Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I have a funeral today and then our last choir rehearsal before Easter Vigil. Where has the year gone?

Just packaged up an order of room spray to send out. I can smell them through the box. Lots to do today so I'd better get crackin'. Updates later.

**********************

Word of the day:
Wednesday of Holy Week
Today the Church celebrates : St. Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr (c. 424)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 26:14-25.

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'" The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?" He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."

******************

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Today I drove to Saginaw with Marian Pryor for the annual Chrism Mass. The Chrism Mass is when representatives of all the parishes travel to the Cathedral to receive the sacred oils which will be used for the sacraments throughout the year. The Chrism Mass is traditionally celebrated on Holy Thursday, but due to our large, spread out diocese, we celebrate it on Tuesday of Holy Week. This year it was my task to make sure the jars were clean and secured in their basket - ready to receive the oils. Then I brought those jars back and transferred the newly blessed oils to the jars that are housed in the ambry. We don't take those down to the Cathedral for fear of breakage. It was my responsibility to make sure that both sets of jars were clean and dry for today. I can be a klutz at times so I was a little nervous, but I am happy to say that the newly blessed oils are safely in their jars in the ambry awaiting their use at Easter Vigil. I was also one of the cantors for today's Mass. I am extremely grateful that the vocal issues I had over most of the winter, were not with me today at the Cathedral and I was able to sing without my voice cracking.

Tonight is our last meeting with our Catechumen for RCIA, Amber Gall. The year has flown by so fast.

Word of the day:
Tuesday of Holy Week
Today the Church celebrates : St. John Climacus, anchorite (6th-7th centuries)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 13:21-33.36-38.

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, «Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.» The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus' chest and said to him, "Master, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it." So he dipped the morsel and (took it and) handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." (Now) none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or to give something to the poor. So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. When Judas had left them, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. (If God is glorified in him,) God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, 'Where I go you cannot come,' so now I say it to you. Simon Peter said to him, "Master, where are you going?" Jesus answered (him), "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later." Peter said to him, "Master, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times."

Monday, March 29, 2010

Today was a Maddie day. She is such a little sweetie!
Until the end of the month, Flylady has us in the living room. Our needed dusting - really bad. Part was regular dust, the rest was drywall dust from the bathroom remodel. The living room never really gets too bad. When the kids are here, there are toys around, but not many now that Clay and Claire are older. Madison doesn't get anything out. She plays with what I give her. I just need to remember to vacuum before she comes. Everything she finds goes into her mouth.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and the official start of Holy Week. Saturday dragged a bit, but Sunday went pretty well. The choir numbers were way down, but the ones who were there did a fantastic job.

Word of the day:
Monday of Holy Week
Today the Church celebrates : St Gladys, Hermit (5th century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12:1-11.

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one (of) his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor? He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." (The) large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

Sunday, March 28, 2010 - Palm Sunday

Busy week ahead.
Back later.

**********************

Word of the day:
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Passion (Palm) Sunday
Today the Church celebrates : St Gontran, King (545-592)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 22:14-71.23:1-56.

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you (that) from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed." And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed. Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors'; but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers." He said to him, "Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you." But he replied, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me." He said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing," they replied. He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, 'He was counted among the wicked'; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment." Then they said, "Lord, look, there are two swords here." But he replied, "It is enough!" Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test." After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." (And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.) When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test." While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with a sword?" And one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!" Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness." After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, "This man too was with him." But he denied it saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A short while later someone else saw him and said, "You too are one of them"; but Peter answered, "My friend, I am not." About an hour later, still another insisted, "Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean." But Peter said, "My friend, I do not know what you are talking about." Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" And they reviled him in saying many other things against him. When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth." Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king." Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here." On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. (Even) Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him." With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished. As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. (Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.") They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews." Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The vanity is now in. When the builder cut the counter top, there were two finished end pieces. The big discussion now is whether to use those pieces as shelves above either side of the vanity. I will let you know what my opinion was when the decision is made.



