Wednesday, January 27, 2009; Grand Prairie, TX
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Agility and Speed
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 ~ Atlanta Thrashers @ Dallas StarsFor more Wordless Wednesday entries, check out today's edition at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Some Pictures of Late
A pictorial summary of some recent events...
They are apparently tearing down (at least a part of) this old building adjacent to the silos and across from the Co-op!
Mom and I got our hair cut the other day - January 21 to be exact.
Lovin' the feel of freshly-cut and styled hair!! :)
~~~~~~
Yesterday afternoon, Mom and I went to the hockey game and family skate at the Expo Center. It was a fund-raiser for the new church building project and was well-attended! The hockey game was the Old-Timers (and Priests) vs. the Young-uns...
The Old-Timers won, 5 to 3!
Then ensued the family skate hour. I would've skated if I'd had somebody to skate with... AND if it hadn't been quite so crowded. I was glad to see it so well-attended though!
(I was practicing pan-blurring.)
Lots of little kids... :)
I'm out of town this week (and part of next), but I'll have more pictures to share either during or after my trip for sure. (Off to visit relatives and get a five-generation portrait made... and then my brother will take the cassock!)
They are apparently tearing down (at least a part of) this old building adjacent to the silos and across from the Co-op!
Mom and I got our hair cut the other day - January 21 to be exact.
Lovin' the feel of freshly-cut and styled hair!! :)
~~~~~~
Yesterday afternoon, Mom and I went to the hockey game and family skate at the Expo Center. It was a fund-raiser for the new church building project and was well-attended! The hockey game was the Old-Timers (and Priests) vs. the Young-uns...
The Old-Timers won, 5 to 3!
Then ensued the family skate hour. I would've skated if I'd had somebody to skate with... AND if it hadn't been quite so crowded. I was glad to see it so well-attended though!
(I was practicing pan-blurring.)
Lots of little kids... :)
I'm out of town this week (and part of next), but I'll have more pictures to share either during or after my trip for sure. (Off to visit relatives and get a five-generation portrait made... and then my brother will take the cassock!)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Excommunications Have Been Remitted
Statement from the Congregation for Bishops
By way of a letter of December 15, 2008 addressed to His Eminence Cardinal Dario Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Mons. Bernard Fellay, also in the name of the other three Bishops consecrated on June 30, 1988, requested anew the removal of the latae sententiae excommunication formally declared with the Decree of the Prefect of this Congregation on July 1, 1988. In the aforementioned letter, Mons. Fellay affirms, among other things: "We are always firmly determined in our will to remain Catholic and to place all our efforts at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept its teachings with filial disposition. We believe firmly in the Primacy of Peter and in its prerogatives, and for this the current situation makes us suffer so much."
His Holiness Benedict XVI - paternally sensitive to the spiritual unease manifested by the interested party due to the sanction of excommunication and trusting in the effort expressed by them in the aforementioned letter of not sparing any effort to deepen the necessary discussions with the Authority of the Holy See in the still open matters, so as to achieve shortly a full and satisfactory solution of the problem posed in the origin - decided to reconsider the canonical situation of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta, arisen with their episcopal consecration.
With this act, it is desired to consolidate the reciprocal relations of confidence and to intensify and grant stability to the relationship of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X with this Apostolic See. This gift of peace, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, is also intended to be a sign to promote unity in the charity of the universal Church and to try to vanquish the scandal of division.
It is hoped that this step be followed by the prompt accomplishment of full communion with the Church of the entire Fraternity of Saint Pius X, thus testifying true fidelity and true recognition of the Magisterium and of the authority of the Pope with the proof of visible unity.
Based in the faculty expressly granted to me by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in virtue of the present Decree, I remit of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta the censure of latae sententiae excommunication declared by this Congregation on July 1, 1988, while I declare deprived of any juridical effect, from the present date, the Decree emanated at that time.
Rome, from the Congregation for Bishops, January 21, 2009.
Card. Giovanni Battista Re
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops
Press Release from the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X
The excommunication of the bishops consecrated by His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, on June 30, 1988, which had been declared by the Congregation for Bishops in a decree dated July 1, 1988, and which we had always contested, has been withdrawn by another decree mandated by Benedict XVI and issued by the same Congregation on January 21, 2009.
