ET First Look: 'Monsters vs. Aliens'!

This was just soooo much fun. We went to see it last night and had a grand time. It was entertaining and I was awed by the realism. Thank you, Neil. Grandpa and Grandma were glad you came to stay, because we got to see this movie.

Crazy Eight

I was challenged by Sarah at Journey of Truth to Jump in with both feet. Well, here is my """Splash"""

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:

*1 Watching Neil play soccer today.
*2 Going to INDY to see Ainsley and Lindsey play soccer (do you see a pattern here?)
*3 Going to Charlotte in June to visit David, Kelly, The Boys and Maddie.
*4 Visiting my mother, Phil, Deb and Megan in July
*5 Visiting Linda and Norm in July, too. We're not flying this year. We're driving from here to MT and home through CO or.....maybe the other way.
*6 Finishing Laura's birthday present.......4 years in the making a Counted x-stitch (red faced!!!!)
*7 The CAJE (Congregations Acting For Justice and Empowerment) Annual Assembly meeting 4/30 at St Benedict's Cathedral.
*8 OH! Watching Kellie perform in OKLAHOMA in July...(July is a busy month!)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

*1 Played Scrabble with Dot
*2 Worked
*3 Worked on the Laura's counted x-stitch
*4 Watched Murder She Wrote rerun
*5 Had lunch with girls at work
*6 Said "good-bye" to Christine, the office manager, who was leaving us after 10 years. [sadness]
*7 Visited my blog neighborhood.
*8 Thanked God for the opportunity to share time with others.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

*1 Swim
*2 Play the harp with skill...and motivation to do so.
*3 Visit Ireland again soon.
*4 Add subtract, multiply and divide.
*5 Volunteer more time in service
*6 Meet Jenelyn our sponsored child through CFCA
*7 Visit all the kids more often
*8 Sew. My mother is a gifted seamstress and I was passed over with that gene.

8 Shows I Watch:
*1 NCIS
*2 MONK
*3 Journey Home (EWTN)
*4 Masterpiece Theater
*5 Numbers
*6 Murder She Wrote [reruns]
*7 Matlock [reruns]
*8 TCM


8 I name to carry on the tradition:

*1 Lisa at Are We There Yet
*2 Suzy at Sailing by Starlight
*3 Lisa at Unexpected Journey
*4 Marcy at Blessings Each Day
*5 Danette at A Crocus in the Valley
*6 Tracy at Catholic Mom in Minnesota
*7 Eileen at Eileen on Him...at least, I try!
*8 Kelly at Musings


I would add here that if any of the above have already done these please link so we can read them. And all others who wish to jump in the water with us, know the water is fine!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Must Reads For All Mothers...

As a young mother and recently graduated nurse I felt that mothering was right up my alley. Snuggle, nurtured, bathe, babble, reprimand, educate, snuggle, hug, read, play, snuggle, nap, color, teach, cuddle, it was all in the texts I had read. What I failed to read or chose not to grasp when I read these books about mothering was the anger, sadness, frustration, self-pity, and used feelings that "mothering" can manifest. Then I "met" Erma Bombeck in her books. As the saying goes, "Laugh, I thought I'd die!" I needed to be told that a mother needs, AT THE TOP OF HER LIST OF SKILLS, is a Sense of Humor. Erma Bombeck offered me that! It was a lesson that has given me strength on many occasions and helped me to realize that life it too short not to laugh at every opportunity!


DID YOU KNOW...

When Erma Bombeck graduated from high school in 1944, she was determined to go to college and become a successful writer. She enrolled at Ohio University, but her future as a writer seemed bleak. Articles for the college newspaper were rejected, and she struggled to pass freshman composition. Discouraged, she enrolled at the University of Dayton.

Brother Tom Price, faculty advisor for the university magazine, invited here to do some humor pieces. Erma gave it a try and one day Brother Tom turned to her and said three key words which changed her live: "You can write."

Upon her 1940 graduation. Erma got a job at the Dayton Journal-Herald where she launched the career that would make her famous. Her column, based on her experience as a wife and mother, eventually spread to 900 newspapers.

While at the University of Dayton, Erma converted to Catholicism.

The Little White Book

~~~~~

In her humor she taught me a lot about mothering. And LAUGHING is so good for one's health. I learned not to take myself so seriously! Please. If you don't do another thing, go to your local library and get one of her books. Look for: If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?; Family--The Ties That Bind and Gag; The Grass Is Always Greener over the Septic Tank. These books were passed around from mother to mother and when I got my copy back it was warn and tattered, but all of us mothers greeted each other with smiles and could say, "I've been there." And then laugh heartily!

~~^j^~~

Thank you, Erma Bombeck
and especially
Thanks be to God!

Imagine My Surprise!

The Pieta
Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupre
Quebec, Canada-2003

"Christ delivers us from death;
come let us give thanks, alleluia!"

As I read my morning prayers this morning before Mass in the Magnificat the first words I read were "Christ delivers..."

My goodness, indeed he does deliver. Everyday he is delivering. But are we there to receive the delivery?

This delivery from death takes many forms. Ten years ago I was "dying" in my job. I had a very difficult employer. I, however, in my imminent wisdom was NOT going to allow her to defeat me. I kept this stance for 18 months. I was in a constant state of "alert" never quite knowing what each day would bring. One day I was the best nurse she had ever had or or the next day I would be reprimanded for something she considered I had done wrong. I lost 15 pounds, but I would not surrender to her.

I believe the Holy Spirit intervened, however. I found there was a position available in another clinic for a half-time nursing position. Did the math and found that taking a 50% cut in pay could be managed. I applied and was offered the position. This was only the 1st step in that Special Delivery, for I had only been at work there a shore two weeks when one of the nurses came to me as said she had found a position elsewhere, would I consider taking her position if it was offered to me. IMMEDIATELY I was immersed in a wash of serenity and giddiness that I cannot even begin to describe in words. When she left me I wept for joy! You see, without even asking Christ had delivered! He probably would have delivered sooner if I had just swallowed that silly pride I had, but I suspect this is where has wanted me all the time.

He is a God of Providence. A God who delivers! I have been in this position now for 10 years. As in any place of employment there are ups and downs, but there is no other place I would rather be.

From my death through pride he brought me to life in a place where I could be of value to others without fear of reprisal or self-doubt.

~~~~~

How has Christ delivered for you?

~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God
and
Christ who delivers!!!

Covenent Reminder

My first rainbow of the year! Isn't it glorious. God is good all the time...Yeah!!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to GOD!