More books

These are the latest books I've read. I guess I am on a Ralph McInerny kick right now. I've enjoyed reading his Notre Dame mysteries.
Both are pretty lightweight, but fun to read even when you can guess who done it and how the "romance" will turn out. All of his characters are quirky, which I like and I like the way he incorporates his faith into the books.

Where Are You Now? is the latest book by Mary Higgins Clark. I spent a yummy Saturday afternoon curled up in a comfy chair, covered in a warm afghan reading this. Carolyn McKenzie's brother Mack disappeared 10 years ago. Now she is determined to find him. Her search leads her into danger, not knowing who can be trusted. Having read all of Mary Higgins Clark's books through the years, I was able to figure out the bad guys pretty easily. But it was fun to read and a great way to spend a cold, cloudy Saturday.

An Award

Julie over at Joyful Days has given me this wonderful award. Thank you Julie. I love your blog and read it every day.

The award says:

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are :

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

15 blogs is a lot, but here goes!

I'll start with Ruth at This, That and the Other Thing, who has been so good to me. I love reading her book reviews. I've known her online for over 10 years and feel like I know her IRL.

Then I'll got to Renee at S.A.G.A., who I have also known online for over 10 years. Hopefully we will get to meet in the fall (keeping my fingers crossed for MJ's college choice)

I don't know this woman and have just started reading her blog, but I really love it. She is sincere and hits the nail on the head so often, so Betty Duffy, here's to you.

Michelle at Dei Gratis is another long time friend who is a living saint, in my opinion. She and her husband have adopted 6 children in recent years and her life is an adventure.

Kathy at K2D2Vaca is a sweetie who is a very talented teacher and photographer. Check out her photos on her blog and on her other sites. She's really good. That she happens to be my eldest is totally beside the point.

Melissa at Mixin' With Melli is a brand new blogger. She has a cooking blog geared towards college kids, which is what she is. I know for a fact that this kid can cook up a storm and she cleans up after herself too, which is a huge plus since during the school breaks and summer months, she lives at my house. Despite the fact that someone keeps reporting her innocent little blog for violations, it's a nice blog.

Bear Witness to Light is written by Father John. I have known him for a long time too and he never fails to make me think and grow in my faith. He is probably one of the smartest people I have had the pleasure to know. He's funny too.

Caroline writes at A Traditional Homemaker. She is a young mom with 4 small children. She also quilts, knits and cooks like crazy. She amazes me.

Judy at Grasp the Spindle is another person that I've known for years. She is the happy wife of a sweetie and the mom to 4 children and one bonus kid. She recently had a sad event in her life, but she just keeps on going. I admire that.

Lynn at Speechless,Mostly is a new blogging friend. I enjoy her pictures and her take on life.

Catholicism + Wine is a blog that is new to me, but she writes profoundly on many subjects.

Over at Ground Level in Kansas, Janette writes about her home, her family and her teaching job. Janette is another long-time friend and I am hoping I can meet her IRL before too long too.

Teresa at A Day in the Life is another of my message board friends. She is a busy mom, wife, grandma and she works full-time too all while dealing with a chronic illness. Her sense of humor impresses me as well as her strength.

Rachael at -Little Bites of Heaven- is someone that I actually know in real life. She has a daughter in Becky's grade at school and TRIPLETS! It's so much fun to see her babies at basketball games and it is lots of fun to read about their progress on her blog. They are so cute.

Lastly, I'd like to give this right back to Julie. She is very approachable and I enjoy getting to know her through her blog.


Whew! 15 blogs! I read a lot of blogs, but don't comment on too many of them. I'll betcha that when I get around to letting some of them know that they've won, some of them will be very surprised!

Thanks again, Julie.

What's it all about?

I once heard someone say that God's plan is always beautiful, but our problem is that we are looking at it from the bottom up. It's like looking at the back of this bib. You can sort of see the picture and you can sort of see what it could be, but there are lots of knots and loose threads and you really can't tell for sure what it shows. It looks messy. Our life is like that. We see problems and obstacles that make our lives full of knots and threads. Sometimes the knots are all that we do see. The knots are huge and block our view of any glimpse of the total picture. We get so focused on the knots that the stitches become unimportant. There is just this huge ugly knot in the way and it makes us angry and frustrated. Eventually we may become accepting of it and will just saddened by it. We are still missing the point. There is a whole lot more to our lives than the knots and loose threads.

When you look at the embroidery from the front side, by golly, you don't see the knots and loose threads, you see the whole picture. It makes sense! It's pretty. It's complete and all of those knots had a purpose! Without the knots, the whole scene would just fall apart. The knots are holding it all together. The loose threads form a connection from one part of the picture to another. Out of ugliness, beauty is formed.

It's not a bad analogy.

Don't concentrate on the knotty problems in your life. Give thanks that God uses those knots to complete the beautiful picture that your life will become.

