This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every moring: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion saith my soul: therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3: 21-26

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Computer Screen Germs

The CDC has recently learned that all computer screens on the inside are covered with bacteria, dust, germs, etc. that can be dangerous to your health.

This is caused by a variety of reasons and it can prove to be a health hazard for everyone that uses the computer. We have determined that the problem can be as dangerous as cigarette smoking because of the quantity of time that most of us are now spending on computers for work and personal reasons.

It is recommended that all individuals with access to a computer should access the link below. This link is to a special program that will correct clean and correct this potentially dangerous Health Problem.

Click on this link to clean the inside of your screen.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Taking My Eyes Off the Goal

The enemy whispered and I listened and allowed myself to be deceived, distracted.

I've allowed myself to wallow in worldly matters. Matters that will be burnt up like chaff--in as little as five years I will have forgotten perceived hurts and injustices.

I've allowed myself to become over-worried about personal concerns, for myself and for family members; health, emotional, and financial. I've allowed myself to dwell in the past and in grief that should be put aside.

A long time ago someone reminded me about other worries, "It is what it is." I tell my children often, "Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. Just deal with today." Maybe I should go with that. Hmmmm...


"DIFFICULT PRESENT MOMENTS

When the Present Moment comes and gives me something very difficult to bear, I say, "This is the will of God."

Think of when Pilate told the Lord, "Don't you know I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?" And Jesus said, "No, you would not have power over me if it had not been given to you from above" (John 19:10-11). Even at that awesome, unjust moment, Jesus saw the Father's Will and accepted it. In our daily lives we should to. "--Mother Angelica from Little Book, of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality



Photo courtesy of Public Domain Pictures/Petr Kratochvil

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Just Call Me Spot

If you were to come into my home on any given day you would see me running around in one of my many stained t-shirts.

Oh, I do have nice tops. I am capable of looking better than the dishrag. But I save my unstained clothing to put on less than twenty minutes before I leave the house. I've got this disorder that will not allow me to eat without food jumping off my spoon or fork and landing on my shirt (at best--at worst my pants are targeted too.)

Iced tea or a soda? Dribbles down my chin. Amazing that I taught my children to eat or drink, but the truth is they are far less messy than I am. But when one of them or my husband does get a spot on their shirts they claim they performed a "Mommy." Nice, huh?

I'd buy polka dotted shirts, but they are even less slimming than horizontal stripes. Tie dye is always an option...Sigh

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Monday, April 27, 2009

Daybook...April 27, 2009

FOR TODAY ...April 27, 2009...Can you believe we will be leaving April behind this week? One third of the year 2009 is already gone. How does that happen. I'm trying to catch up.

I keep saying I am going to spend time catching up with my blogging buddies and I don't feel I'm doing a great job with that either. Such is the life of a mom, I guess.


Outside my window......"and the rain rain rain came down down down so Piglet started bailing..." Feeling like we better start bailing soon. We've missed a lot of bad weather and I am grateful. But I certainly hope everyone else is okay. I know there were tornadoes not far from us last night. 'Tis the season for twisters. Sigh...

I am thinking...I haven't started any projects I'd planned for the last few weeks. School is taking up a lot of time and energy.














I am thankful for...a patient husband who helps with the house.

From the learning rooms...marching forward in the face of Spring Fever. Mom is the worst culprit for not wanting to do our work.

From the kitchen...eating on the fly tonight. Grabbing a bite between dance and church. Last time we should be doing that for a while. A nice roast and trimmings for tomorrow.

I am wearing...my jammies...does that count as a uniform for me???

I am creating...Still messing around with knitting. Learning. Things have been too cluttered to drag out my beads. Sat down to do cards yesterday. Spent time instead with the husband. I think it was a good change of plan. :)

I am going...to get more blood drawn tomorrow. Yuck.

I am reading...Inkspell.

I am hoping...to get it all together one of these days.

I am hearing...noise off the highway.

Around the house...I think everything is just going to be on hold until school is done.

One of my favorite things...the art gallery. We have a phenomenal one and I spent a few hours there alone on Sunday while waiting for Roo.