We express our filial gratitude to the Holy Father for this gesture which, beyond the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, will benefit the whole Church. Our Society wishes to be always more able to help the pope to remedy the unprecedented crisis which presently shakes the Catholic world, and which Pope John Paul II had designated as a state of "silent apostasy."
Besides our gratitude towards the Holy Father and towards all those who helped him to make this courageous act, we are pleased that the decree of January 21 considers as necessary "talks" with the Holy See, talks which will enable the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X to explain the fundamental doctrinal reasons which it believes to be at the origin of the present difficulties of the Church.
In this new atmosphere, we have the firm hope to obtain soon the recognition of the rights of Catholic Tradition
Menzingen, January 24, 2009
+Bernard Fellay
By way of a letter of December 15, 2008 addressed to His Eminence Cardinal Dario Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Mons. Bernard Fellay, also in the name of the other three Bishops consecrated on June 30, 1988, requested anew the removal of the latae sententiae excommunication formally declared with the Decree of the Prefect of this Congregation on July 1, 1988. In the aforementioned letter, Mons. Fellay affirms, among other things: "We are always firmly determined in our will to remain Catholic and to place all our efforts at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept its teachings with filial disposition. We believe firmly in the Primacy of Peter and in its prerogatives, and for this the current situation makes us suffer so much."
His Holiness Benedict XVI - paternally sensitive to the spiritual unease manifested by the interested party due to the sanction of excommunication and trusting in the effort expressed by them in the aforementioned letter of not sparing any effort to deepen the necessary discussions with the Authority of the Holy See in the still open matters, so as to achieve shortly a full and satisfactory solution of the problem posed in the origin - decided to reconsider the canonical situation of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta, arisen with their episcopal consecration.
With this act, it is desired to consolidate the reciprocal relations of confidence and to intensify and grant stability to the relationship of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X with this Apostolic See. This gift of peace, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, is also intended to be a sign to promote unity in the charity of the universal Church and to try to vanquish the scandal of division.
It is hoped that this step be followed by the prompt accomplishment of full communion with the Church of the entire Fraternity of Saint Pius X, thus testifying true fidelity and true recognition of the Magisterium and of the authority of the Pope with the proof of visible unity.
Based in the faculty expressly granted to me by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in virtue of the present Decree, I remit of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta the censure of latae sententiae excommunication declared by this Congregation on July 1, 1988, while I declare deprived of any juridical effect, from the present date, the Decree emanated at that time.
Rome, from the Congregation for Bishops, January 21, 2009.
Card. Giovanni Battista Re
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops
Press Release from the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X
The excommunication of the bishops consecrated by His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, on June 30, 1988, which had been declared by the Congregation for Bishops in a decree dated July 1, 1988, and which we had always contested, has been withdrawn by another decree mandated by Benedict XVI and issued by the same Congregation on January 21, 2009.
We express our filial gratitude to the Holy Father for this gesture which, beyond the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, will benefit the whole Church. Our Society wishes to be always more able to help the pope to remedy the unprecedented crisis which presently shakes the Catholic world, and which Pope John Paul II had designated as a state of "silent apostasy."
Besides our gratitude towards the Holy Father and towards all those who helped him to make this courageous act, we are pleased that the decree of January 21 considers as necessary "talks" with the Holy See, talks which will enable the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X to explain the fundamental doctrinal reasons which it believes to be at the origin of the present difficulties of the Church.
In this new atmosphere, we have the firm hope to obtain soon the recognition of the rights of Catholic Tradition
Menzingen, January 24, 2009
+Bernard Fellay
Friday, January 23, 2009
Prayer Intentions
Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
~excerpt from The Passing of Arthur by Alfred Lord Tennyson
I'd like to ask all my readers to please keep several intentions in their prayers.
* A friend of mine had her first-born baby (a son) on Tuesday, January 20. He was born five weeks early and had some trouble breathing, so he was transferred from one hospital to another, where they have a NICU with good care. It should only be a matter of time before his lungs are mature enough to support him on their own, but that's a pretty rough situation, so please keep his mommy and daddy in your prayers.
* Another friend of mine lost her father to spinal cancer a year ago today. They've had a rough week of it, with two other deaths close to home - one this past Monday and one just yesterday. I'm sure a couple of prayers would do them well.
