I won the Priests CD at Barbara's blog! I'm so thrilled! One of my dearest friends (Bev & Bernie) got me the first Priests CD for Christmas one year . . . oh, and I love it! I'm very thankful to Mother Mary's guiding hand!
I went to lunch with my husband on Saturday. He came to me and said, "I'm bored." Folks, that man never ever says he's bored. So, we hopped in the van and left the kids behind and took a little adventure. We went to Dole to get pulled pork and Dole Whip (pineapple sherbet soft serve). On the way out, I bought a (coconut shell?) handmade in HI sea turtle (honu) ornament that reads "Hawaii 2011". It's about three inches long, one and a half inches wide w/ artists information on the bottom (a sticker you can remove). It's retail value is $18. You wonder why I bought it perhaps? Why am I telling you the cost? Because . . . sight unseen, do you want a chance to win it?
(Hopefully I'll have pulled my head out of the clouds long enough to get a picture uploaded later)
If you want a chance to win it, leave your name and contact email. Also, if you've been to HI what was it you liked best? If you haven't been here, what do you think you'd like best about coming here?
Aloha, and good luck!
I'll announce the winner on Friday, February (already?!?!) 4th!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
More on Mercy
I'm not sure if I shared this about the 2008 conference in San Antonio on the old blog (I'm too tired and/or lazy to bother to dig through that dusty place again), so I'll just write about it here.
I make rosaries . . . not as often as I ought! . . . for missions (I've sent out one box with about 200 rosaries ONCE). I guess that counts for something! I've taught others how to make them, too. I only really figured out how to make them, because Dawn patiently showed me how to tie the knots (she wasn't that great at it then, but she knew how to do it!!! BTW, she makes great rope rosaries these days). I also taught myself how to make the metal and bead rosaries from Lewis & Company. The reason I started making them? I felt moved to in order to apologize to Our Lady for destroying so many of them in our household during a time of great confusion and anger in my life. Yes, I can relate very well to Scott Hahn's story when he told of busting up his grandmother's rosary. I so "get" that, and, I also "get" how he felt/feels when he thinks back on that great error!
When I was at conference (2008), during a regional meeting, one of the ladies stood up and announced her rosary had turned gold during Adoration. She also said, "This is the second time this has happened to me!"
I admit I was an Ass Giantess when I said, just loud enough for my friend beside me to hear, "Why her?!?!" Inside, I was just boiling with jealousy! I was thinking, "C'mon! I've been doing 'everything' and I want that kind of thing to happen to my rosary!" I dream about it happening, I want it so bad, yeah?
My friend sitting beside me slapped my leg and admonished me for being so uncharitable. She was right to do so! I knew that then as I know it now. It's embarrassing to admit I was so ugly about this.
That day was filled with emotional and good things. . . . the healing Mass and all . . . that evening is when the priest who did the Divine Mercy talk gave me a rosary. Well, what was so special about that rosary? It was given to him by his friend John Paul II.
Mary, in her utmost kindness, came back to me that same evening and, I think, gave me something much richer and more meaningful than my rosary turning gold. She gave me refinement through the gift of humility. Acceptance from this humble priest (who I also harshly judged in the beginning - because he was so "into" Divine Mercy" and he was the kind of person who looked at you, to the left of you, to the right of you, and right through you at the same time - eerily, I might add), and a gift, such a gift! A mission to pray! A mission to be involved in a much more personal way with Divine Mercy.
Even after ignoring or setting DM aside as, regrettably, often as I have . . . He's still calling me. He's calling all of us to be Mercy to others. Pray for one another, pray for the sick and dying, and, pray for the souls in Purgatory. If you can't do something physically merciful, or, say something merciful, take it upon yourself to PRAY something merciful.
This is my daily mission. It's such a gift!
I make rosaries . . . not as often as I ought! . . . for missions (I've sent out one box with about 200 rosaries ONCE). I guess that counts for something! I've taught others how to make them, too. I only really figured out how to make them, because Dawn patiently showed me how to tie the knots (she wasn't that great at it then, but she knew how to do it!!! BTW, she makes great rope rosaries these days). I also taught myself how to make the metal and bead rosaries from Lewis & Company. The reason I started making them? I felt moved to in order to apologize to Our Lady for destroying so many of them in our household during a time of great confusion and anger in my life. Yes, I can relate very well to Scott Hahn's story when he told of busting up his grandmother's rosary. I so "get" that, and, I also "get" how he felt/feels when he thinks back on that great error!
