Update!!

I talked to John a little while ago.

He thought the audition went "pretty well."

We will have to wait 4 or 5 weeks to find out if "pretty well" was good enough!!  May the Lord's will be done.  I don't pretend to know what's best for John.  But the Lord does and we will see what he has decided!

Many people were praying.  My youngest three and I said the rosary on the way to school.  I asked if they wanted to and they all agreed.  What a blessing.

I was able to remind my oldest by email and he emailed right back that he was praying.  AND I emailed my investment advisor (who also happens to be a good Catholic and who has become a good friend) and she emailed right back that she had prayed.  (BTW, if anyone needs an excellent investment advisor, email me and I'll give you her name.)

As a mom, I'm hoping my son will not be disappointed, unless it is the Lord's specific will.

Still waiting for word from my brother on his surgery date.

May you all have a peaceful and refreshing weekend!

More Prayers (Am I being greedy?)

You are all such good prayer supporters!

Could I ask for more?  My son John is auditioning at the U of M music school tomorrow.  The audition is part of his application as a transfer student to Michigan.  He loves the University of Michigan.  He always has.  I am a graduate, as is his aunt, his grandfather, and his great grandfather.  He really wants to go there.  Could you please pray that his audition would go well, that he would be at peace, and that he would be admitted to the piano performance program, according to the Lord's will?

Also, my brother is awaiting the scheduling of his surgery date.  He has had no more bloody vomiting, but he is not eating any solid food yet either.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, peace for my brother Rich, and especially peace for his children who have already lost one parent, my dear sister-in-law who died six years ago.

Thank you!!!  God bless you all!  I will pray for all of your intentions too!

He's OK.

Rich is OK, for the moment.  Thank you all for your prayers!!!!  His bleeding was apparently not dangerous.

He is home, a little anemic, but no more vomiting.  He's trying to schedule his surgery at this very moment.  At least this incident makes it pretty clear that he needs to have the surgery done.

Please continue to pray for wisdom for the doctors and peace for Rich and his family.  Could you also pray that Rich would feel the presence of God's love upon him?

Thank you, dear friends.  I will keep you posted.  (Haha, new meaning for the term "keeping someone posted"  teehee)

Urgent Prayer Request!

My brother is throwing up blood, feeling extremely light-headed, and was just taken to the hospital in an ambulance.  This is the brother with the esophagus problem.  Please pray for his safety, wisdom for the doctors, peace, and grace!!! And however else you feel led to pray!!!  Thank you!!

Bolt

The other day, since everyone else was out, I took my daughter and her friend to our "dollar movies" to see Bolt.

Perhaps most of you have already seen this animated film.  (I don't get to the movies much:-)

I thought it was so cute.  Really, the animation was so well done.  The story line was cute.  but best of all, I had the feeling that the makers of this film really liked and understood dogs.  Some of it was so funny.

So, there's a movie recommendation for you.  Nice family movie, especially if you've ever loved a dog :-)

Not feeling like it....

I haven't written a post since Wednesday because I just haven't felt like it.  Nothing comes to mind to write and I feel no impulse to think of something.   Hmmm.  I do want to keep blogging.  Maybe it's just a slump.  I really enjoy blogging and I've done some reading of your  blogs but I just haven't felt like writing.

Maybe later today I'll write a post.  

Lent!!

Thoughts to Myself on Lent

Remember, Rosemary, that you are dust.....I remember.

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Prayer-- Try to say the rosary with the family or some part of the family every day in Lent.  Continue praying the Examen Prayer daily.  ( I am just finishing a CD series of talks by Father Timothy Gallagher on the Examen Prayer-- St. Ignatius of Loyola's Teaching on finding God in the Busyness of Daily Life.  I have found the Examen to be very fruitful in my spiritual life.)  Pray several times throughout the day.  Keep up with my two adoration hours.

Fasting-- I will do some kind of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays.  It may be not eating between meals.  It might be liquids and bread only until dinner.  I'm not sure yet.  I may give up sweets.  Dinners on Fridays will be simple.

Almsgiving--  I'm going to clean out my closet and give the clothes I don't wear to St. Vincent de Paul!!!  I will encourage the kids to do the same.  I will give to every street beggar I can (as in, if  I have the money in my purse. ) I will give to specific charities. 

