Here is something to think about for all of us who take care of children in one way or another...
St. John Bosco, the Apostle to Youth, wrote this:
Courage. Let us work whole-heartedly for youth. Let us do all we can for God's glory and the welfare of souls. Up there a great reward awaits us, the same as promised to Abraham: "I will make your reward exceedingly great." (Genesis 15:1) At times we may feel tired, exhausted, or overwhelmed by ailments, but we must take heart, because up there we shall rest forever.
There is some encouragement for us all in those words, most especially for those who form and shape the lives of children. Thanks to Fr. Daren for sharing this message with me, so I may share it with you.
Today my pastor from St. Peter's called. He said he'd been told that I am a talented "wordsmith." Well, that is a new word to me. I didn't ask exactly what that meant or who told him that, but I figured out that he knows I like to write and am somewhat decent at it. So I have my next project for my church. I will be writing a grant for a new computer lab for St. Peter's School. I have never written a grant, or even taken a class on grant-writing. But as Fr. John explained it to me...."it's like writing the gospels...know who your audience is, tell them about our values, and identify how they can help us fulfill our mission." Well I have thought a lot about that this afternoon. I will get the materials soon, and I am hopeful that I am up to the task. I know there are some successful grant-writers in the family already, so I may be calling upon them for their expertise!
Today has been a cold, windy, rainy winter day. But it was made beautiful for me when, after Bible Study, my buddy Norma gave me a gift. It was wrapped in an old shoebox with bright red paper and the word "Celebrate" all over it. It is a homemade fleece blanket with angels covering both sides. One is a guardian angel protecting two small children as they make their way. The other is carrying a US flag and is in protector mode. The blanket is fringed around the outside, and that work was done by Norma's daughter Theresa. WOW! What did I do to deserve such a gift? Well, Norma sat next to me in the post-prayer session and simply thanked me for being her friend.
It has always been easy to love Norma. I will treasure this gift as I rest and am warmed by it in more ways than one.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday thoughts
Mostly today was a day of rest for me. I have a nagging sore throat and stuffy nose. So I stayed put on the couch. I watched some TV and read Oprah's January issue, and I have begun reading "Edgar Sawtelle." I also finished the Bible study lesson for tomorrow. I like this scripture from Phil. 4: 6-8:
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ. In conclusion, fill your minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, and honorable.
Yesterday I made a trip to the thrift shop with some spring capris that I can't wear. I have cleared a few major bucks and fortunately have found some very nice clothes to buy there. Whatever doesn't sell within a 3-month period is donated to the women's shelter, so I know some of my clothes are passed on to needy women.
I had a great time with Nolan at McDonald's yesterday. He brought his little buddy Taylor along, and he had about two hours of great fun and was all smiles. When it was time to go, the little dude slipped right through my hands and headed back up the playplace slide/tunnel. He got up to the bubble area where I could see him, and he just stood there laughing at me. Justine was there too, and the two of us together were totally unsuccessful in coaxing him and his little friend to come down. I called Carrie, and she told me to tell him that I was leaving to go back to see Mommy. Well that was all it took. Down the slide he came, Taylor right behind him, and they both got their shoes on and were ready to go. I will have to remember that for the future. Going to see Mommy. That did the trick. He later told Carrie he was just playing a trick on Grandma, and that Grandma was laughing too. Well we do have fun. :o)
Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ. In conclusion, fill your minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, and honorable.
Yesterday I made a trip to the thrift shop with some spring capris that I can't wear. I have cleared a few major bucks and fortunately have found some very nice clothes to buy there. Whatever doesn't sell within a 3-month period is donated to the women's shelter, so I know some of my clothes are passed on to needy women.
I had a great time with Nolan at McDonald's yesterday. He brought his little buddy Taylor along, and he had about two hours of great fun and was all smiles. When it was time to go, the little dude slipped right through my hands and headed back up the playplace slide/tunnel. He got up to the bubble area where I could see him, and he just stood there laughing at me. Justine was there too, and the two of us together were totally unsuccessful in coaxing him and his little friend to come down. I called Carrie, and she told me to tell him that I was leaving to go back to see Mommy. Well that was all it took. Down the slide he came, Taylor right behind him, and they both got their shoes on and were ready to go. I will have to remember that for the future. Going to see Mommy. That did the trick. He later told Carrie he was just playing a trick on Grandma, and that Grandma was laughing too. Well we do have fun. :o)
Monday, February 9, 2009
A Nolan Story
It's been awhile since I told a Nolan story on the blog....
