Pansy: October 2003 Archives

except for the fact that Angel had to have sex with Eve. Ick. OK, now isn't Angel supposed to be spending all of eternity pining over his Onw True Love Buffy? I know, it was a mystical spell and all, blah, blah, blah, but I didn't like it. So there.

They did improve his hair. It is back to first season Angel hair. But you win some, you lose some because he spent way too much time without his shirt on. Gak.

In the meantime, the story had some cute elements. The whole thing with the Archduke was kind of funny, but I do not think the cute one liners make up for the fact that they will not get into the story yet. Everyone is just kind of hanging around, and Angel's character has been kind of , well, disgusting. I really hope they get on the ball soon. Even then, I think it is stime to hang it up. I cannot look at David Boreanaz anymore.

Here is what Victor has to say about it.

...Are we compromising our religious beliefs and principles by letting our children, even if innocently, dabble in something that has its origins in evil? As Catholic families, what is our obligation to be consistent and true to our faith?...[more...]

Thanks Karen for the link.

I got an email yesterday saying our homeschooling group is having an All Saint's Party on Saturday in Fonda. Ack, I so do not have any costumes ready because I did not know there would be a party this year until yesterday. Anybody have any ideas for quick, cheap and easy saint costume ideas. I have a ten year old girl whose favourite saint is St. Agnes and eight year old boy and four year old boy. I am going to spare the baby and adults.

The Transcript

KING: True, you have a girlfriend?

SCHIAVO: Yes. And I am very fortunate...

KING: Does it hurt the situation, do you think, as the way the public might look at you?

SCHIAVO: From their side, I'm sure. But you know something? I'm fortunate to have two women in my life that I love very much. My girlfriend right now has done more for Terri than her own mother did. She shopped for her. She washed her clothes.

KING: How do you feel about all this? In your gut, how do you feel? You could have walked away, Michael.

SCHIAVO: I could have. But I love my wife. And I'm going to follow her wish. And nothing's going to stop me.

KING: In fact, if she stayed in that state, let's say, you could get a divorce, couldn't you, easily?

SCHIAVO: I could have.

KING: And marry this girlfriend if you choose to?

SCHIAVO: I could.

KING: And I don't think anybody would be mad at you. Right? Who would be mad at you?

(CROSSTALK)

SCHIAVO: This is between Terri and myself. I'm not asking anybody to be mad at me. I'm not asking anybody to agree with me.

KING: But I mean, but one might say putting it bluntly, who needs this?

Thank you Mr Luse for the link.

if I invented a giant hamster wheel to put my kids in when they seem like they need to burn some sreious energy, it would sell? Very AP, don't you think?

I cannot find a transcript online yet since the show ended a few minutes ago, so I am doing this from memory. When Michael Schiavo was asked about his girlfriend he said something like "I am very fortunate to have two women in my
life who I love." I feel sick.
Update:I had nightmares over this last night. I only watched it briefly out of curiosity. When I hear or know someone who for whatever reason feels they have the right to play God with people's lives, I often wonder what it is about them that makes them feel so much more special than anyone else. I mean, was he like so much more divinely hotter looking, or smarter or sumthin' sumthin'? Well, maybe to himself, I dunno. He looked creepy to me. He looked like one of those men that would be online behind you at Starbucks making slightly off colored jokes in his girlfriend's ear within ear shot as if to say "guess what, we have sex!" and that I would give dirty looks to for invading my hearing zone, and would give me "oh lighten up already looks in return." Dontcha hate it when that happens? Anyway, a bit of digression there.

In that snippit I tried to quote (again, working from memory here), Larry asked him something like "You could have divorced Terri and married your new girlfriend. No one would blame you in this situation. Why haven't you?"
Slime Boy:"Because I made a promise to her to let her die."

Woohoo, I normally like a guy who promises to give me the world, and rings and love, and you know, happy stuff. Oh but this guy promised "death".

And oh how noble! He gets his girlfriend but he is a loyal and loving husband because he will not divorce his poor wife because she needs to die. America is buying this crap?

Death stuff aside, if my husband had a girlfriend, and said to me "I cannot divorce you because I promised to support you..." or some other BS like that, well the benefit is women not imprisoned in Hospice Care homes can use their boots...

I am just so, you know, ugh! I just cannot believe the stuff he said and how people think this is noble. This world has gone stark raving mad.