I will also do some spiritual reading.  More on that to come.

May the Lord bless us all this Lent.  May he show us each our path to holiness.  May we come to realize how very much we are in need of His mercy.

More moments of Grace

I had so much to say yesterday to you dear intercessors that I forgot to mention several grace filled moments at the U of M Health Center.

Not only did everything go smoothly but my brother was in a very good mood, considering the circumstances.

Once when I was in the ladies' room I heard a knock on the door.  As I said, "Just a minute," I hear a man's deep voice saying something about needing to clean the restroom.  The voice sounded suspiciously like my brother's so I just laughed.  Still, a part of me wondered....was it someone else?  I opened the door to see him standing there laughing and demanding, "How did you know it was me?"  ( How did I know?  54 years of history with this guy.  LOL)

He also wanted to get a DVD of the esophagram he had had done that morning at 10:30.  I didn't want to burst his bubble by saying that I thought there was less than a 1% chance of his getting that today or any day, really, without jumping through major bureaucratic hoops.  So we went down to records.

He opened the door to what appeared to be a rather dimly lit room.  He closed it again abruptly with this shocked look on his face declaring, "There's surgery going on in that room!!!" I just laughed.  He knew I wouldn't fall for it and he also knew it would make me laugh.  It did.

We walked up to the desk and Rich presented his request.  The man said,  "And when was this done?"  I thought here it comes, he's going to say they don't even have it yet and send the request in writing in about a week,etc.

No!!  The guy says, "Sure!  Just give me a minute to make a copy."  Then Rich says, "Could I have two copies?"  I'm thinking no way is he going to get two copies.  The guy says, "Sure, no problem."

It's amazing what can happen when you have people praying for you.  And I am now repenting of every complaint I have ever had against the U of M Health System.  They were wonderful!!.

A cloud of grace

Thank you all for your prayers for my brother's appointment.

We had one of the best experiences we have ever had at the University of Michigan health system.  It was like a cloud of grace was following us.  Both of us felt it.

The U of M is a big place and can be kind of confusing to find your way around.  We've both been there many times but, still, we would have to look up at the signs and think for a minute about where we needed to go.  Every  time we did this someone would approach us and say "Can I help you find something?" or "Where do you want to go," and then give us directions.  It must have happened 5 or 10 times!!  Everyone was so helpful!

My daughter the nurse had the day off and so she was able to come with us.  This was a great blessing.

I met my brother in the cafeteria and we had some good laughs before the appointment.

We went into the thoracic surgery waiting area and my brother had sat down for probably less than a minute when they called him back!

The doctor was very patient and gave us a lot of information.  He seemed very capable and smart and good.  I think he must have spent a good half hour with us.

When my brother left the parking structure the parking attendant made of point of asking how things had gone for him and wishing him well!  Can you believe it? (Was that an angel?)

So the experience of the appointment was tremendously grace-filled.

However, the doctor does think he needs an esophagectomy.  But he explained the surgery completely and it does not involve opening the chest cavity as we had thought.  He would spend a week in the hospital but no time in intensive care as long as there were no complications.

My brother will seek another opinion because it is such a big decision, but I think he is leaning toward having it done.  If he decides to do it, they could schedule in 2-3 weeks!!!  

In the meantime, Rich is able to eat some very small portions at a time and he keeps drinking Ensure to keep his weight up.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  Rich knew a lot of people were praying for him, including my e-friends, and I think he was very aware of the consequent grace.  God bless you all!!!

Surgeon Appointment Today

Today I am going with my brother to speak with the thoracic surgeon about what his options are.   

Rich is pretty worked up about this, as am I.

I appreciate your prayers.

Pope Benedict speaks to Speaker Pelosi

As you all probably know, the Vatican has reported the following on Nancy Pelosi's meeting with the Holy Father

"His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in co-operation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.

God bless the Holy Father who, with the mercy of Jesus, spoke the truth to Nancy Pelosi. May her heart be moved and brought to repentance. And may all those Catholics who think Pelosi's position is compatible with Catholic moral theology take heed. Lord have mercy. May the light of your truth shine forth on this issue.

A new source of delight!

I bought this new bird feeder the other day and hung it on my porch right where I can see it from our front window.

