This, I will admit without guilt, is one of the best times of my day.
Almost everybody has left and the building is quiet. The only sounds are my keyboard, the music on low in the background (today's pick, a collection of Gregorian chants), and the occasional squeak of the wheels on the Ms. L's cart. (Ms. L cleans the building that I work at.) Here in a few minutes, I'll trade the chants for EWTN to listen to Catholic Answers Live. I'll listen, and knit, and maybe I'll finish this sock tonight, though I won't hold my breath.
After these socks, I have to get back to baby knitting for a while, at least until I finish the stuff for Shawna. I've already accepted that I won't have Little Bird's blanket done before she arrives, even if it was the only thing I was working on, so I'm shooting to have it finished by her first birthday.
I'd shoot for Easter, but with the dresses I want to make her for Christmas and Easter, plus the rest of my Christmas knitting, I figure it's best if I shoot for her birthday. Especially since I also have plans for a Barbar the Elephant King plush toy on my list of knits. Sara Elizabeth Kellner over on Ravelry has a number of gorgeous patterns, including the afore mentioned Elephant King. It even comes with instructions for his suit, bowler hat, royal cape, and crown! How cool is that?
I was thinking about adding a little fun to my Saturdays, boring as they are, by doing a little research into a random saint each Saturday. I have a site that will randomly generate a saint, and if you click the link it tells you more about them. I've always loved the saints stories, even before I considered the Catholic church, so it should be fun.
I also have an enormous knitting list, and a few things on my crochet list. I'm not as fond of crochet, mainly because I'm not as comfortable with it. Probably because I struggle not to crochet too tightly.
It's also a little intimidating because I'm not as familiar with it as I am with knitting. I get so confused with crochet. Especially the really delicate stuff, like fine lace. Knitted lace I can do. Crochet is a different story.
For all that I love my job, there are a number of things about it that drive me nuts! It's like these people have no idea exactly what information is actually needed for me to do my job! I'm not asking for much, but it'd be nice to know what's going on at any given time! And none of what I'd like to make my job easier is hard! Most of it is common sense!
Which makes it all the more obvious why I love the quiet time of day. None of my usual worries, just how best to kill time until I can go home.
Let me know what you think about my idea for Saturdays.
Yours always,
Tara
Thursday, July 31, 2014
I hate phone calls
Few things are worse than having to make a phone call.
Seriously! You have no idea how grateful I was when Papa John's started online ordering! No phone calls necessary! I hate calling people. I literally have to take a deep breath, and psyche myself up for it. I rehearse what I'm going to say, and try my hardest not to let the person on the other end of the line know that I feel sick with nerves!
It's not like talking to new people! Surprisingly, I'm usually pretty good at that. But I have phone anxiety like you wouldn't believe! Family, of course, is an exception, but, as my good friend Cas put it "I've seen you about to fall out over ordering a pizza!"
So I called the Cathedral office and one of the local parishes today, since I still hadn't heard from anyone. The Cathedral said they'll call me back. The priest at the local parish is meeting with me Tuesday morning, so we can discuss this in person. It's the same parish I'm planning on attending Friday morning, and it's also the same one my friend Hale's father attends.
Hale's the "wiccan".
What can I say, I have weird friends.
My point though! I hate phone calls, feel incredibly awkward when I have to make them, and would much rather just text, or email, or even snail-mail! At least then I wouldn't stumble over my words.
Moving on, I'm about a third of the way through my first sock. I just finished the heel flap and am about to start the heel itself. I'm honestly not sure how well they'll fit, but even if they don't, at least I'll have made them. And I'll have something to go off of for future reference.
I'll still be a little heartbroken though. I really do love socks. Especially fun ones. These ones are pretty cool, if a bit of a pain to make (I feel like an octopus trying to juggle all those darn needles! Six needles at any given time, dear readers!). I still need to finish the pair of booties I made for Shawna. It won't take more than three minutes, I just don't feel like doing it right now.
So, Friday I'm going to one parish, Sunday I'm going to a different one, and honestly, the one I'm visiting Friday will probably be the one I go to more frequently, based on the mass schedule. I still really love going to the Cathedral, and I think there might be one more parish close by that I can look into.
