Pansy: February 2003 Archives

My diocese is training everyone and anyone who is willing to come to information seminars on how to spot potential sex abusers among clergy. On 2/20, 500 hundred people showed up and learned to watch out for signs such as "people who are willing to work with youth,".

Is this true precautionary measures or are we lighting the villagers torches?

Meet the Parents...

I think I would like to introduce you to my family little by little because I think there is a lot of material to blog about there. Much of it humorous, much of it frustrating.

My husband called my father-in-law like he always does approximately every other week or so. It is amazing how much he has no idea who my husband is. My husband's parents divorced-well seperated while my husband was very small. Neither one was forced to take responsibilty for their child because whenever it became inconvenient to have a son, they were able to send him off to the other parent or a relative-which happened often. Neither of my husband's parents see anything wrong with this philosophy of child rearing.

So here we are, 29 years later,my husband a practicing "traditional Catholic" if you will, pro-life, pro-family, pro-morals etc. His parents are dumbfounded why he has not embraced the values they tried so hard to instill him with in between their partying breaks-being pro-abortion, pro-cohabitating and most importantly making sure that everyone you will happen to meet knows you are Puerto Rican.

So, my husband calls up my father-in-law to shoot the breeze and afterwards leaves my husband with a sick feeling. To make up for time lost not being a father (or at least that is my best guess), my father-in-law tries to step in while my husband is grown to tell him what he is doing wrong in his life:

• "You should work more hours,"-my husband works 53 a week
• "You shouldn't give the kids steroids for their asthma,"-from a man who smokes
• "Are you sure you know what you are doing with homeschooling?"
• "Why don't your kids speak Spanish yet?"

It is so frustrating because he just shoots off critiques without ever asking "why did you choose to do that?"

How many of us Gen X Reverts have people from that Baby Boomer generation in our families that it is impossible to communicate with?

Peony, about Mr. Rogers

I have a lot of respect for Mr Rogers. Sure, the show is slow, but it's meant for very little children.

I always thought he was slow on purpose. He always came on after shows like Sesame Street and Electric Company (when I was little) and then Mr. Rogers came on which was much more soothing and not quite as overly stimulating than the previous shows. At least that is what I thought. He will be missed.

I used to enjoy watching him as a child. I just didn't like Lady Elaine, she was scary...

Nice little editorial about Mercy H.S.

Thank you Mr.Popcak from HMS Borg for the link. Another reason why many choosy Catholic mothers choose Jiff and homeschooling-except we don't eat Jiff...

From the comment box

Would you be so kind as to discuss how you have taught very young children how to participate in the Mass without disrupting others or your own participation? We have two kids -- a boy 3.5 and a baby girl, and most of the time, I leave Mass feeling like I haven't been there yet, and my husband feels the same way. If he's not running our newly toilet-using son to the bathroom (who eliminated before we left home but still needs to go again before Mass is over), I'm out changing the baby's diaper. The "cry room" is packed with noisy children and their parents, who can neither see nor hear the Mass. And it seems like a counter-productive thing to do anyway, when we would prefer our children to participate in the Mass, at least at their level.

I have a ton of comments on this topic. I was at a Parish Council meeting about a year ago where they said they can understand parents with small children not attending Mass because they get nothing out of Mass. Huh?

First let me say, even when it seems like we are not participating at all in Mass or receiving graces, due to distrating toddlers, we are. My family attends the Traditional Latin Mass, where no one responds or replies, and the prayer is more internal. Even though we are not outwardly participating, graces are still received and participation is still mandatory. We never know exactly how God works on our souls in the Mass. So in my opinion, even though it may seem we are not attending Mass, we still are.

Second, teaching children to respect what goes on in Church starts at home in the Domestic Church. We all know tons of families that leave Church in Church, and never bring the faith to the home. Keep images of the Blessed Mother and Jesus around-I like those laminated prayer cards to show to kids. Say the rosary at some time in the day as a family if possible. With small children try 3 Three's-three decades of three Hail Mary's. My three year old runs around like a fool when we say the rosary, but one magical day, they are asking to lead a decade or in the Angelus. When they know that Jesus is to be shown respect all times, they will eventually know that the culmination of this is at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Expect age appropriate behaviour from the little ones. 3 year olds cannot sit still. I remember being that little and having no self control whatsoever. I remember one day not having any self control, and then one day saying "hey, I can sit still through Church". That was around Kindergarten I think. I am not a big fan of cry rooms, never have been. They are like prisons and give kids the excuse for a place to misbehave. When a child is disruptive, they should be removed so as not to disturb others, and to be taken out of the situation. But not taken out to be given license to misbehave. In other words attempts should be made to have them back in with the family whenever possible. My Fastolph will be 4 on April 22, and I am with you Sister, it is hard. We have spent Sundays where we were in the Vestibule about 95% of the Mass-LOL! It is espacially hard when the oldest is only 3...

Also, do not try to distract children away from the Mass, but distract them towards. Like do not sit there with toys (hard toys dropped distract others as well) and play with them or read books to them unless they are Catholic in nature some how (I do not read to them during Mass, but will flip through picture books). I try to bring things like religious picture books, wooden rosaries for babies, someone told me they have a small photo album filled with prayer cards. If they must bring a "secular" toy, it should be small, and preferably soft as not to make giant "thunks" when dropped during Mass.

Lastly, some practical tips. Do not take hungry children to Mass. Do not take children to Mass during nap times (unless of course you think they may sleep). Everyone must go potty before Mass. Teach children as early as possible not to cross in front of the Altar without genuflecting, to bless themselves with Holy Water, to genuflect before entering the pews-these things will stick with them, make them feel like they are participating (which they are), and teach respect for the True Presence. Dress nice for Mass. You do not have to go broke purchasing special Sunday clothes, but have "nice" clothes to show respect and to teach the little ones that they are in a place that deserves respect. Also, sometimes my husband will sit apart from us with the boys. Dad can have a very sobering effect on little boys while little girls like imitating Mom.

Know that this stage too will pass...FWIW, my kids have jumped over pews, crawled under them, have cried through Mass, almost knocked down Holy Water fonts-you name it! Knowing you are not the only one sometimes can be the biggest help-LOL!

Online Adoration

Well, I do not want to knock it --that is, online Adoration at savior.org. I think it can be useful for the homebound, and JPII did recently say that the Internet can be used for Evangelisation... Well, it's just not the same... I mean, I feel kind of silly staring at the Monstrance on the computer screen.

I wonder if some theologian can tell us if we get the same graces as we do if we go to Adoration in person. I wonder if there is a difference equivalent to the difference between chatting with a friend on instant messenger and visiting them in real life...

Choices in School

In the past couple of days, I have been confronted with some very pro-public school perspectives. On Sunday, a woman who is a retired public school teacher told me I should go to the open houses at the magnet schools and consider sending my children. I just smiled and said "I do not know." (Although I feel incredibly strong about my decision to homeschool, I do not look for debates on the issue.) Her reply was "well, pretty soon you are going to find yourself teaching chemistry."

Even though I did not reply, I was thinking "over my dead body,". I do feel very strongly about homeschooling. Lately, I feel I have to apologise for choosing to homeschool. I have heard people say the homeschooling is just the "Catholic thing to do", or that the Church does not state that one must homeschool...I certainly believe all this and try to weigh in the options so I can stay "centered". Yet the more I mull over our choice, the stronger I am in my resolve. So here are some of my cons for not sending my children to school:

I cannot send my children to a school that is not only void of religion, but where being religious is worse than having the plague. They should not only be allowed to say the Angelus at noon and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3, it should be encouraged. Or in the very least feel comfortable enough to do so.

I cannot send my children to a school that teaches sex ed. I will not send my children to an institution that teaches that birth control is OK, and refers to it as "protection". I will not send them to a school that teaches them that premarital sex is just fine as long as precautions are taken to avoid pregnancy. This is Ass Backwards logic. Sex is for procreation. Besides the moral implications and that is is a mortal sin, if I allow my children to be taught that logic is only based on what you want to do, how can I expect them to reason out the most basic of logical problems, like a mathematics problem, for example?

I cannot send my children to a Catholic school where the faith is so watered down that it barely resembles Catholicism. I think this may be even more dangerous than sending my children to let's say a Protestant school because as Catholic parents I can always say "well, we are Catholic, we do not believe that..." What happens when a nun tells my children that the Eucharist is just symbolic and my children think "well, that is a nun saying it..."

