Feast of the Immaculate Conception!!

"For the first time after thousands of years God, in His wisdom and power and love, created again a human being in that state in which He had created our first parents.  Immaculate Virgin, you are that human being.  Because of sanctifying grace infused into your soul, you were from the first moment of your existence most intimately united with God and endowed with the most precious gifts of heaven. You possessed a perfect faith, a firm hope, a burning love, a deep humility, a purity greater than that of the angels."

 from Mary My Hope by Father Lawrence G. Lovasik

Happy Feast Day, Oh Blessed Mother

My Take on Congress and the Big Three

"Congress will insist that any legislation include rigorous and ongoing oversight to guarantee that taxpayers are protected and that resources are directed to ensure the long term viability and competitiveness of the American auto industry."

So says Nancy Pelosi.

Since when has Congress become the experts on how the auto companies can be competitive?

What a nightmare.  The Congress is going to tell the Big 3 how to make cars?  Well, yes.  They'll tell them how to make cars-- green cars, low mileage cars, and whatever other cars they think would be neat.

Do you know why the auto companies have been building lots of trucks and SUVs?  Because those are the products that bring them the most profit!!!  And that's what people were buying!!! In accusing the automakers of not having responded to consumer demands, of not being more environmentally conscious, etc. Congress is being unfair.  They do not seem to realize that the purpose of making cars is to make money!!!

The problems of the auto industry are complex.  I don't think Congress, in their arrogance, gets it.  

So.  That's my rant on Congress telling the auto makers how to run their businesses.

Six Things that Make Me Happy!!!

Jean at Catholic Fire has tagged me for the Six Things that Make me Happy Meme.

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!

So six things that make me happy....

1. The Eucharist, the Mass, saying the rosary with my family, knowing that Jesus is always with me.

2. Spending time with my husband and my family, especially when we are all together.

3. Blogging!!!

4. Reading!

5. Listening to talk radio and watching television news programs-- learning!

6. Climbing into my bed at night, relaxing and having one last conversation of the day with my Lord.

I love a lot of blogs.  There are some I know have already been tagged on this.  I tag the following:

Barb at SFO Mom

Nancy Carabio Belanger

Michelle from Rosetta Stone

Lynz at The Miles Family

Mimi at Bigger Than a Breadbox

Kalona at Knocking Everywhere

Weight Loss Wednesday

Accountability Numbers

This week:  Up 1.5 pounds

Overall:  Down 8.5 pounds

The lesson for me this week is one I know full well.

I cannot lose weight by eating whatever I want, whenever I want.

Nuff said.

Spoiling or Loving

Today my daughter got new braces on her bottom teeth.  She had already had the top ones.

I have three other children who have had braces.  I know they hurt, sometimes a LOT, when they first get them on.  And I know it's not just teenage whining because my good friend Pat had braces as an adult and she told me that they do indeed hurt A LOT when you first get them on.

So.  With each of my other children, on that first day of braces, I brought them a milkshake to school at lunchtime in case their lunch was too hard to eat.

One of my sons was in so much pain he couldn't even drink the milkshake.  Touching the straw to his teeth hurt too much.

The first time I did this a close friend of mine said I should not do that.  She said I should let them tough it out.  I considered that she might be right.  We don't want our children to think that life does not include suffering.  We also don't want them to think that when things are tough that mom will always come to the rescue.  We don't want them to remain dependent.  We don't want to spoil them.

On the other hand, I considered that it might also just show them how much I love them, that I care enough to take the time to help, when I can.  I thought it might show them an example of love, that we make sacrifices for the poor (as in poor teen with hurting teeth:-), that we give of our time to help others.

I asked if she thought she would have trouble eating lunch.  She said she didn't know.  I asked if she wanted me to bring her a milkshake.  She got that sweet smile of satisfaction on her face and honestly said, "I don't know if I'll have trouble with lunch.  But I would love a milkshake."

My heart said do it.  So I did.  She loved it.

When to allow heels....

I bought my daughter her first little pair of heels.

I think it's a tough call to know when is the right time to allow these kind of grown up things.

She's thirteen.  I don't let her wear makeup except a little colored lip gloss.  She looks so lovely anyway, she really doesn't need it.

