Ayva's Big Day

Fr. Steve's First Eucharist homily

This was one of the best I've heard. Fr. Steve always has a red backpack with something he will use in his homily. Today he had two large heavy gymn bags. He pulled the heavy bags down the steps and in the first was an electrical cord and a leaf blower.

He asked for a volunteer from the kids making their First Eucharist. Matthew volunteered, but when he saw the leaf blower he looked puzzled. Then Friday. Steve pulled out the huge deflated plastic bubble from the other bag.

He blew it up with the leaf blower. At this point even the wiggly youngest kids in the church were paying attention and pointing at the bubble.

Fr. Steve stopped and told Matthew to get in. Then he zipped it back up and finished blowing it up.

Matthew then walked in the huge plastic bubble and Friday. Steve told the kids that now they had made their Confirmation and First Eucharist they were protected by a big invisible bubble. He told them he could throw a ball at Matthew and it would bounce right off. Same with sin and temptation that could bounce right off because the Holy Spirit was protecting them.

Maytag Coming Again

This is the second service call we have had to make since buying the Whirlpool appliances.  My oven doesn't get hot enough.  I'm guessing it is about 50 degrees off.  I set the temperature 50 degrees higher and still it takes longer to bake something.

Last time the serviceman callibrated it.  I told the service rep this was the second call. Then i asked if they would send parts to fix it. She said they would come check it first. Calibrating it is not going to be the answer today.

Yup - he was here five minutes. He just ordered the parts. This was a waste of their time and mine.

Feeling Old

Prince died yesterday - I know of him - but never was a fan.  When Purple Rain was recorded, in 1984, I was already 33 years old.  I was working at Blessed Sacrament.  That was the year the nuclear power plant in Midland halted construction and Pat was layed off.  The next two years were financially heartbreaking.

It was not a time to listen to the radio - I frantically began my word processing business and working part time at Blessed Sacrament.  I also had an office in my home for Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and Michigan Forest Association.  Pat started working part time at Blessed Sacrament hoping construction jobs would become available.  We both agreed he should not travel to work.  Family was most important.

I was working on a textbook for Clark Most.  An Organic Chemistry book for college students.  It took two years of very difficult word processing.  He used Screenwriter which I was proficient in - but it was not condusive to making a pattern of an element equation.

Imagine - every time I needed to type one of those numbers I had to type:

CH control h 2 control y - CH control h 2 control y

But most of the time - it was not in a straight line!

Imagine this:

Dr. Most would come over with corrections on his draft saying, if you could just move this part down an inch........

So, I feel bad that I didn't follow Prince, but I was really busy. Here are his top 40 songs - Even I know many of them.

But did you know how many songs that man wrote for others?

So even if I didn't know Prince - we all knew so many of his songs.  There are many people that feel like I did when John Lennon was killed.  And how many people felt when Elvis died.  These artists find a way into your soul and it is difficult to let them go.

I think we are home

I know I keep thinking that I will feel like we are home, but it has been up and down.  Most of the time I feel as if we are on vacation.  This morning though, I was surprised when I thought of it at all.  It has been a few days that I didn't think of whether it felt like home or not.  So, I think I am on track to knowing it for sure.

I am really excited about a new project.  We are going to try to put up a few items my Dad made out of crates for us when we were little.  There is a little kitchen cupboard and the Kool-aid stand.  I want to use them in the bathrooms for towels and toilet paper.  They are a little rough looking - but I think it gives them character.

I will post a picture when we get done.

Cindy Doing Well

I stopped to see Cindy - she looks so good.  The surgery went well.

She has to go back to U of M on Tuesday for a checkup.  Kim arrived last night, so Jim and Cindy are in good hands.

Cindy received a rose from Ethan that he made for her to get well.  Jim has been praying a novena to St. Therese for healing for Cindy.  Ethan has never heard of the way this Saint has been there for our family.  Cindy told Ethan she wants to tell him the stories next time she sees him.

This family has lots of love and faith.

A Few Different Sets of Wings

Finally! Spring!

We spent a lot of time watching our friend, the Pileated Woodpecker. He kept coming closers and closers.

Then Pat heard theWhip-poor-will. It stayed for quite awhile. I could hear it from the kitchen where I was preparing dinner. Pats sister, Cathy, was coming for dinner.

Then I went back on the porch and the mosquito plane flew over several times.

I made a new recipe that was really good. It was spinach artichoke stuffed chicken.  I found the recipe from menumusings on Pinterest.  It was delicious. Click the picture to go to the recipe.

Working on Ayva's 1st Eucharist and Confirmation Gift

I have been working on a gift for Ayva for her First Eucharist and Confirmation this Spring.  I was inspired by Pinterest - which happens very often.  We are going to get her a bible to journal in.  I am looking for quotes that she will look up - highlight - and then draw a picture on the page.  She will learn where the books are in the bible as well as how much God loves her.

