Words of Wisdom About Grandparents

Can you beat this? I received this from my dear friend Karen. This is wonderful and makes you smile each time you see it. The wonders of grandparenting. I wouldn't trade it for anything.



Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.~Author Unknown

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,
and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

Grandmothers are just 'antique' little girls. ~Author Unknown

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.
~Welsh Proverb
A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead
of the television. ~Author Unknown

Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just
a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric ~Pam Brown


Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because
Grandfathers have only so many horsy rides in them. ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.
~Ogden Nash

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just
you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMareeGrandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our
hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren,
I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after
two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should
advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is
no fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the
world calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown
Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing
old. ~Mary H. Waldrip

You do not really understand something unless you can explain
it to your grandmother. ~Proverb

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again.
Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly. ~Gene Perret




The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You
feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long
periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida. ~Dave Barry

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for
self-defense. ~Gene Perret

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas
are short on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of
little children. ~Alex Haley




Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of
practice. ~Author Unknown

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on
the inside. ~Author Unknown

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new
grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you
become one. ~Author Unknown

If your baby is 'beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,
sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the
time,' you're the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have
around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their
grandchildren. ~Author Unknown

What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say
that grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can
but see, hear and feel what these people have to give, they
can mature at a fast rate. ~Bill Cosby

Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge
that he's married to a grandmother. ~G. Norman Collie

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Tagged Once More

I was tagged by Tracy and RoyalTLady some time ago to do two different MEME's but very much the same in some respects. Catch up is what this is called and I think I can combine them without offending anyone, because they ask me to consider things about who I am.

So, dear friends, these are the rules slightly altered to condense time and space.

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself and things that make you happy.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So here it is. I will tell you what makes me happy and tie it to that random thing that brings our that happiness.

1. My faith. I am privileged to be lector in my parish of St. John the Baptist.

2. My family. I love family reunions. Laughing, loving and telling stories.

3. Sharing my faith. I am in awe of those I meet each year who wish to enter our faith community, as I am privileged to work in the RCIA process at St John's.

4. My grandchildren. From oldest to youngest they make me so happy. Happy because I can see the love and warmth with which they are nourished by their parents.

5. Bible Study. I've always been curious about the Bible and its wealth of instruction. Now I belong to two groups that are nourishing me.

6. My job. I cannot think of a time when I didn't want to help someone. When I was little I would read the monthly Maryknoll Magazine and tell Mom I wanted to be a missionary. Well, Providence led me to nursing. And in a way I'm a missionary as I must help and aid others daily, even to the point of prayer.

I hope this works and no one is offended by this combination but for me this was a wonderful time for reflection on how these two topics really are one. Thank you!

I choose to tag:

CY

ANN

PIA

ABBY

JOY

MARIE & GINNY

~~~^J^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Picture is by tomate d'spingles with thanx!

Thanks and Gratitude...

I am humbled to find that there are two who think I deserve this gift. So I say thank you to Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii and Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota.

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

So I offer this award to:

A Catholic Notebook

Are We There Yet

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

ROYALTYLADY

Sailing by Starlight

~~A Truckers Wife~

The Dutchess

Sonflower

As Mom would say, "And one to grow on..."

Catholic Teacher's Musings

God bless you all. There are so many of you that brighten my day, lift my spirits, and challenge my humanity. Thank you very much, each and every one of you!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Lemonade in January!!

I've been blessed by having this award bestowed on my by Lisa at Are We There Yet. I have been late in posting this but receiving it makes me pleased to know others think I can "make lemonade from lemons" and not just walk around with "sour" disposition. Life is way too short to allow the "sour" lemons to win! Soooo, get out the pitcher, squeeze those lemons and put in sugar (or Splenda if you must) to taste and the SMILE!!!!! Thank you Lisa!

I now offer this award to:

Christ's Rose

Spreading Joy

Unexpected Journey

Catholic Mom in Minnesota

~UKOK's Place~

Crocus in the Valley

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Tracy and RoyaltyLady do not despair. I'm thinking about those "6" things.

The Journey Continues...

_MG_2265 Eagle Approach
Originally uploaded by Joe McCabe

to pray for the Pro-life movement. Because we have completed the Pro-Life Rosary Novena and the Pro-Life Novena sponsored by the Knights of Columbus this Holy Crusade must continue. I am grateful to all who have assisted and participated in these nine glorious days of prayer...BUT do not STOP the prayers!!!!! This "army" travels on the wings of prayer. Let us continue to fly!