Saturday was such a beautiful day here. Carrie let Nolan out in the backyard to play. He spent the entire day out there pretty much by himself just happily playing while the girls rode their bikes and set up a painted rock sale with the neighbor girls. (Cora has that entreprenurial (sp?) spirit that just doesn't quit!) Well, anyway, Carrie had to practically drag Nolan in for lunch. Then back outside he went. She noticed he took off his jacket. So she opened the patio door and asked him if he was for sure not cold. "No Mommy, not cold." A little while later, she opened the door again to ask if he was thirsty, or whatever. "No." The next time she opened the door, he was ready for her. "NO MOMMY. I'm not hungry. I'm not cold. I'm not thirsty. I'm not tired. Now SHUT THE DOOR." :o)
And a correction....for Tony's karioke birthday party photos a few posts back....Justine reminded me that Carrie, Justine, and I were singing "Brown-Eyed Girl," not "Mamas....Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." She distinctly remembers the song, because she noted at the time that Carrie and I have brown eyes, but she has blue. Thanks Justine. I want to get it right! :o) The Waylon and Willie song came later, and the Dede gals were helping us sing it.
Saturday was such a beautiful day here. Carrie let Nolan out in the backyard to play. He spent the entire day out there pretty much by himself just happily playing while the girls rode their bikes and set up a painted rock sale with the neighbor girls. (Cora has that entreprenurial (sp?) spirit that just doesn't quit!) Well, anyway, Carrie had to practically drag Nolan in for lunch. Then back outside he went. She noticed he took off his jacket. So she opened the patio door and asked him if he was for sure not cold. "No Mommy, not cold." A little while later, she opened the door again to ask if he was thirsty, or whatever. "No." The next time she opened the door, he was ready for her. "NO MOMMY. I'm not hungry. I'm not cold. I'm not thirsty. I'm not tired. Now SHUT THE DOOR." :o)
And a correction....for Tony's karioke birthday party photos a few posts back....Justine reminded me that Carrie, Justine, and I were singing "Brown-Eyed Girl," not "Mamas....Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." She distinctly remembers the song, because she noted at the time that Carrie and I have brown eyes, but she has blue. Thanks Justine. I want to get it right! :o) The Waylon and Willie song came later, and the Dede gals were helping us sing it.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
When music speaks
After watching Jennifer Hudson on the Grammys....I am remembering a quote from Hans Christian Anderson:
"Where words fail, music speaks."
She is letting her music speak.
"Where words fail, music speaks."
She is letting her music speak.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Mary Stella through surgery OK
Mom just called to tell me that Mary Stella got through her gall bladder removal surgery. It was full of stones. She will feel much better now.
OK Moving on....
As each 3-month check-up approaches with the oncologist, I always have a little anxiety and a little excitement. That happened again on Tuesday, as I met with Dr. Ali, my main cancer man. I can't believe that during my appointment, we talked a lot about how HE needs to exercise! He was telling me that his problem is that he is lazy. WHAT??? This very busy oncologist who takes such wonderful care of so many people sees himself as lazy? Well, I had a good little talk with him about giving up just 20 minutes a day to take a good walk. I am following up with a little note of encouragement. I have noticed he has packed on a few pounds around the middle since I first met him. So I will see if I can help motivate him to take as good care of himself as he takes care of his patients. Now my report is good so far. The cancer-marker bloodwork will be back probably today. That's the biggy that tells if there are any unwelcome cells floating around. The rest of my bloodwork is good. My greatest concern right now is bone density, as I lost over 10% of my bone mass during chemo and radiation, and I was already in that osteopenia category like most of us almost-60 gals. So I will have another scan and maybe have to get on that medicine Sally Field takes. Hopefully not. Are all you gals taking your Calcium plus D every day?
