tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72881708021545219992024-03-13T06:27:41.071-07:00Somewhere Under the RainbowHow many children do you have?
5 :)...3 here, and 2 waiting for us OVER the rainbow. :)Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-43819227781370581042014-07-15T00:03:00.000-07:002014-07-15T00:03:12.071-07:00Hey again....Is anyone still here? I have been thinking a lot lately about revamping this blog. I need....something. An outlet. A focus. A trademark? A purpose outside of normal chaotic life? To find myself? To find a friend? Sigh. I don't know. But thought I might try to start here, and see if it goes anywhere. <br />
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Anyone here who might read this probably already knows what has transpired over the past year and half. We moved back in with my In-laws into their home right about when I stopped blogging. Life just got too crazy. We were commuting 30 minutes every day in one car, so usually that meant staying in town all day at the church to be able to maintain our activities...this was the 2012-2013 school year. But in the midst of normal chaotic life and trying to work at the church....I was also taking care of Mr. Martin, helping Mrs. Martin. That meant checking his blood sugar 4 times a day and often in the middle of the night (and feeding him when it was too low in the night), making sure they had meals, making sure he took all of his many meds at the right time each day, and then refilling his pill box. Taking them to many doctor's appointments and so forth. We also lost our vehicles. One engine or two blew up basically. And another was totaled. We had no choice but to buy a new (to us) vehicle. But our credit being what it was, we could no qualify for something older...we had to get something at least a certain "age." So we got a 2011. It's great but...we had never (no, never) had a car payment in our adult lives. Ugh. <br />
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So all of the above....meant living cramped into 2 bedrooms...one for the kids (with 3 beds) and our room. Also in the house, besides the IL's were two young adult nephews. Plus the myriad of other cousins and visitors that came and went all the time. No privacy, lots of pressure. Life was chaos to the max. I think Doug and I both began experiencing physical symptoms of the stress in our lives. His eventually ended with extremely high blood pressure. He is on meds now. (or supposed to be) And mine just various other symptoms. I ended up very sick on both Christmas and Easter, missing virtually all of the Masses and associated Holy Days. I had the worst upper respiratory/cough thing I'd ever had. And the worst (and first since I was a kid) ear infection ever. Double. I caught hand, foot and mouth from Mariam and we both suffered through that.<br />
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And we went through multiple hospitalizations with Mr. Martin, as his health declined. He had home health care and hospice off and on at various times. And all of that culminated into major gallbladder surgery for him in the summer of 2013. It was then that we took the opportunity, with the help of the other siblings to convince the Martins to move to town with us, into a rental. That way we could better care for them, not be as stressed, and be in town near the doctors and hospital. Thankfully they consented, and after about a 3 week hospital stay, a few resuscitation's, and an ICU stay, they came home to the new house, which was right around the corner from the church (our second home.) This was the end of July, beginning of August.<br />
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Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the major decline in Mr. Martin's health. His breathing and heart never came back up to par. In fact he would go on to have another heart episode (which was the first time I ever saw a human turn truly BLUE in real life, something very ghostly that I will never forget) that would lead to his final demise in November. We watched him struggle more and more with his breathing. We dealt with increasingly unstable blood sugars. And retaining fluids. That final week, we debated another hospital stay. We weren't sure and he didn't want it, but he just was doing so poorly and we wanted to find a way to get comfort for him. We finally got him there on a Thursday afternoon. They were doing breathing treatments often...he could never get comfortable and he moaned a lot, as he struggled to get a good breath. Doug had stayed with him all night Friday night, and then I had a few moments alone with him that Saturday evening, before Matt and Malaena took over their shift for the night. It was shortly after midnight, into Sunday morning...November 17th, my own Daddy's birthday, ...that he simply and fairly peacefully, took his last breaths, sitting in his chair. He just seemed to go to sleep....to finally get peace. Doug took Mrs. Martin up there to see him and say goodbye. She was distraught she could not be with him and she didn't expect it quite so soon. I later got to go see him and he truly seemed finally at peace. He had struggled for 12 years really, from his first bypass surgery and subsequent chronic heart failure. <br />
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He was a fairly good man. Very few flaws. He loved his family fiercely, and he taught me literally the meaning of giving someone "the shirt off your back." He compared me to his Momma, and Doug said that was the highest compliment he could give. I'm so glad I could help care for him in his final days, and could show my children how to do so. I hope that dear MIL will let us take care of her as well. She has moved back in to her home. She is well, but we worry about her. More on that for another time.<br />
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Suffice it to say, it's been rough. It's been chaos. There was a severe and sudden denouement. Anti-climatic. And we all went through a time of depression. But the busyness and chaos of life quickly resumed. In fact, life was so busy and chaotic, that I just wasn't giving ANY one thing enough attention. I ended up resigning my kitchen position at church. Our family was just suffering too much, for not enough (monetary) reward. Maybe in years to come, I can go back to some kind of job like that again. But for now, I am looking for the right job to help us dig out of our money pit. And as in my other recent post, trying to I guess, as they say, "find myself." I am trying to get organized and do what I need to do for everything I am involved in. It's just not easy for me. I don't know why. If I sound a little down, I guess I am, but for the most part things have been looking up. I'm back on track w/ exercising and eating better. The kids have been very active in various things and seem happy. We just are trying to figure out how to make and maintain friendships. <br />
