Sunday, February 28, 2010

I am not a happy camper right now. The day started off okay, but when I got home from church I decided to tackle the taxes and watch some DVR'd shows to relieve the boredom. If you've never done farm taxes, you're probably a sane person. Anyway, I'm chugging along with the October farm receipts when the laptop starts to fade. Oh, I need to plug in the power cord. All of my work was retained. Yayyyy!!!! What I didn't know was the power cord is defective and in a few minutes the laptop would cut out again. Nothing was saved. Two hours of work down the drain. I wanted to cry. That means tomorrow night, which I usually reserve for something I enjoy, will be spent re-doing taxes.
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Update*******
I re-did the October receipts. I shined my sink. I am planning my zone work for tomorrow. I am looking forward to a Maddie day!

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Word of the day:
Second Sunday of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Daniel Brottier, Priest (1876-1936), Sts. Romanus & Lupicinus, Abbots (5th century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 9:28-36.

About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my chosen Son; listen to him." After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

It's hard to believe, but soon February will be over and March will be upon us. Right now we're waiting for the sap to start running and for the pancake suppers in the sap house to begin. That's my sign that spring is coming.

Tonight I am hosting a family game night and sandwich party. The house needs a good going over. Just can't seem to keep up with that.

I packaged some soap last night and that's about all of the Sugar Bush stuff that I got done. Once I get that basement into some kind of order, it will be easier to work down there.

I had to buy a charging cord for my new/old cell phone. I now have the phone that we used to use to connect to the internet. Now that we have satellite - and yayyyyyy it is working finally - I now use that phone. I downloaded some cool ringtones because I hated the ones that were on the phone. Trumpet Tune, Trumpet Voluntary, The Voice of Truth, and Canon in D. This morning I log on to the Alltel website and find that I am eligible for a phone upgrade. Think I'll hang on to this one for a while. Now that I have some neat ringtones, I'm getting used to it - not to mention the 30 bucks I spent on a charging cord.

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Word of the day:
Saturday of the First week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Leander, Bishop (c. 540-596)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:43-48.

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Early day today. I have Mass with the kids and then my buddy Maddie MacDoogle is coming over. I'm hosting a Sandwich and Family Game night tomorrow so there is much cleaning to do. Those pesky taxes are still there. I'm down to the last 3 months of farm receipts, though. Yesterday I made a batch of lavender candles and a batch of lemongrass candles. I made some small sugar cone pillars for Advent next year. I also grunged a dozen electric lamps for candle lamps.

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Word of the day:
Friday of the First week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Porphyry, Bishop (+ 420)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:20-26.

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Technology!! Grrrrrr! Our wireless internet is not working again!! Thank goodness, I didn't jump the gun and cancel our phone modes again.

Got up way too late this morning. I have a ton of stuff to do. I made 2 batches of candles yesterday, and I got the choir folders done, but that was it. It took me all afternoon to do the folders. Only made 2 mistakes there. Not bad. Oh, and I did get a stocking made.

I got a new batch of fragrance oils in today so I can continue on with the inventory. I need to get the decluttering done, taxes, and some general cleaning. First I have to hit the treadmill!

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Thursday of the First week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople (+ 806)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 7:7-12.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

No kids today, but still lots of work to do. I have to prepare the choir folders for tonight's rehearsal. I always manage to leave something out of someone's folder. The challenge for today is to make sure everything is there.

I also have chores from yesterday to finish up. I didn't get around to decluttering so that is on today's list - I will be tackling the floor of my closet. Then there is laundry to put away, a batch of candles to make, a batch of soap, maybe some cookie dough if there is time. But first I head for the treadmill for some prayer time and some inspirational reading. No better way to start the day.

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Wednesday of the First week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Thomas Mary Fusco, Priest (1831-1891)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:29-32.

While still more people gathered in the crowd, he said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Well, I found my planner yesterday - just in time to see that it was Mom's birthday. Sheesh, the trials of getting old. I made some more Neapolitan candles yesterday and some more Soapie Pops. I also poured a couple of small sugar cone pillars that I melted down from the Advent candles. I really need to get into my craft room and get some quilting done. It's such a clutter in there that I've been avoiding it. I guess I'm going to have to take 15 minutes a day and inch my way in there. I need to move a knitting machine stand downstairs, but that also needs to be decluttered in order for there to be room. Junk expands to fit the space allotted plus one extra room. But I'm getting there slowly but surely.

