In solidarity

Dan at Faithmouse has drawn a new proposal for a logo for the Beijing Olympics:



Religious expression such as the sale of Bibles, use of rosaries, and the consecrated religious life are banned in China under the current government. Secular Franciscans must meet secretly. In addition, their policy of limiting families to one child means that the atrocity of abortion continues in that country.

Sometimes it takes the thought of what Chinese Catholics and other Christians must go through to make you realize just how blessed we are. We can go to church at any time, carry a rosary or Bible in our pocket, and not worry about our government telling us we must not have more than one child.

Pray for those who must live in these conditions in China.

Used

Tonight we sat down to our dinner of Beef Paysanne, noodles, and green beans.

Big Brother wanted to know, midway through the meal, if I had made this with the leftover Christmas roast beef. (I had immediately frozen what was left of that, because Big Brother cannot be trusted with leftover roast beef in the fridge.)

Middle Sister jumped in: "Mom, I read that recipe you were making, and it called for used meat."

I thought that sounded pretty disgusting. "This meat isn't used! It's leftover!"

Big Brother defended the idea of making dinner from leftovers: "Leftover is not the same as A.B.C.!"

(By the way, I highly recommend the Beef Paysanne, and it's even better if you add 2 cups of sliced mushrooms at the same time as the broth and the wine.)

Toasty!

The gift cards I received for Christmas have yielded heavenly toastiness in the form of:

My New Shoes

These shoes are fabulous--I have never had such toasty toes in my life. And when my feet are cold, the rest of me is not too happy either. I had a pair of their Winter Mocs before, which were an awful lot like these, but without the fabulous faux shearling. I'd have bought another pair of plain old Winter Mocs if I had found them, but these are much better.

I also got My New Coat (note: that is not me modeling the coat!)


And just in time too, since tomorrow's high is forecast at a chilly 28* (yes, I am a winter wimp! I survived ONE northern Indiana winter and that was more than enough. Good thing I had plenty of Irish basketball to distract me from the cold).

And they were both on sale! Woohoo!

So, thanks for your warm & toasty Christmas gifts, Mom and Dad, and Mom and Pop!

BOOKS READ IN 2008

Title, author, and rating! (new for 2008)

1. Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock. Reread. This book gets an A+. I've already given a few copies away as gifts. It's heartbreaking, disturbing--all the more because it could be real. You probably won't guess the ending before you get there. (01/03/2008)

2. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. This book gets a C+. Basically, it's chick lit. It was good entertainment, but I felt a little like I was watching a train wreck--you know something bad is going to happen, and you can't stop it, nor can you stop watching. But next time I need some brain candy, I'd read more by this author. (01/05/08)

3. P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern. I probably wouldn't have picked this up, but a book discussion group I've joined is reading this one. It turned out to be much better than I imagined. This book gets a B+. I was hooked by page 3, and a 30-minute "reading break" this afternoon turned into "the rest of the afternoon" so I could finish it. The ending wasn't the one I wanted, but it was still good. No, I won't see the movie, but I enjoyed the book and will recommend it. (01/09/08)

4. Bookends (biography of Simon & Garfunkel) by Pete Fornatale. I'd probably not recommend it even if you are a huge S&G fan (which I am). It was only about 120 pages long, no photos, and there wasn't a lot there. Considering that these singers are both still alive and there should be a wealth of resource information about them, I was disappointed. However, it was cool to listen to a S&G album while I read, and hear "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at the same time as the book talked about their recording of that song. This book gets a C. (01/10/08)

5. The Sweet Potato Queens' 1st Big-Ass Novel by Jill Conner Browne. Rated R for language. I enjoy the "Sweet Potato Queens" books but I think the others were better. This book made me laugh out loud at some points, but I also found the plot to be fairly sad. This book gets a C. (01/13/08)

6. Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot. Not my first choice of a book; I was previewing something out of the "Princess Diaries" series so I could decide if Middle Sister is old enough for these. I think she can wait until 8th grade. I enjoyed the Princess Diaries movies with Middle Sister, and the book was pretty good. This book gets a B-. (01/15/08)

7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This was an excellent book but difficult to read because of the subject matter. The pain that the characters felt was absolutely palpable. The book gives an insight into life in war-torn countries, especially how it affects children. I was glad for an uplifting ending or this book would have been too heartbreaking. This book gets an A, and I look forward to reading others by this author. (01/19/08)

8. The Oak Leaves by Maureen Lang. A very well-written story of a young wife and mother who discovers an old family diary that sheds light on 150-year-old family secrets as well as her suspicions about her own baby. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the constant shift between past and present. This was a Christian book but not as overly sweeet as many of them are. The characters' faith was part of the fabric of their lives--not something you see often in a book. This book gets a B+ and I'd happily recommend it to others. (01/23/08)

9. The Godmother by Carrie Adams. This book had a little more meat than the usual British chick-lit stuff (Sophie Kinsella comes to mind) and it was a good and satisfying story. For a while I thought it was going to turn out differently than it did, and I was disappointed in that--but there was a twist at the end that was very satisfying. I enjoyed the main character--always the godmother, never the mother. It was a good book, but not a "keeper" and it gets a B. (01/27/08)

10. Suburbanistas by Pamela Redmond Satran. It doesn't get more "chick lit" than this. What kept me going with this one is that it took place in northern New Jersey, my old stomping grounds, and I was looking for clues about what town was really the basis for "Homewood." This book gets a C+. (01/29/08)

11. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. I like to read books that take place in areas I know. This book is set in the Trenton, NJ area. That's about the only thing it had going for it. I felt that the author was trying very hard to turn a clever phrase--and she's no Mickey Spillane. This book gets a D, and I don't give those out lightly! Normally if I dislike a book this much I won't even bother to finish it. (01/31/08)

12. The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty. This was an excellent book. What surprised me was that it was not about the teenage girl who caused a car accident with eternal consequences--it was really about her mother, and how this event affected their already rocky relationship. My only complaint--it ended too soon! I wanted more! This book gets an A. (02/06/08)

13. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. This book is like "Little House" for grownups. Originally published in 1947, it was rediscovered in the 90's and reissued, along with a sequel which I actually found first but put aside until I could read this. If you think you're having a rough time of it, this book will give you perspective! The story (based on a true story) is set in the northwestern Canadian wilderness in the early part of the 20th century. But it's not just the adventures of a young family in extreme weather conditions, it's a love story as well. This book gets an A. (02/08/08)