I filled it with some seed I bought at Meijers.  But, so far, I have seen no birds come to it.  (No squirrels either, thankfully).  It's only been two days.  Either the birds are coming and I'm missing them or they haven't discovered it yet.  I guess two days is not very long.  

Maybe they don't like this combination bird seed?  Maybe they just haven't noticed?  I got this style of feeder because I'm especially hoping for cardinals and the man at the store said this feeder would work well for them.

Well, here's hoping I will soon be feeding my feathered friends :-)

Weight Loss Wednesday

This is the honest truth.

I forgot to weigh myself this morning.

Now, I grant you, I was not expecting good news.

Still, I honestly forgot to do it.  (Denial, maybe?)  teehee

So I have no accountability numbers.  I may post them tomorrow.  I might wait until next week.

Thanks to all of you who have been so encouraging to me in trying to lose these last 5-10 pounds.  You're wonderful.  In fact, I have found doing this every Wednesday and reading what you all say to be as encouraging to me as Weight Watchers (except it's free and I don't have to go anywhere...)  Still, since I've been kind of stuck here for a bit, I may go back to Weight Watchers too.  I only have maybe two pounds more before I can go back and not have to pay since I'm a lifetime member.

Have a wonderful day.

After weeks of bitter cold weather we are finally seeing temperatures in the twenties and even the thirties.  Today is sunny and that always makes a feel a little warmer.

When we were no longer in single digits and the temperature went up to the high twenties the kids wanted to start wearing fleeces and sweatshirts, instead of the warm winter jackets!!  It actually felt so warm in contrast to what we were used to that we did feel like going lighter.  It was so funny.

I do love the snow.  The brilliant white, the sparkles, it's just so beautiful and when it gets just a little warmer and sunny like it is today... you can almost like the winter.....Still, Spring will be nice.

Prayer Request

(Rich is on the right in the darker blue, hubby on the left)

Please pray for my brother Rich.

Rich is my only brother, just 13 months older than I am.  Although our views on life and our belief systems are quite different he is still my good buddy.  He is a very genuine person and no one can make me laugh as hard as he can.  He's very funny.

OK.  Here's the deal.  He has a disease of the esophagus called accalasia.

From time to time he has trouble getting food down his throat.  He always has to eat slowly because gravity is doing maybe as much work as the esophagus.  It's been a challenge for him for a long time.  In the last few weeks it has gotten a lot worse.  He can barely get any solid food down.  He's losing weight, trying to get his calories in with Ensure.

Unfortunately, all they can do for him is remove the nonfunctioning part of the esophagus (about 1/3 to 1/2) and pull his stomach up to attach it to what's left.  They have to open his chest to do this, I believe.

Well, it looks like he's going to have to have the surgery.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and peace for my brother and his children.  He is a widower so I will be going to a lot of his appointments with him.  Please pray too that he will be able to have the surgery soon so he doesn't lose any more weight.  And, of course, that the surgery will be a success.

Could you also pray that he will feel the love of God surrounding him.?

Thank you, blogging friends !!!!!

Not feeling very well...

I'm not feeling too well.  My stomach is just not right.  Maybe I have a touch of something.  I've been taking it easy all day.  Haven't had anything to eat.  Just broth and coke to drink.  

I think I need to treat myself a little gentler.  

For example, while the above photo may not exactly look like the counter in a spa, it is my own little home version of relaxing indulgence.  I have my little bottle of lavender bath, my insulated glass of ice water, a scented candle, and reading material.  Add a tub of hot water and I have, right in my own home, the means to unwind and take some peaceful minutes for myself.  

I don't have a jacuzzi.  I don't need a jacuzzi.  A tub that is a little deeper would be nice.  But I'm happy with what I have and a hot lavender bath for twenty minutes while reading things that interest me is sometimes just what I need.

I have learned the hard way in my life that it just doesn't pay to never fill the pitcher from which is poured all that I do for my family and others.  It's important.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend and Valentine's Day!

If we want to stimulate the economy by pouring money into it, why not just divide the amount in the "stimulus package" by the number of tax payers in the country, give it back to the tax payers, and let them spend it on what they want.  

It would not cost us any more-- just the same amount.  

Am I missing something?  Isn't this a better idea?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Accountability Numbers

This Week: Down two pounds

Overall: Down ten pounds

You may have noticed that I didn't post numbers last Wednesday. Let's just say there were too many Cheezits in the house and I didn't want to talk about it. I think I'm back on track now.

