Priests, Saints and A Scorpion.

Yes. I have seen all three things this week! Well, maybe not the Saint. I did watch a television show about Mother Teresa. And of course, I talked to my good friend Sarah. She will be a saint, I'm sure!

This last Sunday, our new priest,Father Joe, was installed as our pastor. I've never seen a ceremony like this and it was very nice. He promised to take care of us and we promised to support him. This was important because we need to be reminded that he is our Priest. Our Pastor. We need to support him so that he can take care of us. Two way street. He's not only a good priest, he's super funny and we are very blessed to have him as our pastor.



So I talked about the saints already..Mother Teresa, Sarah..we are all called to be one! Today is the Feast of All Saints. It's a Holy Day of Obligation. Which means get to Mass today. Make the time. It's important. We celebrate our Church today! Sometimes, at Mass, I can almost see the Saints in Heaven celebrating with us. A good friend and teacher said, there is a thin veil between us and Heaven. It's hard to see through for us. Sometimes it clears..and we can see. The Sanctus is what brings this home for me.

Now for the part you've been waiting for! Scorpions? Yep. Scorpion, to be exact. Just one. Small, but frightening still. In my school room. I though the kids were joking. I was just at the computer entering in grades..I was just sitting there. My BARE FOOT was just where that dern creature is crawling right now!!! We got a jar, the kids had a good look, then promptly left him on the porch...in the jar. He didn't make the overnight temps. I'm not sad. I don't EVER want to see one of those again! Scary.

Off to teach some drama..20 kids..a Christmas production! Busy Busy!
St. Clare, Ora Pro Nobis!

Three Things

I was going to sit down and write a beautiful blog post about flowers and blue skies..no not really, but I actually had a few minutes of privacy and silence. No sooner did I click on "New Post", El Bambino started crying. I swear that boy has some kind of telekinetic thing going on. He knows. I mean it. He KNOWS! So, he's up there crying now..getting madder and madder. I suppose my time is up. Oh, my three things!

1. I'm in the process of reading a book to review here. On the Church and New Media. It's very good. I really like it.
2. I want to blog more about my faith. That's coming. Not sure where God will lead me on that one. Adoration is key.
3. I want to just plain blog more. Anyone out there with teens, tweens and babies have tips and tricks to find time to blog when there is no time? Help!

If you didn't know...Jesus waits for you silently in the Tabernacle. Go visit with him in Adoration. Even if you are not Catholic. He wants you there. With all your baggage, with all your kids and with all your love. One hour that will change your life. Guaranteed.

Have You Met Temple?

No, not the religious one. Temple Grandin. The Scientist.
A hidden gem in the vast archives of my Netflix account. I was intrigued by the cover.

A story based on the real life of an autistic woman who becomes one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry.

It begins with Temple on the verge of college and quite happy to remain in highschool. Her desire to be a scientist and also to be with animals, and a supportive high school science teacher spur her on to college. A mother who is beyond patient and full of love for her child who is "different, but not Less" makes this movie heart wrenching but not a tear jerker. Temple's straight forwardness is refreshing and quite often humurous, keeping things light.

Rated PG. One instance of the word "dammit", a scene of bloody bull testicles used to frighten Temple, a scene where masturbation is subtly implied in question. I would recommend for pre teens and older. Great story of the value and preciousness of all life.

Check it out. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Lawnmowers, Trains and Yipping Dogs

So, put the babe to rest...all is right with the world..
Tip toe downstairs, sit to grade the latest efforts of his siblings
Outside, the crazy neighbor, home early on a Monday..feels compelled
Fires up the blasted lawnmower

Babe cries. He does not appreciate lawn maintenance.

Soothe, rock. Cuss. Babe sleeps.

Lawnmower man creeps too closely to far neighbors fence
Sets off three yipping shnauzers caged outside

Babe cries. He does not care for yipping doggies.

Soothe, rock. Pray. Babe sleeps.

Freakin coal train passes blasting horn ridiculous.

Babe cries. So does mom.

Daybook - September 29, 2011

Happy Feast of The Archangels! St. Michael, Ora Pro Nobis!

You can participate at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY September 29, 2011

Outside my window...people are beginning to stir and the business of getting ready to head to work and school as begun. I can hear the rumble of my husbands motorcycle, it drowns out all other sounds.

I am thinking...about our fieldtrip today. We are visiting Redcliffe Plantation. I am excited because I love history and historical things. I am a visual learner and trips like this are always fun for me.

I am thankful for...this day! Our priest reminds us that every day is a good day because we are alive to live it. Amen brother! I mean, Father!

From the learning rooms... We had to put the brakes on Saxon Adv Math. Reverse and begin again. 12th grade is hard man! Can I get a pass dude?

In the kitchen...My daughter made Mexican Wedding cookies last night. Delicious. We need to work on her cleanup skills...I can see some powdered sugar foot prints in the kitchen. She was covered in the stuff yesterday.