A few plans for the rest of the week:A couple friends may swim float stop by this week. Need to figure out a nice lunch.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...It's in Swedish which gave me a smile for the blustery day...



Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Grains of Gratitude--It's Been Too Long Edition

It's been far too long since I've posted Grains of Gratitude and I apologize. It's not that I've not been grateful, because there has been so much to be grateful for.

I am grateful for being able to attend church with my family. There is something so special about having my boys so focused and to hear them sing & pray. The husband made it home in time to join us Saturday night. Yay! I am grateful he is home--it was a quick trip, but it looks like there will be more again in the future.

Wish we could have gone to Mass on Sunday, we miss some of our favorite people when we go at a different time, but Roo had a fundraiser to appear at. Which, thankfully turned out well.

Left him on his own (under adult supervision) when I really wanted to stay and hover. This is part of the letting go, trying wings stuff I am so not ready for. Apparently he was quite the professional while I was gone, but upon my return he fell into some of his silly (and age appropriate) ways. Does that tell me something? I'm grateful in that bittersweet, Mommy sense that he is moving out farther and farther into independence.

Friday we were gifted by a homeschool mom, a fairly new friend, with a large grocery bag full of books. Not telling this to toot my horn, but I had just given a box of books to a family of new homeschoolers. The point wasn't me, but isn't it great how GOD always, always proves HE cannot be outdone.

The boys are attending the end of year Parish School of Religion carnival, Monday (today because I am posting late). I am grateful they find themselves very at home there. They are loved at often spoiled there. They will run around and be crazy for a while. I will sit and try to figure why their vitamins work better than mine.

Selfishly I am glad that we are nearing a vacation point. I am in need of a break. It is very hard to keep me focused, so you can imagine how things are around here.

Back to joining the originator of Grains of Gratitude, Christine--Mom to Brady & the whole Bunch.

Friday, April 24, 2009

7 Quick Takes Friday--April 24

1. Always late to the party, this is my first time joining 7 Quick Takes. It sounds like a good wrap up for the week. For someone not familiar with 7 Quick Takes--Jen at Conversion Diary hosts it every Friday. It is simply seven small random pieces to share. Not necessary to have anything to connect them. I'm pretty random. It fits well.

Jen's blog is one of my favorite reads. She talks about her journey as an atheist to finding God and her life since her conversion. Go. Read it. It is better than anything you find here.

But I'll still be here blogging if you want to come back.

2. My husband is on the road. On his birthday. I woke the boys up early to call him. He told them he loved them and go back to sleep. They had no problem with that. Thankfully this is a short trip and he will be home soon. Don't like the travel, but really am grateful for the job.

3. Four weeks left of school and ballet. I am so thrilled. This is the first year that we will take a large break from schooling. We've always done year round school. But the boys are doing summer intensives for 4 weeks for Boo and 5 weeks for Roo and at six to seven hours a day of that I could not add school. We are taking a two week break before. I think Mommy needs it as much as they do.

4. Trying out Twitter and Facebook. Anyone want to be my friend??? Actually, I've been pleased to find several of my friends from my hometown there.

I'm trying to figure it all out. It is different than blogging and different than forums. Facebook is a little easier for me to "get." Twitter is aptly named and it just seems very random. It's been easier than blogging lately though--don't know why for sure.

5. I turned on the AIRCONDITIONER today! What is up with that? It looks like next week will be cooler. We have limited windows and get no cross-breeze. I am going to open the windows tonight. I love fresh air.

6. Has anyone else ever groaned and complained about helping someone, only to find themselves being blessed more in the bargain? Lots of that around here. I am really getting a big dose of humility.

7. Researching thyroid and diabetes does anyone have any good tips/links/books they can share. My cake is iced with peri-menopause, so you could toss in a prayer or two for my family.


Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary
lots of other participants to check out!

Friday Fill-Ins

Getting back to this too!

1. Apparently there's some sort of parenting manual, but I haven't found it.

2. I love a sunny day.

3. 2009 is on fast-forward so far.

4. More yarn!!--that was it.

5. For too long I've been unhealthy.

6. I am not obsessed with knitting; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spaghetti and meatballs, tomorrow my plans include knittingand Sunday, I want to knit some more!



