Vianney

Thank you once again to all our Priests for answering the call of God in your life. May your vocations be strengthened and your faith be renewed. May the Blessed Mother keep you and May the Face of Christ Shine up on you.

If you have a moment, here is a little video from one of my favorite Priests from Fort Meade. Dominican Father Malcolm Willoughby. Father Willoughby brought much joy to our lives.

Feelin' Good in the Neighborhood..

My new neighbor stopped by yesterday. It was really nice to chat with her. She brought her youngest daughter by and the girls made fast friends. I think this is so good. You have no idea. Being able to have a friend right down the street is indispensable to me. God is good. Oh Yeah. Hubbies get a long well and that's even better. They are both military and, although different services, they have much in common. It's great to make new friends!

Homeschool group starts next Wednesday! I am supposed to be part of the Entomology lab, however I can't seem to make any of the dern meetings. I have so many other meetings that have been scheduled. Ugh. Homeschool group has been such a blessing . Another rich source of wonderful friends. For me and the kids. Thanks Be to God!

I only have 3 more management classes and then my Tuesdays are free again. This week is going to be busy with class, dentists, retreats, meetings etc. I best get a move on.

Blessings!

Feel like a song...

Heard this today and it reminded me of Our Lord. Sometimes secular songs do that..

Martina McBride: I Just Call You Mine

I pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems
I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home
And here I am I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

And everyone who sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone who knows you
Always have a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeah
I just call you mine

I fall apart
Just a word from you just somehow seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
Oh, you reach into the weakest moments
And remind me that I'm strong
You've got to know
I'd be a fool not to see you even worse
To forget that you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone who sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone who knows you
Always have a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it

Cause everyone who sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone who knows you
Always have a smile
You're the dream that I've been chasin' after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine

Listen here.

Sunday Bible Reflections with Dr. Scott Hahn

source: St. Paul Center For Biblical Theology.

August 2nd, 2009 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Endurance Test

Readings:
Exodus 16:2–4, 12–15
Psalm 78:3–4, 23–25, 54
Ephesians 4:17, 20–24
John 6:24–35

The journey of discipleship is a life-long exodus from the slavery of sin and death to the holiness of truth in Mount Zion, the promised land of eternal life.

The road can get rough. And when it does, we can be tempted to complain like the Israelites in this week’s First Reading.

We have to see these times of hardship as a test of what is in our hearts, a call to trust God more and to purify the motives for our faith (Deuteronomy 8:2–3).

As Paul reminds us in this week’s Epistle, we must leave behind our old self-deceptions and desires and live according to the likeness of God in which we are made.

Jesus tells the crowd in this week’s Gospel that they are following him for the wrong reasons. They seek him because he filled their bellies. The Israelites, too, were content to follow God so long as there was plenty of food.

Food is the most obvious of signs—because it is the most basic of our human needs. We need our daily bread to live. But we cannot live by this bread alone. We need the bread of eternal life that preserves those who believe in him (Wisdom 16:20, 26).

The manna in the wilderness, like the bread Jesus multiplied for the crowd, was a sign of God’s Providence—that we should trust that he will provide.

These signs pointed to their fulfillment in the Eucharist, the abundant bread of angels we sing about in this week’s Psalm.

This is the food that God longs to give us. This is the bread we should be seeking. But too often we don’t ask for this bread. Instead we seek the perishable stuff of our every day wants and anxieties. In our weakness we think these things are what we really need.

We have to trust God more. If we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be ours as well (Matthew 6:33).

Today's The Day

we make our first mortgage payment! It's really ours!

Took the doggie on a walk around the block twice this morning. That's 2 miles down for the day. I didn't want to get up early but I wanted to exercise outside today before the construction crews start. Yesterday I did the treadmill and it was okay, but I find it much more fun to treadmill with a friend. We have a pretty good hill here in the neighborhood, so T-bone and I tackled it twice. It was nice and steamy outside as well. My glasses got fogged up a few times.

Weight loss is slow this time around. I really don't know why. I've got to change things up a bit..kick start that metabolism.

I'd like to stay home all day and finish the stitching project I'm working on. But errands call, I have a couple of books waiting for me at the library and I need to run to the post office and mail a package out. I've been putting that one off for a while now.

It should be a quiet day. It's dark outside..more rain today. That's good. My flowers are thanking Heaven. So am I, for saving me on my water bill. I've been looking for the rain barrels. They are a bit expensive. We want to make our own, but trying to find empty barrels is not so easy. I may end up just buying one. They are pretty prevalent on ebay. Rain barrels and solar power. That's our next big projects. Lots of research still to do. I also want to pick up a storm door for my front door.

Speaking of storms. Yesterday we had a good one. The wind came in so hard and fast there were tree limbs all over. It had been sunny all morning, about 2:30 in the afternoon you could see the clouds coming. (Did I tell you how much I love the sky here.)Then the wind hit, the rain, thunder and lightning. Then the rainbows and the sun peaking out behind white clouds surrounded by blue sky. It's just amazing the transformations here.

Blessings to you all!