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One thing I long for is to read more and to starting really writing. I love editing and writing about things I truly believe in or love. It's just finding the time amongst the chaos. I guess time will tell. And I hope I start blogging again. For reals. :p Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-38303984692006865172014-07-14T23:46:00.000-07:002014-07-14T23:47:09.258-07:00My Tribe? My Job? My Purpose?I have had an update in draft and been meaning to get back to my blog for many many months. But I finally just have to get this out there somewhere, and this feels as safe as any place since no one reads it anyway :P When will I find MY "tribe"? When will I ever find MY purpose and job? Who am *I* supposed to be? Yes I am a mother and love my children. I love being at home....but I also need to work and supplement income. I love being the wife of a youth minister, and helping w/ all manner of youth ministry, but still never feel like I fit in. I am a homeschooling mom, but so many years I have been floundering and trying to figure out which direction to go. And....I don't fit in anywhere :( I am left out, my children are left out and it hurts. I don't know what to do about it. I have been searching for one good friend my whole adult life, beyond my best friend, my hubby. I mean, a girlfriend with common enough interests to bind us and to be able to talk even with chaos in the background and to drop by and hang out at various times of the week or month or heck, even year. So of course, I mean "IRL" or locally. Because I have a myriad of wonderful ladies "online" who've been there for me for years. And maybe that's why I didn't push too hard years ago to get out and go make friends. But in every "group" I am ever a part of, I am the outsider. Outside of the inside jokes, left out of invitations, and just....left wondering what is it about me or my family? Why? Or why not us? Are we too busy and just turned down one too many previous invitations? Were we too loud or unruly? Is it because of our ties in ministry? Am I too hippie? Or not hippie enough? I just don't know. But it feels like my years of public education all over again. And I don't want that for my very outgoing children. :( If there is anyone reading this, could you say a little prayer for me. Thanks.<br />
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Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-85692116939153499952012-08-30T17:32:00.001-07:002012-08-30T17:32:56.358-07:00Needed this<div><p><a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-sweet-mom-who-feels-like-she-is.html?m=1">finding joy: dear sweet mom who feels like she is failing.</a><br>
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</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-72932123450262581772012-08-27T01:12:00.001-07:002012-08-27T01:12:56.459-07:00The married priest ~ Anglican Patrimony<a href="http://anglicanpatrimony.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-married-priest.html">The married priest ~ Anglican Patrimony</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
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Thoughts from our friend :)Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-67445004546961380092012-08-22T22:21:00.001-07:002012-08-22T22:21:01.856-07:00You Know You're NOT a Serious Blogger When....<div>You can't keep up during the chaotic turns and dips of life. As long as everything is going along FAIRLY normal and routinely, you can post tidbits and stories and pics. But throw a little life crisis or a major move in there and poof....gone. lol. Seriously, some of my fav bloggers just blog their way through pregnancies and births and illness and husbands overseas.... Oh well...one day I shall return. For now I will just let my eyes glaze over as I watch my 1000th episode of House Hunters on cable tv :) Aaahhhh it's soooo relaxing ...hear that? Ding dong <door bell chiming> LOL....... News and event posts coming soon though :) Nite!</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-14935155748299581022012-08-04T09:31:00.001-07:002012-08-04T09:31:00.376-07:00Overheard....<div><p>At the thrift shop, on a Saturday morn:</p>
<p>"Have you heard about that new popular book...50 shades of something?"</p>
<p>"No."</p>
<p>"Well....it's not really...a..book you'd recommend."</p>
<p>"Why?"</p>
<p>"It's like porn."</p>
<p>"Ooh I need that."</p>
<p>!! Lol gah! Two older ladies. </p>
</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-46296140682322794972012-08-03T20:23:00.001-07:002012-08-03T20:23:59.949-07:00No time for Quick takes but...<div>
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WOW...did not know I never posted this, darn it! Well, here is a draft from last week :) <br />
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I give u two funs from this otherwise busy and stressful week :)<br />
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I thought it was so cute, when after Mariam found my mother's old glasses from when she was a child (they were in their original case in the draw of my grandmother's sewig machine that I inherited :) circa late 1930s/early '40s) she put them on. Gonna have to show Grandmama :)<br />
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laughing at herself LOL:<br />
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And, as I posted on Facebook, it is a wonderful, relaxing feeling when your daughters brush your hair :) and "play" with it. Jillian is getting good at braids, and was braiding one side while Mariam brushed the other. Then the first pic is Mariam taking a pic and the second is Jillian's pic :) I must say, I love my braid and need to get her to braid it like that every day LOL I just usually do me ol' quick-in-a-bun with a scrunchy to get out the door and stay cool LOL Yes, I know it's nearly as if I had short hair. BUT....there's an obvious dfference to me, and I do not look good w/ short hair. So, as long as I am poor and only doing once a year or twice a year hair cuts, this is my style :P Deal with it LOL As dear Mama-in-law once said, "we're just low maintenence kinda girls" LOL<br />
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So, the thing that is keeping me so busy and stressed is, as I've mentioned, us moving quickly out of our rental and in with the In-Law's to help take care of them. We were so pleasantly shocked this morning when he was released from the hospital. He will have home health care and rehab but his new "normal" is a much weaker man. And he and MIL need alot of help. Hopefully we will be able to meet all their extra needs. Pray for us! </div>
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Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-69662116378632277762012-08-03T20:22:00.000-07:002012-08-03T20:22:15.251-07:00Update and All Aboard!I have no time for blogging right now. Life has been going FULL STEAM AHEAD with no stops. I get up between 7 and 7:30 a.m. and cook breakfast, do any dishes or cleaning I need to, make sure Pawpaw does his blood sugar and takes his pills, run any errands, throw in a load of laundry, get lunch going/prepared, then am still working on getting our clothes and things organized and put away so that we have our own space in our rooms of the house, then start preparing supper, then do dishes and clean kitchen, and fall into bed by midnightish. Nephews have been around since school is still out for summer, so all the food prep/cleaning is doubled. And I haven't put together a chore chart to get the kids helping yet, other than Micah taking out trash. So SUPER BUSY. This is all since Tuesday, since until then we were still cleaning and packing at the old house. I have been so exhausted but proud of myself (and thankful for the grace) for adjusting to our new normal. Had some commitments at church and our first Frontier Girl's meeting (woohoo) and got all of our address change and moving errands done. I had felt like I was losing weight, but may be reverting back to old stress-handling ways...need to reassess our eating/exercise habits and (Virtual 5K? huh? what's that? :P sigh...) ....well frankly my next goals are working on the home school plan and our new schedule, which includes chore charts, exercise goals, and eating. So...I gots a lots to do LOL <br />