**************Mid morning update
Made a batch of candles, 2 batches of room spray, lunch is in the warmer, soapie pops bagged, molds lined for a batch of CP soap.

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Word of the day:
Tuesday of the First week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr (+ 167)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:7-15.

In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

Monday, February 22, 2010

All three little monkeys are here. It is chaos. It is great.
This week's FlyZone is the Master Bedroom. That one is going to be a challenge because there are two of us in there, but only one signed on to Flylady. I have to keep telling myself that there is plenty of my own clutter to take care of before I need to worry about anyone else's. So, I decluttered a little bit in my closet, did one of my drawers, and did what I could in my nightstand. I also cleaned off the table next to my dresser. Tomorrow I will spend some time decluttering the floor of my closet.

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Word of the day:
The Chair of Saint Peter, apostle - Feast
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Isabel of France (1225-1270)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16:13-19.

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Today is an exciting day. Today Kelli celebrates the Rite of Election. She will go to the Cathedral with her sponsor and sign her name in the Book of the Elect. She will meet the bishop. Exciting!!

It's 30 degrees out. I'm heading out for a run!












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Word of the day:
First Sunday of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (1007-1072)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 4:1-13.

Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, "I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me." Jesus said to him in reply, "It is written: 'You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.'" Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and: 'With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him in reply, "It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'" When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Pasta is boiling for pastacchina, oven is preheated to bake cookies, sink is shined.
I have to get on the treadmill yet. The temperature is 40 degrees and I see houseflies trapped inside the screen door. Spring is on its way.

Right now the house smells like an ice cream parlor. I poured the chocolate layer of my neapolitan candles. I discovered that you have to be very precise in pouring. (I should have known that, anyway from pouring the Soapie Pops) I have one jar where the wax hit the side a little when I poured, and then I knocked another jar causing the wax to slosh up a bit. Hopefully, I can remove that with a paper towel before I pour the vanilla layer. If not, the girls will be happy to use them as testers. Actually, I do need to test these since it is a new process and a new fragrance oil. Anna is working on the labeling for our Soapie Pops. I gave one to Claire the other day and warned her not to eat it. She looked at me very solemnly and promised she wouldn't. However when she took it home, she tried to get her Daddy to taste it. Claire, Claire, what will I do with you?

Afternoon update:
I made some neapolitan candles. They smell yummy!!!!

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Word of the day:
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Today the Church celebrates : St. Eucherius, Bishop (+ 743)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 5:27-32.

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Friday, February 19, 2010

Well, today was pretty good except for the one menopausal moment when I completely forgot that we had scheduled a meeting of the Liturgy Committee. The rest of the day was fairly productive. It started with a funeral. Then I finally headed up to Goodwill to deposit the week's decluttering. It filled half the back seat and all of the trunk.

Clay and Claire just went home. Thank goodness for DVRs because they like to watch Dora the Explorer and she's off the air by the time they get here.

My neapolitan fragrance oil came today so I think tomorrow I will try to pour some layered candles.

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Word of the day:
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Today the Church celebrates : St Boniface of Lausanne, St. Barbatus, Bishop (+ 682)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:14-15.

Then the disciples of John approached him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast (much), but your disciples do not fast?" Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

This week's FlyZone is the bathroom and one other room. I have done some decluttering in the bathroom, but have REALLY made progress in the One Other Room. I chose the Treadmill room. I have completely decluttered the bottom part of the closets in there. I was a sorting machine. The guest bedroom is now packed with boxes to take to Goodwill. I plan to make that trip after lunch. I am so proud of myself because I made some very hard decisions about what to part with. Odd, though, once the decision was made, I wondered why I really wanted to hang onto that stuff in the first place. The only things left in the closet are 2 tubs full of Harold's memorabilia and on top of that are the kids' trophies from 4-H. I will be asking them to take those - the trophies, not Harold's stuff. It is so freeing to look into the closet and not see it packed with stuff. I have emptied 6 totes of stuff.

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Word of the day:
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Today the Church celebrates : St Flavian, Bishop and Martyr (+ 449)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 9:22-25.

He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - Lent Begins

Word of the day:
Ash Wednesday
Today the Church celebrates : The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:1-6.16-18.

(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Happy Paczki day everyone!

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Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Sixth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Onesimus, Disciple of St. Paul, Blessed John de Britto, martyr (+1693)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8:14-21.

They had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. He enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve." When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up? They answered (him), "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

Monday, February 15, 2010

We are finally networked. Now we just have to wait for the connection to speed up a bit. Whoohoo.