I cannot send my children to a school that values diversity over true history. Where teachers and classmates feel the need to make sure my children know they are black, white, Hispanic etc-that they have to fall into some "group". The predominant culture in our household is Catholic American. They should not have to choose being "black" for example over being Catholic. For myself, being in a public school as a bi-racial student, I had to choose when I was going to be around my white friends or black friends. I had to choose a racial identity at school, while at home I was just Pansy.Not to mention I was teased often for being a black Catholic as opposed to being Muslim or Baptist. I will pass on exposing my children to that for now.

I cannot send my daughter to a school where her peers are dressed in some of the immoral atrocities that are the "current trends".

My children should not be afraid to be pro-life.

My daughter reads at a seventh grade reading level.

Many people say that I should expose my children to different types of thinking, and perhaps there is some truth to that, but I do not believe my children should be exposed in an environment that is so contrary to Catholic philosophy, 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Children are in the process of formation, and special care must be taken that they are formed correctly.

I worry often that my daughter does not have enough little girlfriends she sees on a daily basis, but when I see the little girls at the public schools, I do not want my daughter around those types of peers.

The only pro I can think of is access to more programs, but what is the good of having more computer classes at the expense of their souls?

Don't drink the water...
Birth control pills, estrogen replacement drugs, ibuprofen, bug spray, sunscreen, mouthwash and antibacterial soap: all of these products could turn up in your next glass of tap water, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). more...

Polo and Pansy Moss

This is me and my hubby. Actually Gorbulas is there too, but we didn't know it yet.;)

It is an older picture taken May 2001. I want to show it off before it is obsolete and I am saying "oh, yes that is me back in the day". Also, pictures with me in them are very rare because I am always taking them as opposed to posing for them.

Anyway, I haven't aged that much in nearly two years, but my hair is about a foot longer... (hence why I am the "peach" in the Veggie Tales quiz).

Is it just me (like that Michael Jackson thing)...

But does anyone else think there is some inconsistencies with their "Victim of Violence" and martyr image?.

BTW, I am not condoning any type of abortion clinic violence (as I am sure you all know-but just in case...)

French-bashing is on the rise as U.S. faces off with longtime ally over Iraq

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Mon dieu, how some Americans are bashing the French these days!

A Las Vegas radio station Tuesday used an armored vehicle to crush photographs of French President Jacques Chirac, photocopies of the French flag, a Paris travel guide, bottles of wine and a loaf of French bread. more...

Peony, how was the birthday?

How was the cake?

Jesica Santillan didn't make it.Poor baby. May her soul and the souls of the faithfully departed have mercy from God and rest in peace.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Hambet Moss of the Lake-By-Downs
(breath)
Happy Birthday to You!
Yay!

Why Am I Up?

I am awake. I am hungry. I am hungry and awake. Uh, that's not good. So let's talk about being hungry because I cannot think of anything interesting about being awake. I am always hungry. I hate it. I am sure it has to do with the fact that I am nursing-nursing two children, not one at that. Dieting while nursing is the hardest thing because I am a freakin' bottomless pit when it comes to food.
Once upon a time I was a personal trainer. I received secret pleasure from being that annoying chick in my group of friends, you know, when you go out to eat or get drinks, the one friend who always says "I can't eat that-it's too fattening". Actually, I never got pleasure from that to be honest with you, it made me feel self-conscious, like I was condemning people's life styles, but I wasn't about to throw away all the previous dieting and work-outs for a night of fun,know what I mean?
I am not that annoying person anymore. I am the one ordering buffalo wings while my mother is like skinnier than I am. Aaaaaghhh! And I am just hungry, hungry, hungry! I get annoyed that there are only three meals a day! How dare those meal making people limit me to three!

My husband is up now doing some weirdness, I don't know what. Moving stuff from his collection up to the attic. I am going to go bother him because I want food, give him my puppy dog eyes and say "I'm hungry" he's going to say "Woman..." (he calls me that-how affectionate) "Woman, you're hungry? What else is new!"

This whole story about Jesica Santillan, the girl who received the botched transplant breaks my heart. I keep thinking she must be in so much pain being so sick. And her poor parents, watching their little girl go through these major surgeries to no avail. My heart and prayers go out to these people...

Aah, my favourite Saint...

Thank you, Karen from Disordered Affections for the link!.

You are too funny Peony!

Peony asked:

How much wine did you say your husband gave you?

LOL! My husband and I are not accomplished drinkers. My husband doesn't drink at all as a matter of fact. He handed me this like 12 oz (you know large enough to hold a can of soda) glass of Chardonnay (the bottle he bought me for Valentine's Day). I looked at it and said "I think that is a bit much..." He said "no, it's just one glass!" I know, where are the wine glasses? On the top shelf where they do not get broken. Let's just be happy I got my wine in a glass instead of a plastic Trenton Thunder cup.

Like a DoDo, I am sipping away at this huge glass of wine. I remember getting the glass, and I remember finishing it and attempting to watch Dune, but having a hard time beause of the two TV screens...

Is it me...

Or is Michael Jackson lookin' really weird?

Gosh, I remember back in the day, 6th grade, 1984, he was da bomb! Now he's like, really odd...

This is why everyone needs a Peony Moss friend!

She has all the answers!She is exaggerating a bit though, we have 94 inches of snow, not 200. My mother told me "just take the kids outside". I can't, I may lose a couple in the snow!We'd have to wait until like the spring thaw to find them. Then I'll have the Albany County Health Department teaching me about managing multiple kids in snow drifts...

My husband came home a little while ago and took one look at me, and poured me that glass of wine I was talking about.I looked at him and stomped off to the shower. When I got out he was holding a glass of wine and said "Here, drink this!" What a guy!

Below on my post about Good Racism and Baked Goods, Peony pointed out that I was mistaken by the purpose of the bakesale and who hosted it. Actually, I really was not trying to say who hosted it as opposed to where it was, and I didn't do very well.

So sorry. I am having an extremely bad week, culminated by a worse day and tons of stress. I think I will stop trying to think and type for a bit and drown myself in some wine and Star Wars novel.

But before I do, let me share a story that this event truly reminded me of and this is why I was a bit animated. A year ago when I came home from the hospital after having Gorbulas, I received a phone call. The county health department wanted to send a representative over to teach me parenting skills, how to learn to do things like manage to properly care for more than one child, proper nutrition for children etc. I asked them point blank "how did you get my name?"(I have a rather ethnic Hispanic sounding name). Their reply was they send people out to everyone in my area who has new babies. "Everyone?" I asked.

"Yes"

I turned them down. Having visitors I did not know, especially right after bringing new baby home, did not sound like fun action to me.I was also suspicious, and as I mentioned before, am a bit paranoid about our privacy.

I received a pamphlet in the mail in case I changed my mind. It said their rep will answer questions like:

"What do I do when all these kids make me stressed, and I have a baby"

"Proper baby care and nutrition"

"Changing and feeding a baby"

Ugh.

In November, my neighbor (same area) had a baby. Now she is also bi-racial (she is half Irish, half black), but her adopted mother is Irish and she has a very Irish sounding name. I will not give it over the Internet, but it may as well be something like Maureen O'Hara. Anyway, social services, or the health department or whoever it was never came to offer her their assitance.

Now, I cannot say "why" because my head is seriously spinning from cabin fever induced stress today, why that article had me brooding all day about this incident.I really only thought of it briefly in the past year until today. Peony is much smarter than I, maybe she can explain why I am so frustrated...LOL

Good Racism and Baked Goods

Thank you Saintly Salmagundi for the link to an article about a pro-affirmative action bake sale. Yes, you heard correctly. University of Michigan had a bake sale where they charged white students and all minorities $1 for a baked good and blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans .80 cents as some type of lesson about the necessity of affirmative action.

Is anyone else here lost? I am, first of all, I know if it were me and my attitude, I would say "here, take the whole dollar, I am capable of paying in full for my bagel, thank you very much!"

Gosh, why does every attempt at some function to teach people about diversity, or to help minorities mean treating minorities like second rate morons who will only succeed with a hand out as opposed to their own merit?

TO MY SON, AGED THREE YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS

Thomas Hood

Thou happy, happy elf!
(But stop,-first let me kiss that tear)-
Thou tiny image of myself!
(My love, he's poking peas into his ear!)
Thou merry laughing sprite!
With spirits feather light,
Untouched by sorrow and unsoiled by sin-
(Good Heavens! the child is swallowing a pin!)