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For now, Father-in-law is doing great...home health care and PT comes nearly every day. He gets outside in the sun a few times a day for some fresh air w/ his new wheely-walker LOL His little buddy has to join him:<br />
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When he gets ready to walk somewhere, he calls out "All Aboard!" and wherever she is, whatever she is doing, she comes running and hops on the seat on his walker, usually on her knees, sometimes w/ her goggles on LOL....and she does her arm, and yells "Choo choo!" It is so cute, I really need to get video. Then she says "you're my best pawpaw in the world! you're my best friend!" :) <sniff> </sniff><br />
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Anyhoo... hope to post that home school plan and chore chart plan soon... off to a canoe trip tomorrow, or at least transporting kids and teens to it.... Be Blessed! :) (I love when I hear a cashier or some stranger in a store say that to me....is that only in the South? I wonder...)<br />
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<br />Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-86767101438919719462012-07-25T18:35:00.001-07:002012-07-25T18:35:30.132-07:00What was I Just Saying (vol. 2)<div><p><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theanchoress/2012/07/24/chick-fil-a-if-youre-not-sure-this-is-how-fascism-works/">Chick-fil-A: if you’re not sure, this is how fascism works | The Anchoress</a><br></p>
<p>So true....</p>
</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-41938447409018429852012-07-23T12:53:00.003-07:002012-07-23T12:53:32.619-07:00The BEST thing I've read on AuroraShe does it again at <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/07/a-letter-for-all-the-worlds-daughters/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29" target="_blank">A Holy Experience</a> ....tears fall as I finish reading her lovely words. Again. I am going to go hug my daughters now....and my son tomorrow when he returns from camp.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-14314089445003595512012-07-23T11:01:00.003-07:002012-07-23T11:01:48.041-07:00Rosie Perez and the Golden GirlsEven without cable tv, and just a digital antennae for a few local channels (which having no cable has been wonderful...we get a lot more done!) you can just turn it on at any given time and surf the channels and find really outrageous stuff on these days. As I sat down for my turkey on whole wheat and grapes/watermelon lunch, I had a few minutes to do just that. I landed on Anderson Cooper's (the now <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/anderson-cooper-publicly-acknowledges-for-first-time-that-he-is-gay/2012/07/02/gJQA0fuKIW_blog.html" target="_blank">"out-of-the-closet"</a> famous former-CNN anchor...although being Gloria Vanderbilt's son, I guess...I'm not so surprised by his "news"...but anyhoo...) talk show. He's been a good journalist, but not "all that" to me like to the rest of the world. But I knew his "talk show" would have controversial stuff on it. Well, first he had the self-named "Golden Girls" on....3 grandmas from the Bronx who basically sit and gossip. I'm not sure if they had their own blog or show or anything, but they sit over coffee and peruse the Internet for trash talk. Kardashians being the latest biggest smut. But one of several things that irked me, was that they for instance took the <a href="http://www.kveller.com/mayim-bialik/mayim-to-alicia-silverstone-january-jones-youre-not-gross/" target="_blank">article/picture</a> (I mostly like Mayim Bialik's take on it, so there it is) of Alicia Silverstone feeding her baby pre-chewed food and trash talked it... "Ridiculous! In this day and age? Gross! Why doesn't she breastfeed?" Of course if it'd been a pic of her breastfeeding, they probably would have say "why does she have to do that in public?" I know it's not for everyone, but I know a lot of moms who will say, put a certain food in their mouth to bite off a smaller piece for the baby or mash it a little with their teeth, so the baby won't choke but yet can share in the meal before them. I know it's not exactly what she is doing, but.....WHAT is the BIG deal? <br />
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But these older ladies were applauded in their gossiping, back-biting ways of tearing down mothers and others. <br />
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Then, a surprise guest star came on to give one of them a Happy Birthday cupcake and hug. It was Rosie Perez, who said "You know (paraphrasing) I think it's great that they show that this is the way REAL women talk, and that when you get older, you just don't care anymore" (meaning you say what you feel and don't care who hears it or what others think) Gee, when is it that this became a gold-standard VALUE in our society? Just don't care. Tell it like it is. OMG did you see what SHE did? Sigh. I guess all the tabloid years have desensitized us. The paparazzi. We love to tear down others and trash them. It makes us feel better about ourselves. It's "fun."<br />
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Of course, they still had SOME traditional values, being grandmas and all, I guess. They didn<span style="background-color: white;">'t approve of the mother who was on next who still worked in the porn industry and had for years. Sigh. Lovely.</span><br />
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Note to self: Do not turn on tv. The end.<br />
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Back to packing.....Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-49023443045841698162012-07-23T10:31:00.002-07:002012-07-23T10:31:24.002-07:00An Update to "What I haven't been able to express"Caught a few articles posted on FB that I wanted to post in the context of a follow-up to <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-i-havent-been-able-to-express.html" target="_blank">this post</a> :<br />
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IN addition to this post of Alan Keyes' <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMYBl2uzXEw&sns=fb" target="_blank">words</a> in a debate with Obama several years ago, someone posted this <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2012/05/4-ways-the-gay-marriage-debate-has-been-rigged.html" target="_blank">great post</a> by the infamous "Bad Catholic" on patheos. What I love about this article is a.) he can express things I can't LOL and b.) he is "smart enough" to argue from a Philosophical point of reference and "higher thinking" ....rather than as he puts it, " <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">entirely flushed of all meaning and significance. We are hollow men, stuffed man, and our words hold all the weight of whispers and straw."</span><br />
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So...check them out, and follow the links Bad Catholic adds too for even more explanation. He is right on too w/ his little comment on "God's plan" and how Christians have the same divorce rates as anyone else. It is so depressing, as I mentioned in a previous <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/thats-what-i-said-vol-3.html" target="_blank">post</a>. Dropping like flies...heard of another one tonight. sigh.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-62263613286631624562012-07-21T21:39:00.000-07:002012-07-21T21:39:09.631-07:007 Quick Takes Friday Vol. 6<div>