~~~^j^~~~

Thank you again
and
Thanks be to God!!!

Novena for Life IX

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. ~~Romans 3:5

So with unending HOPE we pray.

Meditating on the Gift of Life

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Thanks be to God!!!

Imagine the Potential!

Just imagine! There is so much potential if we'd just let God do what He does best, create, nurture, and love!

Thanks be to God!

Novena for Life VIII

To surrender oneself is more than to devote oneself, more than to give oneself, it is even something more than to abandon oneself to God. In a word, to surrender oneself is to die to everything and to self, to be no longer concerned with self except to keep it continually turned toward God. ~~Saint Marie Victoire Couderc~~

We pray.

Consecrated to the Sacredness of Life by Christ

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Thank be to God!

Novena for Life VII

Accept, O Lord my love, even when my ears and eyes, my lips and hands are not fully disciplined yet in the service of love. Accept my love as a desire to love you more every day. Amen ~~Henri J.M. Nouwen~~ (The Only Necessary Thing, pg. 203)

Let us pray.

Remembering Our Forefathers

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Thanks be to God!

Novena for Life VI

The life of every human being is sacred as the creation of God, and is of infinite value because He created each person including the unborn child. ~~Blessed Mother Teresa~~

We are called to serve and so we pray:

Preaching the Gospel of Life in Every Moment

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Thanks be to God!

Novena for Life V

"Putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ~~Ephesians 4: 25~~

Let us pray:

Resting Only in Your Truth


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Thanks be to God!

Novena for Life IV

"[Abraham] did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; rather he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what he had promised was also able to do." ~~Romans 4: 20-21~~


And so we pray.

To Love Through Amazement

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Thanks be to God!!

Novena for Life III

The very fact that God has placed a certain soul in your way is a sign that God wants you to do something for him or her. It is not chance; it has been planned by God We are bound by conscience to help him or her. ~~Blessed Mother Teresa~~

As we continue this journey, I would also ask you to pray the Prolife Rosary as well.

To Truth Through Amazement

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Thanks be to God

Novena for Life II

[God's beloved Son] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creations. ~~Colossians 1:15~~


Good day to you all. Let us pray.

Living Life for Eternity

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Thanks be to God!

A Novena For Life I, 2009

I begin, as I did last year, the Novena For Life offered by the Knights of Columbus. Please join me daily on this prayerful journey. I will post the link daily for the next 9 days. I appreciate your caring companionship,

Created to Live with You

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Thanks be to God!

The "G" Challenge

Well it happened. Laura at Catholic Teachers Musing challeneged me to list 10 words using the letter G in honor of GrandmaK. I'm supposing that's one G I can't use. To begin:

Gauntlet
It's been thrown down and now I must accept the challenge. (At least there was no "double-dog-dare!)

God
The one and only, three in one Triune God. The essence of life.

Grandchildren
Being a grandmother is a badge of honor. I wear it with pride. It's also a continuation of this fabulous gene pool.

Gladiolas
A gorgeous flower with strong stems and beautifully fragile flowers.

Grace
This means many things to me. Prayers before and after meals. Gratitude for so many gifts. It is the way one carries herself with dignity.

"Good Grief!"
My favorite comic strip is Peanuts and Charlie Brown my favorite example of humility.

Glorious
Sunrises, sunsets, days, nights, and life.

Grand Canyon
One of God's greatest works of art. You cannot explain the grandeur (bonus G-word) unless you've stood and taken in the beauty.

Green
How can it be anything but my favorite color? Is there any other color if you family roots go all the way back to the Emerald Isle?