I Need Some of This

I bought this little bottle at Duncan Manor when we went through the tour in June. It was dug up from someone's privy in McLean County and, although you can't tell in this glary picture, it used to contain Pain Expeller. I googled this shortly after I bought it and found out it contained cocaine, so I guess it must have really expelled the pain, but perhaps had other consequences that weren't so good. Another site I found said that this was a liniment for external use only, so I doubt it had cocaine. The bottle says it was good for rhumatism, neuralgia, gout, colds, etc. It doesn't mention back pain, but my guess it that it helped. I wish I had some. I wish I had something that would work.

What I've Been Reading.

I have been doing quite a bit of reading lately. For this blog, I am not posting any pictures, but will provide links for each book.

I've read Running For My Life: Captive of the RUF Rebels of Sierra Leone by Father Victor Mosele. He is a priest who is currently assigned to our local Newman Center and is a customer of ours. I've talked to him several times and he asked if we could carry his book. It is an interesting story about being caught up in the rebellion in Sierra Leone. He was actually captured twice and had to escape. His escape was hampered the last time by an unforeseen case of gout, which was very painful. Many local people aided him and Father Franco in their escape. I enjoyed reading the book and found it all the more interesting since I know the author.

The next book I read was Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Well-Known Catholics by Al Kresta and Nick Thomm. The book contains many stories from prominent Catholics chronicalling a moment when God became real to them. From Joseph Pearce's story of being imprisioned for belonging to a white supremist group to Jeff Cavins talking about dropping his daughter off at college, they run the gamut of experience.

Behind Bella by Tim Drake is another book I read. This book got me interested in seeing the movie, which I loved. The story behind the movie is as good as the movie itself.

Amazing Grace for Survivors by Jeff Cavins, Matthew Pinto, Patti Armstrong and Luke Armstrong is the latest in the Amazing Grace series. Set up like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, it is a series of short essays regarding survivorship. Some of the stories tell of surviving illness or addiction or accidents. Some of them will make you cry and some of them will give you goosebumps. Good book.

Another book I read is called Catholic Reluctantly: JP2 High School. It is a book geared for teens and tells the story of a brand new Catholic High School with 7 students. The kids are all very different, from Allie who transfers from public school and is a Christmas and Easter Catholic to James, who seems to be more Catholic than the Pope. This is the first in a series and it sets the groundwork for the coming volumes. The kids seem pretty real and I think kids would enjoy reading the book.


Thanks to a friend who has kept me supplied with reading material, I can also add the following books to my read list:

One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling is the story of two mothers. One mother, Nora, has just lost her son to a terrible accident and one mother, Jenna, is frightened that her daughter will die unless she has a heart transplant. You can probably guess what happens. The book follows Nora as she sinks into a deep depression only to come out on the other side stronger and Jenna as she rejoices in her daughter's new life and deals with the consequences.

On Her Own by Wanda Brunstetter is the story of Barbara Zook, who is widowed and pregnant with her fourth son. Her beloved husband was killed on their tenth anniversary and she never got the chance to tell him about her pregnancy. As the book begins, Barbara gives birth to a son and needs help running the harness shop that she owns now that her husband is gone. Enter Paul Hilty, visiting from Pennsylvania, who offers to step in at the shop and run it until Barbara is back on her feet. While they spend most of the book fighting their mutual attraction, Paul and Barbara end up with a happily ever after ending.

Allison's Journey by Wanda Brunstetter is about the next generation of Zook's. Aaron Zook, Barbara's eldest son has vowed that he will never marry. He knows that he couldn't handle the pain of his spouse dying as he remembers the death of his father very well. Then he meets Allison Troyer, a girl after his own heart. Guess what happens??

White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter is the story of Will Henderson, who was abandoned by his father at age six and was raised by an Amish couple. Now engaged to marry Karen Yoder, Will is having second thoughts. Will he be as irresponsible as he believes his father was? When his father seeks him out, the recipe for White Christmas Pie holds the key to Will's past and his future.

Lastly, Plain and Fancy by Wanda Brunstetter tells the story of Laura, an interior design student who falls in love with Eli Yoder, a young Amish man. Eli is not allowed to marry outside his faith. Will he leave the Amish Church for Laura or will she decide to join his church? The book is the story of struggle and growth that often accompany love.

Huh? Me? No Way!

You Are Chess

You are brilliant and shrewd. You can often predict what people will do in the future. You thrive in complex situations. You deal with contradictions well. You can have many streams of though going on at your mind at once. You keep track of things well. You are very patient. You have lots of endurance, even when your energy dwindles

What Board Game Are You?

Julie, over at Joyful Days, had a link to this blog things question. I never, ever in all my days would have thought that I was "chess". I'll bet my nearest and dearest would agree. Clue, maybe. Hi Ho Cherry O is more like it. But Chess???!!!