The wall needs a bit of patching due to gouging when the sink top was put in. The counter-top height is higher than standard - the same height at kitchen countertops. Howard said that this is the trend - less bending over. I think it may give me a bit more storage space underneath. I never noticed the difference in height between bathroom and kitchen counters. It will take some getting used to, but I think I will like it.

*********************
Word of the day:
Saturday of the Fifth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St John of Egypt (+ 394)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11:45-56.

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, "What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation." But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish." He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him. So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?"

Friday, March 26, 2010

It was a long day today. I started off at the church for Veneration of the Cross, Stations, Liturgy of the hours, and the Rosary with the St. Mary School kids. Came home and finished putting the wallpaper border up in the bathroom. The vanity goes in tomorrow. We could be finished by tomorrow night!!!!

Took Clay and Claire back up to church with me to work on the worship aides for the Triduum. Poor Clayton, I shut my office door on his fingers. There was some understandable caterwallering. Ten minutes later Fr. Kevin came out of his office. He had been praying in there. His office is right across from mine. A true test of the powers of concentration in prayer.

************************

Word of the day:
Friday of the Fifth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Margaret Clitherow
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 10:31-42.

The Jews picked up rocks to stone him. Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?" The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God." Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize (and understand) that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." (Then) they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, "John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true." And many there began to believe in him.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Started the morning with a reconcilliation service with the school kids. Headed over to Sparrow to clear up some insurance information and then came home to find that the bathroom flooring was done. I thought it would take a lot longer. Thanks, Neil McCaul of N and B Flooring in Mt Pleasant. Great job as usual!! It was funny, but I spotted this flooring the minute we walked into Neil's showroom. Perfect.

I've also started putting up the border. It's the same border we had before because I love it. LOL!

Those curtains won't be staying.  I ordered a valance to go in that space.  Now we wait for the vanity and the fixtures to be finished and we are done!

*****************
Word of the day:
The Annunciation of the Lord - Solemnity
Today the Church celebrates : , , Bl. Omeljan Kovč, Priest and Martyr (1884-1944)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:26-38.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

First of all, Happy Birthday to my brother Bob. My earliest memory is when I was 2 and Mama and Daddy brought him home. I couldn't figure it out, why not a puppy?

I bagged up our custom blend maple pecan coffee this morning. I decided to try a cup. Oh my gosh! Yummmmm!

I have no kids today until 3:30 so I am going to get some cleaning done in preparation for the bathroom flooring being put in tomorrow. The the stool goes in. That will be nice. Thank goodness we have another bathroom, but it ain't big enough for Harold and I indefinitely.

Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Catherine of Sweden (1330 + 1381), Bl. Maria Karlowska (1865-1935)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:31-42.

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father." They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Another spring day in Michigan. Looks like it's going to be a pretty one!

**********************
Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Fifth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St Turibius of Mongrovejo, Bishop (1538-1606)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:21-30.

He said to them again, "I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come." So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?" He said to them, "You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world." They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father. So Jesus said (to them), "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

************

Monday, March 22, 2010

Well, the Health Care bill passed. No surprise there. I am hugely disappointed in Bart Stupak. I can't believe that Nancy Pelosi, with a straight face, said "we are about to join the ranks of the people who brought you Social Security and Medicare." Aren't those two institutions fairly well bankrupt? Where is the money going to come from to pay for this???? I am all for helping people who need help, but I would rather do it myself than have the government do it. When I give $10 to someone, they get $10. When the government takes $10 dollars from me in the name of welfare, the person in need gets $1.70 and the rest goes to bureaucracy. I am just sickened over this. This noble sounding legislation is going to bankrupt this country and financially enslave our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The absolute worst of it is, there will be fewer Americans to insure because Federal funds will subsidize abortions. I heard a congressman last night say that there is no evidence that government funding will increase abortions. Okay, so no new people will be killed, we will just keep killing the same number of people - and my tax dollars will be used to pay for it.

