Body:
Today was a shopping day, yet again! The kids and I all went out to the mall to finish what was left of our Christmas shopping. We also visited Goodwill to pick up some white elephant gifts. Personally, I don't like white elephants, but in the spirit of family giving, we're going along with it. Let's just say that the kids picked out some interesting gifts.
After that I came home and tried to wrap my brain around what I needed from Wal Mart. Thinking through all of the potential baking and goodies and food for the week took a lot of mental energy. Then, I had to forge my way through the store, which fortunately wasn't as bad as I was expecting.
Home again, home again, jiggity jig. After dinner we're going to give "Elf" one more try. Some of the kids and my husband and I watched part of it once and couldn't quite see what people saw in it. Well, it's free on Google play today, so we're going to try watching the entire movie and see if we can agree with all the people who seem to love it!
Mind:
Please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Ms 21 yo's boyfriend's grandfather. His name is Ray and he was 94 years old. He died this afternoon during the hour of mercy. It is always sad to lose a loved one, but right before Christmas just seems worse to me.
Spirit:
There is so much sadness in the world today; so much strife between family members. I find it difficult to read about all of the tragedies that seem to show up on my facebook wall and then remember that Advent is a time of joy. Where is the joy in the world with so many people suffering in some way right now? I guess this is when we need to dig deep and truly turn it all over to the Lord so that we can get a glimpse of the joyful anticipation of His coming.
God Bless!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Advent Daybook - Day 19
Body:
We had a nice revolving door kind of day around here today. Finally, the door was opening and closing with people coming in and out instead of us being the ones going through it. We got a visit from my mom and dad, from a friend of the girls that they haven't seen in a number of years and from one of my friends who bought some soap and dropped off bags of clothing!
Our most anticipated visitor, however, was the water filter man! Those of you who have a well that reeks of sulfur will know what I am talking about. About every year and a half our sulfur filter clogs up and we need to get a new one. When this happens we have to bypass the filter in order for water to actually come out of the faucets, and you know what that means? Yep, showers and dishes and brushing your teeth with that horrid, rotten egg smell. It really is enough to make you gag (and often does). We were so excited to see him pull up the driveway today! No more smelly water - thank you Lord!
Mind:
Every year we put together a Christmas letter and send it out with a family picture set to arrive right after Christmas day. Well, it is a week before that day and there isn't a letter. In fact, there isn't even a hint of a letter. I have been totally uninspired this year. I usually like to have the letter be light-hearted and humorous so we've always tried to change it up a bit - just to keep people on their toes. Well, this year they'll be on their toes peering into their mail boxes trying to find it unless some inspiration hits me in the head very soon!
Spirit:
O Root of Jesse, you stand for the ensign of all mankind; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay!
God Bless!
We had a nice revolving door kind of day around here today. Finally, the door was opening and closing with people coming in and out instead of us being the ones going through it. We got a visit from my mom and dad, from a friend of the girls that they haven't seen in a number of years and from one of my friends who bought some soap and dropped off bags of clothing!
Our most anticipated visitor, however, was the water filter man! Those of you who have a well that reeks of sulfur will know what I am talking about. About every year and a half our sulfur filter clogs up and we need to get a new one. When this happens we have to bypass the filter in order for water to actually come out of the faucets, and you know what that means? Yep, showers and dishes and brushing your teeth with that horrid, rotten egg smell. It really is enough to make you gag (and often does). We were so excited to see him pull up the driveway today! No more smelly water - thank you Lord!
Mind:
Every year we put together a Christmas letter and send it out with a family picture set to arrive right after Christmas day. Well, it is a week before that day and there isn't a letter. In fact, there isn't even a hint of a letter. I have been totally uninspired this year. I usually like to have the letter be light-hearted and humorous so we've always tried to change it up a bit - just to keep people on their toes. Well, this year they'll be on their toes peering into their mail boxes trying to find it unless some inspiration hits me in the head very soon!
Spirit:
O Root of Jesse, you stand for the ensign of all mankind; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay!
God Bless!
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Advent Daybook - Day 18
Body:
Today I got to spend some time with one of my oldest and bestest friends, Cheryl. I've known her forever (more on that later) and even though we don't live all that far apart, we hardly ever get to spend time together. Today she came up to my house and we went to my favorite little tea room for lunch. What a wonderful way to spend three hours :) Wow, Mass, confession and lunch with a girlfriend - not much can beat that!
Mind:
So I was thinking this evening about how Cheryl and I met 44 years ago. I was four and she was five and we had just moved in across the street from her family. It was December and it was snowing and I was outside playing when she came over to meet me. We've been friends ever since. As I only have one brother, she's the sister I never had.