I know you've probably had enough but just in case....

In case anybody out there wants to hear my son John play you can listen to him here.

This is not his latest concert. The clip is from the inauguration of the new EMU president. There is a short intro (about 30 sec.) by the president and then John's piece which is about 2 and a half minutes.

The piece he's playing is a Chopin Etude which he played as an encore piece at Friday's concert.

John's Concert

John gave a wonderful concert on Friday night.  

He played for 45 minutes, all memorized.  My oldest son drove a six hour round trip from South Bend to be there.  So our whole family was there.

Was I proud?  Yeah.  (Just a little:-)

This is the two year old who threw a temper tantrum in his car seat when I put a children's tape on the tape player.  "CHOPIN!!!!" he screamed, tears rolling down his cheeks.  I turned around in disbelief and asked, "You want to hear Chopin?"  John, such a good kid even at two, nodded.   Needless to say, I said, "OK.  We're listening to Chopin," and I put on the Chopin tape we had.  I looked in my rear view mirror to see John, smiling happily now, and moving his fingers in the air as though he were playing the piano.

My maternal mental note?  Make sure this kid gets piano lessons.  The mental note was unnecessary though because he started begging for piano lessons when he was three.  We started him at four.

Blogging and real life friend Ruthann came with her husband and dear son Ted.  It was so good to see her.

Thanks for your prayers.

I have a video clip but haven't been able to post it yet.

My favorite niece....

This is my very favorite niece.  (OK, she's my only niece, but she's my very favorite nevertheless!)

She has the most beautiful red hair in the world, whether it's  in its naturally curly state or straightened as it is here.

Last night I had the pleasure of watching her play basketball.  She was awesome.  She's a fast, intelligent, energetic player.  Loved watching her.

We surprised her by showing up at her game.  When I walked into the gym she said she thought to herself, "Wow, that really looks like my aunt....."  and then..."Wait a minute...."

We don't live in the same town so it's not often that we can get to games like this.

hubby and my brother

AND, we were able to go out to eat together afterwards.  It was great fun.

Cousins together....you gotta love it.

Satin Hands-- I love it!!!!

All of my adult life I have had trouble with my fingertips cracking in the cold weather.   Throughout every winter I have had one and sometimes two or three band aids on my fingertips.  They would crack quite badly sometimes even bleeding.  It was a little cross to bear, painful when they first cracked, but easily healed with band aid protection and sometimes a prescription cream.

I'm using past tense here because this winter they have not cracked once.  Why?  This year I have been using Mary Kay Satin Hands every night.  It's a three product set.  First you use the emollient, then the hand scrub, then the hand cream.  My hands have never been better.  And what a great thing to be able to have all my fingers band aid free.  (There are a lot of things that are hard to do with bandaged fingertips.)

I like Mary Kay products.  I have used them for quite a few years.  Mary Kay herself was a strong Christian and it seems to be a very good company.

I have recently learned more about this company because my daughter has become an independent Mary Kay beauty consultant.

Would you seek advice on makeup/skin care from this woman?  (teehee)  I do!  And she's been a great help.

Anyway, I had to put in a plug for Satin Hands because I have found it to be such an amazing product.

This is my new favorite prayer spot in my house.

It's in my bedroom overlooking the backyard.  I can keep a cup of tea on the windowsill.  It's actually an old kneeler that I found in the laundry room of my parents' house.  I don't think they used it for anything.  No one else wanted it.

On a sunny day like today, it is a very peaceful place to kneel and pray.

It's just the right size for me.  God is good.

John is givng a concert!!

My son John (piano man) is giving a concert next Saturday (2/7) in the afternoon.

He will play:

  Scarlatti- Sonata in f minor, 

Scarlatti- Sonata in Gmajor

Beethoven- Sonata in E flat

Chopin-- Etude  Opus 25 no.2

Liszt-- Mephisto Waltz

Casadesus-- Toccata Op.40

It's free and open to the public.  Email me if you want to come and need information :-)

And if you think of it, maybe say a little prayer for him?

The Lemonade Award

Angelmeg from Transcendental Musings has given me the Lemonade Award!!  Angelmeg, thank you so much!