Her school doesn't have dances but she has asked to go to other middle school dances and I have said no.  Dances even on the high school level are often not the healthiest social environments.  I just didn't see how allowing her to go to middle school dances would be in her best interest.

So.  She wanted a little heel.  A lot of her classmates wear them.  And she hasn't been badgering me about it.

This is what we found.

I think they're cute.  And since it's a wedge it will be a little easier to walk on than other styles.

She loves them.

Even in jeans they're pretty cute.  Her class will be going to see "A Christmas Carol" this month.  It's a dressy occasion and she can wear these with her red dress.

She's happy.  I'm happy.

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

Owen has started a site called A Month for the Souls in Purgatory 2008. He and his family will be praying for all the souls in purgatory who are listed in the comment section of his post. Here are Owen's instructions.

"WELCOME! Add your loved one...

Beginning November 25th my family and I are praying through the Month for the Souls in Purgatory from November 25th to December 25th 2008.  This is my third year practicing this devotion while three of my family members joined me during 2007 and again this year.

We would be most pleased and grateful to add any of your deceased Christian loved ones to our list of souls being prayed for.  Our family is offering Masses during these thirty days leading up to Christmas Day, known as the day when our Holy Mother, through her faithful prayers, sees many souls released from Purgatory to enter the gates of heaven.."

I've added my loved ones for whom I would like prayer. Perhaps you will want to do the same. Lord have mercy on all our faithful departed....

Happy Thanksgiving!!! (A day late)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

OK.  So I'm a day late.  But yesterday was WAY too busy to get a post written.  And any day is appropriate for giving thanks, right?

This what our table looked like before it was buried in food. :-)  I used my mother's china, which I love.  And a combination of my mother's and grandmother's crystal.  We had water glasses and wine glasses with sparkling fruit juices, which my kids love.  No alcohol.  I was so pleased that Mary (13 yo) wanted to use the crystal.  I thought the fact that it has to be hand washed would be a disincentive, but she likes nice things and appreciates family history, as do I.

     The table is too long for a table cloth, although I should make one sometime.  I know it would be easy.  But the length keeps changing depending on the number of guests.  It's an Amish table.  It has 11 leaves, each about a foot in length.  We don't have room to extend it all the way, but we have had about 18 people at it at one time.  Love this table.  They're available at amishtables.com, a business owned by a good Catholic family who are friends of ours.

So.... Here are some of the things I am thankful for:

The Eucharist! And all the graces and blessings I have received from my faith!

My family, my husband and every one of my six children!

My friends, both in the flesh and my e-friends!

My country and all the blessings of being an American-- freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and all the countless ways the Lord has blessed this land.

The rosary and all the ways my family has been blessed through saying it together.

Blogging!  And all the ways my life has been enriched through it.

That my family has never been without food, shelter, and all of our basic needs.

For Catholic education and the fact that my children have been able to attend Catholic schools.

For this laptop I'm typing on and all the fun I have had with it.

For the good health of my family.

That my adult children are all still living their faith!

For my pastor Father Ed Fride and all the ways our family has been blessed by his shepherding!

For the incredible beauty of creation which is mine to enjoy every day!

For my life!!!  That the Lord created me and all those I love and that right now I have another day to live as His servant.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Accountability Numbers

This Week:  Down 1 pound

Overall:  Down 10 pounds

I was absolutely astonished at the numbers this week.  I have NOT been good.  I had all but written the post in my head about how I was not going to report numbers this week because it was too painful.  I had expected to have gained a couple pounds.  But I lost one!!!  (Maybe it will catch up to me tomorrow-- especially given that it will be Thanksgiving!!)

The cookies pictured below were part of the problem.  I love those things!!! And my son came home with this plate of them from someone.  I knew it was trouble as soon as he put it on the counter.  I think I ate five of them!

Then I realized I had to put a little more distance between me and them.  So here they are under Ziplock and key.  Teehee.  It does actually help me to have to take even a nanosecond more time to get to them.  Just sitting there peeking out from under the foil was just not good enough.  Now when I also put them out of sight in the cupboard you'll know I'm actually serious about not eating any more :-)

Anyway, I'm grateful that the scale actually showed one pound loss today.   (Maybe the scale isn't working?!?!)

the Christmas Countdown....