Sorry how this blog was supreme rant and lacked any kind of form whatsoever. As I am writing this my husband is telling me to stop bidding on ebay and my boys are throwing toys at each other. Another day...

Updated Update:
Hey Victor, I think my Starbucks guy and your "I want my new truck" guy are one in the same.

for Jeanetta and myself and anyone else in Upstate NY.Once those temps hit like "Today's High is 32 degrees" Pansy Moss does not leave home.

The weather is so different here than it was 4 hours south in New Jersey. Summer does not hit until like the very end of June, and the first week of September it is Fall. But I have to say, autumn up here is breathtaking. All I can say is "just friggin beautiful"!

Our farm is located in the Mohawk Valley, about 15 miles west of the North American Martyrs Shrine where Bl. Kateri was baptised and St. Isaac Jogues was martyred. His body was thrown in the Mohawk River, so I think that makes the river Holy Water?? Not sure. I also live not far from where Bl. Kateri was born.

It is funny, because when you are originally from downstate NY, the City to be more specific, it is like an entirely different country. People leave NY City and travel the world to seek out beautiful places without realising how lovely it is a few hours northwest.

My parents tell that when they were small,all summer long they were left to their own devices to roam the streets and the play grounds of The City at a very young age. When I was 5, I started walking to school on my own in a not so great section of Trenton. I am 10 years older than my oldest brother, and by the time it was time for him to get to school, he was shuttled back and forth by car at a much shorter distance in a suburban area. What changed between then and now? I certainly would never allow a five year old of mine to walk to school by themselves when we lived in Albany. But while I am keeping them safe, my kids seem to be real pinheads when it comes to having any street smarts.

So what came first, did people decide sheltering kids more was a more responsible trend in parenting, or did things just get worse? Maybe a little of both, but more so of the second option. When my parents were children, there was not the horrible dangers we see of the drug culture. My mother also talks about growing up in Harlem when all the neighbors would watch out for each others kids. The flip side is my parents tell me when their parents went to work for summer vacation they would simply drop the kids off at the playground all day. I cannot imagine anyone doing something like that today.

While I think we could all agree leaving kids on the playground to fend for themselves , or even letting 5 year olds walk to school on their own is not idyllic, my brothers and my children seem to lack a great deal of simple street smarts. I am really worried about them. When we go to the Mall, for example, my oldest does not have a sense in what is going on around her. Frankly, I do not know how to teach lessons of basic survival skills in public. It seems to me it is something you learn from experience. However, I am not sure I want to throw my children into situations that teach certain experiences.

I know, I worry a lot about how my children will turn out. But I keep feeling we live in such deceptive times where it is hard to gauge right from wrong, and so much of my job as a Mom is contemplating what the real right thing to do is.

Which Dr. Seuss character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

with Victor that last night's Angel rocked. Victor does give a much more in depth review than I feel like giving at the moment. I would like to say that I was getting very dissappointed very quickly with the last few episodes and started thinking "oh, they should have just canceled the darn show." But here was a decent episode in the same Angel tradition.

I cannot help myself though, David Boreanaz needs to do something with himself. I was so relieved to see the "partial nudity" was James Marsters bare thighs and no part of David. Maybe a hair cut (puh-leeze I mean I know it is more up to date, but it ain't workin'), hit the gym, and button up the shirts and we'll be a'ight. He is just not sexy anymore...

Mark Shea highlights some of the current articles who state is was "unconstitutional" for the Governor, or anyone to intervene in allowing Terri to starve to death. OK, no matter what you think about the immoral "Right to Die" stance, in my opinion, it is stupid that anyone should starve to death in American today. It is despicable to force someone to starve to death. Even if it were Terri's last wish (yeah right) like her husband claimed to "die with dignity", the law has a right to jump in and say "well, tough cookies, people are not put to death from starvation on this country."

What kind of society are we coming to where this can be justified?

OK, I have to find something lighthearted and meaningless to blog about. I am disgusted about the attitude I am reading and am even reading Catholics who support this. My gag reflex needs to calm down.

Maybe he could resign as guardian, Terri's parents take up the guardianship, they get Terri into rehab, and then sue him for the rehab money that got spent on lawyers. How delicious!

With a spoon!

I got this in the from of an email from a list I am on, and I cannot speak for the veracity of a forwarded email, I am sure extra prayers never hurt.

Lord have mercy...
Please protect Terri.
St. Michael the Archangel protect us in battle...