"The Lemonade Award is given to 10 others who show good attitude (the good kind!) or gratitude." 

 I have not given this award to blogs with great attitude if I know you have already received it.  (May apologies to those who have already received this award and I missed it:-)

'Thann at Third Time's a Charm

Anne at A Cup of Tea with Anne

Mrs. Jackie Parkes at Catholic Mom of 10 Revisited

Cropangel at Cropangel Thoughts

Ellen at Salome Ellen

Barb at SFO Mom

Michelle at Rosetta Stone

Mary Poppins Not at Crazy Acres

Little Acts of Kindness

I must give you an example of what I was talking about yesterday.

On Friday while teaching gym to 6th and 7th grade boys I observed the following incident.

They were all playing basketball.  One boy who I'll call Joseph apparently held the ball a little longer than his teammate would have liked.  Teammate, who I'll call Mark, being a normal, competitive young boy hollered, "Throw the ball!!"

Joseph, who has other challenges in his life, teared up, threw the ball, and backed away from the court clearly not wanting to play anymore.  Seeing Joseph crying I came over to see what had happened.  Mark explained and then, obviously trying to make amends said, "Come on, Joseph.  Come on!  You have to play.  The team needs you!!!  Come on!"  He was gentle in tone and earnest in his encouragement.

Joseph rejoined the game.  I was touched by this incident.  These kids care about each other.  Mark(not his real name) could have easily reasoned, hey, what's the big deal.  All I said was to throw the ball.  But he didn't.  He knew this wasn't about basketball or whether Joseph's response was reasonable. Someone's feelings were hurt and Mark just did what he could to make it right.

At the end of class I made a point of telling Mark what a good thing I thought he had done.  I told him that's just what Jesus would do.

Mark just nodded and ran off to his next class.

Little acts of kindness so warm the heart.

Wonderful students

Some of you may know that I occasionally substitute teach at my youngest children's Catholic school.

Yesterday I taught 7th and 8th grade religious ed. and 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys gym.

Does this sound like a nightmare??  It wasn't at all.

The kids at this school are so good-hearted, so well-mannered that it was a delight to teach them.  Sure, there were a few chatterboxes, but overall it was just a delightful day.  I had fun teaching them.  

If you live in SE Michigan have I got a school to recommend to you....The Holy spirit is active at this school.

Mr. N., if you're reading this, let me say that you're doing a great job with these middle schoolers.  And I hope you feel a lot better soon.  Prayers.

The Poinsettia is still alive! And looking pretty good.

The Poinsettia is still alive!!!

I enjoy gardening in the summer....with moderate success.  Sun and rain help a lot.  But indoor plants?  I'm usually not real successful with them.  I usually over water or under water or something.

Then my kids bought me these watering globes.  Have you seen them on TV?  You fill it with water and stick it in the plant.  The plant then takes water as it needs it and you only have to see if the globe is empty.  (Course then you have to go refill the globe, which I have not done with a different plant.  No excuse.)

But I have kept it up with the poinsettia and this is the longest we've ever had one look this good.  It's pretty cool.  I've found sometimes a plant will need a little more than the globe provides but then, usually my house plants die from lack of water and that will not happen if you keep the globes filled.

My plants are happy.  So am I.

The Lovey Award

Alexa from Roc Around the Cloc has presented me with this lovey award!!  Alexa, you're so sweet.  I am really touched and honored.  And I'm sorry I have taken so long to tend to it.

Here is the award:

"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 attention to these writers.  Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and inlcude this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I know many of you have already received this award since Alexa and I have a lot of the same e-friends.  If I happen to give you this award and you have already received it (maybe multiple times) please just take it as the compliment I intend it to be.  I have not been able to do my regular blog reading for the past several weeks.

Soooo.... I give the Lovey Award to the following bloggers:

'Thann at Third Time's a Charm (This is a new blog but I know it will be great as Ruthann's others have been.)

Alexis at Love Life

Deb at Ukok's Place

Kate at Heart Speaks to Heart

Lynz at The Miles Family

Jean at Catholic Fire

Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

Denise at Catholic Matriarch in my domestic Church

Weight Loss Wednesday

Oh dear, this is not good news......

Accountability Numbers

This week:  Up 3 pounds  (Yikes.)

