My Day of Reflection.......

I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the day. I only wish it had been a little longer.

It wasn't exactly like the retreats that you remember attending when you were in grade school, if you were catholic and went to one. I can't even figure out how to explain it except to just tell what we did.

Fr. Jack is a priest at my son's high school and he ran the day along with a woman named Elizabeth who he used to work with at an old parish of his in Delaware. She's a regular woman with 4 boys and knows what we are all going through every day. Fr. Jack is one of the most busiest priests I know because he is involved in everything at the high school, even some of the sports. And he does an awful lot with the Mothers Association which is how I know him.

The day started with lunch and chit chat. Can't beat that! We went into the chapel afterwards and it's just so peaceful and comfortable in there. Fr. Jack gave his talk about St. Francis De Sales who is the patron saint of the school and all the priests there are Salesians, they follow the teachings of St. Francis. This is not St. Francis of Assissi, the animal lover. St. Francis of De Sales was very devoted to the catholic church and was a bishop but he had a different way of thinking. He thought that because women were so busy even back in the 1500s, women shouldn't be spending hours in church praying on their knees on hard cement floors. He knew that they were thinking that they could be taking care of this and that, the kids, the house, the meals, the laundry, everything like we do today. Instead he thought, think of God while you do your chores. Put yourself in his hands, talk to him while you do all this and make him a part of everything you do every day instead of just those hours in church or at adoration or whatever. St. Francis has some wonderful quotes. One of my favorites is "Be who you are and be it well." Doesn't matter who you are, just be that person, that mom, that telephone operator, that volunteer, that whatever and be it well. It's actually such a peaceful, relaxing way of living your life and putting God into it everyday. You don't have to sit and recite long prayers that during the middle of the prayer you drift and start thinking of something else. While you are folding some laundry, say a prayer, your own prayer.

It was just a very peaceful and relaxing way of thinking about how you should be living your spiritual life. Don't stress over the fact that you didn't get to Stations or confession or a mass, just live with God in every thing you do. Just be who you are and be it well.

The second half of the day, Elizabeth talked about Mary & Martha. They were sisters and friends of Jesus if you know the stories from the Bible. Her talk kind of talked about are you a Mary or are you a Martha. Martha was the one who when Jesus was coming to visit, she cleaned, prepared the food, did whatever needed to be done. Mary, she waited and watched. And then when Jesus came, Mary ran to him. Martha got ticked at Mary and said something to Jesus. Jesus pretty much told Martha that Mary had the right attitude. Don't fret about the house, the cleaning, the wash, the meals, enjoy the people who are with you, who want to be with you, who you never know when you might see again.

Sure easy for Jesus! But the whole talk was about taking some time from our busy lives as women to enjoy some of the little things, spending some quiet time with Jesus & God, enjoying the beauty of the given day and treating it like a gift. Sometimes we women need to realize that the world isn't going to come to an end if we don't have ALL the laundry done this weekend or if the kitchen floor is dirty for a few more days. We need to stop beating ourselves up and realize that when we have today, make the most of it, or at least try to. Give yourself equal time, 1 hour of cleaning, one hour of down time.

Hey, it's a thought. And it's something that will make us better women, wives, mothers, friends, sisters, daughters and we'll be the best whatever we are.

Fabulous.....

it's Friday! And I'm really looking forward to this weekend! I don't even care what the weather is going to be. I just want to get out!

I'm going on a Mother's Day of Reflection at the high school on Saturday . I don't know how many people are actually going to be there. It's sort of a mini retreat. It's the first time they've had this and I thought it would be a nice afternoon. I'm just hoping it doesn't get cancelled.

On Sunday I want to go to this big flea market that has about 100 vendors. Some are new and some are old. This is the flea market that has the pocketbook vendors. I'm hoping to find a nice new purple bag for myself. I haven't gotten one in awhile and I need my fix!