I've never wanted to live in the North East near my sister, entirely based off my dislike for cold weather (which is completely understandable, dear reader, as I have a hard time warming up after I get cold) but right now, I wouldn't mind so much, because it'd probably be easier to find someone to meet with!
My impatience is getting the best of me, I think. Do any of you have any tips, or suggestions on how to deal with it?
Yours always,
Tara
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Knit, purl, and juggle needles
Knitting socks on double points.
Sorry, let me be more specific.
Knitting socks with cables on double points.
I'm also having to read a chart (properly! not the way I do when I knit squares for Little Bird's blanket) and use my row-counter!
So far, I have the cuff, and about two inches of the leg done on one of my yellow socks. It's actually been fairly easy thus far, but I haven't even gotten started on the heel and let's be honest, that's the entire reason I haven't tried doing this earlier. Books just say "turn the heel" and yeah, that should probably be a bit obvious, but I'm teaching myself! Have I mentioned how thankful I am for youtube?
I'll probably be working on these socks tonight, tomorrow, and part of Saturday. Which isn't really bad. And these are a bit more complicated than what I have planned for the men in my life, so those should take less time.
Well, except H's. The kid has feet like Big-foot! I feel completely justified in calling him Sasquatch!
Friday I'm going to try a different parish, see how I like it, and Sunday I'll be going to the one I'd planned on attending today, God willing.
I'm not a very patient person, so this waiting is driving me crazy. If I need to talk to my boss, I'd like to find out as soon as possible.
Another reason I'm so impatient is because I have questions, and no one to ask! I need information! I'm curious! Have you ever seen a book-worm when she can't get the information she needs? It's not pretty! Sadly, I have limited access to the library due to my schedule and proximity, plus, a limited budget (and more books than I have room for already!) means I can't just go out and buy every book that looks interesting!
"But Tara," you ask, "don't you have friends who are Catholic?"
Technically, yes. But the one (who shall hence-forth be known exclusively as my sister, regardless of biology or legality) lives miles and miles away and can't always pick up the phone. She's also a little scatter-brain and forgets to call me back for months at a time. The other is, well, she says she's a wiccan. Given her personality and staunch defense of the church when people are being ignorant, I generally interpret that as "I'm hurt, and upset, and need some time before I head home", if that makes any sense at all. She also has two small children who need her time far more than I do. And that's it. That's pretty much the extent of it.
Truly, this isn't surprising. In a world with roughly 7.8 billion people, I only have 5 that I consider close friends. I'm not exactly Ms. Social-butterfly.
Not that I don't want more friends, but talking to people isn't exactly my forte. I'm the person that says "Excuse me" five times and still isn't heard.
I guess I could always ask Shawna, but given that she converted to Baptist (hence how I know her) that probably won't help me any.
She's the one I was making the baby booties for. She's nice enough, but she's more outgoing than I am, and tends to be a little more...normal than I am.
Not that there's anything wrong with normal, I'm just not it. I mean, when you consider the fact that my idea of the perfect day is sitting in bed, with a good book, a cup of tea, a movie on stand-by, some knitting in case I need a break from reading, and anything from the Top 40 Countdown to Gregorian chants playing just loud enough to be heard over the pouring rain.....as opposed to a lot of people my age who pack the clubs down-town on Friday and Saturday nights....you see where I *might* have a hard time interacting with my peers.
Sure, there are other people out there like me, but the problem is that they're like me! Which means that we're all standing against the wall, trying to make ourselves as small and unnoticeable as humanly possible, spending large amounts of time inside, and reveling in how easy the internet makes it to find what we want without having to leave home.
"But Tara, you love to travel!"
And this, gentle reader, is the strange part. The more people I'm traveling with, the less I enjoy it, and the more I act like my normal self. But if it's just me and one, maybe two other people, I am Indiana Jones! Bold, adventurous, and unstoppable!
Ah well, maybe sometime in the near future, I'll be able to go back to Europe for a while. I never did make it to Wittenberg, and I'd like to visit the UK (and maybe see the Loch Ness Monster?).
Until tomorrow, dear readers,
Tara
Sorry, let me be more specific.
Knitting socks with cables on double points.
I'm also having to read a chart (properly! not the way I do when I knit squares for Little Bird's blanket) and use my row-counter!
