Sunday, October 31, 2010

It's been a pretty productive day so far. Found a check for a website order buried in the mail on the dining room table. It was for 2 electric pip grubbies. I have only one mold so I poured the first one this morning. But I poured it into a pillar mold - so I repoured it into the correct mold. Went to church. Managed to stay out of trouble - I think - came home and cut up chicken for salads this week. Then I went down to the dungeon. Set some container wax to melt for Apple Jack 'n Peel candles. Unmolded the first pip grubby - set the bulb and cord and wrapped it for shipping. Poured the other pip grubby which is setting up now. Inventoried two of our drawers from yesterday and got them ready for next Saturday. Now I am headed for the craft room to work on the 15 stocking orders that are waiting there.

Word of the day:
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Quintin, Martyr (3rd century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 19:1-10.

He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Thursday, October 28, 2010

I need a ton more hours in the day. I made 2 batches of candles, 5 stockings, took and order for 5 more, made a primitive lamp, sorted through some more inventory for Saturday's craft show.

Word of the day:
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Saint Simon and Saint Jude, apostles - Feast
Today the Church celebrates : Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles - Feast
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 6:12-19.

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 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 came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Three years ago today I lost a dear friend.  It's still hard to believe he's gone.  We miss you, Cute John.

I cancelled tonight's cantor rehearsal.  I am swamped with stocking orders - which is a good thing.  The thing is that stocking season coincides with craft show season plus I have a funeral to play for on Saturday.  All Saint's day next Monday, a memorial Mass on Wednesday, plus grandkid time gets shifted so there is a net loss of work time.  Not a bad thing at all, but makes for some knitting and packaging marathons. Not to mention that we see very little activity on Ebay and the website except at this time of year.  I like to think of the business as a "seasonal crop"  like Maple Syrup.  I cuffed 10 stockings today, knitted 2 more from scratch, took a rush order for 4 more, worked on craft show inventory, made the worship aides for Saturday's funeral, made a batch of caramel apple candles and a batch of gingerbread candles, packaged the 10 nightlights I made yesterday, and a bunch of other stuff that I can't name right now.  Oh, my aching back.  Haha  Tonight I will be finishing the sewing up on the cuffs and then packaging up a dozen and a half for mailing tomorrow.  I have a package with room spray which has to be taken to the post office in person and I will drop off a stocking at the middle school.  I have a ton of NCIS episodes DVRd that I will watch while I do the hand work.

 
Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Frumentius, Bishop (4th century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13:22-30.

He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Monday, October 25, 2010

I made 5 stockings yesterday.  Then last night we got an order for 5 more.  Our "made ahead" stack is slowly dwindling.  We are at 67 stockings for the season so far.  We're managing to keep our orders caught up - for now.  :)

I went out for an early morning run this morning.  The County Line is very different in the dark, but it's not really all that scary anymore.  Everyone on the road is up so I am never more than a quarter mile from someone's front door.

Claire is here this morning.  We will be heading out soon to drop her at Heidi's while I play for a funeral.  Afterwards we're going to have a girls' lunch out at McDonalds.  After that we have some errands - bank, post office, and middle school.  Then it's laundry, bills, cleaning, and taxes.  Tonight I will be in the craft room making stockings. I was doing pretty well keeping up on the taxes - until I found Harold's "file" drawer stuffed full of receipts.  I have a file with monthly folders under the desk that would be a lovely place to put those receipts, but I guess I'm just happy that they're not sitting in his truck, on the dressers, in his pants pockets, and other assorted "filing" cabinets.


 

Word of the day:
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lk 13:10-17
Gospel

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,
“There are six days when work should be done.
Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”
The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?
This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?”
When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

We had our first craft show of the season yesterday. This is first show we've ever done that we haven't improved from the previous year. We were a little disappointed, but also surprised at what did and didn't sell. You just never know what to take to a show and as a result we often end up taking way too much. There are so many variables. We are in Michigan so the economy may finally be catching up with us. We're keeping close tabs on inventory this year to see what the trends are.

