Apr. 5, 2009
The Passion of the Lord
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Today is Passion or Palm Sunday. The gospel reading is from the Gospel of Mark and is quite long. I recall being a teen and attending the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday. As on Passion Sunday, at the Passion on Good Friday, the congregants are to read the parts of the gospel when the crowd is yelling for the crucifixion. I had great difficulty with this. I didn't want to shout "Crucify Him!" I did not recognize my own part in the horror of Christ's suffering. I loved Jesus. I did not want to participate in his crucifixion. It took me many more years to realize that my sinfulness contributed to Christ's death, and that He died for my sins as well as for those who shouted "Crucify Him." I may not have been there yelling, but every time I have sinned, my actions have shouted those words. I can only hope that my repentance is pleasing to Him. Dear Lord, Please forgive my blindness to my own sin and to my part in Your suffering and crucifixion. Help me to turn my heart toward You and to live the life You would have me live. Please help me to be an example of Christian love for my children so that their lives will be less sinful than mine and their hearts will turn toward You in all they do. Amen. |
Mar. 11, 2009
Politicians and charitable giving
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I found this article by Ann Coulter very interesting. She compares the charitable giving of our former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney with the charitable giving of our current leaders Barack Obama and Joe Biden. While claiming poverty, these democrats are in the top 1% of earners, and while one tax year (see the article for details) Bush earned 1/3 less than Obama, he gave around the same amount. Food for thought. |
Mar. 10, 2009
March Madness Contest
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There is a contest going on at Homemaking 911. It is a March madness contest. There are many great prizes including homemaking helps and homeschooling helps. You can enter by leaving a comment, blogging about the contest, adding it to your facebook page, and by "tweeting" about it through Twitter. Go on over and check it out. You could be a winner!
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Mar. 10, 2009
March Madness Contest
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There is a contest going on at Homemaking 911. It is a March madness contest. There are many great prizes including homemaking helps and homeschooling helps. You can enter by leaving a comment, blogging about the contest, adding it to your facebook page, and by "tweeting" about it through Twitter. Go on over and check it out. You could be a winner |
Feb. 24, 2009
Which Father of the church are you?
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Feb. 16, 2009
A great homeschool resource
I have been using The Homeschool Freebie of the Day for about a year now. It has saved me money and trips to the library. There are special freebies each week for subscribers to the weekly e-mail reminder newsletter that are not available on the website.  |
Jan. 15, 2009
I am so excited about this!
Posted in Homeschool
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My homeschool received a grant from the National Endowment for Humanities. It is a Picturing America Award. It includes 40 reproductions of American art and a teacher resource book. I am looking forward to discussing this with my homeschool group to see if we could use it for an art/art history class so more students can benefit from the wealth of this grant. Dear Lord, I was so surprised by the letter I received via e-mail today telling me about this grant. I had forgotten that I had applied for it. Thank you for sending this to brighten things up here during the cold dreary winter. It is a reminder that spring will come as the package should arrive in March or April. Amen. |
Jan. 2, 2009
MRI results
Posted in Life
MRI resultsYDS had a "hypno" appointment with his pediatrician. The doc teaches children self hypnosis to aid in dealing with headaches. While we were there, I got the MRI results which showed a little fluid in his sinuses, but nothing to worry about and no brain abnormalities. HURRAY!!!!! YDS is supposed to practice the self hypnosis daily, but it is supposed to be "his thing" and I am not supposed to remind him/help him. Hopefully this will help him with the headaches. Lord, Thank you for the good news. Amen |
Dec. 26, 2008
Merry Christmas
Merry ChristmasMy husband loves me so much, that he got me this for Christmas. Only a man who truly loves his wife would do this. Okay, maybe an insane man would do this. After all, I have lots of old Barry Manilow, and Air Supply albums I can now listen to. The albums that are dreaded most by my DH, however, are probably all the Bruce Springsteen ones I am looking forward to playing! (singing out loud..."Born in the U.S.A.") I can even copy them to CD to listen to in the car now!!!! Of course, the best gift was watching my YDS serve Mass at midnight and thinking about the priest's sermon on how Jesus wants to dwell within us. The Incarnation, the Word made flesh means so much more than a cute little baby. The birth means very little without the death and resurrection. I am always awed by the sacrifices Mary made. I know that the Annunciation was celebrated back in March, but the key to Advent really is Mary's "yes." Without her cooperation, the whole story might have been different. So today I am thankful to Mary for her cooperation in Grace, and to Christ for his submission to the will of the Father. A very Blessed and Holy Christmas season to all. |
Dec. 22, 2008
A contest to enter by answering a poll.
