Where In the Heck Is Everybody?

Did just about everyone leave blogging for Lent?  Or are people not commenting when they come by here?  I must be dull as a paper knife.  Huh.  *wink*

You know, y'all who stop blogging for Lent make me suffer more.  So, thanks for the sanctification!  *wink*

I'm enjoying my Lenten journey with In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez.  He's Opus Dei if the day is long, because many of his quotes are from St. Josemaria Escriva.  I love it!  In fact, after Lent is over, I'm going to re-purchase Josemaria works, because I gave them all away . . . I wanted to share and I was moved by the Spirit to do so.  That happens often, so, I strongly believe God is working in me to be generous, but also to not be attached to things . . . especially books, of which I can be quite covetous of!  I saw on Amazon that there's a book of The Way, Forge, and etc. in one volume.  It's on my wish list.  I also would like to read his sermons.

Christian will be working on his final exam for quarter three today.  English.  I think I'll be close to ripping some hair with scalp attached (above the ears) today.  We find English to be quite frustrating in this house.  I will likely never understand diagramming.  I hate it with a passion!  It makes me feel damn dumb so I hate it.  There.  I'm happier and healthier having said that.  Fortunately, Christian has more a rudimentary grasp of it and it does not make him wander the corridors of la-la land for hours on end.  He does okay.  I'm the only one needing a psych ward beforehand.  Ha ha ha!

I'm enjoying stitching a tiny flower for Regan.  I'd made one for her before and sent it off . . . apparently to someone else!  Ha!  Well, this one just needs the back stitching and I'll manage that easily today.  I'm chuffed to bits to get it done.  It's also lit a fire under my feet (figuratively speaking, of course!) to finish the stitching for Dawn, which is a much larger piece and could have been done by now (except I have an exceptional case of procrastination most days).

Tomorrow I'll be having lunch with a friend.  Friday I'll pop by another friend's house (and snuggle her babe).  Friday night is some function for Dan's work . . . I don't like these things, but I love my husband so.  So . . . anyway, the good thing is that Saturday morning we'll, as a family, attend a day Lenten retreat at the Benedictine Monastery.  I can't wait!  Teenie will be the photographer and I'll share pictures Sunday!

Moloka'i In Pictures

The nine seater plus pilot plane.  Hurrah!



Me, after take off but before my ears went wonky.



Ciao, Honolulu!

Hanauma Bay (pretty cool, yeah?)

Rabbit Island (off O'ahu)

Cliffs of Moloka'i

Cliffs of Moloka'i at a distance.

You can understand why no boats can possibly dock here with rought waves and cliffs like these.

Shore time.

Safely on the ground.  Uff da!  It was WINDY!

The "double car garage" airport.

The lone lighthouse.

Father Keoster in his Damien shirt and beach hat.

Gratuitous beach shot

Graves of patients . . . some of whom were burried by St. Damien.

Herself with a mosaic of Bl. Marianne outside St. Francis.

St. Francis Church

A beautiful grotto made by the patients.

Inside St. Francis Church

This made me cackle out loud. It was in the museum not the church!

Sacred Heart of Jesus at the beach.

Inside St. Philomena's Church.  This lady (forgive me, I cannot recall her name) and her husband were the ones chosen to receive St. Damien's relics from the Pope in Rome. 

Backside of St. Damien's grave marker.

Uff.  Haven't you seen enough of me already!

Tallest cliffs in the world, I've read/been told.

Father Koester prepares for Mass.  He used St. Damien's altar (it was to the right and I did not take a picture of it - I'm just daft!)

These pews were made by Damien.  The holes in the floor were put there by him to accomodate the patients who needed to spit (and otherwise would not come to Mass or stay throughout Mass, because one of the problems with Hansen's disease is over abundance of saliva).  Therefore, they would roll banana leaves up and stick them in the holes and spit when they needed to . . . then they could remain at Mass! 