Friday Fill-Ins is found here

Monday, April 20, 2009

Daybook...April 20, 2009

I just found this--unpublished. So humor me for tossing it out there.
Late today...life is speeding up and I am not keeping up.

FOR TODAY ...April 20, 2009...
Outside my window...Bright, cook and windy. I can smell the recently mowed grass.

I am thinking...How nice a cup of tea would be.

I am thankful for...getting caught up on our school records. Only five more weeks left! We are taking a large break after that.

From the learning rooms...One is doing math, one is playing the piano.

From the kitchen...cookies done for Roo's class to take to the nursing home tonight. Cookies for Boo to share with his class. Last class of the school year at church.

I am wearing...baggy tan capris and a messy black t-shirt.

I am creating...continuing to practice knitting. Working on some new cards.

I am going...to be heading out soon. Ballet for Boo, costume fitting for Roo, PSR for both boys afterwards.

I am reading...Classical Music for Dummies. It is helping me keep up with the boys.

I am hoping...for a better night's sleep tonight.

I am hearing...Roo tell me me a story. He says his hands are tired and needs a piano break.

Around the house...Trying to declutter. Thought that might help before painting.

One of my favorite things...warmer days!!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Catching up with blogging. I've not been doing as well as I thought I would after my break.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...




Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Telephone...

Remember the old party game of telephone? Everyone sits in a circle. Someone starts by whispering a sentence into the next person's ear and they do the same...and by the time it gets back to the originator...well, it's got nothing to do with the actual first sentence. But it is funny to see how stories go.

Yesterday ended with a version of "Telephone" at our house.

I called the wonderful woman who is the administrator at the extracurricular activity school the boys attend. I needed to let the school know Roo and our little carpool passenger would not be in class.

It just so happened I called her from the radiology clinic and I was stressed. Roo had complaints of abdomen pain, to the point he was bent over. The doctor at urgent care was concerned and quickly shooed us across the way to get an ultrasound and x-ray. Definite bladder infection. Possible appendicitis.

Well...apparently ultrasound and x-ray are not the "gold standard" for diagnosis, but CT scans are not done lightly on young bodies. The tests didn't show anything, but the doctor sent us home with antibiotics and admonitions to "watch him carefully." If he had any more complaints it was, "go directly to the ER." Do not pass "GO", do not...well...enough that I was still concerned.

But I digress...back to our game of "Telephone."

I emailed (instead of phoning) the results to the administrator, not wanting to bother her during the busy hours of classes. The e-mail I got back was:

Dear Julie,

I will say a little prayer that it is just the infection. Thank you for letting us know. I informed
"Roo's" teacher that he was at the hospital and I did not know any details. Unfortunately, she told the class that "Roo" was IN the hospital. I heard about this when kids came to me to ask for his address to send a card. I never thought she would divulge this to the class – much less the error that he was IN the hospital. So I sincerely apologize if you receive calls. Take care of yourselves and let us know if there is any way we can help.

Ms.___


We were a bit surprised at that! But at the same time it was a blessing to know that we have people all over who care about us so much. I think Roo was especially blessed to know his classmates cared about him.

My friend, who is also the mother of our little carpooler, brought me a quiche, a card and a balloon and told Roo her child was really concerned and he could call her if he wanted to later. The funny/sweet thing about this is that the two kids usually banter/bicker the whole car ride. A lot like siblings.

Oh why did I get the card & balloon and not Roo???

'Coz the alternate title to this post was--"How I Spent My 45th Birthday"

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Astronaut

Just a fun song the boys used to sing to me when they were little. Time does fly...



Astronaut
by FFH
As I look through the evening sky
I think to myself
How much He must love you and I
The Milky Way makes me look
Like a piece of dust on the road
But the Milky Way is a speck of dust
Compared to my Lord
That's how big He is
That's how big He is

And I don't know that much about astronauts
But I know that Jesus cares an awful lot
He made the stars
He made the moon
Just think of how much more
He loves you

Space may be the final frontier
For a lot of people who show no fear
They step outside and they look around
They take a sample and come back down
Have they ever found the meaning of life out there
I don't think so, no way
I don't think so