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This poll is part of a contest over here. Sagerat scribbles is part of the HSB blogging network. 1. Why did you start a blog? I started blogging when I was on MSN. A "space" came free with my subscription, so I tried it out. |
Dec. 21, 2008
update/what we have been doing
Posted in Homeschool
update/what we have been up toYDS had his MRI last Sunday evening. We are still awaiting results. He saw the ENT on Thursday. An area in his left nostril was cauterized. He had had 6 nosebleeds in the 24 hours prior to the ENT visit. He has had no nosebleeds since the cauterization. Hopefully he is "cured" of the nosebleeds. Here are a few photos of things we have been doing: A giant nutcracker at Yankee Candle. We went on a field trip there on Wednesday 12/17/2008. They have an area devoted to the history of candle making within their flagship store in South Deerfield, MA, as well as a history of the founding of Yankee Candle.  A "wax hand" made at Yankee Candle as a Christmas gift for our wonderful neighbor who already has everything.
 YDS with "Santa and Mrs. Claus" at Yankee Candle. We did a fair bit of baking this week. A tray of finished Christmas cookies:
 A kitten named George who was helping to get out storage bags. (hehe) Decorated cookies A few cookies that had been made into sandwiches with chocolate and sprinkles: The baked cookies prior to decorating: Cookies and pumpkin bread were distributed to neighbors and friends.
A gingerbread house that we assembled and decorated. Gingerbread is not my forte, so I bought a kit for this. It was a fun activity.
    Wishing all of our family and friends a Blessed and Holy Christmas! |
Dec. 5, 2008
Health issues
Posted in Life
Health issuesWell, YDS had his physical in October. I mentioned to the pediatrician that he has been complaining of headaches for about 6 months. I didn't think much of it as I get migraines, and my older son has been a migraine sufferer as well. The pediatrician asked me to keep a headache diary and schedule a follow up. I mentioned nosebleeds as well, but since the little guy had not had a nosebleed too recently when he had his physical, not much was said/done about the nosebleeds. Well, I decided to keep track of the nosebleeds as well as the headaches. These are not your typical kid picked at his nose nosebleeds, but rather they are kid wakes in the middle of the night with a gushing nosebleed. I kept track of these things for a month. He had 4 nosebleeds and 7 headaches that I documented. While at the doctor's office for the follow-up, however, YDS says, "Oh, I had a headache that woke me up at 4:25 this morning." Doc says, "How do you know it was 4:25?" YDS replies, "Oh...my alarm clock said 4:25." So, the conclusion after checking him out and finding a bit of tension in his neck and shoulders is that it is probably stress/tension headaches or migraines, but that an MRI of his brain is necessary to rule out anything else. oh, and the pediatrician called me at the end of his work day to say, "In all the talk fuss about the headaches, I forgot to refer him to the ENT. I want him to see a specialist for the nosebleeds." So my calendar is suddenly full of medical appointments for YDS. He has an MRI, a consult with the ENT a couple of days later, and an appointment with his primary for a visualization/biofeedback consultation. Given that fact that in the last year we lost YDS' Pepere(DH's dad), MSS has been in and out of the house, and just the fact that YDS is a perfectionist, my money is really on the stress/tension headaches or migraines given the family history. Next, I went to my primary for a regular physical. I had not had a physical in at least 5 years. All of my labs were done fasting, and all of them were normal EXCEPT my fasting blood sugar. I have known for years that my blood sugar could be an issue. All of my babies were over 9 1/2 pounds at birth, and several relatives (grandparents) on both my mother's and father's side had adult onset or "type II" diabetes. I know that I have not taken proper care in recent years to keep my weight under control, so I was not really surprised. I have been informed that my sugar level is such that it is "pre-diabetes." I need to reduce that amount of carbohydrates I am eating. My doctor (this is the first time I met her) also promised me a mammogram (oh joy) and told me I need to make a GYN appointment. I don't have dates for either of those yet. Lord, Please help me to not worry about any of the medical issues that I cannot control. Please help to make the changes necessary to lose some of the excess weight and get my blood sugar into the normal range. I really would like to be around for my children, Lord. Your will be done... Amen |
Nov. 29, 2008
