Today I will be working on the last of our stocking orders so that next week I can concentrate on my own family. We have a small craft show on Saturday.
I also have a doctor appointment this morning. I have a swollen gland in my neck that I think needs to be looked at. I've been having some other issues that need to be checked out, too, so I may as well get it all done at once. I want to rule out mono with the swollen gland because I don't want to spread it to other people. After that, the day is mine to get stuff done.
******************************* Word of the day: Saint Andrew, apostle - Feast Today the Church celebrates : St. Andrew, Apostle Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 4:18-22.
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Today I will be finishing up our stocking orders because tomorrow is our last day. I have one order that is frustrating me because there is a problem with the order and the lady will not get back to me. She sent one short email in response telling me I could call her, but I don't do phone calls in the cell phone age. I'm hoping I don't have to cancel the order, but I can't do a thing with it until she gets back to me. Actually, that's been the only snag this whole season so I guess we've been lucky.
I have a large fudge order to fill and some other odds and ends. And then in January, we start all over for next year.
I am slowly getting the "dungeon" in some kind of order. It still looks like a wreck, but at least I know where to find stuff.
************************************** Word of the day: First Sunday of Advent Today the Church celebrates : St. Saturninus, Bishop and Martyr (+ 250) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:25-28.34-36.
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
Today is my 9th anniversary of quitting smoking. I never thought I could do it. But I did.
With Thanksgiving behind us, we officially kick off the Christmas 2009 season. One huge "to do" for me in the next week is to take stock of what I have bought for Christmas. I do it throughout the year and often forget what I've bought.
We have one more small (I think) craft show for this year. We ended up our year in the black, but just barely. We have stocking money, but I like to keep that separate.
Yesterday Clay, Claire, and I took down all of the Fall stuff inside the house and began putting up the Christmas decorations.
*************************** Word of the day: Saturday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. James of the Marches, Franciscan Priest (1394-1476) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:34-36.
Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
Good morning and Thanksgiving to everyone! Today I am thankful that I am not hosting the gathering, although I do miss the lovely smell of a turkey roasting in the oven. I am headed downstairs to make a batch of Christmas Tree candles and then I am going to watch the parade while I sew up a couple of stockings. We got orders for 4 more yesterday. That puts our total at over 130 for the year. Not bad at all.
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Word of the day: Thursday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time In the USA : Thanksgiving Day Today the Church celebrates : St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop & Martyr (+ 311) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:20-28.
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."
First of all, a very Happy Birthday to my wonderful son-in-law, Jamie! We celebrated last Friday, but today is the official day.
My fragrance oils came in this morning, but not my room-spray bottles. I have a batch of Country Apple soap to make today, a bunch of orders to ship out, still working on stockings but closing in rapidly, want to make a batch of Lilac candles and try a batch of Lilac soap. The house is a total wreck, gotta run to the post office. Other than that, I have nothing to do today. LOL!
******************************************* Word of the day: Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:12-19.
Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
Today is a Madison day. I had a marathon stocking session yesterday. I have to cuff 4 more plus the ones Melisa sewed up. I am hoping to get them all in the mail tomorrow and call it a season. I am ready to get this place cleaned up - it is driving me nuts with all the clutter. I am eager to get to quilting and catching up on my Thimbleberries quilt. Clayton, Claire, Jamie, and Nina will be staying over on Thanksgiving night. On Friday it will be Christmas decorating time with the kiddos.
I'm hoping my order of fragrance oils comes in today. I am out of Christmas tree candles and need to get some made. Oh, I also have to make my Advent Candles!
Today's Holiday Cruising mission from Flylady:
************************************ Word of the day: Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : Ss Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and his companions, martyrs (1745-1862) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:5-11.
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down. Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
Well, we have about 15 stockings left to do. The orders are tapering off for the year as we get closer to Christmas. We took orders for 130 this year. That doesn't include some orders I had last in the late summer. This year I have revise my order taking so that I have order list sheets rather than the hi-tech sticky notes I usually tack up all over the room. I don't have Maddie McDoogle today so I will try and make a dent in the remaining stocking orders.
We have a wee's break before our very last craft show of the year. I will need to start re-stocking the candles, though, because my sister-in-law takes a sample of our things to work a couple of times a year. I think it's totally funny that she works at Walmart and yet people will order our stuff, and while I think our prices are good, we really can't compete with Wally World's prices.
Today's Holiday Cruising Mission from Flylady:
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Word of the day: Monday of the Thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Clement I, Pope and martyr, St. Columban, abbot (+615) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 21:1-4.