When I was at conference (2008), during a regional meeting, one of the ladies stood up and announced her rosary had turned gold during Adoration. She also said, "This is the second time this has happened to me!"
I admit I was an Ass Giantess when I said, just loud enough for my friend beside me to hear, "Why her?!?!" Inside, I was just boiling with jealousy! I was thinking, "C'mon! I've been doing 'everything' and I want that kind of thing to happen to my rosary!" I dream about it happening, I want it so bad, yeah?
My friend sitting beside me slapped my leg and admonished me for being so uncharitable. She was right to do so! I knew that then as I know it now. It's embarrassing to admit I was so ugly about this.
That day was filled with emotional and good things. . . . the healing Mass and all . . . that evening is when the priest who did the Divine Mercy talk gave me a rosary. Well, what was so special about that rosary? It was given to him by his friend John Paul II.
Mary, in her utmost kindness, came back to me that same evening and, I think, gave me something much richer and more meaningful than my rosary turning gold. She gave me refinement through the gift of humility. Acceptance from this humble priest (who I also harshly judged in the beginning - because he was so "into" Divine Mercy" and he was the kind of person who looked at you, to the left of you, to the right of you, and right through you at the same time - eerily, I might add), and a gift, such a gift! A mission to pray! A mission to be involved in a much more personal way with Divine Mercy.
Even after ignoring or setting DM aside as, regrettably, often as I have . . . He's still calling me. He's calling all of us to be Mercy to others. Pray for one another, pray for the sick and dying, and, pray for the souls in Purgatory. If you can't do something physically merciful, or, say something merciful, take it upon yourself to PRAY something merciful.
This is my daily mission. It's such a gift!
My "Trip" Down Divine Mercy Lane
I'm sure some of you may remember that in 2008 I attended a conference in San Antonio. Those posts are still at So . . . This Is The Road I Am Traveling On, in the very beginning of October. The conference was an MCCW (Military Council of Catholic Women) World Wide conference (held every other year at various locations). First off, I'll reiterate that I am so blessed I was able to attend.
Some of my posts coming are going to be about Divine Mercy. Some of you, perhaps many of you, are aware of this devotional, chaplet, and novena. My posts may bore you to smithereens . . . or not. I am sorry if much of it is repetitive, but more sorry if you don't at least admire Divine Mercy a little. Few of you may have heard of it, but don't know much about it. I reckon, even a few have heard about it and dub it "another time wasting devotional". I know I did, at one time, believe it to be a time wasting devotional. I thought it was lovely - especially when sung! - But, to pray it every day, precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon? . . . Well, I am too busy for that! That's when the kids come home. I can't devote that hour to pray the chaplet. The house is chaotic then.
Life has recently taught me that one should just pray the chaplet any time. Not just three o'clock. I believe it's always three o'clock somewhere . . . so any time is a good time to pray the chaplet. God is always available to us at any time. I'm a rule-follower (to an extent that it gets too close to "scrupulous", which means: I'm praying because I feel I have to rather than because I want to and am moved in the Spirit to do so) and this "three o'clock thing" had me really frustrated.
My friend, Dawn, introduced me to the chaplet via the recorded song. Dawn has an angel's voice and music has always been a "seal the deal" thing for me. We would occasionally sing the chaplet together. This was in our earlier years, in the midst of our discovering friendship, as well as what I refer to my learning about the Faith. My RCIA was seriously lacking, but that fault lies both with me and with the program. A story for another time, perhaps.
Rolling forward to 2008 . . . I somehow managed to get involved as a "suffering servant" of Divine Mercy. I was a little annoyed by this, because I attended a few meetings and then wasn't able to attend for a long while. I didn't particularly care for the facilitator (and it wouldn't be polite or good to list why here, just suffice to say, perhaps the Suffering Servant title was fitting). In the interim, I became chapel MCCW president and subsequently (and happily) occupied. I simply put Divine Mercy to the side. It was convenient for me, even though He kept tugging at me to get more involved with Divine Mercy.