So far, I have the cuff, and about two inches of the leg done on one of my yellow socks. It's actually been fairly easy thus far, but I haven't even gotten started on the heel and let's be honest, that's the entire reason I haven't tried doing this earlier. Books just say "turn the heel" and yeah, that should probably be a bit obvious, but I'm teaching myself! Have I mentioned how thankful I am for youtube?
I'll probably be working on these socks tonight, tomorrow, and part of Saturday. Which isn't really bad. And these are a bit more complicated than what I have planned for the men in my life, so those should take less time.
Well, except H's. The kid has feet like Big-foot! I feel completely justified in calling him Sasquatch!
Friday I'm going to try a different parish, see how I like it, and Sunday I'll be going to the one I'd planned on attending today, God willing.
I'm not a very patient person, so this waiting is driving me crazy. If I need to talk to my boss, I'd like to find out as soon as possible.
Another reason I'm so impatient is because I have questions, and no one to ask! I need information! I'm curious! Have you ever seen a book-worm when she can't get the information she needs? It's not pretty! Sadly, I have limited access to the library due to my schedule and proximity, plus, a limited budget (and more books than I have room for already!) means I can't just go out and buy every book that looks interesting!
"But Tara," you ask, "don't you have friends who are Catholic?"
Technically, yes. But the one (who shall hence-forth be known exclusively as my sister, regardless of biology or legality) lives miles and miles away and can't always pick up the phone. She's also a little scatter-brain and forgets to call me back for months at a time. The other is, well, she says she's a wiccan. Given her personality and staunch defense of the church when people are being ignorant, I generally interpret that as "I'm hurt, and upset, and need some time before I head home", if that makes any sense at all. She also has two small children who need her time far more than I do. And that's it. That's pretty much the extent of it.
Truly, this isn't surprising. In a world with roughly 7.8 billion people, I only have 5 that I consider close friends. I'm not exactly Ms. Social-butterfly.
Not that I don't want more friends, but talking to people isn't exactly my forte. I'm the person that says "Excuse me" five times and still isn't heard.
I guess I could always ask Shawna, but given that she converted to Baptist (hence how I know her) that probably won't help me any.
She's the one I was making the baby booties for. She's nice enough, but she's more outgoing than I am, and tends to be a little more...normal than I am.
Not that there's anything wrong with normal, I'm just not it. I mean, when you consider the fact that my idea of the perfect day is sitting in bed, with a good book, a cup of tea, a movie on stand-by, some knitting in case I need a break from reading, and anything from the Top 40 Countdown to Gregorian chants playing just loud enough to be heard over the pouring rain.....as opposed to a lot of people my age who pack the clubs down-town on Friday and Saturday nights....you see where I *might* have a hard time interacting with my peers.
Sure, there are other people out there like me, but the problem is that they're like me! Which means that we're all standing against the wall, trying to make ourselves as small and unnoticeable as humanly possible, spending large amounts of time inside, and reveling in how easy the internet makes it to find what we want without having to leave home.
"But Tara, you love to travel!"
And this, gentle reader, is the strange part. The more people I'm traveling with, the less I enjoy it, and the more I act like my normal self. But if it's just me and one, maybe two other people, I am Indiana Jones! Bold, adventurous, and unstoppable!
Ah well, maybe sometime in the near future, I'll be able to go back to Europe for a while. I never did make it to Wittenberg, and I'd like to visit the UK (and maybe see the Loch Ness Monster?).
Until tomorrow, dear readers,
Tara
Starting my day off right
I love going to mass in the mornings.
Of course, this love will probably be slightly lessened during the winter, when I'm struggling to keep warm, even while wearing four or more layers, but even so.
It's not the weather that makes it enjoyable, after all.
I love the quiet, the peace of it all. And the fact that there aren't as many people there. What can I say? Crowds and I do not work well together.
Probably because I'm short, and people attempt to step on me.
I ended up going to the cathedral this morning. I couldn't find out when the more local parish held mass, and given that I wasn't exactly sure where they were, I figured it was best to go where I knew. Turned out for the best anyway. I drove by them on my way home, to make sure that I knew, for future reference, where they were. Didn't see anything about weekday mass services at all. Just Saturday, Sunday, and Holy Days.
I might still go on Sunday, since it is closer, but I really do enjoy morning mass on Wednesdays.