While many have heard that Terri Schiavo's feeding tube has been re-inserted, her life is in eminent danger. Michael Schiavo is still her legal guardian. The would-be murderer is responsible for guarding his own victim! In addition when Terri was moved from hospice, he immediately blocked visitation rights at the hospital for her parents, siblings and family priest - the only source of Terri's comfort, love and joy. An emergency motion ordered visitation restored for the family but it was not received in the attorney's offices until 5:15PM today. By the time the family was able to get down to the hospital, her husband had removed her from the hospital and taken to an "undisclosed location" - we are told perhaps back to hospice.

In any case, the family has not been informed - they do not know her medical condition or whether the feeding tube has been reinstated or not. An IV was inserted at approximately 9:30 last night. This is a woman starved for 7 days with no food or water yet Michael has the audacity to remove her from the hospital care!

It is an outrage that Michael Schiavo and his attorney feel they can spit in the face of the governor, the Fl House and Senate - and trample Terri's rights with absolutely no regard for her health, happines or wishes.

Complaints have been filed through the Department of Health and Human Services yet nothing is being done to protect Terri from physical harm or to assure her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please take a moment and file your complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. Click here for the form: Discrimination Complaint Form or go to: http://hhs.gov/ocr/discrimhowtofile.html
You can also file your complaint by email at OCRcomplaint@hhs.gov or call the District Office in Atlanta: Roosevelt Freeman, 404 562-7886. Tell them to immediately act and remove her care/custody from Michael.

In addition, please contact your US Congressman and ask him to investigate why the Department of Justice is not protecting Terri's civil rights as a disabled American and further request that the Department of Health and Human Services Civil Rights Office act at once to protect her.

Go to our website to read the formal letters of complaint filed by Children of God for Life, the family and medical personnel through Delegate Robert Marshall with Attorney General Ashcroft, the House Judiciary Committee and President Bush, asking for immediate federal intervention. You should read the facts to help explain the problem to your Congressmen. www.cogforlife.org/schiavo.htm

We will keep the site updated daily with new developments until Terri is safe and her rights guaranteed by the US Constitution and the State of Florida are upheld!
God bless,
Debi Vinnedge, Executive Director
Children of God for LIfe

Pete Vere has better details.... This seriously just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

Good news! Dear Lord, please let her live.
Thank you Mighty One for the link and good news!

My husband is a driver for FedEx. He is currently what you call a "swing" courier. He is responsible for knowing all the other routes and filling in when others are out. It is good because it is a higher paid position and he is pretty far up in seniority in this position so he gets pretty good vacations. The downside is his schedule changes each week and we never know what it is. We have been doing this for years, but we are sick of it. My husband works many days where he leaves at 5 something in the morning and comes home 8 at night.

A new day route has opened up for bid and it will benefit us because it is in our new area. We can count on when he comes and goes and he can come home for lunch. Please say a little prayer that he gets this route. Thanks in advance.

... between the ages of 18 and 62 who is not legally disabled will have to meet the new regulations. People enrolled in college or job-training programs would be exempt...

Jacqueline Gonzalez, who lives in Troy's Griswold Heights apartments, said she won't leave her 8-month-old to perform community service. The mother of three said she won't leave a child with a baby sitter until he or she is old enough to tell her if anything bad happens in her absence.

"If I had a baby sitter, I'd be out there working," she said. "My whole family is in New York City. ... I am not going unless they are ready to provide child care for my kids."...

[more...]

So what does Pansy Moss think?

It is dumb to make residents put children in daycare or with a sitter to do things for example, volunteer at a hospital. I mean, if the idea is to "pay" for public housing, well, much public housing is substandard to begin with. Volunteer/community service should be done in the neighborhood and the complex. Perhaps repairs, gardens, something that will directly benefit the residents and not leave mothers looking for baby sitters. This will do more to help "pay" for the cost of living in their residence, in my opinion.

One of the things I cannot stand about the ghetto is what makes the ghetto a ghetto is not the economic level of the people, but the lack of pride in themselves and their surroundings. One does not have to be economically upper class to have class (nor does having money automatically mean someone carries themselves with class either). While economics is clearly a factor, there are many people who earn small incomes who sweep their walkways, clean up there areas, bathe their children and recycle their cans. I often wish people realised they are worth more regardless of where they live or how much they make.

