I'd Like to Know....

What's it like to use a MAC? We have been thinking of jumping ship from Microsoft, but I have a great fear of drowning in Apples. I know there are some MAC users who peruse my blog so if you are out there, leave a comment and let me know why I should join the MAC world, or why I should just stick with Bill.
Thanks!

It's A Blockbuster!

H/T Abba's Little Girl. Hilarious!

It's the end of the world as we know it...

as the season of Advent should be. The Gospel today speaks about signs and tribulations. Be on guard, lest the hour come and you are not ready.

Just another theme for a Hollywood blockbuster? I think not.

This Advent season be sure your soul is ready. Get to confession. The gift of reconciliation with God is waiting for you.

Would folks get up at 2 am in the morning to get in line for such a gift as their eternal life? It's not free. It's priceless.

Listen! The Lord is calling you. Prepare your hearts! Stay awake and prepare the way of the Lord!

I see skies of blue...

clouds of white...Bright blessed days...dark sacred nights...and I think to myself...What a wonderful world! (Louis Armstrong)

That's my day yesterday. This is the first Thanksgiving that we have spent without guests. Just the six of us. We had signed up to adopt a family (a family whose spouse is deployed or who, like us, didn't have immediate family in the area) so we bought extra just in case. But all the families were adopted.

So we got up, wished each other Happy Thanksgiving and headed off to Mass. Fr. gave a wonderful homily about choices. He didn't have many of them as a child in Africa. When he came here to the U.S. he was amazed at all the choices. All that we have to be thankful for. He was right on and gave us all something to think about and talk about on the ride home.

After a small lunch, we decided to head to the movies to see The Blind Side. What a great little movie. Perfect for Thanksgiving. Uplifting and inspiring. We all enjoyed it tremendously.

Then home to fry the turkey and finish dinner. Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, cornbread stuffing and cornbread rolls. Cherry and Apple pie...mmmmm mmmmmm good. Big Tom came out all juicy and crisp. Of course, how can you not love fried turkey. Everything is better fried! Right?!?!?!? Delish. We said Grace and the kids hit the buffet. It was the boys in the kitchen for clean up and the girls in the dining room. They did a fabulous job, without complaint and so we headed for the hot tub to finish the night.

It was a wonderful world yesterday. At least in our little corner. I hope yours went just as well. Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you and yours be blessed always.

Be Not Afraid!

November 25, 2009
Today's Gospel Lk 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Source: USCCB

Feast of Christ The King

St. Cecilia

Cecilia was a lovely Roman girl. She loved Jesus with all her heart. But a young Roman wanted to marry her. She told him she belonged to Our Lord alone. At first he and his brother were very angry. They tried to force marriage on her. But when the young man walked toward Cecilia, he saw her strong, beautiful Guardian Angel standing at her side.

The young man at once became a Christian. So did his brother. The roman soldiers came and took all three of them prisoners. They cried, "offer sacrifice to our gods." Bt Cecilia though just a young woman, spoke for all of them. "We love and serve only the true God," she answered. So all three went to Heaven together in martyrdom. Just a few years ago, Ceilia's body was found in its grave in Rome. Though she had been dead for almost eighteen hundred years, her body was still fresh and sweet and beautiful, as if she were asleep. Her Feast is: November 22nd. Source

For Shame!

It is because this child can be destroyed as a "choice",



that this child's mother "chooses" to destroy her.



It is disgraceful, shameful and disgusting, the lack of respect for Life in this country. There is no difference between Shaniya Davis' five year old life outside the womb and the 5 week old baby's life inside the womb. When will America see that the destruction of children, of life, at any stage is abhorrent!

Photo Finish

We made candy Turkeys (oreos, reese cups and candy corns do cause tummy aches) and finished out this week with a heck of a field trip!

Very cool periodic table of elements.

Of course, everyone wanted to find Uranium.

Raleigh, the Barred Owl.

Winston, the Screech Owl. (Raleigh, would kindly eat this little guy for dinner)

Louie, the America Alligator.


Scary and awesome at the same time. Wouldn't want to stumble upon this in the forest.

One hour north and we are at the Glenn Beck Book Signing. Stood in line for 2.5 hours. And we didn't have a ticket to get our book signed.

5 pm. Starting to get crowded..


6:15..signing was to start 15 minutes ago..the podium is just getting set up. It's getting hot now. I am leaning up against a book rack with Bible covers. Ouch. But we are all smiles!


6:30..Finally! Glenn arrives and immediately begins signing. He will only be here for 1 hour. He has promised that he will sign all the books for the 800 people who have a ticket. There are over 1000 people in this Books A Million right now. Incredible.
Some of the people in line have 10 or more books. He's going to be exhausted.

The lady in the tan sweater, M., she held number 135 out of 800 in the line. She kindly agreed to have my book signed as she went through the line. Thanks M.!

Three Ways To Smile

Fellow Bloggers & Blog Readers, I need your help.

The whole reason I blog is to help others. (Even if it's just that what I said made them laugh out loud!) Laughter is good for your health.

I am asking you to help me make people smile. Maybe even laugh out loud.

Way to Smile #1
Catholic Chicks has been trying to get donations of blankets for the homeless in her community. She has had no luck from any of the major retailers. Take a moment to check out her Operation Comfort.