This is the second week I've gotten up early to go to mass on Wednesday. Brings my grand total of attendances to four. It seems like I've been more frequently, though that's probably because of how often I've stopped by the cathedral.
I keep hoping I'll hear from someone soon. I enjoy going to mass, but I feel a little out of place. There's a lot about it that I don't know, or don't understand. What I wouldn't give for a primer!
Ideally, it would be a smallish book, something easy to travel with. Inside, it would include church etiquette, mass structure, prayers, greetings and responses, titles and a basic job description, common terms (candidate, diocese, ect), and an FAQ section.
I know, a lot of info to try and squeeze into a tiny book, but still! I'm not asking for the Vatican library! (although, as any good bibliophile and history lover, I do have the greatest admiration for the keepers of that truly spectacular collection)
Like I said, it'd be nice to have a pocket reference guide.
I need to pick up another skein of the yellow yarn I bought yesterday, and then I'm taking a break from baby knitting to try socks! It's a top down pattern, same as the Irish Ale socks. I figured it'd be a good way to practice.
Yours always,
Tara
Of course, this love will probably be slightly lessened during the winter, when I'm struggling to keep warm, even while wearing four or more layers, but even so.
It's not the weather that makes it enjoyable, after all.
I love the quiet, the peace of it all. And the fact that there aren't as many people there. What can I say? Crowds and I do not work well together.
Probably because I'm short, and people attempt to step on me.
I ended up going to the cathedral this morning. I couldn't find out when the more local parish held mass, and given that I wasn't exactly sure where they were, I figured it was best to go where I knew. Turned out for the best anyway. I drove by them on my way home, to make sure that I knew, for future reference, where they were. Didn't see anything about weekday mass services at all. Just Saturday, Sunday, and Holy Days.
I might still go on Sunday, since it is closer, but I really do enjoy morning mass on Wednesdays.
This is the second week I've gotten up early to go to mass on Wednesday. Brings my grand total of attendances to four. It seems like I've been more frequently, though that's probably because of how often I've stopped by the cathedral.
I keep hoping I'll hear from someone soon. I enjoy going to mass, but I feel a little out of place. There's a lot about it that I don't know, or don't understand. What I wouldn't give for a primer!
Ideally, it would be a smallish book, something easy to travel with. Inside, it would include church etiquette, mass structure, prayers, greetings and responses, titles and a basic job description, common terms (candidate, diocese, ect), and an FAQ section.
I know, a lot of info to try and squeeze into a tiny book, but still! I'm not asking for the Vatican library! (although, as any good bibliophile and history lover, I do have the greatest admiration for the keepers of that truly spectacular collection)
Like I said, it'd be nice to have a pocket reference guide.
I need to pick up another skein of the yellow yarn I bought yesterday, and then I'm taking a break from baby knitting to try socks! It's a top down pattern, same as the Irish Ale socks. I figured it'd be a good way to practice.
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Because no one needs to find the right room
Oh I love my job.
You might have caught the sarcasm there.
Here's the thing though, if you're going to have me sit at the front desk, the least you can do is actually let me know there's something going on, and what room it will be in, that way, I don't have to hunt some one down (after everybody else has left!) in order to find out the answer to this person's question! It's not rocket science by any means!
This, of course, is not the first time this has happened, but these classes are generally held before everyone leaves, so I don't have to spend 15 minutes looking for some one!
The good news is that I did get to listen to Catholic Answers Live tonight. I also bought some yarn. I'll probably need to buy a second skein of it, so I can make socks, but it's this really nice yellow ochre with a little orange and khaki subtly mixed in. I've got an awesome pattern off of Ravelry that has a nice cable pattern.
I'm really excited about the Irish Ale socks that I'm planning on. I bought the yarn from knitpicks, so as soon as it comes in, I'll be ready to go. I'm nervous too though. I've been knitting ten years and never made socks. It's not all that surprising though. It's not like I had any one to teach me how to do it. My mother, bless her heart, can't knit or crochet. Counting stitches causes her blood-pressure to rise.
I crochet a little, but it's been a long time. I need to start again though. I have my heart set on this sweater I saw. I've got the pattern, and hopefully enough yarn (I think they discontinued the color) to make it, so maybe.....I'm shooting to finish it by St. Pat's, but considering I haven't even started.....