One thing I also have no understanding about when it comes to issues such as these is many of these public housing residents are single Moms and their children. To those of us enlightened pro-lifers, it is no secret that Planned Parenthood targets lower income minority communities, yet the results of contraception and abortion campaigns are usually single parent homes. On the, average, single parent families earn a lot less income than traditional families making it necessary to use social services. After many programs such a PP encourage single families, these families are punished for trying to survive. This makes no sense to me, but what do I know?

I wrote this like a year ago on MWG...

Also, let me say what AP'ing means to me. It is not a checklist "I co-sleep, check, I have my trusty official 'AP Certified Mom Sling', check, I breastfeed, check..." but it is a philosophy that when you bring a baby into this world, your life changes to lovingly accommodate this person, instead of making this person try to conveniently fit into your life-like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. I don't think our contraceptive culture is very friendly to that type of nurturing. Instead after people finally decide they can have children, then they schedule them and say they are "good" because they are trained to just sit there.

PRESS RELEASE

Special Session Called in State Legislature
Speaker of the House, Johnnie Byrd to introduce “Terri’s Bill”

Clearwater, FL October 19, 2003: The Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, has called a special session of the Florida Legislature for Monday, October 20, 2003. At that time, Florida’s Speaker of the House will introduce “Terri’s Bill”. By Florida law, two thirds majority vote are required to have a topic entered.

Volunteers with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation have learned that Senate President, Jim King is against this bill.

The Bill would put an immediate moratorium on all dehydration and starvation deaths currently pending in Florida.

We have come to a time when the merchants of death have created a constitutional crisis and a justice gridlock, while the rightful life of Florida’s disabled and vulnerable citizens tragically hang on Terri Schindler-Schiavo’s court ordered dehydration and starvation death.

Thanks to Amy's Journal for the head's up.

And if you ask me, it is better in real life with a baby than it is with Odie. :)

Gorbulas giggles in his sleep. I wonder what he dreams about. I am happy that he has pleasant dreams.

Rosey Posey asked me "Mom, what are leg warmers?"
"Are you watching something from the early eighties? They keep your legs warm."
"Yes, that girl working out was wearing leg warmers. I don't get it, why not wear pants and your legs will stay warm."
"Well, not if you are working out."
"Then wear tights. They look funny."
"Hey, when I was your age I had leg warmers in every colour!"
"Mom, you are scaring me."

Fastolph and Posco were playing their own version of hide and seek:
Fastolph:Scooby-Doo, where are you?
Posco: (voice distant in another room)Rover rere!

by Pete Vere. There is something I keep forgetting that many at St. Blogs have repeatedly reminded me this past week (in particular my Home Girl Peony)-the ability to give love is perhaps even more precious a gift than receiving love.My soul really craved stories of charity.

A couple of months ago, I blogged about a sort of "Dark Night of the Soul" I was going through and I am ashamed to say it has not gotten better, but has gotten worse. I am ashamed because I know better, that my relationship with God can only be repaired by my actions, ashamed because I know logically God is there and is there for me, ashamed because I know faith is not merely about feel good emotions and the first time I am not "feeling good", I am dropping the ball, and ashamed because the events in my life-well I have so much to be grateful and thankful for. Look at poor Terri, she was abused and the courts cannot even defend her, but have sentenced her to a slow painful death as a result. Man, I do not even have the words to describe how horrible that is. So if I know so much better, why are my emotions towards God so out of whack?

I was wondering if I am angry at God because of the events of the past summer (Gorbulas being hospitalized, marital woes and a bunch of other stuff) and the answer is no, not angry, but sort of numb. I think I have had a few breaks through. I have been very stressed over Gorbulas' asthma. On Monday he came down with sniffles. I was determined to do everything I can to avert an asthma attack. I started with his nebuliser every four hours around the clock. I began with his Pulmocort every twelve hours. Three days after treatment, he had a minor asthma attack, despite the Singulair, Pulmocort and albuterol around the clock. I realised it is out of my hands. I thought I had control over it, but I do not. I was just giving myself a headache when I should have been giving it to God. Not that I should not do everything I can, but I have been losing much sleep over trying to figure out ways to avert another asthma attack to no avail. This may sound terrible, but I have been able to trust in God's Providence in giving souls to me, perhaps I should trust in Him when it comes to taking them back? No, I am so not planning on sending any souls back to God at all, I am just saying that I can only do what I can do, which I will continue to do but I should leave the rest to Him.

