Certainly Understandable

Sports Fan's Art Assignment:

Draw a scientifically accurate sketch of an insect.


What was turned in to Mom:

A surprisingly sweet sketch of Little Dear.



:)

Where My Mind Is...

The new life that is bursting all around my life.... In Real Life, and around the Blog-o-sphere.

Most especially, here.

Elizabeth was such a comfort to me when I lost little John.

I'm praying for her and thinking of her constantly, frustrated by the distance. I am such a do-er in times of need. Hitting my knees is not the answer I want.

But it's all I can do.

Join me?

Scrutinized

Saturday is errand-day at the Nut House, and even though DH did the grocery shopping on his way home from work on Friday, there were still a few odds and ends that needed to be acquired.

I volunteered to savor some "alone" time -um, I mean... pick up the items.

:)

First stop was the Thrift Store. Now I'll let you in on a little Nut House secret. I love going thrift store shopping. Chances are, the cute outfits you may see on me or my little peanuts were gotten for a steal at the thrift store. I have this uncanny ability to run my hands over the fabric of the shirts or pants and pull out the gap, gymboree or children's place clothing. And a lot of times, they are in almost new condition. And if it happens to be a 50% off weekend? I'm in heaven.

So, it was off to the thrift store I went, on a very specific mission to buy soccer shorts for Action Man and Little Boo.

As I made my way to the back of the store, I was greeted by a fairly well-dressed young man. I smiled, said hello, and moved on. He followed me and asked me what I did for a living. I gave him a puzzled look, wondering why he wanted to know, and he apologized and explained that he was with (insert name of polling company here) and was recruiting people. I simply said that I have no time for that sort of thing, to which he replied, looking me up and down... You have no time? Nope! I said cheerfully and brushed past him.

He and his colleague exited the store, and I was left to ponder the exchange. I came to the conclusion that he must have thought I was a welfare mom who needed to work. I mean, I'm looking at children's clothing in a thrift store. I wasn't dressed like I had tons of money (it's Saturday, folks!) And no, I don't have tons of money anyway.... but I didn't like the uneasy feeling of having been judged, and judged wrongly. How could I explain in one sentence what my life is? That my husband works hard, makes decent money, but that we need to cut corners so I can stay home and homeschool? Is it really any of his business anyway?

This brief glimpse of me that he had was completely insufficient for him to make any sort of judgement.

Flustered by the exchange and frustrated by the fact that this particular thrift store had absolutely no shorts at all, I left, crossed the parking lot, and went to the other thrift store.

I found black soccer shorts for both kids quickly, and went up to the counter to pay. I handed the guy a $20, and was given back a handful of change.

Ummm. I looked at the receipt. He had punched in that I had given him $5. I pointed out his mistake, and he looked me over carefully. I insisted I wasn't lying, that I had really given him $20, and that I would leave my phone number if he came up $15 short that night. He said, no, I trust you... but then would trail off, fingering the $5's. I insisted again that I would leave my phone number, but he shook his head and reluctantly gave me the $15 and turned to deal with a customer who wanted a discount on a blanket.

Judged wrongly, again.

When I phoned DH on the way home (because, yes, I am really just that fragile) he pointed out that the guy probably wanted to pocket the money himself! I said, no-no, I don't think so. And he told me that if anything I should be mad. I was falsely accused. It's not up to me to tell the guy: I am now. giving. you. a. twen.ty. I laughed and we hung up.

But the thought remained... it was a longing, even. I wanted to somehow condense my entire faith-filled life into a zip-file and insert it into that man's brain, so he could clearly see where I was coming from. I wanted him to understand that it would be absurd on so many levels for me to try to steal from the Salvation Army, but also to explain why I could not afford to give them a $15 donation right now.

I have always assumed the best in people. I still am taken a-back when they do not do the same for me. My tough NY-attitude has softened with the years... now that I am a mother and a southerner. I smile more and relate more. I try to bridge gaps, not create them.

And that has made me vulnerable, and I never even noticed.

My Heart Skipped a Beat

Your 80s Hunk Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's Your 80s Hunk?

Because, of course, I was madly in love with Kirk Cameron way back when...

:)

h/t Elaine

Day In The Life

Since yesterday was the first home school day that my children were finished before 12 noon, I thought I would give you a detailed glimpse into our home schooling world this year. This was our day on Tuesday:

7am: Alarm rings

7:15am: Get up

7:30am: Haul Littles Love and Boo out of bed, get them dressed and downstairs for breakfast.

8am: Say good-bye to them, as DH takes them to their Montessori class (two mornings a week)

8:30am: Finish breakfast and wonder aloud WHY my other children are nowhere to be found. Search the house for them.

9am: Start school.

11:30am: Glance at clock in amazement. Contemplate phoning the Guiness Book of World Records to report the most amazing talent my children have of taking 2 and 1/2 hours to complete one simple subject apiece.