I also have a flurry of knitting to do in preparation for Little Bird's (I call my sister 'Little Bird') birth, and the fast approaching holiday season. Socks, socks for everyone. Well, not every one.
Just the men.
If they're going to make my life harder than it has to be by answering my yearly question (What do you want for Christmas?) with the standard male "I don't know." Then they get socks!
Plain, ordinary, dull (except the littlest, he get's neons)no-nonsense socks! I can get a little more creative with Dad's, he will appreciate cables or more vibrant colors (still staying with a neutral color palette). But Step-daddy is very much Mr. Old-timey cowboy. Grey socks (black are for Sundays or other dressy occasions) no fun stitches, and thick.
This is the man I nearly poured hot coffee on because he had the nerve to look at a fresh, full pot of coffee that I had just made and say "Is this plain? I don't want the froo-froo stuff." (This when he and my mother were just dating.) You are in mine and my mother's house, you will drink what we have and damn well say "Thank you" after!
I, thankfully, no longer live at home with them, but the man does still get on my nerves with his cow boy thing. He's good with the boys though, and if he and my mother can stop butting heads for two minutes, he might be a good husband. He's going to spoil Little Bird though, I just know it. Mom's already told him that she'll jerk a knot in his tail if he turns their daughter into a brat.
Picture! A 6'3" tall man (skinny as a bean pole, though) with grey hair, shaking in his cowboy boots as his 5'1" tall curly brunette wife (Pregnant!) tells him in no-uncertain terms that he will not spoil their child to ruin. Just thinking about it makes me snicker.
I'm still amazed that my mother has taken the news that I'm considering converting so well. I can't help but wonder if maybe Granma tipped her off. Of course, she knew I had been attending Mass, so maybe that tipped her off enough. Either way, still incredibly thankful that the conversation went well.
The best news I've had thus far, though, is the slightly cooler temperatures that we can expect. I'm not big on hot and humid, and I hate cold and wet. What I really need is some place where the temperature stays between 60-80F all year round. Maybe a few days a little colder, maybe a few days a little warmer, but for the most part it stays right in that comfortable range where I can wear longer sleeves, and pants all the time without dying from the heat.
It's not so bad in the mid-west where my dad lives, where it's hot, but not as humid, because then your clothes don't glue themselves to your body within 2 minutes of walking out your door. Here? Even people like me who do *NOT* like wearing shorts or skirts without leggings underneath are forced to ditch layers or DIE!
So the temperature drop into the 80s is well worth the impending showers.
I have nothing planned for the next two weeks besides work anyhow.
Yours always,
Tara
You might have caught the sarcasm there.
Here's the thing though, if you're going to have me sit at the front desk, the least you can do is actually let me know there's something going on, and what room it will be in, that way, I don't have to hunt some one down (after everybody else has left!) in order to find out the answer to this person's question! It's not rocket science by any means!
This, of course, is not the first time this has happened, but these classes are generally held before everyone leaves, so I don't have to spend 15 minutes looking for some one!
The good news is that I did get to listen to Catholic Answers Live tonight. I also bought some yarn. I'll probably need to buy a second skein of it, so I can make socks, but it's this really nice yellow ochre with a little orange and khaki subtly mixed in. I've got an awesome pattern off of Ravelry that has a nice cable pattern.
I'm really excited about the Irish Ale socks that I'm planning on. I bought the yarn from knitpicks, so as soon as it comes in, I'll be ready to go. I'm nervous too though. I've been knitting ten years and never made socks. It's not all that surprising though. It's not like I had any one to teach me how to do it. My mother, bless her heart, can't knit or crochet. Counting stitches causes her blood-pressure to rise.
I crochet a little, but it's been a long time. I need to start again though. I have my heart set on this sweater I saw. I've got the pattern, and hopefully enough yarn (I think they discontinued the color) to make it, so maybe.....I'm shooting to finish it by St. Pat's, but considering I haven't even started.....
I also have a flurry of knitting to do in preparation for Little Bird's (I call my sister 'Little Bird') birth, and the fast approaching holiday season. Socks, socks for everyone. Well, not every one.
Just the men.
If they're going to make my life harder than it has to be by answering my yearly question (What do you want for Christmas?) with the standard male "I don't know." Then they get socks!