14. there's a (slight) chance I might be going to hell by Laurie Notaro. If that part of the title doesn't grab you, how about the subtitle: "A novel of sewer pipes, pageant queens, and big trouble." This was a very, very funny book. A really strange story, with a few predictable twists, but the main character was great and Notaro is a truly funny writer. Here's one of my favorite paragraphs:

It was a known fact that Maye could not enter a bookstore without reaching the red alert danger level within a mere thirty minutes. Although she chastised Charlie for his boxes upon boxes of books while she was packing, Maye was every bit as guilty of the identical crime; she simply hid her addiction better and was far more talented at being sneaky. In Phoenix, she concealed her overflow books in closets and drawers, by double-parking them in bookcases and hiding them in filing cabinets. In Spaulding, however, it proved more tricky to secure good hiding places, particularly because Maye had to hide her addiction to the printed word by draping her books in camouflage, lest Charlie stumble upon the hidden booty, open them, and out Maye as the book whore she indeed was. As a result, there was an unusually high number of boxes labeled PERIOD SUPPLIES, MAKEUP, and MONISTAT-7, just to throw Charlie off the trail....

Priceless! This book gets a B+. (02/11/08)

15. My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young. Set in the Netherlands and Germany around 1941, this is the story of a young half-Jewish woman who is hiding her heritage and winds up in a shelter for pregnant teens, hoping to save the baby she has conceived with her Jewish boyfriend. This book was tragic and spellbinding. If you're a history buff, don't skip it. This book gets an A. (02/14/08)

16. Multiple Choice by Claire Cook. This is about a mom who returns to college just as her daughter begins college. They both wind up at the same place for internships--and her daughter does not yet know that her mom has returned to school. It was a quick read, pretty funny, and the mom-daughter thing really rang true. I give this one a B. (02/19/08)

17. My So-Called Love Life by Allie Pleiter. How this one wound up on my bookshelf is a mystery since I don't usually pick up books from the "romance" genre. It's a Christian romance, which in this case means more Christian and less romance and that was just fine with me. A pretty good read about a woman who voices an animated character, and her office romance. I give it a C+. (02/21/08)

18. Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. When you need some chick lit, look no further. This book was really fun. Yes, the ending was predictable, but Kinsella is SO funny. I really enjoy her books. This book gets a B. (02/24/08)

19. Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill. More chick lit. It's a pretty good story about a mom who really loves her children, doesn't buy into the whole "schedule the kids to death" thing, and can't keep up with her peers in terms of fashion or household management. The main character is real and likeable. This book gets a B-. (02/28/08)

20. Them by Nathan McCall. This was a very good book and a compelling story but I had trouble reading more than a little bit at one time. It might be due to the dialect used by the characters, but that doesn't usually stop me. The story concerns people who live in a historically black neighborhood in Atlanta, and what happens there when white "yuppies" start moving into the area. There's a lot of tension in the book, and it doesn't really resolve in the end. But then again, it wouldn't in real life either. This book gets a B. (03/08/08)

21. Dorothea Benton Frank, Sullivan's Island: A Lowcountry Tale. The irritating part about this book was the constant switch in time frame. Two stories were being told at once--nearly 40 years apart, but with many of the same characters. The story was fairly good and the characters were amusing. The author seems to have a bit of an axe to grind about the Catholic Church, and that gets old pretty quickly. This book gets a C. (03/16/08)

22. Kate Braestrup, Here If You Need Me. This is an autobiographical account of how a state trooper's widow becomes a law-enforcement chaplain. I was impressed by her strength, and enjoyed this story very much, even though it dealt with some hard realities (finding bodies of children or suicidal young adults, among other things). The book only encompasses a few years of the author's life, and wasn't so much told chronologically as in a series of vignettes. It's very good. This book gets a B+. (03/17/08)

23. The Land of Mango Sunsets by Dorothea Benton Frank. This book is worth the read just because of the characters. There are some really funny moments, and it's easy to like just above all the characters in this book (there are some you're not supposed to like, and it's easy to loathe them!) Enjoy it. I was really happy with the way it turned out. This book gets a B+. (03/18/08)

24. The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty. What a wonderful book! The story of a young girl, from ages about 10 to 18, who has a single mom and a much younger, severely-handicapped brother. Beginning in the early 1980s, the book touches upon a lot of the pop-culture stuff I remember from growing up. In a way, this is a modern-day A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Enjoy it! This book gets an A. (03/20/08)

25. Every Secret Thing by Ann Tatlock. This book takes place in present-day Wilmington, Delaware, at a private boarding school. A teacher returns to her alma mater and confronts the ghosts of some painful episodes in her past. The characters in this book are wonderful, and although there was some sadness, the ending is really uplifting. This book gets an A. (03/21/08)

26. Isle of Palms by Dorothea Benton Frank. Set in lowcountry South Carolina, this book is like many others by the same author: wonderful characters, so-so plot. It's not her best, but it's a good "beach read" if you're looking for something along those lines. This book gets a C+. (03/25/08)

27. Return of the Stardust Cowgirl by Marsha Moyer. This is the latest installment in the Lucy Hatch series. It's a so-so story, as they all are, but it has some interesting characters. Constant shifts of narrator were annoying. This book gets a C+. (03/29/08)

28. The Staggerford Murders by Jon Hassler. Actually this book contains two novellas: The Staggerford Murders and The Life and Death of Nancy Clancy's Nephew. Hassler's books, though wonderful, can get depressing, and these are no exception, especially the second novella. I enjoyed seeing some characters from Hassler's other works that appeared in this book as well. This book gets a B. (03/31/08)

29. The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser. I found this one by following a link on Amazon to "books recommended for me." It was pretty good, with some parts that were extremely funny. The book is nothing spectacular, but I did enjoy it. The plot deals with a married couple who buys an old, ruined monastery with the intent of converting it into an inn. Some of the best (and funniest) parts of the book come from the local newspaper, which is quoted throughout. This book gets a B, and I'll be reading others by this author. (04/02/08)

30. Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser. This book gets a B. (04/04/08)

31. Lumby's Bounty by Gail Fraser. This book gets a B. (04/06/08)

32. The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. I was hooked on this story right from the beginning. Though the book was full of people dealing with loss and heartache, there was always the feeling of hope. This was a very enjoyable book, despite its sad theme. This book gets an A. (04/15/08)

33. Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. Yes, another knitting book--also about the relationships formed among a group of women who get together at a knitting shop. This was a lighter read, and things were knit together a little too neatly at the end. This book gets a B. (04/18/08)

