Live a life worthy of your calling

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 Partners on the Journey and is described on its webpage with the following blurb:

Partners on the Journey 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. 

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 Marriage as Vocation - 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.

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.

We are both looking forward to the remainder of our Journey series and our time together!

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!

But just look at us holding on

20

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....

"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..."

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.

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.

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 :)

I loved his dress uniform!

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 "it was God's plan all along."

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.

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....

 1999, Classic Rock in his jammies.

2003, Zydeco's present and we learn to continually laugh - or we'd just cry!

2007, Jazz is present and we lose the man-on-man defense approach!

2012, Irish Jig rocks our whole world, but we still laugh continually and together!

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???

Today's blog post title from Shania Twain's You're Still The One.

Explanation of SWOS here

Oil of rejoicing grace your head

On Monday evening, I had the great pleasure of accompanying two dozen or so members of our church parish to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia. We joined with seemingly thousands (the Cathedral was standing room only) to celebrate the Chrism Mass. During this once-a-year mass, the Bishop blesses the sacramental oils each church in the diocese will use during the coming year. The many priests of the diocese are also present and they are given a chance to reaffirm their vows.

I had never attended a Chrism mass and was eager to introduce both myself and my candidate Kayla to the experience. During the RCIA classes, the Chrism Mass purposes are explained and the candidates are encouraged to attend, especially since the oils will be used directly on them during the Easter Vigil Mass. It's at this most significant Mass of the Catholic calendar that the candidates become fully embodied in the Church.

Kayla was enamored by the grandeur of the Cathedral. We took time before Mass to visit the museum in the basement, as well as tour the individual side chapels.

The Museum of Virginia Catholic History

During Mass, we listened to the wonderful Diocesian Choir and snapped a picture of my good friend Eileen.  I knew she'd love to see herself in print  :)

Following Mass, the Bishop stood at the rear graciously greeting and chatting with his congregation as we filed out of the building.  He was willing to take pictures and Kayla wanted to meet him.  We waited patiently until our turn and the gentleman in line behind us offered to snap the picture.  It's a bit out of focus, but we had our moment in the sun:

When we reached Bishop DiLorenzo, I thanked him for his awesome homily (it was really good!) and introduced Kayla as a wonderful young woman entering our Church.  He was so excited to see a young person excited about joining and demanded that we bring chairs over so that we could sit and talk!  The young deacon waiting to escort the Bishop to the next event was horrified - sitting wasn't on his schedule.  But sit, we did.  And rejoice!

Today's post title from Stephen Dean's Into the Family of God

Gonna dress you up in my love

You already know how much I adore being able to dress my girls in clothing made or purchased for me when I was a child. I even wrote about the Vintage Collection here.

This Christmas season brings another chapter of the Vintage wear to a joyous end. This sweet jumper was designed and sewn by my mother for my older sister a good 40 years ago. Sadly, there's no picture we can find of her in the jumper, but here's one for the albums:

Is it wrong to love the little flash of frilly panty combined with the facial expression?

My mother was so very careful about storing our clothing for future generations. I have many dresses, jumpers, pants suits (it was the 70's people!), coats and crochet wear that was made by her, by my grandmother, or by their collaboration. Since my mother wasn't one to do the standard "roll, cut, and decorate cookies" each year - remember we did the Italian cookie version - this dress shows her hidden whimsy. She knew a little girl needed a little bit of gingerbread man in her life.

Fast forward 30 (or so, ahem) years and we get:

Jazz so sweet at 3!

with a 6 year old Zydeco whose facial expression is the same now as then!

When we first tried it on Jazz, the dress barely covered her bottom - apparently my sister and I were much shorter or the styles were much different! We simply let out as much of the hem as possible and added a row of red ric rac.

Another five years gets us:

Irish Jig gets her turn.
Of course, she thinks Nana made the dress "just for me".

After this season, the dress will get a thorough cleaning and maintenance check (all buttons, seams, etc) and will be stored as part of the growing Vintage Collection for future girls in this family line.  I really prefer the more vintage styles of dress for this age.  I don't rush them into jeans and sparkles just yet.  Okay, I really never rush the sparkles because it's just not me.  But the jeans are - maybe too much!

We give you thanks for your great glory

For today's Thankful Tuesday post, I'd like to share some really random vignettes from the past week that have me thanking God for my many blessings. In true form, I'm providing a list. I apologize for it not being a spreadsheet :)

1. 19! That's the anniversary Mr. Neoclassic and I are celebrating today. In some aspects, I feel like we're still new at this gig and have lots to figure out, while in other aspects, I feel like we're weathered experts.