Thou little tricksey Puck!
With antic toys so funnily bestuck!
Light as the singing bird that wings the air-
(The door! The door! he'll tumble down the stair!)
Thou darling of thy sire!
(Why Jane, he'll set his pinafore afire!)
Thou imp of mirth and joy!
In love's dear chain, so strong and bright a link,
Thou idol of thy parents-(Drat the boy!
There goes my ink!)

Thy father's pride and hope!
(he'll break the mirror with that skipping rope!)
With pure heart newly stamped with Nature's mint-
(Where did her learn that squint?)
Thou young domestic dove!
(He'll have that jug off with another shove!)
Dear nursling of the Ilymeneal nest!
(Are those torn clothes his best?)
Little epitome of a man!
(He'll climb upon the table,that's his plan!)
Touched with th beauteous hints of dawning life
(He's got a knife!)

Thou pretty opening rose!
(Go to your mother, child, and wipe your nose!)
Balmy and breathing music like the South,
(He really brings my heart into my mouth!)
Fresh as the morn, brilliant as it's star,-
(I wish that window had an iron bar!)
Bold as the hawk, yet gentle as the dove,-
(I'll tell you what my love,
I cannot write unless he's sent above!)

A beautiful image of the Earth.

This was taken last November from the Space Station.

"Good Racism"

I am coining a new term: "good racism". (Actually, The Mighty Barrister coined it in a comment box on Kevin Miller's blog on Al Sharpton). But I am going to start to use it.

What is "good racism" you ask? I am not very good at putting ideas to paper as some of my other fellow parishioners at St. Blog's, so I will give you examples.

An example of good racism is when you have an inner city, predominately black parish. Not the fact that it serves a mostly black area or has mostly black parishioners is the problem, but when they become so afrocentric, that this becomes the main focus over the Eucharist. That liturgical abuses are allowed and overlooked in abundance simply because they are "cultural" in nature.

Good racism is the notion that black people have to have things translated into ebonics so they may understand them better.

Good racism is when we receive advertisements in the mail for Huggies diapers in Spanish because they know that since our last name is Spanish, we must not speak English.

Good racism is lowering academic standards in inner city schools because, um, I don't even know why...I guess because the work is too hard for minorities?

The problem is not seeing a person as a person but identifying them and their needs by their race or ethnicity. A Hispanic immigrant, let's say, who comes to this country and has language barriers should always be helped with compassion. But while the old fashioned Archie Bunker styled racist would say they do not need special attention, the "good racist"(Meathead) would send those children off to a public school with other Hispanic children and substitute teaching times tables with videos of Happily Ever After:Fairy Tales for Every Child.

Where's a strong Bishop when I need him?

Thank you again Greg Popcak for the link to this article on the lack of leadership in our Church .

What is up with this whole "Cardinal Maida allowing Jennifer Granholm to be a prize for winning an auction at a Catholic school thing" anyway? I do not want to be Bishop bashing, and am fully willing that I do not understand the "whys" of the decisions of these Bishops, but I can say it makes no sense from where I am standing.

I understand choosing your battles, OK, sure. But I think the American Church has chosen to back down from too many battles. Seriously. Many of us know tons of non-practicing Catholics, and many of us here would agree that "if only my local parish practiced True Catholicism, the pews would be full..." Am I wrong? How many of us are reverts and reverted when we found out that all those lessons we learned in Religious Ed in our youth about Jesus having siblings, about the transubstantiation being just symbolic, that the Church was just a place to condemn women, that Hell is only a state of mind, that religion is just a feeling of being happy WERE ALL WRONG?

I am going to take this a step further. It is my personal belief that the Church can set the climate for the moral norms of our American culture, not just among Catholics, but non-Catholics as well. Do not ask me why or how, but I do believe that. Trends spread like wildfire. Just about everyone knows a Catholic somewhere. What of all those Catholics were not Catholic in name only, but practicing, anti-abortion, non-contracepting, rosary saying Catholics? How would that set the tone for the morals in this country? I can honestly say, I don't think abortion would be legal. I am willing to admit I am wrong, but I would bet money on it.

This is one of the many reasons why Al Sharpton should not be allowed to homilise in a Catholic parish. This is one reason why Jennifer "I'm Catholic except when it comes to freeing the world of the Tyranny of Evil Stray Babies" Granholm should not be sponsored by a Catholic institution. Of course there are other more obvious reasons, but this is the rant I am on right now...

good morning

My Jesus, I offer this day to you-all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings-and through you, I make this offering to Our Father in Heaven. Be with me through this day in all it's particulars, and assist me that it may become a worthy offering in every way.

Be close to me in all I think and say and do. Direct your spirit to speak to me and guide me-and help me to listen attentively when he does speak...so that, in my response, your thoughts may become more surely my thoughts, and your ways may become my ways; so that my judgements may accord with your judgements, and that the sentiments of my heart may be most like your very own; so that my conversation with others may be conversation I may ask you to share with us, and that my works may be works that I ask you to approve.

Help me to have the practical Wisdom to look to your Mother from time to time, as I go about the duties of my day, in an effort to find the grace of a better way in motherhood; for she is the perfect example of all virtues and is your loving gift to us as a perfect model of all motherhood.

May I know the continued grace to do work with you in all I do, and not merely for you...so that my day may become a perfect offering-lived with you, in you and through you-to be presented to our Father in joy and love.

Taken from Mothers' Manual by A. Francis Coomes, S.J.

Family Size and Neglect

I have been thinking about the article from Crisis magazine about large family size and neglect. I know this article has been commented on ad nauseam in St. Blog's, but some things I have seen in real life lately had me thinking about it.

For whatever reason people are willing to believe it is easy to forget a child when you have to keep track of a number of children. I suppose this can be true. I have also seen people lose track of a child very quickly with only two. Children tend to wander off. I am inclined to say discipline comes into play here, but I will share a couple of stories.
My husband and I are very paranoid about people getting into our business in regard to our family life. We homeschool, we are very selective about vaccinating, we are minorities. we have a few more (and probably will end up with) children than the norm, and of we did get into any kind of trouble with child services, we certainly do not have the money to hire expensive attorneys. Now, I am fully willing to admit that it may just be paranoia on our part, but regardless, the result is we are pretty OCD about knowing where are children are at all times. We fall short of making the kids hold on to a long string to stay together when we go out in public-LOL. With all this paranoia, I can think of two times when a little one got away.

The first time, Rosey Posey was 4 years old, Posco was a baby.My husband, the two little ones and two of my younger brothers decided to make a day trip to the NJ shore. I was sitting on the beach keeping the baby from eating sand, and Rosey Posey was enjoying the water with her father and uncles. At one point she got turned around on her way to the water with her uncles, and instantly found a lifeguard for help. The second we realised she was missing, we heard her name being called over the intercom for her parents.

The second time was simply Fastolph, who I thought was unable to unlock the locked front door, was looking out the door waiting for his father to return home from work, escaped. A neighbor returned him.

We have also returned stray children-it happens.

If there is a prejudice against larger families, I think it has more to do with economics rather than family size (although to say large family discrimination does not exist is not true either). Child neglect in the form of daycare, after school programs etc. is very commonplace, the difference is it's expensive neglect-therefore acceptable. People do not understand the notion of having more children when it would mean the children you have will have to go without Gap Kids.

But the fact is, when it comes to family size, and particularly to Catholics who are supposed to be open for life, I think the focus on whether or not children are neglected, lately the bottom line is "how many" children there are in a family. I think this is arbitrary. Neglect is neglect and if you are "burdened" with only one, or twenty, the problem isn't the number of children, but parental responsibilty.

I tire of everything being an excuse for people to stop having children, when it seems to me having more or less children is not what constitutes good parenting-good parenting does.

Baby Steps!

No less than three times did Gorbulas walk across the living room floor today on his own. Yay! It is so cute when they take their first steps because it just doesn't look right.

I don't care if you have twenty kids, these little milestones are such a joy no matter how many times you go through them.

I don't get it

I skimmed through the PASS (post abortive stress syndrome) website linked to The After Abortion Blog. There are a few pages of women's personal testimonials. I read the first page and could not read an further. What amazes me is not only how negatively abortion affects the women, but how it affects others involved, the doctors and nurses, the boyfriends. Everyone seems to be affected by how evil this is, yet no one stands up and says "this is so wrong". They all just internalise and go on. Here are some quotes:

I do not understand the concept of something being so good for everyone causing this much trauma. A good action should have positive consequences. When someone does something right, the end results are high self esteem, happiness, the ability to look in the mirror each day. We are ignoring basic logic so women can have the right to kill their children.