34. I'll Watch the Moon by Ann Tatlock. If you want to read a wonderful book with interesting characters and a few "never-saw-it-coming" plot twists, this is your book. Hope and faith triumph over tragedy. The setting of this novel is during the polio outbreaks of the 1940s. This book gets an A. I couldn't put it down. (04/20/08)

35. Things We Once Held Dear by Ann Tatlock. An artist returns to his hometown and an old family homestead and has to deal with the "ghosts" of his past. A sweet story with some wonderful characters, especially "Uncle Bernie." This book gets a B+. (04/23/08)

36. For Pete's Sake by Linda Windsor. A "Christian romance" but better written than some others I've found, this is the story of a single woman who falls for an engaged man with a young son. Complicating matters is the little boy's Asperger's syndrome and the sabotage of the man's business by an insider. This book gets a B. (04/28/08)

37. A Room of My Own by Ann Tatlock. A wonderful story set in Depression-era Minnesota, this novel depicts a young girl, daughter of a doctor, who learns about workers' struggles, unions, hunger, and violence. Her strength can be seen when the violence touches her own family. This book gets an A. (05/06/08)

38. A Place Called Morning by Ann Tatlock. It is only by facing up to the losses and crises in her life, and allowing herself to forgive, that the main character is able to tie together some loose ends in her life. I thought this book was going to be depressing, because there is a good deal of loss and grief. But instead, it turned out to be very uplifting. Tatlock's writing is not sweet or sentimental. It is honest and straightforward. Her characters struggle with their faith as they endure the troubles life brings. I loved how this novel ended. This book gets an A. (05/12/08)

39. The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. I picked this book up to see what all the buzz was about, since it has gotten a lot of press because of its "Mommy Wars" theme. Frankly, it was not all that great. It really didn't deal much with "Mommy Wars" but instead was pretty much of a downer, with all kinds of people dissatisfied with their situations and feeling jealous of others in different situations. Wolitzer can write a fabulous paragraph, but I didn't care for the plot line. This book gets a C. (05/20/08)

40. How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by (drat, I returned this to the library without writing down the name of the author). This was a pretty good story, definitely in the "chick lit/beach read" genre. A deep-in-debt recent college grad loses her peon job in publishing and is given a chance to pay off her college loans if she can help 2 spoiled teenagers get into the college of their rich grandmother's choice. WAY farfetched, but still enjoyable. This book gets a B. (05/25/08)

41. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. Not her best! I felt that she was reworking old themes (organ donation and sexual abuse of children) but with a new twist (death penalty). Even some old characters (Ian Fletcher from Keeping Faith) popped up. I'm no fan of the use of 4 or 5 different narrators, either. Because I've come to expect more of this author, this book gets a B-. (06/01/08)

42. Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Excellent, excellent, excellent! This book had 2 narrators, which was more manageable. It was a sweet story of a homeschooled young man who wants to escape his oppressive father and winds up meeting an abused young mom who rides the subway at night to escape her violent boyfriend. No, this book did not poke at homeschoolers--but you'll have to read it to find out why. This book gets an A+. (06/03/08)

43. Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli. Yes, I admit it, I gave in to the hype and read this quite cheesy autobiography/thinly-veiled Jenny Craig commercial. I'd rather have just read about her life rather than her eating life. It was not very well-written, and there is a big-time language alert. Also, I will admit confusing Valerie Bertinelli with Barbara Cooper, her character on One Day at a Time. So I was disappointed when she didn't react as I would think Barbara Cooper would. This book gets a C-. (06/05/08)

44. What Do You Do All Day? by Amy Scheibe. Yawn...yet another "Mommy Wars" book that ends with the proud-to-stay-home Mommy returning to work. There was just way too much agonized navel-gazing in there to suit me. I thought it would be a funny book, but it really wasn't. This book gets a C. (06/06/08)

45. Before I Wake by Robert J. Wiersema. This was an excellent, excellent page-turner written by a Canadian author who looks amazingly like my brother. It's the story of a preschool child who is hit by a car and in a coma, but mysteriously has the power to heal others. There's an element of the supernatural and a surprise ending that wasn't at all what I expected or even wanted, but which I will admit was the perfect ending for the story. I highly recommend this book! This book gets an A+. (06/07/08)

46. Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber. Her books are kind of sweet and kind of predictable, but she still does tell a good story that's quick and enjoyable to read. This was the story of a woman who returns to her childhood home after the death of her father, deals with her mother's advancing Alzheimer's disease, and finally puts to rest some mysterious events from her teen years. This book gets a B. (06/09/08)

47. How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill. This book was recommended to me by my mom. It is the story of a former advertising executive who loses his high-paying job, and then his marriage ends due to his infidelity. He winds up sweeping floors, cleaning toilets and working the cash register at a Starbucks in New York City. Subtitled "A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else," this book shows how he learned to be more humble about his wants, needs, and attitude at work. It was a pretty good book, but I have to admit I didn't have a lot of sympathy for Gill. This book gets a B-. (06/13/08)

48. The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller. Language alert! Yikes! This book is full of R-rated language. The title is a bit misleading, since the main character is actually the neighbor of the Senator's wife. I liked the Senator's wife better than her neighbor, but not too many characters in this book were really likable. I've read others by this author which were much better. This book gets a C. (06/16/08)

49. Rattled by Debra Gallant. It takes place in the county where I live, and is a funny book about the "country people" vs. the "McMansion people" who move in to the area. The refrigerator case in the general store where they used to sell bait worms now contains sushi...but the real fun begins when a rattlesnake comes into someone's backyard. This was definitely an R-rated book, and not the best book in the world, but a fun summer read. This book gets a B-. (06/26/08)

50. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I was prepared not to like this book from a snide reference to homemakers on the first page--but it was amazing. The story of a single mother of a tween daughter who owns a knitting shop, of the women who work in the shop, and the women who frequent it--and how their lives all intertwine. A cover quote compares it to "Steel Magnolias" so I was prepared for a tragedy, but it wasn't the tragedy I would have expected. This was a fabulous book. This book gets an A.

51. Admissions by Nancy Lieberman. Yes, it's a takeoff on "The Nanny Diaries" or "The Devil Wears Prada"--there seems to be a real market for those books these days and I admit to being a little hooked on them. Could this book really be describing how things are in New York City when you want to put your children in private school? This is not a world I'd like to inhabit and certainly not one in which I would thrive. But the author makes it entertaining. This book gets a B.

52. Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. This is a tale told in a very disjointed way. However, it did draw me in. The story of a woman hired as a governess who winds up entangled in the family in ways no one bargained for, it has a lot of interesting twists and turns--not necessarily the ones I wanted, as the reader. The main character was a little irritating, as it seemed that she was just drifting along, letting things happen to her. Shreve writes beautifully and poetically, though. This book gets a B+.

53. The Lost Men by Brian Leung. This was a very sad book about a father and son who were torn apart after the death of the mother. It was a book full of secrets and of the pain of keeping them and not knowing them. This book gets a B.

54. The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Anne Brashares. I think this author did better with "teen" novels. This was an OK book. Rated R or maybe even NC-17 for the subject matter! It tells the story of two sisters and the boy next door, and a love relationship that has long been denied. It's a story with a tragedy that you wish hadn't happened. This book gets a B. (07/28/08)

55. Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon. Mysterious and suspenseful, this book is full of surprises. It's the story of a young woman who witnesses a kidnapping, and who tries to resolve the disappearance of her childhood friend while she works to help solve the kidnapping. Though the subject was sad, this was a fabulous book. This book gets an A. (07.30.08)

56. Like Dandelion Dust by Karen Kingsbury. A child is given up for adoption but his father never knew he existed. Just out of prison for abusing the child's mother, the father learns about his young son and wants him back. The adoptive parents are prepared to go to just about any lengths to keep their child. This book gets a B.

57. Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde. This was a really fun British chick-lit book. The story centers on a young interior designer who renovates a house and discovers the difference between true love and "just a crush." A light, very enjoyable read. This book gets a B+. (08/03/08)

58. Singing with the Top Down by Debrah Williamson. A novel about two children whose parents are failing them, and how they cope after their parents are killed in a freak accident. This was a really touching book about how these children become part of a family for the first time in their lives. This book gets a B+. (08/09/08)

59. On Sparrow Hill by Maureen Lang. Sequel to The Oak Leaves which I read earlier this year. It continues the 2 story lines (separated by 150 years). A pretty good, Christian novel. This book gets a B. (08/12/08)

60. Welcome to the Motherhood: Grime and Punishment by Melissa Jarvis. The back of the book would have you believe that Jarvis is "the Erma Bombeck of South Jersey." It was funny, but I wasn't laughing out loud too often. But it was a good, light book about being a mom. This book gets a B. (08/14/08)

61. Second Draft of My Life by Sara Lewis. I found this book on a remainder table at a bookshop. Sometimes I find the best stuff there! This book is about an author in her early 40s who decides to begin a new career as a teacher and also reinvents other areas of her life. It was a really excellent story, with a clever framed tale and other interesting features. I highly recommend this book. This book gets an A. (08/20/2008)

62. Where You Once Belonged by Kent Haruf was suspenseful because in the beginning of the book you learn that a certain character has done a very bad thing, but it's not until 3/4 of the way through the book that you find out what it is. However, I was not compelled by the characters--I didn't even like them and found it hard to find sympathy for them. This book gets a C+. (08/22/08)

63. Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon. The feeling of the evil spoken of in this book was so powerful. The story was very well done, but the circumstances of the story were horrible. Kind of like a Lovely Bones type story. This book gets a B, but I will never reread it. (08/24/08)

64. House Lust: America's Obsession With Our Homes by Daniel McGinn. McGinn writes about people who are in a completely different economic class than I am, but it was fascinating reading. He discusses renovation fever, vacation homes, home size and the urge to purchase brand-new homes. This book touches on marketing, economics, psychology and other factors as McGinn discusses housing in America. This book gets a B. (08/29/08)

65. This Charming Man by Marian Keyes. I like Keyes' books but this one had the feeling of "same old, same old" that, combined with the 4 separate narrators, left me cold. One of the narrators used a "journal" style which meant very few pronouns, linking verbs or articles. I found it tough to read after a while. I was engaged with the characters but this book was a chore to finish. This book gets a C. (09/06/08)

66. First, Do No Harm by Larry Karp. I'm not generally a mystery reader, but my mom read this book and told me I had to read it. She knows that I, like her, enjoy books that take place in locations familiar to me. This book is set in World-War-II-era "Hobart, NJ" which is actually a thinly-disguised Paterson, NJ. The author changed the names of all the towns, but not the river and not the streets. I could have followed a map to the locations mentioned in this book; in some cases, I wouldn't have needed a map! As to the story, it's a mystery that is solved by two generations, 60 years apart. I'll look for others by this author (this is his fourth novel). This book gets a B+; I couldn't put it down. (09/08/08)

67. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin. This author always seems to write about death, death of a child, and fractured family relationships. (This is the fourth book of his that I have read). That said, he tells a really good story. This book took some time to get going, though; I came very close to putting it back in the library bag unfinished. But then it grabbed my attention. It's the story of a young journalist who, though an assignment to write about a young, visibly-abused foundling, comes to grips with the crises in his own childhood and family life. This book gets a B+. (09/11/08)

68. Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish by Sue Bender. I read this on the recommendation of a friend who knew of my interest in the topic of the value of homemaking. While I enjoyed what Bender had to say about the Amish and the simplicity of their life, I think she missed a very important point. Their life is faith-based. There is a reason for their simplicity. Because Bender does not view her life with an eye to Christian faith (she variously refers to Zen, Greek gods and goddesses) she misses the point of the simplicity. It is born of the beliefs of the Amish people. She realizes at the end of the book that she cannot copy it--but never realizes why. This book gets a C+. (09/14/08)

69. A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin. This book was very, very good. I enjoy reading "recent historical" fiction; this book takes place in World-War-II era Chicago. It's the story of several women who do "Rosie the Riveter" work during the war, and how they are changed by the work they do and their friendship with each other. It was enjoyable to read and an uplifting story. This book gets an A. (09/20/08)

70. The Sound of Us by Sarah Willis. Fabulous story of a middle-aged single woman who winds up becoming a foster parent as a result of a middle-of-the-night wrong number. It's impossible to read this book without getting wrapped up in Alice's life as well as the lives of the little girl and her birth mother. I hated to put it down, and I hated to see it end. I want Sarah Willis to write a sequel so I will know what happens to Larissa, the little girl. This book gets an A+. (09/24/08)

71. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella. Yes, it's fluff, chick lit at its best. Sophie Kinsella tells a really good, funny story. In this novel, a young woman has a fall after a night out with friends, and wakes up in the hospital to discover that it's 3 years later, she's married to a man she doesn't even remember meeting, has a wonderful job and a completely different life. Great story! This book gets a B+. (09/26/08)