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<b><i>1. A friendly visitor. There was some discussion about rare tropical poisonous frogs, but we are pretty sure our little buddy was just a plain ol' green tree <a href="http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Georgia/amphibian_tree_frog.html" target="_blank">frog</a> :p Made for some up close "scientific observation and nature study" though :) (Is he poisonous? Will he bite? Why does his neck do that? How does he "talk"? How does he stick on there? Look at his eye balls. Is that his butt? Will he give you warts? Will he only give you warts if you kiss him?....) LOLOL</i></b><br />
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<b><i>2. More <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-5k-update-1.html" target="_blank">adventures</a> at the water park :) And below...a side by side of Mariam then (6 months) and now (4 years) there. :) My how the wee babe has changed :) And we had a nice economical lunch of PB&J's and jars of ice water LOL Hoard...I mean RECYCLING has to pay off at some point :)</i></b><br />
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<b><i>3. Sent my two guys off this week for middle school <a href="http://www.whitewaterexpress.com/" target="_blank">camp</a>. I just can't think about my baby boy shooting down those rapids or ziplining down the ropes course or I'll be back<a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/firecracker-firecracker-boom-boom-boom.html" target="_blank"> here</a> again. LOL But the motley crew did get a blessing and prayer from Fr. G before they left (and I made an observation of Fr's new shoes LOL a pair of <a href="http://www.shoebuy.com/skechers-shape-ups-x-wear-slip-resistant-magnate-safety-toe/423474/901433?cm_mmc=googleproductads_pla-_-none-_-none-_-%7Bkeyword%7D" target="_blank">these</a> ...getting his exercise on I guess :) So...I know they are in good Hands. But...they did arrive to the weather below...and since I didn't get the flashlights packed, Doug was walking down a muddy path in the dark and rain to his cabin. Oops. (ducking)....</i></b></div>
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<b><i>UPDATE: Got a report in that they had a blast on the first rapids today (the "easy" one, yikes) and only had 4 fall out of the raft (shudder)....but Jesus SAVED them LOL A guy who looks like Jesus...or really looks like Jim Kaviezel LOL Same difference. :P BUT the thrill was Micah diving off this big rock 10+ feet high into the river at this special diving point. He is so much braver than I. And he did it TWICE. Into FRIGID ice-cold water LOL Fun Fun. They also enjoyed a nice Mass at the near-by parish. Uber-cool!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>4. And again, <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/ponder-in-my-heart-and-prayer-request.html" target="_blank">prayers</a> for dear FIL. He's about the same...he feels better because the catheter has his kidneys more stable, but we're not sure what the next step is or the prognosis. He is a beloved father and grandfather (and many other roles.) He's birthday is coming up next week...he'll be 79. This was him in 2 pictures about 10 years apart, doing his favoritest thing in the whole world...holding his grandbabies. They literally say he is perked up after we take the kids up for a visit to the hospital. They keep him going, keep him fighting. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>5. </i></b><b><i>Speaking of hospital visits...they relate to my <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-5k-update-3.html" target="_blank">"training"</a> LOL</i></b></div>
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<b><i>6. Now for some political media matters: a friend tuned me into this <a href="http://countingmy4caballeros.blogspot.com/2012/07/this-is-what-i-believe-and-i-dont.html" target="_blank">post </a>about expressing our beliefs even when it's hard to do in this society, especially about such touchy subjects. I mostly agree (and can relate), although I understand <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unequallyyoked/2012/06/this-is-my-last-post-for-the-patheos-atheist-portal.html" target="_blank">Leah's</a> concerns.... But I actually believe what I reiterated <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-i-havent-been-able-to-express.html" target="_blank">here</a> or what is expressed in the links therein. I "don't hate gay people either"...I love "my neighbor" as myself, etc etc. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>7. Oh, and related to number 4....us moving out and moving IN w/ the in-laws.... has me MAJORLY DECLUTTERING as I pack up boxes that will mostly go in storage. We will mainly have the essentials and a few things we like/need (few toys, home schooling stuff, drawers for clothes, etc)..... but yeh...I am desperately trying to prevent getting on the show <a href="http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/" target="_blank">Hoarders</a>....well, aren't we all? But I mean...it's in the "genes" on BOTH our sides, so we gotta be vigilant. I am in a MOOD to "GET RID OF IT." I'm surprising myself. I mean sure I've created a new rubbermaid box for myself called "quilt and sewing scraps" from a few special kids' clothing items...but that's about the MOST extra of anything I am SAVING. If we don't use it or need it...bye bye! Again, Flylady would be proud of me LOL I've come a long way baby! But seriously, ...there are few things we NEED to save for posterity sake, in reality. If you don't use it, lose it! LOL Enough cliche's for one night? Well...I'm calling it a night then, and getting this posted in still only ONE day late, rather than two. LOL (btw, this one is gonna THRILL hubs. LOL)</i></b></div>
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<b><i>For more quick takes, see <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2012/07/7-quick-takes-friday-vol-181.html" target="_blank">Conversian Diary</a>.</i></b></div>
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<br /></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-20615842060119901572012-07-21T10:49:00.001-07:002012-07-21T20:27:26.216-07:00Virtual 5K Update 3Well, my next phase of training has come in an unexpected way. We had been to visit Pawpaw in the hospital several times...this time and before. She was a little nervous, due to her own ER visit one Christmas night, when she had to get staples in her head. LOL But she did fine and semi-enjoyed the ride up and down in the elevator. But suddenly, a few nights ago, after a long napless day, she just lost it. A fear as bad as her fear of tornadoes took over. I thought she was gonna puke again, like she did the last bad Tornado warning we had. Sigh. :( Poor little girl. And I couldn't battle that. It wasn't worth it. We took the 7 flights of stairs. Yes, there was huffing and puffing. But I needed a good kick in the pants. THIS time last year, dang it, I could have flown up them. I was working w/ my personal trainer friend doing sets of up to 15, alternating stairs and strength training/abs/upper/lower body etc. I'd lost 40lbs and was getting there. But...a few things happened that were stressful, and boom...I fell off the wagon. And I'm still beating myself up over it. But...everday he is there, we are going to climb those stairs...and then, I'll go to the ones at the church gym...I'm going to get there again....and beyond. I know I can... "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13<br />
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P.S. If you didn't know, "she" is Mariam LOL<br />