I believed that everything at conference was about Divine Mercy. It was in October, it was DM and St. Faustina's feast days . . . one of the speakers was giving several talks on Divine Mercy . . . I was worried about attending and it being, dare I admit this? bor-ring!
Believe it or not, no one else I have ever spoken to (that attended as well) felt that way about conference. They all say that the talks were about many things, not just Divine Mercy. Huh. I believe I believed this because I was so dead set against Divine Mercy at that time. It was like "you'll have to force me". And, He did. I went to confession and Mass before flying to conference and after receiving Holy Communion, I heard the Holy Spirit direct me to attend the first Divine Mercy talk, and, I agreed. After all, I do want to do what He wants me to do (most of the time. Ahem.). Here's what I wrote back in 2008:
Here we go: Divine Mercy. Here is what I used to think of this devotion: lovely, but not for me. It's that simple. I used to think it was "just another devotional time-waster". I know! But I did not "know", you know? Please. Jesus cut me some serious slack here, so please do me the same favour. It gets better (my story, I mean).
Last week, I went to confession. I had much to shed and did so with a priest whom I trust and admire greatly. I decided to stay for Mass. Having the privilege to lector, I really let the words sink in when I got back to my pew and listened to the homily. In a nutshell: If we can help mere animals in tricky situations (because we want only their own good), the angels are no different in helping us. It was the Feast of the Archangels. I believe I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to attend the Divine Mercy talk at the upcoming conference in San Antonio. I readily agreed, wanting to be obedient. Mind, I wasn't thrilled about it, because I figured, having read the Diary (finding it beautiful) and having prayed the chaplet before: bor-ring. BUT, I would go.
A couple who have been on EWTN would be speaking about family and I really wanted to go to that talk. And, it was not going to be a repeated talk; they were doing the one session and would be leaving. It was a "now or never" situation. I promised to go to Divine Mercy.
Leaving my nine companions with the Family speakers, I went to Divine Mercy.
It pierced my heart with many truths. I bought an additional copy to gift to someone at some time in the future. When the Spirit guides me "just so".
Mind. I did not go there to "pick up" any more "jobs". I figure God's keeping me pretty busy with other stuff. But, I am not anxious about it. Either I am or I am not and only pursuing it and being open to it can tell me that. I would not be surprised in the least if it were to be so, because God does things in patterns (ever notice that?) and He's done this kind of work in me before. So.
I was given a very special rosary by this priest . . . But, what moves me the most in this gesture is what the priest said to do with the rosary: Pray for vocations, not just for your children. If either of my kids become a priest or religious, I am to give the rosary to the first one to do so. If neither of my children decide God is calling them to the Priestly or religious vocations, then I can keep it myself or find a spiritual child to gift it to.
It is difficult to share this wonderful life-changing stuff without profound, tearful gratitude to God Who has assured me of His Love and Mercy.
It is in the searching that we have the finding.
So, there it is. And, here it is again.
I've neglected joining a group or starting one . . . oh, I don't know why other than I make a million and one excuses not to. I'm human, and, I'm weak-willed! I want to set out into the deep. I know He's my Life preserver . . . but, but, but!
I'm reading the formation manual (number 1) and going through the first steps . . . praying about calling a local group, here, in Honolulu. If they meet at night (can't drive too well in the dark), it's likely I will have to start a group (keeping day time hours) . . . so I'm praying and letting Him lead me . . .
Some of my posts coming are going to be about Divine Mercy. Some of you, perhaps many of you, are aware of this devotional, chaplet, and novena. My posts may bore you to smithereens . . . or not. I am sorry if much of it is repetitive, but more sorry if you don't at least admire Divine Mercy a little. Few of you may have heard of it, but don't know much about it. I reckon, even a few have heard about it and dub it "another time wasting devotional". I know I did, at one time, believe it to be a time wasting devotional. I thought it was lovely - especially when sung! - But, to pray it every day, precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon? . . . Well, I am too busy for that! That's when the kids come home. I can't devote that hour to pray the chaplet. The house is chaotic then.