I just have been so numb for so many months, I do not know how to get back to that. If a prayer can be spared, it would be appreciated. I think my husband has been at this place a little longer than I have. This scares me because one of us has to fight for the family on a spiritual leve, and neither one of us seems to be.

I am lacking in some sort of vitamin. I feel like yuck and it is not getting better. I started taking Cal Mag because my midwife told me I should watch my calcium in take, and look for signs of calcium deficiency like loose teeth. Well, that was 6 months ago at my check-up and my teeth were loose then, so I finally got around to taking Cal Mag this week. Nice, huh?

Is there anything else nursing Sleepy Mommies tend to be deficient in?

My husband and I cannot figure out why the term "Latin" is limited to people of Hispanic descent and not used to describe other people with Latin ancestors such as Italians. For that matter why are people of European descent described as "Caucasian" when they all do not have ancestry from the Caucus mountain range? Just some random things that make you go "hmmm".

I was up feeling ill last night thinking about how horrible it must be for poor Terri right now. It takes 7-10 days to starve to death. I was up anyway giving Gorbulas nebulizer treatments because he has a cold and is quite wheezy. But this was on the forefront my mind. I still do not understand any of this. Where is the feminist movement to back up a woman being mistreated by her husband and our current institutions?

When I went to sleep, I dreamt that I met up with Peony, and we did this covert operation thing and rescued Terri. (Peony was wearing a long black trench coat in my dream.) I hope our prayer efforts are more effective.

OK, this article from CBS has me scared silly, well because I scare very easily about this kind of thing. Something that will motivate social workers to start investigating home schooling families simply because they home school. Somehow we are more suspicious. Somehow we are more neglectful, which is something I do not understand because it is easier to send a child off to school for a minimum of six hours a day and have no concept of what they are doing during the day (not that people who send their children to more traditional schools are neglectful, I just do not see the logic simply on the basis of "where" they school).

With that said, recently my parents went on a retreat where they met the Parish Life Director of the Novus Ordo parish that my new home is a part of geographically. She said there are a few home schoolers in the area, and that they are cultish in nature and home school to cover for their family problems. In all honesty, I think there is some truth to this. When I lived in New Jersey, it seemed less so, so I am not sure what the difference is here except the horrible formation on a diocesan level. Anywho, the conversation with this lady has prompted a bit of family pressure to put the children in school, even though my father, as the Director of Assessment knows first hand how decrepit morally and academically the public schools are and as a Deacon knows how heretical the Catholic schools are. I guess not seeming "weird" or "cultish" is more important.

Now CBS is doing the "expose" on the hidden life of home schoolers, adding more fuel to the fire. I am hoping it is just a passing frenzy and that it will not incite a new type of witch hunt because witch hunts seem the norm for anything not PC lately.

HSLDA has an article about a feature CBS news ran last night. Can I just say "ick"? I have more to say on this, but it will have to wait until later...

In the meantime, this is the info from the HSLDA email (which I am sure many of you have received):

October 14, 2003

Dear HSLDA Members and friends:

CBS National News ran a negative homeschooling report last night
titled "The Dark Side of Homeschooling" and will run a further report
this evening. The reports focus on a handful of child abuse cases
during the past 5 to 10 years involving families claiming to be
homeschoolers.

Last night's segment discussed the murder of Kyle, 13, and Marnie
Warren, 19, by their brother Brandon, 14, and his subsequent suicide.
The Warren family is from Johnston County North Carolina.

To view the CBS story go to:
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1139

Missing from the CBS story was that: Social Services had contacted
the family eleven times, were well aware of the condition of the home
and had been working with the family.

However, to any fair-minded reader the story leaves the impression
that homeschooling equals child abuse.

We are outraged that CBS would ignore the obvious facts and draw the
erroneous conclusion that homeschoolers need to be strictly
regulated. The story is a shameless attempt to smear an entire
community of committed, dedicated parents.

The real story is CBS's bias against homeschooling and it is using
this distorted story to encourage the regulation of homeschoolers.

Please call Viacom (parent company of CBS) and CBS to express your
opposition to the biased reporting and smear campaign against
homeschooling. Highlight the fact that homeschooling was not the
cause of the childrens' deaths and that you expect CBS to have higher
journalistic standards.