A couple of projects
Posted in Homeschool
Just a couple of projects   I have been meaning to make this Liturgical Year wheel since August. I finally made it last night...just in time for Advent. We made these pine cone, peanut butter and bird seed feeders for the birds, but the squirrels stole them right off the tree! |
Oct. 26, 2008
Power outage
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We had a power outage for an hour and a half tonight. It was interesting to see the reactions of the children. Our oldest tortured the youngest with stories of zombies initially. We (DH and I) were not home when the power first went out. We got home and YDS was extremely glad to see us as his older brothers had told him that zombies had driven up in our car. We quickly stopped the torture and lit some candles. All of the children sought out battery powered devices with which to shed some artificial light and sound. I sat down at the kitchen table and read a book by candlelight. I had many candles lit! I think I need to invest in more unscented candles, however. The Yankee Candles smell good, but too many different scents will make anyone sick. I wound up putting one of the scented candles out as it was overpowering. I like to think about life on the prairie before the advent of electricity. You can probably guess I loved the Little House books as a girl. There was only candle light and firelight, and possibly an oil lamp. Homes were heated with wood or peat in a central fireplace. Food was cooked on the fire or on a wood burning cook stove. I shudder to think of the skills that have been lost over the years. All of our technology has made us soft, weak people in many ways. Yes, information is accessible at the touch of a button, but the search for information, the mystery, is gone. If the power ever went out for good, many would be lost. Books are available, but many folks listen to "audio books." I like these for in the car on long trips, but to me, there is nothing like the feel of a book in my hands, and imagination that creates a world in my mind from what is described on paper. I think I need to try to cultivate this imagination in my children. They need to know how to occupy themselves when the power does go out. Lord, Please remind us that what we truly NEED is You. We do not need computers or CD's or television. You should be the One to whom we turn in times of need. When the artificial lights go out, You, the Light of the wolrd, are there. Amen |
Oct. 12, 2008
older children
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Sometimes I think that the older children are much more difficult. Of course, my situation is not the same as everone's, so maybe it is just the situation that makes things more difficult. My step sons have lived with us full time for about a year and a half now. It took us nearly 12 years to get custody, and it has been a challenge every step of the way both when they were with their mother, and since they moved in here. The 18 year old is very immature. I sometimes refer to him as 18 going on 12. While the content of video games and computer games and websites he views are more adult than those of the younger children, he still behaves very much like a child and spends much of his time in video games, computer and TV. He needs to be reminded to do his homework (he is in college). He needs to be reminded that he cannot eat all the food that is cooked for supper; that others need to eat. He needs to have prioirities pointed out to him(e.g. buying yourself new shoes because you need them is not wasting money, going to buy candy at the store because you want it is a waste of money). He expects to be taken "back to school" shopping. These things annoy me. I guess it is because I was raised to be independent of my parents, and I was expected to purchase my own clothes and shoes long before I reached 18. Indeed, he finally has a job that is going to be more than 2 days a week. Our 14 year old does all his schoolwork except science experiments and essays. He is more than capable of the essays and experiments. He just does not like them so he refuses to do them. I keep giving him zeroes in his trascript for these things, but he doesn't care. He has been told numerous times that this is expected of him, and that everyone is expected to do things in life that they don't like. The 12 year old and 8 year old are both driving me crazy with the same things that have always driven me crazy. It seems that every few months, they must test to see if the limits have changed. They are doing what is asked of them for the most part. Do you have any good ideas as to how to bring older children into the "real world" or how to get a reluctant writer to write? Please comment if you do! |
Sep. 29, 2008
Am I any more gray?
