"A Wink and a Smile"

As much as my own mother did what she thought was enough with teaching me the Catholic faith, I'm not sure there was much of any emphasis placed on my Catholic call to political responsibility. In fact, I don't think I even thought much of it until a few years ago. The mid 70's to the mid 80's were the years I was influenced by my faith. Unfortunately I don't think they were strong years. I only went to Catholic school for part of 1st grade before I moved to another state and went to public school. My religious education was called CCD and it was watered down ... weak! Of course this is MY experience and maybe there were plenty of good religious programs out there, but it wasn't part of my upbringing. As a parent myself I really do try my best to know what my children are learning ... in school and in our parish religion program. Of course I know what I teach to my homeschoolers ;) Thinking back to years ago I don't recall my mom really KNOWING AL...

"Thanks to Walmart , I can now give them a Christmas as big as their imagination" as big as their imagination? REALLY? That quote is no joke. My ears really did hear that on television this morning ... in between the countless toy commercials my little ones witnessed. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that a company so big wants us all to want more and give more. It just rubs me the wrong way when I see how commercialized Christmas has become. Over the years I know I have been guilty of buying too much, trying to even the score between girls, and overspending/overspoiling BIG TIME! This year I want things to be different. WAIT! Didn't I say that last year? yeah ... I did All over the internet I have read some great plans for Advent , but it seems in the real everyday world that I see and hear involves women talking great big plans for their Christmas. What insanely expensive and practically out of reach gift they will get their 7 year old ... yikes! The "r...

Six names you go by : Elaine Mommy Momto5minnies emommy5 elect-du-lon (my space name when I was 5 ... lol) Mrs. Sch ... (only the Sunday school kids call me this) Three things you are wearing: Flip flops (shhhhhhhhh ... I know it's November) Gray hooded zip up sweatshirt Clip in the front of my head (need haircut DESPERATELY) T hree things you want very badly right now: A REAL VACATION somewhere I can soak in warm sunlight and hear the ocean telling me to have a yummy frozen mommy drink Certain people to have a real spiritual awakening and know what is the TRUTH For my puppy Auggie to have HEARING ... the deafness is a challenge Three things you did last night/yesterday: Drove around town ... school, art class (for daughter #2), swim team helped with the nightly homework browsed some Catholic book catalogs Two things you ate today: Butternut Squash soup for lunch (homemade and it was YUM-A-LICIOUS) 2 snatched pieces of candy Two people you last talked to on the phone: (I'm not ...

So far it is starting off WELL ... Really great weekend with sunny skies, a longest run, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, Feast of All Saints (beautiful mass and my mom's b-day), and yard cleanup. I love when I can create a list and actually accomplish it. My girls had a blast and were so cute to look at. Little {c} was so excited this year. She loudly spoke "trick or treat" at each house and concluded with a very thankful "THANK YOU!" after receiving her candy. I wish I would have dragged around my video camera. My FLAPPER ... My WITCH ... and my ANGEL ... Today is the Feast of All Souls . I'm not sure I could explain it any better than Karen . Go visit her blog if you can!