Oh Nice!

Chicago Club was Told To Close Second Floor
Thank goodness there was not a fire!

allergy stuff

I have to rethink the way I feed my family. My boys seem to suffer from allergies, but I am at a loss. Last June, I went on this major crusade to cut out all foods that could cause allergic reactions, which meant basically an Ezekial bread wrap with some veggies. No, that will not do.

My 7 year old has nasty eczema in the winter. My one year old has asthma. I am not feeling like a good Mommy because there must be something triggering it, but I am not sure what, and the fact it, if there is a trigger in this house, then I am doing something to cause there reactions.

In the meantime I will do what I can on the physical front. I was flipping through a catalog my insurance sent me on Allergy Control Products. The catalog explained that dust mites are the leading cause of allergies, hence asthma attacks, and you can be fastidious about your housecleaning, but only their special and quite expensive, pillow, mattress and bedding encasings will control dust mites-and their line of household cleansers.

Back to the food stuff, I think wheat is one of our families biggest offenders, but I have very unsuccesfully tried many times to cut wheat out of our diet. It is hard because I have found that in order to feed my family economically (I spend about $75 a week on groceries-give or take), I make a great deal from scratch. Like most children, mine are hungry often and I find keeping fresh baked goods, fresh fruit and veggies around helps fill their snacking needs while being nutritious and economical. I have yet to meet someone who has cut wheat out, and has done it practically...

Lastly, we have a cat, Chun Li. She is old-older that Posco. She may have to go, my husband said "no" but it may come to that...

Just when I thought my husband could not get any geekier
he is sitting on the bed with this gigantic rectangular white box, and I am of course ignoring him because I know he is organising another one of his collections. He yells over at me "hey, look how young he looks here" and shows me a picture of Colin Powell encased in plastic next to a picture of Margaret Thatcher and another picture of Saddam Hussein.
"What are those?!?"
"They're my Operation Desert Storm collector's cards! They went up in value!"

The Bilingual Ghetto
Here is the article Patty referred us to in the comment box below my post about Pat Buchanan. It is a year old. so I could not find it in it's entirety.

Here is an excerpt:

Indeed, at the 1996 opening of Newcomers High School in Queens, all the pols in attendance spelled out how "special" and "different" from previous immigrants are children from Vietnam, China, the Ukraine, India, Poland, Africa and South America.

21 Killed in Chicago Nightclub Stampede
So sad. This has got to be one of my worst nightmares.

I think I am missing something

I am unfamiliar with Pat Buchanan's politics, but I know he is Catholic. I heard him speak a few times, and I thought he made some sense. My personal favourite Catholic presidential hopeful was Alan Keyes, however.

The other day I got the Roman Catholic Books catalog in the mail. I usually enjoy flipping through it. I stopped short at an advertisement for Pat Buchanan's book Death of the West. I have not read the book, so I am not offering a critique. The ad did scare me a bit. Am I overreacting, or missing something?

Collapsing birth rates and native populations... out-of-control immigration... a process of “de-Christianization”

With electrifying prose and massive documentation, Buchanan reveals:

* How collapsing birth rates in Western nations, coupled with skyrocketing birth rates among Muslims, Asians and other Third World peoples will soon cause cataclysmic shifts in world power
* How uncontrolled immigration is changing the composition of the U.S. and European nations in ways that threaten their survival
* How our cultural institutions have been deliberately and systematically undermining the foundation beliefs and traditions of American and Western civilization for years
* Why aging populations will force developed nations to choose between mass immigration and mass euthanasia
* Why the Christian majority in America was routed -- with help from its own clergy
* Why young women are not having children in America and Europe
* Empty churches, full mosques: the long-term implications for the post-Christian West
* Why immigrants from Mexico will never assimilate
* Why the GOP may be history by 2010
* Six terrible consequences of the overthrow of the moral order
* Five ways you can enlist now in the battle to preserve Christian America
* The single most important cause for 21st-century conservatives
* The “absolute correlation” between religious faith and large families -- and between loss of faith and population decline
* Empty doomsaying? “The Death of the West is not a prediction of what is going to happen,” Buchanan clarifies, “it is a depiction of what is happening now. First World Nations are dying. They face a mortal crisis, not because of something happening in the Third World, but because of what is not happening at home and in the homes of the First World.”

Emphasis added.Now, I understand how there are problems that are the decline of Christianity, such as birth control, but what's this whole native populations deal? Isn't Christianity for all? I am lost here, or am I being overly liberal/sensitive. I personally think that the decline of Christianity has more to do with bad formation then immigrants, but that is just my opinion.

AP Mommy

Time to renew my subscription to The Compleat Mother.

The AP people would think I am a good AP Mommy because I am still happily nursing Fastolph (who will be four 4/22). I have been keeping his nursing down to once a day, but alas, I think Fastolph needs a 12 Step program. Here is an exchange we had today in the car, while waiting for Daddy to do some post officy business in the post office.

Fastolph:"Can I have Mommyjuice?"
Me:"No, not now."
Fastolph:"But why? I yike it."
Me:"Now is not a very good time, while we are waiting in the car."
Fastolph:"But I'm big."
Me:thinking to self "uh, yeah"
Fastolph:"Pweeeeze, it's good for me."
Me:"No, not now. You do not need Mommyjuice all the time."
Fastolph:sucks teeth and says "Oh!"

NACHE 2003

Hubby and I are considering going to the 2003 NACHE Conference. We usually go every other year, and we went last June. I kind of like the whole "getting away" idea however.

Are there any other blog mistresses who plan on attending?

how embarrassing

Today is Septugesima Sunday according to our pastor's homily. In the Tridentine Rite, the liturgical colour is now purple-we are penitent a little earlier I guess.

My Church offers confession all day Sunday (well, while the Church is open until the end of the last Mass). I went to confession, and my dd decided to go (God bless her she goes every Sunday). She was in line behind me two people down.

The priest who hears confession is very old and does not hear so well. I am deaf in one ear and do not hear so well. I attempted to whisper my confession, but the priest could not hear, so I spoke up. With my bad hearing, I am a bad judge of appropriate "louder" at times.

When I left the confessional, my dd signaled for me to come to her so she could tell me something. I went over and she said "Mom, next time be a little quieter." Yikes!

My Bloginality is ISFJ!!!

women's health
Peony said:

Ashli's story infuriates me. There is so much that is unknown about women's reproductive health, yet when self-styled women's advocacy groups talk about "women's health," all they're talking about is contraception and abortion.

winter woes

Well, it is actually not snowing here for once, but I am soooo sick of winter. It is -4 here today and has been like this all winter. My husband said we got 80 inches of snow.
The hardest part about winter? Trying to keep track of everyone's hats and gloves. No matter how many times you tell them to stick them in their sleeves, or tie them up, someone goes out sans like 1 glove. Sigh.

To leave the house we have to do this assembly line coat, boot, hat putting on routine. By the time I am done, I am tired and have no desire to leave the house anymore-LOL.

Peony, Veggie Tales Rocks!
I love Veggie Tales. I often find myself asking the kids if we could watch it because it just cracks me up! I was skeptical at first, I mean vegetables talking about God, yeah-alrighty then. But they are hilarious. Trust me, you will like them. I recommend "King George and The Ducky" for starters.

I was the peach, I know, because of the hair...

We had a lazy daisy Saturday. We purchased a new high chair. We used to have a booster seat, but we ran out of space at our little table (we plan to purchased a bigger and better dining room set within a year). We bought a pretty wooden high chair. Polo tried it out by sitting Gorbulas in it and right away he started to giggle. Polo asked, "do you like that?" and he nodded his head "yes".

We then went to the Chinese Buffet which is a near occasion of overindulgence for me. I try to fill my plate up with veggies, but my kids eat soooo slow, and I find myself refilling while they eat and talk.

My husband finally got a course catalog for the school he was looking into today. He plans on returning in fall for computer graphics and advertising. I am very excited for him.

just wanted to add...
that I did not mean to offend anyone about my post about the souls of aborted babies as much as I wanted to stop and say how I never thought about what may happen to aborted children's souls before, and that made me stop and think about it. I would like to add what the Catechism says about it:

1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"[63] allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

Thank you Alicia @ Fructus Ventris for the link. I love Veggie Tales!