Another wonderful thing Damien did for the parishioners was to install a bell inside the tithe box (on the wall) so that those who were blind could hear that their tithe made it in the box as it should.  St. Damien thought of everything!

St. Philomena's Catholic Church with the nose of our broken down bus showing. 

Returning to Honolulu, here's Diamond Head and some of the city.

I hope you can see the rainbow.  Taking pictures from a plane is always ify.  But, it was comforting (after some turbulence both ways) to see a Promise of God so brilliantly laid across the sky.

The packet of goodies a Sacred Heart Priest gave us.  The medals are particularly lovely.

The book I purchased and devoured straight away.  Wonderful stuff!

Dated  with a stamp in the book store so I'll never forget when and where I got this book.

I Am Slow . . .

Please pardon my lack of posting on Molokai as yet . . . I am waiting on my girl to upload the pictures OR to get the lap top free from the kids for the length of time it will take me to do it myself.  Ha ha ha!  But, I can tell you a little about my trip and then make a second post with pictures later.  It's a long weekend with nothing much else to do . . . but life has funny ways of getting between me and my peeps here.

Y'all know I went to the ER on my husband's birthday.  That turned out some good news:  no heart troubles.  I am still a bit taken back that they didn't pursue and/or treat me for my acid reflux.  They didn't even ask even after I suggested it.  THAT is the wacky government health care y'all will be getting if Obama has his way.  It's sketchy and you have to dig in your heels and keep knocking to get care.  Anyway, before I go into some rant I don't want to get into, I did see my doctor at the clinic yesterday.  I have "classic case" acid reflux.  I will be making friends with "the little purple pill" for the next month.  I hope the Nexium will work wonders so I can keep eating like a maniac and not change a thing I can live a more comfortable life.

So between those days, I went to Molokai.  My favourite parts?  Getting to know some of the people I go to Mass with better, for a start.  Call me weird, but flying in a ten-seater twin engine plane over the ocean for 25 minutes (one way) twice was really exhilarating!  It's been mighty windy in Hawaii lately so that plane did some interesting rocking and rolling, but it was incredible.  It was fun to see Hawaii from the air during the day.  I liked walking where St. Damien (and all those beautiful, afflicted souls walked).  It was wondrous to see the highest cliffs in the world (pali).  We also had Mass in St. Philomena's, the church Father Damien helped build.  The museum/bookstore was small (I got a book by a nun based on her letters - a very nice book, in fact, and I stamped it with the store stamp so I'll never forget where I got it and when).  It was interesting to see the modified forks, knives, spoons, and clothing modifications made by patients to adapt to their new handicaps. 

The drawbacks are this:  I had to bring my own lunch (not a huge deal, but c'mon), our bus died so we had to eat on the ground outside the church (and not at the picnic tables down by the beach where the patients were dumped in the water - a disappointment to the nine of us that were left up by the bus).  The other bus came to get us and drove us back to the airport where we had to stay put.  It's the size of a double car garage --- and we had to stay there almost two hours to await our plane back.  They rushed us to get on the bus (interrupting our picnic lunch) just to sit there at the airport!  We also did not get the "fly over the Arizona/Missouri/Pearl Harbor" that was touted in the company brochure.

Overall, though, I am deeply moved and appreciate having been on this trip.  I have seen the island when it still has patients living there (though, I did not see any to my knowledge).  It will be quite different after the last patient moves away or death finally meets them.  It's a state park - and will likely be very different (and more open, less restrictive to visitors roaming about) then.

Okay, so pictures next - when I can manage it.