Life has recently taught me that one should just pray the chaplet any time. Not just three o'clock. I believe it's always three o'clock somewhere . . . so any time is a good time to pray the chaplet. God is always available to us at any time. I'm a rule-follower (to an extent that it gets too close to "scrupulous", which means: I'm praying because I feel I have to rather than because I want to and am moved in the Spirit to do so) and this "three o'clock thing" had me really frustrated.
My friend, Dawn, introduced me to the chaplet via the recorded song. Dawn has an angel's voice and music has always been a "seal the deal" thing for me. We would occasionally sing the chaplet together. This was in our earlier years, in the midst of our discovering friendship, as well as what I refer to my learning about the Faith. My RCIA was seriously lacking, but that fault lies both with me and with the program. A story for another time, perhaps.
Rolling forward to 2008 . . . I somehow managed to get involved as a "suffering servant" of Divine Mercy. I was a little annoyed by this, because I attended a few meetings and then wasn't able to attend for a long while. I didn't particularly care for the facilitator (and it wouldn't be polite or good to list why here, just suffice to say, perhaps the Suffering Servant title was fitting). In the interim, I became chapel MCCW president and subsequently (and happily) occupied. I simply put Divine Mercy to the side. It was convenient for me, even though He kept tugging at me to get more involved with Divine Mercy.
I believed that everything at conference was about Divine Mercy. It was in October, it was DM and St. Faustina's feast days . . . one of the speakers was giving several talks on Divine Mercy . . . I was worried about attending and it being, dare I admit this? bor-ring!
Believe it or not, no one else I have ever spoken to (that attended as well) felt that way about conference. They all say that the talks were about many things, not just Divine Mercy. Huh. I believe I believed this because I was so dead set against Divine Mercy at that time. It was like "you'll have to force me". And, He did. I went to confession and Mass before flying to conference and after receiving Holy Communion, I heard the Holy Spirit direct me to attend the first Divine Mercy talk, and, I agreed. After all, I do want to do what He wants me to do (most of the time. Ahem.). Here's what I wrote back in 2008:
Here we go: Divine Mercy. Here is what I used to think of this devotion: lovely, but not for me. It's that simple. I used to think it was "just another devotional time-waster". I know! But I did not "know", you know? Please. Jesus cut me some serious slack here, so please do me the same favour. It gets better (my story, I mean).
Last week, I went to confession. I had much to shed and did so with a priest whom I trust and admire greatly. I decided to stay for Mass. Having the privilege to lector, I really let the words sink in when I got back to my pew and listened to the homily. In a nutshell: If we can help mere animals in tricky situations (because we want only their own good), the angels are no different in helping us. It was the Feast of the Archangels. I believe I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to attend the Divine Mercy talk at the upcoming conference in San Antonio. I readily agreed, wanting to be obedient. Mind, I wasn't thrilled about it, because I figured, having read the Diary (finding it beautiful) and having prayed the chaplet before: bor-ring. BUT, I would go.
A couple who have been on EWTN would be speaking about family and I really wanted to go to that talk. And, it was not going to be a repeated talk; they were doing the one session and would be leaving. It was a "now or never" situation. I promised to go to Divine Mercy.
Leaving my nine companions with the Family speakers, I went to Divine Mercy.
It pierced my heart with many truths. I bought an additional copy to gift to someone at some time in the future. When the Spirit guides me "just so".
Mind. I did not go there to "pick up" any more "jobs". I figure God's keeping me pretty busy with other stuff. But, I am not anxious about it. Either I am or I am not and only pursuing it and being open to it can tell me that. I would not be surprised in the least if it were to be so, because God does things in patterns (ever notice that?) and He's done this kind of work in me before. So.
I was given a very special rosary by this priest . . . But, what moves me the most in this gesture is what the priest said to do with the rosary: Pray for vocations, not just for your children. If either of my kids become a priest or religious, I am to give the rosary to the first one to do so. If neither of my children decide God is calling them to the Priestly or religious vocations, then I can keep it myself or find a spiritual child to gift it to.
