How to bless your home for the new years...Catholic Style!
http://fisheaters.com//customschristmas9.html
part of the article in the link:
1) On the morning of the Feast of the Epiphany, children in some households will wake to see what gifts had been left by the Magi (or La Befana) during the night. (I have a gift for JP on that morning!)
2) Take the blessed chalk and first write the initials of the three Wise Men, connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for ex.:
20 C+M+B 05
with the "20 "being the millennium and century, the "C" standing for the first Wise Man, Caspar, the "M" standing for Melchior, the "B" standing for Balthasar, and the "05" standing for the decade and year. It is also popularly believed that the Kings' initials also stand for "Christus mansionem benedicat" ("Christ bless this house").
Summer 2012
BibeauArt of Santa Rosa
Thursday, December 29, 2005
New Year's Birthday and feast day for the two most special women I've ever known...
Sunday, January 1st, New Years Day, is also a Feast Day of the Theotokos/Virgin Mary. It's also the birthday of my beloved Grandmother, Marie - who was named after the Virgin Mary (family tradition). Grandma Marie is no longer with us, but I still celebrate her birthday and pray for her.
These two remarkable women were and are the best role models a young lady could have growing up. The Virgin Mary was always watching over me and always answered my prayers STAT - and my dear Grandma was THE one who taught me about Christ and how the Most Holy Mother was my protector in bad times (and Lord knows I had some of those).
Although both of these ladies are no longer 'here' I feel as if they are always by my side and know that I've always had a strong connection to both of them. When I think of the Theotokos, I think of security, love, all things beautiful, compassion, patience and prayer. When I think of my Grandmother Marie, I think of all these things plus laughter, music, fun, things that sparkle, glamour, manners, grace, beauty, unconditional love and protection.
As I get older (now at 34) I tend to do things that are just like my Grandmother. Her loopy 'whoo-whoos' her laugh, her comments that seem to just come out of my mouth when family is near...her little Irish traditions that were so dear to her. It seems like my Aunt and I are carbon copies of this little Black Irish woman with a heart of gold. We laugh about it when we're together, but we're really proud to be like Marie. Very proud. And I'm sure she's proud of us right now - and is ever vigilant, praying for us.
So, if you can, on the first day of the new year, say a prayer for Marie - it was her wish that nobody would forget to pray for her - while you're celebrating the Feast of the Theotokos that day. It would mean a lot to me.
Happy New Year this weekend everyone!!!
These two remarkable women were and are the best role models a young lady could have growing up. The Virgin Mary was always watching over me and always answered my prayers STAT - and my dear Grandma was THE one who taught me about Christ and how the Most Holy Mother was my protector in bad times (and Lord knows I had some of those).
Although both of these ladies are no longer 'here' I feel as if they are always by my side and know that I've always had a strong connection to both of them. When I think of the Theotokos, I think of security, love, all things beautiful, compassion, patience and prayer. When I think of my Grandmother Marie, I think of all these things plus laughter, music, fun, things that sparkle, glamour, manners, grace, beauty, unconditional love and protection.
As I get older (now at 34) I tend to do things that are just like my Grandmother. Her loopy 'whoo-whoos' her laugh, her comments that seem to just come out of my mouth when family is near...her little Irish traditions that were so dear to her. It seems like my Aunt and I are carbon copies of this little Black Irish woman with a heart of gold. We laugh about it when we're together, but we're really proud to be like Marie. Very proud. And I'm sure she's proud of us right now - and is ever vigilant, praying for us.
So, if you can, on the first day of the new year, say a prayer for Marie - it was her wish that nobody would forget to pray for her - while you're celebrating the Feast of the Theotokos that day. It would mean a lot to me.
Happy New Year this weekend everyone!!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Favorite Song All of the Sudden...
...is Alanis Morissette's "Wunderkind" from the Narnia soundtrack...here's why I like it...some parts of this lovely song that's up for some huge award for 2005.
"I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind
And I live the envelope pushed back far enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to serve, destined to roam..."
"And I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind
And I am a pioneer naive enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to seek, destined to know..."
"I am a Joan of Arc and smart enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to reign, destined to roam..."
The song was written with Lucy in mind from the story by Alanis - and is just perfect for the movie.
"I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind
And I live the envelope pushed back far enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to serve, destined to roam..."
"And I am a magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
I am a wunderkind
And I am a pioneer naive enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to seek, destined to know..."
"I am a Joan of Arc and smart enough to believe this
I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to reign, destined to roam..."
The song was written with Lucy in mind from the story by Alanis - and is just perfect for the movie.
Being a bit too picky about The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Movie...
...talk about fussy...I hear that there are many Christians being picky over the new CS Lewis movie and I'm here to say "STOP IT!"
Here's why...although I haven't read any critiques from the nay-sayers or any bad stuff from fellow Christians I, for one, LOVE the movie as much as the book. YES, there are a few things amiss with the movie, but certainly one cannot debate how FULL the movie is and how it takes right up from the book itself. CS Lewis would be proud if he were here today to see it.
I consider the LW&W book to be a very special book because it was with me during my whole childhood - I never knew there was a book prior to it and many after it making the Chronicles of Narnia...and I wish I did. Anyhow, this book was dear to my heart and I always pretended that my Godfather was writing it to ME and that I was Lucy. My real Godfather lived in Europe and so I pretended that HE wrote it just for me everytime I read it.
I read this book well into my teen years and into my adult life. My parents would purchase a copy from Scholastic books each year for Christmas due to the wear and tear the poor book would endure from my constant reading of it. I still retain ONE copy of that book with yellowed edges that crack off when one opened it to read it. It is now taped up with clear wrapping tape so I can at least hold it in my hand and smile remembering all the good times I had with that dear story in my hands as a child.
Back to the NEW movie. It's perfect. I love it. It's almost exactly the way I saw it in my little mind all those years (and I've got some imagination!!!). I used to love the BBC original production with the Witch with black hair and more evil - but grew to like the new Witch so much that I'm working on felting a gown to be her for Halloween this year - JP will be the Lion - for fun of course. I'm sure the local Baptist Church that has their Harvest Festival on the 31st will appreciate the costumes (they have huge posters up now promoting the LW&W movie).