**********************
Word of the day:
Monday of the Fifth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St Nicholas Owen, St Lea, Bl. Cardinal august von Galen, Bishop (1933-1946)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:12-20.

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." So the Pharisees said to him, "You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified." Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone. And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me. Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified. I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me." So they said to him, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury in the temple area. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Today was a good day. Harold, Sam, Kelli, Madison, Melisa, Clayton, Claire, Anna, and I met up with Mom, Cheryl, and Ali at La Senorita in Lansing. I think I'm set for Mexican food for a while.

Came home a did some cleaning. Now I'm holed up in the craft room watching Hannity to see what comes of the health care bill. Then I may watch Kirstie Alli's new show. If it's like her other one, where she's dropping the F bomb every other word, I won't be watching long. I just discovered Ruby and now it's the end of the season.

****************

Word of the day:
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St Euda, St Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello (1791-1858)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:1-11.

while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger. But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he bent down and wrote on the ground. And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him. Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Another busy day. I'm headed out to Saginaw for a diocesan choir rehearsal. After that I'm home to do more painting, then Mass, then dinner at Bennigans. I really need to catch up on my other blog. Maybe tonight after dinner.

Update: No time to update the other blog yet, but hopefully soon. Gotta make a batch of candles to take down to my mom. We ended up going to La Senorita instead of Bennigans. Here are some bathroom pic updates.

Window before trim















Window after trim










Sink area before medicine cabinet and sconces

Sink area with medicine cabinet and sconces











**********

Word of the day:
Saturday of the Fourth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Joseph Bilczewski, Bishop (1860-1923), St Maria Josefa of the Heart of Jesus, Religious (1842-1912)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 7:40-53.

Some in the crowd who heard these words said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not scripture say that the Messiah will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this one." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing? They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Then each went to his own house,

Friday, March 19, 2010

I wonder how many Catholics are aware of this:

That the general law of abstinence from meat on Fridays (c. 1251) does not bind on "solemnities" (like the Solemnity of St. Joseph, per c. 1246.1 and the Gen. Norms for the Lit. Year and Calendar) is so obvious that few commentaries bother to say "If the Solemnity of St. Joseph falls on a Friday, even in Lent, one need not abstain from meat." Nevertheless, the exemption from abstinence on solemnities is patent, and one need not bother pastors or bishops for a dispensation before enjoying a pepperoni pizza this Friday. Nuf said.

Bishop Cistone is coming to celebrate Mass with us today. I am guessing the church will be full. I have mixed feelings about this. While I am glad that people will turn out to welcome the bishop, I wonder where they are every other Friday when we have Mass. Come to think of it, where are they every weekend? Anyway, today is Bishop Cistone's feast day, and it is also his mother's birthday. We have put together a basket of gifts for him and a gift for his mother.

We have a funeral this afternoon so the day is one of joys and sorrows.

I painted the ceiling last night and it looks nice. Today I hope to get more painted, but since we have Mass and a funeral, it will be afternoon before I get home. It's hard to believe that by this time next week, all of our work in the new bathroom will be done. We have to wait for the vanity to be finished and for the flooring to be put in.


********************
Word of the day:
Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity
St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and patron of the Universal Church (solemnity)
Today the Church celebrates : Bl. Marcel Callo (1921-1945)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1:16.18-21.24.

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

************************

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It is still chaotic around here, but progress is steady. Today Melisa and I will prime and paint the bathroom. I am so looking forward to being done. The guys are doing a terrific job, but I feel insecure when things are torn up so although this is a necessary part of the job, it is not my favorite. I have chosen a dark sage for the bottom half of the bathroom and an off white for the top. I will be doing a spongy type thing on the top and will be putting up the same border I had before. I just loved that border. I am so glad I found it again.  The green for the bathroom matches the darkest green on the wallpaper border.