I also thought about how she's been instrumental in so many things in my life. It was 19 years ago that we went out Christmas shopping and to dinner and it was her answers to my questions that spurred on my reversion, that very evening, back to the Catholic faith. It was through conversations with her that I decided to homeschool. At first I thought she was nuts, but when I finally decided to go for it, she was right there to guide my way.
God is so good to put such awesome people in our lives!
Spirit:
I love the O Antiphon time of the year; it means we're getting that much closer to Christmas. I am so grateful that life has been much quieter this week. The St. Andrew Novena is still going strong, the snow is still on the ground giving the outside a definite festive feeling, and the past few nights have brought a very bright, full moon. The spirit of Christmas is definitely approaching :)
God Bless!
Today I got to spend some time with one of my oldest and bestest friends, Cheryl. I've known her forever (more on that later) and even though we don't live all that far apart, we hardly ever get to spend time together. Today she came up to my house and we went to my favorite little tea room for lunch. What a wonderful way to spend three hours :) Wow, Mass, confession and lunch with a girlfriend - not much can beat that!
Mind:
So I was thinking this evening about how Cheryl and I met 44 years ago. I was four and she was five and we had just moved in across the street from her family. It was December and it was snowing and I was outside playing when she came over to meet me. We've been friends ever since. As I only have one brother, she's the sister I never had.
I also thought about how she's been instrumental in so many things in my life. It was 19 years ago that we went out Christmas shopping and to dinner and it was her answers to my questions that spurred on my reversion, that very evening, back to the Catholic faith. It was through conversations with her that I decided to homeschool. At first I thought she was nuts, but when I finally decided to go for it, she was right there to guide my way.
God is so good to put such awesome people in our lives!
Spirit:
I love the O Antiphon time of the year; it means we're getting that much closer to Christmas. I am so grateful that life has been much quieter this week. The St. Andrew Novena is still going strong, the snow is still on the ground giving the outside a definite festive feeling, and the past few nights have brought a very bright, full moon. The spirit of Christmas is definitely approaching :)
God Bless!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Advent Daybook Day 17
Body:
Today was one of those rare days when I had time to just go from task to task and take care of things. It is amazing how much time that actually takes. Picking up piles, sweeping floors, answering questions and phone calls and emails, etc. I had time to sort through presents to make sure that I have what I need. I made another batch of kombucha tea and this one finally tasted good again! Dinner got made early and soon I'm off to lift weights with my hubby. I love days like this. Mind you, I probably wouldn't like endless days like this, but for now it is good.
Mind:
Today I've been thinking about how last year we had the opportunity to do more festive things during Advent than we have had this year. We visited more, we did secret things for people, we handed out candy around town. It was fun! This year I've spent the first two and a half weeks catching up and catching my breath. Now that it's a week before Christmas, I'm ready to start doing those things, but realizing I'm still short on time. Everything has a season and this season it just wasn't meant to be.
Spirit:
That peaceful feeling that comes with contentment has been with me today. We made it to Mass on time and Father was encouraging the few of us who were there to come to confession. It was nice to hear a priest encourage people; just wish there were more people who heard it. Confession is on the docket for us tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's on the priest's docket, too :)
God Bless!
Today was one of those rare days when I had time to just go from task to task and take care of things. It is amazing how much time that actually takes. Picking up piles, sweeping floors, answering questions and phone calls and emails, etc. I had time to sort through presents to make sure that I have what I need. I made another batch of kombucha tea and this one finally tasted good again! Dinner got made early and soon I'm off to lift weights with my hubby. I love days like this. Mind you, I probably wouldn't like endless days like this, but for now it is good.
Mind:
Today I've been thinking about how last year we had the opportunity to do more festive things during Advent than we have had this year. We visited more, we did secret things for people, we handed out candy around town. It was fun! This year I've spent the first two and a half weeks catching up and catching my breath. Now that it's a week before Christmas, I'm ready to start doing those things, but realizing I'm still short on time. Everything has a season and this season it just wasn't meant to be.
Spirit:
That peaceful feeling that comes with contentment has been with me today. We made it to Mass on time and Father was encouraging the few of us who were there to come to confession. It was nice to hear a priest encourage people; just wish there were more people who heard it. Confession is on the docket for us tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's on the priest's docket, too :)
God Bless!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Advent Daybook - Days 14, 15 and 16 !!
Body:
So I'm a bit behind right now :) The snow on Saturday caused us to miss going to our nephew's college graduation, but thanks to modern technology, we go to watch it live via the internet! Later in the day, after the snow was cleared and our path made straight, we made good on our St. Nicholas day gift and went to go see "The Hobbit". Having never read the book (I know, I know) I thought it was good. My children, and even my hubby, on the other hand were mostly disappointed.