In the Botanical Garden, D.C.

2. We are both so very thankful for the strong marriage role models of both sets of parents and so many of our friends. They all demonstrate that this blessed Sacrament is worth every moment of the intense work we pour into it from ourselves.

Such babies!

3. Classic Rock had us rolling at the dinner table last night as he listed menu options at the imaginary restaurant he and a few friends developed as part of a Health Class assignment. It's a restaurant with a rock and roll flair and dishes such as "You can't have your Pudding", "Bohemian Wraps", "Strawberry Shortcake Fields", "Heart-y Tomato Soup", "Wings", and "Cold as Ice Cream".  I'm so thankful my weird knack for thinking in song lyrics has found a kindred spirit.

4. I spent the morning participating in Career Day at Jazz's school. I discussed my love for Civil Engineering and subdivision design. I explained that the design process was like a huge puzzle or a huge Lego project, and that my job was to make all the pieces fit in harmony. I also pointed out that I was able to work around having my children and being a mother. I think that last point's just as important as the career information. Too many of our young women are raised believing motherhood isn't a job or career. I've worked full-time, part-time and stayed at home during this mothering journey - and it's all work!

My very basic Power Point subdivision design - color coded of course!

5. Mr. Neoclassic was able to show the children that a design project he's been involved with at work was listed in Popular Mechanics as one of the top 10 Feats of Mega-Engineering. I'll let you browse the list and figure out which project :)  (For security reasons he asked that I not mention it specifically.)  We are thankful for the career which allows him to support us and still challenge him. While work is not always a picnic (is it really ever?), seeing your efforts applauded makes it a whole lot easier to get up in the morning!

May your day also be filled with blessings!

I (got) to be a part of it! New York, New York!

It was an unorthodox trip in that there was no real plan for any of the days I was visiting.  I really think that's why it was such a fantastic trip.  We hit the streets of Manhattan with great humor, a camera, and subway passes.

My friends surprised me (and their young girls) with tickets to the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular.  WOW!

Grand Central Station.  The original tracks have been preserved within the floors.

My mama and sister were adamant that I visit a museum.  We toured the Frick and were more impressed by the architecture of the house/ museum than the pieces on display.  My sister would say I'm "so pedestrian."

My one absolute "must" for the trip was Purl Soho.  It's a whole lot smaller than I expected.  But oh, so wonderfully full of temptations.  I bought several :)  Finding our way to the store was almost as much fun as touching every product inside.

We lunched in Little Italy and found a homemade pasta company.  I just stood inside and inhaled for about 10 minutes.  I won't mention how many pounds of pasta I lugged back onto the subway, then onto the train home.  A lot.

Our friends have been assigned to work in Manhattan for about three years.  They decided to immerse themselves and their girls in the culture by living in the city and experiencing all that NYC offers.  And, best of all, they furnished their apartment with futons instead of couches so that friends could stay and play.  Being able to explore the city was fabulous.  I walked the equivalent of two marathons in the three days I was there (or so it seemed).   I can't wait to share more stories and pictures.

My bags are packed; I'm ready to go

I'm leaving.  Just me.  Solo.  Alone. By myself.

It doesn't happen often (maybe once every five years or so), but I am leaving on a train this evening to visit a good friend.  We'll have fun, stay up late, drink wine, visit Purl Soho, and laugh a lot.  I've packed crochet projects, books, and snacks for the 15 hour train ride.

I promise pictures next week.  And stories of my adventures conquering the Big Apple.  It'll be like Ellie May (without the braids or daisy dukes, of course) dipping her toes into big culture.  I may be originally from New Orleans, but I am really just small town at heart.

Have a good weekend friends and cross your fingers that I take the right trains and subways....

My magnificent obsession

Irish Jig's hair is a dichotomy of adorable and maintenance. The curls, when in Shirley Temple mode, are quite fetching and garner many a compliment from the general public. The reality of getting her mop of unruly curls into that mode is borderline hurtful to all involved. There's saturating, moisturizing, gentle (I try!) combing, and little fuzzy knots that don't play along.

As a result, I tend to only force the hair maintenance routine for special occasions (i.e. NOT  for hanging out with Mama all day). She detests barrettes and pony elastics because they pull her hair. But a head band? She's all for the head band. To that end, my lastest obsession is making headbands.