ADDENDUM:  I am busy this day (Saturday) puttering w/ projects long neglected . . . (for shame and embarrassment, I'll just say:  remember the digital picture frames for my MIL and the one for my parents for Christmas????  Ahem.  Ahem.  Anyway, my MIL's is ready, my parents almost loaded).  I'm doing some laundry, the spaghetti sauce is cooking down, and I managed to clean and organize my desk as well as clean and organize the huge "island" counter space in the kitchen.  I may get to the 1/2 bath today, but bathrooms are slated to be cleaned on Monday.  However, some of the time when I slate things for another day, I think I may as well do it now since I've the energy and/or time.  So, before the weekend is out, I may have at least that bathroom done.  The idea of having less to do on Monday is so appealing.

About the Molokai pictures.  They are loaded on the lap top and Rachel has "edited" them.  Hmmmm.  Well, she's a good eye for that sort of thing.  I'll pry the lap top from whomever I need to this evening to get that loaded here.  Again, thanks for your patience (not that anyone has read this post in the first 24 hours it has been here anyway).  LOL!

St. Damien, Ora Pro Nobis

Yup, in the morning, I will board a little plane and fly for a day trip to Molokai.  This is something I had hoped to do while living in Hawaii. My chapel is putting this on and I am blessed to go.  I'm so happy my husband urged and suggested I go.  I don't deserve this, don't you know.  I really don't!  But, I will EARN it, I hope!  In time, I hope that I can take what I learn there, in that humble place, and give it back to the world, starting right here at home.

God is good.  He gave me a wonderful man to spend my life with.  He has blessed our marriage with some pretty nifty kids.  And, look at the richness in all the wonderful friendships!  Oh, yes, God is good.

Uff Da

I spent a few hours in the ER this afternoon.  Poor Dan.  Celebrating his birthday by watching his wife lie on a gurney.  Nothing is wrong with my heart.  Phew!  Okay, so then it's likely my heartburn is out of control.  Ach.  You know what that means?  Less, if no more, of the good stuff:  coffee, chocolate, onions, garlic, spicy foods . . . and a prescription for an antacid.

My mother suffers from GERD.  I don't think I have it that bad, yet.  I hope to avoid it.  If I can avoid it by drastically reducing certain consumed foods/drinks, then fine.  This pain is for the birds.

Anyway, I will see my regular doc tomorrow and hopefully find out if treatment for my upset stomach can be dealt with.  I know it can.

I have to tell you, though, my experience with the IV.  The insertion wasn't so bad (no pain), but the stupid thing bled out all over the floor when she put it in.  I've had IV's, I don't know, many many times in my life.  This is the first time I've ever had that happen.  But, that's not the worst of it.  The woman who removed it was an idiot.  She tugged the band aid loose on one side, pushed the cotton ball w/ tape down on the needle in my arm?  Yeah, then yanked the dang thing out sideways!  It was painful!  When I cried out, she didn't even say she was sorry or anything.  Just, "Hold this down and apply pressure."  I ought to have reported her, but she took off and I didn't get her name.  She didn't use rubbing alcohol or wipes to loosen the tape either.  I'm missing hairs on my wrist!  Dan's gob was open so wide a freight train could have shoved through no problem.  It was that bad!  I can only imagine what it looked like, but being the recipient of such treatment, I'm glad it was me and not some little kid or old person.

Wait.  I am old.  It hurt fierce!  It will leave a mark, I'm sure.  If so, I'll take a picture and show you later.

Anyway, please pray for me.  I want to go to Molokai on Wednesday . .. I gotta nip this crud in the bud.  Mahalo!

It's Monday

Hau'oli la hanau (Happy Birthday) to my beloved.  I cannot believe he's already 45!  Where has the time gone?  He's just as handsome to me now as he was when we met and he was a spring chicken of 26!

I'm going to be busy getting the home schooling back on track after a week away from studies . . . the older two were home for Spring break, which makes it difficult to do any school while they are under foot.  May as well have a break, too!

Oh, yeah, and they'll be home Friday 'cos it is state holiday for Prince "someone".  I'll look it up in a minute. 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day.  There.  I looked it up.  Thank God for copy and paste, yeah?

