Gloucester Cathedral Choir - In the Bleak Midwinter

Such reverence. Sets me right. Relax, enjoy, meditate.

Snowflakes..If I could Do This So Can You

I love cutting out snowflakes and taping them on the windows this time of year. I was thrilled (ok, I don't lead a very exciting life) to see this craft and ran for paper, tape and scissors. This is quick, easy and fun. I'd like to hang them everywhere. Dave thinks I'm a bit obsessive!&*@#(!

Here are my results:

hanging in the kitchen window

and then I thought, "hey, I could use any kind of paper, as long as it's square...

why not a magazine...national geographic."

I've Been a Busy Bee...

... channeling my inner kindergartener. I've been inspired by so many crafty bloggers, especially her, her, her, her and her. Right before Thanksgiving I was motivated to finish a job I started about four years ago - painting the mis-matched end tables to match. I went with black. Good choice right? But I chose enamel. The paint never dried. The table top was forever tacky. I hated it. I was then determined to remedy this situation with a new-found tool - spray paint. Oh the wonder of it! It goes on like a dream. Dries quickly and doesn't drip. With the three tables all matching in color and tone I quickly altered them by decoupaging. Here's a sample of the first.
I had purchased this paper for another project (to be revealed in a next entry). I love toile. I thought the black and white toile would nicely complement the center of this table. However...as I was pressing out an air bubble - scratch - a little hole. Bummer! What to do? Well, necessity is the mommy of invention and that's from where the idea for the quote (from Pope John Paul II) came. I love the result and could stare at this table for ... minutes.

The next table gained the pages from a children's book. I know, I know, probably blasphemous to some avid reader(s) out there but I love the look of the pages of old books. And the illustrations are just one of a kind. This table houses our cd player and some cd's.

The last table is similar is style to the first but smaller. It's been in the basement - covered in tacky enamel for four years. Now that it's spray-painted and decoupaged with classical piano music (Tchaikovsky's Song Without Words). Love it now and would never send it back to the cellar.[Technical difficulties prohibit me from sharing photos of these tables.]

Since there was some black spray paint left in the can I did it...I began the make-over I'd been contemplating for ten years. I began painting my dining room hutch. I went with the distressed look because, well I love it. After the holidays the sideboard will get done.
Here's a before picture:
So that's the start. I'll show you what I've done for Christmas decorations in a couple days.

Here's my Afternoon Rambling Thoughts...You Can Sift Through Them

You know the adage, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely? I've been thinking about that and how true it is, in every aspect of our lives: in friendships, in families, in marriage, in jobs, in city-state-national government.
We recently had a building project, in our town, picketed by unionists. Of course they were protesting because the owners of the building project were not using union workers. Rather than hire outside the town they chose contractors who were local. They wanted to boost the local economy - give jobs to their neighbors rather than outside union laborers.

I've seen the recent youtube videos of SEIU union members attack tea party protestors. It is ugly. I've heard the bullying and threatening techniques the union uses to coerce individuals to hire/join/support various unions.

Now looking back into union history I understand why the unions started. Although I now wonder if some of those history lessons I was taught were revisionist, painting the union as the good guys and the industry captains as the greedy bad guys. But what I learned was the union had a place, in time, to bring fairness in the workplace - not only for safety-sake, but for fair-wages. Overall, the movement was a good thing. But like the adage above - they gained power and became corrupt. Overtime, when one is holding the cards, the likelihood to become sinister and scheming grows. The unions had their place but now they have tainted what they were meant for and corrupted their purpose. They are useless now.

But that's not to say unions are the root of evil. I think power is. I think when power is placed in anyone's hands for too long of time, their usefulness, their good intentions become moldy. I see it in relationships, I see it in the workplace and I see it in the church. It taints everyone. We are not immune.

I think that's why George Washington was our greatest president. He recognized the temptation of power and turned it down. He was asked to take the reins of this country and rule. He served. He stepped down. This is such a contrast to what we see today in politics. Senators, representatives, governors, councilman...they seek life-long careers in power. This does no good for our country and in a way it is a disservice to those people serving. Power is a temptation. It seeps in these positions of leadership and slowly seduces the civil servant into a tyrant - feasting and craving for more. We, as civilians who elect these leaders, do a disservice to us, to the elected and to our children by feeding that lust for power by voting in the incumbent. It's like taking a recovering alcoholic to a bar.

They Are so Out-of-Touch and They are so Out-of-Here Next November

Is ticked off with my senators. Here's the latest love letter from Durbin:

Dear Barbara, Moments ago, the Senate voted to begin its full debate on historic health care reform legislation instead of obstructing it with a filibuster. Tonight's vote marks the biggest victory to date for our grassroots effort to pass health care reform with a public option. We cannot give enough thanks to the over 100,000 signers of our petition at CitizensForAPublicOption.com for helping to fundamentally shift the momentum towards meaningful reform. Not long ago, a few loud opponents of reform armed and organized by the insurance industry dominated this debate. Now the American people, the majority of whom support a public option, have spoken out and gained the upper hand. Not long ago, the public option seemed like little more than a pipe dream. Now it's part of health care bills in both the Senate and the House. Not long ago, members of our own Democratic caucus weren't sure they could even support an up-or-down vote on health care reform legislation. Tonight they voted to end the Republican filibuster. But despite this good news, the fight for meaningful health care reform is not over. As we debate amendments to this legislation in the coming weeks, we will work with our colleagues to ensure it continues to address the "Three C's" of meaningful reform: competition, choice, and cost reduction. And we will firmly oppose any effort to eliminate the public option. Tonight we celebrate a milestone no one thought we could reach just months ago. Tomorrow the fight continues. We will not let up until the President signs a bill we can all be proud of. Thank you for your support.