As I work I will post here - adding pictures she may want to paint - verses that will be on her list - ideas as they come along.  This will be an ongoing post.  Probably never ending.

1.     Psalm 145:9 -The LORD is good to all. 

2.     Genesis 16:13 – You are the God who sees. 

3.     Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

4.     Numbers 6:24 – The Lord bless you and keep you

5.     Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

6.     Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

7.     1 John 5:3 – This is love for God: to obey his commands

8.     Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

9.     Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

10.  Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

11.  Matthew 5:14 – You are the light of the world.

12.  Psalm 145:9 – The Lord is good to all.

13. Matthew 17:20 - He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

14.  James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

15.  Matthew 28:20 – I am with you always.

16.  Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another.

17.  1 John 3:23 – Love one another.

18.  Psalm 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in You.

19.  Psalm 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

20.  Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

21.  Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

22.  Luke 6:31 – Do to others as you would have them do to you.

23.  Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

24.  Psalm 138:1 – I will praise thee with my whole heart.

25.  John 10:11 – I am the good shepherd.

26.  Ephesians 6:1 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

27.  Proverbs 30:5  – Every word of God proves true. 

28.  Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters. 

29.  Deuteronomy 6:5 – You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 

30.  Matthew 22:39 – You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 

31.  1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 

32.  Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God. 

33.  Genesis 1:1  – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 

34.  Psalm 139:14 – I praise you God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

35.  Isaiah 43:5 – Do not be afraid for I am with you. 

36.  Psalm 1:6 – The LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

37.  Matthew 28:6 – He is not here, he is risen!

38.  Acts 5:29 – We must obey God rather than men.

39.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

40.  1 John 4:19 – We love because he first loved us.

41.  Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God.

42.  Proverbs 2:6 – The Lord gives wisdom.

43.  Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

44.  Isaiah 26:4 – Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

45.  Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

46.  John 11:35 – Jesus wept.

47.  Exodus 4:12 - Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.

48.  Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

49.  Luke 12:34 - Your heart will be where your treasure is.

50.  Philippians 4:6-7 -Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

51.  Psalm 147: 3-5 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

52.  Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast

Memories

This is so true. Even after all these years I miss the people that have died. Something will happen and I still think about calling my Mom. Or Janet's first grandchild was born and I think how much she would live holding that munchkin.  Watching Jane read to Margot and remembering my Dad reading to us. 

Spring - Where are you?

It was so cold today,  I couldn't believe the Tigers played in Detroit today.  The pitchers didn't even have long sleeves on and it was only 31 degrees!

We haven't been able to sit on the porch for two weeks now.  I know we were spoiled rotten in March with beautiful afternoons on the porch, but I really would like a day soon.

Baseball!

Loving every minute of this 1st game of the season. Joanna posted this picture from Field of Dreams.

Love, love, love the Tigers.

Michigan Weather

This afternoon it was snowing big snowflakes.  It was beautiful, for March, not April!

Tonight the sunset was all rosy and apologetic for the weather earlier.

View from sofa

Kay and Jerry came over and we enjoyed the sunset. It was too cold for the porch, but the sofa was just fine.

Remembering Bishop Ken

This week was the anniversary of Bishop Ken's death. It's been a dozen years without him. It seems as if he led me to find this picture. I have been searching for it for several years. I still don't know the artist.

I went to a talk Bishop Ken gave where he handed out these postcard sized pictures. He talked about that young girl contemplating what the angel had told her.

I often think of that when the world has me questioning our purpose. It gives me comfort to look at this picture.

Happy Easter

May the hope brought to us by the Risen Christ

fill our hearts with love and tenderness.

Can't Decide

This Michigan weather!  It can't decide whether to rain or snow. Sitting at school waiting for Ayva to get out. Lots of rain with REALLY BIG snowflakes.

Palm Sunday

Still love Art and Environment - it's a joy working with Jean and Nancy and Pat.

Turkeys, Crocus, and Easter Art and Environment

It must be Spring!

First time we've seen turkeys, it must be because the water is high.

I was really surprised to see the crocus up. They are beautiful.

Bill asked me to help with figuring out some draping for Easter at their church. I like what we came up with. It was good to work with Bill and Amy again.

Ides of March

My sister, Jane, has a friend named Mary. This was her Facebook post! I love it.

I complained to Sr. Carmelita I wasn't learning anything from Sr. Elizabeth Rose. A few weeks later I mentioned it was the Ides of March. She smiled and asked, "Mm, who taught you that?"

Walking

Well, we are back on track.  Literally, walking at the track at Freeland Sports Zone.  We had a couple of false starts.  I had to get used to walking again.  Then my back was hurting so I bought a new pair of shoes.  The Skechers I purchased are very comfortable.  I put them on at Meijer and then shopped in them before I bought them! After walking for 1/4 mile I had to add a bandaid on the back of my right heel, but then it was fine.

My goal is to walk two miles, five times a week.

I'm Back!!!!

