A Time to Work and A Time to Vent

Why is it that, when I finally have an afternoon where 1. I can stay home and 2. most of the kids are out and the two that are here are occupied with "Captain America", I get distracted by things and don't get done what I have been waiting to do on an afternoon like this??

One of my summer goals was to spend one entire afternoon a week working on my website.  I need to rebuild a lot of pages because the format needs to be changed, and there's stuff I want to add and update.  I figured I'd pack up my laptop and head to the library once a week, no questions asked.  Well, given our schedule over the next two months, I'm not sure that is actually going to happen. 

I was, however, presented with the opportunity described above this afternoon so I got comfy at my desk, turned the fan on to cool me off and then smelled the toxic smell that can only mean one thing - my neighbor decided it was time to burn his garbage again.

Now I know it shouldn't, but this just sends me into a rage because it just isn't right.  We rarely use our air conditioning, so all during the spring/summer/fall months when the windows are open, we have to survive the onslaught of that horrid smell when he decides to burn.  It is so bad that we must shut all the windows, no matter how warm it is, until he is done.

Today I called the county to find out what could be done. They told me it is not enforceable through the Sheriff's office but through the Health Department.  They told me to call the Health Dept and someone could go over there and explain to him what he is allowed to burn and what he isn't.  They could write him a fine if they needed to.

I don't know about that, it just doesn't seem very effective.  Instead, I just did what I always do and stood in my yard and yelled at his billowing smoke in the hope that someone is around to hear me.  Well, then, I also came to vent on my blog, which doesn't seem to help the smoke, but does help me, so thanks.

Now that that is over with, maybe I can still salvage some website time.

God Bless! 

Catholic Women's Almanac

Moments of Gratitude:

* Those adjustments at the Chiropractor!  Boy do I thank God for that particular gift He gave to man :)
* A wonderful group of women that I spoke to on Saturday morning.  They were so kind and generous!  We had a wonderful morning.
* The beautiful weather we had on Sunday.  It wasn't always sunny, but it was warmer than it has been.
* My helpers on Saturday who helped me finally plant my Mother's Day flowers.

The Week Ahead:

This week begins our two week summer intensive with the performing arts center my kids are involved with.  It will involve a lot of time and a lot of driving, but I keep telling myself it only is two weeks.  I can do this!  In between that is the usual errands and such.  I guess this is how we usually spend our summers, going from one event to another!

In the Kitchen:

Easy-peasy things because of our schedule.  I think meatloaf, pizza and some beef in the crockpot recipe are on deck, along with a few things I can't remember at the moment.

Praying:

I have a bunch of people I know who are in need of physical healing and I'd like to ask you to add a prayer for them, too:
Len - for his knee to heal completely from surgery
Josh - A teen who had his 5th open heart surgery - that he will be healed
Laura - For her sprained back to finally get better so she can return to her motherly duties
Kim - A friend who had a heart attack last week
Nanci - Who is still trying to recuperate from surgery two weeks ago but keeps having complications.

So many things to pray for. So many people in need.  Lord, hear our prayers!

Pondering:

How not to get frustrated that summer seems as if it will be over before it even gets going.  Run, run, run.  Why?

Captured:

I took my camera out Sunday to take a picture of some of the pretty roses the girls got this past week at graduation and then I just kept going from there.

God Bless!

7 Quick Takes June 7 2013

--- 1 ---

First off, Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart!  I hurt my back over a week ago and then it was feeling pretty good.  I made it through the Corpus Christi procession on Sunday and through my son's Confirmation on Monday.  Tuesday was crazy day and I started out feeling fine.  We were running behind and I was going through a room when I spotted something (I really don't remember what - probably something as mundane as a piece of paper or whatnot) on the floor when I bent over to pick it up.  That's right, I was in such a hurry that I just bent over at the waist.  No squatting down to pick it up this time.  That's when it hit me again.  Now I think I'm worse than I was last week.
 

--- 2 ---

I'm sure some of you can relate to this next one, but did you know that there is really no good way to work on a laptop while lying flat on your back?  I've tried it on my knees - doesn't work.  I've put it next to me - hurt my neck.  I've laid it on my stomach but that makes it too close to use the keyboard easily.  There has to be a way, there just has to be.
 