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P.S.S. Did I mention it was SEVEN (7, siete, sept, septem) stories worth of stairs?! In a row...no breaking it down like my previous workouts of up, down, up, down...just up, up, up (etc for 7, or 14 if you want to count both sets for each floor) w/out stopping. Down is easier, just that my by then my knees are like, whoa there girl, let's take it slow.... my muscles are so sore from swim/aqua size to cardio stairs LOL...I really wanted to cry tonight...I shouldn't get so winded...sigh. Oh and Mariam doesn't get winded at all. BUT...she acts like it after looking at me, as if she is somehow "learning" that that is what you are supposed to do LOL I go up behind her and down in front of her, ...stairs have always scared me. I love heights, not scared of them at all. But the stairs to get there...I fear falling down them...and more so, my kids falling down them. "Hold on to the rail" I repeat over and over. Maybe it would somehow prevent a complete fall all the way down....but I digress....Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-2961121210504656972012-07-19T10:37:00.002-07:002012-07-19T10:37:48.950-07:00New RecipeI made it up w/ ingredients I had. <br />
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So, I have made good sour cream enchiladas before, both beef and chicken. Do you know the ones....that use condensed cream soups in them? They are good, though I wish to steer away from them and make my own "cream of" soups in the future. But, I did not have any on hand tonight...and had extra chicken I wanted to do something special with. So looking online but not really finding anything..., then looking in my bare cupboards, I found a can of enchilada sauce and a can of chicken and rice soup and a small can of diced green chili's. I cooked my chicken and chopped it up. Found a brand new unopened, still-sealed, didn't know I had and not-to-out-of-date sour cream in the fridge...score! So in one bowl, I mixed about a cup of sour cream, the green chili's, a dash of garlic salt, the chicken, and some shredded cheese (I prefer finely shredded, and it was about a cup). Then in another bowl, I combined the sauce and the soup and just a few green chili's from the can. I filled my flour tortillas w/ the cream mixture and rolled them up and lined them into one of my square corningwares. I rolled until I used up all the creamy mixture. Then I poured my sauce/soup mix over all of them, and topped w/ a layer of shredded cheese (I had cheddar...a mexican blend would be good) and voila. Baked in about 350 oven for....20 minutes? Maybe 30. Until cheese is well melted and edges begin to brown. (Actually what happened was I needed to leave the house for a bit, so I turned the oven off and let it keep cooking ...it somehow was perfect :P) ....It was yummy. Somehow the rice soup mixed w/ the enchilada sauce reminded me of "mexican rice" though more saucy. Now, of course you might prefer more hit added somehow...perhaps a chopped jalepeno, or a dash of hot sauce or even picante sauce. And i think olives would have been good on top. It was realllly good though. The insides were warm and creamy, then the mixed w/ the sauce and cheese....mmmm. If I do say so myself. :)Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-6629743162412831292012-07-18T23:34:00.002-07:002012-07-19T10:36:16.062-07:00Virtual 5K Update 2I know it's early but....Smurf Dancing. That's all I got to say. LOL <br />
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So, besides more swimming and wave pool (woot!) ....the kids and I have been rockin' out with the Smurfs. No, really. This IS exercise. LOL <br />
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Since we couldn't buy the fancy equipment that goes with most of the Dancy Party (whatever they are called) games.... and since we were using the Buy 2, Get 1 deal at Gamestop and needed to pick out one of the used games for Mariam....we chose the Smurfs Dance Party <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Smurfs-Wii-Nintendo-Wii/15907296" target="_blank">game</a> for our Wii. And the whole fam loves it LOL We compete. I did beat Micah 3 songs in a row. But that is all. LOL If you really keep up, it's a workout...just like any of the other games, if maybe a TAD easier. It's no zumba, but...it has some zumba-inspired moves. It's enough for us, for now anyway. And it's fun! So score! <br />
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Next on the agenda is still to get ourselves somehow out of the A/C (and pool) into the 100 degree weather TO the actual park to WALK. Maybe take Belle along on the leash. No, maybe just the neighborhood.... not sure yet. Wish me luck.... (does it count as exercise/burning calories if you have sweated all day from the sheer HEAT outside?? and an A/C at the house that is not working up to par?? wahhh! nothing like <a href="http://www.clan-donaldson.com/" target="_blank">Cari</a> is going through, even way up NORTH LOL But still...)<br />
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For more updates, go <a href="http://catholicexchange.com/catholic-exchange-virtual-5k-linkup/" target="_blank">here</a>.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-85914957661051064272012-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:002012-07-18T07:02:13.455-07:00Realization No. 3Same song, third verse. LOL But it's true..."ya' ain't as young as you used to be." Maybe it's because I've actually been working my BUTT off and exercising but...I suddenly can't stay up as late as I had been...and I'm needing a nap on top of it. I come here, to my dear friend laptop LOL and have so many plans....so many words in my head...but, it all fizzles out as my eyelids get droopier and droopier. Argh! But I have sooo much to do and say! I have curriculums (curricula?) to research, and blogs to read. WAHHHH! Sigh...and NO. TIME. DURING. THE. DAY. That is a huge part of my "not having enough time" to read everything I want to. Or say every thing I want to. <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>? Are you kidding me Sue?? How???? When??? LOL I don't have time to write this short blog post, much less a novel!? LOL<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I saw this phenomenon happen with my oldest brother and sister-in-law. I grew up pretty much in awe of them. He was (is) a great hubby and spiritual leader of his family. She was (is) an awesome mom of 8 home schooled kids. Who were all amazing kids...typical smart and well-mannered home school kids, but not typical "weird or quirky" :) Anyway, I thought it was fun how they used to drink so much coffee and stay up late talking for hours. As I developed those skills through out college and early marriage....I did not see this "aging" thing sneaking up so quickly. LOL I see now, as when we visited them on our "vacation" unexpectedly, a normal bedtime for them these days is 9pm! Wahhhh? LOL They are "only" 50-ish ...c'mon! But....if I continue my early to rise phenom. of late, I shall quickly become "THEM"...eeeeeek! "Early to bed, early to rise"...wait, where have I....oh, my grandparents, ages ago, used to say that....(cue the twilight zone music) ...what. is. happening. here???? Of course, then too...if I DO go to bed "early", one of two things happens: either I lay there awake and CAN'T go to sleep even though I'm so tired and my mind just goes into overload thinking and worrying....OR...I fall right to sleep and then awaken later in the night, wide awake and unable to go back to sleep. Argh. It's not bad enough to seek help yet. I could probably try some vitamins (need to) or some melatonin first. Heck, I have taken some tylenol PM's a few times. But (Thyroid issues needing to be checked, lack of hormones, overweight...all aside...) Middle age is approaching much too quickly. Make it stop...I don't want to get off the train, I just want it to slowwwww downnnnn. LOL Anyhoo.....yawnnn....eyes are drooping again.....good..zzzzzzzzzzzzz...........(didn't get this posted last night LOL so good morning instead, or good night if you are Sue :P )</span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-47019906687827469702012-07-18T06:46:00.001-07:002012-07-18T07:03:04.507-07:00Seven Things Extroverts Should Know About Introverts (and Vice Versa) | Psychology Today<a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-introverts-corner/201207/seven-things-extroverts-should-know-about-introverts-and-vice-vers">Seven Things Extroverts Should Know About Introverts (and Vice Versa) | Psychology Today</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