Today I move on to Candy Apple scents. I haven't made jar candles in that scent yet so I am anxious to try it.

This week's zone is the Bathroom and one other room. I will do some decluttering in the front bathroom since we are planning to remodel that this spring. The one other room will probably vary as the week goes on, but I think I will start in the exercise room. I have a lot of videos that I never watch and probably won't.

Afternoon update:
I haven't gotten downstairs to work yet. But, my soapie pop kit came today. Maddie and I made some soapie pops.

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Word of the day:
Monday of the Sixth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Claude de la Colombiere, Priest (1641-1682), Sts. Faustinus and Jovita, martyrs (+ c. 121), Bl. Michał Sopoćko, Priest (1888-1975)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8:11-13.

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Word of the day:
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Ss Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop, Memorial (Feast in Europ)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 6:17.20-26.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

We're just about half-way through February. Hard to believe. The kids were all over here last night. It was a nice family gathering. Hopefully, the next time we all get together, everyone will be healthy. This bug that has been circulating is pretty nasty.

Anna spent some time trying to hook up our wireless router. After waiting on hold for 15 minutes with customer service, she was instructed to leave a voice mail. Nice! The good news is that our speed will be higher once the router is up and working.

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Word of the day:
Saturday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Jordan of Saxo, Dominican Priest (c. 1190-1237)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8:1-10.

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, he summoned the disciples and said, My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance." His disciples answered him, "Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?" Still he asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" "Seven," they replied. He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over--seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln (and me)
Mass this morning with the kids, then I'm stopping in to the dr and see if I can get any relief from this awful cough. There is a lot of pneumonia going around and I have suspected for a couple of weeks now that I have it. I feel fine until the coughing jags start.

I poured candles last night and as I was setting the wick, it came unstuck from the bottom of the jar. Grrrrr. I hate when that happens. This was a grungy jar too so it is going to be fun trying to get it clean so that I can re-use it.

Gotta make a trip to town and then come home and get the house straightened up because the kids are coming tonight. Family nights are always fun times!!

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Word of the day:
Friday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St Benedict of Anian, Abbot (c.750 - 821)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 7:31-37.

Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!") And (immediately) the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and (the) mute speak."

Thursday, February 11, 2010

I can't wait to cut the new Blueberry Cobbler soap. The blue swirl isn't as pronounced as I would like, but the soap is still gorgeous. I need to look for a darker blue.

Little Maddie MacDoogle is coming in a while and later in the afternoon she will be joined by my other 2 buddies. It seemed very weird not having any kids here yesterday, but I did get a lot done.

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Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Our Lady of Lourdes (1858), St. Severinus of Agaunum, Abbot (+ 507)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 7:24-30.

From that place he went off to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, "Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She replied and said to him, "Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children's scraps." Then he said to her, "For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Many many school closings today. I get a bonus Maddie day!

Ooooooh, I can't wait to make these!!
Soapie Pops!!!

*******Afternoon update*****
Well, Maddie MacDoogle didn't come over today. Didn't see my buddies Clayton and Claire either. So I had a clean slate for the day. I finished up the Berry Pickin' soap and candles and have moved on to Blueberry Cobbler. I made a pip grubby lamp shell, a small sugar cone pillar, and a tealight shell. I unmolded the tealight shell too soon and it cracked so that one will have to be re-poured. After that I made a batch of Blueberry Cobbler cold process soap. It turned out really nice.

 I also baked all of the cookie dough that I had in the fridge, so the cookie can is full and there is a bag of cookies in the freezer.  I also got the bins in the fridge cleaned out.  It was a productive day.
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Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 7:14-23.

He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile." ) When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, "Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile."

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

I got quite a bit accomplished yesterday although you would never know it to look at the place. I made a serious dent in cleaning out the fridge. I would not die of shame if someone were to open it.

Madison showed us how she can stand up. She is growing so fast. She's still sick but she's getting better as you can see by the smiling picture. She still needed a lot of snuggling yesterday. I was happy to oblige.

Got the laundry done, but it needs to be folded. I'd like to do a batch of jar candles today. We'll see how that goes.

We're expecting a snow storm. We really haven't had a lot of snow this year, but it has been monstrous cold.

Still waitin' for that fantastic high speed internet to kick in. It's supposed to happen today, but, oh gee, we're expecting a snow storm.

Gotta head for the treadmill if I want to get my 30 minutes in before my little buddy gets here.