Sunday brought another day of changed plans which allowed us to stay home; not a bad thing by any means. It was frigid outside so we stayed in and made pizzas and watched "A Muppet Christmas Carol", which is always a favorite. Having just done "A Christmas Carol" with our theater troupe, it was funny to think of our friends as Muppets.
Today we dashed out the door to go to Mass, in fact we were even a few minutes ahead of schedule, only to find out that an interior light had been left on in the van and so it wouldn't start. Ugh. That meant two people had to stay home, the rest of us jumped in the small car and made it by the first reading. Some day we will be ahead of the game.
Once back home, Mr 13 yo and I had a quick lesson on how to use a battery charger/starter to start the car. By the time we were done, we were both a bit frozen. Getting it started, however, allowed me to go out later in the day and finish my Christmas shopping...or so I thought. I showed the family a gift I had bought for someone and they all agreed it wouldn't fit so back to the store I go. SO CLOSE....
Mind:
We were discussing reading the classics last night at dinner so after the meal I went and pulled a few that I had from high school off of the shelf. I had remembered reading "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck and vaguely remembered it was a good book, so I sat down last night and finished it in about 2 hours (it's pretty short). I remembered correctly - it was a good book. So many important lessons in there that I'm encouraging all my older kids to read it. I kept thinking "lottery ticket" instead of "Pearl of the World".
Spirit:
I can't believe it is time for the O Antiphons already. Christmas, as my younger kids keep reminding me, is just around the corner. Time to figure out when we're going to get to confession! There's just too many of us to go before Mass on Sunday or in that half hour on Saturday. Our parish has confessions after the morning Mass, but Mass is at 8 and it is 25 minutes away. I think, however, that that might be our only option. Nothing like a good confession to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas.
God Bless!
So I'm a bit behind right now :) The snow on Saturday caused us to miss going to our nephew's college graduation, but thanks to modern technology, we go to watch it live via the internet! Later in the day, after the snow was cleared and our path made straight, we made good on our St. Nicholas day gift and went to go see "The Hobbit". Having never read the book (I know, I know) I thought it was good. My children, and even my hubby, on the other hand were mostly disappointed.
Sunday brought another day of changed plans which allowed us to stay home; not a bad thing by any means. It was frigid outside so we stayed in and made pizzas and watched "A Muppet Christmas Carol", which is always a favorite. Having just done "A Christmas Carol" with our theater troupe, it was funny to think of our friends as Muppets.
Today we dashed out the door to go to Mass, in fact we were even a few minutes ahead of schedule, only to find out that an interior light had been left on in the van and so it wouldn't start. Ugh. That meant two people had to stay home, the rest of us jumped in the small car and made it by the first reading. Some day we will be ahead of the game.
Once back home, Mr 13 yo and I had a quick lesson on how to use a battery charger/starter to start the car. By the time we were done, we were both a bit frozen. Getting it started, however, allowed me to go out later in the day and finish my Christmas shopping...or so I thought. I showed the family a gift I had bought for someone and they all agreed it wouldn't fit so back to the store I go. SO CLOSE....
Mind:
We were discussing reading the classics last night at dinner so after the meal I went and pulled a few that I had from high school off of the shelf. I had remembered reading "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck and vaguely remembered it was a good book, so I sat down last night and finished it in about 2 hours (it's pretty short). I remembered correctly - it was a good book. So many important lessons in there that I'm encouraging all my older kids to read it. I kept thinking "lottery ticket" instead of "Pearl of the World".
Spirit:
I can't believe it is time for the O Antiphons already. Christmas, as my younger kids keep reminding me, is just around the corner. Time to figure out when we're going to get to confession! There's just too many of us to go before Mass on Sunday or in that half hour on Saturday. Our parish has confessions after the morning Mass, but Mass is at 8 and it is 25 minutes away. I think, however, that that might be our only option. Nothing like a good confession to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas.
God Bless!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Advent Daybook Day 13
Body:
It was so nice to be able to have a day with really no agenda other than getting to the grocery store before the snow comes. I even had time to make a cover for a pillow for the Living Room. Last night I redid the piano bench cover with some material that actually matches the decor (if you can call our eclectic mix of furniture "decor") in the room and had enough to try a pillow cover. After I sewed it together wrong, ripped out all of the seams and then sewed it back the right way, I must say it looks good; and it was super easy (despite the fact that I sewed it together with one side the wrong way). Then I went to the grocery store along with everyone else who lives within 20 miles of the store. Ugh. It took awhile, but the deed is done - at least for this week.
