tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85380763115538733392024-03-14T11:17:17.245-04:00We Are New Every Dayrandom vignettes from
this domestic churchWaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-2943663463024468482016-02-15T16:46:00.000-05:002016-02-15T16:46:27.802-05:00But I'm stuck in colder weatherSnow day! Getting even an inch of snow is exciting in these parts. Waking to find 4 inches is thrilling, at least for Irish Jig. After breakfast, those brave enough (it had switched over to sleeting) layered up and headed out for a quick snow ball fight. <br />
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Chasing Daddy with a snowball. It ended badly for her :)</div>
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You'll notice Zydeco is missing. He's smart. He stayed inside, stayed warm, and stayed dry. Jig started the adventure with a hat...somehow it ended up on the mini snowman. Jig is now sporting an awesome case of eczema from the cold...<br />
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Apparently, that's how we roll.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Song lyrics from the Zac Brown Band.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-9908147587838286952015-06-28T18:09:00.001-04:002015-06-28T18:09:31.125-04:00Love will keep us together (well, love and a few other things)When the subway art trend hit popular culture, I was as enamored as the next gal. I was attracted to the funky art styles and even printed a few <a href="http://eighteen25.com/printables/">Eighteen25</a> fun ones for teacher gifts. I also liked the idea of a family rules type sign for our home. As I searched Pinterest and Etsy, though, I found that the ones readily available for purchase didn't quite reflect our family's attitude. I don't really need a sign in our main hallway reminding us to brush teeth or wash hands. I was looking for something with a little more depth of character.<br />
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I realized what I really wanted was a sign that stated the traits James and I wanted our family to embody. Once I decided this, I kept a few index cards of ideas floating around with me. I would jot down a character trait to highlight after hearing a great reading at Mass or after having a conversation with a friend. <br />
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Then I discovered Zazzle.com. This site lets you design your own sign and print it in one of several ways. You probably already knew about this site, but here in the <a href="http://www.weareneweveryday.blogspot.com/2013/05/our-house-in-middle-of-our-street.html">House of Lame</a>, we're always behind the 8 ball, so to say. I started working on my design and quickly realized the other very important aspect that bothered my psyche about the ready made subway art - I gravitate toward straight lines and organized design. The cacophony of fonts and squished words in most subway art just makes my head hurt. Enter my own personal, just for our family design.<br />
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<i>WellsKrewe</i> is our long time family moniker and is a nod toward my New Orleans heritage full of Mardi Gras Krewes (social groups that host parades). It's this term that friends and family use to refer to the whole lot of us and it seemed perfect for this sign. This sign describes who we are and what we'll become - ultimately the <i><a href="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/tools-for-building-a-domestic-church.cfm">Domestic Church</a></i> we are called to be.<br />
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We strive to be loving, be truthful, be joyful, be considerate, be thankful, be wise, and be peaceful. If we can successfully achieve these criteria, we'll all be living happily and contented. James and I have started picking a scripture passage to flesh out each trait. The reading matches how that trait should be exemplified by each of us in our home. For example, John 15:12 tells us, <i>"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." </i> While there are numerous scriptures regarding the topic of love, this one simply states what is expected and therefore it's perfect for us.<br />
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What traits would your family put on a tailor made subway art sign???<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-69371275252593527612015-02-26T11:25:00.001-05:002015-02-26T11:25:55.890-05:00Do you want to build a snowman??In this house, the answer to that question is NO. NO. NO.<br />
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This is week two of snow in an area that typically sees about 2" total per year...and those as light dustings, not as a huge dump. This is day 7 of school closings and all my children would rather be in school around their friends and in their normal routines. My office has shut down for three of the days and the main roads were clear enough for me to travel otherwise. Mr. Neoclassic's office uses the <i>liberal leave policy</i> which is really code for <i>we know it's dangerous for folks to travel, but we're not going to actually pay you to stay home.</i> He's taken a few vacation days to sit near the fire, drink hot tea, and read the paper. I'm sewing more purple robes for our church. And trying to keep my toes warm.<br />
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<i>Poor St. Francis seems so cold buried in snow back there!</i></div>
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<i>Snowman #1, sidewalk clearing duty</i></div>
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<i>Snowman #2, driveway clearing duty</i></div>
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For the record, I shoveled the first go round of sidewalks during last week's storm. Mr. Neoclassic is shoveling a path for the dog through the backyard. Our poodle does not like snow and it's very funny to watch her daintily pick her way across her man made path through the yard.<br />
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Meanwhile....<br />
Family games - check. Family movies - check. School project work - check. Sibling fights - check. Parent tempers - check.<br />
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Ah winter - you can officially get the hell out of here. Except it's too cold to be considered hell.<br />
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If a Southern girl suffers single digit temperatures and repeated snowfalls, does she qualify for any sort of advanced LENTEN suffering credits??? I must investigate the possibility.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-25409934063177599902015-02-16T11:42:00.005-05:002015-02-16T11:42:53.962-05:00We remember, we celebrate, we believe!***About that new header picture....I took that photo during our last ice storm. The ravine is close to my office complex and the trees were so beautiful covered in ice. As the winds would blow, sections of the wheat colored grass would just collapse under the ice weight. The moment was both peaceful and eerie.***<br />
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Jazz has been assisting me with a huge project for our church. We are making about 40 poncho style robes for the coming Lent and Easter seasons. Jazz used the alphabet stitch feature on my machine to create size labels for all of the robes. I cut the robes and ran the edges through my serger. The necklines were finished with bias tape for a more sturdy product. All the white robes are now complete and the purple robes are in the serging phase of the process. I've offered to let Jazz serge, but I think she's afraid of the machine speed :)</div>
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Each year, those choosing to study the faith and enter fully into the Catholic Church participate in the initiation programs such as <a href="http://olmc.org/initiation.html" target="_blank">RCIA</a> or <a href="http://olmc.org/comehome.html" target="_blank">Catholics Come Home</a>. Our church also has a wonderful program for younger children entering the Church that is geared toward their level of understanding and attentiveness. These programs culminate at the Easter Vigil Mass when those studying, known as <span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.8400001525879px;">Catechumens</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span> are brought fully into the Church family. Depending on the size of the Catechumen class, this Mass can be very lengthy - think 4 hours. The Mass begins very solemnly and transitions into almost a party atmosphere as we celebrate.</div>
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During Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter), the Catechumens wear the purple robes to visually remind the entire parish of the importance of the Lenten Season. They will attend the Vigil Mass wearing these robes and, following the Baptism celebration, will be robed in the white of rebirth and renewal. Those having been baptized leave the sanctuary to change into dry clothing and return to the worship center donned in white. As this occurs, our parish family is standing to greet them and usually singing <i><b><a href="http://www.ocp.org/compositions/177#tab:mp3s" target="_blank">Festival Canticle</a></b></i>, a song about the victory of our Lord. I love the line, <i><b>we remember, we celebrate, we believe</b></i>, because the whole Mass calls us to remember the journey of our newest members. We celebrate with them and we are reminded of the enormity of our belief and our faith.</div>
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I am always reminded of a very special Easter Vigil Mass in 1995, when Mr. Neoclassic joined our faith in full communion. Having already been baptized into a Christian religion, he celebrated the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. And the proof is in this one Polaroid of the event!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcRddUr5sVbGe_CWa349wG8GeKeVYAcD6xMaVTHIYu9UTrekGTrmDXHRdDCr8ckCpRdThH78mIVpDd_qPuPJ6gnUvBGa_keMwB58VehbkH1exDEFQrbxUCwcFVLx7BBPz3aWGGo0Sntk/s1600/rcia.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcRddUr5sVbGe_CWa349wG8GeKeVYAcD6xMaVTHIYu9UTrekGTrmDXHRdDCr8ckCpRdThH78mIVpDd_qPuPJ6gnUvBGa_keMwB58VehbkH1exDEFQrbxUCwcFVLx7BBPz3aWGGo0Sntk/s1600/rcia.jpeg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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<i>I love his baby face. And my closed eyes.</i></div>
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<i>(And my early 90's hot pink.)</i></div>
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What will you celebrate this Easter season??</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Post title from <i>Festival Canticle</i> by Richard Hillert</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-43922430041981843032015-01-01T19:50:00.002-05:002015-01-01T19:50:13.117-05:00...and a Happy New Year!Since my Christmas cards were mailed <i>DURING</i> the Christmas season, as opposed to the Advent Season, I feel totally justified in posting Christmas morning pictures on Jan 1. This blog is only read by those who know me well, so the delay really won't shock or bother anyone, anyway. Irish Jig suffered a cold for the first weeks of December and was diagnosed the Tuesday prior to Christmas Day with Type A Influenza. <br />
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Joy, Joy, Joy!<br />
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Mr. Neoclassic and I made the decision to quarantine our family. We had a fabulous few days of games, family jokes, movies, songs, and lots of books. By day three, the Tamaflu had done it's job and Irish Jig was noticeably improved. With the rest of us on preventative doses of Tamaflu, we managed to avoid subsequent cases. <br />
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We generally like to attend the vigil Mass because it gives us the opportunity to focus on Christmas, in it's truest sense, long before the gift unwrapping begins. This year, we opted not to attend the Vigil, believing that the crowd didn't need any possible germs from us. We did venture out for Mass on Christmas morning, but were very careful to sit in the back and wave from afar!<br />