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SUPER LIKE!!!! Very informative....very true. LOLMandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-58412169484888495762012-07-18T06:45:00.000-07:002012-07-18T07:04:17.450-07:00Wordless wednesday (and sort of a Make it Count Tuesday)<div>
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I can't help myself: this is Mariam, making chocolate chip mini-muffins. Love it! :)</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-39798898622525441682012-07-17T21:59:00.001-07:002012-07-18T06:45:29.412-07:00What I haven't been able to express...<a href="http://loscatholics.com/2012/07/11/does-the-church-hate-gay-people/">She Doesn’t Hate Gay People | LosCatholics.com</a><br />
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Read this...and more from the links posted in it. <br />
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I think I've mentioned what I feel is MORE and WORSE persecution of Christians, and Catholics especially, to come. At least in our country. (In some countries, you could be sentenced to death just for being gay, or defending the homosexual lifestyle. So opposite problem, still a problem. That is NOT us, here and today though.) Yes, the cuts and jabs about the scandals and altar boys and long out-dated jokes about nuns w/ rulers, etc etc, will continue. But not that. Yes, the war against LIFE and our battle to defend it will continue. But not that. More so, our FREEDOMS of BELIEFS and RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS will be taken away. Such as with the Health Mandate (if things are not stopped in their tracks soon with elections and votes and such...) But also, on an even grander scale, ....an undercurrent of HATE for us...over a MISUNDERSTANDING of us and what we do believe, especially about homosexuality. But even if it is not a misunderstanding, it will be turned into one. The positive and the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, will be ignored. The negatives (as it will be and is viewed) will be OVERBLOWN. Despite our continued repeating of the FACT that WE LOVE EVERYONE, and "love thy neighbor as self" and "treat others as you want to be treated" and unconditional love....the fact that we still hold on to age-old Moral and Natural law and beliefs that homosexual same-sex attraction must not be ACTED UPON, and thus is not compatible for SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE, ....we will be called haters. We will be convicted for hate-crimes for saying what I just said. (I hear tell it's already being done in Canada...google and research it for yourself.) DESPITE those of us truly practicing our FAITH in our HEARTS and TRULY non-judgementally LOVING the PERSON (love the sinner, hate the sin), while calling a spade a spade, a sin a sin.....we will be despised. Burned at the stake. Demanded to be silent. <br />
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And, I know if some of my online liberal friends were reading this right now, they would not understand. They would shake their heads and think I was living some kind of "dark ages" dream, in a "dark ages" religion. They might even "unfriend" me, in more than just a FB way. That makes me sad, but I have to not "be afraid" to speak what I truly believe. As I've said, I have lived that my entire life. In fear. Being the fly on the wall. But I wish that we could DISCUSS such issues openly and honestly, without anger and fear-mongering and hateful speech, such as is so rampant on any given COMMENTS section online where any kind of issue such as this is being discussed. I have actually even lost FB "friends" over the abortion issue. A heated discussion, and bam. Their gone. <br />
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But again, I feel it is much better worded in the post above. I can talk all day long about better and safer birth, other faith issues, homeschooling things, kid-things, motherhood and domestic issues, and more...but when it comes to a really controversial issue like this one, my words seem to get discombobulated. I trip over words, hoping not to offend. But, sometimes, simply our beliefs will offend, without one word being said. We just have to do our best.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-14904629156452618772012-07-17T21:17:00.001-07:002012-07-17T21:19:19.642-07:00The 1 Thing You Really have to Know About Your Family » A Holy Experience<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/07/the-1-thing-you-really-have-to-know-about-your-family/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29">The 1 Thing You Really have to Know About Your Family » A Holy Experience</a>: <br />
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<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk" style="font-size: 13px;">'via Blog this'</a><br />
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I can't express to you how much this post just touched me. Tears. So honest...brutally honest. Punch in the gut. I want to learn how to live...uncomfortably....for Jesus. For our Family.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-17637508483235609352012-07-17T21:11:00.000-07:002012-07-17T21:11:43.215-07:00Ponder in my heart (and a prayer request)<div>
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Someone...a friend...just gave me the BEST. ADVICE. EVER. That, like Mary "pondered in her heart"....maybe this was a time for me to do that. It actually applies to several different things in life....advice I needed for sure. Sometimes, you have the urge to "just tell someone"...but that is not always prudent, or necessary. Sometimes the best thing is to just wait. So, as I do that....I do want to come to you and ask for prayer. <br />
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Last night my dear Daddy-in-law was taken to the emergency room. Backtracking, he had awoken early Friday morning with what seemed to be a bad stomach bug. By Saturday afternoon, when we saw him, he was very weak and we urged him to go ahead and be seen by a doctor, because perhaps he needed fluids for dehydration. His blood sugar was 200. Backtracking some more, my FIL has had 2 open heart surgeries in the past 12 years. He had rheumatic fever as a child, that weakened his heart. He also has a pacemaker that runs full-time. But for the most part, he has done well considering. It's only been the last few years he has continued to decline in his activities, but even more recently, he can hardly walk from house to car without getting very winded. He has congestive heart failure and COPD. He had recently gone to oxygen at night, a CPAP, and about 3 breathing treatments a day. He will be 79 the end of the month. He's a good man. He has taught me the real life virtue of literally "giving the shirt off your back" to others. Almost to a fault, he would give and give to others, but especially to his children and grands, until he had nothing else to give. And it doesn't matter how bad he feels, he demands to see his "youngin's" ....especially the littlest of the bunch, which is currently Mariam :) As he told the nurse today, "that's his little princess." :) <br />