Here's a pic of an electric wildlife grubby poured from our new mold. I miss the old mold, but it was such a pain to get the candle out. I had to slit that mold and it finally split in half.

**********************
Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fourth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (+386)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 5:31-47.

If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified. But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life. I do not accept human praise; moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"

********************

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Very late getting on today. The day started early and kind of got away from me. Tomorrow I hope to get something done. It is amazing how a bathroom remodel affects every area of the house. Two rooms are taken up with stuff from the bathroom. The kitchen is pushed about so the guys can get through. All of my stuff is in the back bathroom. So far Harold and I have managed to share the one small bathroom in the back of the house.

I poured the other flameless tealight and will hopefully get that order mailed out on Thursday. Tomorrow I have a reconcillation service for the St. Mary's school kids.

The guys are boiling the last of the sap. This syrup season is the worst we can remember. Three boilings and we were done because it looks like the trees are about to bud out. The kids actually played outside without their coats and hats.

*******************
Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Fourth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St Heribert, Archbishop (c. 970-1021), St Abraham, Hermit & St Mary (4th century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 5:1-16.

After this, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep (Gate) a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your mat, and walk." Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." He answered them, "The man who made me well told me, 'Take up your mat and walk.'" They asked him, "Who is the man who told you, 'Take it up and walk'?" The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, "Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you." The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

Monday, March 16, 2010

I am so behind on this blog due to spotty internet connections. It is frustrating. When the connection works, it's great, but when it doesn't it is very frustrating. But for now it's working so I am updating my blog.

This week's flyzone is the bathroom and one extra room. Since the bathroom is in a state of demolition, I guess I will do some work in the back bathroom. My hands are kind of tied until the bathroom is done and I can move stuff out of the room where I have the Goodwill stuff housed. Thank goodness it will be done before Jamie and Nina come up again.

I poured a deer grubby and a tealight cone. I also managed to make a couple of stockings. Pretty productive day.

********************
Word of the day:
Monday of the Fourth week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Louise de Marcillac (1591-1660), St Zachary, Pope (+ 752)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 4:43-54.

After the two days, he left there for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast. Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." The royal official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "You may go; your son will live." The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, "The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon." The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live," and he and his whole household came to believe. (Now) this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Our wireless connection has been spotty all weekend. For now it is up and running again. I sure hope this is fixed now because it is frustrating to try and process an order only to lose the connection for hours on end.
*******************

Word of the day:
Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare)
Today the Church celebrates : St Maud (or Matilde), Queen (c. 875-968)

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. Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Friday, March 12, 2010

It's really foggy out - the weather has been so warm. We've only had 2 boilings this year. I hope we're not done for the season.

Today Harold and I go and pick out flooring for the bathroom. I'm feeling a little less anxious about the whole project. Change makes me feel very insecure. Yes, I'm glad we're updating the bathroom, but when familiar things leave, it makes me melancholy. It was the same way with the kitchen so I know it will pass. Harold and Howard are working really hard. It amazes me how long they can work at a stretch. When we did the kitchen, we hired someone to do it and he came and went as he pleased and the job took a month longer than it should have. At the rate Harold and Howard are going, this will be done by next week - at least as much of of it as they can do. We hired someone to make the vanity.

***************************

Word of the day:
Friday of the Third week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St Maximilian, St. Luigi Orione, Priest (1872-1940)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 12:28-34.

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, 'He is One and there is no other than he.' And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Today is the 46th anniversary of my mother's death. I've been feeling a little off all day. I'm glad the kids were here today to take my mind off it.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by how fast the bathroom remodel is going. Everything has been picked out and I'm feeling like I'm not having much input in the whole thing. I'm sure it will be fine.

Our talk last night went well. I was a little nervous at first, but I had a lot of supporters in the crowd and they asked some really great questions.

*********************

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Third week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Eulogius, Martyr (+ 859)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:14-23.