I sent him a piece of my mind. He had a poll up last week, asking people to chime in about the healthcare reform bill. I voted 6 times! How accurate a picture is that? 106,000 sign a petition for the health care and he pays attention. Hundreds of thousands have been protesting for months and tiddly-squat - they (we) are stooges for the health insurance industry. TIME TO KICK THE BUMS OUT AND DEMAND TERM LIMITS ON CONGRESS!!!

Showing Off

I'm showing off my entry hall (scroll down a wee bit) redo on a blog that's new to me-DIY Show Off. Visit there and you'll meet many other bloggers who've done amazing DIY projects, crafts, recipes, etc. It's a great place to glean new creative ideas, especially for the holidays.

Patting Myself on the Back

Mommylife.net highlighted a quiz a Pew Research. Here are my results. Yeah, that's right....100% baby.
I have an entry coming up about the Pioneer Woman's book signing. I'm still processing my experience and feelings. Hold on to your hats for that.

A Coat of Paint Does a World of Good

I've been wanting to paint our front entrance hall for months, perhaps years. It originally had a coat of beige flat paint. If you know paint you know flat paint is impossible to clean. With 4 kids and 2 dogs the walls needed to be cleaned. Paint was the only answer. This past weekend I did it and I love it. I re-arranged some nick-nacks, re-positioned photos and now I sit back on the couch and gaze at my handiwork with pride. I love it!

the front entrance, one wall is milk and coffee tan and the other, burnt red

family pictures rearranged

repositioned and rearranged the shelves

Cead Mille Failte, a thousand greetings, in Irish

Ian's shelf re-used, showing off the red

a view from the couch, love it!

My Pioneer Woman

My Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook came in the mail today. I was so excited to peel back the carton and scarfed down every page, picture and recipe. And honestly, I was heartbroken to see the book come to the end. I so wanted more! On November 17th Ree will be in St. Louis to sign her book. I will be there as will Dave (he loves her cinnamon rolls...: )>).

Two Prayers

When I pray, "Jesus, rescue me, take me away from these troubles. Remove me from this hardship," I am limiting myself. When I pray, instead, "Jesus, equip me in this situation to be wiser, stronger, more at peace, more content, more joyful..." then I am open to sanctification, to maturing, to becoming an adult in Christ. I am putting aside the simpler, youthful things and embracing what I was made for - bearing fruit.

It's easy to pray the first prayer. It's my initial reaction. It's simple. It's simplistic. It's from my flesh. But God wants me to grow. He's teaching me. He hasn't given up on me and so He allows trials, but really they aren't trials, rather opportunities. Teaching moments. I can either resort to the immature, "Get me outta here!" or "Give me what I need to learn, survive, thrive and bring others along!"

Resorting to the first prayer leads to resentment, doubt, self-pity. "Why aren't you doing what I asked God! You're not living up to MY expectations."

Resting in the second prayer is exercise. It is hard. It stretches me. My faith (or lack of it), my confidence (In my Creator vs. in myself), takes me out of my comfort-zone. But in the end...after the trust-building and equipping...I am stronger. It's the better way. Now if only I would eat these words - they would become a part of my body and soul!

Shopping Advice

I'm not a coupon clipper. I have, on occasion, tried to master the habit and discipline but typically find that most items advertised in coupons are items I tend to avoid purchasing because, well frankly, they're over-priced to begin with, and tend to be "junk" food (crackers, granola bars, frozen entrees, etc). I am a "make-it-from-scratch" homemaker. And more often than not the generic items are cheaper.

However...my sister hooked me up with a blog called moneysavingmom.com. This woman gives decent advice for shopping, links to coupons, who's got what on sale and how to save money in general. Last week she mentioned a new site called alice.com. This is a new on-line grocery store. And if there's a coupon out there alice will link the coupon to the item for you, so, no clipping, no matching what you need to a coupon in some throw-away-flyer.

If you have a head for remembering how much stuff costs at your grocery store (I shop almost exclusively at Walmart and Aldi) you can quickly compare alice's prices to yours. Oftentimes I found alice's prices to be the same or a wee bit less. Now here's the kicker ---- there's no shipping!!!! And you can place your items on a memory list so alice will remind you when a particular cleaning product or shampoo is most likely running low.