A virus program was holding my blog on my phone hostage!!!  It kept saying there was a virus - then when I read the report it said there was no problem with the site. I couldn't find the program on my Galaxy Notes 3 - but I couldn't get any help from the stupid virus company.  Finally, after searching dozens of sites for help I saw one little comment that told me it was in my Verizon apps.

It was very frustrating.  Glad to be back.

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole

Preheat oven 350

1 lb hash browns
1 can light cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 stick unsalted melted butter
2 shallots diced fine
Salt & pepper & Mrs. Dash
Squeeze garlic and Italian tubes
2 sleeves small or 1 large Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 stick unsalted butter melted

Instructions
Mix soup, sour cream and onion
Melt 1/2 stick butter salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, garlic and Italian seasoning
Combine with hash browns in 7 x 10 casserole dish.

Melt 1/2 stick butter add cracker crumbs. Sprinkle on top.

Bake 1 hour

Pat out in the wilderness!!

Not really!  In our front yard. We found out last night at a Condo meeting that Dow Chemical is going to clean up the waterfront in June.  That should provide some activity to sit on the porch and watch.  It will stabilize the bank of the river as well as get rid of a few of the trees by the edge that are causing erosion.  It was nice to meet some of our neighbors.

Yeah!

Mr. Agresta gives his thumbs up to be the track coach in the "New Beginnings" book!

Can't even begin to explain how that makes me so happy.

Say a Prayer

Just asked someone if I could use him in the "New Beginnings" book that I am writing.  I think he probably will say no, but I just had to ask.  So say a prayer because I think he really belongs.

Lent

St. Dominic - Ss. Peter and Paul Site

Ash Wednesday - 2016

Grandma Shea

I found this picture behind another in a frame.  I am so glad I found it.  Grandma Florence Shea was so stylish.  She had many professional pictures taken over the years, but this is one of my favorites.

1st Cookout

Cindy is at Mike and Ksenja's home in New Jersey helping out with Lilliana. Jim took Cindy but the apartment is small so he stayed at Kim and Fred's and then flew home. He will fly back out next week to bring Cindy home.

So he came over for dinner last night. It was so beautiful out that Pat cooked steaks out on the grill. They were perfectly cooked medium.

I'm starting to feel like this is home. We have a new neighbor in the condo across the hall so we are officially not the new kids on the blick.

Small fold up scrapbook

I saw this on Sheala's Facebook page and remembered going to my friend Amanda's to learn how to make one.

I want to teach Ayva and Javie how to do this.

Still Unpacking

Three more boxes done.  This is never going to end.....  I have about ten more to go.  It is getting more and more difficult to find places for the things I want.  More things are going to Goodwill.

Extra cookbooks that Maria put together.... Can't get rid of them.... need to pass on to the grandkids....

Blankets....  These I love to have in the house.  Ayva and Javier made a huge fort yesterday.  If I get rid of the blankets they won't be able to do that.  So I have to find something to store these blankets in.  The obvious choice is the cedar chest.  Nope.....  It has all the kids toys in it.....

MMmmmmm...... I am seeing a pattern here......

New Neighbor

Haven't met her yet, but our condo building is now full. She moved in Friday and Saturday. Lots of people helping her so we stayed out of her way.

I'll go say hi today or tomorrow.

Pileated Woodpecker

Many times we have caught glimpse of these magnificent woodpeckers while walking in the woods. Yesterday we watched one out our living room window for twenty minutes. We feel like we won the lottery!

Winter

Winter is here

The Tittabawassee River froze yesterday. On Sunday it was sunny and the river was flowing very fast. Monday it stopped dead in its tracks. It will be interesting to see if it stays frozen.

Lunch

We had a really nice time with classmates yesterday. We went to the restaurant next door for lunch. I bought a coconut cream pie to bring home and everyone came over for pie.

It was a first lunch for Marilyn Polzin Gunther and Kathy Lazowski Bruce.

On to the chairs

This morning we worked on recovering the dining room chairs.  We finished two of the six.  Pat had to go to Midland so we will work on them tomorrow morning.

I really like the material from JoAnn's Fabric.  It goes well with the sofa and chair in the living room.  When I couldn't figure out what to get, Joanna said to match to the furniture in the living room because the dining room is right next to the couch.  Good Call!!

No Luck

We drove to Ann Arbor to the Reuse Center. We were hoping to find something cool to use for the counter. They have a reclaimed wood section. Beautiful slabs of hardwood. Some had the bark on them. Couldn't afford those!

Stopped at the PTO Thrift Store and Salvation Army. Nothing. Nada.

On our way back home.

Starting to look like home!

Caroline came over yesterday.  She and I worked on where pictures were going to go. Javie and Papa worked putting the barstools together.  Ayva broke up the styrofoam that came with the chairs.  She said, "Grandpa would never let me do this!"  When she was done she vacuumed the living room and I vacuumed her - her hair - her tush - her legs - her shirt - everywhere!  We had a fun day!