I had a great find yesterday while I was out shopping. I needed to get some nail polish remover for Miss Sassy and since I was at the grocery store that was in this little shopping center, I decided to go into Family Dollar to grab it. I was looking around and found these bottles that I have in my kitchen. They are glass bottles that have pepper, beans and other things in them and they have an Italian look to them. Sassy had gotten me a few for Christmas and the one big bottle yesterday was the Eiffel Tower. Very cool! The other ones were all different shapes but they were smaller so they were great with the bigger ones. I'll have to take a picture. I have them on the top of my kitchen cabinets. I love how they look! I might even try to find a few more at another Family Dollar this weekend.

So hopefully it's going to be a fabulous weekend!

Nightstand news....

I just finished The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlaine. I'd give it a 7 on the scale of 1-10. It was a little slow in the middle but then it started to pick back up again. I liked it enough that I'd read another one by Chamberlaine.

I think I'll start Still Life by Joy Fielding when I go to bed this morning.

With finishing Secret Life today, I'm still on track with reading a book a week! I'm going to have a good monthly count this month.

I found a really neat looking book on Goodreads that I hope the library gets a copy of soon. It's called The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow. Looks like a good friendship story about 11 girls who are now in their 40s. Gotta keep an eye out for that one!

My humpday....

Tuesday is my hump day since I work Sunday thru Thursday. And my humpday always goes so fast!

Today was no exception. Hubby took the kids to school and they are all on the same schedule today so I could crawl right into bed this morning. That felt so good!

I have to read every morning when I go to bed, I can't just lay there and fall asleep. I'm reading The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. It's been dragging a little and now it's finally picking up. I'm hoping to finish it by Wednesday or Thursday. I'm trying to stick to my one book a week.

I got an email today from the Mothers Assoc. and the local water ice place is having a contest for a name for the new water ice they are making. Well, one of the mom's has a daughter that passed and the girls class is trying to get the water ice named after her by using the name Angelberry. I just met this woman in September but she's a great woman, gives 110% to the schools she helps with and it breaks my heart to learn that she lost her daughter. It's one of those little kind of taps on the shoulder that reminds you just how lucky you are!

So in honor of Cate, take this as a little tap on your shoulder, hug your babies, peek at them one more time and give them a little kiss on their foreheads, no matter how old they are.

Watta Weekend!

And watta good one it was!

Friday night an old friend that I went to high school with and that GJ went to grade school with came over. She brought her daughter with her too who is 13. Her and Sassy had a great time together. She's a very young and cute 13, right up Sassy's alley. We hung out with Donna and had some wine while we poured over the yearbooks and old class pictures! It was a lot of fun reminiscing and finding out that we had very similar tastes in men!

Saturday night was my 30 year grade school reunion! It really was a lot of fun! We just had a reunion a few years ago since we were a little late with our 25th but this time around there were some new faces there. It was nice catching up with old friends and seeing some new ones. Funny how some people change and others, not so much! So people look 43, others don't and others are trying way too hard NOT to. There's just something about a 44 year old guy wearing tight black jeans, a tight black spandex shirt and a studded belt, with lots of gold as accessories! Makes you wonder why some people are still single. At least it was entertaining! Thank heavens for digital cameras so you can share the pictures right away with friends!

Might as well face it......

I'm addicted to........

• PURPLE!
• Books
• Volunteering
• Organizers/Planners
• LOST
• FACEBOOK
• Milk Chocolate flavored Slim Fast
• Blogging and blogs!

Is it me???

Ok, we all know the answer to that question. No, it's not me.

I'm the type of person that once I have something, I pretty much have it for life.

For example, I have the same stereo system that my parents bought me for one of my birthdays or Christmas one year when I was in my late teens. It's actually in my basement. It has dual cassettes and a turn table on the top. It works. It's in good shape. I took care of it and kept it very nice. I'm almost 44 yrs old and I still have this item.