It is difficult to share this wonderful life-changing stuff without profound, tearful gratitude to God Who has assured me of His Love and Mercy.
It is in the searching that we have the finding.
So, there it is. And, here it is again.
I've neglected joining a group or starting one . . . oh, I don't know why other than I make a million and one excuses not to. I'm human, and, I'm weak-willed! I want to set out into the deep. I know He's my Life preserver . . . but, but, but!
I'm reading the formation manual (number 1) and going through the first steps . . . praying about calling a local group, here, in Honolulu. If they meet at night (can't drive too well in the dark), it's likely I will have to start a group (keeping day time hours) . . . so I'm praying and letting Him lead me . . .
Friday, January 28, 2011
Today's Meditation on Divine Mercy
"Since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart... But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you... . So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure..." (2 Cor 4:1,7-12, 16-17)
ASK for God's mercy.
BE merciful to others.
COMPLETELY trust in His mercy.
(taken from Cenacle Formation Manual 1; Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy)
ASK for God's mercy.
BE merciful to others.
COMPLETELY trust in His mercy.
(taken from Cenacle Formation Manual 1; Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
His Will, Not Mine
You know when you are just supposed to do something when God is calling you to do something for Him?
Please pray for me . . . that I stop making petty excuses, that He increases this burning desire He placed in me, and, that I stay the course.
Be not afraid. I love You, Lord, with all my heart. I want to do Your Will.
St. Faustina, ora pro nobis.
Please pray for me . . . that I stop making petty excuses, that He increases this burning desire He placed in me, and, that I stay the course.
Be not afraid. I love You, Lord, with all my heart. I want to do Your Will.
St. Faustina, ora pro nobis.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Mahalo
I thank you (mahalo nui loa), my on-line Ohana (family) for your prayers. They have meant so much to me and my family.
My dad is home and, after they put a "cath" up his leg and into his heart to have a look-see it was determined (based also upon enzyme tests etc.) that he did NOT have an heart attack. What he does have is one or two things: a virus and/or he needs a change in his medicine dosage for his blood pressure.
We are all delighted.
However, I still need to fly home. My husband, thankfully, understands. Family is complicated and some things need to be worked out with all three of the children present. It's time to have our family figure out what mum and dad want "in the event of" etc.. My sister needs me there . . . because, she's a single mum and working her tail off to make ends meet and, she can do it all, but she's asking, in not so many words, "why should I? I need you." So, I'll be going.
You'll know when. I can't keep my mouth shut about that.at.all!
My dad is home and, after they put a "cath" up his leg and into his heart to have a look-see it was determined (based also upon enzyme tests etc.) that he did NOT have an heart attack. What he does have is one or two things: a virus and/or he needs a change in his medicine dosage for his blood pressure.
We are all delighted.
However, I still need to fly home. My husband, thankfully, understands. Family is complicated and some things need to be worked out with all three of the children present. It's time to have our family figure out what mum and dad want "in the event of" etc.. My sister needs me there . . . because, she's a single mum and working her tail off to make ends meet and, she can do it all, but she's asking, in not so many words, "why should I? I need you." So, I'll be going.
You'll know when. I can't keep my mouth shut about that.at.all!
My Dad's At It Again
He is in a Seattle hospital being tested and observed closely, because at 2AM today/last night he thought he was having an heart attack (again). Something is going on, but he's stable for now.
I want to fly home immediately, understandably. However, I won't be able to as I'm currently stricken with the cold/sore throat my oldest son had last week. I can't bring that along to inflict on everyone - from the airport to my Dad. Not nice. So, I won't. I'll recover and make plans to go when I'm well.
I pray my dad recovers and lives a lot longer, but because this is the third or fourth time in the past two years he's gone in for this trouble (two stints etc.), I think it is important that I go home. I need to give my brother, sister, and mum that sort of courtesy as well. They've had to shoulder this a long time while my happy butt sits in Hawaii getting along nicely.
It's expensive to run home each and every time so I never have . . . because, thankfully, it has always turned up excellently. However, this time, my heart is urging me to go.
I covet your prayers, friends. Thank you so much.