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Well, anyway, lately we'd notice more of a "decline." In his health, and in dear Momma-in-law's. She has suffered through a bad case of Shingles the past 4 weeks, and just did not seem "herself." In fact she was forgetting appointments and other things. Could she be in the early stages of dementia? Her mother had it for several years. We don't know. But we suddenly saw a need. <br />
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Two of our grown nephews have been living with them, but one moved out because he has joined the Army and the other is just busy. It's a large house. They rebuilt it to be so, after a fire completely destroyed their old home 10 years ago. They are such survivors. Taking it all in stride and faith upon the Lord. <br />
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Anyway, with all of the above in mind, we've decided to move back in with them, to help them out. We'll have plenty of space to ourselves, with some things in storage. We are planning out a weekly schedule, and I hope to get up and cook some breakfast each morning, do the cleaning and chores, grocery buying, etc and we'll share the bills, hopefully help them to their appointments and with their meds. It's a new season of life. It may not last, since D's brother will be home from Afghanistan after the end of the year, and may be able to take over some of this stuff. But for now.... Yes, it will mean a little "inconvenience"...being 30 minutes from the parish, instead of 3 minutes (sob) ...but, it will all balance out and be worth it. God's will, in God's time....<br />
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So back to FIL, in the hospital....they still are not sure what is going on. His cardiac enzymes were up, indicating a heart attack over the weekend. But his liver enzymes were up too and other things. No fluid around his heart, oddly enough,...that is usually the main issue he has had in the past. His blood pressure was unstable for a while, but seems to be under control now. His blood sugar was 48 when he went in, but is back up to normal now. He is keeping food down, and normalizing in other areas. So....hopefully, he is on the mend, and has many more years ahead. We just ask your continued prayers for his health and quality of life, and for MIL's, and again, our "new season of life" that is upon us. More exciting things on the horizon...but for now, I will ponder....and pack...we have to move by the end of the month somehow, between Doug being out of town 2 weekends in a row, and everything else going on.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micah as a baby, riding w/ "Pawpaw" :) </td></tr>
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<br /></div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-29245942369689841832012-07-14T22:41:00.000-07:002012-07-18T07:05:44.847-07:00Virtual 5K update 1<i>Well, as I've <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/7-quick-takes-friday.html" target="_blank">mentioned</a>, we have been swimming, and not just floating, soaking, and playing. We have been going to the wave pool, staying for hours, and all taking turns or even racing, doing laps. (I even snuck in 45 minutes by myself...yes kid-free, one night. Shhhh!) My muscles are STILL sore. LOL This is my very very very favoritest bestest exercise and activity. </i><br />
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<i> <b>Love. It.</b> </i><br />
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<i> I really must join the aquasize classes at the rec. center. (oh but forgot to mention, I DO water aerobics in the wave pool too LOL Don't care how I look...I do big sweeping treading water, I twist and "jump" and really stretch too) But it is on the agenda weekly, at least 3 times each week for the next 4-5 weeks, until it goes to weekends only (booo, hisss) and we will try to fit it in as much as we can.) I wish I were a mermaid. I AM a mermaid in my dreams :P LOL (especially since Jillian has been interested in them a lot lately, and they are always on Netflix in the background LOL) But anyhoo, so after our "vacation", I was having some swelling in my feet and ankles (multiple 10 hr drives will do that) and just plain bloating and blah-ness. (Why of course, these words are grammatically correct, why do you ask?) Then, on top of that, I've been trying not to skip breakfast and at the least have cereal, but just generally eating lighter and less, watching carbs.</i><br />
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<i> But....NOT ENOUGH yet. MUST DO BETTER. </i><br />
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<i>However, though I have not weighed in, my clothes are a little less snug and I'm feeling better. I also bought a brand new, unopened yoga dvd at the thrift store for like a $1. Woot! (no, no woo-woo, just the exercises) I'm fearful of core-exercises right now, due to my possible third-time hernia sigh. But cardio and stretching and a little strength-training is a-okay. </i><br />
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<i>Now, to find time to go to the park and just walk (or eventually jog) w/ the kids or ride our bikes, while so much else is going on and we attempt to move. (more on that soon) Fun Fun.</i><br />
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For more info and updates on the Virtual 5K, go <a href="http://catholicexchange.com/catholic-exchange-virtual-5k-linkup/" target="_blank">here</a> and my original post <a href="http://alamomof5plus.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-was-it-i-was-just-saying.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-13610967370348807392012-07-14T21:57:00.001-07:002012-07-14T21:57:59.940-07:00Mother's book shows faith's reaction to grief :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mothers-book-shows-faiths-reaction-to-grief/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29&utm_term=daily+news#.UAJNOvCGz78.blogger">Mother's book shows faith's reaction to grief :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)</a><br />
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Oh wow. This book looks bittersweetly good. I first thought I recognized her name, but I'm not sure. But her story is epic. What suffering. But I identify with her, in that through our suffering, we were drawn closer to the Cross, to Christ, and to Our Mother Mary. Hope to get it and read it.Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7288170802154521999.post-7107305081441761362012-07-14T01:39:00.000-07:002012-07-14T22:25:27.482-07:007 Quick Takes Friday vol. 5<div>