* I found out yesterday that a traditional priest (a friend of the SSPX) was brutally murdered in South Africa. Nothing was stolen from the priory. He was 83 years old and it looks like the primary intent was his death. How horrible! (You can read more here.) Please pray for the repose of his soul.
* My best friend's mom was admitted to the hospital Wednesday, when it was discovered that her lungs were infected and (literally) filled with pus! Her lungs were drained Wednesday night and a chest tube was put in, but one of her daughters informed me that she was going to have surgery yesterday morning. I haven't heard any further details, but it was a scary and life-threatening situation for a little while on Wednesday and we're hoping she'll make it through alright.
* Last but not least, I've got a few friends whose husbands are either without work entirely (having been laid off) or pretty close to having no work. A prayer to St. Joseph on their behalf would be much appreciated.
Plus, there is a very special financial intention on my behalf that I'd love to have prayers for as well. :)
(Oh, and of course!!, prayers please for the revoking of the decree of excommunication by the Vatican!)
Thank you sooo much!
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
~excerpt from The Passing of Arthur by Alfred Lord Tennyson
I'd like to ask all my readers to please keep several intentions in their prayers.
* A friend of mine had her first-born baby (a son) on Tuesday, January 20. He was born five weeks early and had some trouble breathing, so he was transferred from one hospital to another, where they have a NICU with good care. It should only be a matter of time before his lungs are mature enough to support him on their own, but that's a pretty rough situation, so please keep his mommy and daddy in your prayers.
* Another friend of mine lost her father to spinal cancer a year ago today. They've had a rough week of it, with two other deaths close to home - one this past Monday and one just yesterday. I'm sure a couple of prayers would do them well.
* I found out yesterday that a traditional priest (a friend of the SSPX) was brutally murdered in South Africa. Nothing was stolen from the priory. He was 83 years old and it looks like the primary intent was his death. How horrible! (You can read more here.) Please pray for the repose of his soul.
* My best friend's mom was admitted to the hospital Wednesday, when it was discovered that her lungs were infected and (literally) filled with pus! Her lungs were drained Wednesday night and a chest tube was put in, but one of her daughters informed me that she was going to have surgery yesterday morning. I haven't heard any further details, but it was a scary and life-threatening situation for a little while on Wednesday and we're hoping she'll make it through alright.
* Last but not least, I've got a few friends whose husbands are either without work entirely (having been laid off) or pretty close to having no work. A prayer to St. Joseph on their behalf would be much appreciated.
Plus, there is a very special financial intention on my behalf that I'd love to have prayers for as well. :)
(Oh, and of course!!, prayers please for the revoking of the decree of excommunication by the Vatican!)
Thank you sooo much!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Lifting of the So-Called "Excommunication"?!
Breaking news!! The Vatican apparently has plans to make an official announcement tomorrow that they are lifting the decree of excommunication that they had placed on the SSPX bishops, consecrated by His Excellency Archbishop Lefebrve in 1988.
The SSPX faithful completed 1.7 million 5-decade Rosaries for this intention. As opposed to this very thing as the Vatican has been lately, this can only be by virtue of divine intervention! Thanks be to God and His holy Mother. I have to run to work, but wanted to mention this elating news! Stay tuned!
You can read more here.
The SSPX faithful completed 1.7 million 5-decade Rosaries for this intention. As opposed to this very thing as the Vatican has been lately, this can only be by virtue of divine intervention! Thanks be to God and His holy Mother. I have to run to work, but wanted to mention this elating news! Stay tuned!
You can read more here.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Hunter in Training
My niece, sporting her duds from Grandpa (who loves to hunt)! :) 7 months old at the time of the picture...
For more Wordless Wednesday entries, see today's edition at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Beauty... and Gratitude
Goodness, truth, and beauty... three facets of philosophy, three of God's myriad of attributes. Intimately linked, yet distinct: goodness is true and beautiful; truth is good and beautiful; beauty is true and good.
Beauty is not solely in the eye of the beholder, as the idiom would have you believe. In that which is beautiful to the eye, there are objective realities and guidelines that would have it defined as beautiful. Symmetry is beautiful, for example. It may be trendy to favor the asymmetrical, but symmetry has an undeniable and classic beauty.
Beauty, however, is not limited to that which is visible in the created physical world. There is beautiful music, fascinating in its elusive harmony. There are enchanting sentiments, capturing our attention with their nobility and idealism. There is beauty in self-discipline and self-sacrifice.