Wednesday I'll be taking that day trip to Molokai that I mentioned not too far back.  I can't wait!  But, I need to stay off the computer to accomplish things.

I'll be back Wednesday evening or Thursday morning with pictures and a story all about my trip.  God bless you!

Letting Go . . . .

I have a problem.  It's called anxiety.  I am a worry wart!  Lately, I've been walking about with Mr. Doom in my head spinning all kinds of tales.  Eventually such anxiety wreaks havoc on my body . . . which then makes me think there really may be something wrong with me.

I am going to the doctor to discuss my stomach issues and see if I can get anywhere with that.  However, outside of that, I can't fathom what else could be possibly physically wrong with me.

Therefore, I am praying that God be with me and help me let go and give it to Him.  To not fret over every little thing.  Life is serious, of course, in many ways, but much of what I worry over has not one iota of my control.

Since I'll be on Molokai one day this week, I am hoping to leave my worries with St. Damien.  Perhaps Blessed Marianne Cope can lend a hand as well.

St. Joseph, ora pro nobis.

In any event, I am puttering about the house doing all the cleaning I boasted about doing earlier in the week on FB.  HA!  Seriously, I did get one bathroom clean and I did do the floors . . . but then I sat.  And sat.  And sat.  I mustn't do that.  I must stop working on my circumference!  So far today, I was woke by my daughter (who is on her Confirmation retreat) who is not feeling great, but we are trying to get her to stick it out (after all, what is ailing her ails all women most of our lives, ahem).  After we chatted and said we could come get her after the evening program (the most important of them, agreed upon w/ the teacher), I think she was able to calm down a bit.  Keeping my fingers crossed at this point!  Then, I managed to start the laundry (and I shall continue to do it until it's done - at least for now), clean the microwave/range, and scrub my bathroom to kingdom come.  The only other task I avoided last week is cleaning the 1/2 bath downstairs.  Well, that's next . . . once I cool off from having done mine.

It's keeping my  mind off stuff, I'm burning calories (that's something for this chunky chick), and I'm praying while I do so. 

I'm also going to take a walk once I'm done with this puttering.

Ach! There's the dryer!  Time to dash off and keep going.

Addendum at 1:54pm, HI time:  everything is done, except the laundry, but that is just two more small loads.  I'm so pleased that I've managed this tasking!  My arms are tired - all that scrubbing motion they're not used to.  I've begun to read Christ, Life of our Souls by Blessed Columba Marmion as well.  Time with God is time well spent!

Soup and Stations

We didn't attend any Soup and Stations last year and haven't gone this year (so far) either, yet we are going tonight. 

I'm glad.  I have much to be thankful for and much to pray about . . . giving it all to Him:  Japan, my own personal problems (health and otherwise), and my love.  I have a great life and I'm much obliged to Him Who gave it me. 

Mary, Mother of God, ora pro nobis.

Irish Blessings

I'd love to walk these cliffs and streets . . . pop into a pub and have a go with the Guinness and some kind of stew . . . hear the stories and songs of the people. 

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

_______________________________________

* Note: "day of doom" is an Old English term meaning "Day of Judgment."    

  source:  http://www.prayerfoundation.org/st_patricks_breastplate_prayer.htm

Prayer Notes

How can we pray unceasingly?

Simply by believing and acknowledging that God is always present, even when you "aren't really praying". 

If you know God is always present, you are living prayer.

Tsunami: The "We're Okay Edition"

Mahalo for your prayers and concerns for our safety and well being.  Apparently we live in what is a "safe zone" so we didn't have to worry too much.  We did need to be prepared for evacuation (thus, staying awake) and/or power outage.  Neither was necessary, thank God.