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I certainly feel more gray. My children, instead of settling down and being obedient and joyfully fulfilling their homeschool duties have been rebellious, slothful and downright disobedient. I have tried being strict, I have tried taking away privileges, and I have tried yelling and spanking. All to no avail. I am about ready for a padded cell somewhere. I know all of my children are more than capable of the work that has been set for them. I pray that we find a way to get them to do the work without the "this is stupid" that I am continually hearing.
Lord, You have called me to homeschool these children. Please help me to motivate them. Please help me to demonstrate obedience in my own behavior and in my work. Amen |
Aug. 28, 2008
It's amazing...
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how quiet the neighborhood becomes once the children go back to school. Of course, my house isn't any more quiet. My children are still loud and exuberant. Their summer is not quite over. We will not "officially" start any structured school work until next week. I love the flexibility of home schooling. I love being able to switch gears and try something new if we are not progressing. What are you favorite things about homeschooling? |
Aug. 25, 2008
My children were upset.
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Yesterday my children returned from Holy Communion upset. The Eucharistic minister had said "The body of Christ's son" instead of "the Body of Christ." How would you address this? I was flabbergasted. Here's what I did: I told my children to go only to the priest for Communion. I told our pastor about it and which Eucharistic minister it was. It was a woman. This may or may not be part of the issue. Personally, I do not think that women belong distrubuting Communion. I also do not like to see girls serving on the altar. Call me old fashioned. I don't care. Christ did not make women priests. He conferred that role to men. Putting women in the positions that have always been held by men only strengthens the desire of some for women priests. My 2 cents on this subject. |
Aug. 24, 2008
It finally stopped...
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...raining, that is. We have had almost 2 whole weeks without thunderstorms and torrential rains. I am SO grateful! I got to mow my lawn which had begun to resemble a hayfield. We took the 2 hour drive to Hampton Beach, NH not once, but twice. We went up last Sunday and yesterday. Both days were absolutely gorgeous. No one got sunburned yesterday, but my DH, who normally tans, did get a burn last week. He actually wound up blistering and peeling. He said it only hurt on his belly, although, his arms and shoulders were also quite red. Normally, a trip to the beach would mean a lobster-red me, but I found a new sunscreen. The Coppertone spray on, 70 SPF sunscreen. It is easy to apply, and it worked..well, that and knowing enough to stay under my beach umbrella in the height of the sun between 10 and 2.... I did not get burned at all. I am excited about this. I have glow in the dark whit skin, so not burning is an achievement. Last Sunday we stopped on the way home and explored some tide pools. There were snails more than anything in them, but it was fun for the children and a great way to show the effects of the tides. We were able to show the high tide line by the way the seaweed was in a line. What a great visual of a science topic! I have come to realize that many of our everyday experiences are learning experiences. This means that, even though I do not formally do any school work with the children during the summer, we can slip in some "school" just about every day. We can discuss the science of tides at the beach, we can discuss chemistry while doing laundry (laundry detergent changes the ability of plain water to remove soils from clothing by making the water more "slippery"). The longer we homeschool, the more I realize how every day holds some learning experience, and the more I appreciate just how much "teaching" involved parents do on a daily basis. Lord, Thank you for the opportunity to show my children so many of the wonders you have placed in the world. Please help me to have a sense of wonder and to be like a child in examining all these wonders. They all point to you. Help me to recall that, please. Amen. |
Aug. 15, 2008
The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine
Posted in Review
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I have also had a chance to review the Old Schoolhouse Digital magazine. This is an online, interactive version of the Old Schoolhouse. I find it is easier for me to use than trying to keep track of a paper magazine in my already overflowing home. On days when my aging eyes need bigger print, I can make the print bigger. If a photo spans two pages, I can look at the two, but I can then “zoom” in on the text to read the article. The articles themselves span throughout all the topics of homeschooling: special needs, different styles, and different types of families (adoptive, small, and large). There was a wonderful article in the summer edition about using the Charlotte Mason method to help children with special needs. As my children are getting older, and I no longer have little ones of my own, I can read and appreciate the articles about smaller children and put the information away for when I have grandchildren. The Lord may even use the information I have garnered for some other purpose. I love the way the pages “turn” just as though I was thumbing through the physical magazine, but I also love the fact that as long as I “bookmark” my TOS digital magazine, I am not going to have to hunt for it. |