When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood." *******************************
Yesterday was our final big craft show of the season. The Shepherd BPA show, the smallest of all of our usual fall craft shows, is our best single day show of the year. It was where we got our start and it is our largest source of support.
We tithe 10 percent of our gross on all craft shows. We believe it is a very small thank you to God for blessing our efforts. We purchased phone cards for the troops and made a donation to the Cancer society honoring a dear friend who is celebrating a victory over breast cancer. Our final dollars will go to a family who is struggling this year. It isn't much, and won't solve their problems, but it will let them know in a tangible way that we love and support them. I was thinking about that this morning. Thinking about all of the people who could use love, support, and some financial aid from loved ones. I was feeling overwhelmed by how much is needed and thinking about our little bit of tithe money. Every now and then God sends me what Flylady calls "a God Breeze." Today's was, "not being able to help everyone is no excuse for not helping anyone." When I was a kid there was a PSA that came on every now and then. It was a little song and the words were, "if everyone lit just one little candle, what a bright world this would be."
I think I will make some candles today. :)
********************************* Today is the feast day of my chosen patron saint - St. Cecilia - patroness of music and musicians!
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King - Solemnity Today the Church celebrates : St. Cecilia Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 18:33-37.
So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Today my dad would have been 82. Happy Birthday, Dad. Miss you.
Word of the day: Saturday of the Thirty-third week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 20:27-40.
Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.' Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her." Jesus said to them, "The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called 'Lord' the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." Some of the scribes said in reply, "Teacher, you have answered well." And they no longer dared to ask him anything.
Tomorrow is our 6th craft show of the year and then we get a bit of a break. We need it because stockings are still piling up. Tonight we celebrate Harold and Jamie's birthdays so I baked a cake. I still have to make the chex mix for tomorrow. I keep forgetting that I need pretzels for that recipe.
I made 2 batches of candles; gingerbread and pumpkin crunch cake. I need to make more Christmas tree, but I am out of fragrance oil.
Now I don't want you to think that with all of this going on, that I'm not on top of things. But I have to confess that this morning at Mass, about halfway through, I realized I had my sweater on backwards. The laughable thing is that no one else noticed.
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Word of the day: Friday of the Thirty-third week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Edmund the Martyr (841-870) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19:45-48.
Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.
Today's plan is to hole up in my sewing room and make a huge dent in my list of stocking orders. I managed to get 5 done yesterday. I also made a batch of Cinnamon Stick candles. Today I will be making Hot Apple Pie. I forgot to post yesterday's Holiday Mission, but here is today's.
****************************** Thursday of the Thirty-third week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Mechtildis of Helfta (13th century) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19:41-44.
As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
I am drowning in stocking orders. I must remember this when I am tempted to slack off on doing stocking bottoms this summer. In fact, the girls and I will be starting them shortly after Christmas. We have been selling a lot on Ebay and the website, too. Add to that the craft shows we signed up for. Yes, I definitely need to be better prepared ahead for next year.
My candle jars came in yesterday so I will be able to restock those. I've been rearranging my work area, but there is still a lot to be done down there. ***********************************
Wednesday of the Thirty-third week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Religious (1769-1852), Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter & Paul Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19:11-28.
While they were listening to him speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, 'We do not want this man to be our king.' But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, 'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.' He replied, 'Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.' Then the second came and reported, 'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.' And to this servant too he said, 'You, take charge of five cities.' Then the other servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.' He said to him, 'With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.' And to those standing by he said, 'Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.' But they said to him, 'Sir, he has ten gold coins.' 'I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'" After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
Happy Birthday Harold! ******************************* Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (c. 1200-1280) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 13:24-32.
But in those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds' with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather (his) elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Long day today. We have our show at West Intermediate. I'm not running on much sleep. I neglected to tell Harold that I left the car at the school last night. When he got up at 4:00 this morning to check the grain bins, he about freaked out to see that the garage was empty. The guilt kept me awake for a good hour. Note to myself: Let Harold know when the car will not be in the garage when he gets up at 4:00 in the morning to check the grain bins.
Set up last night was a lot less back-breaking since we acquired a flat wagon (thanks Gordon) and borrowed Nina and Jamie's dolly. The one thing I hate about set-up and breakdown is having to lug heavy carts and bins. These make the job so much easier. It will be interesting to see how we do at this show this year. Last year we were so crowded with people that many passed us by because they couldn't get up to the booth. We doubled our space this year and it feels so luxurious to have enough room.
Melisa will be at the St. Vincent de Paul preschool. This is the first time we've split up.
Harold is combining corn in the field behind the house. For the first time in a long time he won't be going north to hunt. His birthday is on Sunday - the opening day of firearm deer season. They had a really late start getting into the fields.