--- 3 ---

So since there isn't a way that I've figured out just yet, I just lie there and think because reading isn't even really that easy while lying on your back when you have bifocals.  You know, you have to tilt you head up enough and hold the book in just the right place in order to read the words.  Gets tiring after awhile.  Besides that, I'm lying down, which makes me tired to begin with.  Since I can't read 0and I can't do work, I lie there thinking about all the things I need to do and I make lists.  However, I only make mental lists because I never remember to bring paper with me.  Once I get up, however, I forget what I thought of putting on my list by the time I get to my laptop.  I know, I could have much worse problems and I am incredibly thankful that I don't!
 

--- 4 ---

Enough about my back.  Next week starts the first week of summer intensive (I hate that word - it sounds so....intense, which it will be) for the Performing Arts Center that my kids are involved in.  We're still trying to work out the carpooling details so that no one person is driving up and down the highway 8 times a day.  And then to top it off, gas prices took a huge jump around here this week.  Can anyone tell me why our prices right now are $4.30  and then some a gallon and the national average is $3.60???   I know, I'm complaining a lot today, aren't I? 

--- 5 ---

Okay, two more takes to get it right and end on a positive note.  Hmmm, well, those friends of mine who were trying to raise money so that they could record a CD of sacred music?  Well, they did it.  They raised enough money and last week they went to record the songs.  I'll let you know when the CD is ready.  From the sneak peak I heard, it should be incredible.
 

--- 6 ---

I'm giving a talk on Saturday to a group of "younger" homeschooling moms at a brunch they are having.  My talk is on prayer so I would appreciate any that you could throw my way.  I've done some public speaking, but it is always a bit intimidating; especially now that I have been billed as the "veteran".  That makes it sound like I know something :)
 

--- 7 ---

Other than that we have a busy day on Saturday - I think the car has been booked to go to about five different places.  Sunday, thankfully, looks to be a quiet day.  Maybe I can finally get those flowers the kids got me for Mother's Day into the planters.  Have a great weekend! Oh, and I have to throw a picture in here or else I don't have anything to choose from for my widget thingy in the linkup so here goes:

God Bless! 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Theme Thursday - Girls

I tossed around some ideas of taking pictures of all my girls and since I have 5 of them I figured I'd have enough material to work with.  However, the morning got away from me and then 2 of the girls left...well anyhow, I began working on editing some photos from graduation the other night and came across this series of photos of two of my daughters.  

Ms 17 yo (the blonde) graduated from high school and Ms 14 yo from eighth grade.  I did some photo shoots of some of the grads and had a few extra minutes so I dragged them over to take some together.  

To say these two don't always get along is an understatement, but they sure had fun doing this and I'm glad I'll have these photos to treasure this special day.

So, without further ado...two of "My Girls"

Go over to Clan Donaldson to join in the fun!

God Bless!

Wordless Wednesday - Confirmation and Graduation Edition :)

God Bless!

Catholic Woman's Almanac

Joining in over at Sucipio!

Moments of Gratitude:

* Being able to walk with the 2 mile Corpus Christi procession with our parish because my back felt good enough!
* Friends who are willing to help each other out at the drop of a hat.
* Ice packs and chiropractors
* A quiet week last week
* Visiting with friends 
* Rain to end the drought in our area (at least for now)
* Losing weight :)

In the Kitchen:

Well the first two nights of the week we won't be eating in our kitchen but in our car.  Therefore, we'll be preparing some easy-to-eat-on-the-run meals like chicken salad and lunchmeat wraps.  The rest of the week should be better.  I think there's whole baked chickens and a beef in the crock pot on the list. 

The Week Ahead:

We have a busy first half of the week.  Mr 12 yo will be Confirmed, Ms 17 yo will graduate from high school and Ms 14 yo will graduate from 8th grade.  We'll have our monthly hour at Planned Parenthood during the week, too.  After that it's hello summer.  Now if the weather would just cooperate.

Praying:

* That all of our events will go well this week.
* For several people we know that need to recover from surgeries and injuries.
* For a talk on prayer that I have to give this coming weekend - that I can put it together and that it goes well!!
* For the safety of all who pray outside of abortion facilities.

Pondering:

What to say to women with young families about praying :) and what I really want our school year next year to look like.  This one still has me stumped.  Guess I'll just pray about it!

Captured:

Some sights from our parish's Corpus Christi procession.

 Have a great week!

God Bless!

Happy Feast of Corpus Christi

God Bless!