She really wanted it.  She saw it in an advertising flier.  My youngest thought this was just the neatest Christmas decoration you could possibly have.  

I could imagine the delight on the face of my nephews as they saw this "countdown."  I knew my godson would be quite obsessed with it and would run back and forth to update us on "the countdown."

I also knew it was a completely frivolous expense, devoid of the real meaning of Christmas.

But my youngest liked it so much.  And she has had some challenges this year.....

I told her it was an unnecessary expense.  It wasn't cheap.  I told her it was my decision and that she should not continue to ask me for it.  She said, "OK," with a sad look.  Then I said.....

"Now put it in the cart!"  The look on her face was priceless.

So now I have this thing and it is indeed counting down.  Turns out only my youngest likes it. The other kids think it's tacky and can't believe I would put this in our front yard.

I guess it is tacky.  But then aren't most Christmas decorations tacky?  I mean even the outdoor Nativity Scenes (of which we have one) are not exactly works of art, are they?  Isn't decorating for Christmas supposed to be a little tinsely?  Isn't putting multi-colored lights all over your house a little tacky?

Will it drive my neighbors nuts?  (It might drive me nuts with the constant reminder that the clock is ticking!!)

What do you think?  Too tacky?  (You can be honest.)

Family Moment Monday-- good intentions

I am participating in Family Moment Monday hosted by Motherhood for Dummies.

Do you remember holding that baby for the very first time and thinking how you never wanted so badly to do this job perfectly and also realizing that you were completely inadequate?   Parenting is co complex and even getting advice from experienced parents has to be seen through the lens of your own family and your own unique children.  It's really tough. 

Only God the Father himself can do the job perfectly and his first two children messed up!

That free will thing is scary.  Scary for my own life and scary for the people I love.

I'm not hinting that my kids have messed up.  Actually, my kids are doing great and I couldn't be more pleased and actually shocked that even with a mother like me, they're (so far) all turning out just fine.

It must be the prayer.  

Oh Lord, please bless my children and all the children of people who read this blog and all the children who are loved by people who read this blog.  In spite of all the weaknesses, sins, and just plain stupid decisions that I and all parents make, please raise these children to be your good and faithful servants.

My pastor gave me some very comforting advice (in Confession) yesterday.  He said that the old saying that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions is actually not true.  He said the opposite is actually true.  The road to HEAVEN is paved with good intentions.  God looks at our intentions.

Isn't that comforting?  We don't need to be perfect parents.  We just need to try.  God is merciful.

God bless.

Man, today was a busy day.

Took the girls to school.  Then rushed to get ready to go to Mass at Jim's high school where the juniors' rings would be blessed.

Then left to go directly to the inauguration of the new president of Eastern Michigan University during which my son played a Chopin etude as a "Celebration of Student Excellence."  He did an awesome job and we were so proud of him.  Hope to link to some videos of it soon.  I tried to take my own video but halfway through his introduction by the new president my memory card filled up!  Oh well.  There were a lot of other video cameras going.

Then we went to a luncheon reception.

Then home to prepare dinner for John's piano professor who came over tonight.

It was one busy, full day.  I plan to sleep well and write more tomorrow.

Night all.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Accountability Numbers

This Week:  No Change

Overall:  9 pounds

There was a Sanders Bumpy Tea Cake in the house this week.  What can I say?

I went back to Weight Watchers yesterday.  I think I need more support to really get down another 5-10 pounds.  Plus with the holidays coming....definitely need more support.

And WW is so good.  I will eat better if I'm attentive to the WW guidelines on fats, fiber, etc. It really is a healthier way to eat.  So healthy, in fact, that I have rarely ever followed all the rules. 

But, I'm going to give it another try.

Cool Blog Award!

Jean from Catholic Fire has kindly given me this Butterfly Award.  I am so honored.  Thank you, Jean!!

I must say first off that if Jean had not been the one to award this to me, her blog would definitely be on my list of cool blogs.  It is a very informative blog, full of great Catholic and prolife info as well as political commentary from a Catholic perspective.  I highly recommend you check it out.