I am wearing...In my work out gear. Still walking and running the 10 mile a week challenge. I have to run tonight though, the fieldtrip is pretty early, so I won't have time for a run.

I am wondering...why is sugar so der goooood?!?!?

I am reading...got rid of SK..scared me. Reading Dante now. Different kind of scary.

I am hoping...God sends us a Presidential candidate that will be good for this country.

I am looking forward to...coffee! Yum!

I am hearing...the kids playing and singing as they prepare for their days..someobe just turned on Nanny 911.

Around the house...put a ceiling fan in the kitchen. I love it! Keeps the kitchen much cooler.

A few plans for the rest of the week:get my 10 miles in. Become proficient in advanced mathematics. Yeah.

Daybook - September 14, 2011

You can participate at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY September 14, 2011

Outside my window...it is dark. It is that curious time when light has not yet touched the horizon, yet the night creatures have stopped their songs.

I am thinking...About how dern selfish I can be. It is good that God puts people in my life that help me see around myself.

I am thankful..for the gift of examination of conscience.
From the learning rooms...We are into week 3 and doing well. I am worried more than I should be about my sons upcoming SAT. I am trying hard not to put my anxiety on him.

In the kitchen...I am making Sunday Gravy today. Using the recipe from The Soprano's cook book..I've made it before and it's delish. It's an all day affair.

I am wearing...In my work out gear. I walk every weekday morning with my neighbor and this week I have started my 10 miles a week challenge. I get home from walking and run two miles on the treadmill. I love the way it feels to push my body to the limit.

I am creating...I need to do school pics this week. oh, and still organizing those photos from last daybook.

I am going...Today is Mass day. I am looking forward to it.

I am wondering...if I want to volunteer for our ladies group regional board. I've been asked and am discerning. pray for me.

I am reading...Still working on Motherless. Picked up Stephen King's Just After Sunset and I know that will drag me in. He had me at the intro.

I am hoping...El Bambino naps today. (Will this ever change?)

I am looking forward to...the sunrise and Mass.

I am hearing...the baby is crying. In fact, he's pretty mad. I suppose I should go get him.

Around the house...laundry day.

One of my favorite things...my coffee cup. My sister gave it to me years and years ago. It's from one of her first duty stations, Diego Garcia. I love it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Adoration, youth choir practice, lector training tonight. Airport field trip tomorrow. Conference planning meeting on Friday. Kids youth choir retreat on Saturday. Pro-life rosary making on Saturday. Lots to do..lots to do. Have a great week ya'll!

Daybook - September 5, 2011

You can participate at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY September 5, 2011

Outside my window...it is light, but not bright. Overcast. We had much needed rain overnight. You can still hear the foliage begging for more though.

I am thinking...Typing on the iPad is bad for my typing skills. I have grown used to two finger typing. The iPad can be useful for many things. Typing is not one of them.

I am thankful...gosh! For everything. Good brisket. We had that for dinner last night. It was a delicious meal made better because I found that piece of brisket for only 7$! It was small, but just enough for all of us.

From the learning rooms...The kids are on day 3, or so, of week one. We are On a tight schedule this year. Each kid has their own daily sched and I am grading papers over coffee each morning. I am determined to stay on top of things this year. I have a senior this year and I have no udea what to do to get him in college, so I will be doing research on that in the next few days. This is where a guidance counselor works out nicely. Oh well. I guess that's just another job I need to learn.

In the kitchen...I have moved all appliances, but the coffeemaker, off the counters. What a difference! I have scaled back on dishes and pots and pans. Keeping only what we use daily and a few more roasting/ baking pans for when I have guests and need more cookware.
I am loving the uncluttered look.

I am wearing...Still in pj's. Got up late and missed my am walk.. Feeding the baby now, and then I will change and head out while the kids are working.

I am creating...not really creating, but since I've given up on scrapbooking in my efforts to declutter, I am working on putting all my loose pictures into photo albums. I just discovered some more loose ones in my room, so I need to work on that after lunch.

I am going...no where. Well, wherever God sends me, but I have no plans.

I am wondering...why my little guy does not sleep through the night. I feed him full, burp him, put im down around 1130 pm but he's up at 1 am and the. 3 am..like he's starving. We tried some solids, but that has constipated him so we are back on bmilk only. A friend suggested he's just high maintenance. Ugh.

I am reading...The Importance of Being Ernest, Motherless and Please Don't Drink the Holy Water. I like the first one. Motherless lacks cohesiveness and believable characters and PDDTHW is just drivel in my opinion.

I am hoping...El Bambino naps today.

I am looking forward to...my morning walk.

I am hearing...the kids laugh and giggle in the schoolroom. Do they think I can't hear them?

Around the house...dust dust dust.

I am pondering...the meaning of dust.

One of my favorite things...El Bambino.

A few plans for the rest of the week: take care of the dust and keep my sanity. How bout ya'll?