I want to fly home immediately, understandably. However, I won't be able to as I'm currently stricken with the cold/sore throat my oldest son had last week. I can't bring that along to inflict on everyone - from the airport to my Dad. Not nice. So, I won't. I'll recover and make plans to go when I'm well.
I pray my dad recovers and lives a lot longer, but because this is the third or fourth time in the past two years he's gone in for this trouble (two stints etc.), I think it is important that I go home. I need to give my brother, sister, and mum that sort of courtesy as well. They've had to shoulder this a long time while my happy butt sits in Hawaii getting along nicely.
It's expensive to run home each and every time so I never have . . . because, thankfully, it has always turned up excellently. However, this time, my heart is urging me to go.
I covet your prayers, friends. Thank you so much.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
On Knowledge, Laziness and Stupidity. Mine, That Is.
I will post 3/52 as soon as the other computer is up and running and I can upload pictures. This new computer doesn't do that so well for me. Yet. I'm going to try and find the disc that puts Picture-something on this computer so I can work my blog and FB pictures from here. When I finally get it through my thick skull to take this ONE step (that's frankly annoying) to avoid the two-step process I usually take (that's frankly more annoying).
I'm Sarah. I have to do the annoying stuff several times to LEARN a thing, you know.
I'm Sarah. I have to do the annoying stuff several times to LEARN a thing, you know.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
YIKES!
This isn't my picture, but I did take a picture (however, the computer we use to upload pictures is having issues and our in-resident IT guy ain't here to fix it yet). One of these suckers was in my kitchen this evening. The boys spotted it and it tucked tail and hid in the crevasse of the kitchen cabinets. They told me about it and I really was nonchalant about it. No big whoop.
I sort of forgot about it and when I tried to let the dog out for her final pit stop it was curled up by the door. When I started to jerk the door open, the thing came to life and wiggled all over the hell . . . which in turn animated me quite a lot! I screamed like someone was chasing me with a machete! The kids thought it was funny (I'm so glad I can be their comic relief). Connor saved the day and smashed that bugger to death. As he slipped paper under it so he could chuck the carcass outside, it was still twitching. I wiped up the guts with Lysol wipes as Connor gave it some finishing touches outside. I'm so glad we have linoleum floors.
It really was quite disgusting.
My childish screaming, that is.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
2/52
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| 52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, the extraordinary and mundane -- whatever is unique to the week. Join me and Barbara (the host) if you like. |
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| curling bark is fascinating to me. |
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| I took three shots at different angles and this one was the one that won. |
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| A whale bird (actually called Pluver) atop a rock by the Arizona Memorial on Ford Island. |
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| Apparently, this is the house John Wayne lived in for a film he did here. I like the tree. Look at the trunk! |
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| A kid who is almost always nearly in motion. |
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| Textures and angles. That's what I'm after this week. This is the Banyan tree. |
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| I just think these are unique to Hawaii, as I've never seen them anywhere else. |
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| A towel bar is hung. |
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| Uprooting the mess was the easy part. |
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| Cutting it down for the lawn bags is the back breaking bit. I still have have to go through. |
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| A view of St. Anthony's retreat center in Kalihi. |
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| Who wouldn't want to have a retreat/conference here? A lovely babbling brook. |
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| One of the historic orphanage buildings. It has rooms, dining hall, kitchen, and a chapel. |
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| At the end of the Stations, we all come to the Cross. |
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| My kids with St. Damien of Molokai relics at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu. |
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| Bishop Larry Silva with the new Candidates for Deacon and their wives. |
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| Myself, Easter (who's husband is in Deacon formation now), and Katie. Honolulu, HI. |
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday's FIVE
I don't want to bother doing the linky stuff, and, I don't want to bother with creating a huge following . . . so I'm not doing the 7 Quick Takes en mass follow along. I like it, but it's not me. I want to do something similar, but different, and, by my own rules. Here's my Friday's FIVE.
1. I'm behind on every project I set out to do this week. At the moment, I am finishing sweating to death from A) cutting up and bagging only one large lawn & leaf bag of the front flower bed mess I yanked out earlier in the day of the major down-pour from the heavens, and, B) cleaning the master bathroom furiously, and, C) stripping the bed and putting clean sheets on.