Viacom President and CEO - Mel Karmazin
P - 212-258-6000

CBS Evening News - LA Bureau
P - (323) 575-2202

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

Let's see, I boiled about 12 ounces of lasagna noodless (I use whole wheat spinach lasagna I get form my co-op). When it is done, I lie it out on either a piece of plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray or a piece of wax paper. I sauté about 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic and about a tablespoon of basil (not fresh) in a little bit of olive oil. When the garlic browns a bit I add like one 28 ounce can of Muir Glen Chunky Tomato Sauce and let it simmer for at least 10-20 minutes. Quick and easy gravy for lasagna. I make the filling out of 1 16 ounce container of fat free ricotta cheese, one 10 ounce package of frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained and like 4 egg whites. I also use one cup of fat free shredded mozarella.

I assemble by spreading enough of the gravy on the bottom of 9" by 13" baking pan to cover the bottom. I put down a layer of pasta, then the filling, then some mozzarella and gravy. I repeat the process until the last layer is pasta and gravy. I sprinkle about half a cup of grated parmegiano reggiano cheese and cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, remove the foil, bake for another 15 minutes. After you take it out of the oven, let it set for 5-10 minutes.

Peony, I think Polo and I are Type 1.5 painters. I actually have never picked up a paint brush because I am always busy keeping a toddler from sticking his foot into the paint can. My husband would very much like to be a Type 1 painter, but time restraints make it so you have to cut corners whenever possible remember he works 14 hours a day and has to paint when it is least likely a toddler will stick his foot in a paint can. The only time he paints is late at night to very early in the morning.

We are also in the process of painting our kitchen, and well, the whole house. The inside if the house is off white with aqua blue trim. Hate it. apparently the Amish are only allowed to use colors found in nature, and aqua is the most colorful of those colors, so that is what they used for the trim. So he had to wash walls (they are quite sooty), prime it, cover holes, you know the routine. I will say I am always amazed how a nice a fresh coat of paint can make something look.

We also just bought a new stove. The Amish use something called a Perfection Cookstove which is kerosene fueled, portable and expensive for us, especially since it has no oven. We bought a very simple propane gas range, but had to do a bit of searching to find one with pilots as opposed to an electric ignition. I seem to remember all gas ranges having pilots. Maybe that is the old ones?

In the comments box below, Peony states:

On the other hand, I don't like the attitude of trying to shield ourselves from any taint of the larger culture. It strikes me as being counterproductive -- it deprives us of the chance to evangelize others, and it can set up a false impression to our children and to others that Catholicism = No Fun and Always Being Weird.

I kind of agree with this. I did not for a while, but as I see more and more religious Catholic families losing their children I think there is much truth to this. My philosophy on Halloween is it is so much fun, carving pumpkins, going out on a fall evening,getting candy, and playing dress up. I have read so many conflicting stories about whether or not the origins are pagan, Catholic or whatever, and frankly it makes very little difference to me. For our family in upstate NY, 2003, Halloween is is a fun evening out that does not detract from All Saint's Day, or any religious education because we do not elevate to a status of religious holiday. What ever it may have been to others, is not necessarily what it is now to us. (A sad analogy in the reverse would be how Christmas is a celebration of the Birth of Our Saviour started by Catholics and has been reduced by many to nothing more than blatant consumerism.)

I have also been debating this question with things like home schooling. I keep thinking perhaps I should put the children in school for the very reason Peony stated, but I really do not believe my children will be educated like they can be at home. Nor do I believe I would be as involved in their lives, but just likes passing ships.

I wonder how much different motives for doing the same things affect an over
all outcome? I wish I could look into the future and see what would happen if I make different choices. Whatever the choice, if you take something away that is "normal" or fun, it should be replaced with strong family ties, family quality time and a sense of respecting the children's feelings. No matter what, that should always be the case.

Yesterday we went shopping for Halloween constumes. I actually have similar feelings that Jeff does about Halloween, but the closest All Saint's Day Party is usually a bit of a distance for a week night, whereas taking them around the block to let them get some candy bars is a more viable option. The rule is no demon, devil, evil creature or witch costumes.

Rosey Posey and Posco are going to be brother and sister Ninjas this year and Fastolph will be Spider-Man. The two oldest usually match. One year they were St. Isaac Jogues and Bl. Kateri Tekawitha, one year they were St. Gabriel and St. Michael, another year they were Jango Fett and Senator Amidala. They get a kick out of that.