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Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr (+ 249)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 7:1-13.

Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles (and beds).) So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?" He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.' You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." He went on to say, "How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Whoever curses father or mother shall die.' Yet you say, 'If a person says to father or mother, "Any support you might have had from me is qorban"' (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things."

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Okay, I am ready to be well. I hacked all night. Harold said I was choking and gagging. I wonder what lovely antibiotic I'll get this time. This isn't a cold. This feels like bronchitis or walking pneumonia. Either way, with all the antibiotics I've taken, I doubt I'm contagious.

Well, they hooked up the wireless cable on Friday and said that within 4 days we would have wireless internet. No sign of it yet. The icon in the system tray alternates between "a network cable is unplugged" to "connected." Phooey.

I'm at day 8 of the 100 days challenge and even though I didn't want to get out of bed, I did. Go me!!!

Today is a Maddie day if her mommy goes to work. I can't wait to see her pull herself up. She is such a cute little peanut. Since I didn't get my bread made the other day, I think I will do that today.

I measured more oils yesterday, but ran out of cocoa butter. When that comes in I have 8 batches of soap oils left to do. I'll probably make another batch or RJS for the Girls on the Run gift bags.

The Fly Zone this week is the kitchen so I will be doing some serious decluttering in the refrigerator and freezer.

Update:
It's been a productive morning, even with a sick baby in the house. I rocked the poor little thing to sleep and then started in on the fridge. I got the top and middle shelves clean. I threw out a ton of stuff. When the fridge is a mess, you don't know what you have so you buy more. It's a waste to throw it out, and I feel bad about it, but now that it's getting clean, there shouldn't be any more waste.

Mondays are also laundry days and all loads have been washed and dried. I'll put away as time permits with little Maddie.

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Word of the day:
Monday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947), St. Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537), St. John of Matha, Priest (1169-1213)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:53-56.

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

News Flash! Little Miss Maddie MacDoogle pulled herself up to a standing position yesterday. Pictures will follow when available. But even better news is that she is recovering nicely from her bout with RSV. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can see her new tricks.

I am still looking at an icon in my system tray which alternates between telling me that I have a cable unplugged to "Local Area Network connected." Baloney. I am still using my cell phone for dial up. If we ever connect, it will be awesome but for now . . . bah humbug.

Didn't get a whole lot done yesterday except for the cookie baking. Had to get that done because Claire promised Fr. Kevin that we would bring him some and also our own cookie can was empty. This latest batch had peanut butter chips and chocolate chips in it.

It's a balmy 11 degrees out today. The sun is shining and it just dawned on me that soon the trees will be tapped and maple syrup season will be here. That's always a fun time. We never know how long it will last, but it starts with the freeze-thaw cycle. Once we start boiling, we never know how many people will be in the sap house on any given night. If we're lucky we will have many nights of impromptu gatherings there accompanied by pancakes, sausage, and maple syrup - REAL maple syrup.

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Word of the day:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Rosalie Rendu, Daughter of Charity (1786-1856)
Saint José Maria Escriva de Balaguer : « Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give» (Mt 10,8)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 5:1-11.

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Well, the cable is attached to our computer, but the wireless connection is not working yet. Harold told me what the guy said as to why we aren't getting a signal yet, but it sounds like so much double-speak. I really don't understand the lack of communication with some people who do business. We don't operate that way. I assumed it was just common sense to let a customer know what's going on. I don't mind waiting, but, for pete's sake, if you can't make it when you say you'll be there, just let me know, already. We went through the same thing when we remodeled our kitchen. The guy did great work, but I can't count the number of times I stayed home from work or a family function because he said he was coming out and then never showed and never called. The remodel was supposed to take a couple of weeks and two months later I was still doing dishes in the bath tub. We are planning to remodel our bathroom. Guess who we won't call. And it's too bad because I would have recommended him to anyone based on his work, but the lack of communication left a very sour taste in my mouth. It's just plain common courtesy to keep your customers informed.

Okay, rant over. This week the Fly Zone was Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room (February 1 - 5). I opted to work on the laundry room since that is technically our entrance. I hauled out my "Put Away" "Give Away" and "Throw Away" bins. I bought these off of the Flylady website. I love them because they fold up and hang on my door when not in use. Today I will empty those bins - throw away the trash, box up the give aways for Good Will, and put away the stuff in the put away bin. The room still needs a lot of work, but I have made a dent and it definitely looks better than it did. The bins keep everything contained and I am not running from room to room during the decluttering process. Next week's zone: Zone 2: The Kitchen (February 8 - 12). Our refrigerator needs decluttering in the worst way!!!