Great day...
it is and you all have one, too!

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Thank you Laura
and
Thanks be to God

A Bit of Catholic Trivia

DSC_0057
Originally uploaded by Patricia Drury

The first bishop of the United States was John Carroll, brother of Daniel Carroll (who signed the Constitution) and cousin to Charles Carroll (who singed the Declaration of Independence).

Born...in 1735 John attended a Jesuit grammar school in Maryland and St. Omer's College in Flanders. In 1753, he joined the Society of Jesus. At 34, He was ordained in Europe and taught philosophy and theology in Belgium for the next four years.

In 1772, Pope Clement XIV dissolved the Society of Jesus under pressure from European Kings who, among other things, didn't like that the Jesuits were subject only to the Pope.

Fr. Carroll returned to the U.S. to serve in Maryland and
Virginia, arriving just as the American Revolution was beginning. Along with his cousin Charles and Benjamin Franklin, he was asked to help convince Canada to either join the American Patriots or remain neutral during the war.

In 1788, Rome gave permission for the establishment of a diocese that would extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from Canada to Florida and directed priests to conduct an election to choose the bishop. In 1790, priests elected Fr,Carroll; he was consecrated bishop in 1790.

In a 2008 talk honoring Archbishop Carroll, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee noted: "Had Carroll not stepped into the wasteland, either the microscopic Catholic Church would have languished, with member leaving clergy adrift,souls lost, to the faith and the Church never quite 'making it' in the new country or Rome would have appointed a foreign superior...thus making the Catholic Church seem even more an outsider than ever."

Carroll was a close friend of George Washington, and delivered a funeral tribute when Washington died in 1799.
~~The Blue Book~~

The Road to Providence

Photo by peatadownunder1

My journey with Christ has gone through many transitions. Just as in our humanity we age and mature, so it should be in our spirituality. The last two months of my journey to become an Associate of the Sisters of Providence have focused on prayer.

While we met yesterday, Sister Dorothy and I discussed many things about prayer. For one who has wept because she thought she could not pray or even learn to pray as a young mother and how the way I prayed was certainly unacceptable to God as I grew older, I learned by my study this last month that, Indeed, He has always been there. And my life, as I choose to live, it can be prayer.

Reflecting on my life, I have developed a mental scrapbook. A book I now call Providential Life. I could spend days sharing with you the ways in which the Triune God has affected and shaped my life.

Though I think the story of God's providence in my life is Pulitzer prize material and how I would love to share the tales of His presence in my life, I will not. (I heard the sigh!) I would simply ask each of you to sit quietly in His presence and share once again those times when he was near at hand. Reflect on the times you were most aware of that presence and soon He will be reminding you of all the other times you have forgotten.

The key is to be quiet! This is a tool I have been working on for years. I do think the more I practice the larger my wonderful scrapbook will become. It's great when you can collaborate when preparing a book even though you and He are the only ones to see the pages in your mind. Give it a try!!

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Thanks be to God!

Meditation, Walking on Water With Jesus

Peter Walking On Water.
Originally uploaded by J.Rashid

From today's Magnificat.

May the Lord give us
all the courage that we need
to go the way he shepherds us.

That when he calls
we may go unfrightened.

If he bids us come to him
across the waters,
that unfrightened we may go

And if he bids us climb a hill
may we not notice that it is a hill,
mindful only of
the happiness of his company.

He made us for himself,
that we should travel with him
and see him at the last
in his unveiled beauty
in the abiding city where
he is light
and happiness
and endless home,

Father Bede Jarrett, O.P.

Father Jarrett (+ 1934) was a Dominican priest from England renowned for his preaching, his lectures,and many books on theology and spirituality.

~~~~~

Today is my Road to Providence Day. Pray we are blessed by the had of the Holy Spirit and we both have save travel.

~~~~~
Thanks be to God

What are you looking for?

Crow insearch of water
Originally uploaded by makphoto

This is a humorous picture of crows searching for water. We look at the crow with the Styrofoam cup and laugh! How funny!!