Take the test, by Emily.

Tough Aspects of Our Faith

I was reading This is The Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. On page 82, in regard to the Fifth Commandment, it says:

Abortion,which is willful murder committed before a child's birth. Often disguised as "termination of pregnancy,"it deprives a child of heaven forever.(emphasis added) It is punished by the Church by excommunication.

Before I go on, let me add this disclosure, the purpose of this little blog isn't to dispute whether or not unbaptised babies do or don't get to heaven(EENS). Just to say I read this and thought "whoa".

When I read this to my husband and later to my brother, they were both aghast. "I do not think God would deny little babies heaven when it is not their fault..." I am wondering if it may be dangerous to say otherwise. I mean we cannot begin to understand how far reaching the consequences of abortion is (or any sin for that matter). I think the point is it is prudent to weigh all the consequences of one's actions before they take place, and to teach that this could be a very real consequence-not just the obvious consequence of death.

Well, my husband worked today, but came home at supper time which is unusual-we are blessed. He came home armed with Spongebob Valentine chocolate bars for the kids, a card, a bottle of chardonnay and J.R.R Tolkein's The Book of Lost Tales 1 as a surprise.

I made marinated grilled salmon, baked potatoes and brussel sprouts (and chardonnay). I also made the easiet, yummiest chocolate pie.

On Saturday mornings, I make waffles, Peony. I thought it was funny that you made them for your pseudo-Saturday.

Now, I am going to go watch some rented movie.

Thank you Alison for the recipe!

Hot Fudge Pie Melt one stick of butter in a pan. Remove from heat. Add a beaten egg and one cup of sugar. Then add 1/4 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of cocoa. Then add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I buy the Pillsbury pie crust (from the refrigerator section)that you fold out. When you put it in the pan, take a fork and punch holes about two inches apart. Pour in the mixture and bake at 350 degrees for one half hour. The pie is good hot or cold. It is great with either whipped cream or icecream. It takes only about 5 minutes to make if you by the pre-made pie crust.

Vocabulary Test
Dear Peony,
Ha! I took one look and closed the page. I'm not even going there.
Love,
Pansy
Who is a bit tipsy on Valentine's wine and who often has to utilise a dictionary when chatting with Peony to begin with...

A Jewish-Canadian's view on Roe vs Wade

Reality Checks
Thank you for the reality check on weapons of mass destruction (thank you Woodeene). The stuff in the media has been scaring the heck out of me.

Also, thank you for the Intervention/reality check on Blogger Addiction Disorder. I am so ashamed, but at least there is help out there! Maybe I should call 1-800-GET-A...

Got this from Mothering With Grace.
It's 80's TV Trivia Questions for fun. I failed miserably except for the Transformers questions-er, that one.

A friend of mine sent this story about St. Valentine, which I was soooo grateful because Rosey Posey was driving me crazy looking for the "true Valentine's Day story" and "what does a martyr have to do with hearts anyway?"

The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II Gothicus. The Christian was Valentinus.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship state religion's idols, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs.

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened. One day a jailer for the Emperor of Rome knocked at Valentinus's door clutching his blind daughter in his arms. He had learned of Valentinus's medical and spiritual healing abilities, and appealed to Valentinus to treat his daughter's blindness. She had been blind since birth. Valentinus knew that her condition would be difficult to treat but he gave the man his word he would do his best. The little girl was examined, given an ointment for her eyes and a series of re-visits were scheduled.

Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might also be brought to Valentinus for lessons.
Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.

"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia said one day. "Yes, my child, He hears each one, "he replied. "Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"
"God does what is best for us if we will believe in Him," Valentinus said.
"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely. "I do." She knelt and grasped his hand. They sat quietly together, each praying. Several weeks passed and the girl's sight was not restored. Yet the man and his daughter never wavered in their faith and returned each week.

Then one day, Valentinus received a visit from Roman soldiers who arrested him, destroyed his medicines and advised him against his religious beliefs. When the little girl's father learned of his arrest and imprisonment, he wanted to intervene but there was nothing he could do.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia - knowing his execution was imminent. Valentinus asked the jailer for a paper, pen and ink. He quickly jotted a farewell note and handed it to the jailer to give to his blind daughter. He urged her to stay close to God, and he signed it
From Your Valentine.
His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory.

When the jailer went home, he was greeted by his little girl. The little girl opened the note and discovered a yellow crocus inside. The message said,
From your Valentine.
As the little girl looked down upon the crocus that spilled into her palm she saw brilliant colors for the first time in her life! The girl's eyesight was restored!
A miracle!

He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. In 496 Pope Gelasius named February 14 as
Saint Valentine's Day.
On each Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are still exchanged around the world.

wow, Paisleys in the news...
Thank you Michelle
from And Then... for the
story about the town of Paisley, Scotland taking a Japanese company to court over the patent of the Paisley design.
The story itself left me with an "Oh, OK" feeling; I thought it was personally interesting. Why? Because my mother's maiden name is Paisley and her father's family hails from Paisley, Scotland (they went to Ulster County, N.Ireland, and then on to Jamaica...).

chuckle
My children are watching Star Wars Episode II:Attack of the Clones right now. When Anakin walks in they started saying "Oh no, here comes Darth Cry-A-Lot".

Ah, music of the 70's

Davey's Mommy and Kathy the Carmelite have blogged their top ten favourite 70's songs. I know everyone is just dying to see my list (hear crickets chirping in the background) so here it goes.

Housewife Stuff

I rejoined FLYlady. I was on the FLYlady list three years ago (I counted) before it had it's own website and was so large. It seems more organised now than it was then. The emails are shorter and to the point. Back then I remember the owner had emails of testimonials and stories about what she did with her day-basically like and email blog.While I think the owner is fantastic for what she does, I really could care less about her thoughts on life in other aspects. I was quite happy with the system then, but after I had my routines down pat, the reminders became unnecessary,and the email became redundant. I unsubbed because I felt I did not need an inbox full of emails to read keeping me from my daily duties. Since I had Gorbulas, my old routines I have found are no longer adequate because of the extra person and especially because of the extra attention my second youngest toddler seemed to need. So here I am back to being a "FLYbaby". I do wholeheartedly recommend the system.

In other news, I have a cute story. Rosey Posey was doing an assignment about the 1st Amendment of the Constitution and how it pertained to newspapers, Posco was doing his math work Fastolph was listening to Pure Disco 2 or Radio Disney on the headphones and Gorbulas was in baby heaven knocking board books off the shelf, and looking at them. I took the opportunity to go make the boy's beds. After a few minutes, Gorbulas realised I was out of eyeshot and began to get hysterical. I heard him crawling down the hallway looking for me, all panicked. I ran out of the boys bedroom scooped him up, Poor Baby. Instantly he threw his chubby little arms around me and quieted down.

I know you should not have children for some pathetic sense of self aggrandizement, but to have someone feel about you like that sure is an ego booster. I often think I am so blessed to have someone who feels that way about me. I do not understand this part of the birth control/abortion movement-how is it people don't always want babies around?

I suppose I am not sounding very down to earth. To even out the "oh, life is so wonderful being a mother"ness of this blog, while I was nursing Gorbulas to sleep, Fastolph treated himself to a hunk of chocolate cake and left a trail of chocolate cake crumbs leading to the living room-I guess in case he needed to find his way home...

Gorbulas likes to eat bananas!

I am making eggplant parmagiana for dinner tonight (Wednesday-no meat). I make it by baking the eggplant after I bread it with eggs and bread crumbs. My grandmother makes it really yummy by breading it first, then dipping it in the egg and frying it with lots of olive oil. I am not an accomplished cook when it comes to frying.

I think I will send my dh tonight to buy the bread from Prinzo's-the around the corner Italian bread bakery-because I do not feel like making it tonight.

I find Italian so easy to make. Once about every two months, I make a large pot of gravy, a regional Italian-American word for tomato sauce, and can it in about 8 pint sized Ball jars and store them in the cupboard. I always have gravy around this way.

Maybe I will send hubby for some wine too...

Peony said:

A quibble -- the assumption underlying "urban voice". What about all the black people who make their homes in the burbs and in rural areas?

Groan
Pro-Life Groups Object to Sharpton Speech at Catholic Church

Initially, Pfleger's introduction of Sharpton centered on the protestors outside.