He was driving out a demon (that was) mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, "By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons." Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that (I) drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

It's gonna be a busy one today. This morning I have to meet with the organ repair person, the sound system guy, and the piano tuner. Then it's home to move stuff because the guys are starting on the bathroom remodel. That means moving a bunch of stuff downstairs so they can get to the plumbing. I'm still trying to get used to the idea that we won't have a tub any more. Makes me feel slightly insecure. Then tonight I have to give a talk at the church soup suppers about music ministry. It's interesting that I can sing in front of people, but talking to a group makes me very nervous. I'm glad I got my notes down last night. Later in the afternoon my two buddies Clay and Claire will be here.

*****************

Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Third week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Macarius, The Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (+ c. 320)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:17-19.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

I have my two little girl buddies here today.
We got the laundry folded and another load in the washer. The wine-rack shelves could used some decluttering and I also noticed some pine garland along the top shelf that needs to come down.

*******************

Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Third week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Frances of Rome, religious (1384-1440)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:21-35.

Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."

Uh oh, got word tonight that the bathroom remodel starts tomorrow. I emptied everything out - darn, I wish I had taken a picture first. But I'll take a picture anyway because the tub is going. I kind of wish it wasn't, but it needs to be replaced and they don't make tubs that small anymore.

********************

Monday, March 8, 2010

Freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw - that's what's needed to keep the sap running. Thank goodness it froze last night, but warm weather is predicted so we may have a very short season. It's hard to believe that it's been two years since our barn burned.

My little buddy Maddie MacDoogle won't be here this morning. The last time I saw her I had my running stuff on and she cried because she didn't recognize me.

Afternoon update*********
I did a ton of decluttering in the kitchen. I also put away all of my snowmen and the last of my winter decorations. I made a batch of Maple Syrup Festival scented candles. I mixed lye water and am melting the base oils for a batch of soap. I decided to take a break. I was browsing through some soapmaking videos on Youtube and found this one.



The first thing that struck me was that she wasn't wearing gloves or goggles. I was very nervous as she used the stick blender on that full container of raw soap. I will admit that sometimes I don't wear goggles, but most times I do. She was multi-tasking while bringing the soap to trace. Not a good idea. She didn't measure the fragrance oil - just used "half a bottle." All ingredients should be weighed! And all of that measuring should be done ahead of time, not when the lye water has already been added. Then, when she picked up that container to pour the soap in the mold I almost gasped out loud! She was using a pliable ice cream bucket to hold the raw soap. One wrong move and that woman would have been covered with raw, caustic soap. As a soapmaker, I know that there are times we don't take all of the security measures that we should, but this video was being watched by people who wanted to learn how to make soap. I thought this woman was way too casual in the way she handled such a caustic substance. I think it was irresponsible to post something like this and make no mention of the precautions that should be taken.
**********************

Word of the day:
Monday of the Third week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. John of God, religious (1495-1550)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 4:24-30.

And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

It's 34 degrees outside. Most likely the guys will be boiling sap tonight. Time to fire up the grill!!

We have a visiting priest this week. Fr. LeFluer is one of my favorites. We lost several senior priests this year and all of them have subbed at St. Mary's at one time or another. So sad to see them go - and not many new ones to replace them, although the number of seminarians has gone up dramatically over the last few years.

************************

Word of the day:
Third Sunday of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : Ss Perpetua and Felicity, Martyr - Mémorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13:1-9.

At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them --do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!" And he told them this parable: "There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'"

Saturday, March 6, 2010

It's a beautiful sunny day out! It is also only 20 degrees.

Update********
It ended up being a fairly mild day. I felt like I was spinning my wheels most of the day. I did a little decluttering in the zone, but fell way short this week. I made another neapolitan electric grubby, another neapolitan flameless tealight, another dozen neapolitan grubby tarts, some sugar cone shorts for next Advent, and 2 primitive night lights. Not too bad.

They had a great deal on cereal at our local grocery store. I stocked up on some of Harold's cereal and filled a bag for our parish food cupboard.
*******************

Saturday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Colette, Virgin (+ 1447)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15:1-3.11-32.