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For the grandparents and various family members, here are some of the Christmas morning gifting highlights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzuZQfoV_4VkpH9mvdHfTC8klcb9RTQXhTQweysH3wwHjgkJ0k1MaHsoy5cl0oAteaRU5tiXLGI68p5v9o0EQgUeB5Tat_-1YJPWpVHWwYk2QPP6JpG1pJ8sUa_u7S4b1naZdUpjVNEo/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzuZQfoV_4VkpH9mvdHfTC8klcb9RTQXhTQweysH3wwHjgkJ0k1MaHsoy5cl0oAteaRU5tiXLGI68p5v9o0EQgUeB5Tat_-1YJPWpVHWwYk2QPP6JpG1pJ8sUa_u7S4b1naZdUpjVNEo/s320/IMG_2171.JPG" /></a></div>
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Waiting for the boys prior to stampeding down the stairs for gifts!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tpYrtNluNKpyqdOUlGjsJihRSWSplxBVVXxi06IQERufOrdcvPRwKgbSuaKrUoXJhCxBjOjFmT_sDhYriFeBCc6L_2a3oVa7AoHlqXJudG78XaiBTKFNFRTvtSKDwWPQ7hJs3gOEgw/s1600/IMG_2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9tpYrtNluNKpyqdOUlGjsJihRSWSplxBVVXxi06IQERufOrdcvPRwKgbSuaKrUoXJhCxBjOjFmT_sDhYriFeBCc6L_2a3oVa7AoHlqXJudG78XaiBTKFNFRTvtSKDwWPQ7hJs3gOEgw/s320/IMG_2185.JPG" /></a></div>
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And with one gift, this girl was content and fulfilled. That did not, of course, stop</div>
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her from opening any other gifts....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhRfdRGsYkVKAUElE0aVzGbUkFoERaZDwPdBACuESQzIgjeqk-3Sr-W3BBbAYyB2F-sRYf0CEohKS7HDbvU74vQrBAbp7uFIwUPYsxxdZaWuzs9kX1Rsr5ukTRdvxewaxV8I-i6lhenQ/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhRfdRGsYkVKAUElE0aVzGbUkFoERaZDwPdBACuESQzIgjeqk-3Sr-W3BBbAYyB2F-sRYf0CEohKS7HDbvU74vQrBAbp7uFIwUPYsxxdZaWuzs9kX1Rsr5ukTRdvxewaxV8I-i6lhenQ/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A box of electrical components, circuits, and robot programming gear.</div>
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The expression/ gesture of pure rapture and happiness just cracks me up!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVslRs4cq-oSzvgK-dRubl6w_ELtwgflbUxIr9ZWCxW-nnRNJPLvC4B72jVxhS8SiYs7Ow8GO2pxZy-qGgHKmBC1icR6Rhs9v-ah6HeIDLNRWjr4CaUQ46L4WzvsR7Wtt-vXZTdEpKKs/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVslRs4cq-oSzvgK-dRubl6w_ELtwgflbUxIr9ZWCxW-nnRNJPLvC4B72jVxhS8SiYs7Ow8GO2pxZy-qGgHKmBC1icR6Rhs9v-ah6HeIDLNRWjr4CaUQ46L4WzvsR7Wtt-vXZTdEpKKs/s320/IMG_2186.JPG" /></a></div>
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So very joyful in her little nest of Legos, books, and a CD player for bedtime stories.</div>
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That last one is really a gift for the rest of us, shhhh!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k1HZ_76NIiQJHi3zZQBPIjhYoTkjsUQh71uMwX-eaIcniAstoRwTcJHLstSRkGnsMfPnwtK_Bs6BZyCRzSD8Ayf7xid3auEzW3g7pC89IVDskPjoVTJ5Ngk4HQLww-aqSfdOVwj23XU/s1600/IMG_2190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3k1HZ_76NIiQJHi3zZQBPIjhYoTkjsUQh71uMwX-eaIcniAstoRwTcJHLstSRkGnsMfPnwtK_Bs6BZyCRzSD8Ayf7xid3auEzW3g7pC89IVDskPjoVTJ5Ngk4HQLww-aqSfdOVwj23XU/s320/IMG_2190.JPG" /></a></div>
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Zydeco's hand picked gift for his dad: Shakespeare's Insult Generator.</div>
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This one kept us laughing all day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG3E9kozSunMomjw6I-XYobrx9KPJTBSw8fO9nQ5z5_bELUoVu_p7ppDnp00O2P8GDlk9U_uKk3liJWzAqAcCnrwxiFwBDdIbI5GAfwTKrIg4d_JIy1bavpizYD69raZ4bJutXw39Kgw/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG3E9kozSunMomjw6I-XYobrx9KPJTBSw8fO9nQ5z5_bELUoVu_p7ppDnp00O2P8GDlk9U_uKk3liJWzAqAcCnrwxiFwBDdIbI5GAfwTKrIg4d_JIy1bavpizYD69raZ4bJutXw39Kgw/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" /></a></div>
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Apparently, she could get more excited...the book to tell her what to do with all the Legos.</div>
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A thoughtful gift from Classic Rock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDgXxSE0dbP1r58C6yQAK8338UTjtB4eMwjvR3fiXOizyycAxyABSdZU_fsHJgJQuRk6gLypNOmg0BSFkhOiOMuy58CzSYUhBK3gNMi3rUd_eK40cv-H9IBOME7XJiNqpQYCStghiiVM/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDgXxSE0dbP1r58C6yQAK8338UTjtB4eMwjvR3fiXOizyycAxyABSdZU_fsHJgJQuRk6gLypNOmg0BSFkhOiOMuy58CzSYUhBK3gNMi3rUd_eK40cv-H9IBOME7XJiNqpQYCStghiiVM/s320/IMG_2196.JPG" /></a></div>
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Because somebody has to help this boy dress appropriately...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU8If-IfG0QUnglrdyqT-gI5aVvG6HOR7AWmdHD4Zd5tsdkjH8i0INmUj7ax6wmulsxk_De2oV0XWa4DuH-ol-tKoASKfDisSmDcwF_xvlsy4RPdTlDqLEj9OV213ba7ke-P6VjnNdWE/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiU8If-IfG0QUnglrdyqT-gI5aVvG6HOR7AWmdHD4Zd5tsdkjH8i0INmUj7ax6wmulsxk_De2oV0XWa4DuH-ol-tKoASKfDisSmDcwF_xvlsy4RPdTlDqLEj9OV213ba7ke-P6VjnNdWE/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" /></a></div>
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The only Mama-handmade under the tree this year.</div>
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A crown. But NOT a princess crown.</div>
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(PS - Nana, it has vintage buttons on it from the great box!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKkhyphenhyphenXLnhzqZ4mcwmx8SmOH0r-ek-UE_BTp_jPDNVcO47BQYsiJxPoaUBpaCGzpGZEABeBTJTrPWe4d2JgDNUURM7or9u1bMEraV4QrMkkYmMQ-79hoiAGXYZJvzG0UeuyMQgt8v4Fus/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKkhyphenhyphenXLnhzqZ4mcwmx8SmOH0r-ek-UE_BTp_jPDNVcO47BQYsiJxPoaUBpaCGzpGZEABeBTJTrPWe4d2JgDNUURM7or9u1bMEraV4QrMkkYmMQ-79hoiAGXYZJvzG0UeuyMQgt8v4Fus/s320/IMG_2198.JPG" /></a></div>
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Where's Waldo?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZglofMFwRgziUeFpaTY-Uf-AQKVJLAX7LQtmg_BxRDvL6bwU2B0wqlLnSEaf_5kY6Xf4WNp07t6x7AtpBqkM_pwQEgInwWaPTKGNI-dbxcgzwKOEqPr-6NZMNPgZmk8ON6izl-YUVlZU/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZglofMFwRgziUeFpaTY-Uf-AQKVJLAX7LQtmg_BxRDvL6bwU2B0wqlLnSEaf_5kY6Xf4WNp07t6x7AtpBqkM_pwQEgInwWaPTKGNI-dbxcgzwKOEqPr-6NZMNPgZmk8ON6izl-YUVlZU/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" /></a></div>
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Auntie M: she's polishing the jewelry box mirror so she can see herself :)</div>
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And by loading these pictures, I've realized there is not one single picture of me on Christmas morning! Oops. </div>
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Our family hopes your Christmas and New Year were fabulous.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-56577980448120349612014-12-27T21:45:00.002-05:002014-12-27T21:45:27.329-05:00Joy to the WorldSo this post is a bit late...on Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy, we hosted the annual Gingerbread House Decorating event. We opted to "spice" things up a bit this year by having each participate choose a decorating theme. Possibilities included Harry Potter, Star Wars, Frozen, Legos, and the like. Here are the happy house builders...<br />
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Hagrid's Hut: complete with pumpkin patch and flobberworms.</div>
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Santa's Workshop!</div>
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The start of Sponge Bob: that's Patrick the starfish...</div>
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Supposedly a Princess Castle. </div>
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She did the whole thing herself this year, so I just <i>Let It Go</i>!!! </div>
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Scooby Doo: complete with Scooby snacks.</div>
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Frozen: complete with an Olaf snowman.</div>
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Burning off the sugar high playing in the leaves!</div>
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Pick up football. And trash talk, of course. I love boys!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-4971622851140966482014-12-11T22:07:00.000-05:002014-12-11T22:07:12.745-05:00Tis a gift to be free...For the past several years, I have tried to create the majority of the Christmas gifts our family gives. Either by sewing or baking, we’d create something wonderful for friends and family. This originally started about the time the press reported most of the small toys imported from China were covered in toxic lead paint. I wanted to know that the gifts I gave my children or my nieces and nephews weren’t hazardous.<br />
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We would also incorporate purchased/ manufactured gifts because sometimes, that’s just what is needed or desired. If a small child is begging for Legos, you don’t give them crochet finger puppets. Both excite the imagination, but one is truly more relevant for the asker.<br />
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That all said, this year I realized that a full time job just doesn’t lend enough time to the sewing and creating endeavor. I decided which very few gifts would be handmade and accepted the rest would be purchased. <br />
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But I have put a great deal of thought into <i>how</i> the gifts would be purchased. I want to make my “almighty dollar” make a difference. So I turned to the <a href="http://www.fairtradefederation.org/">Fair Trade Federation</a> website and looked into various retailers offering fair trade merchandise. Scarves, coffee mugs, wall art, jewelry, and so much more are available for purchase. These items ensure the makers, often in depressed societies, are justly compensated for their work and time. <br />
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<img alt="Image result for fair trade symbol" height="320" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="233" /><br />
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Here are a few of my favorite finds this year (click to go to company website):<br />
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<a href="http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/">Ten Thousand Villages </a>(their local retail store closed last year, but their online store is awesome)<br />
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<a href="http://www.serrv.org/">Serrv</a> (their wall hangings and tree skirts make me drool)<br />
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<a href="http://www.projecthavehope.org/shop-.html">Project Have Hope</a> (these are the most beautiful bead bracelets I’ve seen!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.taraluna.com/">TaraLuna</a> (the scarves are exquisite and I selfishly purchased a whole new stack of dinner napkins for our family)<br />
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<a href="http://www.womenofthecloudforest.com/Home.html">Women of Cloud Forest</a> (I want all of the embroidered bags….I can’t decide! Sea turtle? Fruit Bat?)<br />
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The lyric I’ve used today is very old and everyone knows the song….Tis a Gift to be Simple…but we sometimes need a reminder that it truly is a gift to be <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>FREE</b></i></span>. Just knowing my shopping will help someone – a lot of someones if I’m honest about my shopping – be a little more independent and a little more dignified makes my personal Christmas season much more meaningful.<br />
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PS - I didn't include any pictures of the items I bought because I don't want to give away the surprise...shhhh!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-85887900278096208582014-08-26T22:53:00.003-04:002014-08-26T22:53:29.172-04:00I believe that happiness is something we create<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I stopped blogging (you might have noticed??) for the summer. It wasn't expected or intended. It was the result, I have figured out, of not being completely at peace and just needing to step back. My work, while necessary, wasn't fulfilling and I spent a great deal of time feeling guilty for being gone. Lucky for me, a great husband, supportive family, wonderful kids, and awesome friends helped me to remember that happiness can be created. And it has been....<br />
<br />
A new job will be started in about three weeks. A fulfilling and exciting position I will be proud to hold.<br />
<br />