72. The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky. This novel explores the question: Is it good to lie in order to protect your child from punishment? Even if your motives are good, the result may not be. An excellent novel. I'd also let my 12-year-old daughter read this. This book gets a B+. (09/28/08)

73. Daughter of the Loom by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. This is the first book in the "Bells of Lowell" series. It's historical fiction, but my preferred "time period" is the 20th century and this is early 19th. This book took me a long time to read--too long for a book of this size. I just don't think I was really compelled to stick with it. This book gets a C+. (10/08/08)

74. The Mercy Rule by Perri Klass. The plot line was all over the place! The story itself was interesting, but I thought there were too many loose ends, too many just disjointed episodes, not even in chronological order. All that was frustrating. I probably will not pick up others by this author. This book gets a C+. If it had been a longer book, I doubt I'd have stuck with it to the end. (10/10/08)

75. The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp. A murder mystery with composer Scott Joplin as a central character, this was an interesting novel. An enjoyable read. This book gets a B. (10/15/08)

76. The Book of Mychal by Michael Daly. A biography written by a man with an axe to grind, this is the story of Father Mychal Judge, OFM, who was the FDNY chaplain and died on 9/11 at the World Trade Center. Because I know some of the people and places mentioned in this book, I also know of some factual errors in the storytelling. This book gets a C+. (10/22/08)

77. Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber. Nothing heavy-duty here, and certainly predictable, but this novel was a pleasant read. It's the story of a young woman who returns to her grandparents' home town and falls in love. Of course, this is not without bumps along the way, but it was a pleasant story. It's part of a trilogy, so a few other plot lines were set up in this novel. I'll read the others, but I'm not expecting to be bowled over. This book gets a B. (10/25/08)

78. Roommates Wanted by Lisa Jewell. This novel had a cute premise: a man is given a house as an inheritance by his father, with the condition that he keep the one tenant who lives there. He winds up inviting some other "lost souls" to live there, and they settle in and never want to leave. Things get interesting when he falls for the girl across the street. It was a pleasant and interesting story. This book gets a B+. (11/02/08)

79. Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg. A mystery novel set in the publishing world, this is the story of an ambitious young literary agent's assistant and how she is spooked by an anonymously-submitted murder mystery that is sent in chapter by chapter and that weirdly parallels her own life. This book gets a C+. (11/06/08)

80. Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber.

81. Always Dakota by Debbie Macomber.

82. Against Medical Advice by James Patterson & Hal Friedman. Told from the point of view of a young man with Tourette's syndrome, this is a fascinating book about what Cory was able to accomplish while battling the side effects of many medications. It was an inspiring story but not particularly well-written; at one point when Cory's mother advocates for him at his high school, you learn about many, many impressive things he has managed to do that you have known nothing about up to that time. There were a few instances like this where the book had some holes in the plot. However, this true story was definitely worth the read. This book gets a B. (11/10/08)

83. Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl by Susan McCorkindale. I had a hard time feeling sorry for McCorkindale, who left a high-paying job and a high-priced home in a high-priced neighborhood and moved to northern Virginia where her biggest complaint is the lack of a nearby Starbucks. She tries hard to be funny, and sometimes succeeds, but mostly I just couldn't dredge up a lot of sympathy for her. This book gets a C. (11/13/08)

84. Towelhead by Alicia Erian. This was a really tragic story of a young girl caught in the middle of a bitter divorce. Neither of her parents is equipped to deal with a teen girl, especially on their own. The physical, emotional and sexual abuse that she goes through are appalling. Not a book for preteen eyes. This book gets a B. (11/19/08)

85. Made in the U.S.A. by Billie Letts. I enjoy books by this author but I have to wonder why abandonment in a Wal-Mart has to open more than one story! This was an interesting novel about siblings who wind up living on the streets of Las Vegas and the Good Samaritan who helps them find a new life. Not for preteen eyes. This book gets a B+. (11/20/08)

86. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. This novel made me cry. It was an excellent story of a lifelong friendship, but not a sappy story. It was a "warts and all" story, best "good cry" and "good smile" all in one book. Highly recommended! This book gets an A+, and some people in my family will be getting this for Christmas this year. (11/22/08)

87. .Fear and Yoga in New Jersey by Debra Galant. This book was just plain silly, but it took place in Essex County, NJ--so I could picture many of the places described in the book. The story was completely unbelievable though the characters were real. WAY too many F-bombs were dropped in this book. But it was OK as light reads go. This book gets a C+. (11/26/08)

88. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken. WHY did my mother think I would enjoy a book about late-pregnancy loss? This book dealt with a heartbreaking topic. It's fabulously written and I will look for more by this author, but I don't think I'd recommend this memoir to anyone. This book gets an A for writing. Certainly the author can't help the depressing nature of the subject matter. (11/28/08)

89. Changing Habits by Debbie Macomber. Can you say "predictable?" Three women enter the convent during the 1950s/early 1960s and leave during the early 1970s. How about, just once, the story of one who stays and is happy? The author mentions in the foreword that she was "raised Catholic" which I take to mean that she is "no longer Catholic." Yes, I think that distinction makes a difference. This book was disappointing and gets a C. (12/02/2008)

90. Happy Family by Wendy Lee. This compelling novel told the story of a young illegal Chinese immigrant woman who is looking for a way to belong and find family here in the USA. Thinking she has found it with a Caucasian couple who has adopted a Chinese baby girl, she winds up on a roller-coaster ride when things don't turn out as she thinks they should. This book gets an A+. (12/07/08)

91. Freakonomics by Steven J. Levitt. (12/10/08)

92. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan. (12/12/08)

93. Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco. (12/13/08)

94. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This is one of those "trendy" books that I had avoided just because it was trendy. But when friend after friend recommended it to me, I just had to read it. It was excellent! I'm definitely going to get my own copy of this book because I know I'll want to read it again. The characters were wonderful and the plot was not predictable--but not so farfetched you'd never believe it, either. This book gets an A+! (12/17/2008)

95. The Secret's in the Sauce by Linda E. Shepherd. Silly and mindless, light "Christian women's fiction." This book gets a C+. (12/20/2008)

96. The Other Side of Darkness by Melody Carlson. I couldn't put this book down. It's a disturbing novel about what can happen when someone with OCD gets sucked into a cultlike church. The characters are very, very real and the plot believable. This book gets an A+. (12/23/2008)

97. Here's the Story by Maureen McCormick. Subtitled "Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice," this book is a badly-written celebrity tell-all. Complete with typos and even spots where it looks like McCormick was changing someone's name to protect their identity, but didn't remember to change it EVERY time, this book was sloppily done and it shows. It's almost 300 pages long but less than 100 deal with the Brady years. It's good that McCormick was able to overcome her drug abuse and other issues, but it really didn't make for a great read. This book gets a C. (12/29/2008)

Happy New Year!