...Yours truly has a certain inclination toward cynicism and sarcasm, both by nature and by nurture. In my early teenage years, almost nothing gave me greater satisfaction than that derived from a "clever" sarcastic remark. I have been blessed or cursed (depending on how you look at it) with a quick wit and a tongue that has difficulty repressing some of the "perfect!" comebacks. I soon discovered, though, that while some sarcasm, under the right circumstances, was humorous indeed, an overindulgence in such a "pastime" quickly led to a too-bitter outlook on life. The same thing was true of cynicism. At first, it is great fun to see things through a cynic's eyes, but after awhile, it begins to detract from the vibrant beauty of life. Pointing out life's little ironies is one thing, but to become utterly unable to see anything for which to be grateful is quite another. I think that one element of child-likeness is to be able to keep one's eye on the silver lining and to be grateful for all the little things. We mustn't take the beautiful things in life for granted. There are so many beautiful things to see, if we will just open our eyes... And oftentimes, they are the littlest things.
The other day, I was thinking about how much I have for which to be grateful. The Faith, for one thing. That's huge. My family. Also a very big thing! And silly though it may sound, it also occurred to me to be grateful for the nice big deck that we have and enjoy so much... for a relatively spacious yard, for a house/roof over our heads, for our health, for the community in which we live (there's no place on earth I'd rather be in times like these!)... for the grace to see these things and the opportunity to be grateful for them!
Life is beautiful. And it's worth living. Sometimes we need an attitude adjustment; but there will always be something beautiful to see and to be grateful for, as long as we try to know and do God's Will!
God IS goodness, truth, and beauty. Wherever we see these, we see also a dim reflection of Him.
Beauty is not solely in the eye of the beholder, as the idiom would have you believe. In that which is beautiful to the eye, there are objective realities and guidelines that would have it defined as beautiful. Symmetry is beautiful, for example. It may be trendy to favor the asymmetrical, but symmetry has an undeniable and classic beauty.
Beauty, however, is not limited to that which is visible in the created physical world. There is beautiful music, fascinating in its elusive harmony. There are enchanting sentiments, capturing our attention with their nobility and idealism. There is beauty in self-discipline and self-sacrifice.
...Yours truly has a certain inclination toward cynicism and sarcasm, both by nature and by nurture. In my early teenage years, almost nothing gave me greater satisfaction than that derived from a "clever" sarcastic remark. I have been blessed or cursed (depending on how you look at it) with a quick wit and a tongue that has difficulty repressing some of the "perfect!" comebacks. I soon discovered, though, that while some sarcasm, under the right circumstances, was humorous indeed, an overindulgence in such a "pastime" quickly led to a too-bitter outlook on life. The same thing was true of cynicism. At first, it is great fun to see things through a cynic's eyes, but after awhile, it begins to detract from the vibrant beauty of life. Pointing out life's little ironies is one thing, but to become utterly unable to see anything for which to be grateful is quite another. I think that one element of child-likeness is to be able to keep one's eye on the silver lining and to be grateful for all the little things. We mustn't take the beautiful things in life for granted. There are so many beautiful things to see, if we will just open our eyes... And oftentimes, they are the littlest things.
The other day, I was thinking about how much I have for which to be grateful. The Faith, for one thing. That's huge. My family. Also a very big thing! And silly though it may sound, it also occurred to me to be grateful for the nice big deck that we have and enjoy so much... for a relatively spacious yard, for a house/roof over our heads, for our health, for the community in which we live (there's no place on earth I'd rather be in times like these!)... for the grace to see these things and the opportunity to be grateful for them!
Life is beautiful. And it's worth living. Sometimes we need an attitude adjustment; but there will always be something beautiful to see and to be grateful for, as long as we try to know and do God's Will!
God IS goodness, truth, and beauty. Wherever we see these, we see also a dim reflection of Him.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
No Rest for the Wicked
Well, hello!
It's a quarter to 9 PM, as I begin to write this and I can finally sit down and unwind. I haven't had a day quite this packed (with multiple obligations) in a long time. It actually reminded me very much of my college days, when I was taking 20 credit hours and working 10-15 hours a week and was attending rehearsals for a play we were putting on...!
My day started at 6 AM. I got up and showered and went to 7:30 Mass. Dad had planned on going with me, but hadn't slept well at all so he tried to sleep a bit longer than usual to make up for it. I had just a bit after Mass to visit with Mom before Dad and I left for Topeka a little after 9.