Plain, ordinary, dull (except the littlest, he get's neons)no-nonsense socks! I can get a little more creative with Dad's, he will appreciate cables or more vibrant colors (still staying with a neutral color palette). But Step-daddy is very much Mr. Old-timey cowboy. Grey socks (black are for Sundays or other dressy occasions) no fun stitches, and thick.
This is the man I nearly poured hot coffee on because he had the nerve to look at a fresh, full pot of coffee that I had just made and say "Is this plain? I don't want the froo-froo stuff." (This when he and my mother were just dating.) You are in mine and my mother's house, you will drink what we have and damn well say "Thank you" after!
I, thankfully, no longer live at home with them, but the man does still get on my nerves with his cow boy thing. He's good with the boys though, and if he and my mother can stop butting heads for two minutes, he might be a good husband. He's going to spoil Little Bird though, I just know it. Mom's already told him that she'll jerk a knot in his tail if he turns their daughter into a brat.
Picture! A 6'3" tall man (skinny as a bean pole, though) with grey hair, shaking in his cowboy boots as his 5'1" tall curly brunette wife (Pregnant!) tells him in no-uncertain terms that he will not spoil their child to ruin. Just thinking about it makes me snicker.
I'm still amazed that my mother has taken the news that I'm considering converting so well. I can't help but wonder if maybe Granma tipped her off. Of course, she knew I had been attending Mass, so maybe that tipped her off enough. Either way, still incredibly thankful that the conversation went well.
The best news I've had thus far, though, is the slightly cooler temperatures that we can expect. I'm not big on hot and humid, and I hate cold and wet. What I really need is some place where the temperature stays between 60-80F all year round. Maybe a few days a little colder, maybe a few days a little warmer, but for the most part it stays right in that comfortable range where I can wear longer sleeves, and pants all the time without dying from the heat.
It's not so bad in the mid-west where my dad lives, where it's hot, but not as humid, because then your clothes don't glue themselves to your body within 2 minutes of walking out your door. Here? Even people like me who do *NOT* like wearing shorts or skirts without leggings underneath are forced to ditch layers or DIE!
So the temperature drop into the 80s is well worth the impending showers.
I have nothing planned for the next two weeks besides work anyhow.
Yours always,
Tara
Why my mind needs a new filter
Aside from the fact that I routinely say something dripping with sarcasm, bordering on (or just downright) mean, or other wise deemed inappropriate (yes, hello four-letter words that would make my mother fetch the soap), there's also posts like last night's.
I hate pouring my heart out. I really really hate it. It's enough to make me break out in uncontrollable fidgeting. I mean, I know it's good for me, and don't misunderstand, dear readers, I'm not upset that I shared it or anything....
It's more that it was there to be shared, if that makes any sense at all. Plus, I never really know how to explain what I'm feeling in a way that I think really gets the point across.
Such is my life, I guess.
Suffice to say, while God has given me great eloquence when waxing poetic over food, art, or music, and great verbosity when ranting about things that drive me insane, my ability to convey my thoughts and how they tie into my emotions is sadly lacking.
Anyway, dear readers, that's not what we're here to talk about! So, yesterday, before leaving for work, I couldn't find a skein of blue yarn that I've been using to knit baby mittens and such for a friend of mine who is pregnant. After searching five minutes for that skein that "I just had last night!" I accepted defeat, grabbed the other skein of yarn she had given me (this one a pastel green) and took off for work.
Once at work, I cast on, and begin to knit away at a pair of little booties. Normally I can finish a pair in one night at work, but I wasn't really feeling it last night. Anyway, I logged off of here and started to pack up, and wouldn't you know, dear readers, that skein of blue yarn was sitting in the bottom of my bag behind the hundreds of knitting patterns I have tucked in my book bag! Suffice to say I felt silly.
I also had an unwanted guest of the 8-legged variety in my bedroom last night. I wish I could say for certain that he was dead, but he fell behind the dresser, so....I may have been a little uneasy falling asleep last night.
I've been going through Saint Blogs Parish hoping to find more blogs that I like, that can also offer a bit of help (whether they know it or not) to little ole me. A lot of times, the biggest help is knowing that other people are enjoying, and excited about, being part of the Catholic church. I'm just trying to find my way, and it can get a little discouraging sometimes.
