The Simple Women's Daybook

It's Monday and time to join The Simple Woman. It's time for The Simple Woman's Daybook. It is interesting to read other's thoughts and dreams and so again I offer mine. If any of you are interested in giving it a try visit that address above.

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~*~ OUTSIDE MY WINDOW there is a glorious sunrise.
~*~ I AM THINKING it's such a glorious day to be alive.
~*~ I AM THANKFUL for Ron, who worked so hard to get some nasty grass out of the garden so we can continue to plant some more flowers.
~*~ FROM THE KITCHEN I've been wondering if it is too warm to fix chicken and dumplings. am having one of those cravings.
~*~ I AM WEARING robe and slippers.
~*~ I AM GOING to work today. It's the first day back from vacation for the Dr.s and it should be very busy.
~*~ I AM READING Esther and Murder on K Street by Margaret Truman.
~*~ I AM HOPING to get shopping done for the "Basket Bonanza" for the Summer Social at church.
~*~ I AM HEARING the birds singing outside and Freddie the Frog.
~*~ AROUND THE HOUSE there are signs of beautiful blooming flowers and the gardens are finally starting to take shape.
~*~ ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS is getting ready for a trip.
~*~ A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK are getting ready to travel to INDY for Lindsey's birthday.
~*~ HERE IS A PICTURE THOUGHT IAM SHARING...

This is a reminder of the road trip
we took to MT last summer. This is
Ainsely and Lindsey in downtown
Rapid City, SD. It is a lovely town!

Again please visit The Simple Women and then jump in!! The water is fine.

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Thanks be to God!

Think Green

It should be easy for us, of Irish descent, to think green. Green bein' the color we/I most prize. So I thought it appropriate to consider how we can all consider the "greenin' of the environment." My dad had a phrase, when it came to conserving heat in the house, when we failed to close the front or back doors securely in the winter..."Were ya born in a barn?!" We knew what it meant immediately. CLOSE THE DOOR!

Then I married an environmentalist. Yes, Ron was collecting aluminum/steel cans 4o years ago. He even worked in aluminum recycling for nearly 25 years before he went to work for Toyota. He even started a small business by which he would but scrap aluminum, melt it down and resell the product. (It helped put 5 of us through college.)

I remember when plastic bags replaced the paper grocery bags. What a deal I thought! But then what do you do with them when you are finished with them. Well, of late I have started using grocery bags that are reusable. The Schuncks here supplies reusable bag (for a price, $1.00). Wesselman's uses paper grocery bags with handles. If I were smart I could have just gone back to the store the next time and handed them the plastic bags they had given me at the last visit and reused them that way. At any rate, what I am trying to say, is I hope by starting in little ways I can help make us green at the Keller house. Oh! and before I forget! Target had a red bag that zips up small enough to fit in your purse...I love it!!!

Enough preaching! Will show you the recycling center in my kitchen sometime. It was a birthday present about 5 years ago. Have a Good day!!!

~~~~^j^~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Ten Minute MEME

Mount Rushmore
June 2007

I was tagged by A Catholic Mom in Hawaii to offer who I would like to spend 10 minutes with. Amazingly enough she and I have chosen three of the same. Who would have guessed?

10 People You'd Like to Spend 10 Minutes With:

~~Jesus

~~Pope Benedict XVI

~~Mary Higgins Clark

~~Scott Hahn

~~Martin Sheen

~~Madeline Albright

~~Matthew Kelly

~~Amy Welborn

~~Sister Julie from A Nun's Life

~~Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

Finally, I would like to do lunch with all those at Blarney Corner!

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Tagging, again, now that is the hard part. Here goes.

*Eileen on Him...At least I try!

*Prayer, Poetry and Praise

*Beyond Horizan3

*Christ's Rose

*La Dulce Vita: The Sweet Life With Three Sons

*Decrease to Increase

*Unexpected Journey

*Daily Grotto

*Contemplative Haven

*UOK's Place

~~~^j^~~~

Enjoy
and
Thanks be to God!

What are friends for?

Could not resist putting this on the blog...My friend, Margaret, sent this to me and now I offer it to you. Everyone have a GRAND Weekend!

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

GOOD DAY TO ALL MY 'NUTTY' FRIENDS

Have a fabulous STRESS FREE day!!!!

Thanks Be to God!!

