Simple Woman's Daybook - November 18th, 2009

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Thank you Peggy.



FOR TODAY November 18th, 2009...


Outside my window... the storm seems to have passed. There are some clouds, but some blue sky too. It looks cold and is a bit windy, but may be nice enough for us to get some of the yard work done. Wow, I see the sun shining as it rises between the trees.


I am thinking... I hate allergies. Maybe I can get an allergy test done and see if there is anything I can cut out to make things better (pregnancy may rule it out). Something at Grandpa's house triggered my allergies last night... I wonder if it was something in the candy he was sharing that tipped me over because I was fine inside before - though I am still having issues this morning so maybe not. I need to take a shower and find a new sweater, I'm sure that will help.


I am thankful for... not having anaphylactic reactions to anything. A bit of sneezing and itchy watery eyes is much better than having to carry around an Epi-pen and all that goes with such severe reactions.


From the learning rooms... We got a good chunk of our first timeline finished last night. We have to erase the pencil outlines and hang it today. Then the kids will be adding to it. We decided to start with the beginning of time and work our way forward. I found a neat chart that breaks down the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras. The kids will add creatures, plants, etc that may have been found during the various periods, and Ariana was interested in drawing the Earth's land masses of the period - what we suspect they were anyway. While this is not a required thing for the kids to partake in, it is there and they all sounded interested. We'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to more recent history, but the kids wanted to start at the beginning - can't say that I blame them.


From the kitchen... what can I make for breakfast that will use 4 eggs or less? Not the breakfast burritos that are on the calendar for today! I need to think of something soon since the kids will be up pretty quickly.


I am wearing... pajamas. The baby tricked me into spending 45 minutes trying to put her back to sleep before she decided to get up at 6:45. It wasn't too bad - I wanted to get up at 6 anyway. She's reading books now, so I am able to type, but a shower was not an option when she was demanding my full attention earlier.


I am creating... the timeline, also I brought up the Advent binder to start thinking about what we will do for Advent (we've never managed to do anything), and I found another binder for SWAAT (pro-life group) stuff so I can start organizing my thoughts there.


I am going... maybe to a friend's house, maybe staying home, we'll see.


I am reading... Cabinet of Curiosities, I am close to the end. Peter Reinhart's Whole Grain Breads is in at the library for me to pick up. I look forward to reading it!


I am hoping... that I can manage to get at least 1 thing done on my 6+ month old To Do list. I told the kids we would work on the clothes some, enough to break out the winter things, put away summer things and maybe condense some of the overflowing pile of bins and bags in the basement. I really need to clean up the garage enough to have a place to bring up things that will go away - not to mention actually get rid of said things.


I am hearing... quiet, except for Serenity's occasional words as she reads a book to herself. Now its my turn to read to her.


Around the house... still looking pretty good. Ariana needs to work on the kitchen and I need to sweep my bedroom. Then there is always dirty laundry downstairs.


One of my favorite things... The Northwest. In CA the seasons consisted of rainy and dry, and while I am well aware of the more extreme changes in the rest of the country, I find the Northwest seasons charming. Random people I chat with have commented on 'Winter' being here, and I remind them that the rain is still warm and the days are still reaching the 60s regularly, so it isn't Winter yet! We are well into Fall and it feels like Fall, but it definitely is not Winter. I like the mild changes and all the evergreens, it just feels... right. I'm sure other places are beautiful and have their own charm, but I am perfectly happy here.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Wait and see when Jeff will come home - he may stay a bit longer so that the trainees, anchors and supervisor can put their new skills to work and have their questions answered; keep working on the To Do list (I got almost everything on my daily list done yesterday!) - work on the basement, pick up the yard, install my under cabinet radio birthday present; have the kids finish their chores. A lot of the last part of the week will be dependent on when Jeff comes home.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...



Ariana talked me into letting her keep the spare paper for a parchment. We have to figure out how to treat the paper to make it look old, and either before or after Ariana will add some of the fantasy languages she has picked up from various books. She figures part of the Book of the People from the Artemis Fowl series, Dragon script from the Dragonology book, the prophecies from the Gregor books and something else I can't think of now. Maybe I can get her to throw some Latin in there too since the paper is so long.

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 16th, 2009

The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook
Thank you Peggy.


FOR TODAY
November 16th, 2009

Outside my window... a typical Portland Fall day: grey with rain off and on

I am thinking... I need to get my laptop in to be repaired and pick up a few things

I am thankful for... my husband. I need to find a way to let him know how much I appreciate all he does.

From the learning rooms... finishing CCD homework in-between the running around and heading out for CCD. RCC review would be good too. I need to get the timeline up too, maybe that would be a good evening project.

From the kitchen... the kids are finishing their malt-o-meal and whenever I get back from errands I need to get the lasagne together for dinner tonight.


I am wearing... a navy shirt, pajama pants and my ugly shoes (most people call them generic Crocs). I forgot to lay out clothes last night and had to wait for the little girls to wake up so I could get them - and since the only working computer is now in the bedroom, I figured I'd stop and throw this post up before getting dressed and out the door.


I am creating... in theory an outline/curriculum for the pro-life group, an outline for summer vacation bible school (I may be able to get paid for this if I can get it done before Christmas).


I am going... to several stores, CCD and ballet. Elora esp looks forward to this day all week long. I'm supposed to have treats for her to share with her friends to celebrate her birthday... hmm... need to work on that.


I am reading... Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, my favorite authors. I think this is the 4th time I've read this book. I just finished my 5th reading of Relic and 4th reading of Thunderhead also books of theirs. I think Relic is my favorite.


I am hoping... that I can get at least 2 or 3 things done on my To Do list this week - the things that I've had on there for the last 6+ months.