The rules for this award are:

1.  Pick ten people and pass this award to them.

2. Then contact them and let them know that you have chosen them and their blog for the award.

3.  Also link back to the person who gave you the award.

I must tell you that many of the other blogs Jean chose would also have been choices of mine.So I must first list the following three blogs which have already received this award from Jean, but would definitely be on my list of ten.

Deb from UKOK's Place

Suzanne from Suzanne's Sisterly Sharings

Barb from SFO Mom

And then I also give the following blogs the Butterfly Award:

   (My apologies if you have already received it.  I haven't been able to blog much lately:-)

Alexa at Learning About Joy

Lynz at The Miles Family

Mimi at Bigger Than a Breadbox

Denise at Catholic Matriarch in my Domestic Church

Alexis at Love Life

Mary Poppins Not at Crazy Acres

 Kitchen Madonna (inactive at the moment but back soon, we hope)

Sarah at Ora et Labora

Even under the snow!!!

I realize some of you are probably getting tired of hearing about resilient flowers.  These are right along my front walk so I see them all the time.  I can't help but be amazed that they are not only still alive but still blooming.

And these are even blooming UNDER THE SNOW!!!  It's 32 degrees out and they are still blooming!!!  Glory to God!

The Survivors

We are expected to get three inches of snow this weekend.  Right now it's just a grey, chilly rain.

We've already had a few frosts.

And look what's still blooming in my garden!!!!!  These flowers all reseeded themselves from last year so I guess they've already demonstrated their hardiness.  Still, I'm impressed.  They're blooming, for heaven's sakes!  And it's mid November in Michigan!!

This flower I posted about once before because, incredibly, it sprouted from between a rock and the foundation of our porch.  And now, in this cold weather, it's STILL blooming and even has a number of buds.  This is my super-flower.

It is literally between concrete and a rock.  There can't be more than a half inch or so of soil in there.  Still, it blooms. 

Perhaps the life lesson is:  Those determined to survive, will.

Blessed be God!!

Scenes from yesterday's birthday...

Do you remember when you were younger how the older people would talk of how fast time flies and you would think,"Yeah.  Well, that's because a lot of years HAVE gone by.  Look how old you are!"

Well, I guess I've arrived.

How could she possibly be twenty-three??!!?

Happy Birthday, Anne!!!

Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter Anne!!!

I am tempted to use a pet name for her but I will not.

Anne is a wonderful daughter.  We are so proud of her.  She's an accomplished RN.  She loves the Lord and lives her Catholic faith.  She is a great role model for her younger sisters and she is so sweet to them.  She also has great taste and we all ask her opinion on clothes.

Anne is very compassionate and she has a tender heart-- great qualities for a nurse!!  She is sensitive and gentle.

What a blessing she is to our family.  I am so honored to be her mother.  God is good.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Accountability Numbers

This Week:  Down 1 pound

Overall:   Down 9 pounds

All the good Halloween candy is gone.  Thank heavens.  While I know it is good that I am back to losing I am still not where I was a month ago, which was down ten pounds.  I really need to find the time  get back to Weight Watchers.  Posting my numbers every week is a big help but I think I may need a little more, especially with the holidays coming up.

Still, I'm smiling to be down a pound.

Halloween Pictures... a little late

I know, I know.  Halloween was two weeks ago.  But I couldn't resist sharing these pictures.

With all the tension of the election, I just couldn't write about anything else for a few days there.

We always have fun on Halloween.  We live in a neighborhood with a lot of kids and the whole evening is filled with strong community feelings as we meet people we know, and the elderly are so happy to see kids come to their doors.



Anne and Zach came over to help.  We had one original jack-0-lantern design and one painstakingly done black cat from a pattern.
Liz was Minnie Mouse and Mary was a Cheezit box.  Mary and her dad always come up with an original costume like this--- but always with the same box.  First she was a Maytag dryer, then a Tic Tac box, then a juice box, and finally this Cheezit box.
Complete with nutrition facts on the side and advertising slogan on the back.  It was too cute.  (And as you know, I LOVE Cheezits!!)


An adult passed us while we were trick-or-treating and exclaimed, "Wow!  Cheezits!"  I hollered back, "Get your own box!" and we all laughed.

Hope you all had fun too!!