Later I will bake some more cookies from the humongous batch that Claire and I made the other day. I am in the breadmaking mood today so I think I will make a loaf f sunflower seed bread. I also want to pour some candles. I have finished up with "Berry Pickin'" and am now moving on the "Blueberry Cobbler." I love puttering around the house. I am blessed to have a job that allows me to help out with the grandkids. It's like reliving the years that the kids were growing up. Those were great years and I have missed having little ones around. Claire has a new nickname for Grandpa. They were playing a game the other day and Grandpa lost. Claire now calls him "Loser Butt." HaHaHa. I love it.

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Word of the day:
Saturday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Paul Miki & his companions, Martyrs (+ 1597) -
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:30-34.

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Son-in-law, Justin!! Also, Happy Birthday to Gary Fockler, my son's wonderful Father-in-law!
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Word of the day:
Friday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr (+ 251) - Memorial
The Roman Missal: John the Baptist, Christ's witness throughout his life
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:14-29.

King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Others were saying, "He is Elijah"; still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets." But when Herod learned of it, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up." Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias's own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore (many things) to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

'Tis the season for colds, flu, and other lovelies. Little Maddie now has RSV. I don't remember this virus from when our kids were little. I did some reading on it and found that 60% of babies will get it in infancy and most will get it before 2 years old. I didn't realize it was that common.

I had Mass this morning instead of the staff meeting that had been planned. Claire came with me and hung out with her buddy Sabina. Sabina asked her if she wanted to stay in the office or go to Mass. Claire opted to go to Mass. After Mass I checked the font and saw that it need filling. Claire was a good helper.

This afternoon the plan was to bake cookies. Clayton decided that his job would be to test them. I think that's Clayton's favorite part of cookie baking. But Claire likes to get right in there and help. Unfortunately my calculations to multiply the recipe initiated a series of mistakes that resulted in my having to eventually multiply the origial recipe by 8 in order to make everything come out in the right proportions. It didn't help that I was also reading the wrong recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag. I now have enough cookie dough in the freezer to last at least a month.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, we still do not have our wireless going yet. The guy told Harold he was on his way from Saginaw. Silly us, we thought that meant he was coming here next. But, as I look out the window, I still do not see a tower mounted on the leg of our grain bin. We have cell phones, people, let's use them!

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Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Jane of Valois, Queen and Religious (+ 1505)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:7-13.

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick--no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Clairy-Bear is here this morning. She is a little eating machine. She likes to eat "helfy" foods. Healthy is anything that doesn't move. She does like apples, oranges, and carrots though.

Yesterday I made a small pip grubby, some heart tarts, some grubby tarts, and a flameless tealight candle. There is some wax left so I'll probably pour a small sugar cone pillar or two.

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Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Blase, Bishop & Martyr (+ 316)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6:1-6.

He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Happy Groundhog's Day!
My two little sweeties are here today. I have a batch of pillar type candles to make today, plus I need to cut my Berry Pickin' soap. I will also be packaging some of our "Girls on the Run" soap for later this year.

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The Presentation of the Lord - Feast
Presentation of Child Jesus in the Temple - Feast
Today the Church celebrates : St Theophane Venard, Priest & Martyred (1829-1861)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:22-40.

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him

Monday, February 1, 2010

I'm up early today. I'm excited about my 100 day challenge on the other blog.

Today is a Madison day. I can't wait until she gets here. She has started crawling. I haven't seen her do that yet. She was still scooting around last Tuesday when she was last here.

It's been a while since I've been up this early. I have already unloaded the dishwasher. Headin' for the treadmill so I can be out of the shower before Miss Maddie MacDoogle gets here.

Gonna do some flying today:
Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room (February 1 - 5)
For today I am going to consider the laundry room as my entrance since that is where most people come into our house.

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Word of the day:
Monday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Bridgid of Ireland (+ 523)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 5:1-20.

They came to the other side of the sea, to the territory of the Gerasenes. When he got out of the boat, at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him. The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, crying out in a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!" (He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!") He asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us." And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. And they pleaded with him, "Send us into the swine. Let us enter them." And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were seized with fear. Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened to the possessed man and to the swine. Then they began to beg him to leave their district. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. But he would not permit him but told him instead, "Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you." Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

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