Overall:  Down 8 pounds

I do not understand how I could gain three pounds while doing a lot of walking and eating what I thought was quite a bit less than usual.  Truthfully, I guess the answer is simple.  I was eating more than I thought.  But three pounds??!!  I don't think I could have eaten enough additional calories in one week to gain three pounds (all while thinking I was eating less.)  Maybe there is some water fluctuation involved too.

But I have to admit that I have gained while on vacation before.  I always seem to think I'm eating less when in reality I'm eating more.

Support for the March

My two youngest daughters are in seventh and eighth grades.  They had to miss two days of school to go to the March.  All of the teachers were very supportive and helpful, especially considering that the girls were missing the last two days of the quarter and there were finals to be made up, etc.

They both have the same religion teacher.  (They attend a wonderful Catholic school.)  Mr. N. said he thought it was great they were going to the March.  In fact, he said, because I want to encourage pro-life activities, you can both skip your tests completely.  Mary was standing there.  He said, "As long as you tell me all about the March....and not just 'it was fun and there were a lot of people.'  OK?"

Mary said, "OK!!!"

Then after our return he not only excused them from the test but also gave them extra credit points.  (smile--  I love this teacher.)   You gotta love Mr. N.

Both girls told him all about the March.  (Smile)

March for Life photos..

It was very refreshing and encouraging to see such a strong Catholic presence at the March.

Many of the overheard conversations included talk of adoration, Father so-and-so, parishes, etc.  I really felt I was among "my people," if you know what I mean.

I was shocked to just run into Rory, someone I've known a long time who happens to also be the mother of my son's roommate in South Bend.

Denise Hunnell (of A Catholic Matriarch in My Domestic Church)and I in front of the Supreme Court, the end of the March.

My daughter was pleased to see a strong contingent from her alma mater, Madonna University.

And there were Notre Dame students everywhere.  (Who knew?  Strong Catholics at Notre Dame?  I'm kidding, of course.  Notre Dame is full of strong Catholics.)

I'm really glad we went.  All four of us found the March a moving experience and the whole trip an enjoyable time.

Lord have mercy on our country.  With Jesus, we live in hope.

March for Life!

Well, we made it to the March and it was an incredible experience.  I will be posting more about our experience and more pictures soon.

We're still in D.C.  and trying to get as much sightseeing in as we can.  Two of my daughters have never been here.

At the end of the March, at the Supreme Court, I was able to meet (thanks to cell phones) Denise Hunnell of Catholic Matriarch in my Domestic Church!!!  I have to tell you that Denise's blog is one of my favorites.  How awesome it was to meet her in person at the March!!!  Thanks, Denise, for making it happen.  We were able to have sandwiches at Potbelly's afterwards for some quieter conversation.  It's so much fun to meet blogging friends in person.

Incredibly, we arrived at the Mall a little early when people were just starting to assemble.

Would you believe that, in addition to Denise, we met TWENTY people we knew from Michigan at the March.  It was absolutely amazing.  And these were people we know well... Good friends of my son John, Lizzie's camp counselor, kids from our grade school, kids from the high school,  the mother of my oldest son's roommate,  and several people from our parish.  We hadn't spoken to any of these people before the March and had no idea they would be there.  It was like a reunion.

John had so many friends there we called him.  I said, "Hey, John, how come you're in Ann Arbor when all your friends are in Washington?"  They gave him a hard time:-)  (He has a concert in 10 days and felt he needed the practice time.)

Anyway, more pictures to come in the next few days.....

Weight Loss Wednesday

Well, I'm in D.C.  and my friend has wifi so I thought I should post today's numbers, just on principle.  Although what's really on my mind is the March for Life which I will definitely be posting about after tomorrow.  So...

Accountability Numbers

This Week:  Down 1.5 pounds!!!!

Overall:  Down 11 pounds!!!

Feeling Good!

We're Going!!!

Liz is better and we're going!!!  (to the March for Life).

I'm still working on fixing the print on my last post.  I suspect it has something to do with Apple/PC/Blogger compatibility.  It looks fine on my Mac laptop but I see what you mean on our PC.  I copied the questions from Sarah's post and I bet she used a PC.  (I don't know.  Maybe that doesn't make any sense.)  Anyway, I'm trying to fix it.

Denise and Michelle!!  I hope we can meet!