I've posted several snapshots of a summer well spent by this Domestic Church. A summer that included the following:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>MAGGIE:</b> I am pretty sure I haven't mentioned the newest family member. Maggie the standard poodle sort of fell into our laps and we love every curly, large inch of her. She was a rescue, but not hurt or abused in any way. Maggie is wonderfully gently with the children. She loves playing catch and chasing the kids around the yard. The best part is that she came house trained, leash trained, and command trained. The only downfall is that I find myself horrifyingly jealous of her long and lean legs. The short Italian women in me is coveting her neighbor's goods.</li>
<li><b>PAINT and MORE PAINT:</b> I finally stopped the family agenda for one whole weekend and managed to paint Zydeco's room. He's been upgraded to a fabulous deep blue accent wall with the rest of the walls a version of sand. A gift from Papa inspired the color palette. Riding the high of accomplishment, we finally picked a color for the kitchen walls. We'd had various paint sample splotches on the walls for months, so it's nice to have a uniform color.</li>
<li><b>SEWING: </b>In order to stay sane, I found pockets of time to cut fabric and plan small projects. Irish Jig has two new dresses (one involved the piping foot - whee!) and new jammies. I started a sweet doll for Irish Jig that will become a "Tooth Fairy" doll. Halfway through doll sewing, I managed to drop a straight pin into the sewing machine. All sewing is on hold until the machine returns from its tune up. </li>
<li><b>CONFIRMATION: </b> In early June, we witnessed Classic Rock celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was beautiful and the Sacrament delivered with such grace. That grainy picture up there is the blessing with oil. A wonderful family friend stood with Classic Rock as sponsor. This young man has been a quiet but steadfast mentor to our boys and we feel blessed to have had him walk the journey with our son.</li>
<li><b>VISITORS: </b> We joyously welcomed Nana and Papa (my parents) for the Confirmation and a two week visit. It was, according to my children, the best visit ever with their grandparents. My parents would pick them up from school and treat them to lunch out, snowballs, a shopping trip, or just let Classic Rock practice driving them around town. Nana spent an afternoon teaching me to safely launder delicate vintage linens. I took notes! I will post!</li>
<li><b>DRIVING:</b> Classic Rock received his driving permit in December and we've been very good about giving him opportunities to drive. He's quite a careful and deliberate driver. While I am eager for him to just get his license already and run errands for me, he has another month before he meets the age requirement for Virginia. Since Louisiana pretty much handed me a license at 14.5, I appreciate the caution and extra training he's had.</li>
<li><b>BIRTHDAYS:</b> Zydeco celebrated 13 and recently surprised us all by asking to having his longish hair cut much shorter. While the long hair bothered many a relative (Nana), I always figured he wasn't piercing or tattooing, so what did I care? Jazz celebrated 10 with a Fiesta themed party that is worthy of it's own post - note to self. She's taking time each day of her summer vacation to work on a variety of needlework projects and really showing improvement. Classic Rock embraced 16, his driving permit, a summer sailing trip and a week at the NASA Wallops Island facility. And, yeah, I celebrated yet another year....</li>
<li><b>OPEN HOUSE:</b> I always seem amazed and surprised that our home becomes the central party house each summer. The kids' friends are invited over or just randomly show up, and we embrace the chaos. We serve a lot of lemonade, popcorn, and freezer pops. We make the children guests do their own dishes. We listen to many wii competitions and board game <strike>disputes</strike> debates. We (me really) try not to obsess about the constant dirt on the floors by reminding ourselves that we know where the kids are, that they are safe, and that we can overhear every little comment.</li>
<li><b>GOODBYE:</b> Our family said goodbye and good luck to <a href="http://www.domesticallyfrantic.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-end-and-new-beginning.html" target="_blank">wonderful friends</a> starting a new journey. I consoled Jazz as her closest friends moved halfway across the country on their new adventure. I indulged extra sleepovers and took lots of pictures to preserve the memories. I finally created an email for Jazz so that she could keep in touch with her friends.</li>
<li><b>FARMERS' MARKETS:</b> We start every Saturday at either the Smithfield or Williamsburg Farmers' Markerts. The fresh and local produce drive our menus all summer and force us to try new and exciting foods - 8 ball squash?? We've also discovered the wonderful woman in Smithfield with blue egg laying hens. Yum! </li>
</ul>
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Much more has occurred in the Domestic Church, but stopping here allows me more fodder for future posts! Create some happiness of your own -</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title from Sugarland's <i>Something More.</i></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-54438214034697047522014-05-11T19:47:00.000-04:002014-05-11T19:47:00.972-04:00I just took up my place in right fieldHappy Mother's Day!<br />
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My poor little blog has been so ignored for the last month (or more). There are reasons for that and I'll get to a newsy post soon. Today, though, I want to share how my Domestic Church touched this mother's heart.<br />
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Earlier in the week, I was asked how I'd like to spend Mother's Day. Getting a wonderfully made breakfast is a given since my boys really enjoy cooking. And I agreed to bacon, making Zydeco's own heart sing. My usual answer to how I'd like to spend a leisurely day is <i>"sewing without the pressures of a schedule."</i> <br />
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But this time, I asked my family to stretch themselves. The company I am working for has a wonderful branch that encourages and supports community involvement and volunteerism. We certainly do both of those in this Domestic Church, in many ways and forms, but the company offers new and various avenues we've not explored. My family agreed to try something very new.<br />
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We donned our logo'd tee shirts and headed across the water to help with a very special Little League game: a game for special needs children. Explanation of the Challenger Jamboree is <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/Page59252.aspx">here</a>. We all stepped outside of our comfort zones to "buddy" a child during the ball game. We played in the field, cheering and offering encouragement while also providing a watchful eye. We stood near home plate while our buddy player swung at pitches or a tee, then ran with them around the bases. <br />
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<i>(No pictures of the game because I thought it insensitive to photograph other peoples' children).</i><br />
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Classic Rock, a true football fan, put aside his baseball prejudice and really enjoyed his time in the field with his buddy. Irish Jig didn't ask any questions about why a child walked a little differently or didn't speak quite as well, thankfully. She just accepted the fun offered to her by the small boy we buddied. I love the innocence of the young.<br />
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The rock star today was Jazz. She was so nervous and anxious about befriending someone with a special need. Would she be able to communicate? To share? She was buddy to a girl just about her age but with a slower speech pattern. The girl took Jazz's hand and ran her around the bases, laughing and enjoying every minute of the attention. And Jazz relished in giving it to her - all her qualms vanishing in an instant.<br />
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Today, I am so very thankful to be mother to these amazing children. I'd like to believe their hearts are generous because of the nurturing from Mr. Neoclassic and me, but I know the hand of God is playing their hearts to His tune. I'm just along for the beautiful, amazing ride.<br />
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***<br />
On a slightly humorous note, when I received the logo tees from the HR department, they didn't have a tee tiny enough for Irish Jig. Knowing she'd feel left out, I pulled a navy tee from her stash and traced her small hand on the front. I used day-glo orange fabric paint to create a helping hand logo so that hers would mostly match ours. She was thrilled! It's the small things that really make us happy, right?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title is from Peter Paul and Mary's <i>Right Field</i>. So appropriate since Irish Jig, our buddy child, and I played in right field today. And, as my parents can attest, that's the position I played during my high school Catholic Youth sports league tenure!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-24495871774274775932014-03-25T20:49:00.000-04:002014-03-25T20:49:02.237-04:00Gentle mother, peaceful dove<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Annunciation by Francisco de Goya</i></div>
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<i>Image from Art.com</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Today, the Catholic church recognizes the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary and her willingness to accept that which she surely didn't fully understand. The readings of the day are carefully chosen to reflect this day - <i>The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord:</i><br />
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Isaiah 7 & 8 (parts only here):<br />
<blockquote>
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:<br />
the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,<br />
and shall name him Emmanuel,<br />
which means “God is with us!”</blockquote>
Psalm 40:<br />
<blockquote>
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.</blockquote>
Luke 1: 26-38 (parts only here):<br />
<blockquote>
And coming to her, he said,<br />
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”<br />
<br />
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.<br />
May it be done to me according to your word.”</blockquote>
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I heard these readings during women's Bible Study this morning and found myself revisiting the words and messages throughout my day. I met a great friend for coffee and long overdue conversation. I spoke with my own mother and shared funny vignettes from our home's last few days. During all of the little parts of my normal "mothering" today, I reflected on this great event, this young woman's willingness to be mother for us all.<br />
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I also let the idea of mother remind me of the wonderful mothers I know: my own (of course), my mother-in-law (hysterical), my sister, and fabulous friends. All these inspirational women that make my own mothering journey more fun, more sensible, more loving, and more palatable (just being honest). Women my own age who are in the same stages of mothering adventures and women who have "been there, done that" and offer valuable hindsight thoughts; women who love this crazy adventure as much as I do and are as thankful to the Lord for the opportunity.<br />
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Many years ago, while hugely pregnant with my third child (Jazz), I reluctantly rolled (literally) out of bed and dressed for Mass. I was tired, achy, hurting some, and not wanting to leave the comfort of my bed and my fuzzy jammies. As I left Mass, a wonderful member of our congregation stopped me to offer words of encouragement. With eight children of her own, she had much encouragement to offer! I just remember her holding my hands and reminding me that my state of pregnancy just meant that, like Mary, I'd said <i>YES</i> and allowed the Lord to create something of his own within me. For just a brief period of time (although those nine months don't always seem brief), we turn ourselves over for His use and become something wonderful in the process - <i>mothers</i>.<br />