11:35am: Race out the door to pick up Littles Love and Boo.

12 noon: Make 30 billion lunches.

12:30pm-4pm: Cry/ plead/ threaten/ cajole my children through their remaining 6 subjects while breaking up 8 million disagreements between the two youngest and reading 4 thousand stories.

4:30pm: cocktail hour!

5:30pm: Help Little Dear with grammar, find cleats, socks and shinguards for 3 kids and snacks for Little Love. Put dinner on.

5:30-6:45pm: Soccer practices. A.K.A. "Mama therapy time at the playground with other home schooling Mamas."

7pm: Eat dinner. More cocktails!

8pm: Start clipboards for the next day. Wail to DH as he scrubs the kitchen for me.

9pm: Kiss kids goodnight, finish clipboards. Veg in front of mindless television.

But by Thursday?

All of my children finished all 7 of their subjects by noon. I think we're getting the hang of it.

And I may even be able to start doing laundry soon.

:)

Little Boo, Soccer Player

:)

A Call To Love

“…if you ever felt you were trapped in a soulless world, or that the world around you seemed to be headed in the wrong the direction, that the values you see in society around you are not those you hold in your inmost heart, this book , this call to active hope, is for you.”

A Civilization of Love

Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, has written a powerful exhortation to American Catholics. He has answered the call of both John Paul II and Benedict XVI in their plea for Catholics to fight the culture of death. He has given Catholics a powerful weapon.

It is the weapon of Love, the basis of Natural Law.

In his book, A Civilization of Love, he defines Christian personalism as the dignity that is inherent in every human person from the moment of their creation. It is the worth of the person as established by God. When we recognize this God-given dignity, it enables us to love one another as God has intended.

And what is the channel through which this love should be distributed throughout humanity?

Our very own families.

“Through the family passes the primary current of the civilization of love.”

John Paul II Letter to Families

Mr. Anderson does not leave us with this simple, yet profound idea to muddle things out as best as we can on our own. At the end of every chapter, he gives us concrete ways to begin to bring about this civilization of love. From examining the attitudes of our children, to taking a stroll around our own neighborhood, to reflecting on our behavior in the work-place, he challenges us to alter our ingrained selfishness and forge another way, a higher path.

He reminds us:

“Love is not alien to any culture, nor to any person; on the contrary, the response that he seeks in the heart of culture is what gives them their ultimate identity, uniting humanity and at the same time respecting the wealth of diversity, opening people everywhere to growth in genuine humanity, in authentic progress.”

Benedict XVI

Love is the universal language… spoken and longed for, by all.


This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on A Civilization of Love.

Bring Back the Stars and Stripes!

Just for today.

Because the greatest guy in the world can now call the greatest country in the world home.

Yup, you guessed it. My DH is right now, as I blog, being sworn in as an American citizen.

Um. Yes. And I am home blogging instead of being there in person. (hangs head sheepishly while trying not to dwell on how badly I dropped the ball again this week....)

But we will be celebrating later on.

:)

Left To Tell: The Orissa Edition

There have been many Catholic bloggers who have been following this story and promoting awareness of an extreme need for prayer and intervention.

I received the following from a friend of mine who has a friend whose son is in India:

ORISSA ANTI CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE UPDATE TILL 25TH AUGUST 2008

[This list continues to grow still. According to the latest information ( 12pm, 26^th Aug) from Fr. Dibya Singh of the Justice and Peace Commission from Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, the tension is very high and there are not enough police protection. The mob continues to destroy both places and persons. Fr. Nithiya, JPD Commission]

1. WOMAN REPORTED BURNT ALIVE: A Christian woman was reported burnt alive on 25th August 2008 by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns.

2. NUN MOLESTED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working? Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.

3. SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a dishevelled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.

4. BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24^th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.

5. The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.

6. PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.

7. MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful in Pobingia also.

8. BHUBANESWAR BISHOP'S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House, damaging windows.

9. DUBURI PARISH; Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.

10. Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.

11. A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.

12. Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar), AND NISWASS report some damage.

13. BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.

14. Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns residence have been damaged.

15. Sambalpur HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.

16. Padanpur: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.

17. Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.

18. SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.

19. VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.

20. KALAHANDI DISTRICT: houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.

21. Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.

22. Kharihar: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.

23. Aampani: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.

24. Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported.

While reading Left To Tell, I was horrified that as I gallavanted up and down the west coast of California, enjoying my college days, an entire nation was being torn apart from within. And I had no idea. And did nothing.

Now it is happening again.

Prays for our Christian Family in Orissa are definitely in order.

And maybe a phone call or two to our State Senators.

More details and current updates are available at this blog. But please be forewarned. Death and violence are horrifying subjects when it occurs on this kind of scale. There are awful stories and absolutely gut-wrenching pictures.