Amy Welborn takes us someplace else when we ask that question.

~~~~~~~

"When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, 'What are you looking for?'"
~John 1:38~

More times than I care to admit, I stride into a room or up the stairs with a great air of purpose and then come to a stop, bewildered. I haven't a clue as to why I'm there.

What is the world was I looking for?

If Jesus were to stop us in the middle of our confident daily journeys from room to room, meeting to meeting, and goal to goal and ask us the question he poses to the disciples here would we have an answer?

Lord, help me look at my life today and discern what it is I'm looking for.

A Catholic Woman's Book of Days

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I read this and then reflected on tie question EasterA posed on her blog yesterday and have the feeling I am called to act! And so now I call on the Holy Spirit to help me answer that question, "What am I looking for?" Discernment comes in many forms. This came in a simple question from a friend's blog.

!!!?!!!

Thanks be to God!

"Crow in search of water" originally uploaded by makphoto

My Maker

Picture by
Irish Patchwork Society

The gifts just keep on arriving. Had to share this one, in all its beauty. You may never look at a quilt in the same way again!

My Maker

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile,
I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth
together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light
flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Year In Review MEME

Saw on Therese's site Aussie Coffee Shop and will give it a try.

How to Play. 1) Look back to your archives for 2008.) Collect the first sentence you wrote every month for the whole year. (This doesn't have to be the literal first day of the month--just the first post.)3) Entertain us on your blog, link back here, and post a comment here with the link to your blog. (And if you're blogless, just remember the first sentence you spoke every month for the whole year and post it here.

Here Is my contribution.

January Do you remember this picture, those "neolithic-looking" rocks, that I thought were so ugly,The Traveler is Home? Link

February I would ask you all to visit Kathleen at The Daily Grotto for the entire story but needless to say this young lady, Melissa, is in need of our prayers. Link

March By e-mail I got an update from China Little Flower and the work Shannon Walsh is doing for those unfortunate children she works with. Link

April We sometimes forget that there is more to Easter than the celebration of our Lord's Resurrection Day. Link

May Simply put, this is a day in which we can all come together in communion with all faiths to pray for the "health" of our nation. Link

June I was wondering what I was going to say after I had posted The Last Lecture. Link

July I've been tagged again. Link

August mother cradles child,,, she caresses her with love...that's what mothers do. Link

September It time for the most recent newsletter for China Little Flower. Link

October When it's your one of your namesakes feast day you find ways to celebrate. Link

November Well, wouldn't you know? Link

December Even with viruses going around everywhere, it seems that one never expects the one you rely on heavily to get one. Link


Well, as you can see. I had quite a year. The blessing about doing this MEME is that I had the time to reflect on the year by not only going to the 1st post of the month, but also stopping by to read some of the others and read the comments of those generous friends who came by to pay a visit.

I say thank you to Therese for this MEME opportunity and I encourage others to do it too. It is a wonderful tool for reflection. If you choose to do this MEME please let me know so that I can come and reflect with you!!

*The MEME started here at Amy's Word from the Herd
*Visit also Linda at ~~A Truckers Wife~~, Peggy at A Catholic Notebook

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Thanks be to God!!!

There Is no significance attributed to the picture I just wanted to use it because I like it. It's called The Cherry Tree, Cherry Willingham, Lincolnshire by Lincolnian

Bad Haiku Friday

The New Year has come
Hooray and Hallelujah
Peace and Joy to ALL!

~~*~*~***~*~*~~

Had such a grand day yesterday! We went to see Bedtime Stories with Kellie and Neil. All went to Sonic and I got my New Year's Cherry Lime Slush. We came home and watched the Monk Marathon. Now, can there be anything better than that?

Ron, Kellie and Neil are all sleeping in and now I must get ready for WORK!!

~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

NEW YEAR, 2009

Wishing all a Happy Holy New Year
with Thanks be to

God!

It should be noted that you may have seen this video here before. It's one of my favorites!

Preview

New Year Reflection

St. Meinrad Archabbey
Originally uploaded by cindy47452

Notice I didn't title this "New Year Resolutions." I make them and break them just as readily. For several years now I have not even attempted any. When the kids were still small and living at home I would set a goal. That, I think, is different than a "resolution."

At any rate here is my reflection by Archabbot Lambert Reilly , O.S.B. from his book Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth.

Maria montisque polliceri
("The promise of the seas and the mountains")

There is a German saying, "Big in the head and little in the follow-up." Some promises, made in moments of excitement or offered as an extension of our pride, are impossible to keep. Such promises as these are simply beyond the power of the speaker. Do we recall Peter's promises of faithfulness to Christ and his failure to keep them?

God's promises seem the most extreme of all: A child will be born of a virgin. our sins, no matter how great,are forgiven. Spend your days on earth loving God first, and death will not really be the end.

Wild fantasies? Impossible visions? Not with Good, the One who can do a thing, the One who can do all things.

With that same God, we can do some impossible things, too. We can be at peace with life as it is, rather than striving for more. We can forgive. We can even love our enemies.

It's all because of faith. I faith, we take on the mind of God, open our hearts to His strength, and live within the peace of His promises.