Yeah, there are some errors in the movie (as in Father Christmas leaving out one of my favorite lines in the book about how fights and wars are ugly affairs when women are involved...they left out the 'women' part...how PC of Disney and Walden...) but beyond that, I was mouthing most of the lines from the book and was rather pleased. I especially loved the beginning of the film which SHOWED the bombing of the country and WHY the children needed to go to the Professors in the first place. As a child I never could figure this out.
That opening scene brought me to tears seeing the mothers lovingly sending their children off on trains with hundreds of other kids to safety. Being a mother I would have done the same thing, and it would have broken my heart. Those scenes were so real, so well acted that I almost forgot I was watching a film. Now, that's perfection.
I tell everyone with kids at ANY age to see this film. Before CP and I brought JP, we explained how the Lion represented Christ and how there would be a scene in the movie when the Lion would have to give himself up to save one of the children. He got it and understands the connections at four years old.
Now, he loves the film as much as I do and was so joyful when he saw Father Christmas in the film that I know it will stay with him forever.
I'm first in line at the next installment of this series and will say to all the folks not happy with this film to go watch it again through the eyes of a child, when they first read the book.
Wait, maybe that's their problem, they didn't read the book as a young child, like Lucy's age.
Call me childlike, but I think that's the root of their problem. You must hold on to that wonder and pull to believe in order to see and feel the magic.
Bless you, CS Lewis, for your wonderful writings for children and for us adults. You were a true gift from God. Memory Eternal!
Here's why...although I haven't read any critiques from the nay-sayers or any bad stuff from fellow Christians I, for one, LOVE the movie as much as the book. YES, there are a few things amiss with the movie, but certainly one cannot debate how FULL the movie is and how it takes right up from the book itself. CS Lewis would be proud if he were here today to see it.
I consider the LW&W book to be a very special book because it was with me during my whole childhood - I never knew there was a book prior to it and many after it making the Chronicles of Narnia...and I wish I did. Anyhow, this book was dear to my heart and I always pretended that my Godfather was writing it to ME and that I was Lucy. My real Godfather lived in Europe and so I pretended that HE wrote it just for me everytime I read it.
I read this book well into my teen years and into my adult life. My parents would purchase a copy from Scholastic books each year for Christmas due to the wear and tear the poor book would endure from my constant reading of it. I still retain ONE copy of that book with yellowed edges that crack off when one opened it to read it. It is now taped up with clear wrapping tape so I can at least hold it in my hand and smile remembering all the good times I had with that dear story in my hands as a child.
Back to the NEW movie. It's perfect. I love it. It's almost exactly the way I saw it in my little mind all those years (and I've got some imagination!!!). I used to love the BBC original production with the Witch with black hair and more evil - but grew to like the new Witch so much that I'm working on felting a gown to be her for Halloween this year - JP will be the Lion - for fun of course. I'm sure the local Baptist Church that has their Harvest Festival on the 31st will appreciate the costumes (they have huge posters up now promoting the LW&W movie).
Yeah, there are some errors in the movie (as in Father Christmas leaving out one of my favorite lines in the book about how fights and wars are ugly affairs when women are involved...they left out the 'women' part...how PC of Disney and Walden...) but beyond that, I was mouthing most of the lines from the book and was rather pleased. I especially loved the beginning of the film which SHOWED the bombing of the country and WHY the children needed to go to the Professors in the first place. As a child I never could figure this out.
That opening scene brought me to tears seeing the mothers lovingly sending their children off on trains with hundreds of other kids to safety. Being a mother I would have done the same thing, and it would have broken my heart. Those scenes were so real, so well acted that I almost forgot I was watching a film. Now, that's perfection.
I tell everyone with kids at ANY age to see this film. Before CP and I brought JP, we explained how the Lion represented Christ and how there would be a scene in the movie when the Lion would have to give himself up to save one of the children. He got it and understands the connections at four years old.
Now, he loves the film as much as I do and was so joyful when he saw Father Christmas in the film that I know it will stay with him forever.
I'm first in line at the next installment of this series and will say to all the folks not happy with this film to go watch it again through the eyes of a child, when they first read the book.
Wait, maybe that's their problem, they didn't read the book as a young child, like Lucy's age.
Call me childlike, but I think that's the root of their problem. You must hold on to that wonder and pull to believe in order to see and feel the magic.
Bless you, CS Lewis, for your wonderful writings for children and for us adults. You were a true gift from God. Memory Eternal!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Having an awesome Christmas...in California...
Wow...for the first time in years I'm having a FUN Christmas...and still having it now. No depressing 'oh, it's over' thoughts, none of this over doing it stuff, just family, friends, good food and joy everywhere.
No, it's not the Prozac talking...LOL! We had the BEST Christmas on record, to date, ever this year. We were with both sides of our families, nobody got mad, nobody freaked out, nobody had a drama to fix. We weren't a drama, most of all.
God is good and does answer prayers.
When I was a child and not very happy, I would pray to 'be happy' when I was older. That prayer has really blossomed for me this half of the year and keeps getting better. I am happy - and loved and thrilled that I will get New Bath Towels in a few weeks when the Macy's White Sale hits.
Okay, I'm still obsessed with the towels, but can you blame me??? I know that next year I will be seeing little fingertip towels with silly patterns for Christmas being sent to me by the bucketload!!!
It was a balmy Christmas over here in California...and CParks was on a snow watch on line for the first sign of that white stuff in the mountains. He's got a ski jones going with my son now.
Me, ski? Let's say that I didn't understand my German Olympic Ski Team Teacher very well and forgot to 'brake' going down a bunny hill and got stuck. He pretty much tossed me from the class. Slushy snow is NOT my idea of fun. Really...and I'm from Canada! Go figure!!!
I'll give it another try, but bringing my knitting just in case I blow it and hate it again.
What's YOUR new year's resolution/attempt at something, etc. whatever you call it??