******************************** Saturday of the Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Lawrence O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin (c. 1125-1180) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 18:1-8.
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, 'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.' For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, 'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Today will be spent getting inventory ready for tomorrow's show and trying to catch up on stockings. Yesterday it seemed that every stocking I touched had to be re-done. Grrrrr.
Here is today's Holiday Cruising Mission from Flylady
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Word of the day: Friday of the Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin and Foundress (1850-1917) - Memorial, St. Agostina Livia Pietrantoni, Virgin (1864-1894) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17:26-37.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all. So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, a person who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise a person in the field must not return to what was left behind. Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it. I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left." They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather."
Today I need to deliver a couple of orders, work on Christmas stockings, get our inventory ready for Saturday's show, and do some cleaning. I really need to pour candles too, but I'm out of my little square mason jars. Those should be here tomorrow and I have enough candles for this weekend, I think.
Saturday we are doing something we haven't done before. We are splitting up between 2 shows. Melisa will be taking gift baskets, fudge, and peanut brittle to one show, and Anna, Dottie, and I will be at the other. We'll miss Nina this week due to a meeting and a birthday party. She'll be back with us next week though. It's been great having her do these with us this year.
Today's Holiday Mission from Flylady:
******************************************* Word of the day: Thursday of the Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr (c.1580-1623) - Memorial Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17:20-25.
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said in reply, "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. ****************************************
Thank you, Veterans and all who serve us in the military. Thank you for your commitment to an often thankless job. You make countless sacrifices so that the rest of us can live in freedom. You make our country great! Hug a Vet today.
Today's Flylady Mission
*********************************** Word of the day: Wednesday of the Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Martin of Tours, Bishop (+ 397) - Memorial Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17:11-19.
As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you." *************************************
We had our show at the VFW last night. We didn't go with any expectations of selling much. It was more of an opportunity to let people know who we are. We did pretty well. It was a slower paced show and it was fun to visit with people. Next year they are thinking of offering refreshments. I think Christmas music would also be nice. But then I am known for starting to play it in October. I haven't actually broken out the Mannheim Steamroller yet, but it's coming.
I didn't have Madison yesterday and it seemed strange. She's due here in a few minutes. She's at the age where babies begin to figure out who that Mommy and Daddy are number one in their lives.
Tonight I give my annual talk on prayer to the RCIA group. We have a very tiny group this year - the smallest we've ever had.
Today I need to get my paperwork ready for tonight. And I also need to get some cleaning done. I've been saying that for a couple of weeks now. Funny how it didn't go away. :)
Here is today's Holiday Cruising Mission from Flylady:
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Word of the day: Tuesday of the Thirty-second week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (+ 461) - Memorial, St. Andrew Avellino, Priest (1561-1608) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17:7-10.
Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"
I am soooo late getting on today. To start with, I way overslept. Tonight we have a mini craft show at the VFW.
Yesterday was spent making caramel corn, packing baskets, steaming stockings and getting them ready to ship. We had a full house including the grandkids. The house is in a wonderful shambles. Shambles can always be cleaned up, but family memories need to happen when they happen. This past weekend was great. Nina and Jamie came up on Friday night because Nina does the craft shows with us. They ended up staying Friday night and Saturday night. I like having everyone one around - I never did like the whole empty nest thing.
*********************** Word of the day: The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome - Feast Today the Church celebrates : Dedication of St. John Lateran (Feast) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 2:13-22.
Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of scripture, "Zeal for your house will consume me." At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
Our first craft show at His Place went pretty well. We were competing with Mt. Pleasant's hosting of "Shipshewana on the Road." I don't normally buy a lot at craft shows where we have a booth, but across from us yesterday was a lady from Middleton who made the cutest purses! The workmanship and the prices were irresistible.
We haven't taken inventory yet, but I suspect that our sales were pretty well evenly split between mixes and primitives. It's funny because when we have a straight across set up where our tables are all in a row, people are always startled to realize that after they buy their mixes, they continue on to candles, soap, and other needfuls.
Today I will be hosting a marathon caramel corn making. Melisa and Anna will be doing that. I will be holed up in my quilting room with stockings to steam and stockings to knit. So far we have taken orders for over 90 stockings. Our official record last year was 144 (but I think we did a few more than that). We like to beat our own records.
I have much organizing and purging to do in my basement dungeon - ooops - workroom. Yesterday's breakdown after the craft show was the most efficient we've had - at least in my section of the booth. We were broken down and on the road in 50 minutes. We are always the last to finish, but then we are always the largest and most diversified display. Nicola brought up a dolly and my brother-in-law gave us a hand truck and that took a lot of the backbreaking, multi-trip load up so much easier and quicker. We're never going to be the first ones out of any craft place just because of the size of our operation. It's gratifying to see us streamline and make our business more efficient. I need to remember to bring my camera! I always forget to take a picture of our booth.