Mario arrived home from the senior retreat Wednesday afternoon, smiling, but looking a little haggard. He needed a shave, and for some reason when he does these things, he comes home with his hair slicked back like a greasy Mexican. He reported that the group had a good retreat and the kids were well-behaved. He expressed the opinion that spiritually, kids get 5 times more benefit from the TEC program we have right here. I am glad to have him back. I don't like being alone, especially at night. But I was a big girl and made it on my own.
Carrie had an appointment with a chiropractor, and whatever adjustment he made has made her feel 100% better. He told her something was out of place, and he put it back, and she instantly felt relief from the pain she's been having since the fall on the steps a week ago. Great news for her! I think she has been able to stop using the pain meds and muscle relaxers too.
I am working at church on a program called "Best Practices for Parishes." It is a program that results from a Paulist long-range study of what the characteristics are of successful parishes. We are doing a self-study, and I am in the Catechesis group. I believe I may possibly end up on the Parish Council as a result of this. It would be a good activity for me. Only problem is the group meets at night. I am usually on the couch by 7 with not much operating capital left in me. So I would have to figure that out. They only meet once a month. I should be able to do that, if I am called to this work. We'll see. I do enjoy it, and my past experience makes it a good fit for me.
We are lucky to get in on refinancing our house at 4 1/2 % next week. It will cost us a little over $1000 to refinance, but John figured out that we will save about $14,000 in interest if we do this. Who would think interest rates would get that low? Amazing.
Tomorrow I meet Judy and Justine for walking and lunch. Friday, my old buddies Suzie Longo and Sharon Mackenzie are meeting me for a belated birthday lunch. On Jan. 17, it was cold as hell, and Suzie didn't feel well, so we postponed. I don't mind. Spreading out one's birthday celebration is fun. We will go to dinner at Mexican Maya Restaurant Saturday evening with George and Betty. So that's what's up with us over the next three days. Nothing on Sunday but Mass and lunch with the kids. Carrie's gang are possibly heading to St. Louis for a fun day at the zoo on Saturday if it is warm like they are forecasting. First trip to the zoo for Nolan. He will love that.
Finally made a reservation for Phoenix. I will go March 31-April 7. I am glad Southwest runs those $99 fares. And now that Chris and Maria live just 10 minutes or so from the airport, the trip is not so hard for me. I have decided that I will not go more than 3 months without seeing them. And now that Makenna is taking steps, I am anxious to see that.
Sadly, my early favorite for American Idol is already booted out. I liked David Osmond. But he apparently didn't have what they wanted. He has MS, so maybe he could not cope with the long days. They didn't show his group audition, so who knows what happened. I still like the oilman Jeremy, and I picked up on another fellow named Adam I think, dark hair, exotic rock-star look, and can sing. The program still baffles me as to what they are looking for. Some they keep that make no sense to me; others obviously talented get the boot. Just don't get it! But I will continue to watch. Something to do and talk about when we're walking. And I guess when the finalists are chosen, we will have another family contest to pick the winners???
Mario arrived home from the senior retreat Wednesday afternoon, smiling, but looking a little haggard. He needed a shave, and for some reason when he does these things, he comes home with his hair slicked back like a greasy Mexican. He reported that the group had a good retreat and the kids were well-behaved. He expressed the opinion that spiritually, kids get 5 times more benefit from the TEC program we have right here. I am glad to have him back. I don't like being alone, especially at night. But I was a big girl and made it on my own.
Carrie had an appointment with a chiropractor, and whatever adjustment he made has made her feel 100% better. He told her something was out of place, and he put it back, and she instantly felt relief from the pain she's been having since the fall on the steps a week ago. Great news for her! I think she has been able to stop using the pain meds and muscle relaxers too.
I am working at church on a program called "Best Practices for Parishes." It is a program that results from a Paulist long-range study of what the characteristics are of successful parishes. We are doing a self-study, and I am in the Catechesis group. I believe I may possibly end up on the Parish Council as a result of this. It would be a good activity for me. Only problem is the group meets at night. I am usually on the couch by 7 with not much operating capital left in me. So I would have to figure that out. They only meet once a month. I should be able to do that, if I am called to this work. We'll see. I do enjoy it, and my past experience makes it a good fit for me.