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I let that and other encouraging memories of conversations had and experiences shared color my day and make it more joyful. I made cookies with the four year old "just because" and skipped more laundry loads in favor of downloading silly music and dancing up and down the hallways with my girls. We danced to the LEGO movie's <i>Everything is Awesome</i>, some Bruno Mars favorites to remind us that we're great J<i>ust the Way you Are</i>, a few Frozen movie themes, and Katie Perry's<i> Roar</i>. Because sometimes a mother roars. Sometimes a lot.<br />
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And we danced. Badly. And laughed. Loudly. And rejoiced that motherhood gave me all this.<br />
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Celebrate your motherhood today!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from <i>Hail Mary: Gentle Woman</i> by Carey Landry</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-58877912619630694122014-03-14T20:46:00.000-04:002014-03-14T20:46:39.773-04:00Math, Science, History, Unraveling the Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy National Pi Day!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Classic Rock decided he <i>needed </i>to make a pie for National Pi Day and bring it school to share with his favorite math teachers and good friends. After some discussion concerning the mess of cutting into fruit pies (his first choice was cherry) and the inability to keep them chilled (lemon pie), he settled on a straightforward chess pie.<br />
<br />
Be a geek today! Our Domestic Church is, sadly, full of geeks. Some are cooler and higher up on the geek scale, but truly geeks nonetheless. I remind myself that this means my children will rule the world and support me in my old age - when I will eat lots of pie.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from The Big Bang Theory's theme song...</span></i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-73817788260070417982014-03-09T19:24:00.001-04:002014-03-09T19:24:40.977-04:00The Right Tool for the JobMy solo trip through the array of booths at the Quilt Show brought to light a fairly serious addiction of mine. I really love NOTIONS. Those wonderful tools of the sewing, embroidery, and quilting trades are like crack to me. I just <i><b>need</b></i> them and have a very hard time just browsing. I buy. And then buy again. Lucky for me, many are reasonably priced to dang cheap.<br />
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This year's haul was smaller than years' past:<br />
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It would probably be best if I didn't mention the number of needle packets I own. I love having various sizes from which to choose. I blame this disorder on my mother, who for years would come to visit and bemoan my one packet of "Various Sizes" needles. <i>"They aren't like Band-Aids! You can't substitute a different size or shaft and expect the project to turn out well."</i> (Add your own exasperated sigh and eye roll). You'll notice two new packets of needles up there. One has an extra long eye for thicker embroidery threads without the extra wide shaft to match. I will try it out and report back.<br />
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I also have a love affair with thimbles. I collect them, try them out, lose them, replace them. Actually, it's not such a love affair as a horrible tracking system.<br />
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As always, there's a new presser foot to play with. <i>"It was on sale,"</i> I reminded myself, <i>"and you don't have to deal with the cranky local dealer to get it!"</i><br />
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Lastly, I picked up a new pattern for teeny tiny pieced ornaments. Buying them in March surely means they'll be complete for the giving season in 10 months, right? I'm not betting money on that and neither should you.<br />
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A bit of fabric made it into my bag, as well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6A6qA0d9_LnRNhwMrNFOPU2u-m9NdyqeLYbSMCPuyC97PaJz07pnJbbG8RLcikIXiRnEpUL44lpBBdlB_TUVW4CkAAvhAJhn72iOVuycSv4OT0FYCoQ-YpRrDM2HKRrTbZSb4tVLXQ0/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6A6qA0d9_LnRNhwMrNFOPU2u-m9NdyqeLYbSMCPuyC97PaJz07pnJbbG8RLcikIXiRnEpUL44lpBBdlB_TUVW4CkAAvhAJhn72iOVuycSv4OT0FYCoQ-YpRrDM2HKRrTbZSb4tVLXQ0/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdZlX5KeMcMU2TiOmudjDqLMUDoWmr5xIv6Mt2pCR1av7SGwX53HPTXy8Fur8c-J1nXbDmJG22pO7Ou33ru_Wz-t8zwEVS8g4MSkKvpMk6bZGjNAFgAgzBbyiH7OkFJFqDhng5o4W508/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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These are for a table runner project that's been mulling around in my head for a year or so. I have several other veggie and fruit prints in the stash and, finally, a dimensioned pattern on paper. Now all I need is my New York sewing buddy to come home for a week or so and pull out the embroidery machine.</div>
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The last bit of fun fabric is a gift (Spoiler Alert - Karen):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxsU8RQJ_pT9ds4VbkEhcDSkXdjFgOG2nKinS1sfrlaw4CoSWDx8tdXTN4e2m2kCJe0jiBE3QRGu4lPVSomcWNMCvxNqkrmvYXHYj7f8T0zeySTOS2RJTG2jy_a7RbmO9_8TBeBwa8j0/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxsU8RQJ_pT9ds4VbkEhcDSkXdjFgOG2nKinS1sfrlaw4CoSWDx8tdXTN4e2m2kCJe0jiBE3QRGu4lPVSomcWNMCvxNqkrmvYXHYj7f8T0zeySTOS2RJTG2jy_a7RbmO9_8TBeBwa8j0/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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You asked for SKY and I found what I could. The upper piece (which could have used an iron prior to photographing, lazy me) is an ombre print. Depending on where you cut into the fabric, the shading and gradation will be different. It's more of an aqua than a true sky blue, but still beautiful. <br />
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Karen, my intention is to mail it soon and then just send a post-it note for Christmas saying, <i>"remember that package of cool fabric." </i>The reality is that it will probably arrive for Christmas.<br />
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Thanks for letting me share. Maybe soon there will be a project picture of something actually completed? We can only hope.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from Marcia Ball's <i>The Right Tool for the Job.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-90961666136053099652014-03-02T13:53:00.002-05:002014-03-02T20:23:42.713-05:00And I count it all as time well wastedI spent most of Saturday at the annual Quilt Show. Due to crazy schedules and children with activities, my buddy Jannette and I had to forgo our tradition of giggling and ogling through the exhibits together. She visited on Friday, texting me during the day with messages of quilts not to miss or exciting new booths of notions to check. I visited on Saturday, texting back with commentary on the quilts she'd told me to find. Not as fun as if we'd been together, but still exciting to see the hard work and planning of other artists.<br />
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Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWZqiNvzoutBBsFbojdUuOi_sv33WKjSFEPQB3DxUZA8dSj6qWET_VZmnkYJJ6LW9i59JIJ4fUwxfIunuow1Dg4M8Yyv-IJnulC0ZlkzOku9Lwpb0stnA0RW2QEBLnj5oTDXKCUZKX4/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlWZqiNvzoutBBsFbojdUuOi_sv33WKjSFEPQB3DxUZA8dSj6qWET_VZmnkYJJ6LW9i59JIJ4fUwxfIunuow1Dg4M8Yyv-IJnulC0ZlkzOku9Lwpb0stnA0RW2QEBLnj5oTDXKCUZKX4/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>For my SIL, Karen - a landscape with beautiful sunset. I wish you'd</i></div>
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<i>have been there to study the stitching. It's way more work than</i></div>
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<i>I'd be willing to do.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDrBHEt_h4zIcYskEfHz2p7BIAAQahAx6SabnrcH06KVK5aKeK-0MhroMt7BmQZbbtDyWv9RXz9vtiv9De_gPalmJT33Ji1py5L1aCCWo99ZwkIXzC5Xd6c_poWiJriSZVmn4aqAu_fI/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDrBHEt_h4zIcYskEfHz2p7BIAAQahAx6SabnrcH06KVK5aKeK-0MhroMt7BmQZbbtDyWv9RXz9vtiv9De_gPalmJT33Ji1py5L1aCCWo99ZwkIXzC5Xd6c_poWiJriSZVmn4aqAu_fI/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>The points of the center stars were amazing. This is the show winner.</i></div>
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<i>The beauty of the work was detracted slightly, in my opinion, by</i></div>
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<i>the huge fake gem glued to the center of the star. To each his own, but</i></div>
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<i>I would have left it out.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsHk2DF5rVcecNEBBqWwWoRKd1DqKbLilLm2nHNctNEToh3tiDHtZKGWcXZadPbbDQG45C6z2rdgDUme2-v386P7p9L227a2YvYusziFjUOLUzK1ilt3X1jAT-aiggMZKyOKL_5ghAM/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zsHk2DF5rVcecNEBBqWwWoRKd1DqKbLilLm2nHNctNEToh3tiDHtZKGWcXZadPbbDQG45C6z2rdgDUme2-v386P7p9L227a2YvYusziFjUOLUzK1ilt3X1jAT-aiggMZKyOKL_5ghAM/s320/IMG_1159.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>This reminds me of a cathedral window. Such beautiful piece work.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI_hcNVzpbaKxUpFqVri0veCnZI8S-9ozVImh82p5X74Db_jFPPI1yhEBjydrMXi_IwFca8Vqgm2BuCUleowthNFS7Q7_ncKVprYSu-jAnPM-_tl4lmFxCjW_JIUB9-QTQ7swMs5Ui-E/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRI_hcNVzpbaKxUpFqVri0veCnZI8S-9ozVImh82p5X74Db_jFPPI1yhEBjydrMXi_IwFca8Vqgm2BuCUleowthNFS7Q7_ncKVprYSu-jAnPM-_tl4lmFxCjW_JIUB9-QTQ7swMs5Ui-E/s320/IMG_1156.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i>I see a bad moon rising!</i></div>
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<i>(sorry, couldn't resist)</i></div>
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As always, there were some pieces displayed that just made me wonder why all that work? Why cover a beautiful fabric creation with glitter, faux jewels, or plastic? It seems strange to me. But then, my mother would tell me it's because I'm an engineer and can't think outside of my box. <i>"It's art"</i> she says. <i>"It's not something I'd want to wrap up in on a cold day"</i> I say.</div>
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Here's our favorite in the <i>Not My Choice but Very Interesting Nonetheless</i> Category:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURm8frSBcpfvLnq6uKFAvcHALK6WG33EBoCn5rWlok8mTGEykvQriDQ7P92Ju1XstjFr7SII_bi99V7ldn3hgcNX60MdseEG-fWCKpnxYoOo_lRZh5XfeAy7Bx0cUON5BCtiA_CHYm5w/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURm8frSBcpfvLnq6uKFAvcHALK6WG33EBoCn5rWlok8mTGEykvQriDQ7P92Ju1XstjFr7SII_bi99V7ldn3hgcNX60MdseEG-fWCKpnxYoOo_lRZh5XfeAy7Bx0cUON5BCtiA_CHYm5w/s1600/IMG_1162.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>It's absolutely stunning - there is no doubt about the level of workmanship.</i></div>
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<i>It also looks like the Martha Stewart craft aisle exploded onto fabric. It contains glitter,</i></div>
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<i>beading, jewels, sparkling bubbles, and paint. Wow!</i></div>
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Other really cool works I found:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrkq3TVVf-SIxmidrQnFoZ0T8wKZxIMq6PjuFRk0fMzdWD4eBbkdR_ZqpESPdgCvcEtatIE3WJIwidjilzM0zN2USupF5gWHmCqQO8ZTi3ehQiCPzIgmdE2ejxK1SSjT_Mw8gi8Sx3uE/s1600/3+mar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrkq3TVVf-SIxmidrQnFoZ0T8wKZxIMq6PjuFRk0fMzdWD4eBbkdR_ZqpESPdgCvcEtatIE3WJIwidjilzM0zN2USupF5gWHmCqQO8ZTi3ehQiCPzIgmdE2ejxK1SSjT_Mw8gi8Sx3uE/s1600/3+mar1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Made by a Newport News Shipbuilding employee for her retiring supervisor. It contains a Mariner's Compass at it's center, surrounded by photos of the supervisor's history with the company. I particularly appreciate the corner applique concerning the FORD class - the first ship Mr. Neoclassic has been a part of from beginning design to final construction.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Y_UfVCmXyFNOVddX3H8eQF0abUqGpTHkZfoLJalFRiKCzy5joayAEdhT2r_Aia_h1d7TwAk5YvmJgj_Jkl8wTLx5G38su4fTyaeI-jFxAu0NLBPqluwp0X4RqniuQB1aubNxodw0uk/s1600/3+mar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Y_UfVCmXyFNOVddX3H8eQF0abUqGpTHkZfoLJalFRiKCzy5joayAEdhT2r_Aia_h1d7TwAk5YvmJgj_Jkl8wTLx5G38su4fTyaeI-jFxAu0NLBPqluwp0X4RqniuQB1aubNxodw0uk/s1600/3+mar2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>A wonderful rendition of a young Amish girl. The bow tie quilt is actually appliqued</i></div>