"Let me say first to all those protesting outside," said Pfleger, "Welcome. I'd love to have them come in and hear Rev. Sharpton." With parishoners applauding, Pfleger then asked ushers to go outside and invite the protestors in. None accepted the invitation.

Pfleger also referred to "hundreds" of e-mails and calls he received "of hate and threats" but said he loved those people anyway, adding that those who sent the messages "are going to have to answer for that some day.

"I also know that if Martin Luther King was alive today and going to speak," said Pfleger, "they would oppose him, too." Pro-life groups disagreed, citing MLK's pro-life views on abortion.

Of course, people protesting Al Sharpton speaking at a Catholic Church is really because they are anti-black, not pro-life. He sees right through us (I wasn't there to protest, but I did protest by sending an email to the diocese and whined a lot via this blog) we are not outraged by the slaughter of innocent babies, we are all white racists (even those of us who are black).

Even the comment about MLK, can we please have some perspective here? Now poor MLK, is not alive now to defend himself, and I do not want to overshadow his positive views on integration, but he would not have been appropriate to homilise at a Catholic Church either-he was a Protestant minister, an adulterer and he spoke at Margaret Sanger's funeral. If his life continued the same trend, I may have written a letter to the diocese about allowing MLK to homilise at a Catholic Church also-who knows?

Star Wars/Buffy Connection

Number 1:Slither Act
Episode: 6.21
Air Date: May 21, 2001
Title: "Two To Go"
Screenplay: Douglas Petrie

In the Magic Box, Xander tries to calm Andrew and Jonathan, who rightfully fear the wrath of Willow (Alyson Hannigan) after the death of her girlfriend (Pansy's "eww" factor is high). Andrew is unimpressed with the offer of help.
Andrew: "And we've got maybe seconds before Darth Rosenberg grinds everybody into Jawa burgers, and not one of your bunch has the midi-chlorians to stop her!"

hee hee

Ack! The only people I know who eat Kashi are my parents who are skinny people and do not eat any real food. I mean I have seen people put it in their carts, but never met someone who says "hey, I eat Kashi" until now. My parents are different-they don't eat.

I usually eat 2 tablespoons of granola on top of 1 cup of Stonyfield
Banilla. But lately I haven't been up to eating in the morning-too much of a sleepy mommy, so I have been "settling" for a slice of homeade panettone and a cup of coffee.

I do wear Birks, btw. They are my sensible shoes, when I am being Sensible Pansy.

So Peony...
Do you wear Birkenstocks and eat granola? Hmmm?

Thank you Peony!

Our HTML Mistress. You are so awesome!

am I allowed to make a prayer request?

Gorbulas (1 year old) was diagnosed with asthma January 2. He had a nasty asthma attack and had to be hospitalised. He never showed any previous signs of asthma, but it should not be surprising because Posco had asthma, and outgrew it and Fastolph still has asthma, but not constatntly. The problem with Gorbulas is it will not go away, he wheezes constantly. Yesterday he was wheezing so much he needed the nebuliser every two hours just about. I gave it to him at 5 this morning, and just finished giving it to him now.

I have read all the conventional info on asthma, and am doing what I can. Someone recommended
Is This Your Child? by Doris Rapp which I plan on reading. In the meantime, a prayer would really help.

Today was a slow moving day. No matter what though, I always feel successful after we say our evening family rosary. One of our many intentions is world peace, I hope our prayers have an effect on the current situation.

My daughter is looking through my make-up case dying to put all my make-up on.

Posco (again, my 7 year old, not Peony's Posco) is preparing to make his First Holy Communion. I am so very, very proud. He has the cutest little CCD teacher that he really adores, and the feeling seems mutual. She tells me each Sunday "he is a bright young man..." She sends home little lessons-here's this Sunday's example:
1.Say the 7 Sacraments in order
2.Know which 2 you can't receive both of (answer-Holy Orders-Matrimony)
3.Think about receiving Communion. We do not chew the Host. Just loosen with your tongue if necessary.
4.After Communion drink water first before eating in case a portion of the Host may be remaining in your mouth. This is a respectful custom.
5.Next week, we will be learning more about Confession.

I just love reading his weekly lessons because his teacher is very thorough. I remember how excited I was to be preparing for my FHC at this age. We are also excited because after his FHC, he is going to become an Altar Boy. This Mommy stuff seriously rocks sometimes-sleepiness and all.

I'd like to give a shout out to Fructus Ventris for the link to the article on increasing the number of blacks homeschooling. I wonder why when blacks decide to take a more conservative route instead of the way to self destruction (i.e.choosing substandard public schools), it is "whoa, there's is a surprise!" I remember "mentoring" elementary school children while I was in college in "urban" (predominately black) neighborhoods. It was a fifth grade class (in NJ) and the children did not know how to construct complete sentences or even how to read. That is some scary stuff. Where is a person going to go without the ability to read? What does that say about the future generation of adults? The kicker is they did not know how to read, but they did know A.) the facts of the birds and the bees and B.) they knew to be black and proud. Is the problem that reading is secondary to other subjects?

Which brings me to another point. During last week's whole Al Sharpton fiasco, I noted that on Saint Sabina's website, there was a page for their parish school (emphases added):

St. Sabina Academy is a grade school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The faculty and administration believe that God has a purpose for every child's life. By incorporating the gospel of Jesus Christ and African values, the faculty is committed to teaching and guiding children as they discover their place in the body of Christ. Through collective work and responsibility, the faculty and administration strive to provide a safe, stable, secure and nurturing environment in which children can achieve academic excellence.
St. Sabina Academy is committed to:

• Welcoming children of all faiths.

• Teaching our students about the Catholic faith as they participate in religion classes, services and activities.

• Responding to the needs of others by the words we proclaim and by the daily actions of the clergy, school board, administration, faculty, staff and students.

• Using our God-given talents for the benefit of the all-embracing community of God

• Organizing instruction to assure that students are continuously made aware of their African-American heritage.

• Preparing students to be positive, productive, independent thinking members in a global, diverse and technological society.

• Teaching our students to apply Christian values in the resolution of conflicts to create peace in our school and communities.

When my husband were looking into school options for our daughter before she was in Kindergarten, the first decision we made was that public school was not an option. (I described a bit about what public school was like for me before.) My husband also did not want her subjected to immoral peer pressure. Next options were the local Catholic school and an Afrikan (with a 'k') children's school which bragged academic excellence. My husband had been to the Catholic schools, and the moral climate was no better and as we were reverting back to our faith-were basically faith-less. The Afrikan with a 'k' school was just racist, period.

People want better for their children, black people white people, and families that fall in between. As long as education choices continue to be ,well, limited, and parents continue to desire excellence for their children, homeschooling will grow beyond a great deal of boundaries.

Peony, OK, I am happy then (see Pansy smiling). But you didn't say anything about being Russian...j/k, j/k, nothing against being Russian at all.

Turning 30

This past Feast of St. Nicholas I had the priviledge of turning 30 for the first and last time of my life. I am kind of wigged because I feel so old. I do not feel old chronologically, on the contrary I still feel quite young. But that is what bugs me. I mean I feel like I am too old to enjoy some of the things I do like my little sci fi and pop culture perks-I am way to old to get things like Scooby Doo checks even though this is what my heart desires. Not to worry people, blue safety all the way. Another example: about a year and a half ago, I said to my oldest teenage brother something was "off the hook" and he stopped and said I was too old to say that. Yikes! I took it with a grain of salt because he is a nerd anyway.

This is all so weird because my husband and I got married nearly a decade ago and have been parents since. I have spent my entire 20's wondering when I am going to officially feel "grown up" even though I was married with adult repsonsibilities.

To be honest, something magical did happen when I hit the big three-O. In my twenties, people always felt the need to offer some type of criticism for the choices I made (they still do and always will-human nature). I took these observations very personally and second guessed everything I did. Now I am quite content to say, "nope, I don't agree"-well, maybe not to their faces, but in my head. I guess being able to say that to their faces will happen when I turn 40?

Peony,
You said: "I am always out of the loop, the last tendril on the grapevine. And my posts seem to reflect that." I can very much relate. You are not alone.

I'm a what (never really been into poetry)? First I'm Russian, now I'm a terza rima. BTW, my number two is a sonnet.