Way to Smile #2
From a Military Chaplain in Germany:
During the two weeks prior to Christmas, Ramstein Air Base will have thousands of soldiers, airmen, marines, and sailors come transit through the terminal into the
hospital, en route to a war zone, en route back to their home station.
Volunteers put together thousands of gift bags. Everyone gets one.
Whether they are here for 30 minutes or a long stay in the hospital.

Whenever we are asked our greatest need, it is letters!

To reach our goal of 10,000 bags this year we will need to collect
more than 30,000 hand-written letters.

Letters CANNOT:
Be Dated
Ask any questions about war, injuries, killing, etc (Believe it
or not 10% of all letters cannot be delivered because of this)
Be politically motivated or mention politicians or political
affiliation
Be type written or a photocopy
Be in a unsealed envelope (all letters have to reviewed before
being handed out)

Letters CAN:
Express support and appreciation
include a drawing (if from a child)
Tell about the writer's family, life, likes, etc.
Share personal experiences that motivate
include a return address

Send the Letters to:

Father (Capt.) David V. McGuire
PSC 1, Box 4856
APO, AE 09009


Way to Smile #3
Post this info on your blog. Pass it on to your email list.


Can you help make someone smile today?

"I am only One, but I am One. I cannot do everything,
but I can do something. And I will not allow what I cannot do to interfere with what I can do."
- Edward Everett Hale

Sweetness & Light

My son first introduced me to Tim Hawkins, then I saw the Homeschool video..I am a fan!

Thanks to Creative Minority Report for posting this one. What a way to start my day! :)

A Trip to The Movies

Yesterday my hubby took me to see Michael Jackson's This Is It.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite his many problems, this man truly had an unbelievable talent. He has a way of making you feel his music. It is thrilling to me, to watch someone who has so much talent use it so well. Whether it's MJ or MK(my big sister) I love to see the passion that comes from God given talent.

Funny at times, musically and visually stunning, check it out if you are so inclined.

The Pope Sings!

Click Here to go to the Music From the Vatican Website. This is a beautiful CD.

St. Martin, Ora Pro Nobis!

Feast of St. Martin of Tours



Remember our Fallen Service Members on Veterans Day

Chocolate and Mint and Cookies...Oh My!

All I have to say is:

Mmmmm.Mmmmmm.Mmmmmmm! Chocolate Mint Delights.
Mmmmm.Mmmmmm.Mmmmmmm! Chocolate Mint Delights.

I've figured out how to save 2.00 a box on Thin Mints. Hallelujah!

Thanks Sarah-Kala. These are now my absolute FAVORITE cookies evah!

Book Overload

Here are some of the titles I am *currently* reading:

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
Praying The Mass
The Rule of Benedict
The Five Love Languages
Swimming With Scapulars
Sharing Christs Priesthood: A Bible Study For Catholics
Culture of Corruption

I need an intervention! The thing is I am enjoying all of them. Even if I only read a paragraph of each every day.
Today, I am going to try to focus on just one. Now, I just have to figure out which one I want to focus on.

In the meantime I have papers to grade and 1st quarter grades to upload. Oh..and I feel something coming on...I had to make a choice this morning between coffee or Nyquil. I chose coffee.

I. Just. Don't. Have. Time. To. Get. Sick!

Good Guys

I woke up this morning...

I came down the stairs and my oldest was making me a beautiful, heart warming cup o'joe! He even asked me how I slept last night.

Then..he put on his coat and walked the dog.

God is so good.

Recipe Swap Thursday

Okay, this is not my recipe. Even though I will own every pound of it later, I swiped it from the grocery store Jello shelf. :)

Triple-Layer Pumpkin Spice Pie

The stuff you need:

2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. Jello Pumpkin Spice Flavor Instant pudding
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 8 oz tub Cool Whip
1 Graham Cracker crust


Step 1



Mix the jello and cinnamon together in a bowl and...

]

add the milk.

Whisk until well blended.



Step 2:

Pour about 3/4 into the pie crust.

Fold in 1 1/2 cup coolwhip topping, into remaining pudding mix.



Spread the mixture onto the pie.

(Now here's where my pictures just didn't come out. The flash kept making the topping glare out the picture. Without the flash I couldn't get a clear pic. I am such a bad photographer!)

Top the pie with one more layer of cool whip topping and refrigerate for one hour.

This is delicious! You can top with glazed pecans if you like.
Just pour some pecans into a medium saucepan on med-low heat..add a tablespoon of honey and cook until carmelized. Stir Frequently! Pour out onto a piece of wax paper and separate any clumps. Sprinkle on top of pie just before serving!

This is a winner!

A Little Bit of Sad Crafty

Some cards I was working on this afternoon. I need some more supplies..like pop up dots and more colored papers. They're so...umm...drab.

Have you made any Thanksgiving/Fall cards? I'd love to see your ideas..I need some inspiration.

USCCB Information On Health Care For ALL Catholics!

The USCCB has asked parishes nationwide to distribute a bulletin insert asking Catholics to contact Congress and resist support for taxpayer funded abortions. You can find the info at their website here:

USCCB Bulletin Inserts Health Care Reform

Charity Starts at Home (And They Get it!)

I had to work last night and didn't get to go out with the kids.
When I got home, I found this...


They left me their Almond Joys! That's my favorite! Plus the kit kats, twizzlers and of course, the gum and lollipops. :) Thanks guys!


My cool kiddos (with a friend).

What's Your Favorite, Can't-Resist-It Candy?