We are lucky to get in on refinancing our house at 4 1/2 % next week. It will cost us a little over $1000 to refinance, but John figured out that we will save about $14,000 in interest if we do this. Who would think interest rates would get that low? Amazing.
Tomorrow I meet Judy and Justine for walking and lunch. Friday, my old buddies Suzie Longo and Sharon Mackenzie are meeting me for a belated birthday lunch. On Jan. 17, it was cold as hell, and Suzie didn't feel well, so we postponed. I don't mind. Spreading out one's birthday celebration is fun. We will go to dinner at Mexican Maya Restaurant Saturday evening with George and Betty. So that's what's up with us over the next three days. Nothing on Sunday but Mass and lunch with the kids. Carrie's gang are possibly heading to St. Louis for a fun day at the zoo on Saturday if it is warm like they are forecasting. First trip to the zoo for Nolan. He will love that.
Finally made a reservation for Phoenix. I will go March 31-April 7. I am glad Southwest runs those $99 fares. And now that Chris and Maria live just 10 minutes or so from the airport, the trip is not so hard for me. I have decided that I will not go more than 3 months without seeing them. And now that Makenna is taking steps, I am anxious to see that.
Sadly, my early favorite for American Idol is already booted out. I liked David Osmond. But he apparently didn't have what they wanted. He has MS, so maybe he could not cope with the long days. They didn't show his group audition, so who knows what happened. I still like the oilman Jeremy, and I picked up on another fellow named Adam I think, dark hair, exotic rock-star look, and can sing. The program still baffles me as to what they are looking for. Some they keep that make no sense to me; others obviously talented get the boot. Just don't get it! But I will continue to watch. Something to do and talk about when we're walking. And I guess when the finalists are chosen, we will have another family contest to pick the winners???
Monday, February 2, 2009
Weekend Fun
On Saturday night, "Happy birthday to you...." (Hannah recording the occasion with her new video recorder. O dear, another photographer in the family!)
Yes, he looks like Momma Doris.
Ted (Tony's dad) and the girls' kick line...Tony's mom, sisters, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. What a performance! It's up to you, New York, New York.
Now Tony's turn in the kick line with Mom and sisters Rhonda and Dee and sister-in-law Jean.
Neighbor Jenny and Cora sing.
Tony and Nolan sing "Beep Beep."
Happy Hannah with her share from the tip cup for serving the soda from behind the bar.
The Dede clan. Heads.
Tails.
Carrie and Tony...(Carrie being a trooper 4 days after taking a bad fall on some steps.)
Happy Birthday Bear for the DJ
Our friend Tim....singing Margueritaville, and getting every word and note right!
Gin, Carrie, and our friend Justine attempting "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." We probably won't try that one again anytime soon. Waylon and Willie made it sound so easy!
Tony and the girls (Carrie, their neighbor Tina, and her sister-in-law?) shine with "Mustang Sally." Take that show on the road.It was a fun celebration, and we look forward to doing it again sometime.
Now....switching to St. Louis for Super Bowl Sunday....
The guys, most from our Quincy College Days
The gals
Mario's teammates from college soccer days, Bob and Tom Pollihan. They greet him with fake Spanish and make Mario laugh, just like in their playing days when they called him Chili Bean, Taco Bell, and a few other choice names (during the games too!). Bob and Mario worked together washing pots and pans in the cafeteria kitchen after supper while I baked cookies, cakes, and brownies. We have great memories with these folks, and we are happy to be invited to St. Louis for their annual Super Bowl gathering. Lots of great food and conversation. (Too bad Tom didn't remember to get the shrimp and potato salad out of the fridge 'til the game was about over. Next year I will check his fridge!)Today I am resting with a big smile. Mario is in St. Louis for the next 3 days chaperoning the QND Senior Class Retreat with his friend George McDonnell, who is the QND Religion Department Chairperson. Hmm. Does Notre Dame really know what they are doing sending those two off together with a busload of kids? I will guarantee those kids will have a wonderful retreat. There will be some good laughs. Bless them all.
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