May 2008 bring you good health and happiness!

Did you make any resolutions?

I am resolving:

1. To exercise (I'd say exercise more, but since I don't exercise at all right now, more would be a big exaggeration.)

2. Not to do certain chores that my Big Kids are old enough to do for themselves: put away their laundry and bus their dishes.

3. To take yesterday's Epistle to heart:

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17)

That last one is a tall order--even more so than exercising!

The Top 100 Movies Meme

RobK at Kyrie Eleison tagged me for this meme.
The Top 100 Movies list can be found here.

The only problem with this meme is that I haven't seen very many movies on the list!

Your favorite five movies that are on the list.
1. The Wizard of Oz
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
3. E.T.
4. The Sound of Music
5. Amadeus

Five movies on the list you didn’t like at all.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
2. Gone With the Wind
3. Star Wars
4. To Kill a Mockingbird (the book was WAY better)
5. The Graduate

Five movies on the list you haven’t seen but want to.
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. West Side Story
3. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
4. Rear Window
5. High Noon

Five movies on the list you haven’t seen and have no interest in seeing.
1. The Godfather
2. Jaws
3. Annie Hall
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Deer Hunter

Your favorite five movies that aren’t on the list.
1. Working Girl
2. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
3. The Birdcage
4. Young Frankenstein
5. Legally Blonde

Catching Up

Danielle Bean's column at Inside Catholic today is a very true one. Have a look!

I think there's a reason that the Church wants us to remember that Christmas is more than just a day. It's a whole season! It takes us that long to get through it all. And honestly--all that preparation for just one day? I don't think so. Make it last! You can't manage it in 24 hours. You need a whole season--not to pack as much in as possible, but to give yourself time to savor Christmas.

We always need a break after "The Great 3 Days"--Christmas Eve with my in-laws at a huge family reunion (150 mile round trip); Christmas day at home with Grandma and Grandpa for dinner; Day After Christmas with my side of the family (250 mile round trip). By yesterday all of us had "hit the wall." Big Brother needed to get Out Of The House, or more accurately, Away From The Family. Little Brother was bouncing off the walls. Middle Sister was on the phone as continuously as possible. And TheDad and I just wanted to escape into the books we got for Christmas. And I think all of that was just being overwhelmed by all the driving, packing, wrapping, baking, cleaning, visiting, and eating that has been done in the past few days.

So it was good to catch up on laundry and make Middle Sister's birthday cake and have a simple spaghetti dinner and have some time to read one of the books I got for Christmas. (Oh yeah, and dive into that box of candy I got on Christmas Eve). And today it will be good to catch up on grocery shopping and put fresh sheets on the beds, and have a simple dinner of "western omelet" quiche and the rest of that birthday cake, if Little Brother hasn't filched all the "funfetti" off the icing.

Merry Christmas!

The presents are unwrapped. Tiny pieces of Little Brother's Christmas treasures are strewed everywhere. Everyone is enjoying their presents and a delicious breakfast (if you haven't tried Denise's cinnamon roll recipe, get things set up so you can have it tomorrow! So good, and so easy. And the freezer thing really works!)

We'll be attending noon Mass and then having our big dinner.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Like a Little Child

Little Brother is 5, and it is a magical age. He can do a lot of things for himself, and he is bound and determined to keep up with any Big Kid around. But his face still lights up with wonder when he sees Santa driving down the street in the fire truck.

I have to remember to savor these moments, even the exasperating ones, and find the charm that he brings to them. Like the way he woke up before 6:00 this morning, got dressed in his very best "elf colors" (red tshirt and green sweatpants, topped off with his favorite blue Pokemon sweatshirt) and came downstairs to get in a little Game Boy time before anyone woke up and confiscated the game.

The other night our whole family attended Big Brother's Boy Scout troop Christmas party. There were some Webelo Scouts visiting for the party, and the Scoutmaster was showing them where to gather for the opening ceremonies. He invited Little Brother and the other little brothers present to join the group too, telling them that they were "Junior Scouts." That Scoutmaster had no idea what he unleashed with that comment. Little Brother has been telling everyone for the past 3 days that he is a Junior Scout. He's been demanding a uniform and full rights to attend all meetings, events and camping trips. If the kid thinks I'm getting him a jackknife he can think again!

During Advent he likes to play with his Playmobil Nativity scene. He told me one day that "These kings were lucky...they got to see the real Baby Jesus."

So in these next few days when Little Brother is extra excited, I hope I can remember that he is only 5, and he is doing just what a 5-year-old boy should be doing--enjoying every minute of a wonderful time of year.

Perspective

Where was this post yesterday when I really needed it?

Let's just say it wasn't a fabulous afternoon around here, and cookie-baking wasn't all sunshine and roses.

A Job Well Done

When Little Brother dries the dishes, merely placing the clean things on a clean table is not enough.



It's much more fun to build a plastic fortress.

Ready to Bake

Little Brother is very excited because today is the day we bake the Christmas cookies!

I've got him sorting through my Big Bin of Cookie Cutters (a jug that formerly held a few pounds of pretzels). His job is to find the Christmas cookie cutters.

I get to listen to the running commentary: "A socking*! Is that for Christmas? How about this? What's this? A guitar? Guitars are for summer. Stars are for Christmas! A star for Baby Jesus! And a train, because you can get a train for a present! And what about this one, Mom?" He held up a shamrock. "A lucky!"

*intentionally misspelled because this is how Little Brother pronounces it, and I'm charmed by those cute mispronunciations.

Evangelize Those Christmas Catholics!

Denise reminds us that we should watch our attitudes in the coming days when the churches are full of parishioners who attend only a few times a year.

Being in the choir, I'm not usually in a position to greet, share hymnals, or welcome these parishioners and visitors. However, I have noticed that often, those unfamiliar faces are the ones who venture over to the choir as we are cleaning up the music stands and putting away the hymnals, and compliment us.

If you are a choir member, lector, altar server, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, greeter or usher, make sure you go that extra mile this Christmas. Be reverent, be enthusiastic, be welcoming.

