The start of LENT is coming up ...

Over the years I have abstained from certain sweets or made promises that would help me to grow closer to God. Some of the ideas were very juvenile and just a bit too easy ... not much of a sacrifice. Last year was a wonderful year where I was able to walk alongside my husband's journey in becoming a Catholic. Up until that point in my life, I never felt more connected to my faith. Suddenly I am one of those crazy Catholics who has filled her home with countless books on the faith, a few statues, and a lot more PRAYER. My life is different, but in a really GREAT way. I'm learning all the time and I just love it!

So I sit here this morning and ponder over what I would like to do or abstain from this LENT.

Hmmmmmmm ...

I spend way too much time sitting on this chair typing away on a keyboard. My life could certainly use a little more time AWAY from this computer screen. Where I once looked at my mommy board (from '01), played around with my photos, and did email; I now shop, surf the net, blog, and facebook ... YIKES! I told my husband that I would maybe give up facebook for Lent. He laughed.

Like Christine I have found myself taking control over the radio in my car. My favorite station is The Catholic Channel on Sirius/XM. Because I spend so much time in my car, I can often listen to Gus Lloyd's "Seize the Day", Greg and Jennifer's "The Catholics Next Door", Leno Rulli's "The Catholic Guy", and "Busted Halo" with Fr. Dave Dwyer. Now I have listened to Greg and Jennifer for quite some time with their old podcast called "The Rosary Army" (my husband actually got me listening to their show), so I feel like I KNOW them. A few weeks back I even told the husband how Greg and Jennifer had their baby. He was like, "Who"? Yes, these people have suddenly become new friends that I have never met ... LOL!

I still listen occasionally to morning radio or The Pulse on XM, but my NEED to listen to The Catholic Channel has bordered on obsessive. My oldest (who is 13) doesn't seem to mind, but then she really has a great amount of Catholic knowledge. She's one of those who really listens and feels a great connection to her faith. Gosh, I really do hope that continues. The middle girls often complain. They would rather watch a movie or listen to MUSIC in the car. The ride to swim team is often met with complaints like "I don't want to listen to THAT CATHOLIC GUY" ... that would be Leno Rulli ;)

So thinking about all my recent (in the last few years) little addictions, I wonder if it is really in my best interest to give them up. Is it reasonable to think I could give up using my computer in this day and age? Maybe I really am expanding my mind and learning a lot from The Catholic Channel.

Hmmmmm ...

What to do?

While sitting here and thinking while I type, I realized how much my faith has grown in the last 2-3 years. There have been some key people who have been very influential in this growth. Maybe giving back of my time would be the best idea I can think of.

This may be one of my my better ideas yet. In just one week, I will be having my jaw surgery. This has caused me a lot of worrying and I've been praying a lot over this. Our country is not in great shape ... in more ways than I can count. I don't always feel like what I do really matters, but if I PRAY, then I feel like I have done something.

Maybe that is the best thing I can do this LENTEN season.

Feeling every bit of 46 ... ugh!

When I was 45, I was feeling fabulous. I was fit, energetic, and I thought I could easily pass for 40;) Age was just a number and I certainly didn't think I felt or looked my true age. Then February 11th came and I turned 46. I have sciatica on my left side, my left knee is stiff, and I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot. I've resorted to stretching all the time and popping the occasional anti-inflammatory. There are dark circles under my eyes that I've had to start putting concealer on. My hair is growing out from last years 45 year old short hair, but it's just in an awkward stage. I can't decide if I want to cut it again or let it grow out. I even thought of styling my hair differently by doing a different hair part. That was a terrible idea because I was SHOCKED to see how much gray is now growing in the center of my scalp. I also think my metabolism is slowing down because my mid section seems a little thicker ... ...