I am hearing... the kids talking in the living room, the baby telling them about the pictures in the book she found and Elora getting ready for ballet - she cannot wait!


Around the house... the house is almost clean because we had guests this weekend, so the kids should be able to get their chores done quickly and with minimal complaining.


One of my favorite things... going to bed early enough to read for a while and then get up at 6am without feeling over-tired.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Book group, helping my dad at his place, packing summer clothes and unpacking winter clothes, a few things on my To Do list - maybe going through and starting to get rid of extra clothes and/or cleaning out the garage some more, picking Jeff up at the airport!


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Jeff's dad and brother came for a short visit. It was very enjoyable.

A few updates

My oldest has been complaining about the old picture I had up, so she chose a new one. It was a fun day at the zoo and my biggest child (also known as my husband) was in his usual goofy mood as they stood in front of a bear height chart.

I also figured now that I have a due date it was time to make the announcement about baby number 7 due April 23rd!

The other day I had an interesting discussion with a friend about doctors. I realized something that may be related to seeing a Naturopath instead of an MD, but I think ultimately affects all medical practices. When you, as the patient, are paying for services out of your pocket instead of through insurance (or there are a large percentage of people who do), you tend to get better customer service. The receptionist, nurses and doctors know that you can and will go elsewhere if you are not happy, so they go out of their way to work with you.

There is also the nice little thing about smaller offices knowing their patients, and therefore being more courteous (like calling you when your appt is cancelled instead of letting you fall through the cracks - I have never experienced this, but my friend recently did). When dealing with an HMO that has many doctors in the practice and strict regulations about how many patients an hour they must see, patients are the ones who suffer. You don't get the time you need and you don't get to develop a relationship with your doctor.

Having said that, we recently found a doctor who is on my husband's HMO who takes his time with patients and warns them that you will not be seen on-time because of this. I have been very impressed with him so far, and Jeff goes to see him again on Monday.

With all the talk of government-run health care, I have been more aware of the power of choices in medical care. I don't want to see any entity, whether a big insurance company or our government, step in and tell us how we should receive health care. I like the idea of a health insurance plan that you shop around for on your own and get to deduct the premiums. This puts the power back into the hands of you, the consumer. With that kind of responsibility, you are more likely to watch how much you are charged and maybe even demand things like tort reform! It is amazing how much of a difference there is in one's behavior when you have to be responsible.

This is sad and hilarious at the same time

I love the sarcasm!

Saint Quotes

I'm working on a project and really liked these quotes from http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/saintly-quotes2.htm.


"You say you see no reason why we should pray to the Saints since God can hear us and help us just as well, and will do so gladly, as any Saint in Heaven. Well, then, what need, I ask, do you have to ask any physician to help your fever, or to ask and pay any surgeon to heal your sore leg? For God can both hear you and help you as well as the best of doctors. He loves you more than they do, and He can help you sooner. Besides-----His poultices are cheaper and He will give you more for your words alone than they will for your money!"

-------- St. Thomas More


"Never read books you aren't sure about . . . even supposing that these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?"

--------St. John Bosco


"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."

--------St. John of the Cross


When tempted, invoke your Angel. he is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.

--------St. John Bosco


We can't have full knowledge all at once. We must start by believing; then afterwards we may be led on to master the evidence for ourselves.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ.

--------St. Ambrose of Milan


Just as in one man there is one soul and one body, yet many members;
even so the Catholic Church is one body, having many members. The soul that quickens this body is the Holy Spirit; and therefore in the Creed after confessing our belief in the Holy Spirit, we are bid to believe in the Holy Catholic Church.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


I will go peaceably and firmly to the Catholic Church: for if Faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself.

--------St. Elizabeth Ann Seton


The Church has ever proved indestructible. Her persecutors have failed to destroy her; in fact, it was during times of persecution that the Church
grew more and more; while the persecutors themselves, and those whom the Church would destroy, are the very ones who came to nothing. . . .
Again, errors have assailed her; but in fact, the greater the number of errors that have arisen, the more has the truth been made manifest. . . . Nor has the Church failed before the assaults of demons: for she is like a tower of refuge to all who fight against the Devil.

--------St. Thomas Aquinas


If it is "daily bread," why do you take it once a year? . . . Take daily what is to profit you daily. Live in such a way that you may deserve to receive it daily. He who does not deserve to receive it daily, does not deserve to receive it once a year.

--------St. Ambrose of Milan


Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn't seek the glory of Christ.

--------St. John of the Cross

"Large Arachnid" Bugs the Pope

Apparently this is a big deal in the secular media - at least radio stations according to Jeff.





OK, first of all that is not a "large arachnid". I have bigger spiders in my house! Yes they creep me out, and I don't like to run across them, but seriously people, lets not take the exaggeration too far!

I can't decide if the distraction made it so very few listened to the speech, or if overall more people will hear the message because of the publicity. What I heard of Benedict XVI's talk sounded interesting, and it is sad that people (myself included!) can be so easily distracted. I suppose that would be an argument in favor of the spider being there for bad reasons. Having a budding entomologist, I am aware that there are actually very few poisonous spiders in any given area, and the spiders want nothing more than to be left alone, so the chances that the Pope was in any kind of danger were very slim.

I went on to read the comments, and the number of anti-Catholic and anti-Pope sentiments was not surprising, but the one person claiming to be Catholic who commented that Catholics worship the Pope kinda got to me. I wish Catholics knew their faith better, but I suppose trying to stand up for your faith when it is criticized is better than saying nothing...well, maybe not. You know, finding answers to questions like that just isn't very hard, and then you can sound like you know what you are talking about instead of further confusing a group of anti-Catholics.

I do find it interesting that Pope Benedict XVI is looked at with such vehement hatred from Atheists and Secularists. He's doing something right because they feel it necessary to try and tear him down instead of ignoring him!