2. Dan will be arriving the airport sometime after eight tonight, which is why I'm in hyper-drive to do the first thing on this list of Friday's FIVE. I shant finish the gardening bit until some other time this weekend, I reckon.
3. I'm super excited about this news: Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, on Divine Mercy Sunday (May 1st). How about that for super awesome?! It will definitely make Divine Mercy Sunday even more relevant in our times, I think.
4. I am reading a book by John Granger titled "How Harry Cast His Spell", which goes over the entire series with a fine-toothed comb. I'm flying through it and look forward to the other two books I got along with it. Oh, and I'll be looking over his website (click on his name) to read about other books etc.. I just like the whole idea of writing with alchemy. Never even heard of it and it has stirred my inner student's desire to go to college and work toward a classic literature degree. I'd like to read a book like a book solver some time, ya know? "Get" the process of what makes a classic book a classic - and be able to intelligently explain why one book over another book is a classic. I think the HP books will be classics, and, I've always thought as much.
5. Speaking of that shower, I better get to it so I have time for my hair to dry.
I'll be posting my 2/52 post later. I need to upload the pictures and hopefully find words to keep it interesting.
1. I'm behind on every project I set out to do this week. At the moment, I am finishing sweating to death from A) cutting up and bagging only one large lawn & leaf bag of the front flower bed mess I yanked out earlier in the day of the major down-pour from the heavens, and, B) cleaning the master bathroom furiously, and, C) stripping the bed and putting clean sheets on.
2. Dan will be arriving the airport sometime after eight tonight, which is why I'm in hyper-drive to do the first thing on this list of Friday's FIVE. I shant finish the gardening bit until some other time this weekend, I reckon.
3. I'm super excited about this news: Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, on Divine Mercy Sunday (May 1st). How about that for super awesome?! It will definitely make Divine Mercy Sunday even more relevant in our times, I think.
4. I am reading a book by John Granger titled "How Harry Cast His Spell", which goes over the entire series with a fine-toothed comb. I'm flying through it and look forward to the other two books I got along with it. Oh, and I'll be looking over his website (click on his name) to read about other books etc.. I just like the whole idea of writing with alchemy. Never even heard of it and it has stirred my inner student's desire to go to college and work toward a classic literature degree. I'd like to read a book like a book solver some time, ya know? "Get" the process of what makes a classic book a classic - and be able to intelligently explain why one book over another book is a classic. I think the HP books will be classics, and, I've always thought as much.
5. Speaking of that shower, I better get to it so I have time for my hair to dry.
I'll be posting my 2/52 post later. I need to upload the pictures and hopefully find words to keep it interesting.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Take My Temperature
Hawaii has been having a lot of rain lately. It's starting to bother me. I don't want to shove my feet into trainers 'cos they'll sweat. I've become quite fond of my slippahs (flip-flops), but in this rain, they are slip-slops 'cos I'm sliding all over the place in them. I may as well wear the trainers for as dry as my feet would be anyway!
So the kids are back to school and the days are quieter. Of course, Dan's away, too, so the nights are lonely. But, don't feel sorry for me. I'm used to this as a military wife. It's just "getting old".
I've been thinking about not taking on a second tour in Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, because it is beautiful here. Hands down, God made a beautiful spot on Earth when he laid Hawaii down on the map. However, my thoughts and feelings always come back to: I'm just not a beach bum. I can count on my hands how many times I've been to the beach since we moved here. Many will think I ought to be flogged. I don't swim. I do not like to lie out in the sun, because, hell, it's hot! I don't like to be hot and sweaty. I look dead awful in a one-piece, so I can't stay cool by wearing less. If my kids are with me and out in the wild of the ocean . . . I can't concentrate to read the book I've brought with me (presumably to relax), because I'm watching them like a mother hen and ready to throw my life to the restless waves to save one of them if I have to . . . I'd probably knock the damn life guard out of my way. I don't swim, because I can't swim. In a rescue scenario, I think I'd learn pretty quick. Or be dead pretty quick.
No, the beach isn't relaxing to me. It's beautiful and I love it all the same - if my kids stay out of the water.
