Q-tips

In mass this morning, the visiting priest, he's this super nice Polish priest. His sermon was about prayer, and spirituality, especially during Lent. He went into how he's met many people at our parish who pray a lot, and are very spiritual.  Then he said.. but are you LISTENING. He explained. So many of you are praying & praying a lot, but are you listening to what God has to say, do you have a clear path to listen to him. Figuratively speaking we need to clean our ears with some q-tips so we can hear and listen to God.
So true. Thanks Fr. J. 

For Lent

For Lent I am giving up: Facebook and  pop, soda, whatever you call it. I call it pop. Although I've weaned myself to only about a 6oz glass a day. With none it might get pretty ugly soon. I bought some Moroccan spice tea that I am going to fill my caffeine fix with ( even though it is caffeine free).
Hubs gave up Popcorn. That is his vice. He's a popcorn freak. We have a commercial popcorn maker, like the movie theatre. He said he couldn't give up pop, because we don't drink coffee, it's his caffeine. He said with no popcorn, he's likely to not drink a lot of pop.

My goal this Lent is to try & make it to 2 weekday masses.
With the extra time not spending on FB.. I have a list of things I would like to accomplish:
finish business taxes for the accountant
finish personal taxes for the accountant
prepare for my rel ed kids confirmation retreat
paint spare bedroom
install new floor in spare bedroom (need hubs help, but since he won't be dining on popcorn, he should have some free time)
work on scrapbooking ( really bad here, still working on big Italian vacation from 2004)
Reading some books
Start some tomato plants inside - from seeds

why

Why is it that AF always arrives for the holidays. Last time AF  was here  was my birthday/Christmas & now Valentines Day..... If  I'm "lucky" she'll be back for Easter.

How would you respond.

I have been in a couple of uncomfortable and awkward situations this past week. First was a catechist meeting; we were getting together to gather ideas for Lent. We weren't informed what the meeting was about, so most people weren't prepared to talk about that. Then the subject quickly turned to my 12year old daughter came home asking about abortion & why people would Choose to Not have one if they weren't married, and then they started going around the table.. do you have any "daughters", of course it gets to me & I answer no.  Awkward moment:This person only wanted advice from someone who has a daughter.  This mom/catechist wanted to know if it was covered in the text book for the religion program. The  homily last weekend, talking to the effect that parents are the #1 educator of their children, be involved & know what your kids are learning in school, weither it be public, private or homeschool. As we finished the meeting, another mom/catechist started asking, do you have any kids, I said no, she said, oh I can't ask you, then asked the next one who she knows has kids. Does your husband help you "teach" all the "catholic"things to your kids. I understand how this doesn't apply to me, but just how she asked, seemed so insensitive.
The DRE & I are outsiders & the rest of these moms have been teaching for some time together. She is trying to weed some of these ladies out, as some of the beliefs they have are very out there, and not consistent w/ the teachings of the CC. The DRE & I know each other and get along & she knows some of my IF issues, she herself has 3 adopted children. I told her after our last meeting, that I'm not here to win over these other teachers, but they can be very rude a lot of the time. She knows that I used to be a Youth Minister, we talked afterwards & she gave me the e-mail to the lady w/ the 12y.o. daughter. So I sent this lady an e-mail the next morning & explained what I used to do before I came to this parish & listed her some resources of how to talk to her daughter about the topic, gave her a name of a place she could get books & videos on loan.

Secondly, I've been questioned by several people ( work & church) they all tend to end up somewhere like: so when are you gonna have kids.  I still haven't found the response that doesn't leave the conversation in an awkward silence.  At church I usuallly end up saying, God hasn't blessed us with Children yet.  At work it's usually a little more awkward, cuz it's normally coming from a guy, so I just say, well it just hasn't happened yet.   What kind of response do you tell people with out being too informative, but not rude?

I realized, that I have been holding my self hostage from certain situations because A) I don't want to deal w/ the questions B) other peoples joys with their children  C) Both . For instance I haven't responded to an invite to an all school reunion, because "everyone" else has kids,and are stay at home moms.   Hubs doesn't want to attend functions at church cuz "everyone" has kids & it's just like being the outsiders. Although I know 1 other couple who have the same IF difficulties, but Hubs doesn't want to "tell" to anyone else.
Comments welcomed & appreciated.

World Marriage Day !!

Today, World Marriage Day, taking my hubby to the Boat Show. That shows real true love on my part !

Yeah !!

Cooking & Baking totally takes my mind off of all the "things" in life.  Let alone it destresses me.

I'll just share 1 picture from the Pie Contest I entered today & WON !! Yeah..

For all those dieting. or watching calories, these are the perfect little treat.

Pie

So the big Pie competition is this weekend. I am taking the afternoon off to get my bake on !
I am making these cute little mini pies on a stick, called Pie Pops.
Will post pictures when I am done.
Hubs helped me make a little stand to stick the pies in. Can't wait work is taking way too long today.