I've never lost my cell phone. Now, I have misplaced it for a few moments but I have never ever lost it. But knowing the type of person that I am, if I did lose my cell phone, I would be turning the world upside down to find it. It would drive me nuts not having it. It would consume me. I would not do anything else until I had that phone safe and sound in my hands.

So why, why do I have kids that when they lose something, they literally shrug their shoulders and say, "Oh it will turn up". I know why. Yep, I sure do. It's because they know that it will drive me insane not knowing where it is or what happened to it so then I in turn will turn the house upside down to find it. Yes, we can always depend on dear old crazy, OCD riddled mom to find anything that we've lost. We know that she will actually give up sleeping because it will drive her insane laying there wondering where something could be.

My Madhouse Monday......

I can't say no. I am just going to accept that. That does not make me a bad person. That just makes me a little more crazy than before but I'm comfortable with crazy.

I could have said no today when Jerry asked if we could give his friend a ride home. And even though it was about 15 minutes out of my way, I did it.

I could have said no tonight when I went to the Moms Association meeting and they needed officers but I didn't. I really wanted to be on the Officers board. I enjoy that kind of thing. But did I think I was going to be President? No, I did not. I figured I'd start out at the bottom and work my way up. Well, no one else wanted the job. You would think that would make a person think twice about taking that job. But not me, it made me want to just jump right in there and take over. I did manage to talk my one friend into taking the VP position. Funny thing is I just met this girl in October. We did go to high school together but we never knew each other. We met at the craft fair since we were working together and we started talking. Turns out she grew up in the parish that we are in AND her sister is a girl that I am friendly with at school. So now we are doing the Mom's board together and it should be fun! At least that's what I'm telling myself. I seriously believe that not doing all these things in high school is what makes me do them now. I always wanted to fit in and be a part of things but due to our situation at home, I could never really join anything. I had to be there to watch my little brother. So it's like I'm making up for that lost time. And there is no one that can tell me I can't do it! LOL

My mom was right, once I got my own house and grew up, I could make all the rules! I like my rules!

Weekend wrap up.....

These weekends go way too fast!

Friday night was boring, just hung out at home. Greg had friends over after school to play hockey and those boys were here till around 9. Then they all decided to sleepover another boys house. These sleepovers kill Greg. He spent the whole day with the boys on Saturday and we picked him up around 7P. He was exhausted, showered and went right to bed. So of course, by Sunday, he's exhausted and doesn't want to really do anything. Guess it's fun if you're 12!

Saturday was kind of slow too. Victoria went out with Katie, Greg was with the boys and Jerry had 2 friends over. Jerry's friends had to leave by 7:30 and I think by that point they had enough of video games. I told him next week they need to leave the house and get out for some fun! I think they're going to the school dance.

On Sunday, we got up early to go to mass. I hate getting up early on Sundays. We need to get back to going to the 4:30 on Saturdays. After mass we headed to BJs and a few other stores. Victoria wanted to start looking for party decorations for her birthday party.

We're not sure when the party is going to be. She wants to have it outside so I think we should wait till April. I think I've talked her into it. We went to a few dollar stores today and found some decorations and paper to print the invitations. We're going with a luau/beach theme. We found some really cute things at the Dollar Tree. One of the stores even had a grass skirt for her. This should be a fun party!

Tonight work has been a little busy and I've been catching up on some shows between phone calls.

Monday should be interesting. We have an Executive Board meeting for the Mother's Association. This is the meeting where we nominate officers for next year. Now, I volunteered last month thinking hey why not get all the way involved. No one else seemed to be willing to throw their hat in so I'm interested to see how this meeting goes. I wonder if anyone else is going to volunteer to be an officer. I was thinking I would go for Secretary or Vice President. But so far, no one has put their name in for President. I'm a little scared! I didn't want to start at the top. I just wanted to work my way up to there. LOL I guess we'll see how things go tomorrow and see who I can talk into walking into this fire with me. Wish me luck!!

D day????