And if you're sitting in a pew, slide over and make room for just one more. You'd slide over if Jesus wanted to sit next to you....

God Bless You!

Debbie at Ukok's Place has started a round of blessings:

The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessing please leave a comment on this thread so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!

I bless Aimee, Sara and Michelle.

I bless Aimee, Sara and Michelle because I can always count on them to keep it real! They are funny, faithful, encouraging and very human. They are able to see the humor in a situation, and not afraid to let their faith shine through.

A Prayer for Aimee, Sara and Michelle…may the blessing of almighty God, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

+++

and that’s it, nearly…

So, all these 3 now have to do is to:

a) bless 3 blog buddies each.
b) Include the ‘God Bless you’ image in their post.
c) Explain briefly why they are blessing the people they are blessing.
d) pray/include in the post the prayer for the recipients of the blessing.
e)The recipient/sender of a blessing should type in the com box of this very post that a blessing has been sent to them so we can keep track of how many blessings are being given. For easy reference a link to this post will make it into Debbie's sidebar.

Thanks for playing along!

The larger ‘God Bless you’ image can also be sent as an E-Card from Debbie's Credo Christian E-Cards website.

God Bless you!

Thorough (NOT!)

Middle Sister has lost what is, to her, a Very Important Item.

But I think she really wants me to look for it.

Over the weekend I told her that she should empty out her closet (except for hanging clothes) and check through everything.

She produced two bags that she no longer carries, and one plastic bag with a few books and coloring books in it, and said that she had cleaned out the closet. She said "yes" when I asked if she had checked inside all her purses and her old backpack.

This morning when I went to hang things up I saw the messy state of the closet and figured that she hadn't really checked it very well, so I rifled through the backpack and tote bags.

I didn't find the Very Important Item, but I did find the doorknob attachment to the power drill--something every tween girl needs to carry in her tote bag, of course.

Guess what she'll be doing after school today?

Sweet

Little Brother parked himself at the table yesterday with a box of markers and a stack of letterhead from my dad's accounting business (when they moved, they gave my kids the rest of the stationery to use as scrap paper).

He was very busy writing and drawing and addressing papers to children in his class and to his teachers. He wants to make a picture for everyone (and there are 28 in his class!) He's almost halfway there.

I just rifled through the pile. There are pictures of flowers, snowmen, Christmas trees. And each paper says "I love you" except one, which says "You roock."

Something I want to do every year

Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit than spending money donated to a "Pollyanna Fund" on a couple of little kids who'll need gifts this year.

Our Secular Franciscan fraternity had $300 to spend, and since I'm the only one with children under 17, I was elected to take charge of the gift selection. SFO Girl's 4 teenage daughters helped me shop.

We filled TWO carts at Target. And we had a great time!







Here's everything, all wrapped up. Yes--The Girls are experts at wrapping and tying curly ribbon.



Ho ho ho!

And they had extra time before they had to go home, so they helped me finish wrapping the gifts I've purchased for the grandparents and cousins. (Sorry, grandparents and cousins. YOUR presents are not pictured here!)

Those Darn Homophones

Middle Sister is sitting at the table with a posterboard, markers and stencils. I thought she was making a project for school, but she said it wasn't homework.

Then she shocked me with the question: "How do you spell heroin?"

I spun around in my chair: "EXCUSE ME?!"

"You know: hero, heroine..."

It's Pink Candle Sunday!

Time to decorate the tree. But first I have to do the "check every bulb" thing and replace the ones that don't work, and in some cases unwind the entire string from the branches where we left it last year, and redo that section. If TheDad doesn't think the tree looks "X-rayed" when the lights are on, then I have not accomplished my mission. I think there are a dozen strings of lights on the tree.

Little Brother is driving us crazy wanting to unwrap the ornaments now. Middle Sister is going to the movies with a friend, and is a little put out that we said she had to be home by 7:30 so we can do the ornaments. Big Brother is ignoring all the proceedings, having fulfilled his first role of "Beast of Burden" carrying the tree inside. He'll get into it later when it's time to hang things on the highest branches.

I think it's time to put on some Christmas music. Maybe Mannheim Steamroller; maybe Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Something to string lights by.

Gaudete!

No One Sleeps at Sleepovers (especially the parents)

Last night we had Middle Sister's snow-themed birthday party. 6 guests, no sleeping. Highlights of the event included balloon fights, manicures, reheated pizza after midnight, potato chips for breakfast instead of the waffles I cooked, and one broken "globe" from the kitchen ceiling fan, because it's not a party if there's nothing broken.

Remind me again why we feel compelled to clean the house before a party? I have to do it again today! But I think I'm going to have to have some coffee with actual caffeine. It might be the only way to make it through the afternoon.

Cake, anyone?

A Letter I Wish I Could Send

Dear (name withheld)

One day this week I was waiting in line at your workplace. You were assisting a customer and laughing with that customer and others in line about the pastor in our church. You were broadcasting the irreverent behavior that you and your friends display in church, particularly during the Lord's Prayer.

Did you know that Father very deliberately tries to slow down the Lord's Prayer? It's not because he is being ornery. It's because he wants everyone to take the time to listen to each and every word that we are praying. Father has said on more than one occasion that we must not race through the Lord's Prayer--we must savor every word, as that is the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. It's not funny that you and your friends finish "10 seconds before Father" and always wind up laughing.

But what really bothered me is that you think nothing of having these discussions in your workplace. You work in a very public place in town. Everything you say to one customer is overheard by all the other customers who may be there. Please use your interactions with your customers as opportunities to spread good, not to mock or slander others.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

I keep a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe in my kitchen. Today Jane posted these words that Our Lady spoke to Juan Diego:

"Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."

I put a large white candle in the middle of our Advent wreath today, and we will light it in Mary's honor.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Ugliest Vestment Contest--Bet you can't pick just one!

The voting is beginning at The Crescat's Ugliest Vestment Contest. If you look on the top right of that page, you can go to a link for each of 3 categories: Men's, Women's and "Mitres and More."

I wish it were multiple choice. Some of those things are scary! And the funny titles are not to be missed. My personal favorite in the "Mitres and More" category was #15.

I think the prize should be the opportunity to host a bonfire and burn them all.

H/T to Laura the Crazy Mama for pointing out this contest.

WARNING: Do not attempt to eat or drink anything while viewing the web pages related to this contest. I am not responsible if you spew anything on your computer.

Overheard at the Dinner Table

"Little Brother, get your elbow out of your drink!"

"I was trying to get the spaghetti sauce off my elbow."