"The Loveliness of The Seashore"

What is the "Seashore" like? "Where the sky meets the sea ... The seashore is a place where the sea and the sky are the same smoky gray until ... the morning sun breaks through. The hot noonday sun feels warm as a big soft cat covering you. And it seems there is nothing in the world except the sound of the wind and the rising and falling of waves." Over at Dawn 's there are so many wonderful books suggested on her blog. Earlier this month I couldn't help but to peek at some of them ... thanks Dawn! *The above quote came from The Seashore Book . The ocean moves in and then moves out. This place where water, sky and earth meet is never the same. The tide comes in, the tide goes out, each wave that returns pushes against the incoming swell as it is pulled back into the endless depths and swallowed into the vastness of an unknown deep. Such is each day of our "daily" lives. I grew up enjoying the sights, sound, and the surf of the NY/Jersey "shor...

A scattered post ...

I throw myself into stuff all the time. It can be anything from the start of a swim season, a new school year, the election, a vacation, an exercise routine etc. I'm kind of in a phase where I really don't know what my focus should be. I turned on the television and honestly, I have no idea what is on this fall season ... NO IDEA AT ALL . If I watched television in the past few months, it was something kid related or Fox News. I NEED A NEW FOCUS. My current thoughts ... reading a fictional, just for fun book stepping up my exercise routine thinking about our Christmas wish lists and shopping baking more ... I really am slacking in this area ways to save money so that we can get a new (second) washer and dryer for the upstairs (not a fancy kind because this would mostly be used by my oldest two children)... I actually have hookups. I wonder if a lot of people go through a sort of "lull" period this time of the year. Surely it doesn't last long with the start ...

Sarah said…

I've been thinking about this too...what to do different this Lent. I was thinking of really really critiquing (sp?) myself and how I spend my time...what I could improve...just like you did, and make some thoughtful, but hard, changes.

10:14 AM

Shelly said…

i just had the thought last night that i would give up facebook - i just joined 2 wks ago and i can already see the addiction growing.. i have to cut that off. it really only makes sense.

last yr i gave up the blog - i never even visited it once. it was soooooo hard to get back into afterwards though. i had no creative writing juices and even less ideas to post about.

may we all grow closer to our Lord during this Lent and always.

11:21 AM

Christine said…

I agree about the radio people. I get these people. They think like me and make me laugh and I can nod my head yes yes...I agree!

I like the rosary idea. I will look into that.

I like teaching because it means I have to do research about ash wed. and about lent and how we are to really fast and think about getting rid of sin for good.

I am amazed how the computer can eat up time.

Pray about lent. Ask the Holy Spirit how to guide you and your family this season.

1:13 PM

Adrienne of Noon To Two and Handmade By Ade Etsy Shops said…

I recently decided to join the Catholic faith. I've been attending Mass with my husband and children for the past 8 years. My oldest two daughters, 6 and 7 years, will be receiving their first communion next Easter, the same as me. My classes won't start until next fall. I am so excited that I've found your site. You are a great inspiration.

Thank you.
Adrienne

3:21 PM

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said…

It is amazing what power prayer has. I will be thinking of you as you go through your jaw surgery and praying that all will go well.

I just got XM radio and have listened to the Catholic channel a few times. It was very informative!

Have a great day!

Jen

4:42 PM

Cathy Adamkiewicz said…

I love the idea of adding something - rather than just giving something up - for Lent.
I'm trying to come up with my lenten plan as well. Keep us posted
In the mean time, friend me on facebook! :)

7:20 PM

Anonymous said…

i haven't commented on your blog but today is the day.

i will pray for Our Lady (Momma Mary) to protect you while you undergo surgery. i will pray that our Dear Lord Jesus guide you during this lenten season. to guide your way as you grow in our beautiful Catholic faith and get closer to being HOME.

by the way...i too am glued to Catholic radio, conferences, EWTN, and all things Catholic. the more i learn the deeper i want to get. it's a journey.

God bless,
Elizabeth

1:04 AM

southernjoy said…

I just looked at the link... Rosary Army is near me! :-)

12:24 PM

Thanks a ton for the kind words and especially the plug for Rosary Army. The world could always use more Rosary makers! A word of warning: get ready to get addicted :)

12:46 PM

"A Wink and a Smile"

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