Better not be!!! Report cards come home today for Gregory & Victoria. I'm sure they will be all 90s as usual. But I have been warned by Victoria that her conduct mark might not be good. Seems that my little Sassy girl chats a little too much during class. Yeah, well, that's what you get for sitting her next to one of her best guy friends that chats more than any girl I've ever known! LOL See, I warned these teachers! They were all expecting another Jerry or Greg. Good, quiet, perfect little students. When will they start listening to me?? I told them she's just like her father!

Friday Finish & Start.....

So much for reading one book a week. I finished Never Tell A Lie by Hallie Ephron. It was a quick read and it was just ok.

After reading some of the book boards, I decided to start Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult next. So far I'm liking it. I'm on Chapter 3 right now. I like the story telling which some people were saying they didn't like. Picoult has done other books in this format too. Each chapter is another characters version of the story. I can follow it well and it doesn't annoy me to flip back and forth between the characters. Interestingly enough, there are recipes in the book. I only noticed them by flipping through the book. I'm assuming they have something to do with the story but I figure recipes are much better than comics, like in one of the other Picoult books.

Little Peeve....

and I mean little. But I don't get jelly beans. Why are there jelly beans that are all different colors but they all taste the same. I think if they are orange, they should have the orange flavor, purple should be grape flavored and so on. I know they have both kinds but if you are going to make some that are all the same flavor/taste why not make them all the same color.

I just like my jelly beans to have the same flavor as the color suggests. So there!

Weekly reading....

I just finished my book for the week. I've been trying to read a book a week and it seems to be working out. I've got some really great reads on the burners.

The House On Tradd Street by Karen White was very good! I really enjoyed it and it was a little hard for me to put down. I enjoy books with a little mystery, a little romance and a few ghosts too. I was even more thrilled to find out at the end that this is the first book in a triolgy. I loved the characters and I'm glad they'll be around a little longer. Of course the next book isn't coming out till November 2009 but I've got it on my list in purple ink and we all know what that means!

I also reserved a couple of other books by this author so I'm curious to see what they are like and if I enjoy them as much!

It always amazes me that no matter how many books I have at home, I always manage to find another author that I have never read before and always wind up going to the library for a new book. I'm never going to get through those shelves, boxes and stacks at home at this rate.

I've got some of my reads listed on my blog and my next one coming off the nightstand is Never Tell A Lie by Hallie Ephron.

Another change.....

Ok, over the last 3 yrs we have had so many changes at the kids' grade school. First, the pastor is leaving. He takes the principal with him. Then a priest leaves. So we get a new pastor, a new priest and a new principal, sort of. Our Vice Principal gets to become Principal. Now, I said it 2 yrs ago when she took over as principal, she's a wonderful woman, a good vice principal but I don't think she's going to make a good Principal. And I was right. Guess who is leaving??? So as of the end of the year, no more Mrs. H as principal. I'm dying to find out who will be our new principal. We probably won't find out until September!

The guy I feel for the most is our Pastor. He comes to a school that is in financial mess, takes the heat from parishioners about tuition increases and weekly contributions to the church, he deals with priests leaving and priest being accused of molesting a child, and 2 principals leaving, not to mention the maintenance man that split one day too! He has to be on medication! I know I would!

So, I guess we'll start September with wondering what teachers are still around, who is getting which teacher and who the principal running our school will be. Should be interesting. And it really makes me wish that the summer would last longer! I hate facing all these changes.

What a wonderful night....

Jerry and I had our first Mother Son Dance at the high school this weekend! What a fabulous time we had! My little stinker even danced with me. We did some fast dances, some line dances and even 2 slow dances! It was so perfect! I just had a fabulous night and will treasure it always!!

We sat at the table with his friend from grade school, Jason and his mother Chris. There were 3 other mother sons at our table. Only 2 showed because we think the one boy was sick. Jerry & Jason hit it off with the one other boy and even exchanged phone numbers before the night was over. We're hoping that this works out and turns into a friendship for all of the boys. We moms were sharing stories and we had a lot of similar "experiences" with the boys and friends and things going on with them. So here's hoping!!