With my sign-up I was given a $10 gift certificate (to be used when you spend at least $50). So I placed my first order on Monday. Here's what I ordered and how much it cost:

12 rolls Scott toilet paper (because my Walmart is no longer carrying the 12 rolls, only the 4 and this is the best toilet paper out there)....$9.85

Clorox toilet cleaner.....$1.94 with $.50 off coupon....$1.44 ($1.97 at Walmart)

Palmolive Dish soup....$3.02

Clorox Cleaner....$2.85 with $.50 off coupon....$2.35 ($3.16 at Walmart)

Suave Brunette Shampoo....$1.86 with $1 off coupon....$.86 ($1.97 at Walmart)

Suave Brunette Conditioner....$1.86 with $1 off coupon....$.86 ($1.97 at Walmart)

Revlon Permanent hair color....$3.29

Suave moisturizer....#1.97 with $.50 off coupon....$1.47 ($1.88 at Walmart)

Covergirl high volume mascara....$5.84 with $1 off coupon....$4.84 ($6.18 at Walmart)

Airborne pink grapefruit....$4.74 with $1 off coupon....$3.74 ($6.54 at Walmart)

As you can see most of the prices at Alice.com were less than Walmart, plus I cashed in my $10 gift certificate. I'd say I made out pretty well. I placed my order on Monday and received it on Wednesday so I am especially impressed with the free shipping. I'm happy with this find. I will be using it again.

A reminder of what it's all about

h/t viola

He is Enamored With Me

Years ago, when Ian was just a babe, our family was on a retreat with the mission organization with which we worked. I believe Ian was just 4 months old. During sessions I would sit in the back so when necessary I could nurse him in relative privacy, and his gurgling and cooing wouldn't disturb the rest of the staff. Sheila, one of our co-workers, mentioned to me that she enjoyed watching me watch Ian. She said that as I cradled him in my arms and gazed at his wee fingers and toes she was reminded of God's gaze on her - how much He enjoys and delights in her. It was the Holy Spirit blessing her with a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality. God delights in his people. (Psalm 149:4)

I have a hard time reconciling this truth in my life. Yet I still gaze on my children (especially when they're asleep - somehow it's easier to see that cherishable side then) with wonder and amazement. I still smile brightly in my heart when I look upon them. God is more so in love, enamored, delighted than I could ever be over my children, and over me. This is an important spiritual truth.

In the Word Among Us today I was reminded that:

He offers [me] a relationship of friendship and reveals himself and his word to [me]...He can even bring victory over fear and discouragement as [I] root [myself] in his love and presence.

When I

pursue his victory of sin

When I

ask him to heal my wounds and strengthen my weaknesses

When I

let him deliver me from bondage to sin

When I

declare my faith in God's mighty power and authority to set me free

When I

trust in his time and his wisdom

When I

take hold of these things and receive the glory that is mine in Christ.

I am at peace, at rest, centered on what is truth and real.

Too often I focus on my weaknesses and failings. I know these do not define me, but too often I let them. My daily sanctification is to take hold of my heritage as a child of God. That's true self-esteem. That's true self-realization. I'm a work in progress.

Be All That You Can Be

When we (Dave and I) were visiting Alaska (oh, did I forgot to tell you that one!) in July, I stopped by the cathedral across the street from our hotel. On my way out I picked up a copy of the Word Among Us - a catholic daily devotional. I loved reading through it so I subscribed. I continue to love reading through it.

Yesterday's entry was on the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair (from Luke 7). She...

...shamelessly demonstrated her love for Jesus. She didn't hesitate. She didn't fear rejection. Her actions overflowed from a conviction deep in her soul that Jesus loved her and she wanted to return that love. She was transformed because she saw that Jesus had accepted her and was committed to her, no matter how dark her previous life had been.

I, almost, instantly felt an attraction, a benign jealousy for this woman's demonstration, for her love, courage and conviction. I honestly don't feel that unbridled devotion to my LORD.

Lately I've been experiencing how hesitant I am in receiving. Let me explain. Dave is a gracious giver. He gives love and affection to me freely, regularly, joyously. I look at him when he gushes, "You are so beautiful, I love you!" incredulously. In my eyes I am unlovable and unworthy. God, through Dave, has given me a relationship which mirrors Him. Like Peter in Acts, I am reminded that what He has made clean I am not to call unclean. I have been made clean, I am being made clean. I am not worthy but because of Christ's blood over me, I am. It's almost like a slap in His face when I turn away, as I do with Dave, and guffaw, "I don't see what you see, therefore, I don't believe you." And in my heart and mind I do say that.

So, you see, I want to be like the woman in Luke's story. I want to believe. And it seems that God, in His infinite mercy and love, is placing circumstances and words to convince (or woo) me. I am reading through the Catechism of the Catholic Church (or at least I started reading, don't know how long I will pursue this massive tome).

In Part One, The Profession of Faith, I read:

The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his creator.

And quoting from Augustines Confessions:

...for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

In brief,

...going toward God man lives a fully human life only if he freely lives by his bond with God. Without the Creator the creature vanishes.

These words encourage me. But I confess, I still harbor doubts and distrust. Yet I am moving toward accepting, I am moving toward surrender.