~~~~~

This New Year brings we again to, NOT a new beginning, but an extension of the years gone by. It does offer us possibilities to live as God's chosen. As Fr. C wrote in his blog about the Inner Light, we can be mirrors of Christ to those we encounter along our way. I hope to recognize Christ as my companion this year. My hope is that all will recognize Christ as their companion this year.

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Thanks be to God

The Cherry Tree Carol (Trad.) - José Feliciano

This is an excerpt from The Blue Book. It relates to one of the legends that surround the season of Christmas.

A legend or a fable is a story that doesn't pretend to be historical, but teaches a lesson. The events surrounding the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt gave rise to many legends.

The Legend of the Cherry Tree

Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem for the census.

Along the way,they passes a cherry orchard. The ;pregnant Mary asked her Husband to pick some cherries for her but Joseph told her to have the child's father do it. Then the child in Mary's womb moved. He spoke and told it to lower a branch toward Mary.

As Joseph Watched the miracle,he was sorry for his harsh words.

~~~~~~

How often do I behave as Joseph in this story? This story can be a reminder for me daily as I move among God's people. I am called to service. I can offer a reply like Joseph's or I can offer assistance. I am not to rely on someone else's generosity. I am to offer my own, whatever that may be. Or like Joseph God will remind me and I too will be humbled and feel remorse at my neglect. Stories like this are true lessons of real charity, love!

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Thanks be to God!!

Bad Haiku Friday

Christmas was Merry
But the best is yet to come
Today we gather.

Not all will be here
In spirit they all will be
And thanks be to God!

This year is the Keller year to have what I call the Extended Christmas Celebration Day (or ECCD). Jimmy and Kelly have been here since Christmas Eve and with all the Ackermans we had the traditional Clam Chowder dinner.

Mass was attended on Christmas Day. Always, joyful, it was a bit somber as Kelly's grandmother passed away only Sunday. So as the "babe" was blessed and placed in the manger, I reflected on how fragile life really is and was reminded again how the treasure of life should be acknowledged to everyone at all times.

Returned home the share time and watch videos not related to the holiday. We laughed, cringed, and yes, nodded off. We all went to the Laura and Roy's (daughter--The Ackermans) for dinner and WII, A really great day!

BUT today, all but the Charlotte Kellers will arrive. There'll be turkey, stuffing and all else. YUMMMM!!!! Finally, in late afternnoon we will share that special time when the little ones will open their gifts and we can rest in the glow of the family.

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AGAIN!
THANKS BE TO GOD!!!

Simon is ailing again...

Friday, "Simon" went on the Fritz again. Have had the chance to use the computer at work...Miss sharing with all of you, but has offered me a chance to reflect and accomplish some tasks I have postponed. If I don't get him home before Christmas, please know I am thinking about all of you and your families and wishing you all the Blessing that Christ our Savior can offer!

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Thanks be to God!!!

The First Christmas Gift!!

My goodenss! I am receiving treasures untold this year! From me to you as it came to me! Thank you, Kay!

The First Christmas Gift!

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Thanks be to God!

IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured,regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed:"Subsequential Internal Non-Morality", or more commonly known as S.I.N.,as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction

2. Foul vocal emissions

3. Amnesia of origin

4. Lack of peace and joy

5. Selfish or violent behavior

6. Depression or confusion in the mental component

7. Fearfulness

8. Idolatry

9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, isproviding factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is:

P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, intothe heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' InstructionsBefore Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit beingpermanently impounded.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention!

God

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recallnotice and you may contact the Father any time by "kneemail".

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I can only add, Thanks be to God!!

(This was sent to me by a friend. Please feel free to share it wherever and whenever you can!)