Bella

This movie came out, probably about one year ago. I know that several of my kids saw it. I'm a little slow that way and just saw it this morning. We sell the dvd at the store and it has intrigued me. I checked it out of our church's library and watched it this morning. I cannot recommend this movie enough. It is beautiful and touching. It is the story of Nina, a waitress in an upscale Mexican restuarant who finds out that she is pregnant. Unfortunately, because she was late too many times, she is fired. Jose, the owner's brother, follows her after she leaves and that's where the story begins. Nina wants to have an abortion. Because of a tragic accident in his past, Jose is haunted by the image of a little girl. He wants to adopt Nina's baby. The story that unfolds is compelling and lovely. Most of the movie takes place in one day. A big part of the movie is Jose's family. What a great family! They are close and they fight and make up and love each other very much. It's the kind of family that Nina did not have while growing up. Her family was small and her father died when she was 12. Her mother sank into a deep depression and Nina basically had to raise herself from that point on. She doesn't feel qualified to have a baby and believes that abortion is her only option. Jose shows her differently.

The story behind the movie is as good as the movie. Eduardo Verastegui, the star of the film, was a popular soap opera actor and singer in Mexico when he began to realize how empty his life was. He began looking for more, both in his career and in his personal life. He moved to Hollywood and at the same time, began attending daily Mass. At Mass, he met up with another young, ambitious hispanic who was also realizing that he could be doing more within the confines of his faith. Alejandro Monteverde and Verastegui formed a film company. They were looking for the right project when Bella came along. In order to research his role, Verastegui ended up going to an abortion clinic to see what it was like. He met with a group of sidewalk cousellors there and offered his assistance. Soon a Hispanic couple arrived and since they spoke no English, the counsellors asked Verastegui to help. The couple recognized him from the Mexican soap operas and they listened as he talked. After about 45 minutes, the couple had missed their appointment for the abortion and left. Several months later, Verastegui received a phone call from the man. His girlfriend has just given birth to a baby boy and they wanted Verastegui's permission to name the boy Eduardo after him! Here is a link to him telling this story.

If you haven't yet seen this movie, DO IT! You will love it.

Our Altar and Rosary Project

We have been making these little Advent Wreath pins in Altar and Rosary. We will be selling them for the next several weeks. Aren't they cute? The supplies were donated and we are selling them for $3.00 each, so they are pure profit and the profits are going to our building fund, which has kinda stalled due to the economy. I don't think we'll get rich selling them, but we should make some money.

We met this afternoon and made several hundred of them. It was fun talking with everyone in a more relaxed setting. Our Altar and Rosary ladies are really fun and we range in age from probably late '30's to the '80's. Each lady is such a delight to know and we all get along so well. I've been president for three years now and God willing, I am nearly done as elections are held in January. I've enjoyed it, but I am ready to let someone else take charge.

Anyway, I just wanted to share these cute pins with you. I'm kinda proud of our efforts.

My First Baby Project

When I was expecting my kids, I went to the store and found little white cotton drool bibs and then ironed on embroidery transfers on them. I spent many a happy hour thinking about my new baby while embroidering them. I kept them all and they are in the boxes I have for each child of important memorablia. When I found out that I was going to be a Grandma, I wanted to do the same for this little tyke. The problem is that I can't find the plain white SMALL drool bibs, so I ended up buying these larger ones at Hobby Lobby. I had to find larger transfers too. Anyway, here is bib number one. I just finished it last night. I have another one nearly done and two more to go. I'd still like to find some smaller bibs, but I'll just keep looking.

One difference I have noticed since the last time I've done this - my eyes are terrible! Even though I wear bifocals, I can't see up close too well, so I am constantly taking off my glasses to thread the needle or to see where the lines are. I guess I've got "grandma eyes". This was fun though. Can't wait to do more for all of my other grandbabies down the line.

Time To Really Be the Voice of the Voiceless

Have you read this? Or heard this?

Stand up, speak up and do your darndest to NOT let this happen.

The View From My Porch

This fall has been spectacular. And the weather is unbelievable. Today it is in the mid-seventies. I mowed the lawn wearing a short sleeved t-shirt. What a great day.

It's election day. I have a feeling I know how this presidential election will turn out. I'm a little worried about that, but I guess we have to trust that God will be watching over us and that His will be done. I voted this morning. I had to wait in line for about 25 minutes. I think it is the first time I have ever had to wait.

I think I may have overdone things regarding my back. My back has been so much better this year. After two rotten years of nothing but back pain, I thought that maybe I had this thing licked. I don't think so. I can't take my pain pills any longer as they seem to make me sick. I guess I need to call my dr and see if there is something else I can take. Between all of long car trips I have made in the past few weeks and sitting on bleachers watching my daughter sit during basketball games, I am hurting again. Today has been nearly unbearable. There are 4 more basketball games in the regular season and then there is a tournament and then the post-season. Is it wrong of me to hope that we lose the first game in the post-season? I don't want to sit on bleachers anymore than I have to.