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<i>to the bigger quilt, as you can see in the chicken shot at the right. Such a </i></div>
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<i>cool technique. The grass and feather detailing was stunning.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWkhr7QmRh7dW39PyNJKZmtsnrtQ7JijKxmMPicRZ9WMnyvp8yb-coN6FInSdbfyqK1-DkbenGuT666BYLv9tCAXvjPyvavn8Qdqnfy6HMvCUtcHVCQ-6QXNJT4vCXQ44T0-Y60LuxbM/s1600/3+mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWkhr7QmRh7dW39PyNJKZmtsnrtQ7JijKxmMPicRZ9WMnyvp8yb-coN6FInSdbfyqK1-DkbenGuT666BYLv9tCAXvjPyvavn8Qdqnfy6HMvCUtcHVCQ-6QXNJT4vCXQ44T0-Y60LuxbM/s1600/3+mar.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>While a fish isn't really my choice of wall art, this piece was beautiful.</i></div>
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<i>The fabric choices really representing scales, water, and seaweed.</i></div>
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<i>The fins were further defined by beaded embroidery.</i></div>
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<i>Which begs the </i><i>question, "How do you wash this?"</i></div>
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My next post will detail a few of my purchases and some projects upcoming with those purchases. I enjoyed sharing the show with you. Maybe you'd like to come with me next year????</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Post title from Brad Paisley's <i>Time Well Wasted.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-52174731258282868172014-02-16T21:37:00.000-05:002014-02-17T07:16:29.345-05:00Friday finally came aroundWhile Mr. Neoclassic enjoyed a Friday evening out with a few of his good friends, I hosted Jazz and her friends for an overnight party. I'd planned to show a fun romantic, Valentine's movie (age appropriate, of course), but was outvoted. The crowd, including Irish Jig and Zydeco, voted for <i>Despicable Me 2</i>. We turned out the lights, hooked up the sub-woofer and covered the den in popcorn bits. After the movie and Irish Jig's bedtime, I pulled out the paints and had the girls finish a Girl Scout project for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWFUvIfy3c0VgKR-7t35q-BtsGMbVbn34-uAexclrGbvN7qYIPVX9yTjEi-Ps7JD1CUzRhQA0hmrXGvyQhQGFZUXaPSaOFZVElP8hKvMREKi7-E9BgYMQsIWZpHD6Vp82geiS9JZS3O8/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWFUvIfy3c0VgKR-7t35q-BtsGMbVbn34-uAexclrGbvN7qYIPVX9yTjEi-Ps7JD1CUzRhQA0hmrXGvyQhQGFZUXaPSaOFZVElP8hKvMREKi7-E9BgYMQsIWZpHD6Vp82geiS9JZS3O8/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Recycled Halloween tablecloth for spills.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx9-zqHOymcCzKWhaTbAWBzYFnYkMBv8EyDw54hoon345yoBjDdi4Q45acgcbd-e8UP7hW2t4sSvVn7owkJQ0_HzCOsgL1wlnhZHRrVeDGkDsRxLH-ANvJlIjYh3YFmHIMTfe7lkIO-c/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx9-zqHOymcCzKWhaTbAWBzYFnYkMBv8EyDw54hoon345yoBjDdi4Q45acgcbd-e8UP7hW2t4sSvVn7owkJQ0_HzCOsgL1wlnhZHRrVeDGkDsRxLH-ANvJlIjYh3YFmHIMTfe7lkIO-c/s320/IMG_1111.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lower lip biting for concentration.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Kaitlyn and Hannah (my good friend <a href="http://domesticallyfrantic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jannette's</a> girls) are Jazz's closest friends. They are also in our sweet little Girl Scout troop. The whole troop worked its way through a Journey book and decided their service project would be creating manipulative games for a local preschool (Irish Jig's). The troop spent a recent meeting cutting felt for a different project and we just didn't get to the painting for this matching/ sorting game. With all our lost snow days, we don't have Troop time to finish this last project and we were going to skip doing it...until I realized I had three wonderful painters at the ready.<br />
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Their commentary and conversation is always hysterical. They get into their "art" zone and start discussing events at school and church, funny stories, and the latest music, movies or good snacks. Their guards drop and I hear it all. It's great fun and very informative!<br />
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Once finished and dry, we let Irish Jig road test the game.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She had a blast picking up the correct colors for each can and then carefully placing the peg people along the can rims. I am happy that our Troop used a bit of recycling in the project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you'd like to make your own set, here are some suggestions:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Use a quality can opener. Mine crimps the open edge to eliminate the sharp and dangerous edge. </li>
<li>Cleaning the cans well goes without saying, right?</li>
<li>Apply a quick layer of spray primer. This helps the paint adhere to the can much better.</li>
<li>Use non-toxic acrylic paints. For little people who might place something in their mouths, it pays to be safe. We used higher-quality tube acrylics.</li>
<li>Sand rough edges/ spots on the peg people first. These were donated to the troop and weren't the highest quality, so there were some rough spots. I didn't want little fingers to get a splinter.</li>
</ul><div>The biggest hint/ reminder I must always give my OCD/ Type A self when watching smaller people create their work is to <i>BACK OFF!</i> Not every spot of wood or can is perfectly covered with paint. There are brush strokes showing. That's okay. These girls (and the rest of the troop that did the other projects) put their heart into creating something wonderful for someone else. And that is the lesson no amount of badge earning can teach.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from The Judd's <i>Girls Night Out.</i></span></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a></div>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-11526112324528098052014-02-08T09:48:00.003-05:002014-02-08T09:48:38.987-05:00Oh rise up, Fruit Loop loversI know it's been a bit quiet here on the blog. I am really enjoying the work I'm doing and the company I'm doing it for, but I am feeling the pinch of time that comes with hours spent away from home each day. For that reason, I'm hoarding my family time in the evenings and not really spending much time here. <br />
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That said, I've been wanting to share with you a sewing project from prior to Christmas. I love to make gifts for some of the teachers who give their time, talent, and heart to my children. Classic Rock and Zydeco have decided that they are too old to walk into school laden with gifts, but Jazz is all about something fun and pretty for her teachers.<br />
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This year, she has a four main teachers - two men and two woman - and we wanted a gift that was useful, colorful, and not overly feminine. Enter the humble placemat:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw1bT1IWpfaPDG-s0GHreW2-mLhY6v-vPYlcdIdYQpgZgPKx2cIHWHTU_G3LBt-WT6SVLS6rJjERDBt9yWBnmccQAcdm22msMFEiw_az8fzUxog20Cpu23Dy-l4Ah02w3OkKk5He7QaQ/s1600/IMG_0887_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw1bT1IWpfaPDG-s0GHreW2-mLhY6v-vPYlcdIdYQpgZgPKx2cIHWHTU_G3LBt-WT6SVLS6rJjERDBt9yWBnmccQAcdm22msMFEiw_az8fzUxog20Cpu23Dy-l4Ah02w3OkKk5He7QaQ/s320/IMG_0887_1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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When rolled, it fits easily into a laptop bag or backpack. It's personalized for each teacher and guaranteed to make them the envy of the teachers' lounge. When you unroll the placemat, you'll see a handy little pocket for your fork, spoon, and/ or knife. And a matching napkin is tucked up in there as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKL6DTZzxkDEONWt-4uRo4OsXzN92eaeIIN7fLhsxsfAqQrbJhST4RopE6ppow8FfdAByxIMn1g3kyYejFZJop0G2jpPJU_cwntqrD1xbpWMBLtejb5755TbUuq0NdgkGBvgZf6m0Nz4/s1600/IMG_0884_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKL6DTZzxkDEONWt-4uRo4OsXzN92eaeIIN7fLhsxsfAqQrbJhST4RopE6ppow8FfdAByxIMn1g3kyYejFZJop0G2jpPJU_cwntqrD1xbpWMBLtejb5755TbUuq0NdgkGBvgZf6m0Nz4/s1600/IMG_0884_1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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For her wonderful science teacher, who was kind enough to let me take over her class one day and talk all about watersheds, storm water drainage, and environmental practices, Jazz chose swimming fish and swirling green.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpm1wcZrmtwTrB5MEPM6YctSScPXCO4_BeBVE1NhJKC9xHv6sLTtTnGFzVmFRH_FVk7wo0HycbOK5nPyjOEDTor-gjSaBvRKochWsl210IHtlD_WngnadsCxFv1fuI4XNpFwThXJpXNM/s1600/IMG_0885_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpm1wcZrmtwTrB5MEPM6YctSScPXCO4_BeBVE1NhJKC9xHv6sLTtTnGFzVmFRH_FVk7wo0HycbOK5nPyjOEDTor-gjSaBvRKochWsl210IHtlD_WngnadsCxFv1fuI4XNpFwThXJpXNM/s320/IMG_0885_1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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For her history teacher, a male, who encouraged them to memorize Patrick Henry's famous speech and truly made the colonization of Jamestown come to life, Jazz chose what she thought looked like fireworks and represented the New World.</div>
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For her cherished homeroom and math teacher, Jazz picked out the most geometric and colorful fabric she could find. This is the teacher who writes all his word problems based on the menu at his beloved Taco Bell. His humor and devotion to his class is greatly appreciated and I am so thankful that Jazz has been in his class for two years!</div>
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This fun, swirly, out-of-the-box pattern was chosen especially for Jazz's SAMS teacher. [Students Achieving in Major Subjects] This lively and vivacious woman gets one day a week with the students to challenge their thinking, ignite their imaginations, and cultivate their teamwork skills. Her class is so much fun and I've tried to sneak in and play along. Apparently, I don't pass for a fourth grader.</div>
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As for the construction details on the placemats, I read many tutorials and hodge-podged my favorites. I cut the top, bottom, and batting (Warm & Natural) about 1/2 larger all around than the finished size I desired. I cut a 3.5" wide strip for the pocket, folded it in half at the short ends, tucked under the raw endges, and stitched it to the front piece. I spray basted the main layers together and either free motion quilted or stitched diagonal lines across the piece (but not the pocket area). My free motion quilting needs a lot of practice, so I liked the straight line look better. I made corresponding bias tape for the bindings and ties. I really love to make bias tape! I'm geeky that way.</div>
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I have another project to share soon. I finally finished something for Zydeco and it really needs to be seen. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Today's post title from the hilarious<u> Breakfast</u> by the Newsboys.</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-39762530332435593912014-01-29T12:25:00.004-05:002014-01-29T12:25:28.169-05:00And we'll make snow angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Taking one for the team.</i></div>
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<i>Gangnam Style? Really?</i></div>
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<i>With a little help from my friends</i></div>
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Thanks to Zydeco, we have photographic evidence of our first winter storm. Classic Rock kindly and selflessly headed up the outdoor playtime. Irish Jig giggled and shrieked her way through her very first ever snow play day. Lots of hot chocolate and cookies were consumed. It's a requirement, I think.<br />
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Four days of school were missed and all of Classic Rock's semester exams were cancelled - not that he minded one bit!<br />