Marie Antoinette Award

Tracy at a Catholic Mom in Minnesota has graciously offered me this award. If the picture appears different than on other blogs it's because that one apparently is not one of Marie. It struck me as odd that Marie Antoinette should be chosen as the cause for an award so I did do some research. It is intended for those who are deemed "real" in who they are. And so I am honored. I am to pass this award on to 7 other bloggers who exhibit this quality in their blog. Well I will do my best! And thank you Miss Tracy for this opportunity!

1. Bia

2. Melody

3. Linda

4. SuzyQ

5. Lisa

6.Kathleen

7. Kimberly

My best to everyone and may you all have a wonderful day.

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Thanks be to God!

O Antiphons

Today's instruction in The Little Blue Book is about the O Antiphons. I'll let it speak for itself. and when you are finished here please visit Lisa at Unexpected Journey as she also has a wonderful post regarding them as well.

The Divine Office made use of Psalms and other Scripture passages over and
over on a regular rotation. Over the years, the practice developed of
praying an "antiphon" before and after each Psalm and canticle. This is
the sentence or two from Scripture which "frames" the fixed text. The
antiphons vary with the feast or season, and each one colors the fixed text with
a different accent.

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On this day during Advent the O Antiphons begin and will continure through Christmas Eve.

The particular antiphon for the day can be found in two places:

*It is part of the Alleluia verse for the Liturgy of the day.

*In the evening, it is placed before the Magnificat at Vespers for the Liturgy of the Hours.

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The Advent antiphons are call the "O Antiphons" because each day's antiphon begins with and "O"...O Wisdom, O Key of David, O Flower of Jesse"s stem...

The Little Blue Book

Advent and Christmas Seasons

2008-2009

I am always amazed how much more I still must learn about my faith and the beauty it has to offer us daily as we journey on this pilgrimage.

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Thanks be to God!

A Visit With St. Paul

I have neglected my reading of the reflections on St. Paul. Thought today I would begin again and try to be more diligent. Only time will tell. The message of hope in this reflection is one I feel compelled to share because, although, every year this season brings us most vividly to the Hope we all have in a bright future, this year seems to demand Hope be a part of who we are. It is imperative the we manifest this hope in all we do and say and live. Please "listen" to Sister Mary Thomas Noble, O.P. from Praying With Saint Paul.

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O Blessed Hope!

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"We await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of
the great God and of our savior Jesus Crist, who gave himself
for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for
himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good."

(Ti 2: 13-14)

***

What part does hope play in my life? Do I hope mainly for things or for people? Or do I hope for events? As a child I once hoped for a rubber ball with all my heart. It was exactlly the size I wanted and had swirls of colors on it, all the right colors. I showed it to my mother in the store. It cost twenty-five cents. She pointed out to me several bigger, better balls, but I couln't have cared less. I knew what I wanted. No other ball would do. When I tore the wrappings off the little rubber ball on the morning of my eighth birthday and tossed them on the breadfast table, I know an unadulterated and absolute content such as I have rarely experienced since I dashed outdoors with my sister before school and threw it, threw it, threw it back and forth across our front lawn in a kind of ecstasy. Hope fulfilled! Such a small hope, just my size. God would like to stretch our longing hearts to hold much more, even himself. Will we let him do it? "We await the blessed hope..." Do we? "...the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ..." How high do we set our sights? Do we have hopes to match God's hopes for us? His is a radiant hope. There is glory ahead for us, there is deliverance, there is an indescribable purity to be achieved only through his blood. Each one of us would be totally, uniquely his, were he to have his hopes fulfilled. Our sights would be set on doing "what is good" beyond all our wildest imaginings, empowered as we should be as "his people." His hopes for us will lift us to the blessed vision of himself. Where he will hold us, and we shall not fall.