Mine is this: TO GET MY BUTT TO THE GYM, GET NEW TOWELS, BE HEALTHY, AVOID SURGERY THIS YEAR AND TO DO A WOODSTOCK STATUE!
Is that too much to ask? I say no.
No, it's not the Prozac talking...LOL! We had the BEST Christmas on record, to date, ever this year. We were with both sides of our families, nobody got mad, nobody freaked out, nobody had a drama to fix. We weren't a drama, most of all.
God is good and does answer prayers.
When I was a child and not very happy, I would pray to 'be happy' when I was older. That prayer has really blossomed for me this half of the year and keeps getting better. I am happy - and loved and thrilled that I will get New Bath Towels in a few weeks when the Macy's White Sale hits.
Okay, I'm still obsessed with the towels, but can you blame me??? I know that next year I will be seeing little fingertip towels with silly patterns for Christmas being sent to me by the bucketload!!!
It was a balmy Christmas over here in California...and CParks was on a snow watch on line for the first sign of that white stuff in the mountains. He's got a ski jones going with my son now.
Me, ski? Let's say that I didn't understand my German Olympic Ski Team Teacher very well and forgot to 'brake' going down a bunny hill and got stuck. He pretty much tossed me from the class. Slushy snow is NOT my idea of fun. Really...and I'm from Canada! Go figure!!!
I'll give it another try, but bringing my knitting just in case I blow it and hate it again.
What's YOUR new year's resolution/attempt at something, etc. whatever you call it??
Mine is this: TO GET MY BUTT TO THE GYM, GET NEW TOWELS, BE HEALTHY, AVOID SURGERY THIS YEAR AND TO DO A WOODSTOCK STATUE!
Is that too much to ask? I say no.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
A merry Christmas to all!
It's the 24th of December, and our son decided to wake us up at the ungodly hour of 4am. Yes, 4am. Starbucks was open at 5, so CParks went and got us some java to help out. JParks was ready to go, so we opened up family presents and magical Auntie (Jenn-Irene) presents which are always a hit.
Of course, we had to call Chicago Jenn and get them to get them to open their gifts since JP was already into his. Jenn rocks when it comes to gifts and just made the whole family freak out happy. I've taken photos of JP tearing off his PJ's to get into his new Team Canada shirt from his favorite Chicago Auntie.
Christmas just rocks. Especially when you see it through the eyes of a child who just 'discovered Christmas'.
Have a merry Christmas and may the birth of the Christ child fill your heart with wonder, love and joy tomorrow and all year.
Much love, Miss Accidentally on Purpose and family xoxoxoxox
Of course, we had to call Chicago Jenn and get them to get them to open their gifts since JP was already into his. Jenn rocks when it comes to gifts and just made the whole family freak out happy. I've taken photos of JP tearing off his PJ's to get into his new Team Canada shirt from his favorite Chicago Auntie.
Christmas just rocks. Especially when you see it through the eyes of a child who just 'discovered Christmas'.
Have a merry Christmas and may the birth of the Christ child fill your heart with wonder, love and joy tomorrow and all year.
Much love, Miss Accidentally on Purpose and family xoxoxoxox
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Our CEO's letter to us for Christmas - an portion of it
This is a part of the letter we all got from our CEO - I've NEVER gotten a letter that said something as COOL as this:
"I want to wish each and everyone a safe and very happy Christmas! In this busy time before Christmas Day, we sometimes forget the real reason we celebrate this day, the birth of Jesus Christ. I feel very fortunate to be part of this ministry, continuing the healing ministry started by Jesus."
...me again...yeah, as in, this is the COOLEST company on the planet. None of this 'Seasons Greetings' stuff here...
Now we need a rousing round of "Christ is Born! Glorify Him!" -- and "Long Live The King!" -- okay, too much Narnia! LOL!
"I want to wish each and everyone a safe and very happy Christmas! In this busy time before Christmas Day, we sometimes forget the real reason we celebrate this day, the birth of Jesus Christ. I feel very fortunate to be part of this ministry, continuing the healing ministry started by Jesus."
...me again...yeah, as in, this is the COOLEST company on the planet. None of this 'Seasons Greetings' stuff here...
Now we need a rousing round of "Christ is Born! Glorify Him!" -- and "Long Live The King!" -- okay, too much Narnia! LOL!
Today's article...
http://lifestyle.msn.com/HomeandGarden/Home/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=156816>1=7464
This is about a family in Chicago (no, not my Jenn) regarding TOO MUCH decorations for the holidays...I had to laugh, I mean, the last time I checked it was a FREE country. Do what you want AND I'm all for it - hey, I have a four year old that loves this stuff! Someone wants to hang all that stuff up and pay for their huge PG&E bill? Fine with us!
I've always LOVED Christmas lights anyways -- so DECORATE ON!
Save ONE couple that we may or may not see on Christmas Eve/Morning, I'm happy to report that the Parks clan is done with the shopping for Christmas. DONE! Finally.
Today I accidentally wished someone a Merry Christmas (a kid) and his mother (a co-worker of mine) said "Um, we don't DO Christmas"...to which the kid said, "BUT I still get my presents!!!" with a cute grin on his face! I laughed, but felt bad for the kid. NO Christmas, no nothing - they don't practice anything. Period. A world with no Christ? No God? No Love? Gotta be awful.
Anyhow, I have a feeling that the commercialism of Christmas can be GOOD in a way for kids like that - I mean, he KNOWS about it and why we do Christmas and well, it may be the first step in a knowledge of God in someway down the line for him.
Maybe? Only God knows.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!
This is about a family in Chicago (no, not my Jenn) regarding TOO MUCH decorations for the holidays...I had to laugh, I mean, the last time I checked it was a FREE country. Do what you want AND I'm all for it - hey, I have a four year old that loves this stuff! Someone wants to hang all that stuff up and pay for their huge PG&E bill? Fine with us!
I've always LOVED Christmas lights anyways -- so DECORATE ON!
Save ONE couple that we may or may not see on Christmas Eve/Morning, I'm happy to report that the Parks clan is done with the shopping for Christmas. DONE! Finally.