******************************* Word of the day: Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Godfrey, Bishop (1066-1115), Blessed John Duns Scotus, O.F.M. (c.1266-1308) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 12:38-44.
In the course of his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
Off to Alma for a craft show at His Place. I've heard that there is a lot of traffic at this show. We shall see - it's a first for us!
************************************* Saturday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Willibrord, Bishop (657-739) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16:9-15.
I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.
I have a prayer service this morning with the school kids and then it's another insanely busy day. I have soap to package, White Chocolate Chex mix to make, craft show bins to pack, a batch of candles to pour, and someday maybe I can get a path cleared in this house. My two grandmothers were as different as night and day. Grandma Caputo's house was always spotless and always filled with the aroma of her wonderful cooking. Grandma Milliron's house always looked like a flea market (literally!!!), but we had the best tea parties under the bushes in her garden. This month has been a Grandma Milliron month - minus the tea parties.
I have gotten some Christmas shopping done online, but the rest will be done locally to support our local economy. Around Thanksgiving we girls pay ourselves from the craft shows and stocking sales. It is this money that determines my Christmas spending. We also tithe 10 per cent of our gross sales from the craft shows. We haven't decided what to do with that money yet. I'm torn between struggling families in the area and doing something for the military personnel.
Today's Flylady Holiday Mission is budgeting. Since I left my job at the school, I have done very well with budgeting. When Harold and I decided that he needed to retire from Medler (which meant I would have to retire from the school), I made it a point to get my credit card paid off. I have kept the balance low ever since - paying it off each month. I use my card because I get points toward Amazon gift certificates.
************************************ Friday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Leonard (+ c. 550) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16:1-8.
Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.
I made cranberry soap last night and finished 6 stockings. I have 7 more to do from that batch and another 4 for an order that came in this morning. So far it's been a very productive season. :)
Staff meeting this morning, then I have to stop at the quilt shop because I won't be able to make Monday's meeting. I have done absolutely no quilting since September. Once the stocking season and the craft shows are behind us, I'll have more time.
Today I need to get something done in the way of cleaning, I have to make a couple batches of Chex mix and I need to cut and package more fudge.
********************************* Word of the day: Thursday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Bertilla, Abbess (7th century) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15:1-10.
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.' In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Kind of a lazy morning (but that has to end soon because I have a lot to do). Today is early post office closing day so I need to get some orders packaged up to mail. Then on to Sam's club to pick up some water for my favorite youngest daughter. I have 13 stocking orders pending and I am out of reindeer stockings. Gotta get some of those done so Melisa can sew them up. I poured some tarts and made some room sprays last night. Our craft show inventory switches from fall to Christmas (with some overlap because it actually is still fall so I need to finalized the inventory for the rest of our shows.
Here is today's Flylady mission should you choose to accept it.
*************************************** Word of the day: Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time Today the Church celebrates : St. Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan (1538-1584) Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14:25-33.
Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.' Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Don't know if the hubster remembers or not, but this is the anniversary of the day we met - 35 years ago. My, how time flies.
Today is a Maddie day and her cousin Claire is here to visit her. Claire loves to dance to music. Her favorite music is the Vacation Bible School tape from last summer. She was too little to go last year but she is looking forward to going this coming summer.
I'm up early today. I think the time change has my body mixed up. We didn't have many Trick or Treaters on Halloween, but here are my 3 favorite goblins. We had spiderman, a bunny, and a little strawberry!
Today is a Maddie day. Maddie and I will be doing some cleaning. The house is a wreck due to an insane week last week. The craft show went well, but it's a different crowd than we're used to. Sales were up 24% from last year, but we need to make some adjustments for this particular show for next year.
Now that it is November, it's time to bring out the Christmas scents - cranberry, Christmas tree, Gingerbread - Mmmmmmmmm
Here is today's Holiday mission from Flylady
**************Evening update********** Packaged up a lot of primitive candle lamps and some potpourri. Tonight I'm making pure olive oil soap. I should have made it a lot sooner. The people who want this kind of soap tend to buy lots of it at a time. It takes about 6 weeks to cure. I also discovered that I am short of cranberry soap so tomorrow I'm going to have to make some so that it's cured by the time I sell what I have. Cranberry is my favorite Christmas scent. I also made a batch of cranberry jar candles.
***************************************** Word of the day: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Today the Church celebrates : The Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25:31-46.
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