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Mr. Neoclassic and I were at work, sadly, and missed the fun. Yes, I did say I was at work. I started a part time, temporary position just prior to Christmas. I am spending just a few months helping a friend's company clean up their client data bases in preparation for tax season. I am really enjoying the opportunity to contribute to our household, but I admit to missing my lazy afternoons with my children. All will balance out soon enough....<br />
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Last night, wave two of the storm - or maybe just another one - hit and dumped more snow. About 6-8" inches this time and my office is shut down for the day. The boys reluctantly headed out to shovel the driveway runners for Mr. Neoclassic. Jazz chose to stay indoors, but Irish Jig was jumping up and down to play in the white stuff. I dressed her as warmly as possible considering she won't wear pants. There were many layers of stockings and leggings. After her first face plant in the deep snow, I accepted the inevitable and dressed myself for snow.<br />
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<i>That's me, looking like a lumberjack. We don't own any type</i></div>
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<i>of snow clothing and our hobbled together look is really quite humorous.</i></div>
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<i>And sad.</i></div>
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<i>Another face plant.</i></div>
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<i>A parade of snow plows. It's the closest thing to a Mardi Gras parade that we'll get.</i></div>
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After the snow fun, everyone gathered in front of the fire and the usual commentary of boredom began. <i>"Can we invite a friend over/ I'm bored/ How much tv can we watch today?"</i> I called my girlfriend Karen and arranged a prisoner swap. I mean <i>play date.</i> They live several blocks down the road and are willing to drive in snow, which I am not. Our youngest three are currently at their home and will be returned in a few hours. I'll keep their children here while both parents conduct business conference calls. I do love good friends.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from Sarah Hart's <i>Snow Angels</i> - so beautiful and fanciful!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-42670623250136165702014-01-21T17:47:00.000-05:002014-01-21T17:47:08.987-05:00Live a life worthy of your calling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mr. Neoclassic and I are taking an exciting journey together. We used our weekly "date night" to join with many other married couples in our church parish to begin a video series all about marriage. The series is titled <i>Partners on the Journey </i>and is described on its webpage with the following blurb:<br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Partners on the Journey</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> is a Christian marriage enrichment DVD and study series that combines a Catholic theology of marriage with findings from scientific research, to offer couples both inspiration and practical help. The inspiration comes from the riches of the Catholic faith that give meaning to marriage as a Vocation, a Covenant, and a Sacrament. </span></blockquote>
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Our first session, held last weekend, included a social hour with discussion questions for each table, a short video presentation, a wonderful witness talk by one of the couples, and a few more in-depth questions. The evening's topic was <b>Marriage as Vocation</b> - a calling from God with a challenge to respond. We explored how this Vocation includes a call to Union when we transition from I to We. A call to Holiness occurs when we, individually, join God's desire for each of us to become self-giving. Further discussion showed that, through marriage, we experience Wholeness by becoming our most authentic selves with our spouses. This is the part where we learn marriage isn't all roses and fancy dinners out, but really is that whole "in sickness/ health, for richer/ poorer, for better/ worse" stuff. (And wasn't that a hard lesson some days!) Lastly, we looked at marriage as a call to Sharing Life as we welcome children, care for our community, and/ or become vocal in our visions of the world.<br />
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The team of couples coordinating this Marriage Enrichment Ministry was quick to point out that this is not a marriage counseling event or a "how to fix a marriage" ministry. Rather, we are invited to explore the faith teachings supporting marriage, share among other couples, delve into our own relationships, and, most importantly, have a great time together.<br />
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We are both looking forward to the remainder of our Journey series and our time together!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title is taken from a very old hymn (from the 70's!) that I remember singing in Mass. I cannot find reference to it anymore, which is sad. I think the title is There is One Lord, One Faith. Papa? Care to chime in on this one? I know you have the answer!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-66787574614407758572014-01-14T17:03:00.001-05:002014-01-14T20:24:12.686-05:00Simple things mean a lot to me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Both of our girls enjoy playing make believe. Jazz prefers to immerse herself in Lego creations that involve secret rooms, worlds, and incredibly complex story lines. Irish Jig prefers the menagerie of hand-me-down Littlest Pet Shop friends. They can pass hours with these toys, working alongside one another and yet totally oblivious to each other's presence. A blessing and a curse, I sometimes believe.</div>
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The negative of these manipulative toys, for me, was their constant visual clutter. I worked hard to paint, organize, and decorate their room, and yet these toys (and various clothing articles if we're being honest) were always out and looking messy. I was tired of hounding the girls to clean and hearing: <i>"but I don't want to break down this creation/ set up/ etc...."</i></div>
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Enter my awesomely handy-man husband and my early Christmas gift. During November, he created two matching shallow "drawers," calling into existence the vision I'd had in my mind and described with large hand movements and grand words. Basically a thin plywood base edged in corner round molding, these drawers are about 4' long by 3.5' wide. The front of each drawer is a 2x2 strip with two small drawer pulls attached. With patches of furniture felt on the bottom of the drawers, they slide under the girls' beds with ease.</div>
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Now, putting away toys after an afternoon's fun is as simple as throwing all the random pieces and animals on the drawer and sliding it under the bed. Mama doesn't care if things are messy on that drawer because it's OUT OF SIGHT!</div>
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Ahh, so calming.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title from Carole King's <i>Simple Things.</i></span><br />
<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fkentbrew%2F6851755809%2F&media=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7027%2F6851755809_df5b2051c9_z.jpg&description=Next%20stop%3A%20Pinterest"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_20.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-75645197108842246282014-01-06T21:59:00.002-05:002014-01-06T21:59:48.762-05:00Jesus in disguiseHappy New Year to all my friends and family! You may have noticed that no Christmas greeting card was sent from this Domestic Church. It was on the list of things to do....but the picture taking attempt was abysmal and time became short and precious. My hope is to send Valentine Cards to all we know, reminding them how much we love and appreciate them.<br />
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That's my story and I'm sticking to it.<br />
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Meanwhile, back in the Domestic Church, we spent our weeks off together laughing and lounging in pajamas. As we prepared to reenter the worlds of school and work, we celebrated Epiphany a day early with wonderful readings during Mass. I really enjoy how our Church coordinates the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel readings each Sunday to present a unified message. (Sunday's readings are listed <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010514.cfm">here</a>, if you are interested.) One of our newest deacons proclaimed the Gospel and delivered a spectacular homily. He traced a bit of the Kings' paths across desert lands and pointed out their unfailing desire to pay homage to an unknown King - one of a different ethnicity and of possibly a different god. He pointed out their willingness to accept this unknown child as an equal.<br />
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Then Deacon Dave reminded us all that we are called to accept one another as equals - each made in the image of God.<br />
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That hit home in this household of "he's teasing me!", "she's taunting me!", and so on.<br />
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During dinner Sunday evening, we revisited the message of the homily and readings. We discussed it's impact and implication on not only our family, but also the people of our community and workplaces. Frankly, we don't always agree or like those we work alongside. Do you? Be honest :)<br />
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Jazz perked up and interjected, "<i>it's like Jesus in Disguise!</i>" <br />
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I think I heard angels singing as I realized my daughter was quoting song lyrics. Yes! The crazy gene is definitely spreading into the next generation. I praised her for quoting Brandon Heath's lyrics.<br />
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"<i>Oh, no, Mama. That's from <u>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</u>.</i>"<br />
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Crushed. I'm so crushed!<br />
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To brighten your day on a cold, blustery day, here's a sunny surprise:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkOJQjPW9cNkAFyGOv6Xi357jvtlqzD7Qg4SpSHhsXswHXyqaldLufoHZySrgcy9VKJd-wss96K9Ne6Hs9U-Rohs4h1DVp7fI9SAOCBZKepSJY8ARjfyCtX6JryAYzAEkuAEKmmyo5b4/s1600/IMG_5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkOJQjPW9cNkAFyGOv6Xi357jvtlqzD7Qg4SpSHhsXswHXyqaldLufoHZySrgcy9VKJd-wss96K9Ne6Hs9U-Rohs4h1DVp7fI9SAOCBZKepSJY8ARjfyCtX6JryAYzAEkuAEKmmyo5b4/s320/IMG_5984.JPG" /></a></div>
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We are expected to hit a record low tomorrow. Apparently, we've not been this cold since 1890something or another. Since it doesn't come with snow or pretty ice drenched foliage, I am planning to stay inside and bundled, clutching mugs of hot coffee or tea, and dreaming of steamy August days. Those of you experiencing "real winter" (i.e. Aunt Karen), you are allowed to roll your eyes and laugh.<br />
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Be warm.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from Brandon Heath's <i>Jesus in Disguise</i>, or from <i style="text-decoration: underline;">Diary of a Wimpy Kid </i>, depending on your level of crazy.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-17001650470602732382013-12-20T15:40:00.005-05:002013-12-20T15:40:38.527-05:00I want candy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Gaudete Sunday</span><span style="text-align: left;"> started off innocently enough...</span></div>
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Twelve houses awaited creative minds:</div>
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Then, the candy carnage began...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEL1CEVAeSxvqHXFt8thUCg0XilWXCvyCe7Wp9S6JFeOko6K5CY-UsmSCO9mKQhHQy6iGpZ4L3l6ELM9okhVaKNzNkQPBaZgz5559ox3jlue3auCKRW80f2Qhaz7qKN9IflTHMMgxW1Q/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEL1CEVAeSxvqHXFt8thUCg0XilWXCvyCe7Wp9S6JFeOko6K5CY-UsmSCO9mKQhHQy6iGpZ4L3l6ELM9okhVaKNzNkQPBaZgz5559ox3jlue3auCKRW80f2Qhaz7qKN9IflTHMMgxW1Q/s400/IMG_0813.JPG" /></a></div>