We went to Dillon's and completed a mega shopping trip for the "pantry" downstairs. That took until about 11:30.
We got gas and then sat down for lunch at Boss Hawg's, while we went over what was priority for the afternoon.
After lunch, we went to Burlington Coat Factory in the mall and I looked for a new dress coat (mine is six years old and is getting pretty worn)... Not having had any luck, we went to Macy's where Dad picked up some new brown slacks for 40% off. We looked for their women's winter coats, but couldn't even find them!
From the Mall, then, we went to Dick's, where we looked for a face mask for Rose (who is living in the Minnesotan tundra :)) - once again without luck! We also looked for sweats for Joey, but weren't sure exactly of what he wanted, so didn't get those either. I did, however, luck out in the way of a new casual/everyday type coat (which I also need, in order to give my dress coat a break and make it last longer). Joey has been so happy with the Columbia jacket(s) he has had that I decided to try one for myself. It's a really pretty blue, and it was on sale, so I'm happy about it! :)
Our final stop in Topeka was Swims and Sweeps downtown, where we got new fire irons, a trivet, a steamer/humidifier, and a thermometer.
We got home about 2:30 in the afternoon. I was toast by that point, so I sat down for a quick recharge by way of a cup of coffee.
By 3 o'clock, I was on my way to work... to help a new employee/trainee wrap up the day there. I thought that would take until 4:30, or maybe 5. I got home about 6:40. And, even at that, we left a lot undone that will have to be finished tomorrow. There was simply more to do than we expected and it took quite a bit longer than it really should have, complicated by a number of interruptions and unexpected things. Bummer.
I got home to a homemade bread bowl with homemade soup in it, waiting for me. (Thank you, Mom!!) I ate quickly, still in the must-get-this-done-efficiently mode. :) In an attempt to slow down a little and in the hopes of acquiring a third wind, I made myself a cup of black tea and had some m&m's. :)
A few minutes later, I was out the door again to my 7:30 Holy Hour. I had only been back a few minutes when I sat down to write this update, so that brings you up to speed! :)
It's nice to be busy... it's somehow fulfilling. But for some reason, today was a little stressful all around. Not any one thing... just mentally fatiguing and rather trying. (Oh well - I've had worse days! :) Not to complain...!)
.....Have I mentioned being mentally drained? ;) My apologies for a most unimaginative post. That's just all there is for the time being.
Until the next time~
God bless and good night!
It's a quarter to 9 PM, as I begin to write this and I can finally sit down and unwind. I haven't had a day quite this packed (with multiple obligations) in a long time. It actually reminded me very much of my college days, when I was taking 20 credit hours and working 10-15 hours a week and was attending rehearsals for a play we were putting on...!
My day started at 6 AM. I got up and showered and went to 7:30 Mass. Dad had planned on going with me, but hadn't slept well at all so he tried to sleep a bit longer than usual to make up for it. I had just a bit after Mass to visit with Mom before Dad and I left for Topeka a little after 9.
We went to Dillon's and completed a mega shopping trip for the "pantry" downstairs. That took until about 11:30.
We got gas and then sat down for lunch at Boss Hawg's, while we went over what was priority for the afternoon.
After lunch, we went to Burlington Coat Factory in the mall and I looked for a new dress coat (mine is six years old and is getting pretty worn)... Not having had any luck, we went to Macy's where Dad picked up some new brown slacks for 40% off. We looked for their women's winter coats, but couldn't even find them!
From the Mall, then, we went to Dick's, where we looked for a face mask for Rose (who is living in the Minnesotan tundra :)) - once again without luck! We also looked for sweats for Joey, but weren't sure exactly of what he wanted, so didn't get those either. I did, however, luck out in the way of a new casual/everyday type coat (which I also need, in order to give my dress coat a break and make it last longer). Joey has been so happy with the Columbia jacket(s) he has had that I decided to try one for myself. It's a really pretty blue, and it was on sale, so I'm happy about it! :)
Our final stop in Topeka was Swims and Sweeps downtown, where we got new fire irons, a trivet, a steamer/humidifier, and a thermometer.
We got home about 2:30 in the afternoon. I was toast by that point, so I sat down for a quick recharge by way of a cup of coffee.