Can I just offer Mondays up as Penance? I mean all Mondays past, present and future? I betcha that will cut down on some serious Purgatory time. I betcha they don't even have Mondays in heaven-skips straight to Tuesday nights. Yeah, yeah, I'm kidding, I know there is no "time" in heaven. Thank goodness.

Back to the weekday grind. My Posco (7 year old secind grader) will be the first to get up any minute and he will attempt to talk me out of doing school by first asking "do we do school today?" I get this question every weekday morning. Oh no, someone is knocking on my bedroom door...

No, No, NO! (See Pansy stomping her foot and turning all red-very mature).

Greg Popcak at HMS could not have said it better ("Chicken George" snicker). In the meantime I am going to return to my very mature foot stomping, breath holding and bubble blowing. I will comment more later.
In case you are wondering what this is all about, btw, Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago did nothing.

I'll Bite-Five Guilty Pleasures
5.Disco/70's music-my CD's to the Dead President's soundtrack and Carlito's Way especially
4. Season Two Buffy reruns on DVD
3. clothes shopping
2. French fries
1. too much time on the computer

I've been feeling rather funky the past couple of days. Tired, stressed, sleepy. I am probably seriously overdue for confession or sumthin'.
I went to the Health Food store and my dh was eyeing full spectrum bulbs. I have no idea why I didn't just say "Honey, put that in the cart please." February always does this to me.
Also, this whole abortion/Al Sharpton thing really upset me. I am not very thick skinned, and when I am offended by something it sticks for a couple of days.
Well, I forgot to post number 2 yesterday of our Star Wars/Buffy connection from this month's issue of Star Wars Insider Magazine, so here it is:

Number 2: Mint Condition
Episode: 6.9
Air Date: November 20, 2001
Title: "Smashed"
Screenplay: Drew Z. Greenburg

When Spike needs answers about the chip in his head that prevents him from hurting humans, he goes to the nerds for answers. They balk until Spike snatches up a Boba Fett action figure.
Spike: "Examine my chip, or else Mister...[examines label on the base]...Fett here is the first to die."
Andrew: "That's a limited edition 1979 mint-condition Boba Fett!"
Warren: "You don't want to hurt the Fett, 'cause man, you're not coming back from that. You know you don't do tha and walk away."

OK Auctionholics
What to get for that person who has everything?

Last night, dh and I took Greg Popcak's Exceptional Marriage Quiz. I am not sure how to scale it because I do not know if the 420 score he mentioned was the highest possible, or a high score. If it is the highest, dh and I got a 93.8%. Not bad. I am quite happy because we have come a long, long way.
The quiz is neat though (if not a bit uncomfortable) because right there and then it shows you doable ways you could improve your marriage right away.
There was one question I thought was so telling of marriage break ups of my generation (X). Love is either there or it isn't. Good relationships shouldn't ever feel like work. I know way too many people who cheated or left their spouses because "I just don't feel the same way about him anymore."

I feel sick...
OK, so we all know and are outraged about pro-abortion "Reverand" Al Sharpton being a guest homilist at a Catholic Church in Chicago. I had the stupid idea to look the parish, Saint Sabina's up on the Internet. If anyone was not clear what I meant on my previous post on Black "Catholic" Churches, Saint Sabina's looks like a perfect example.

St. Sabina is a Word-based, Bible teaching church that believes in the power of praise and worship. We are a spiritual hospital where all are welcome and invited to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

Our purpose is to nurture and develop spiritually mature Christians who are not confined by the walls of the sanctuary, but can penetrate the world in order to present God’s way of living as a divine option.

There is also more written on the page about Martin Luther King Day then there is written about Candlemas or any other Catholic Liturgical Feast Day. Now please, can someone explain to me, that why as a Catholic, do people want to attend a Church that takes Church out of Church and replaces it with the wonderful notion that African Americans are nothing more than stereotypical charicatures?

I owe you all an apology, I honestly do not sound off on the race issue as much as I have on this board, but there have been lots of neat articles and incidents as of late.

Poor Peony

I had the flu last week, and the lethargic feeling is still lingering...blah

Star Wars/Buffy con't
Number 3: Death Star Technicians
Episode: 6.5
Air Date: October 23, 2001
Title: "Life Serial"
Screenplay: David Fury & Jane Espensen

In the opening scenes of this episode, the geek troika check out their new high-tech van and find Andrew painting a giant Death Star on the side of what is supposed to be an inconspicuous vehicle. Warren flips yelling, "W-what the hell is that?"
Andrew: "Death Star, dude! Wicked, huh?"
Jonathan: (scornfully) "Uh, thermal exhaust port's above the main port, numb-nuts."
Andrew: "For your information, I'm using the Empire's revised designs from Return of the Jedi."
Jonathan: "That's a flawed design!"
Later in the same episode, as the geeks are spying on Buffy from the shelter of the van, they fight over a pair of binoculars and set off the car horn-programmed with the Star Wars fanfare.

Comfort and joy in the holy city
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all you who love her;
rejoice with her, rejoice, all you who mourned for her.
Suck and be filled at the breast of her consolation;
draw on the nipples of her glory, and overflow with delights.

For the Lord says this:

Behold, I will bring her peace as if it were a river;
like an overflowing torrent, the glory of the Gentiles.
You will suck, be borne on her hips,
and they will caress you as you lie in her lap.

As a mother comforts its child, so shall I comfort you:
you will be comforted in Jerusalem.
You will see, and your heart will rejoice,
and your bones will flourish like living grass.

Peony,
I give you a standing ovation on De Bello. I avoid this topic like the plague because I do not feel there is a right answer, at least one in which I have any say except prayer. I do not believe there truly is Just War in an abortive society. On the other hand, I am glad I am not the president and am making these choices, and I think the steps that are being taken are quite logical. Kind of a paradox, eh? What to do, what to do, just pray, pray, pray.

Buffy/Star Wars con't
Number 4: These Aren't the Nerds You're Looking For
Episode: 6:4
Air Date: October 16, 2001
Title: "Flooded"
Screenplay: Jane Epensen & Douglas Petrie

An angry demon confronts Warren, Jonathan, and Andrew in their basement lair and demands the Slayer's death. At first the boys refuse, but when the demon threatens their lives, Warren says, "Whoa, big guy, let's back thing up a parsec." Even after the trio vote not to give up the Slayer, Warren slips the demon Buffy's address while pretending to give him the bad news. Jonathan and Andrew are impressed.

Jonathan: "How'd you make him do that?"
Andrew: "Yeah, what are you, some kind of Jedi?"
Warren: (shrugs)"The Force can sometimes have power on the weak-minded."
stay tuned...
Andrew and Jonathan nod and go "Hmm" in awe.

Racism breeds denial breeds racism

An interesting article on Catholic Exchange on Why Jews and Blacks vote Democrat. I am glad the author, Dennis Prager, has an answer for the question because I can't figure out how two groups of people who carry not so distant memories of the Holocaust and slavery would vote pro-choice for the life of me.

I think this point is very interesting (emphases added):

The black memory in question is of white racism. It seems obvious that many African-Americans carry a residual anger against whites and against America as a result of centuries of slavery and racism. They therefore vote for the party most associated with policies (such as affirmative action) ostensibly designed to fight racism (meaning, always, white racism), and which frequently condemns alleged ongoing white racism. And blacks vote against the party they perceive as denying that America continues to be racist, the party that opposes race-based policies, and the party that celebrates America as if it isn't a racist country.
The problem with these memories is not that they are inaccurate; it is that they are no longer accurate. And they therefore paralyze the two groups who hold onto these memories — Jews and blacks.

Now, in all fairness this article is only part one, part two due next Wednesday (pooh). I am curious as to what he means by "no longer accurate.”
The problem with the liberal agenda regarding racism is that it takes the attention away from true acts of racism and to be honest, creates them. A white person who never gave a hoot as to who is what ethnicity I am, sure must get really upset at the notion that all whites hate blacks, and therefore we must put safeguards in place in our school systems, jobs etc. to insure blacks aren't victimised by acts of racism. I would. Now you have a bigger rift between blacks and whites. The flip side of that is racism does exist in this country. I have had swastikas drawn on my front door, people do look at us and grab their children or their purse when we walk by, we have been refused seating at a restaurant, refused rental to an apartment after we were promised over the phone, I have been told when I asked a sales person for help "well, that is expensive..." So I am looking forward to seeing what Mr. Prager means by "no longer accurate.”

