Classically Catholic

A friend of mine posted a Facebook Meme asking why in the world God would send troubled waters our way- The answer, "Because your enemies can't swim." This hit me square in the heart, because lately we have been wading in deep water and I was beginning to feel like I am the one who cannot swim. (Does that make me my own enemy? )Actually, I have been feeling like I cannot function in a world where I am not in control- NOT IN CONTROL OF *ANYTHING*. Ok, so I know that we were never the ones in control. But I have lived in a state of denial about this for some time. I've had delusions that my schedule was under my control. That if I played it right, my kids would certainly be well behaved and practically perfect in every way . If I kept up a disciplined program of education,  the scholarships would be there, and their futures would be secure. If I raised them in the Faith, they would always keep the faith. That good intentions would be enough to keep my marriage in ch...

Wouldn't it be fabulous if home educators could receive the same tax payer funding as the public school system? With that kind of money per child, we could go to Egypt, Greece, and Rome while studying Ancient Civilizations. Since it was always more of a daydream than a possibility, we visited those places in our imagination with the help of living books (lots and lots of books) and internet resources. It definitely spurred a wanderlust in all of my children. I think they also an inherited the travel gene from my Dad's side of the family.  As a teenager, his father took an unexpected journey as a stowaway on a slow boat to China (literally), which in a VERY roundabout way led to a career in Aruba, where my father was born.  As an adult, my dad joined the military and raised his family across the USA, with 4 year stint in Okinawa. Last count I had attended 16 different schools before finishing high school. Don't ask me to recreate that count. My memory isn't what it u...

Yes, I have a bucket list. And the number one adventure on it now has a big fat check mark next to it! Last year my middle child (and mini-me) invited me to join her on a pilgrimage to Lourdes AND the Camino to Santiago.  Dear Husband was on board (after a pep talk from the kiddos) and my Mom offered to help with the boys.  Can't get any better than that!  We left the end of April and returned the beginning of May. Fifteen days of heaven on earth! Drinking the water was far more enjoyable than bathing in it. Teeth chattering experience.  Shell for my Shelz  Irish girl on the far right, carrying my sleeping bag- long story and inside joke, but it was her "penance" for sending her gear ahead on a taxi. (She wrestled it out of my hands at our last cafe stop). Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Compostela in hand!  So hold onto it, mama!  I'm such a clutz.

Reposting this from ages ago. Because I felt like it. You must be Catholic or madly in love,” said the gas station attendant as I escorted 7 sleepy children past the candy isle to the restroom. It was 2:00 am and we were only halfway to our destination. “Both,” I replied with a wink and a grin. It was a pleasant change from the stale comments I usually get from strangers in public places: “Don’t you know what causes that?”             Duh- yeah, I think we’ve perfected it. “Haven’t you got a TV?”             Yes, we have a TV. But we have an even better marriage. But this nameless gentleman at the Quick Stop was right on the money. I am very much enamoured with my husband and my Catholic faith, because both are teaching me how to live richly in the fullness of love. How I wish those lessons had been well received earlier in life!  You see, at the rebel...

For those who have been asking about the fairly recent turn around in my attitude and my physical appearance, here it is in a nutshell: Yes, I had the surgery.  No, I would NOT do it over again if given the opportunity.  Yes, I dropped a good bit of weight.  No, it was not on purpose.  Yes, it  is  a healthier weight (same that I weighed at age 24- if it was a healthy weight then, it is certainly a healthy weight for me now).  No, it was not due to the treatment protocol (which, by the way, I declined).  Yes, I am eating a plant based diet (85-95%). No, I haven't totally given up animal protein. (You could call me a "flexitarian") Yes, I am working out more often. No, still not as often as I should. Yes, Medishare paid for everything once I met the deducible.  No, I am not seeing an oncologist anymore.  Yes, I am planning to have a doctor monitor my health. *I just need to find one who will order the tests I need, without ...

A new undertaking has taken over much of my time. Join me at Family Promise  to see what we've been up to, in lieu of blogging. Jennifer and I with Archbishop Gregory Aymond  at the Family Promise Launch and Press Conference. Constructing cubicles inside the Youth Center,  for families in need of  temporary lodging  until they can transition back into permanent affordable housing. I am really not sure why the inside of these  blackout curtains vary so much in color.  It is a small matter, unless the family is as OCD as I am. Putting on the final touches before meeting our 13 guests  who will join us for a week of good food and fellowship. Visit the Facebook Page to see the pics of the Day Center. We have a rocking executive director who not only works with the family to address their specific needs, but also finds alternate accommodations for those who cannot benefit from this particular apostolate. ...

The grandtwins are hanging out with us this week, to see what preschool would be like at Mia's house.  Since it was Monday, we decided to begin with the letter M. The boys went on a scavenger hunt to find mustard, maps, markers, make-up, music makers, and money (which somehow ended up in someone's wallet instead of on the "M Museum"  table). Then we practiced writing Mm and colored pictures of Monkeys and Mummies. After an early lunch we went to Mass and talked about Mother Mary. Naptime was followed by Matching Mini Madonna Masterpieces. Science consisted of a quick look through astronomy books focussing on the phases of the Moon.  We ended with a cooking lesson. Mall Pretzels  (Ok, I know that one was a stretch- but it was a nice lenten snack).  Better enjoy it now. They grow up so quickly.

I've been doing more than my fair share of complaining lately. Seems this homeschooling gig used to be more fun in the early days. Lately we've been stuck on the same ol' lesson: "For Every Action There Is An Equal And Opposite Reaction."  For Example: I say, "Let's get moving and finish the schoolwork (and the housework) so we can get to the fun stuff."  Their reaction is to whine and dig in their heels- while productivity comes to a screeching halt. And yet another day passes without getting to the illusive Fun Stuff. Why is it soooo difficult to work with these boys lately???? Might as well browse Facebook and read a blog post or two while I wait for them to get busy. Right?  Probably not. Well, maybe, if it means reading this post by Heidi, at Busy Mom. Turns out it isn't a boy thing. It has nothing to do with the kids at all. I have simply lost my vision. I lost my vision for our homeschool, and for our family in general. It seems to be a...

You might be a Catholic Homeschooling Mom if you have sugar and alum crystals growing at the feet of Our Lady of Fatima, in your kitchen. You might be an Organized Homeschooling Mom if you have a chart for everything: school assignments, chores, meals, behavior, work schedules, youth group activities, sporting events, and music lessons. You might be a Crunchy Homeschooling Mama   if your windowsill is home for scraps for the hens, peelings for the compost, soil test kits for the garden, and medicinal teas for cold and flu season.  Smell the eucalyptus diffusing through the sick bay?  You might be an Incarcerated Homeschooling Mom if a nosy neighbor mistakes the empty casings from the soil test kit for something suspicious during an impromptu visit. You might be a Smart Hoomeschooling Mom if this  contact information is affixed to that handy dandy chore chart, for such occasions. You might be a Frugal Homeschooling Mom if th...