Tales from the Nightstand......

time for a little update on the reading. Feel free to jump in, give a suggestion, comment on a book (except Kathy with the Picoult) or share a little something!

On Wednesday, I finished While My Sister Sleeps by Barbara Delinsky. I liked it and would recommend it for a fast read. It was a little thought provoking. It had questions in the back for anyone who has a bookclub and looks for books like that. All in all I'd say it was a 4* book.

I started The House on Tradd Street by Kathy White. I couldn't decide on which book of my library ones to start and when I went to renew 3 of them yesterday, this was the only one that wasn't renewable! Decision made. Looks like others are interested in this one too. I didn't think it was a popular one. I had only heard about it from one of the book boards but looks like a few others heard of it too. So I have the book till March 12 and that bumped it up on my list. I'm about 3 chapters into it and I really like it so far.

I'd love to hear what everyone else has on their nightstands these days so please, let me know!!!

TGIF!!!

And boy am I glad it's finally here!!

Big Friday Plans

Today G and the boys will be leaving to head up to the mts. for the day. They are going to see this sledding races that one of the local radio stations around here has every year. The "sleds" are made out of many various things and have themes. For some reason, the men in my family think this is cool and find it entertaining. To each his own.

I will be going to bed when I get home and then pick up Sassy after school. We will then be spending the afternoon together. Our highlight??? The opening of the new Target. Yes, it's 2 blocks from the school and I'm sure it looks just like every other Target we've ever been to but for some reason, Victoria would like to make a big day out of this! Who am I to stifle her desires to browse Target. Then I think we'll go out to dinner, just her and I. We can't have meat since it's a Friday in Lent so I'm trying to figure out where to go. I don't want plain pizza so I think I'm going to try and find a little italiany kind of place where we can have something. Victoria isn't big on pasta and sauces so we'll have to see.

I'm not sure what we'll do after dinner but I need to relax tonight. We have the dance tomorrow night so I don't want to be over tired. I want to lay in my bed and just relax for once!

I really need to pick up a new dress shirt for the dance for Jerry since his blue one has a stain on it. Found that out when I went to wash it. Wonderful! At least the pants and shoes fit.

On a happier note, I ordered a new purple pocketbook. Well I think I did. I haven't gotten any emails from Payless about it yet but I have to look up the tracking number from the original order. They take forever shipping their items but it's free shipping if you ship to the store so I'm going that route. Wouldn't it be nice to walk into Target and find a new purple one tomorrow too?? Ok, I'm dreaming again.

I can't wait for my big weekend to begin! I'm sure I'll have lots to share and pics to show! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend as well! Enjoy!!!

What's a good day?

A good day is when you walk into Fashion Bug and find the perfect shirt and accessories that you want to wear to the Mother Son Dance on Saturday night! What makes it an even better day.....the shirt being PUPRLE of course! There's nothing like some purple necklaces and big earrings to go with it.

Add that to the Flyers winning, catching up with some old friends and finishing a good book and you have a Perfecta!

Now if I could just get it to be a little warmer here!

It's purple......

as you can see! And you can leave comments too! Thank you Kathy & Karen. That other site I was getting backgrounds from wouldn't work for me but you two were talking Jellybean and I decided to try there. It worked! Yeah!!!!

The time of my life.....

and I can't wait for it!!!

Saturday night was the first of the two Mother Son Dances that my son's high school has for the kids. We are going this Saturday but I worked the first one last Saturday. Worked is just too strong of a word because we had a blast! I danced so much my legs were aching by the end of the night. I cried when the mothers danced with their sons during their dedicated songs. I'm going to be a mess on Saturday! I'm really looking forward to this! We're going to have such a fun time. We have 3 tables of us that are all going to be together and having a great night!