I got about three hours sleep after the news related that they expected low-impact on O'ahu . . . that was the signal to me to get some rest.  I don't get hysterical about these things, because: 

• My Faith is firm . . . I believe God when He says He is my refuge and strength; that He will rescue me; that He has plans for my future welfare, to prosper me and guide me; I just trust, knowing that He intends me for His life, not to stick around in this one. 
• I have a good life and I don't have any regrets
• I have to die some day - I'll do what I can to not die earlier than I'd like, but bottom line:  there isn't a whole lot you can do on and island w/ big wave coming at you and knowing how to swim isn't much help; I'm in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - the ocean will win in that case.  
• I have a pretty good sense of humour and sense of reality - just 'cos I don't like my impending death doesn't mean I don't know it's a given so I may as well laugh a bit

Again, many thanks to you all for your kindness, thoughts, prayers, and love.  These are the treasures in life - your friendship and prayers - the love that we have for one another.  Besides, God really digs that.

Ash Wednesday 2011

The time of reflection and repentance is once again upon us.  I don't know about you, but I don't fuss over this too awful much, because . . . well, I reckon since I'm Catholic (and I believe all of it, even when I don't understand it - that's faith working!), I ought to have some kind of reflection and repentance thing going on on a regular basis, no?

I do the best I can during Lent as far as abstaining (from meat) and fasting (nearly starving to death, of course, 'cos I do love my morsels . . . ).   My biggest struggle is choosing to stay the course on starving myself to death fasting days.  Those days are the hardest . . . but only in my mind.  Here's how it works with me:  tell me I can't have something (and, really, if you want to be faithful - and I do! - it is a "can't") and it literally tears my mind in half.  That which I could have left alone for months by choice, is suddenly my deepest desire.  No meat on Friday?  Guess what?  I could have not eaten meat on Friday for months and suddenly it's the biggest deal that I can't have it.  Anyone else suffer from this?  Tell me I can only have what amounts to barely a full meal on a day of fasting and I've got cravings for every meal, which on many normal days, I skip breakfast and barely eat a thing until lunch.  I'm not kidding.  But.  Fasting days?  I'm stark raving mad with hunger from the crack of dawn . . . and it plagues my every thought of how tasty something - anything! - would be if only I could have a nibble. 

To help combat this no meat on Friday's during Lent issue, I have begun a few weeks ago to not eat meat on Friday's . . . and I'm going to do my best to keep that permanent.  It's not that hard when I've faced it down this way.  I'm doing it out of love for God and His Church.

So, attitude adjustment was the big step for me.  Prayer will see to it that it works.

The fasting is hardest, but it's only a few days of Lent.  I can surely do this . . . with prayer.  The two do go together quite nicely.

After these requirements, I gave some thought to what actually plagues me on a regular basis:  shopping.  I mean the kind that doesn't involve keeping us fed.  Anyway, and now there's that snacking shopping problem as well.  Geesh!

1. No more running off to the shopette/mini mart to buy ice-cream, cookies, soda, beer, snacks . . . these trips happen so frequently that it's robbing our money about $20 each time (if not more) which adds up every month to more than we should be able to afford.  IT IS GLUTTONY.  If my children want to pop down with their own money, they may go ahead.  This is my battle to tighten our belts fiscally, but also figuratively (ahem).
2. No eating out during Lent.  Except for ONE Sunday where we will decide by majority vote to eat out or dine in with take-away.  Just once.  No more going to get Subway or McDonald's because the kids (okay, or I) are hankering for something fast and frankly terrible for us.  This tightens the belt fiscally and figuratively as well.
3. No buying a single thing we do not need and this includes clothing (I have a "thing" about buying Rachel all this stuff she doesn't need, but wants . . . the boys are getting jealous and . . . well, it is enough).

This is the area I need the most work on:  Managing the money.  My husband makes enough - but we I do not have to continue spending every penny just 'cos it's there to spend.  It's time to save and be responsible stewards of our money.  It's not bad, but we could always do so much better!

You all have my prayers during this Lenten journey.  May you find each day blessed.