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Zydeco and his friends teamed up against their house. They proceeded to load the roof with</div>
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as much candy as possible, attempting to ascertain the structural fail point</div>
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of gingerbread. All in the name of science, <i>of course</i>.</div>
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Irish Jig grabbed her bag of icing and hits the ground running, so to say. No help or</div>
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assistance needed - and when offered was vehemently denied. Katie took</div>
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advantage of the Jig's independence and claimed a house to decorate <i>her way.</i></div>
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The tongue of concentration is awesome!</div>
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Jazz incorporated gymnastics equipment into her design this year.</div>
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She focused on decorating this house for at least an hour and a half.</div>
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Not too shabby for 4 years old.</div>
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Classic Rock and his good friend adapted the "more is better" approach to creating.</div>
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There was much candy ingesting at that station and not much attention to detail.</div>
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They did create a Twizzler football field, however...</div>
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Our favorite college student (Katie's brother) displayed his knack for </div>
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accounting by aligning his candy columns.</div>
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These two had constantly puffy cheeks because they kept</div>
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squirreling away candy...</div>
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As always, this one conned her favorite people into</div>
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showering her with attention when the decorating fun ended.</div>
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As I milled around the kitchen, watching the candy fray and soaking up the laughter, I was reminded that Gaudete means "rejoice". It's the Sunday we celebrate passing the halfway point of Advent as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. It's also become the official Gingerbread House Sunday, when we rejoice with our friends, thankful always for their continued support, love, humor, and grace. </div>
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The line to one of my favorite psalms cycled through my mind all day:</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice!</blockquote>
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I hope you continue to rejoice with your family and friends as this wonderful Season unfolds!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title from Bow Wow Wow's <i>I Want Candy</i>. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-45509181643951212762013-12-14T07:08:00.000-05:002013-12-14T07:08:24.589-05:00Stockings are hung with care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These are the first official handmade gifts of my year. A set of stockings for our dear friends who, like us, have four children and a mostly chaotic life of activities, jobs, church, and fellowship. Michelle's family traditionally celebrates Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes and, last year, they graciously invited our family to join in the fun. As we chatted prior to dinner and watched the youngest ones battle on the wii, I noticed that only four stockings were hung on the mantle. When I asked their middle schooler where the parents' stockings were, she replied with a nonchalant, <i>"oh, they don't have stockings to fill."</i><br />
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What! That's just crazy talk. Stockings are my most favorite part of Christmas surprising. Mr. Neoclassic and I traditionally set a randomly low price cap - such as $9 - on stocking stuffers for each other. Then we spend part of Christmas morning unloading hilarious paraphernalia including Chap Stick, nail clippers, gum, spools of thread, strange Home Depot $1 bin items for the tool bench, and home-made coupons for everything from a car vacuum to a dinner out. Good times here in the House of Lame.<br />
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When I heard that Michelle and Harry didn't have stockings, I knew right away what their gift would be this year. That was December of last year. I finished them about 3 minutes prior to running out of the house for Thanksgiving dinner at their home last month (story <a href="http://www.weareneweveryday.blogspot.com/2013/12/be-prepared-for-day-god-will-come-come.html" target="_blank">here</a>). <br />
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The details....I googled stocking tutorials and mis-mashed several to create the image I had in my mind. The fabric was bought locally during my mother's last visit and I treasure the experience of mixing and matching patterns and prints with her. We don't get to play with fabric often and it's such fun when we can because she really makes me step outside of my comfort zone. The initials were simple applique with a quick whip stitch to tack them down.<br />
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There are many more handmades in this year's que. Let's hope I continue to find pockets of time to play elf and create :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's post title from Michael Buble's <i>Cold December Night.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-16998474089321899752013-12-11T19:52:00.002-05:002013-12-11T19:52:23.159-05:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The small people's level of excitement is off the proverbial chart. Continuing with our <a href="http://www.weareneweveryday.blogspot.com/2013/11/i-just-want-to-celebrate.html" target="_blank">desire to slow down a bit</a> and enjoy these days together, we used the first Sunday of Advent to find the perfect tree. We loaded the van with snacks, water bottles, the people and Classic Rock's Christmas playlist and headed across the bridge to the<a href="http://www.virginiachristmastrees.org/farms/zuni" target="_blank"> Zuni Tree and Alpaca Farm.</a> We started by simply running through the fields, as Irish Jig exemplifies below:</div>
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Then we tried out our yoga poses: </div>
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Then somebody got <i>"too heavy for my feet!":</i></div>
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Then I played the <i>I'm-older-and-can-tell-you-what-to-do-card.</i> I love having a strong teenager:</div>
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I should mention that in here somewhere, Mr. Neoclassic sawed</div>
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Then he tethered it to the roof of the van. That's when we realized exactly how large the tree is. It's not overly tall - just about seven feet - but it's almost 10 feet in diameter. Ooops! It looked much smaller when I declared it "the ONE". We drove carefully and slowly home, hoping the tree wouldn't roll off the roof in the wind.</div>
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Then this majestic beauty was erected in just the right spot to allow for the train track to clear the base. Zydeco is our chief train engineer since he's the only one who understands how to make the transformer talk to the track. Probably because he sticks to my father's side whenever my parents are in town!</div>
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The girls, especially, check the tree each morning for newly added gifts. Most are for friends, but they are checking for their names. The boys are more surreptitious in their snooping, but I know they, too, are checking. They just don't know that I've stashed their gifts elsewhere until Christmas - hee hee.</div>
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We are also gathering in the evenings to celebrate another day closer to His birth. Classic Rock plays <i>O Come, O Come Emmanuel</i> for us on the piano as we spend time in quiet contemplation. I knew those years of lessons would pay off! We also gather at our Advent countdown. I hope to share that with you soon (spoiler alert).</div>
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I hope your family is also slowing down to enjoy the season, the preparations, each other, and the magic.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-72861544245995768682013-12-02T10:31:00.001-05:002013-12-02T10:31:02.057-05:00Be prepared for the day God will - Come, Come, EmmanuelWith the beginning of Advent following so closely on the heels of Thanksgiving, we really tried to separate the two and make each celebration distinct. We started Thanksgiving morning at our YMCA, helping to prepare the site for the many meals it would serve homeless or unsettled members of our community. Classic Rock and Zydeco, along with Irish Jig, oversaw the games and play time in the gym for any young children that visited. Mr. Neoclassic was assigned to turkey and ham carving, and Jazz and I manned the bread slicing station. We also helped to box and prepare about 160 meals to be delivered to all the first responders on duty around the City. There was much laughter and sharing as we worked along with other families, a group of young enlisted from Langley AFB, and many Y staff members.<br />
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Later in the day, after baking loaves of bread (me) and creating cranberry sauce and bread pudding (Mr. Neo), we joined our good friends for a feast at their home. Their four children almost match in age with ours, making the day joyful for everyone involved. The youngest chased, gamed, and giggled themselves into naps, while the oldest joined the adults for hilarious conversation. Also joining us were Padre Michael and Francisco who were visiting from their home in the mountains of Guatemala. Beginning several years ago, our church parish has been "twinned" with their church parish. We provide support and aid, when needed, as well as pray with and for their congregation. Classic Rock, well into his third year of Spanish, was able to converse very well with our friends. Our hostess speaks fluent Spanish and teaches the language at both the middle school and university levels. She was wonderful at translating back and forth during the day. Padre Michael was quite amused that my three years of Catholic high school Spanish yielded only the ability to ask for a cold beer, locate a bathroom, and recite the Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A prayer that I noted I didn't even know in English. His amusement was that it wasn't a prayer he was familiar with, either :)<br />
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<i>Amazingly, they weren't hungry at dinnertime, but were famished for dessert!</i></div>
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The Friday after Thanksgiving marks our family's official start to Christmas with the appearance of our elf, Sweeney. We don't use him to threaten good behavior, but to heighten the excitement of the season. He started the year with a soothing bubble bath:</div>
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<i>photo by Jazz as part of her Girl Scout badge homework</i></div>
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We made our cookies and gathered for cocoa, laughter and wish lists. Our children came to understand many years ago that asking and receiving were in no way related. They can wish for the moon - or in Jazz's case this year a real horse - but will receive what is most appropriate. Sorry, babe, no horse this year!</div>
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We celebrated the first day of Advent a bit early since I had been scheduled to sing at our parish's 5 PM Mass Saturday evening. Our gathering hymn is the one I've chosen for this blog post, the Advent Gathering Song. Eastern Mennonite University has put together a beautiful version of it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQWxH8hoMWQ" target="_blank">here</a>. I find myself humming it all day now.</div>