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I am READY this week:) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. First and Foremost, Hubby earned some brownie points this week :) Squeeee! And they're even lovelier now, after a few days in water, as they've opened up more :) :) :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2. More swimming this week :) 4 hours in one day will exhaust EVERY ONE in this family, especially this little girl :) She fell out very shortly after these pics... She passed a milestone or two that night though. She got over her fear of putting her head under the water and learned to hold her breath properly. And she learned how to jump and float with each wave, and most especially, she went down the Elephant slide in the kiddie pool LOL Which the really funny thing is she went down the big grown up mat slides before she would the kiddie one LOL But once she got it down, she went down it again and again and .... But if we can keep this up at LEAST 3 to 4 times each week for the next 5 weeks (that's as long as it's open weekly, then will go to weekends until Labor Day) we can get some good training in for our <a href="http://catholicexchange.com/catholic-exchange-virtual-5k-linkup/" target="_blank">Virtual 5K</a>. The two older kids are swimming a LOT when we go, they are getting so good! And we take turns during the "no-waves" time to swim some laps. Heck, just keeping up w/ Mariam in the waves is a workout! She likes to have us lift her up and "throw her" (not really lol) ...I was using her for my "strength training" LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2. cont'd....chicken! (and I can barely keep my eyes open to eat it LOL)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3. After swimming....Yummo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3. cont'd And Hubby cooked us something very tasty and healthy (no carbs) too! woot woot! More brownie points LOL He's on a roll....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4. But, I publicly hang my head in shame to share this very interesting new menu item at Burger King. They had a new <a href="http://www.bk.com/" target="_blank">Summer Southern-type menu</a> (Memphis BBQ etc), and by golly, I HAD to try this... I had seen chocolate covered bacon on the FoodNetwork, and seriously thought about making it and selling it down here somehow LOL I mean, c'mon... it's bacon. It's the South. Ya' can't go wrong. I think chocolate is the only thing that would make this better. (Well, maybe that and home made ice cream instead of just soft-serve :P ) It had caramel though, which was yummy too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5. Mariam asked me to take her pic while we were playing Littlest Pet Shop LOL Her leaning into the pic, I can hear in my head the sound effect of a cartoon character easing up into the frame....wnnnh. We made some videos again, but they don't compare to our Angry Birds' videos. I need to figure out how to post videos on here, or at least youtube.. Of course, just about every video starts with Mariam impatiently nagging me to "video it!" (waiting for me to switch my camera to video and start recording) and then they end with her saying something not in our "play" like maybe including the word "butt" in it or "stupid" sigh. We're working on her acquired vocabulary, believe me! Oh well LOL We do have fun together though :P</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6. I had a lovely girls' night out this week at a friend's house for my first ever <a href="http://www.stampinup.com/" target="_blank">Stampin' Up</a> party. If you don't know what it is, check the link out...it's basically a crafter's dream LOL You can make your own cards for any occasion, or gift tags, or labels for home made items (any etsy sellers out there? mmhmm) or...the sky's the limit. Then, they also have scrapbooking items and more. I'd heard about them, and I think they are the company, but I bought a religious stamping set used off the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cathswap/" target="_blank">cathswap</a> homeschool list once too, but it's still packed away in a box somewhere LOL Which,...brings me to my issue. I love this stuff. I do...I love sitting for hours doing crafting of any sort. But...not when I have noisy demanding little ones around. Not when I have a million other things going on at once. Not when I am persistently chronically disorganized. Sigh. It's really the same w/ my desire to knit/sew/embroider/quilt/scrapbook/can and preserve/cook from scratch/etc etc etc But when I can go away from my home and dear little ones, and just have quiet "me" time I guess you'd say, it's perfect. With a few friends, even better! So, my friend plans to make it a regular thing and let me come over and "play" with her stampin' collection. Yeah me! :) And maybe, just maybe, I will get my own collection going and start making beautiful hand-made creations like this one above :) Who'd like to get this card in the mail? Or rather, who wouldn't?? :) And it was so easy, if only a little time-consuming... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And 7. The thing that mostly kept me busy this week. And that had me out til after 1 AM tonight. And has my feet, my back, my everything hurting or aching or puffy. But was so. worth. it. The 2nd annual Seminarian dinner put on by our wonderful Knights of Columbus group. And since I am our parish kitchen and Hall coordinator, I like to make sure everything is in order, help them as much as I can, and stay in my "comfort zone" which is the kitchen :) Coffee, tea, food and dish duty, plus anything else like linens and flowers or ANYthing they need me to. Love it... Hospitality is my thing, as I've mentioned before. And though I might like to talk to a few people, schmooze w/ the priests, seminarians and Archbishop a little....frankly, I am more comfortable NOT having to make idle chit-chat (which Hubster is good at!) and avoid awkward pauses :) I am an introvert afterall. People wear me out. I love them, don't get me wrong. One of my love languages is service. :) So...I do what I do. Anyhoo, this was the parish Hall when ready to serve over 200 guests.... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was it with said over-200 guests, while our wonderful Bishop was speaking :) I sat down in one of the few free seats for just a moment to rest my aching piggies. :) But just let me say, it was SO wonderful what he had to say, and then listening to each of the 15 young seminarians introduce themselves and tell their story of discernment. Yes, we had 15 this year, more than last...and each were given a donation of $500 thanks to the generous parishioners who bought tickets to the dinner. It was so wonderful, I can't explain it....to meet our future priests (this is only half of our diocese's Seminarians, but many of the "older" ones were off at assignments etc) and...for our wonderful teens, who helped bus tables, to hear their stories. "I never thought I'd become a priest...I said 'no way, not me'" etc etc They were just "normal" "average" guys...who answered a calling, a tugging in their hearts, a Voice that rang clearly...they said "yes!" Chills. Praying for several of specific teens who could be discerning calls too. Lord, let it be done, according to Your Will!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And...lest we forget....we Catholics know how to party! :P LOL We had this, and Lager, and red and white wine selections...yes, a good time was had by all, safely and prudently :) (Well, we won't talk about Mr. Magoo, bless him...and that's all I have to say about that. :D................. But you really should talk to your own KOC group and do something like this....it's a wonderful parish event! Have a great weekend y'all!<br />
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To see more (and more exciting) Quick Takes, go to <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/" target="_blank">Conversion Diary</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08095828644381519508noreply@blogger.com0