Today I accidentally wished someone a Merry Christmas (a kid) and his mother (a co-worker of mine) said "Um, we don't DO Christmas"...to which the kid said, "BUT I still get my presents!!!" with a cute grin on his face! I laughed, but felt bad for the kid. NO Christmas, no nothing - they don't practice anything. Period. A world with no Christ? No God? No Love? Gotta be awful.
Anyhow, I have a feeling that the commercialism of Christmas can be GOOD in a way for kids like that - I mean, he KNOWS about it and why we do Christmas and well, it may be the first step in a knowledge of God in someway down the line for him.
Maybe? Only God knows.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Night Before Christmas thing...
Okay, let's figure out the Night Before Christmas and the morning of at our homes as kids and now with our kids.
#1 We had a St. Nick Day at the beginning of December for SMALL gifts
#2 We had to be good and go to church like good kids in prep for Santa's visit on Christmas EVE so we could get our gifts that next morning after church.
#3 There is a HUGE difference between Santa Gifts and other gifts, mainly cool toys vs socks
#4 We also exchanged family presents - sometimes on Christmas Eve, due to the onslaught of gifts on the 25th.
#5 I think we missed church on Christmas ONCE due to a sick dad
#6 Now that I'm older and a mom, in our home now - we do #1 AND #3 for JP.
...so what's so weird about that? If we were Jewish, we'd have ten days of presents!!!
My hubby doesn't understand the presents thing from St Nick, Santa, Friends, Family, etc.
I call it Christmas. And YES, I do know and cherish what the real reason is for this holiday although Christ was born in the Springtime....but presents represent what God gave us when he gave the best present EVER - Jesus!
Well, that's what we were told anyways. And, St. Nick comes to the Christian kids who pray to him for help while Christmas is for everyone - to spread the news of the birth of Christ.
There, that's my story.
Okay, and there was an awfully funny series of letters today in the paper...
1) Dear Editor - these Evangelicals are up in arms about using the phrase "HAPPY HOLIDAYS' when if they really knew what it meant, they'd be happier. It means "holy days", basically. So, happy HOLY DAY!
2) Dear Editor - everytime you say HAPPY HOLIDAYS instead of MERRY CHRISTMAS...an elf dies.
...so Merry Christmas to all!
#1 We had a St. Nick Day at the beginning of December for SMALL gifts
#2 We had to be good and go to church like good kids in prep for Santa's visit on Christmas EVE so we could get our gifts that next morning after church.
#3 There is a HUGE difference between Santa Gifts and other gifts, mainly cool toys vs socks
#4 We also exchanged family presents - sometimes on Christmas Eve, due to the onslaught of gifts on the 25th.
#5 I think we missed church on Christmas ONCE due to a sick dad
#6 Now that I'm older and a mom, in our home now - we do #1 AND #3 for JP.
...so what's so weird about that? If we were Jewish, we'd have ten days of presents!!!
My hubby doesn't understand the presents thing from St Nick, Santa, Friends, Family, etc.
I call it Christmas. And YES, I do know and cherish what the real reason is for this holiday although Christ was born in the Springtime....but presents represent what God gave us when he gave the best present EVER - Jesus!
Well, that's what we were told anyways. And, St. Nick comes to the Christian kids who pray to him for help while Christmas is for everyone - to spread the news of the birth of Christ.
There, that's my story.
Okay, and there was an awfully funny series of letters today in the paper...
1) Dear Editor - these Evangelicals are up in arms about using the phrase "HAPPY HOLIDAYS' when if they really knew what it meant, they'd be happier. It means "holy days", basically. So, happy HOLY DAY!
2) Dear Editor - everytime you say HAPPY HOLIDAYS instead of MERRY CHRISTMAS...an elf dies.
...so Merry Christmas to all!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
FIVE days til the big one...and subliminal messages on TOWELS
Christmas is almost here...and my cards still haven't been sent out. For those of you who I only chat with on line - I'll post a Christmas Day picture and message - although Miss Manners would NOT approve. (and you need new towels!)
As for the last post, I'm still totally into getting NEW towels. It creeps me out not to have new ones - and Irene - BROWN towels sound so LUXE!!! Send me a photo, I'll sleep better at night knowing you have NEW towels. (TOWELS!!!)
See, Irene and I go way back AND have differing opinions on everything, pretty much. For example, to bathe in a tub of water or not. I LOVE IT - she says it's gross sitting in a pool of your dirty water. I think we're the odd couple - although I'm kinda messy at times and identify with Oscar a lot. Then there's the OCD side of me...I'm a mystery!
Oh, and I'm glad that everyone likes my blog - although you'll NEVER find any theological serious groundbreaking stuff here as you would on say CPARKS, ISSAC or Laura's blog.
I'm too loopy for that.
What are you doing for Christmas (besides getting new towels???)...we're going to dinner at the Hotel La Rose on Christmas Eve (so posh!) with the cousins, godmother/Auntie of mine - the lovely Auntie P, and then attending the midnight mass at the local church. God, I miss those fancy outings!
Then (you need new towels!! Really!) the next morning we sleep in (thank God) and go to my cousin's house, Miss T, and bring presents and eat a faboo brunch (my favorite meal of the day) until we're stuffed silly. THEN we (need to get those towels NOW) go to JP's grandparents for more presents, food, fun and LOVE!
Oh, by the way, I need your opinion on this...how many of you had Santa Claus gifts separate from your parents or siblings giving you gifts? My hubby, who was a Baptist, didn't have that sort of craziness, but I can't understand it. You have family gifts and THEN Santa Gifts on Christmas morn. Right???
What say you? Oh, and did I mention that you need new towels??? LOL!!!
As for the last post, I'm still totally into getting NEW towels. It creeps me out not to have new ones - and Irene - BROWN towels sound so LUXE!!! Send me a photo, I'll sleep better at night knowing you have NEW towels. (TOWELS!!!)
See, Irene and I go way back AND have differing opinions on everything, pretty much. For example, to bathe in a tub of water or not. I LOVE IT - she says it's gross sitting in a pool of your dirty water. I think we're the odd couple - although I'm kinda messy at times and identify with Oscar a lot. Then there's the OCD side of me...I'm a mystery!