I have a wake service tonight and a funeral tomorrow, so I won't get to see Maddie MacDoogle. But Clairy-bear will be here - except for when I have to drop her at the sitter's house.

I have ten stockings to get made today. I got up about 5:30, but there are just some days that I would be better off not trying to do things. This was one of those days. Everything I touched I managed to botch up. I did get some stockings done this afternoon and I have a batch to ship out tomorrow.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Anthony Mary Claret, Archbishop (1807-1870)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 18:9-14.

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

32 years ago today, Anna took her first step.  :)  Weird how stuff like that sticks in your head.
I went running this morning.  It is getting so much colder.  This morning I worked on primitive night lights and lost track of time.  Harold's lunch was late.  He'll survive. LOL!
I also made a batch of grungy Harvest Home candles.  My candle jars and wicks came today. So did my storage drawers and one of them was cracked.  :(



Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Paul of the Cross, Priest (1693-1775), St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin, Virgin (1888-1922)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:39-48.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

We are heading into our busiest season of the year. Our first craft show of the fall is next Saturday. I am frantically trying to get inventory ready, but it will be a race against time as it is every year. I just can't seem to keep ahead on this stuff. Oh well, I guess it's part of the experience.

This week Flylady has us in the Master Bedroom. I decluttered a ton of stuff and put away summer clothes. My drawers are so nice and neat that they make me smile when I open them.

Claire and I took off running west right after Clay got on the bus. We did manage to see the bus turn the corner and the bus driver honked at us.



Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf and Companions - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:35-38.

Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Been a long week. I can't believe I haven't written in here since last Monday. I've been testing wicks. I think the issue of smoking candles is not the size of the wick, but the type. I am finding the the CD wicks are mushrooming and, though they don't smoke on all the candle scents, the ones in which they do are really smokey.

I need to step it up with my inventory checking for our shows. I thought I had tons of time and now all of a sudden we are just over one week from our first show.

Word of the day:
Friday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (1515-1582) - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 12:1-7.

Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Thank goodness this weekend is coming to a close.  A lot of not great things happened, but they sparked a heart-to-heart with the pastor that we really needed to have.  He let me see a little bit into the life of a parish priest and I'll tell you, you couldn't pay me enough to take that job.  I feel bad that we had to have a dust-up, but in a way it was a good thing because I saw of side of him that I hadn't seen and was troubled because I hadn't seen it.  God works in mysterious ways, but this weekend was a humbling and shaming experience that God thought I needed.  

Now I have to go down and finish making some simmer scents and some tarts to fill an order that needs to go out tomorrow.  So I am off to do that.

Word of the day:
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Francis Borgia, Priest (1510-1572)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 17:11-19.

As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!" And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Last night I misplaced my keys.  They are the keys to the church.  I don't know if this is Freudian or not.  I cannot find those keys anywhere.  I had to email the pastor to see if he had seen them. This is not good.  However, this morning I am feeling strangely at peace.  I have made a decision regarding my job.  I am looking for part-time work, but in the meantime, I am going to do the best I can with what's going on at the church.  In other words, he is going to have to fire me to get rid of me.  If I can find a job, I will take it.  Otherwise I will stay put until I am let go, and I have no illusions about that.  I know it is in the works.  I don't know how I know, but I know.




Word of the day:
Saturday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Louis Bertrand, Dominican (1526-1581), St. John Leonardi, Priest (c. 1541-1609), Bl. John Henry Newman, priest, founder of a religious community, theologian († 1890)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:27-28.