By 3 o'clock, I was on my way to work... to help a new employee/trainee wrap up the day there. I thought that would take until 4:30, or maybe 5. I got home about 6:40. And, even at that, we left a lot undone that will have to be finished tomorrow. There was simply more to do than we expected and it took quite a bit longer than it really should have, complicated by a number of interruptions and unexpected things. Bummer.
I got home to a homemade bread bowl with homemade soup in it, waiting for me. (Thank you, Mom!!) I ate quickly, still in the must-get-this-done-efficiently mode. :) In an attempt to slow down a little and in the hopes of acquiring a third wind, I made myself a cup of black tea and had some m&m's. :)
A few minutes later, I was out the door again to my 7:30 Holy Hour. I had only been back a few minutes when I sat down to write this update, so that brings you up to speed! :)
It's nice to be busy... it's somehow fulfilling. But for some reason, today was a little stressful all around. Not any one thing... just mentally fatiguing and rather trying. (Oh well - I've had worse days! :) Not to complain...!)
.....Have I mentioned being mentally drained? ;) My apologies for a most unimaginative post. That's just all there is for the time being.
Until the next time~
God bless and good night!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Nostalgia
I'm "only" 22 years old, but I'm beginning to realize that I like to reminisce, which seems to me more typical of older people. I suppose that's a melancholic thing. (It's probably also a melancholic thing to classify and categorize people according to their traits. LOL!)
Point in case:
Night before last, I wrote a post about "ten months ago today." This morning, unrelated to that, I decided to look back and see what had been going on in my life this time three years ago (I picked three years ago, just because I hadn't quite yet started blogging this time four years ago). Lo and behold! Three years ago today, I was taking a trip down Memory Lane! :)
I guess some things never change...
Point in case:
Night before last, I wrote a post about "ten months ago today." This morning, unrelated to that, I decided to look back and see what had been going on in my life this time three years ago (I picked three years ago, just because I hadn't quite yet started blogging this time four years ago). Lo and behold! Three years ago today, I was taking a trip down Memory Lane! :)
I guess some things never change...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Chloe, 10 Months Ago Today! :)
Chloe is six weeks away from one year old!! Just for grins (and gasps ["wow! was she ever really THAT tiny?!?"]), I'm sharing a few pictures that I took of her on March 12, 2008, when she was two weeks old.
*y-a-a-a-a-w-n!*
"Life's rough!" *growl* ;)
modeling her Easter dress... and that's a preemie size! (She wasn't preemie at birth and in the picture she's two weeks old. A tiny 6+ pounds.)
Look at those chicken legs...! And that sweet and precious baby girl!!! :)
And just recently, at 10 months old...!
Love her to pieces!! :)
*y-a-a-a-a-w-n!*
"Life's rough!" *growl* ;)
modeling her Easter dress... and that's a preemie size! (She wasn't preemie at birth and in the picture she's two weeks old. A tiny 6+ pounds.)
Look at those chicken legs...! And that sweet and precious baby girl!!! :)
And just recently, at 10 months old...!
Love her to pieces!! :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hard Times
Reading His Excellency's recent words is sobering, in the healthiest of ways. Nonetheless, these words of insight and wisdom, which are so timely, lead one such as I (a relatively deep-thinker and relatively young in age) to wonder just what the future holds. It would be easy to give in to fear, but that is without benefit as well as opposed to the theological virtue of Hope. Yet human prudence still begs to know what to do in such a situation. Being without a great deal of experience, I don't know. (I would imagine that even those with a great deal of experience are somewhat at a "wait and see" junction themselves.)
The bottom line is that there is no guarantee of any kind, no surefire way to hold onto security. There's no field of work that will be left untouched. It would be prudent to have a backup plan for one's profession, life work, or job. Should things go sour (and they will), it would be reassuring to be able to switch, say, from being a store manager to plumbing. It would be wise to have something (different) to fall back on, should your field of specialty fail. That way, you'd still have an income, a means of support, something! But it's impossible to tell which fields will be the most promising in times to come. What will be indispensable? What skill would be useful, to trade for goods and other services? Doctoring, undoubtedly, is one. But beyond that? I wish I knew with more certainty.
I don't, however. Therefore, this is a prime opportunity to rely on God to see us through!
I wonder how long these necessary trials will last? Five years? Thirty?