A Little Christmas Cheer

Please visit Suzanne Temple's blog, where there's a very special Christmas project underway. Can you help?

Things Parents Ask

"Who left their gum at the Nativity Scene?"

Does Crayola Know About This Color?

Today Little Brother was coloring with some crayons. He picked up what he thought was a red crayon, but when he colored with it, discovered that it had more of a purplish tone. Not what my little artist was after! "Hey, what color is this," he wondered, inspecting the crayon. "Violent red?"

Slow Down!

This is what I get for doing too much rushing.

My mom is afraid to do any "cyber shopping" but she knows I have no such fears. So I get frequent calls: "Can you find one of these, and get it shipped to me?" Then she waits on the phone while I place the order and writes out a check and mails it.

Last week I ordered something from a certain store so she could give it to one of my nieces.

This week I ordered something from the same store as a gift to one of my kids.

Yesterday I got a tracking number in an email and when I checked on the package, it was set to arrive at Mom's house on Tuesday. I assumed it was my niece's gift. So I emailed Mom that the package was on the way.

I got an email back that she had already received that package on Thursday!

Sure enough, the gift I ordered is also on its way to Mom's house. 125 miles from here. I need it here for Christmas. The site had "helpfully" remembered Mom's shipping address, and I never thought to check on that when I made the second order.

Sigh.

There's going to be a lot of gas and turnpike tolls expended to correct this mistake.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Castiglione's Immaculate Conception with St. Francis and St. Anthony of Padua

This morning at Mass, Father discussed why Catholics revere the Blessed Mother. He observed that by doing so, we are actually following the Fourth Commandment: "Honor thy father and thy mother." Mary is truly our Mother, given to his disciple John and to all of us by Jesus just before his death on the cross.

Ave, Maria! Ora pro nobis.

Prayer Request

Nov. 27: Please pray for my friend SFO Girl's daughter N. She had a kidney transplant 2 years ago and today has been admitted to the hospital for a biopsy, as some routine tests showed a possible problem. At this hospital she gets the Best Care Anywhere, so everyone is grateful for that. I'm sure that N's 3 sisters are very worried too, as well as their mom and dad.

SFO Girl has a lot of medical concerns in the family right now, so prayers for her extended family would also be appreciated.

UPDATE: N is still in the hospital. Her body has begun to reject the kidney, despite her very scrupulous care in taking her medicines. She is receiving heavy-duty doses of anti-rejecton medication. SFO Girl said that N is feeling very down and disappointed that this is happening to her. So please keep up the prayers for this brave teenage girl and her whole family.

UPDATE 12/06: N's condition is improving but she is not "back to normal" just yet. Also, the doctors are unable to determine what caused the rejection. They have done several tests to try to figure this out. N's dad and 2 of her sisters joined us for dinner last night. They are hoping that she will be able to come home from the hospital very soon since tomorrow is her birthday. Your continued prayers are much appreciated by her family!

UPDATE 12/07: N is home from the hospital and getting ready to enjoy her favorite birthday cake! She's still got more medicine & procedures to get through, but she's doing much better. Keep on praying!

Get Ready!

The Minor Friar wants you to know that it isn't Christmas we're preparing for during Advent. It's something else altogether.

I didn't know that, but it does make sense. Listen to the readings at Mass--it will all fall into place.

Get ready! "You know not the day nor the hour."

Teacher, When Is Nap Time?

I have come to the conclusion that teaching is mentally exhausting work.

Actually, I knew that, but because my job involves long periods of "unemployment" I tend to forget about it.

I am a homebound instructor for a local school district. This means I work on an "as-needed" basis, and it can be months or even years between jobs. It looks like the job I have right now, which started yesterday, will keep me busy through the end of this school year.

Fortunately this particular job allows me to work during my own kids' school day, so I don't have to worry about child care of juggle schedules with TheDad. And I thoroughly enjoy the one-on-one (or in this case one-on-two, as I have two sisters to teach right now) at the kitchen table.

But I think I might have to go back to caffeinated coffee. Afternoon naps are just not an option! I teach in two-hour blocks--a whole week's worth of lessons in one session. Because there are 4 other tutors to schedule, this is not negotiable. But 2 hours of a single subject all at once really wears me down. No wonder my students get silly after about 90 minutes!

Coolest Christmas TV Website EVER!

Want to know when your favorite Christmas special will be on TV?

Check out It's a Wonderful CHRISTmas for all the details.

Middle Sister was thrilled to find out when "Olive, the Other Reindeer" will be aired. And I found the listing for my favorite "made for TV Christmas movie" which is cheesy as can be, but a good chick-flick nonetheless: "The Christmas List."

Foregone Conclusions

Little Brother is very busy building a battle scene in the family room. He's got a giant tank, an entire air force, and Green Guys vs. Tan Guys all set up.

"Mom, who do you think is going to win?"

"Um....the Green Guys."

"You're right!"

He's obviously got a lot of confidence in his military strategy.

Advent Thoughts

Today in church, Father spoke about how our church was starkly decorated in comparison with the homes in the neighborhood, which are already beautifully glowing. This is because, he said, the Church reminds us that we still have work to do--and that we cannot let empty beauty be a substitute for what is real, true and good.

Father Selvester expands on that same point here. What a wonderful reflection to help set the tone of Advent.

Advent Begins

Little Brother was excited to come downstairs this morning and find our Advent Chain all ready and waiting!

We will get the Advent wreath and the empty Nativity scene set up during the day today.

Once again, a big thank you to the Curt Jester who provides the lovely Advent wreath for any blog. Every week another candle will light up, and the picture will change once Christmas arrives! At no cost to you!

While you're visiting the Curt Jester, check out what he has to say about the meaning of Advent.

And on a more serious note, read Friar Charles' homily for today. Sometimes distractions in church mean that I miss part of the homily. It's nice that we have generous priests on the Internet who share their homilies with all of us. Here's another: Father Tom at A Friar's Life.

How to Thrill a Child with a Christmastime Birthday

Middle Sister received a letter from the principal of her school yesterday.

"You have been selected to be one of the seven students to light the Christmas trees (in the church attached to the school). You were selected because your birthday falls on or nearest Christmas. Often your birthday celebrations maybe have been overshadowed by Christmas. We would like to honor those who share their birth-date with Our Lord's."

We try hard to make sure Middle Sister gets plenty of "happy birthday" treatment in the middle of Christmas celebrations, as her birthday is the 27th.

I think this celebration at school is a really sweet idea.