Mind:
Our local Catholic bookstore is closing at the end of the month. I've been thinking a lot about Anita, the owner, as she's been through so much. Her husband died suddenly a few years ago and she and her daughter and son-in-law have struggled with running the store since then. Running a Catholic bookstore is hard enough economically speaking, but without the driving force behind it, it has been very difficult on them. Join me in praying for them as they try to sell off all of their inventory and close down.
Spirit:
Happy Feast of St. Lucy!
In my inbox today I received another Advent Bible Verse from a friend and it made me chuckle. I know, not what it should have done, but you have to laugh when auto type makes mistakes like this:
"All things work together for good for those who love the Lord." Woman's 8:28
It's nice to receive Bible verses in your inbox. Is there somewhere you can subscribe to so that you get them daily? If not, someone should start one.
God Bless!
It was so nice to be able to have a day with really no agenda other than getting to the grocery store before the snow comes. I even had time to make a cover for a pillow for the Living Room. Last night I redid the piano bench cover with some material that actually matches the decor (if you can call our eclectic mix of furniture "decor") in the room and had enough to try a pillow cover. After I sewed it together wrong, ripped out all of the seams and then sewed it back the right way, I must say it looks good; and it was super easy (despite the fact that I sewed it together with one side the wrong way). Then I went to the grocery store along with everyone else who lives within 20 miles of the store. Ugh. It took awhile, but the deed is done - at least for this week.
Mind:
Our local Catholic bookstore is closing at the end of the month. I've been thinking a lot about Anita, the owner, as she's been through so much. Her husband died suddenly a few years ago and she and her daughter and son-in-law have struggled with running the store since then. Running a Catholic bookstore is hard enough economically speaking, but without the driving force behind it, it has been very difficult on them. Join me in praying for them as they try to sell off all of their inventory and close down.
Spirit:
Happy Feast of St. Lucy!
In my inbox today I received another Advent Bible Verse from a friend and it made me chuckle. I know, not what it should have done, but you have to laugh when auto type makes mistakes like this:
"All things work together for good for those who love the Lord." Woman's 8:28
It's nice to receive Bible verses in your inbox. Is there somewhere you can subscribe to so that you get them daily? If not, someone should start one.
God Bless!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Advent Daybook Day 12
Body:
Today we wrapped our last big order of soap while sitting by a nice fire and watching "Home Alone". It seems that I have been a neglectful mother and have never had the children watch this movie. Not for any particular reason, mind you, it just never came up...that I can remember. So while we basked in the various scents of the soaps and listened to the crackle of the fire, we laughed along as Kevin outwitted the robbers.
We also finished up the majority of our school work for the month. Some minor stuff will get done next week, but many of the kids finished chapters or books so it seems like a good place to stop. We'll pick up again in January.
Mind:
A bit of a lull on the "mind" front today. Isn't that okay once in awhile? Praying for a friend of ours whose daughter had an MRI today because she's had some odd symptoms. Also praying for Courtney who has had multiple seizures today.
Spirit:
Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Our Lady is the patroness of our homeschool group and so we have a big place in our hearts for her and this feast day. The past couple of years a friend of ours would host a gathering after Mass with Mexican hot chocolate and bread, but alas it was not to be this year so we ran to the store to get some of our own and had our own little gathering at home. What a great patroness for the Americas, too. I was thinking that our country could use something miraculous like this right about now. I mean, millions of pagans converted after this apparition and they stopped their human sacrifices! How wonderful would that be to have happen in the good ole US of A. Well, until then I guess we just keep praying!
God Bless!
Today we wrapped our last big order of soap while sitting by a nice fire and watching "Home Alone". It seems that I have been a neglectful mother and have never had the children watch this movie. Not for any particular reason, mind you, it just never came up...that I can remember. So while we basked in the various scents of the soaps and listened to the crackle of the fire, we laughed along as Kevin outwitted the robbers.
We also finished up the majority of our school work for the month. Some minor stuff will get done next week, but many of the kids finished chapters or books so it seems like a good place to stop. We'll pick up again in January.
Mind:
A bit of a lull on the "mind" front today. Isn't that okay once in awhile? Praying for a friend of ours whose daughter had an MRI today because she's had some odd symptoms. Also praying for Courtney who has had multiple seizures today.
Spirit:
Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Our Lady is the patroness of our homeschool group and so we have a big place in our hearts for her and this feast day. The past couple of years a friend of ours would host a gathering after Mass with Mexican hot chocolate and bread, but alas it was not to be this year so we ran to the store to get some of our own and had our own little gathering at home. What a great patroness for the Americas, too. I was thinking that our country could use something miraculous like this right about now. I mean, millions of pagans converted after this apparition and they stopped their human sacrifices! How wonderful would that be to have happen in the good ole US of A. Well, until then I guess we just keep praying!
God Bless!
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