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As Mass proceeded and we shared in the blessing and lighting of the Advent wreath, Irish Jig started to melt down. A series of long days and too much sugar did not combine well with sitting on the first pew while Mama sang. I started to hear a bit of whining while I stood at the microphone waiting to sing various responses during the consecration. The whining got louder and I quickly peeked behind me to see Classic Rock holding a fiesty Irish Jig. Just as I was preparing to signal Mr. Neo with the "take her out NOW" distress code, I heard that little tinny voice announce:</div>
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<i>"It's a boogie! A boogie on my finger! Take it off! Take it off!"</i></blockquote>
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As the pew behind them erupted in laughter, I grabbed a tissue (thankfully nearby) and cleaned up the offending finger. The musicians proceeded to shake with laughter as we not so gracefully slipped into the Lamb of God....</div>
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I hope the start to your family's Advent was just as memorable, if not a tad more prayerful.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-90786445014626037562013-11-26T13:24:00.001-05:002013-11-26T13:24:48.107-05:00I just want to celebrate....another day of livin'<br />
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Following a week of Classic Rock's after school practices and tournaments (he's a debater and forensics geek), we realized we'd hardly seen him. That same week saw the completion of successful school projects by Zydeco and Jazz. By the way, successful in our home is defined less by grade earned and more by ability of the child to independently achieve project goals. I'm always willing to review work or help glue, but truly believe the bulk of the work should be theirs. Some might call that lazy parenting. I've decided to be okay with that description :)<br />
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One evening last week, we declared it a "home night". No practices, meetings, swim lessons, or projects were on the horizon, and we decided to tackle a more involved dinner - homemade pizza. While the pizza making isn't hard, the timeline is longer than a usual week night meal. As a surprise, I also concocted pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting because special, slow family dinners deserve special desserts to savor.<br />
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The afternoon started when Classic Rock arrived home at normal time and a small blond fuzzy head couldn't contain her excitement. He's usually left for school when she awakens and her bedtime is long before his tournaments end. He spent a wonderful chunk of time focused on her: <br />
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<i>He constructed a boat, with resplendent sail, for her amusement.</i></div>
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<i>(And mine, but that was completely unintentional)</i></div>
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<i>Laughter, a little family friendly trash talk, and wonderful stories were shared.</i></div>
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<i>Zydeco's diligent </i><i>science project work and attention to his responsibilities</i></div>
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<i>earned him the honor of the celebratory cupcake mat.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPplGnq68WlDcVD4IubcYeA_JRHbiyYpPCqFhdDl2kYTy5WEO16-C5VEZB4k6gQq-mc_PirXoHWk66SukBX6ABQtrgMcPhXMkZE3ZZw2lJ1smNGn_s329L4RVV_mWXUDxole0gdidmelc/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPplGnq68WlDcVD4IubcYeA_JRHbiyYpPCqFhdDl2kYTy5WEO16-C5VEZB4k6gQq-mc_PirXoHWk66SukBX6ABQtrgMcPhXMkZE3ZZw2lJ1smNGn_s329L4RVV_mWXUDxole0gdidmelc/s400/IMG_0605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I purchased the kit for this little cupcake mat at the quilt show earlier this year. It's intended purpose, as indicated by the candles, was for a birthday mat. The suggested wording to embroider was "happy birthday to you". As I stitched the candle pieces down, I kept thinking that birthday wording really limited the use of this mat. At the last minute, I decided to embroider <b>HAPPY, LOVE, JOY,</b> and<b> YOU </b>around the mat. Now, I keep it close at hand and ready to celebrate all the little, everyday milestones our Domestic Church encounters.<br />
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In the midst of the dinner laughter and conversation, I was reminded of the verses to one of my favorite psalms - Psalm 128 [given here in verse form from the musical setting we proclaim at Mass]:<br />
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<i>Blest are those who love you<br />Happy those who follow you<br />Blest are those who seek you, O God.</i></blockquote>
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<i>Your spouse shall be like a fruitful vine in the midst of your home.<br />Your children flourish like olive plants, rejoicing at your table.</i></blockquote>
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This is the psalm most often used at the Mass celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family. A fantastic explanation and reflection of this awesome day is presented <a href="http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/318/Feast_of_the_Holy_Family.html" target="_blank">here</a> by <a href="http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/1/Dr._Marcellino_D_Ambrosio.html" target="_blank">Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio</a>. Showing a true understanding of God's humor and love, our music minister would always schedule me to proclaim this psalm while hugely pregnant! <i>"Your spouse shall be like a fruitful vine...." </i> Indeed!<br />
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As we barrel into Thanksgiving and crash head first into Advent, I will keep the sweet memories of a family dinner, chaotic and messy, and of a doting big brother encased in my heart. For, as Dr. D'Ambrosio suggests, this Domestic Church is truly becoming holy in the trenches of busy family life.<br />
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>May your own family's Thanksgiving be the continuation of something truly holy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title from Rare Earth's <i>I Just Want to Celebrate.</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538076311553873339.post-50336660572937586052013-11-20T11:57:00.002-05:002013-11-20T11:57:40.887-05:00But just look at us holding on<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">20</span></div>
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I arrived home for a weekend visit in March of 1993, lugging baskets of laundry and an empty gas tank. After hugging my parents and retelling great stories about college and senior level design classes, I dropped a bombshell....</div>
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<i>"Oh, by the way, [Mr. Neo] and I were thinking that getting married at Thanksgiving this year would be our best option. He'll be nearing the end of SWOS and being assigned to a ship after the New Year, so knowing where and when to plan for a wedding after that would be hard..."</i></div>
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Yeah, that didn't go over so well with my parents. They were concerned that we were too young (22) and that I had at least one more semester after the proposed wedding date. Additionally, I was asking to plan a wedding in about six months - in New Orleans. This is a city that prides itself on parties and usually requires a year or more advanced notice for weddings.</div>
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But, somehow, I sold the parental units on the idea and my mother - who really should be sainted for this - headed the planning, calling, errand running, and dress beading while I returned to my studies at Louisiana Tech. My father offered the buy-out option several times. A flat sum of money to disappear and elope. Oh, he was just joking - I think.</div>
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And, 20 years ago on this date, we celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage. I can say without a doubt that we were young, really stupid and very naive. I can also say that we understand so much more about this Sacrament now than we even imagined those many years ago. There are days we're still really stupid and very naive, though :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKytwCOkE0NNsJp3Jth-V0A71zjyzPPxClUVVlvAl3XaJFQc6i_QgGWTpQrGRgf6IhVFm_-xycB9ozHf_SuP6Fe-YNmLSyUDvdulr09mb3MA0VgayaaLNZ6hMYJbkYOQthsNPdF6yeUg/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKytwCOkE0NNsJp3Jth-V0A71zjyzPPxClUVVlvAl3XaJFQc6i_QgGWTpQrGRgf6IhVFm_-xycB9ozHf_SuP6Fe-YNmLSyUDvdulr09mb3MA0VgayaaLNZ6hMYJbkYOQthsNPdF6yeUg/s320/wedding.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>I loved his dress uniform!</i></div>
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My grandmother was convinced we'd picked our church just because she'd been married there. I never revealed the truth...that I'd opened the phone book that weekend in March and started calling Catholic churches in the city. I started with St. Ann's and finally found an opening when I reached St. John the Baptist! I'm going with <i>"it was God's plan all along."</i><br />
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During our first six months of marriage, I had to learn five new phone numbers and lived in three different states. We were married five years, I think, before we ever spent an anniversary in the same zip code. I have other military friends who laugh with me about that, understanding the crazy that is military life. Shortly before our fifth anniversary, Mr. Neoclassic left the military to design ships for the military. He loved the work, but not the being away from home part. Not long after that, we welcomed Classic Rock.<br />
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Thanks to our church, we have a record of our family's growth over the last fifteen years! About every four or five years, they create a pictorial directory for the parish. So here's the timeline....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSvn1P3ik4XkVTPU2AYA6Ti1U8Wpd_2iifk5m3M-eDIiMwrJXoZiI-l_5utfDNXOVMz1YSKj2MnEossrseXHgBCCHFr87ANSIsMZtZqY9jOzlWdkxU1gCV_halQW3GasORjBsXJtwVqw/s1600/img064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSvn1P3ik4XkVTPU2AYA6Ti1U8Wpd_2iifk5m3M-eDIiMwrJXoZiI-l_5utfDNXOVMz1YSKj2MnEossrseXHgBCCHFr87ANSIsMZtZqY9jOzlWdkxU1gCV_halQW3GasORjBsXJtwVqw/s320/img064.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>1999, Classic Rock in his jammies.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnRBGio70-0oMS2Z6Djmy0s3a94hL-i0SRaPeUsXh9MM4HPJvZRLt0u-N6H1SCKWmNN9s6BaZ-fDgAEWPZJc677aFZXmd3eqF9aFLQQMHXZPGJVNmJUTU3cjvEB9ENwUGZ86VtXu0ATs/s1600/img065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnRBGio70-0oMS2Z6Djmy0s3a94hL-i0SRaPeUsXh9MM4HPJvZRLt0u-N6H1SCKWmNN9s6BaZ-fDgAEWPZJc677aFZXmd3eqF9aFLQQMHXZPGJVNmJUTU3cjvEB9ENwUGZ86VtXu0ATs/s320/img065.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i>2003, Zydeco's present and we learn to continually laugh - or we'd just cry!</i></div>
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<i>2007, Jazz is present and we lose the man-on-man defense approach!</i></div>
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<i>2012, Irish Jig rocks our whole world, but we still laugh continually and together!</i></div>
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Thanks J for twenty awesome, always interesting, sometimes really hard, always wacky, enlightening years. Oh, and for the four hilarious peeps. Let's hold out for another twenty, okay???</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today's blog post title from Shania Twain's <i>You're Still The One.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Explanation of SWOS <a href="http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/swos/" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54490/46/51586EB5A5CCD58835DB846E88D0CF79.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>WaterWorkshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987624972249534630noreply@blogger.com4