Has anyone noticed that Halloween has become a major production almost like Christmas? They sell little jack-o-lantern outdoor lights, Halloween garland to decorate your stoop railings, giant inflatable pumpkins and all kinds of tombstones to put in your front lawn. And the prices of the costumes, my goodness! They sell children's costumes for $50. Sorry guys, you can only pick the cheap ones. I intended to sew the costumes this year, but since we are in the throes of moving, purchasing was an easier option.

Now, do not get me started on how Filene's has had their Christmas tree displays up for about 3 weeks now.

Posco is eight years old today! We celebrated with spinach lasagna and birthday cake. I cannot believe how fast time flies.

I spent all of my twenties waiting to finally feel like a grown up. I figured when I was thirty I would, but I don't, just feel like an old kid. Throughout my twenties, my husband and I were the only ones I knew married with children, so I missed out on that "valuable" carefree twenty something living that everyone on TV is doing. Well, OK, not really. But I think I am too sleepy. I am always in this befuddled brain fog and walking into walls from lack of sleep.

Anyway, if you watch TV, being in your twenties and early thirties (if you are not a teen) is supposed to be the prime of your life. No prime, too sleepy. I am thinking 53 may be a better age. My parents are like 53. My father has the energy again to get up at like 5 to go running. For years I got up at 4.30 am to work-out, and as soon as I hit my thirtieth birthday, that last bit of energy to do so disappeared. So I think I would like to be 53. I wonder if when I am 53, will I feel like a bone fide adult, or still feel like an old kid?

My father is the tall deacon reading the Gospel.

Albany -- Board delays raising the passing grade on required exams for two years, will modify controversial math test; education chief says moves aimed at helping students succeed

Why do they bother having education standards at all if what happens is the rich kids cannot make the grade, complain and the standards are reduced? Everytime I start to consider sending my children to school, something happens to remind me why that is less and less of an option.

About four years ago, we purchased Rosey Posey a My Twinn doll. For a few years each birthday and Christmas, Rosey Posey and Mini Rosey Posey would receive a matching outfit complete with shoes and so on. I am wondering if the doll was more of a choice for Mom than Rosey Posey because more often than not, the doll is lying on my daughter's bedroom floor, her head backwards, hair all askew and not in one of her lovely little outfits, but her hospital gown (if you send the doll for any repairs, which we have done, they send it back in a hospital gown). The doll always looks as though it was out all night partying and has been admitted to the psychiatric ward. My brother, the one who I just wrote about who ran away to Sam Goody's at age eight, decided to teach my daughter a lesson by telling her what the consequences of allowing Mini Rosey Posey to lay around on the bedroom floor looking disheveled are. Warning:This is really pointless and silly stuff, so if you are not a fan of pointless and silly, I suggest you skip this.

I think it may be a good idea for you to stop Mini Rosey Posey from going to these parties and getting wasted (she's probably drunk out of her mind, passed out on the floor right now). I'm worried for her health. Just remember this: when she asks you for your car keys, just say no! She's gonna get in a fatal car accident, and it would all be your fault. Then, you'd have to live with the guilt of being responsible for her death. When that happens, you'll try to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. You'll ALMOST succeed, but a strange guy named "The Leader" is going to save you and help you to realize the value of your life by making you a member of his cult. This cult is a group of people who live on a mountain in Colorado, residing in underground huts. You will make a pledge to eat nothing but dirt and goats, but in order to kill the goats for food, you will have to use your bare hands, because "The Leader" doesn't believe in using metal or wooden tools to kill goats. The cult will refer to you as "Wrestles With Goats." Eventually, you'll realize that this is a stupid cult and become a bum on the streets of Boise, Idaho, living off of the kindness of strangers and stolen apples. Then, you're gonna get a job working in a bowling alley, but not until you start smoking and your voice changes, because you can't work at a bowling alley unless it sounds like you have been smoking for your whole life. Upon quitting your job at the bowling alley, you'll buy clothes from 1986, make your hair really frizzy and move to Voorheesville, working at the SuperValu. In your spare time, you'll become a bus driver, and you'll forever be known as "Peggy." And this will all happened because you let Mini Rosey Posey have the keys to the Cadillac. So please take my advice. You don't want to become a Voorheesville woman.