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O God, stretch my heart wide with blessed hope, to hold the all that you would give me--your very self!

I find as I reflect on this that my hope and expectation are pretty limited. Perhaps I fear that my hopeful expectations will not be realized and disappointment will insue. The lesson for me is to have high expectations. If the results seem less, they are better than none at all and if they are greater than hope for what joy I can experience. I should be hope-filled, not just hopeful.

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Thanks be to God!

The Prince of Peace Award

I have been privileged to receive this gift from Marie and Ginny at View From The Pews. A treasure for me and a reminder that Christmas is Christ. I have been gone long enough with the problems I have had with the computer that I don't know who has received this and who has not. So it is that I offer this award in the spirit of Christ's love to all who have touched my life in so many wonderful ways since I started A Bit of the Blarney.

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Thanks be to God!

The Season of Thanks

Many moons ago, before Simon became ill, I was offered the opportunity to share with you six reasons I am happy. Now with his return I can reply. Thank you Esther for this opportunity.


According to the rules, I have to post six things that make me really happy ... and pass it on to give six more people a reason to be thankful!


1. My husband, Ron and, 40 years of marriage, and this my birthday, 62 years. (I know that's really 3).

2. My five children and 9 grandchildren

3. An occupation in nursing that gives me the opportunity to serve

4. A Parish family that gives love and support at every opportunity.

5. Good friends

6. Having the freedom to love and worship God and share my Catholic faith with others.



I have tagged:

1. Kelly

2. Laura A

3. Laura

4. Suz

5. Yvette

6. Tracy

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For you all, I say,

"Thanks be to God!"

G K Chesterton

G K Chesterton
Originally uploaded by raymaclean

My favorite book at Christmas time is Advent and Christmas, Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton. published by Ligouri Press.

Today's reflection is:

The Camel and the Needle

I know that the most modern manufacture has been
really occupied in trying to produce and abnormally large needle. I know that
the most recent biologists have been chiefly anxious to discover a very small
camel. But is we diminish the camel to his smallest, or open the eye of the
needle to its largest--if, in short we assume the words of Christ to have ment
the very least that they could mean, His words must at the vers least mean
this--that rich men are not very likely to be morally trustworthy--There is one
thing that Christ and all the Christian saints have said with a sory of savage
monotony. They have said simly that to be rich is to be in peculiar danber of
moral wreck.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of Go!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one nother, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus look at them and said, "for
mortals it is impossible, not for God; for god all things are
possible."

Mark 10:23-27

Prayer

Jesus, you spoke hard words about the rich yourn ruler. We
confess that we are too much like him; together we form a camel train grudging
toward the tiniest needle, its speck of an eye. How can we hope to pass
through into the kidom of God? We rely on oyou, god for the Impossible,
and not ourselves. Make us into what you would have us be.

Advent Action

Once when she was asked how much money a person should give away,
Mother Teresa answered that we should give until it hurts--and then give some
more. You can imagine what a camel would feel like trying to squeeze
through the eye of the needle. Perhaps our giving should create
commensurate pain. Take a moment and think about the charitable giving
that you have done this year. What more can you give away even after it
hurts you?

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Enough said!

Thanks be to God!!

It's Great To Be Back...

photo by OldTasty

but tomorrow we are gone for the weekend again. Off to INDY to visit and go to the Children's Museum at Christmas! It always a grand place to go. I have to tell you that the glass ceiling as above is just as beautiful as the picture. I am really looking forward to seeing all the Christmas docorations!!! Will be back in the groove soon and will share the trip with you!

I'm so glad Simon is home because now I can travel the world and visit. Missed you all! Will chat soon! I have some catching up to do!!

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Thanks be to God!

Health Update...