Pattern taken from free posting on a site I can't find anymore

My first incarnation was a simple double crochet band with chain ties at each end, as shown above. While it works, the tying process causes more knots in the fine hair at the back of her head and I found that the tie didn't stay tight enough over the course of the day. I was contemplating various revisions when I used this headband on Jazz's hair last week:

Batik headband from Ten Thousand Villages

The proverbial light bulb illuminated in my mind and I got to work. A strip of patterned crochet with simple elastic bands attaching the ends = a fabulous head band that stays tight and fit all day. I can adjust the length of elastic to accommodate the stretch intrinsic to the type of yarn.

V-Stitch pattern from MyMerryMessyLife, Shell pattern my own creation

Making these becomes a little obsessive

Of course, a plain headband is somewhat boring. I found a little bling in the remains of the baby barrettes, the button box, and my yarn scraps stash.

Flower and leaves pattern from Attic24

Someone likes to flaunt all her bling at once.  She's also not all that concerned with color coordination, as evidenced by the pink/ red/ purple/ orange ensemble shown below.

Today's post title from Stephen Curtis Chapman's "Magnificent Obsession"

Give us clean hands

See these cute little folks....

They live at Wild Heaven Farm where my favorite goat milk soaps are produced. Guess what? Mary Kroll has announced a soap sale! Through Sunday evening (so only 24 hours to go....) all the 4 oz soap bars are $4. That's an awesome deal - especially on her mixed bags. Think of all the folks you need a Christmas gift for and shop early. Your wallet will thank you in December!

**If you might be shopping for me (attention Nana), I like the Peaceful Patchouli,the Honey and Oatmeal, and the Mountain Retreat.**

This morning, Mr. Neoclassic and I crept out of the house before the children awoke and visited the Williamsburg Farmer's Market. We enjoyed the chance to chat during the ride up to Williamsburg, the fresh veggies, and the Goat Soap stall. I came home with my (first) purchase from the sale. I will need to make another order later for a few Christmas gifts. Anybody have a specific scent request????

I have a thankful heart

I am so, so very thankful to post today - from our newly redeemed and cleaned zino. IT Mom has outdone herself by sticking with what seemed to be a hopeless case. But then, she's been my friend for 15 years, so she's got some experience at sticking to hopeless cases :)

It's amazing how many blog post ideas your brain generates when you are unable to adequately produce those posts. I have jotted ideas and notes onto a little index card (you know that's how I organize my thoughts) and will be chugging through them during the next weeks.

I read today's Gospel reading and laughed out loud. It's Matthew's accounting of Christ naming Peter as the rock of the Church. The last line is...

Get behind me Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

While my past week of floor, computer, toad, and baking woes aren't equal at all to Christ's issues, obstacles are still obstacles.  Good friends, funny kids, and lots of laughter (and maybe a little red wine) have managed to put all those obstacles behind me.

Oh, and the discovery that Fire Bellied Toads like crickets.  Crickets are sold at the local bait shop, which is conveniently located along our usual route home.  This wonderful discovery negates the need to refrigerate the toads' food source in my home!

Shawn, the Fire Bellied Toad

PS - Today's blog post title is from Petra's Thankful Heart.
PPS - I am aware that IT MOM's link brings you to my home church's website.  It's just a polite and non-intrusive way to share our faith.  It's the website she developed and maintains for our parish.  If you have questions, please ask.  I'd love to answer them (or find someone who can!)

Oh oh it's magic

The bad news is that the computer issue is looking to be terminal. (Look, a pun!) Fabulous IT Mom has doctored and babied the Zino, but it's still giving us the blue screen of death. A google search of "overheated zino and blue screen" shows the issue is not uncommon, but that Dell has nothing to offer. Yeah.

The good news is that I am determined to find humor in the whole situation. While working on the Zino, IT Mom mentioned updating several needed programs, including Adobe and Java.

Me: "I know what Adobe does, but what's Java for?"

IT Mom: "Well, it's a program that....uhm, for you, my friend, it's magic!"

She knows me well, this friend.

While we further research the issue and, possibly, new computers, I'll be trying to make our ancient laptop play along and load a picture or two. We'll see how it goes!

Blue Mondays rain or shine

Yes, I know it's Tuesday. But Monday was so blue, I couldn't even sit to write this post.
Alternative title: What now, what next, where to? (Elvis, just for my mother-in-law).

So here's what's going on in this Domestic Church to make me blue....

1. We spent the weekend pulling up the kitchen floor thanks to a dishwasher overflow. We're pretty sure said overflow occurred because the minor-aged inhabitants of this house neglected to scape and rinse dishes prior to loading the dishwasher. While some folks would think the opportunity to change the look of the kitchen with a new floor would be a welcome and exciting adventure, we're pulling up a floor we installed just eighteen months ago because ....wait for it.... we had an appliance overflow.