While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

Friday, October 8, 2010

Some days you just can't win.  Today started out pretty good.  The usual pleasant time while waiting for the kids' bus.  The weather is gorgeous.  Then I get to church.  I was chewed out for doing what has always been my job.  And to make it worse, it happened in front of a group of students I was working with.  Setting the levels on the sound system has always been my job.  I usually turn up the ambo setting for the kids because they are a little hard to hear.  Well, I won't be doing that any more.  Apparently, just turning that one knob upset the delicate balance that had been achieved.  It will now take 3 morning masses to straighten it out.  Okay, got it.  I will not touch the settings any more.  But then I had to hear it again, and so did the kids.  I guess I need to grow a thicker skin, but sheesh, how was I supposed to know that I wasn't supposed to touch the settings?  I fought very hard not to cry all through mass, the kids knew something was wrong.  I acted like I had an eyelash in my eye, but even now I'm crying.

And what really ticks me off is I would not have even opened the cabinet if I had known that I was no longer in charge of the sound system.  And the frosting on the cake was, as I walked out of the church, still trying to keep it together, one of the ladies made it a point to tell me that she was sick of the songs we have been using.  There are maybe two people who ever tell me "good job."   I know I don't do it for my own glory, but good grief - there has to be a happy medium between praise and chastisement.  The thing is, he won't get it.  He won't understand.  So there is no smoothing this over.  I just need to suck it up and remember why I do what I do - not for me, not for him, but for God.

I emailed him and let him know how bad he made me feel.  No apology - no nothing.  Which is fine, but then I find out that this has irritated him from the beginning and instead of cluing me in, he humiliates me in front of the students.  So I asked if there was anything else I needed to know.  Apparently everything I've been doing has been wrong.  So I am on the lookout for a part-time afternoon job so that I can still be there for the kids.  I cannot work in a place where I am not respected and am expected to know what's going on in someone's mind. I've had issues with pastors in the past, but we could always talk and get it resolved.  I don't think that's going to happen here.

Well, that's behind me.  Now I need to get busy filling some orders and pouring some tarts and candles.  Those are happy things so my day will definitely be getting better from here on in.


Word of the day:
Friday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Demetrius, Martyr († c. 306)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:15-26.

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. When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, 'I shall return to my home from which I came.' But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first."

Thursday, October 7, 2010

First of all, I hope my Neener Bean feels better soon!

Oh, I pity anyone who doesn't live in mid-Michigan today.  This morning is Autumn at its finest.  When I put Claire on the bus today, Mr. Tim wanted to order a bar of soap and a bottle of room spray.  He told me to pick one I liked.  Since he also mentioned that his wife planned to use the spray in the truck, I thought a unisex scent would be the best.  I chose Apple Jack 'n Peel, which is my all-time favorite.  I can remember exactly where I was the first time I ever smelled it.  I was in JCPenney and they had some Apple Jack potpourri.  I am very much affected by scents - they are memory triggers for me.

After getting Claire on the bus, I did two miles, down to Mike Moeggenberg's and back.  The view was so beautiful - it felt like nothing could ever be wrong in the world.  (Hmmm, there is a big turkey buzzard swooping around in the field east of the house.  I can see him in my peripheral vision and it is very distracting.)

I came home and went to put Mr. Tim's order together.  Since I will be getting Claire off the bus today, he will be getting his order sooner than he thought.  (Okay, now there are two turkey buzzards and they are casting shadows as they swoop around.)  I discovered that I didn't have any extra Apple Jack spray so I made some of that and also some Carrot Cake spray.  I really need to start finalizing the putting together of our inventory for our craft shows.  The biggest headache we have is lugging these big huge carts.  I think I am going to start switching over to single drawers.  Then we can lift 2 drawers at a time instead of  3 and there is less wear and tear on our bodies and on the carts.

This afternoon, Clair and I will take lunch to the field and then head to church to work on prayer quilts.  I am enjoying this time with her.  Next year she will be in school all day long and she will get on the bus with Clay.  Once the guys are out of the field, I'd like to get back to having Sunday dinners. 