Oh, and I'm glad that everyone likes my blog - although you'll NEVER find any theological serious groundbreaking stuff here as you would on say CPARKS, ISSAC or Laura's blog.
I'm too loopy for that.
What are you doing for Christmas (besides getting new towels???)...we're going to dinner at the Hotel La Rose on Christmas Eve (so posh!) with the cousins, godmother/Auntie of mine - the lovely Auntie P, and then attending the midnight mass at the local church. God, I miss those fancy outings!
Then (you need new towels!! Really!) the next morning we sleep in (thank God) and go to my cousin's house, Miss T, and bring presents and eat a faboo brunch (my favorite meal of the day) until we're stuffed silly. THEN we (need to get those towels NOW) go to JP's grandparents for more presents, food, fun and LOVE!
Oh, by the way, I need your opinion on this...how many of you had Santa Claus gifts separate from your parents or siblings giving you gifts? My hubby, who was a Baptist, didn't have that sort of craziness, but I can't understand it. You have family gifts and THEN Santa Gifts on Christmas morn. Right???
What say you? Oh, and did I mention that you need new towels??? LOL!!!
Monday, December 19, 2005
The Woodstock scoop AND towels...a rant
http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/default.aspx?PageId=1202
Here's what they did last year (Charlie Brown) and here's what they're planning for this year...Woodstock! For those of you who were not here for the huge party in September when they showed off the statues, man, you missed out on a fun thing. The kids LOVED it, there was free music, Peanuts stuff, activities for the kids and you could meet the artists.
I should have y'all start writing the poor contact on that page to beg her to sign me up forever for these things! Or she may be sick of me already...hmm.
Today I had a bad day...but the hope of my getting this super fun non-paying gig just held me up for the duration. Not a bad day as in 'hate the job' - cause we all know I LOVE my job - it's more like the hormones don't like the cold weather. UGH! Time to get myself back into the gym and get healthy again I think.
Some of my stress today was due to the fact that my son, JP, was sick and my hubby was busy at work in the AM. Boy, was that not fun. JP doesn't like my work - too many nurses pinching his cheeks saying 'how cute!!!"...he kept saying he's rather be with his father. LOL!
I got rid of some stress today by finally sending out Christmas gifts to loved ones in other States today. A LOAD of my mind, let me tell you. I always forget how stressful this time of year is until the week of. Always.
The thing I love about this time of year is getting Christmas cards...it's usually the same people over and over again, but this year it's pretty interesting the mix of people that still like us. Also, read Miss Manners today in your paper - she goes over the rules for sending out cards and who you send them out to. I'm afraid I'm lacking in most of her required requirements for sending and getting these things each year. Whoops! I didn't know there were rules for that.
This is what I do know...and I want everyone to comment on this. Each year you need to change out your pillows and towels - PLEASE! Hey, I know people that change out their pillows every three months (they will remain nameless for their protection of course!)...the pillow thing each year is OKAY with me and I hate old towels. Old crappy towels. This year for Christmas I'm getting myself and the family a HUGE selection of towels (during the White Sale at Macy's this year in January). I think our colours will be a heathery green and blue. THICK, HUGE towels and plenty of them. I think I use like 5 towels or more when I count them at the end of one day. Ask my hubby, it's awful.
I had to laugh the other day thinking of how NICE the new towels would be when I thought of a friend of mine (who will remain nameless to protect her innocence) LOL!!! -- who announced that she was thinking of getting new towels since the last time she purchased matching new towels was, well, forever ago. I freaked out (a'la Miss Manners!!!) and made her go get new towels!!! Knowing she was using old towels just made me ill! She went and got some cute towels, but for ONE bathroom, not the whole house. I wasn't happy. She kept me as a friend and all was well. I'm a lucky gal.
So, now it's my turn. I have ewwy towels. They don't match anymore, I've accidentally bleached some, I've stained some with makeup accidentally of course (yeah right!), and the most pressing issue of them all - I have a 4 year old son. He wipes EVERYTHING on them...and I won't gross you out with the details.
Our son will get his 'own' towels (now I know why parents do that) and I'll have to get my hubby those whopper towels that actually fit a man who's as tall as he is.
Then there's the discussion that my hubby had with me the other day...regarding FACECLOTHS vs. HANDTOWELS...there IS a difference. I didn't want to confuse him more by adding the 'teatowels' or the fingertip towels or God forbid we throw in the mix those Holiday Towels that you ARE NOT TO USE EVER!!!!!!!!!!
Those people who remember having those pretty dust catcher Holiday Towels will know what I'm talking about. I've always wanted to just mess up one of those towels with their lace and pretty heavy decorations...boy were they tacky.
So, remember, it's time to buy NEW TOWELS!!!
I think I'll have a nice day tomorrow...especially if I think of the new towels and get a call from the Woodstock folks too.
Here's what they did last year (Charlie Brown) and here's what they're planning for this year...Woodstock! For those of you who were not here for the huge party in September when they showed off the statues, man, you missed out on a fun thing. The kids LOVED it, there was free music, Peanuts stuff, activities for the kids and you could meet the artists.
I should have y'all start writing the poor contact on that page to beg her to sign me up forever for these things! Or she may be sick of me already...hmm.
Today I had a bad day...but the hope of my getting this super fun non-paying gig just held me up for the duration. Not a bad day as in 'hate the job' - cause we all know I LOVE my job - it's more like the hormones don't like the cold weather. UGH! Time to get myself back into the gym and get healthy again I think.
Some of my stress today was due to the fact that my son, JP, was sick and my hubby was busy at work in the AM. Boy, was that not fun. JP doesn't like my work - too many nurses pinching his cheeks saying 'how cute!!!"...he kept saying he's rather be with his father. LOL!
I got rid of some stress today by finally sending out Christmas gifts to loved ones in other States today. A LOAD of my mind, let me tell you. I always forget how stressful this time of year is until the week of. Always.