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. Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Friday, March 5, 2010

Today is looking to be a much better day than yesterday. Right after I finished updating this blog last night, our wireless connection failed. I was very glad to see yesterday come to an end. Thank goodness it was up and running this morning.

I had a prayer service at church this morning. The kids always make me laugh. When I came in they were looking for my musical bunny. I have a bunny that plays "You're no bunny til some bunny loves you." They like to make him play. But . . . I put the singing bunny away for Lent. I did get some new "God Loves You" stickers so they were happy.

I still haven't made any candles, but - by golly - I will today!

Update**********
Made a neapolitan grubby, 2 short pillars, a dozen grubby tarts, and a batch of Maple Soap. I still have a ton of cookie dough to make for the guys. They are tapping trees so I also have to have some pancake mix made up ahead. I never know when or how many people will be hangin' out in the sugar house watching the sap boil and tasting unfiltered maple syrup on hot buttered pancakes.

So, I'm off to make some cookie dough!

****************

Word of the day:
Friday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : Sts Adrian and Eubulus, Martyrs (+ 309)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 21:33-43.45-46.

Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes'? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sheeesh, I don't know how I got anything done when I worked at the school. I envisioned retirement as an endless stream of free time. It's not working out that way and I'm not sure where the time is disappearing to. Of course, I didn't put a meal on at noon when Harold and I were both working. That's about and hour and a half a day right there. Even with grandkids here, I can get other things done, so I'm not sure where the time leakage is coming from. I think when there is a lot of time available it's easy to waste it, but then I am also getting a lot of inventory filled in so maybe I am just being to critical of myself.

Today I start in with the pillar wax items that I mentioned yesterday.

*********Update
I have been so lazy today. The day didn't start real well. Staff meeting days usually don't. Then I went up town to get a new cord for the laptop, and that one didn't work. Then I didn't really feel like doing much. Just felt a little down today - until Clay and Claire came. They always cheer me up.

I think I'll go down and pour some candles, but first I have to update my other blog.
**********************************

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Casimir, King (1458-1484) - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16:19-31.

There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

The guys are getting ready for tree tapping and sap boiling. Let the pancake suppers in the Sugar House begin!!! Spring is definitely on the way.

The house is a total wreck. I have no idea how it got that way. LOL! I could blame the grandkids, but since it's my stuff I don't think that's gonna work.

I made a batch of honeysuckle candles yesterday and then discovered I have no labels. Grrrr. That means I can't pack that box yet.


********************************
Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Cunegundes, Empress (+ 1040)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 20:17-28.

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve (disciples) aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Lots to do today. I want to finish making the jar candles for our spring shows. I'm running low on container wax, but can't afford to re-stock until after our spring shows. Then I start on the grubby tarts, electric grubbies, and pillars. I love making candles. I'll be making another batch of soap for the Girls on the Run bags too.

********************
Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Simplicius, Pope (+ 483)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23:1-12.

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

*************

Monday, March 1, 2010

A new week. A new month. This week. Zone 1: The Entrance, Front Porch and Dining Room (March 1 - 5) Again, my entrance is my laundry room so that is where I will be working this week. My focus is the cubby where I keep all of my music planning stuff. Today is also laundry day and bill day. And I need to call Hewlett Packard and get a new power cord for the laptop.

Update*************
Oh, my aching back. I did some major decluttering in the dungeon (but none in my zone), made 3 batches of candles, a batch of soap, 2 grungy lamps, 1 battery tealight lamp, 1 grubby electric lamp,2 Christmas stockings, and 2 loads of laundry. I'll pay bills tomorrow. Time to kick back and wait for Hoarders to come on.

*******************
Word of the day:
Monday of the Second week of Lent
Today the Church celebrates : St. Albinus, Bishop (+ 550), St David, Bishop (+ 561)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 6:36-38.

Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

*******************