I Remember...

This a re-post from 2 years ago... the sentiments still run strong for me today. Pray without ceasing and hold your loved ones close always.

It was Action Man's second day of Montessori school, the first day we would be carpooling with another family. I called my friend to see how the drive had gone (20 miles each way, all highway driving...) when I got her husband on the phone.

All he said to me was, "Turn on the TV."

I did, and was horrified when I saw the North Tower of the World Trade Center engulfed in smoke. And then, the unthinkable.... words cannot describe my feelings as I watched United flight 175 crash into the South Tower.

At each replay, I wanted them to pause, to stop rolling tape, just so that those with loved ones on board could say good bye. I wanted the editors to come out and move the plane over a few city blocks in order to miss the tower altogether.

And then...the Towers came down.

And they never stopped.

It made my knees weak and I just sank to the ground.

I still remember the sound of that crash.



Peggy Noonan wrote an editorial back then in the Wall Street Journal, talking about the sounds of that day, of the thunderous crash of steel and metal. And she talked about a different sound as well. The one that emerged from the rubble of Ground Zero.



I think too about the sounds that came from within the buildings and within the planes--the phone calls and messages left on answering machines, all the last things said to whoever was home and picked up the phone. They awe me, those messages.

No one said anything unneeded, extraneous or small. Crisis is a great editor. When you read the transcripts that have been released over the years it's all so clear.

This is what I get from the last messages. People are often stronger than they know, bigger, more gallant than they'd guess. And this: We're all lucky to be here today and able to say what deserves saying, and if you say it a lot, it won't make it common and so unheard, but known and absorbed.



There were other sounds, heard all around the country, after the planes hit the towers. Prayers, tears, phone calls... I called my mom to make sure that my uncle had not been one of the "first responders" to the Towers. He was a third generation NYC firefighter, a lieutenant, no less, and I knew he would not hesitate to help those in trouble. (He was not, but the emotional toll it took on him and his comrades to take 24 hour shifts at Ground Zero for weeks after, is something I will never be able to imagine. My heart ached for him during that whole ordeal...)

There was anger, and immense pride. One of my favorite scenes was when Mr. Bush visited Ground Zero, and the firefighters started chanting "USA! USA! USA!" That was heard around the world, and still echoes today. Mr. Bush became our president that day. I'm glad he still is.


Ms. Noonan said it best:
I think the sound of the last messages, of what was said, will live as long in human history, and contain within it as much of human history, as any old metallic roar.

May God Bless America.

Hilarious...

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Turn up your sound... just a bit, tho'. This may not be one for little ears.


:)

What Sarah Palin Does For Me

A few days ago, I made ready for the dreaded grocery shopping trip.

Normally, I don't mind shopping so much. It's usually my time away. Some of you might think that pathetic.

:)

DH lets me out for more than just grocery shopping, never fear. Yet it's nice that I'm guaranteed some alone time on the weekends to "re-stock" not only my own battery, but also the insides of the fridge and pantry. I think it may also help our budget out too.

This time, however, I had my two little appendages, Littles Love and Boo, to tag along with me. DH had taken the older three to First Friday mass, and it fell on me to get some much-needed supplies before breakfast in the morning.

Since I was also picking up some prescriptions, I had to go to the froofy-trendy store up the street. You know, the one where children are just in. the. way. and why in heaven's name would I ever dream of not only having so many children, but bringing them along with me to the store and inflict their presence on others?!?! Horrifying, truly.

And then I thought of Sarah Palin.

She proudly brings her children to work, on trips, to the RNC even. And, not only does she not have them assigned a nanny so she can wow the crowds, she brings them up onstage with her, has them surrounding her, lets them be. Wants them to be... with her.

I thought, I can do this.

And we skipped through the store as I held my head up and dared anyone who looked askance at our exhibition. (I call it my Sarahcuda look) We had a marvelous time.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday, I was hosting book club at my home. My beautiful home that doesn't look quite as immaculate as when we first bought it from that lovely older couple whose kids had grown and moved out. My home with white ceramic tile and beige rugs, now decorated with paint splatters in the home school room ....

*sigh*

My home.

Still reeling from the first two weeks of home schooling, up to my eyeballs in egg roll grease, I surveyed my house in despair. All of this cleaning, some writing to do, a book to finish reading, the home school clipboards to complete, and a dessert to make?

How in heaven's name?

And then I thought of Sarah Palin. She works full time, cares for her precious Trig, runs meetings and a household. She does so with grace and style and love and a smile.

I thought, I can do this.