So, to recap: We're on floor number three in less than 10 years. Not fun.

2. You'll notice no pictures in this post. I took pictures of the boys pulling up the ruined kitchen floor, but cannot get to them. They were downloaded to our desktop/ family computer where I do my blog work. Then, our computer decided not to allow anyone to open any documents or pictures. And by "not allow", I mean, "present the blue screen of death." Said computer is presently with IT Mom, a wonderful and wildly patient friend. Who might not be a friend when this whole repair job is finished.

So, to recap: Photos are trapped in our real computer. The laptop I am currently working on deserves a whole post on "working, but not really". Not fun.

3. Zydeco purchased two fire bellied toads yesterday. Gus and Shawn, after the only real (not animated) show he's allowed to watch. He researched said toads and saved his money for the tank and accoutrements, all in an effort to fulfill requirements for Reptile and Amphibian Study. While I applaud his energy and even encouraged the toad purchase (because, after all, they aren't snakes), I am still working my mind around the slimy creatures in my home. And their food source laying dormant in my fridge.

So, to recap: Cool toads in tank upstairs; weird food in fridge, separated from all people food, but still in fridge. Not fun.

4. Jazz requested to make brownies for our short, one day trip to the beach. That request thrilled the soul of this baking-Mama until she finished her supplication with, "and I want to use a box mix." O my aching heart! A box mix? What next? Biscuits from a can? I feel unloved and unappreciated.

So, to recap: Box mix brownies. Despite years of fabulous baking, I've never been able to make box mix brownies turn out correctly. I know, box mix = idiot proof.   Not fun.

I opened the door, feel free to insert the idiot joke here.  I can handle it.  I understand self deprecation.

On the bright side, I have a day at beach coming up.   No computers, no floor decisions, no appliance mishaps, no weird food sources to avoid.  Just sun, sand, family, and relaxing!

Thanks to Ella Fitzgerald for the title today!

I love you and you are mine

See this guy?

All photos in this post courtesy of the awesome J. Presson Photography

Those who know this family well say he's just like his Daddy, both in looks and in temperament.  But as I recently discovered, in one very important way, he is JUST LIKE HIS MAMA!

I'd like to share with y'all a little vignette from yesterday.  Classic Rock is the first to be picked up from school in the afternoons.  Irish Jig is usually still half asleep as she's been yanked from her comfortable nap and strapped into the van for car pool rounds.  This is a wonderful time for Classic Rock and me to chat about his life, his day, his dreams and aspirations (that's for you, Papa!).  I need to point out that CR and four friends recently formed a band.  They practice (thankfully not at my home) a couple of times each month and constantly talk/email/facebook music the rest of the time.  With that said, here is yesterday's after school conversation:

ME: Good afternoon!  How was your day in the salt mines?  Did you miss me?

CR: Ahh, no - didn't miss you.  Today in Spanish we finished the class work early so Phil and I worked together to make a list of songs that the band can play.  We starred the ones with instrument solos for each of us and marked which ones we need to download or buy.  I have the list and I think I am going to put it into excel so that we read it more easily.  All the stars and notes will be all "griddy."

ME: Griddy?

CR:  Yeah, you know - information in an easy-to-read grid.  Griddy.

And that was the moment I knew he was really MY child.  The one I grew and trained.  The one who loves a good list and a great spreadsheet as much as his mama.  The one who creates words to suit his needs.

You see, my friends, I have a love affair with LISTS.  I like to make them, cross items off, make master lists of the sub-lists - you name it.  I have blank index cards in my purse just in case I am suddenly in need of calming my thoughts with a list.  Making a list seems to take all the stress of "things to do" right out of my system.  Those things are written down and can be crossed through as they are completed.  Phone calls, emails, new lists, errands, chores - they are all on a list.  (My mother-in-law puts brush teeth at the top of her lists so that she'll actually accomplish something everyday!)

But an excel spreadsheet takes a list to a whole new level.  Now the list can be sorted for any reason at all.  You can set priorities, add notes, add additional spreadsheets to sub-divide a task.  Oh, excel is my friend and compatriot.  I used it for my engineering calculations and project status keeping while I worked.  I use it now to organize parties (Eucharistic luncheon plan=three spreadsheets so far), organize Christmas gifting and receiving (don't want to duplicate), tracking household purchases (I have one for each major store I shop).

Of course, seeing all that in print makes me realize that lists may not be normal.  That maybe, just maybe, I might be a bit obsessed.  I'll have to make a list of ways to solve that.

Just another great shot of great kids

A list maker and totally awesome big brother