Oh well! As long as we have the Faith (and the freedom to practice, which isn't guaranteed either!) and our family (and preferably something to eat and a place to sleep :)), we'll be okay. It is at a time such as this that I'm especially and unspeakably glad to be living where I am. Deo gratias!
Let's hope and pray that the triumph of the Immaculate Heart will come sooner than later...! And in the meantime, let's do the best we can in every aspect of our lives, with the intention of restoring the Kingship of Christ to society!
Updated to add: I found one concept in particular from His Excellency extremely fascinating and very well put. That is, "People are overfed, yet undernourished." Wow. Exactly.
The bottom line is that there is no guarantee of any kind, no surefire way to hold onto security. There's no field of work that will be left untouched. It would be prudent to have a backup plan for one's profession, life work, or job. Should things go sour (and they will), it would be reassuring to be able to switch, say, from being a store manager to plumbing. It would be wise to have something (different) to fall back on, should your field of specialty fail. That way, you'd still have an income, a means of support, something! But it's impossible to tell which fields will be the most promising in times to come. What will be indispensable? What skill would be useful, to trade for goods and other services? Doctoring, undoubtedly, is one. But beyond that? I wish I knew with more certainty.
I don't, however. Therefore, this is a prime opportunity to rely on God to see us through!
I wonder how long these necessary trials will last? Five years? Thirty?
Oh well! As long as we have the Faith (and the freedom to practice, which isn't guaranteed either!) and our family (and preferably something to eat and a place to sleep :)), we'll be okay. It is at a time such as this that I'm especially and unspeakably glad to be living where I am. Deo gratias!
Let's hope and pray that the triumph of the Immaculate Heart will come sooner than later...! And in the meantime, let's do the best we can in every aspect of our lives, with the intention of restoring the Kingship of Christ to society!
Updated to add: I found one concept in particular from His Excellency extremely fascinating and very well put. That is, "People are overfed, yet undernourished." Wow. Exactly.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Goodbye, Joey
My bubba left this morning. He set out with three other seminarians to drive back to Winona... When we see him next, it will be for the occasion of the taking of the cassock in less than a month! I'm still in denial that this was essentially the last time (God willing) he would be hanging around the house in lay clothes.
I said goodbye to him before I left for work this morning, necessitating a somewhat matter-of-fact departure, which is just as well. Poor Mom saw him off to the last minute and parting was painful indeed.
Anyway, after I said goodbye, Mom gave me a ride to work in the Blazer (the white van is still in the shop and I haven't been behind the wheel in almost three weeks!)... I worked until 12:30, when she picked me up again. From 2 to 3, I went over to a friend's house to do some macro photography for her (to use on Etsy). Then, this evening, I had another friend over and we watched Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
Without further ado, here's a picture from this morning...
And, for good measure, one from last night. :)
I said goodbye to him before I left for work this morning, necessitating a somewhat matter-of-fact departure, which is just as well. Poor Mom saw him off to the last minute and parting was painful indeed.
Anyway, after I said goodbye, Mom gave me a ride to work in the Blazer (the white van is still in the shop and I haven't been behind the wheel in almost three weeks!)... I worked until 12:30, when she picked me up again. From 2 to 3, I went over to a friend's house to do some macro photography for her (to use on Etsy). Then, this evening, I had another friend over and we watched Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
Without further ado, here's a picture from this morning...
And, for good measure, one from last night. :)
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Sick
How appropriate to my life that I should spend the first days of a new year sick! Every time I reach a certain level of sleep deprivation - bam! - I get a sinus infection. It hasn't failed yet... And although the past couple of weeks were great, I'm paying for them now. Bleck. :(
I've been taking some Mucinex and some Trimox every morning, but I learned this afternoon that I was only taking about 1/4 of the dose of Trimox that I need to get well... and about 1/2 the dose of Mucinex that would be therapeutic. Good to know! (Better late than never, I guess.)
Am I one to learn from experience? In many cases, yes. In this case, for some reason, decidedly no. Case in point: Sleep deprivation caused this very bug and yet, here I am, at 11:30 PM, blogging about sleep deprivation!
I'm just too much of a night owl.
My headache and I are going to bed now.
(Graphic courtesy of John Rydholm, Jr.)
I've been taking some Mucinex and some Trimox every morning, but I learned this afternoon that I was only taking about 1/4 of the dose of Trimox that I need to get well... and about 1/2 the dose of Mucinex that would be therapeutic. Good to know! (Better late than never, I guess.)