Simon is on the mend. He should be up and running soon. Has not had a lot of exercies of late but so glat he had a good "doctor." Will be seeing you all soon!

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Thanks for all the support!

And thanks be to God!!!!!

'Tis the Season...

Even with viruses going around everywhere, it seems that one never expects the one you rely on heavily to get one. Well, it happened. About 3 days ago, after we got back from our Thanksgiving Trek to Charlotte, Simon, The Computer, got sick. Apparently, he has been shaking hands with others who are sick and have not washed their hands.

At any rate, he is at the "Puter Hospital." Hope to know the outcome soon. His friend Maggie, The Monitor, is failing, so will have to retire her and get a new replacement. Until later and I get back to things as normal (What is normal?), I'll be reading mostly from work, but will wait to do most of my commenting until Simon is up and moving again!

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And Thanks be to God for you all!!!

Bad Haiku Friday

Leftover Friday
Turkey, stuffing, sweet taters
Much more Thanksgiving!

All with the family
No day more cherished than this
For all are cherished!

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Truly, Thanks be to God!

Journey of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time to reflect on all the things we for which we have to be grateful . And we do it in the presence of family and friends. Actually, everyday is thanksgiving day if we are saying grace at meals and thanking God for who we are and what we have either alone in prayer or in the assembly of others as we publicly give Him Praise and Thanksgiving.

This year we are off to Charlotte, NC to share Thanksgiving with David, Kelly, the Boys and Maddie. The trip to Charlotte is a beautiful drive. And, as it has just occurred to me, the only other time we have been there was again at Thanksgiving. Like a child, I am so excited! Can hardly wait for the journey to begin.

And so it is that I will be away for a few days laughing, playing and EATING...God Bless All and may Thanks be duly given to Him our Creator!

May God be gracious to us and bless us;
May God's face shine upon us.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
that the ends of the earth may revere
our God.

Psalm 67: 1-2, 4, 6-8

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Thanks be to God!

Could Not Resist...

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Thanks to Lisa at Are We There Yet I took the TEST...Now I WANT some pie!!! What kind of pie are you all?

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Thanks be to God!
Don't you just love Thanksgiving Time?

The Simple Women's Daybook

Had to do it this week when all is in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. This is a wonderful time of the year and sharing a what makes it so powerful! After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

1. Outside my window...it's rainings

2. I'm thinking...it's good as we need the rain and it's not snow.

3. I'm thankful for...to have the opportunity to live where Thanksgiving has a special place in our lives and time is taken to spend time with family and friends to share the gratitude.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers. (different robe)

5. From the Kitchen...spaghetti and meat sauce (make in the crock pot).

6. I am creating...a sense of calm. I'm trying not get to excited about the trip to Charlotte to visit David, Kelly and the kids.

7. I am reading...Haven't started a new book yet...

8 . I'm hoping...that this week will be full of love, joy, safe travel for all, and true Thanksgiving to the God who made us all.

9. I am hearing...peace and quiet.

10. Around the house...Christmas gifts are wrapped for the journey and suitcases are out but not packed...yet.

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Safe trip to and from Charlotte and Thanksgiving with the kids.

12. One of my favorite things is...baking and I made two loves of cranberry nut bread! Yummy!

13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Mount Rushmore
June, 2007

Wishing all a Grand Thanksgiving Week...

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And Thanks be to God!!!

Feast of Corpus Christi

Christ the King

My Speaking
~Anonymous~
12th Century

My speaking,
may it praise you without blemish
may my heart love you,
King of heaven and earth.

My speaking,
may it praise you without blemish
make it easy, great pure King
for me to serve and adore you.

My speaking,
may it praise you without blemish
O Father of all love,
hear my songs and my words.

A Book of Old Irish Monastic Prayer~Poems
translations by Malachi McCormick

Happy, Holy Feast of Corpus Christi !

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Thanks be to God!