The thing I love about this time of year is getting Christmas cards...it's usually the same people over and over again, but this year it's pretty interesting the mix of people that still like us. Also, read Miss Manners today in your paper - she goes over the rules for sending out cards and who you send them out to. I'm afraid I'm lacking in most of her required requirements for sending and getting these things each year. Whoops! I didn't know there were rules for that.
This is what I do know...and I want everyone to comment on this. Each year you need to change out your pillows and towels - PLEASE! Hey, I know people that change out their pillows every three months (they will remain nameless for their protection of course!)...the pillow thing each year is OKAY with me and I hate old towels. Old crappy towels. This year for Christmas I'm getting myself and the family a HUGE selection of towels (during the White Sale at Macy's this year in January). I think our colours will be a heathery green and blue. THICK, HUGE towels and plenty of them. I think I use like 5 towels or more when I count them at the end of one day. Ask my hubby, it's awful.
I had to laugh the other day thinking of how NICE the new towels would be when I thought of a friend of mine (who will remain nameless to protect her innocence) LOL!!! -- who announced that she was thinking of getting new towels since the last time she purchased matching new towels was, well, forever ago. I freaked out (a'la Miss Manners!!!) and made her go get new towels!!! Knowing she was using old towels just made me ill! She went and got some cute towels, but for ONE bathroom, not the whole house. I wasn't happy. She kept me as a friend and all was well. I'm a lucky gal.
So, now it's my turn. I have ewwy towels. They don't match anymore, I've accidentally bleached some, I've stained some with makeup accidentally of course (yeah right!), and the most pressing issue of them all - I have a 4 year old son. He wipes EVERYTHING on them...and I won't gross you out with the details.
Our son will get his 'own' towels (now I know why parents do that) and I'll have to get my hubby those whopper towels that actually fit a man who's as tall as he is.
Then there's the discussion that my hubby had with me the other day...regarding FACECLOTHS vs. HANDTOWELS...there IS a difference. I didn't want to confuse him more by adding the 'teatowels' or the fingertip towels or God forbid we throw in the mix those Holiday Towels that you ARE NOT TO USE EVER!!!!!!!!!!
Those people who remember having those pretty dust catcher Holiday Towels will know what I'm talking about. I've always wanted to just mess up one of those towels with their lace and pretty heavy decorations...boy were they tacky.
So, remember, it's time to buy NEW TOWELS!!!
I think I'll have a nice day tomorrow...especially if I think of the new towels and get a call from the Woodstock folks too.
Friday, December 16, 2005
from my hubby's post - I'm a TD...
You scored as Traditional Catholic.
(me here: DUH!)
You look at the great piety and holiness of the Church before the Second Vatican Council and the decay of belief and practice since then, and see that much of the decline is due to failed reforms based on the "Spirit of the Council". You regret the loss of vast numbers of Religious and Ordained clergy and the widely diverging celebrations of the Mass of Pope Paul VI, which often don't even seem to be Catholic anymore. You are helping to rebuild this past culture in one of the many new Traditional Latin Mass communities or attend Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy. You seek refuge from the world of pornography, recreational drugs, violence, and materialism. You are an articulate, confident, committed, and intelligent Catholic. But do you support legitimate reform of the Church, and are you willing to submit to the directives of the Second Vatican Council? Will you cooperate responsibly with others who are not part of the Traditional community?
Traditional Catholic
86%
Radical Catholic
79%
Liberal Catholic
71%
New Catholic
62%
Neo-Conservative Catholic
36%
Evangelical Catholic
36%
Lukewarm Catholic
5%
(me here: DUH!)
You look at the great piety and holiness of the Church before the Second Vatican Council and the decay of belief and practice since then, and see that much of the decline is due to failed reforms based on the "Spirit of the Council". You regret the loss of vast numbers of Religious and Ordained clergy and the widely diverging celebrations of the Mass of Pope Paul VI, which often don't even seem to be Catholic anymore. You are helping to rebuild this past culture in one of the many new Traditional Latin Mass communities or attend Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy. You seek refuge from the world of pornography, recreational drugs, violence, and materialism. You are an articulate, confident, committed, and intelligent Catholic. But do you support legitimate reform of the Church, and are you willing to submit to the directives of the Second Vatican Council? Will you cooperate responsibly with others who are not part of the Traditional community?
Traditional Catholic
86%
Radical Catholic
79%
Liberal Catholic
71%
New Catholic
62%
Neo-Conservative Catholic
36%
Evangelical Catholic
36%
Lukewarm Catholic
5%
Woodstock is the statue for 2006...
...art and auction for the City of Santa Rosa where the Peanuts Gang hails from, mostly! This year it was Charlie Brown statues of all varieties, colours and ideas - and then they had a huge auction that raised tons of money for kids.
This is how it shakes out. They choose a statue for the year (this coming year being Woodstock on his nest), contact local artists (oh please Lord!!!) who signed up last year and expressed interest, find local sponsors at $4,000 a pop, make the two work together (or not) and VOILA! the statue is completed by May, propped up somewhere in town and everyone goes searching for them. It's fun until the vandals hit. Party Poopers.
Anyhow, the day of auction is awesome with tons of fun for the kids - I'll try to post a photo of me in the LUCY booth (a literal translation of her psych booth!!!) and Justin with some of his favorite Charlie Brown statues.
IF I am chosen to do one of these statues it would SO ROCK - and I would collaborate with another artist who knows what they are doing when it comes to preserving statues and paints for the outdoors (I've got two ladies in mind already!).
I'll know on Monday what the status is...so until then, please OH PLEASE pick me!!! Kinda like that Shrek film when the annoying donkey keeps saying that over and over "pick me, oh oh! pick me!"...I do kinda think I'm like that donkey at times - although not so much the comedian that portrays him. Kinda a weird mix of the Princess Fiona and the donkey. Sassy and in your face at times!
Now I've gotta watch the film again. Darn it!
Oh, speaking of films - NARNIA ROCKS! Truly. I think my Godsons should see it - it's good for all ages.
I must admit (since others have too) that although the Lion, Witch and the Wardobe was my all time favorite book growing up I had NO IDEA where CS Lewis 'got' his ideas from - the Christian aspect of it. Heck, even Jewish kids loved the books. We had NO CLUE. I don't feel stupid that I didn't know this, just mad that I didn't put two and two together when I re-read it 5 years ago.