God Is Not Complicated

He told us what He expects and He has a forgiveness program installed.  Pretty simple.  Just do your best and do better when you know better.  Love folks like you ought to love yourself.  Love Him above the rest.

Why is this difficult?  I think because some of us, many of us, want to do it our way.

The path to any healing or knowledge is this:  call it what it is.  Do not be afraid to honour the truth.

Shower Stall Thoughts

• When did blogging become something to give up over Lent?  It seems to be a "big thing" that I've noticed since I started reading blogs and blogging myself over three years or so ago.  I suppose if blogging IS getting between you and your relationship with God, you ought to dump it 365 or something like 24/7, yeah?  I suppose, too, that many have valid reasons for putting blogging aside during Lent, but I don't see why you can't keep blogging (limit it perhaps?) during Lent and still be good.  Post Lenten readings or your own reflections on the daily reading for Mass?  Use your blog for Lent.  

Or don't.

Write or don't write. 

• It makes me feel like a giant ass, though, that I'm going to just stick with blogging when it strikes my fancy.  Of course, it's not anyone else fault the way I feel or perceive what they are doing is any reflection on me and my faith.  Does that make any sense?  It's not YOUR fault if you choose not to blog during Lent - it's your thing.  But, why does it make me feel bad?????  1)  I'll miss you, and 2) I ought to put more thought into the giving up in Lent . . . I think it's hard enough to not eat meat on Friday's/Ash Wednesday and fast as well.  It's hard for this chunky chickie anyway.

• While showering in the dark once again . . . I was thinking, "How many Irishmen does it take to screw in a light bulb?  NONE.  They don't mind drinking in the dark."   ... this is because my thought process was:  I got the light bulbs from self help (military place to get household things like filters and light bulbs) after a week of badgering reminding Dan to pull the old ones out of the lights in the shower stalls and it has taken him already a week to get the replacements put in . . . and I can't see to shave so I hope he doesn't mind that I'm in reverse-evolution here.  

Enjoy Fat Tuesday, y'all.  Try not to over analyze - just live right by God.  Go to Mass.  Be thankful.  Ask Him for nothing but to be more faithful to Him.  I'll share my Lenten journey as it unfolds.  Wishing you all the love of Christ and Mary.

8/52 & 9/52

52 weeks of daily life in pictures: trials and celebrations, 
the extraordinary and mundane -- 
whatever is unique to the week. 
Join me if you like.

Here's me for 8/52 catching up, if you will allow me . . .

Nom nom nom.

Sucked in to the PC too many hours a week.

On my throne either reading or stitching too many hours a week.

Listening to Beth talk about Journey of Faith.

Listening to Jeanne talk about Journey of Faith.

A few of the many delightful women at our local MCCW Journey of Faith talk. 

AND . . .  last but not least:

Is not an excuse to do this too many hours a week.

I'd been feeling a tad under the weather last week . . . and, yet, also bored.  Unmotivated.  So, I shared my unmotivated self with you. 

Here's this week:  only a tad bit more lively!

Jerry and I have been friends since we were both in 5th grade (? at least that long).  He was here a few days with his tug boat.  It is always good to see an old mate from high school.

Jerry could only visit a short two hours (he shred the chicken for our Chicken tortilla soup but couldn't stay to eat).

A horrendous distraction . . . I have read book I and have more than half book II done . . . Lord in Heaven, help me.  I'm reserving my opinion for the last book . . . so far it's good but too much detailed sex.  Married sex (yes, it is) but too detailed for this old gel.

A sign from Fort Meade Maryland (I had a friend there grab me one).

Adding the second of three (need to buy the third still) koa honu.  Each one represents our kids.  They are expensive so I have to buy them one at a time. 

The week of the 23rd I reckon I'll be posting pics and many words about my trip to Molokai.  I just pray I stay healthy and that the plane is safe.  LOL!  I'll be with a few of my parishioners and my priest.  If it goes down, we'll all go up.  Yeah?