Word of the day
Thursday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : Our Lady of the Rosary - Memorial, St. Mark, pope († 336)
Lk 1:69-70.71-72.73-75.
He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant,
even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant
and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that,
rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear we might worship him
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.


Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:5-13.

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. And I tell you, ask and you will receive; 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. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

First of all, a very Happy Birthday to my baby brother, Jimbo who turns 55 today.

Another beautiful day here in mid-Michigan.  Today Claire and I walked the 3/4 miles down to Leaton hoping to meet Clay's bus and wave to him, but we weren't fast enough.  We walked the 3/4 miles back to finish waiting for Claire's bus.  Claire had a cup of yogurt and I ate an apple.  Fun times.

After Claire got on the bus I went for a 2 miler, came back and picked some mini-pumpkins for the front yard.  It's time to take out the spring flowers, but they still look so nice.

Today I have to get stockings sent out, run some packages to the post office, make a tape for one of the new cantors, and work on more stockings.  Our season used to start on October 15 - It always seemed that no one ordered before then.  Here we are at October 6, and we've done 40 of them already.

Word of the day:
Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Bruno, Priest (c. 1030-1101)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11:1-4.

He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

Monday, October 4, 2010

It's been beautiful Fall weather the last couple of days. I went out early this morning. All the cornfields are in stubble. The guys are getting soybeans out. I've been making stockings, fudge, and candles. I have 9 stockings to sew up tonight and get sent out.

The Ebay orders are trickling in. I love Ebay, but their customer service needs a huge overhaul. There is no way to email or call them directly. I had a customer who was placing an order last night. While he was doing that, there was a car accident that resulted in internet outage. Somehow he ended up duplicating several items. It would have been nice if I could have just gone in and deleted the overages, but no, I had to file a dispute. What a total pain for the customer and for me.

Madison and Claire were here this morning. Madison loves it when Claire comes over. They had quite a time dancing jumping on the bed.

 We sold our first fudge order of the season.  Seems to start earlier each year - but that's a good thing.  :)

Word of the day:
Monday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10:25-37.

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Last week I sent out our first large batch of Christmas Stockings.

Today Harold is going fishing with Justin so I will be finishing up another batch to send out.  Now that October is here, things will really start to move.  Here is a picture of the prayer quilt I made yesterday.  It's going to Nancy Seeley, who is one of our prayer quilt ladies.  I pieced this one myself.  I hope she likes it.  This one needs the binding sewn down, then the ties will be put in and the Prayers and Squares patch will be appliqued on the back.

I don't usually piece the quilts, but I was trying a new technique and when I heard that Nancy had been diagnosed with cancer, I knew this one was hers.

I need to get some candles made today.  I have to wick up on the cinnamon and wick down on the Harvest Home.  I am also out of Hot Apple Pie candles already.  I am so blessed to be able to do things I love like making candles, quilts, and soap - not to mention spoiling my little sweet peas.

Word of the day:
Friday of the Twenty-sixth week in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates : St. Therese of Lisieux, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (1873-1897) - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10:13-16.

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.'" Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Got a lot done today, but still have a lot left to do.  I finished up one prayer quilt, sandwiched another and am putting on the binding.  I got a batch of fudge made, labeled some fudge boxes, got part of the kitchen cleaned.  Melisa is having a jewelry party so I'll go to that for a while, but then I have to come back and finish binding the quilt.  I also have 5 or 6 stockings to get out by Monday.

I made a batch of Hot apple pie jar candles, but jars are running low and I don't want to spend any more money just yet.  After our fall craft shows, we need to work up a spending budget so we don't get caught short again.  I also made a heart shaped electric grubby candle for a wedding gift.   I guess I can't make two different batches of candles at the same time because I poured the wrong fragrance oil into the wax I was melting for the heart candle.  The lucky couple received an ivory heart-shaped candle that smells like hot apple pie.  Hahaha

Word of the day:
Today the Church celebrates : The Holy Guardian Angels - Memorial
The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:1-5.10.

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.