Silly me!
Anyone else love the film? I am sooooooo Susan in that film...."I think we should be getting back" - yeah, especially if your Wardrobe turns into some snowy vacant land all of the sudden. I'm back home screaming for the Professor. So much for being sassy!
I'm reading the book to Justin - we're almost done - and he loves it. He doesn't like the part where Peter says "shut up" to Edmond, and is facinated by how it's in the book.
Ah, to be four again. I'm making sure he understands the plot of the book and knows all of the series by heart! That's one of my favorite memories as a kid - those books!
Also, welcome Miss Tess! I'll certainly be chatting with you - we have an artist connection and a Montreal connection!
This is how it shakes out. They choose a statue for the year (this coming year being Woodstock on his nest), contact local artists (oh please Lord!!!) who signed up last year and expressed interest, find local sponsors at $4,000 a pop, make the two work together (or not) and VOILA! the statue is completed by May, propped up somewhere in town and everyone goes searching for them. It's fun until the vandals hit. Party Poopers.
Anyhow, the day of auction is awesome with tons of fun for the kids - I'll try to post a photo of me in the LUCY booth (a literal translation of her psych booth!!!) and Justin with some of his favorite Charlie Brown statues.
IF I am chosen to do one of these statues it would SO ROCK - and I would collaborate with another artist who knows what they are doing when it comes to preserving statues and paints for the outdoors (I've got two ladies in mind already!).
I'll know on Monday what the status is...so until then, please OH PLEASE pick me!!! Kinda like that Shrek film when the annoying donkey keeps saying that over and over "pick me, oh oh! pick me!"...I do kinda think I'm like that donkey at times - although not so much the comedian that portrays him. Kinda a weird mix of the Princess Fiona and the donkey. Sassy and in your face at times!
Now I've gotta watch the film again. Darn it!
Oh, speaking of films - NARNIA ROCKS! Truly. I think my Godsons should see it - it's good for all ages.
I must admit (since others have too) that although the Lion, Witch and the Wardobe was my all time favorite book growing up I had NO IDEA where CS Lewis 'got' his ideas from - the Christian aspect of it. Heck, even Jewish kids loved the books. We had NO CLUE. I don't feel stupid that I didn't know this, just mad that I didn't put two and two together when I re-read it 5 years ago.
Silly me!
Anyone else love the film? I am sooooooo Susan in that film...."I think we should be getting back" - yeah, especially if your Wardrobe turns into some snowy vacant land all of the sudden. I'm back home screaming for the Professor. So much for being sassy!
I'm reading the book to Justin - we're almost done - and he loves it. He doesn't like the part where Peter says "shut up" to Edmond, and is facinated by how it's in the book.
Ah, to be four again. I'm making sure he understands the plot of the book and knows all of the series by heart! That's one of my favorite memories as a kid - those books!
Also, welcome Miss Tess! I'll certainly be chatting with you - we have an artist connection and a Montreal connection!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Don't hate me because I'm Catholic...
...well, it's finally happened. I guess the nuns always get you in the end. My family and I are attending a Roman Catholic Church. Okay, you can get your mouth off the floor and breathe.
There, that's much better isn't it?
Dropping religious 'bombs' on friends and close family members seems to be our specialty in the last oh, 6 years. Keep in mind that this recent move wasn't a planned move at all - we were, well, I must say, forced through a few doors to get to this arena. We learned who our TRUE friends are, learned that God won't strike you down or hand down a big ugly judgement on you if you're not Eastern Orthodox of a particular church building. I think what I've learned through all of this is quite simple - God has never abandoned me, he won't ever abandon me and he always finds me when I am lost.
I also learned that I am me. Not a monastic-mother-saint-slave-doormat-woman who keeps trying to be something that I am simply not. I'm scrappy at times, I'm cranky at times, I can be totally "Marie" (inside joke), I can be mad, I can announce my feelings and opinions when I feel they need to be aired and most of all, I can think for myself again and make my OWN decisions. That's why God fashioned me with a brain, folks.
Now that I've returned to my normal self and not some trumped up holy wannabe chick, I feel more joy when it comes to God. I feel more beauty around me, more freedom - I feel more like praying (mostly thanksgiving prayers) to God for his blessings. I don't feel fake.
A lovely elderly sister named Sister Maria has been a wonderful presence in my life here at work (remember, I work for the Catholics too) and I feel very taken care of by her 'checking in on me'. She reminds me of my dear Grandmother and is just as funny!
Thank God for little mercies!
Oh, and I'm getting another rosary and I'm wearing my Grandmother's Holy Virgin pendant that all good little Catholic schoolgirls wore (thanks to those nuns).
See, the nuns do get you in the end...thankfully.
There, that's much better isn't it?
Dropping religious 'bombs' on friends and close family members seems to be our specialty in the last oh, 6 years. Keep in mind that this recent move wasn't a planned move at all - we were, well, I must say, forced through a few doors to get to this arena. We learned who our TRUE friends are, learned that God won't strike you down or hand down a big ugly judgement on you if you're not Eastern Orthodox of a particular church building. I think what I've learned through all of this is quite simple - God has never abandoned me, he won't ever abandon me and he always finds me when I am lost.
I also learned that I am me. Not a monastic-mother-saint-slave-doormat-woman who keeps trying to be something that I am simply not. I'm scrappy at times, I'm cranky at times, I can be totally "Marie" (inside joke), I can be mad, I can announce my feelings and opinions when I feel they need to be aired and most of all, I can think for myself again and make my OWN decisions. That's why God fashioned me with a brain, folks.
Now that I've returned to my normal self and not some trumped up holy wannabe chick, I feel more joy when it comes to God. I feel more beauty around me, more freedom - I feel more like praying (mostly thanksgiving prayers) to God for his blessings. I don't feel fake.
A lovely elderly sister named Sister Maria has been a wonderful presence in my life here at work (remember, I work for the Catholics too) and I feel very taken care of by her 'checking in on me'. She reminds me of my dear Grandmother and is just as funny!