I was wondering this morning if all parents think their children do the most horrible things that other people's children do not do. For example, my four year old is always trying to escape-except of course when I tell him to go outside and play. Do other people's children escape or is it only mine? I have no memory of my brothers trying to escape, and my mother assured me they did. As a matter of fact, I recall a time when my middle brother was 8 (he is now an 18 year old freshman at Cornell), he and my mother got into some fight and she told him to take a walk until he calmed down. He took her advice, walked to Sam Goody to purchase himself a Michael Jackson tape. My parents called the police on him and they found him right away. So other people's kids do escape and actually go further than the backyard.

I was feeling a little better about not having the world's worst kids until I received a phone call from an old acquaintance. I was dozing off due to Posco's reading lesson when my friend called. Everyone who was sitting calmly and sedated started running around, tossing things, grabbing cookies and undressed the baby from the waist down who proceeded to leave a present for me on the floor that was intended to stay in the diaper. All it takes is a 15 minute attempt at an adult phone call and now I feel "done" for the day. Dh will not be home until 9.30, seven hours and counting, Ugh.

My daughter, husband and I were flipping through the channels last night. We stopped at a woman performing a song and playing the guitar. At first we could not figure if it was a man or a woman, but she sounded like a woman. Then I pointed out to my husband "no, it's a woman; she is a lesbian..." and I whispered the word "lesbian". My daughter, to my surprise, said "oh, she is?" and my husband said "Yes because she is wearing a rainbow shirt."

I do not know what it means that my homeschooled ten year old is not unfamiliar with the idea of homosexuals being on television, or in life in general. She knows our philosophy on the practice of homosexuality (it is wrong), yet it is something that is not surprising to her, and may even become "common."She does not understand the entire practice, by the way, except for a man choosing a boyfriend or a girl choosing a girlfriend. Truthfully, the concern is not so much for my children, but just for our society as a whole when any type of deviant behaviour becomes common. At what level to we stop lowering our standards for right behaviour or wrong behaviour?

Yesterday's High Mass went very well. It was just lovely. I often wish I could devote more attention to my missal, but it is very hard with small children.

My father was very nervous, but he did very well. It was so neat to see him in Traditional vestments and even a biretta.

Father announced before the Mass that this was the first true High Mass done in the Albany diocese since around 1969. My father is hoping they will make this a monthly ritual.

I do find the Madison's annoying. Also, have you noticed around 1989, Ariel became quite popular? I guess people like naming their kids after mermaids.

Today, Rosey Posey asked me "Mommy, what kind of name is Beyonce?" All I could do is shrug and say "I don't know Baby, I don't know."

I thought this movie was so cute and a lot of fun. I am not sure why it had a PG-13 rating because it entertained the children as much as the adults. I do not know why I get very excited when I see cute and talented children.

A Man With a Black Hat blogged about the High Mass that will be held at my Church this Sunday. My father will be assisiting as the role of deacon in the Mass. It should be very lovely.

I was not impressed. David Boreanaz needs a new look. He is a handsome guy, but he is a little older, a little heavier and the see through black shirts are not working anymore. Nor is the new longer hair.

I was dissappointed because we waited all night long for Spike to materialise, sat through a boring non-story edisode and Spike did not show until the last five minutes.

I really hope Harmony is not a constant character because she will get on my nerves, but I guess I can deal with her cameo appearances more than I could deal with Connor last season.

Gunn looks pretty fly as a lawyer in a suit, that was a plus that had no bearing on anything at all, and it did not compensate for the lame story.

I hope this all comes together much better and real soon. I really hope that Joss Whedon does not wait until the second to the last episode to explain why Angel is now the head of Wolfram and Hart and what this is all about. Who needs that?

Lately it's been medicinal kisses. No matter how hard the bump, how sharp the pinch, Hambet runs up in perfect confidence for a kiss to make it better. The thing that amazes me is that it works!

I actually wanted to share a story that happened just yesterday where I was amazed in the very same way (I know you were talking about St.Therese, but as soon as this happened I had the need to blog about it). Fastolph came up to me with saddest little face because He was riding his bike and fell. He had minor scrapes on the palms of his hands and on his side.
"Mommy, Mommy, I have a boo boo."
"Oh no!"
"Mommy, can you make it better?"
I gave him little kisses on his scrapes and he skipped away instantly smiling and yelling at his older sister "Rosey Posey, Rosey Posey, Mommy made me all better!"
I felt very warm and gooshy inside.