First Things First

Picture by ONE/MILLION

AutumnRose at Christ's Rose thought this was fun and I was tagged. I found she was right so here are my "first things first":

• 
  
• The first thing I thought today: If I could only sleep in
  
• The first thing I ate today: a bowl of granola cereal
  
• The first thing I drank today: a cup of Good Earth tea
  
• The first thing I said today: my morning prayers
• The first action I did today: gave Duchess her treat when we came into the house
  
• The first thing I read today: My Daily Catholic Bible reading...I'm still behind but I'm catching up
  
• The first item of clothing I put on today:my robe ans slippers (to take Duchess outside)
  
• The first person I spoke to today (apart from God, of course): my husband
• The first chore I did today: I put the dishes away
  
• The first blog I visited today: A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. I went to visit and found I had been tagged for another MEME

Add some more if you want to!

I tag:

Catholic Mom in Hawaii

View from the Pews

Made for Joy

Sailing by Starlight

Are We There Yet

A Trucker's Wife

Have at it all anyone else...takes so little time and even less thought. Doesn't use up too many gray cells. Have a grand day!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Aside: I mailed my application for Provident Associates, please pray. Thank you!

A Train Ride...

I was wondering what I was going to say after I had posted The Last Lecture. It almost felt like the end of blogging for me as I had nothing else to say. Then a friend sent us the most wonderful email and I just have to share it. See? There's still a lot in me...What was I thinking?!

So along with the picture by Norman Rockwell and the help of Myles Towne, I can continue on this "train ride".

The Train Ride


~~~^j~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Quick story as how this post came to be. I had breakfast with my friend, Tricia, yesterday, and she was sharing her experience this semester following a hospice nurse and how this video was part of her death and dying class. Ron wanted to order a book so we stopped at Borders on the way to Neil's birthday party. When I walked through the door, Randy's book was IN MY FACE. You all know how I feel about miracles. This was no accident, and before we got to the other side of Evansville I was completely engrossed in his book.

This is an incredible story by an incredible man. The book is much like this video. But both (yes, I read the book before I watched this)gave me, again, model of great humility in the way of dying. My friend, Margaret, did much the same. She continued to "live" in the light of her dying.

May God give me the strength to carry myself in life as they LIVED their life in dying. Please read the book too. Thank you, Tricia!!! This is remarkable!!! You may not want to or have the time to listen to the entire lecture, but please give it a try! It's worth every minute!!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Peace...

Photo by Robin

When I least expect it the beautiful words of another awaken me to the glory of God. It has happened again today as I read Bread for the Journey, A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith by Henri J. M. Nouwen. The gift to me is my gift extended to you today, as I cannot give what has already been given.

Jesus Is a Peacemaker

Jesus, the Blessed Child of the Father, is a peacemaker. His peace doesn't mean only absence of war. It is not simply harmony or equilibrium. His peace is the fullness of well-being, gratuitously given by God. Jesus says, "Peace I leave to you, my peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you" (John 14:27)

Peace is Shalom--well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally. It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts. Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters. This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and it comes from God. Are we willing to give our lives in the service of peace?

I guess this what I am asking myself as I make the application to be a Providence Associate. "Am I willing to give my life in the service of peace?" I'm stepping into the unknown, so I pray heartily for the companionship of the Holy Spirit.

God bless you all and have a Grand Weekend!!

~~~~~~~^j^~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

I'm Behind Again...

I always have such good intentions and though I started it late in the year I had hoped to stay on course. "What IS she talking about?!"

Just after Lent I found at Cornerstone, while shopping for First Communion gifts, My Daily Catholic Bible, 20 minute Daily Readings. Thinking this would keep me focused on reading the Bible in a more regular format, I purchased it and began my sojourn. I can make all sorts of excuses for what happened but none will really do. Suffice it to say I am now behind. I entirely missed the reading for Nehemiah and the text is already four days into Tobit. Well, Tobit is one of my favorite books so I will endeavor to be more committed. I will try to catch up and stay on course.

I Pray:

Please, Father, allow this wayward child to find my way through your word to the Word, without taking so many side trips that I lose my way. Keep me focused and attentive to your wishes, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wonderful Holiday Weekend...

I had such a nice weekend. It wasn't hectic, just nice. Attended Mass Saturday evening at St. Joseph's where Kellie, our grand daughter, received the Serra Award. Sunday went to Anna's graduation picnic!!! Monday was just quiet...

Mom sent me this via email and so I think I will share it with you as we start back to work for a "short week" and take a walk down memory lane. At least it's memory lane for me as I graduated from high school in 1965...Please enjoy!

Cars We Drove


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For the good times and the not-so-good times
Thanks be to God!