Thank God for little mercies!
Oh, and I'm getting another rosary and I'm wearing my Grandmother's Holy Virgin pendant that all good little Catholic schoolgirls wore (thanks to those nuns).
See, the nuns do get you in the end...thankfully.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
My husband's SIXTH blog...my Best Friends' 4th???
http://thisisnumbersix.blogspot.com/ this is cparks' new blog
http://pumamomma.blogtastic.com/ this is irene's new blog
...and I've almost found time to write to them. Almost.
By the way, I JUST found out about both sites 24 hours ago - I'm the last to hear it, probably!
I want to write about my new job again, because it TOTALLY ROCKS - and I've made friends with an expert knitter/crochet gal and a Nun at work recently. Sister Maria - she's so cute - I love her.
It's also nice to bring my icons to work and my Catholic Crucifix in my office - in plain sight. It's so nice not 'hiding' and feeling like I'm going to offend someone I work with.
More to come!
http://pumamomma.blogtastic.com/ this is irene's new blog
...and I've almost found time to write to them. Almost.
By the way, I JUST found out about both sites 24 hours ago - I'm the last to hear it, probably!
I want to write about my new job again, because it TOTALLY ROCKS - and I've made friends with an expert knitter/crochet gal and a Nun at work recently. Sister Maria - she's so cute - I love her.
It's also nice to bring my icons to work and my Catholic Crucifix in my office - in plain sight. It's so nice not 'hiding' and feeling like I'm going to offend someone I work with.
More to come!
Monday, December 05, 2005
I made my best friend cry today...oh brother!!!
...it was over a St Nicholas letter to my godson, her cute little Irish Redhead child - since I shamed Miss Manners by sending it via e-mail. Egads!
Didn't mean to make her cry - really and truly!
In other news, Justin actually sat on St. Nick's lap yesterday. REALLY! He wasn't so sure at first, but thought a bit differently about it when the bearded Bishop called him by his first name and KNEW that Monday night he's be visiting Justin. Justin was floored! How DID he know all that?
The beauty of a little child! So refreshing!
My son also knows now that St. Nick is also called Santa Claus too. He's cool with that. He did ask, however, why is it that St. Nick uses a white horse when on Christmas he uses a bunch of reindeer. Thank goodness Santa had a reply for him - "the horse is for me to visit you on Monday night and all the other children who pray to me, and the reindeer must be used on Christmas to deliver gifts to all the kids of the world and let them know the beauty of Christ"...and of course, I agreed.
St. Nick is a very smart man, as we all know.
So, none of this 'Santa is or isn't real' stuff. St. Nick is a real person, and is a saint - you can't do much better than that.
Oh, and we don't have an Easter Bunny - but I do like the Leprachauns and the tooth fairy. Still believe in them.
And, the old verse still holds in our household no matter WHAT your age - "Only those that believe get"...wanna see my list for Santa? LOL!!!
Didn't mean to make her cry - really and truly!
In other news, Justin actually sat on St. Nick's lap yesterday. REALLY! He wasn't so sure at first, but thought a bit differently about it when the bearded Bishop called him by his first name and KNEW that Monday night he's be visiting Justin. Justin was floored! How DID he know all that?
The beauty of a little child! So refreshing!
My son also knows now that St. Nick is also called Santa Claus too. He's cool with that. He did ask, however, why is it that St. Nick uses a white horse when on Christmas he uses a bunch of reindeer. Thank goodness Santa had a reply for him - "the horse is for me to visit you on Monday night and all the other children who pray to me, and the reindeer must be used on Christmas to deliver gifts to all the kids of the world and let them know the beauty of Christ"...and of course, I agreed.
St. Nick is a very smart man, as we all know.
So, none of this 'Santa is or isn't real' stuff. St. Nick is a real person, and is a saint - you can't do much better than that.
Oh, and we don't have an Easter Bunny - but I do like the Leprachauns and the tooth fairy. Still believe in them.
And, the old verse still holds in our household no matter WHAT your age - "Only those that believe get"...wanna see my list for Santa? LOL!!!
Friday, December 02, 2005
St. Nicholas Day is coming up - MONDAY!!!
...so don't forget to pray to St. Nicholas (especially the kids) on Monday, when we celebrate the wonderful Bishop!
We are planning on going to the service at a church named for St. Nicholas that has a special HUGE icon of the saint that was mysteriously 'given' to the church a long time ago.
Justin is freaking out - he remembers last year, putting toys in his shoes for those kids who don't have nice things and praying that night to the saint for guidance, help and protection. The next morning, he had a nice Orthodox gift (a book on St. Nick) with a toy and a letter from the saint.
He's anxiously awaiting his treat this year. Which reminds me, the Godkids need a 'note' from St. Nicholas too! Yikes! We've got a few of them little Godkids, so I'd best be getting home to write to these young 'uns! Even St. Nicholas needs help now and again.
Don't forget this special nameday - and treat those you know with the great name "Nicholas" to a hearty "Happy Name Day! And may God grant you many years!" -- no matter what!
St. Nicholas of Myra, pray for all of us kids, even the big ones!
Happy St. Nicholas Day my friends!
We are planning on going to the service at a church named for St. Nicholas that has a special HUGE icon of the saint that was mysteriously 'given' to the church a long time ago.
Justin is freaking out - he remembers last year, putting toys in his shoes for those kids who don't have nice things and praying that night to the saint for guidance, help and protection. The next morning, he had a nice Orthodox gift (a book on St. Nick) with a toy and a letter from the saint.
He's anxiously awaiting his treat this year. Which reminds me, the Godkids need a 'note' from St. Nicholas too! Yikes! We've got a few of them little Godkids, so I'd best be getting home to write to these young 'uns! Even St. Nicholas needs help now and again.
Don't forget this special nameday - and treat those you know with the great name "Nicholas" to a hearty "Happy Name Day! And may God grant you many years!" -- no matter what!
St. Nicholas of Myra, pray for all of us kids, even the big ones!
Happy St. Nicholas Day my friends!
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