Am I one to learn from experience? In many cases, yes. In this case, for some reason, decidedly no. Case in point: Sleep deprivation caused this very bug and yet, here I am, at 11:30 PM, blogging about sleep deprivation!
I'm just too much of a night owl.
My headache and I are going to bed now.
(Graphic courtesy of John Rydholm, Jr.)
Monday, January 05, 2009
A New Year!
Five days into the year of Our Lord, 2009!! Almost a decade into this new millenium. It goes so fast!!
Life finds me working only a few hours per week for Dad, living in a small town that gradually grows more beloved to me all the time, courting a very good man that I never dreamed I'd be courting, trying to hold my own in a society that is daily less Godly and hourly more evil...
I had a wonderful two-week stretch over the Christmas holidays! We had a full house, with five house guests (all family) and a couple of big dogs. There was lots of noise, lots of laughter, lots of love... and a little of the frustration that is bound to come of too many nights with too little sleep. But it was lovely and well-worth it. The house is quiet now, but the residual companionship and joy still hovers. It's sunny and just at freezing today, and even though I am very tired and battling a head cold/sinus infection, I'm in good spirits.
Hopefully this year will be a good one!! :) Everyone seems to have been slammed with crosses right at the start, but that's - in some ways - such a consolation!
At the moment, as I look ahead, these are what come to mind:
In three weeks, I'll be flying with Dad to Texas to meet Lindsey and Chloe there, for a five generation reunion!
In four weeks, I'll be flying with Dad to Minnesota from Texas to spend a couple of days with the DeLallos and a couple of days in Winona, for the taking of the cassock.
In mid-February, the St. Mary's vs. La Salette basketball match will take place here in St. Mary's. I may even attend. :)
Unconfirmed as of yet, but possibly in the works, in late March, Mom and I may go with AB to visit his family in Georgia.
Sometime thereafter, a possible professional "adjustment" may occur for Dad. Also unconfirmed as of yet.
In June, I plan to attend the Ordinations of several deacons in Winona...
Thereafter, it's fairly "hazy" as to what I'll be up to... And with so much economic uncertainty and the probability of social and possibly political unrest, any and all of these things are subject to change. But such is life! It's in God's hands... And hopefully, someday, with 20/20 hindsight, we will see the picture that He has woven with the events in our lives.
Here's to 2009! :) Best wishes and God bless!
Life finds me working only a few hours per week for Dad, living in a small town that gradually grows more beloved to me all the time, courting a very good man that I never dreamed I'd be courting, trying to hold my own in a society that is daily less Godly and hourly more evil...
I had a wonderful two-week stretch over the Christmas holidays! We had a full house, with five house guests (all family) and a couple of big dogs. There was lots of noise, lots of laughter, lots of love... and a little of the frustration that is bound to come of too many nights with too little sleep. But it was lovely and well-worth it. The house is quiet now, but the residual companionship and joy still hovers. It's sunny and just at freezing today, and even though I am very tired and battling a head cold/sinus infection, I'm in good spirits.
Hopefully this year will be a good one!! :) Everyone seems to have been slammed with crosses right at the start, but that's - in some ways - such a consolation!
At the moment, as I look ahead, these are what come to mind:
In three weeks, I'll be flying with Dad to Texas to meet Lindsey and Chloe there, for a five generation reunion!
In four weeks, I'll be flying with Dad to Minnesota from Texas to spend a couple of days with the DeLallos and a couple of days in Winona, for the taking of the cassock.
In mid-February, the St. Mary's vs. La Salette basketball match will take place here in St. Mary's. I may even attend. :)
Unconfirmed as of yet, but possibly in the works, in late March, Mom and I may go with AB to visit his family in Georgia.
Sometime thereafter, a possible professional "adjustment" may occur for Dad. Also unconfirmed as of yet.
In June, I plan to attend the Ordinations of several deacons in Winona...
Thereafter, it's fairly "hazy" as to what I'll be up to... And with so much economic uncertainty and the probability of social and possibly political unrest, any and all of these things are subject to change. But such is life! It's in God's hands... And hopefully, someday, with 20/20 hindsight, we will see the picture that He has woven with the events in our lives.
Here's to 2009! :) Best wishes and God bless!
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