For those of you who said you would be interviewed by me I hope it's OK if I do it after next Monday.  We won't be back until Sunday night and I'm not sure what my computer access will be in Washington.  And thanks for agreeing!

Interview by Sarah (JOT)

Sarah from Ora et Labora has provided me with the following interview and instructions.

The Interview by Sarah at  Ora et Labora- A Faithful Catholic's Blog

Instructions:1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me".

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So, here are the 5 questions with my answers...

1.What achievement are you the most proud of each of your children?

You mean I get an open invitation to brag about my children?  OK.  For my oldest, Michael, who is 24, I am proud of his graduation from Notre Dame and the two excellent academic years he spent at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.  I am also proud of his awesome skill as a ballroom dancer.  Most of all, I am proud of his strong commitment to his faith.

Of Anne, my 23 year old, I am proud of her graduation as a nurse from Madonna University with high honors.  She is mildly dyslexic and yet was always on the honor roll from the time she started school in 6th grade.  She simply made up her mind to put in the extra time and work it took.  I am also proud of her recent Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing.  And.... her faith.

For John, one of my proudest moments was when he won the concerto competition at Eastern Michigan University as a freshman.  The competition was open to all grade levels, including graduate students, and all instruments.  I was also proud when he was asked to play at the inauguration of the new EMU President.  I am especially proud when he plays in the music ministry at church.  And I have always been proud of his great smile and good heart.

For Jim, I am very proud of his astonishing willingness to sacrifice for others.  I have never seen such an unselfish teenager.  His love of God is inspiring and his eagerness to defend the faith is incredible.  He actually posted a challenge online, "I am a Catholic.  Argue with Me."  And then proceeded to have many hours of conversations with atheists.  I am so proud of his courage and generosity to the Lord.

For Mary, I am proud of her self-discipline and sense of responsibility.  She's 14 and I never have to check up on her for chores or homework or anything.  She does her work.  She is so reliable and plus she has a very kind and generous heart.  Very thoughtful.

For Liz, who is 12 I am proud of her courage, her intelligence, and her creativity.  She also has mild dyslexia and schoolwork is sometimes a struggle.  Yet she keeps at, slowly improving, and never giving up.  I am also proud of her creativity and exuberance.  She's a fun kid to be around.

(OK.  I'm just a little proud of my kids...  sorry).

2.What single thing do you wish to be remembered by?

    Does it have to be only one thing?  I guess I would like to be remembered as someone who loved the Lord and loved others, someone who prayed, was humble, and was willing to forgive.

3.If you could give your husband one of his biggest life dreams, what would that be, and, what would that mean to you?

One of his biggest life dreams???  Hmmm.  In terms of material things, I would give him a house on a lake.  It would mean a lot to me because I know how much being near the water gives him peace.

4.Where in the world would you like to go that you have never been before - and why is that place attractive to you?

I would like to go to the Holy Land so I could see the places significant in the life of my Savior.  It would mean a lot to me so see them with my own eyes (rather than in my imagination.)

5.What is the happiest memory of your childhood?

I had a very happy childhood.  Probably the happiest memory would be of the birth of my little sister.  I was 8 and had been praying for a baby sister for many years.  I had no doubt she would be a girl.  There was custom in our neighborhood that if you had a new baby girl you hung a pink receiving blanket on your lamppost so everyone would know it was a girl.  And blue if it was a boy.  I was staying with some neighbors when my mother was at the hospital.  When my father called to say I had a sister, my friends and I were so excited.  We ran down the street waving the pink blanket and tied it to the lamppost.  It was a glorious day.

So, Sarah, there are my answers.  Thanks for the interview.  If anyone would like to be interviewed by me you can tell me in the comments of this post.  (The questions will be different.)  This was fun. but I really needed to think a little about these answers...

Prayer Request

Yikes!  My youngest has a fever of 102!!

She is not terribly sick otherwise but there's something going around school that's mostly a fever and lasts three days!!

I don't want to take her to the March and expose her to the elements for an entire day, unless she's been well for at least a day!!

Could you pray that she will recover quickly if the Lord wants us at the March.  She is really excited about going and it will be a terrible disappointment to her if we can't go.  (See her anon. comment from yesterday.)

Thank you!!!  We'll get there if God wants us there!