Grrrr

OK, I am getting really annoyed lately. My organisational skills are really, really bad as of late, and my place is a mess! I am seriously stressed over it. It is not that I do not see what needs to be done (well at least some of it), I cannot get to it. The only reason I am online now is I am giving Gorbulas his nebuliser. We have nifty little labled drawers to store all of our little toy animals and action figures, but no matter how much screaming, yelling, begging, bribing, asking nicely I do, they never end up back in their place. Sigh.

I think we are going to invest in one of these homeschooling organiser-storage units and if I can find one much cheaper somewhere than seventy bucks, a wooden puzzle storage rack. The chief offenders are puzzle pieces and cards. I hate cards. They are great for lessons, but they cannot stay together-flash cards, English From the Roots Up cards, Friendly Defender cards. There is always a stray card somewhere-aaaahhhh!

We have this little alcove off of our living room where we keep stacks of drawers for their toys. My dh wants to move that to our enclosed back porch so it would be like "who cares of they make a mess, no one sees it" and set up like a little kid-friendly computer room there. Right now it is my dh's "room". The place where he stores all his collectables, action figures, imported from Japan Dragonball z collection. I should take a picture of this room, it is funny.

Pretty cool microscopic images.

I was bored, so I put my father's name in the search engine. He said there is a great deal of bad press with him on the Internet. There is. This came up though from the Catholic League's website:

REGENTS REVISIONS

The outcome was gratifying. But no sooner had Dr. DeMauro contacted us when we heard from Father Philip Eichner, the league’s chairman of the board. He was calling to complain about a question in this year’s English Regents Exam. And then Father Fred called about another question. Looks like they’ll drive us to be the toughest sensitivity police on the beat. So be it.

My father is Dr.DeMauro, BTW.

Looking through my Favourite Places link and I found this link I thought I would share:The Church and Racism

I am not sure why, but racism in today's American Church(or American culture) is addressed in two different campgrounds(if at all). The first one is the politically correct opinion "celebrate diversity, let us have more people or colour" camp, and the camp that racism is the figment of the imagination of those minorities who want nothing more than self pity. I once saw Alice von Hildebrand on Mother Angelica Live say her husband, Deitrich used to say the truth does not lie in the middle of two extremes, but it is something above it. This is quite true in this situation.

When I first reverted back to my faith, I was very heartbroken to see racism still existed in my Church. I knew it was out in the world, workplace, school systems etc., but I had hoped to find respite among my fellow Catholics. I think the first slap in the face to this was when my dh and I browsed at a Catholic supply/ Ethnic Irish goods store and were followed the whole time we were in the store. Here and there we have seen things, like people refusing to shake our hand during the sign of peace and other little things.

I think one of the most flagrant forms of racism though is the Black Catholic Church. Now, not in all dioceses, some do it very well. I attended Xavier University of La, and frankly, as long as we are going to have historically black colleges, I think there should be a Catholic one too. In some dioceses it is a place to find more "afrocentric" Catholic art etc. Here we have a "Church" that is literally called "Black Catholic Apostolate". I feel like the ministry is like the handicap entrance at a store-"you go there!" The emphasis is more on wearing kente cloth and on "culture" then on the sacrifice of the Mass. There is also a Hispanic Catholic parish. People are always trying to convince us that we need to go to one of these two parishes (I am half black, my dh is Puerto Rican). Why is there a need to herd the minorities off to their own little parishes? I don't know, maybe it is one of those things I do not understand about this diocese.

Peony, I definately am interested in reading the Patrick O'Brian series. Looks like fun (or at least my idea of fun-a good book).

What you said about "human skills atrophying", I think this is true, not just in regard to some of the leisure skills you mention, but in all walks of life.

I have found the need to teach myself things, in order to be a well rounded housewife and mother skills no one knows how to do such as canning, baking bread, sewing (still learning there).

Star Wars/Buffy con't

Number 5: You Sir, Are Not Yoda

Episode: 4.1
Air Date: October 5, 1999
Title: "Freshmen"
Screenplay: Joss Whedon

In the season four-opener, Xander tries giving Buffy a Jedi pep talk, but ends up trapped in his own recursive loop. He might have the right idea, but he is not ready to cut his Padawan braid just yet.

Xander:"Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to...No, wait...Fear leads to hate, hate leads to the dark side...Hold on..."

...stay tuned...

Ten Reasons to Have Another Child

Tomorrow New Jedi Order Book #15 comes out. I am very psyched.

I spend months waiting for a new book, I read it in two days and wait another 4 months. To be honest, I don't even remember what happened at the end of the last book, just that Jacen Solo returned from the Yuuzhan Vong with Vergere. My memory will be refreshed when I start reading.

Our diocese is planning a series of meetings with reps from each parish to see what will happen in the future of this diocese because of less priests, less Catholics in attendance, empty churches etc.

An excerpt from the article:Changes ahead

One of the "new realities" the chancellor said the regional meetings will address is changing the number of liturgies in parishes. She gave the example of one Albany County parish where just 50 people regularly attend each of two Masses in a church that could seat 350. Parishes, she said, need to develop criteria for the minimum number of attendees that make a second Mass feasible.

I may go as a rep for my parish, I am not sure yet. Two fellow parishioners came up to me yesterday and asked that I represent our parish because I am "articulate". I said "you mean I have a big mouth?" Some of the parishioners are afraid this will give the diocese an excuse to close our Mass. Our Parish is the only
Tridentine parish in this diocese, and the people who attend really enjoy it.

I
can see their worry though because we are clustered into like three parishes, but maybe since we are so consolidated, they will let us be. Here's hoping;)

Feel Good Recipe

3 Cups of baby's giggles 2 1/2 Cups of sunshine 1 Cup of kissies 1 Cup of huggies 1/2 Cup of happiness Put ingredients into a tiny bottle, shake it up, done! For sick days, grouchiness, rainy days and much more!

Speaking of recipes, I attempted to make pizza dough, and the same smooshy thing happened to it again. What's the deal. Oh well, dh and the kids will just have to settle for roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, brown gravy and green beans.

Star Wars/Buffy con't

Number 6:Short People
Episode:5.17
Air Date:April 17, 2001
Title:"Forever"
Screenplay:Marti Nixon

Ben (Charlie Webber) is the human host to Glory (clare Kramer), and evil god bent on regaining her full powers. Since only one of them can be in their body at one time, Glory's short, burnoosed minions act as messengers with a striking similarity to some ubiquitous Tatooine scavengers.

Ben:(exasperated)"Tell my sister I'm sick of running into her Jawa rejects."

Star Wars/Buffy con't

Number 7:Yoda Man
Episode:2.33
Air Date:September 29, 1997
Title:"School Hard"
Screenplay:David Greenwalt (Story by Greenwalt and Joss Whedon)

In the first episode, smooth British vampire, Spike (James Marsters) crashes Buffy's parent-teacher night and confronts Angel (David Boreanaz). Here he seems to know at least a little something about Star Wars, but later we discover that he's not a true fan (see #2).

When we point out this seeming discrepancy, Drew Greenburg responds, "Yoda's the classic icon. And [Spike] is 180 years old. He's got a lot in that little brain of his. He can't have access to everything at every moment. He's going to forget somethings from time to time."

Sounds like he's telling it from a certain point of view..."

Spike(to Angel):"You were my sire man...You were my Yoda!"

stay tuned...

Weekends should be longer. We left here at 11.30 this morning and just got home. We went to my parents to celebrate Gorbulas' b'day(1.29) after Church. We had a blessed candle lighting ceremony and procession. Mass lasted 2 hours and was quite lovely. Fastolph was quite cheeky though...

I guess the idea of a movie about a neat kangaroo would only appeal to me anyway?

Thank you Davey's Mommy for the link to Stupid Black Parents

I have to say, this article put into written words what it was like attending public school as an African American student in the NJ public school system. Besides my belief that education should include Catholicism, this is why I will never send my children to a public school ever! I remember sitting in my guidance counselors office each year requesting to be put in the college bound courses. My guidance counselor would say to me "Are you sure you want to take Shakespeare, it may be kind of hard," This was each semester.

Children live up or down to your expectations...oh, sigh...

Buffy/Star Wars con't

Number 8

While Oz (Seth Green), the most zen-like of the gang, checks out his sound equipment and finds something he doesn't like, Xander (Nicholas Brendan) asks him what is wrong.

Xander:"Sensing a disturbance in the Force, Master?"

stay tuned...