And we did. The kids helped, did some taste-testing and cleaning, got big smiles and rewards. I worked and bit my tongue and worked some more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What an inspiration is Sarah Palin, not just in the political arena, although she certainly can hold her own there. But also in the everyday. She is teaching us moms what is possible and what is do-able, if only we rely on God and trust in His grace. As long as we follow His will for our lives. We can give life to a beautiful boy with downs syndrome and run for vice-president of the United States. We can throw a dinner party and even go to the grocery store with two little monkeys in tow.

The grace and style?

I'm still working on that part.

:)

Needs No Words...

h/t: my dear IRL friend, Lisa, whose brother fought in Iraq and is safely home, thanks be to God.

My Heart's at Home...

I'm totally stealing this from Elizabeth. I love these little "snapshots" that allow us to take a glimpse into other people's lives...


Outside my window... Another coolish Texas morning. It's 76 now, and will only reach 90 today. Yes, I said "only".


Towards a daily rhythm... The school days are finding their groove. Planning the kids' schedules the night before is invaluable. Having it already planned out on my computer is a god-send. We are really enjoying this program.


I am thankful... For my husband. I have (once again) bitten off more than I can chew, and he has come to my rescue so many times the past two weeks.


From the kitchen... Egg rolls are finished. I have a fruit trifle to make and mojitos to mix up. Our first book club meeting is at our house tonight. Care to join?

To live the liturgy... Trying to keep going with daily saint readings and our weekly installment of My Path to Heaven. Sometimes God gets lost in the ultra-organizing. I need to realize that He alone will get us through this school year.

I am wearing... Black addidas soccer shorts, black v-neck t-shirt, black crocs. Hair in ponytail, black-rimmed glasses on. It's a work day today!

I am creating... Beauty and order. I hope. And a peaceful home filled with love and learning.

I am going to breathe deeply... And try really hard not to get irritated today. With the amount I have to accomplish, impatience and sarcasm will be easily accessible.

Bringing beauty to my home... Flowers and clean floors, an organized school room. This all needed to be done after two weeks of "back-to-school" frenzy. Let's see how long it lasts.

I am reading... Brideshead Revisited. For book club tonight. 30 pages left!

I am hoping... The house stays clean. Ha ha.

Around the house... The children have hit the books. They are getting much better about working independently. A struggle for homeschoolers I think.

One of my favorite things... My cup of iced coffee while I spend time in the classroom with the kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Soccer practices and a boy scout meeting, a doctor appointment (just a check-up) and rec center gym class for the kids. The little girl's Montessori class and maybe a pool party later this week.

A picture thought I am sharing... Taken from last month when we got to babysit this little cutie for the day. Wouldn't a newborn look great in my new kitchen?
:)

What The Season Brings...

~Sweaty kids, drinking Sprite from the college vending machine.

~Suntanned backs and red cheeks.

~Scrambles for long socks and black shoes and balls.

~Sips of ice cold water on the playing field.

~Swings and slides for the younger set.

~Sideline voices, out of practice and hoarse.

~Subway sandwiches for dinner.

~Sleepy kids, freshly bathed and tucked into bed early.

~Sounds of Narnia on cd, the TV neglected for days.

Guess what beloved season we are experiencing at the Nut House?


Hint: Starts with the same first letter as each of my sentences...

:)

And BTW?

After watching the RNC last night?

I am totally loving Mrs. Sarah Palin.

She is tough. after enduring cheap shots by Obama's campaign and the relentless media, she delivered a few punches of her own. She's got a wicked smirk, and I love the fire in her eyes.

She is articulate. And classy. That "out-dated hairdo" that some idiot sniped about today? (madly scrambling for something to criticize her on...) Just you watch, buddy. It's gonna be all the rage.

I am convinced that she can totally handle whatever comes her way.

I believe that a new "Conservative Feminism" will emerge with her Vice-Presidency. Society will realize something that we moms in the trenches have known all along. That having babies and loving our families fiercely does not make us weak. It makes us strong. It makes us fight for a better community, a better town, a better country and a better world.

We have something near and dear to our hearts that is worth fighting for.

The future of our precious children.

:)

Love. It.

Whatever your opinion about Ann Coulter, you gotta love this:

When liberals start acting like they're opposed to pre-marital sex and mothers having careers, you know McCain's vice presidential choice has knocked them back on their heels.

But at least liberal reporters had finally found someone their own size to pick on: a 17-year-old girl.

You can read the rest here.

:)

Ahhh...

Week two of home schooling... and things are looking up.

1. Only 4 days this week. Did you hear that??? 4 DAYS.

2. Gustav has been a much weaker storm, thank the Lord, but it still has brought much cooler temperatures our way. High of 80 today! Did you hear that??? 80! We have our windows open.

3. I'm figuring this program out. I think I've got our system pretty much down. And there really is a lot of leeway for me to decide what is essential, and what is not. We'll be able to take trips to the lake, and today we have spent quite a bit of time outside... because, you know... 80 degrees in September y'all!

Have a wonderful, wonder-filled week!

:)