Other than this torrential rain going on and off and on again these days, the weather is usually pretty steadily sunny and warm with the Trade winds tickling your back and teasing your hair. It's nice. It's perfect lie about weather, actually.
There is plenty to do on O'ahu. But, alas, we are not doing it. The weather over Christmas break prevented us going on hikes (by the time there was sun, the ground was still too soggy to hike or Dan was back to work). We were going to make up for it this last weekend, but Dan had to skip town for work.
Our routine outings are regulated to: grocery shopping (barf!), appointments, eating out, and the Mall (whichever suits). Parking my van is difficult on most of the island. When I pass vehicles larger than mine (and yes, there are some super morons driving Hummers here . . . I just don't get it . . . they must not park . . . or they park ON other cars). . . . how do they park??? I pull into the slip, I can open my door but I have to contort my body to get out. In some cases, I've thought I should have brought Vaseline! I've even climbed back in once through the side sliding door and climbed over the center divider inside.
I have Island Fever. Or a solid defense for buying a Mini.
So the kids are back to school and the days are quieter. Of course, Dan's away, too, so the nights are lonely. But, don't feel sorry for me. I'm used to this as a military wife. It's just "getting old".
I've been thinking about not taking on a second tour in Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, because it is beautiful here. Hands down, God made a beautiful spot on Earth when he laid Hawaii down on the map. However, my thoughts and feelings always come back to: I'm just not a beach bum. I can count on my hands how many times I've been to the beach since we moved here. Many will think I ought to be flogged. I don't swim. I do not like to lie out in the sun, because, hell, it's hot! I don't like to be hot and sweaty. I look dead awful in a one-piece, so I can't stay cool by wearing less. If my kids are with me and out in the wild of the ocean . . . I can't concentrate to read the book I've brought with me (presumably to relax), because I'm watching them like a mother hen and ready to throw my life to the restless waves to save one of them if I have to . . . I'd probably knock the damn life guard out of my way. I don't swim, because I can't swim. In a rescue scenario, I think I'd learn pretty quick. Or be dead pretty quick.
No, the beach isn't relaxing to me. It's beautiful and I love it all the same - if my kids stay out of the water.
Other than this torrential rain going on and off and on again these days, the weather is usually pretty steadily sunny and warm with the Trade winds tickling your back and teasing your hair. It's nice. It's perfect lie about weather, actually.
There is plenty to do on O'ahu. But, alas, we are not doing it. The weather over Christmas break prevented us going on hikes (by the time there was sun, the ground was still too soggy to hike or Dan was back to work). We were going to make up for it this last weekend, but Dan had to skip town for work.
Our routine outings are regulated to: grocery shopping (barf!), appointments, eating out, and the Mall (whichever suits). Parking my van is difficult on most of the island. When I pass vehicles larger than mine (and yes, there are some super morons driving Hummers here . . . I just don't get it . . . they must not park . . . or they park ON other cars). . . . how do they park??? I pull into the slip, I can open my door but I have to contort my body to get out. In some cases, I've thought I should have brought Vaseline! I've even climbed back in once through the side sliding door and climbed over the center divider inside.
I have Island Fever. Or a solid defense for buying a Mini.
Friday, January 7, 2011
1/52
Barbara at Praying for Grace is partaking in a meme-type blogging thing that I wish to do as well. In a nutshell: 52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, the extraordinary and mundane -- whatever is unique to the week. Join us if you like!
Trying for a decent enough shot to upload into the picture frames for the grandparents. This will have to do as the tree is tucked away under the stairs.
Just laugh. It's funny!
Mr. Giggles, himself. Should be doing his schooling, but takes breaks often!
This is Holly yelling at us to fetch her toy from under the sofa for her . . .
This is herself trying to get it, but without success. I'm very distressed about sharing the dust bunnies with you all, but there it is.
My week has been rather uneventful thus far, so I've decided to add a bit of flare. A beautiful picture I took very recently of a Tehitan Gardenia flower.
My week has been rather uneventful thus far, so I've decided to add a bit of flare. A beautiful picture I took very recently of a Tehitan Gardenia flower.
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