I'm hoping to hear back from one of the many parishes I called, but I'll admit that I'm not very optimistic. It's frustrating on many levels. If I haven't heard back from anyone by Thursday, I'll try calling again.
I kind of feel like it shouldn't be so hard to find someone. I mean, I know we're in the South, and there isn't really a big Catholic presence, but still! I've been on the Diocese's website, there are quite a few parishes in my area! Surely someone can help me? I keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue, and that I'm dealing with people, who have lives of their own, but it's still a little frustrating.
Is it really almost August? Three days until the eighth month. I'm getting all knotted up over Christmas and that's still a little over four months away!.....That doesn't make me feel any better! My Dad will be going to Germany for a month for a job. I asked him to bring me back pictures of the Cathedral in Regensburg, the Dom St. Peter. Surprisingly, I don't have any pictures of it, really, despite us living twenty minutes from it for three years. Not to mention the fact that I have pictures of just about every other church in the area we were in.
I think my favorite pictures are from Ettal Abbey near Garmisch. It was amazing. If I ever get the chance to go back to Europe, I'd like to see it again. Dad, of course, liked the beer best, but I was more into the architecture and history. I'll have to dig out those photos. The sky was the most amazing blue that day, and it framed the monastery beautifully.
Ha! Found one! Of course, my dad's big head is in the picture, but oh well. You get the idea. Even from this little picture, which doesn't even scratch the surface, dear reader, you can see it's an amazing structure.
I hate pouring my heart out. I really really hate it. It's enough to make me break out in uncontrollable fidgeting. I mean, I know it's good for me, and don't misunderstand, dear readers, I'm not upset that I shared it or anything....
It's more that it was there to be shared, if that makes any sense at all. Plus, I never really know how to explain what I'm feeling in a way that I think really gets the point across.
Such is my life, I guess.
Suffice to say, while God has given me great eloquence when waxing poetic over food, art, or music, and great verbosity when ranting about things that drive me insane, my ability to convey my thoughts and how they tie into my emotions is sadly lacking.
Anyway, dear readers, that's not what we're here to talk about! So, yesterday, before leaving for work, I couldn't find a skein of blue yarn that I've been using to knit baby mittens and such for a friend of mine who is pregnant. After searching five minutes for that skein that "I just had last night!" I accepted defeat, grabbed the other skein of yarn she had given me (this one a pastel green) and took off for work.
Once at work, I cast on, and begin to knit away at a pair of little booties. Normally I can finish a pair in one night at work, but I wasn't really feeling it last night. Anyway, I logged off of here and started to pack up, and wouldn't you know, dear readers, that skein of blue yarn was sitting in the bottom of my bag behind the hundreds of knitting patterns I have tucked in my book bag! Suffice to say I felt silly.
I also had an unwanted guest of the 8-legged variety in my bedroom last night. I wish I could say for certain that he was dead, but he fell behind the dresser, so....I may have been a little uneasy falling asleep last night.
I've been going through Saint Blogs Parish hoping to find more blogs that I like, that can also offer a bit of help (whether they know it or not) to little ole me. A lot of times, the biggest help is knowing that other people are enjoying, and excited about, being part of the Catholic church. I'm just trying to find my way, and it can get a little discouraging sometimes.
I'm hoping to hear back from one of the many parishes I called, but I'll admit that I'm not very optimistic. It's frustrating on many levels. If I haven't heard back from anyone by Thursday, I'll try calling again.
I kind of feel like it shouldn't be so hard to find someone. I mean, I know we're in the South, and there isn't really a big Catholic presence, but still! I've been on the Diocese's website, there are quite a few parishes in my area! Surely someone can help me? I keep reminding myself that patience is a virtue, and that I'm dealing with people, who have lives of their own, but it's still a little frustrating.
Is it really almost August? Three days until the eighth month. I'm getting all knotted up over Christmas and that's still a little over four months away!.....That doesn't make me feel any better! My Dad will be going to Germany for a month for a job. I asked him to bring me back pictures of the Cathedral in Regensburg, the Dom St. Peter. Surprisingly, I don't have any pictures of it, really, despite us living twenty minutes from it for three years. Not to mention the fact that I have pictures of just about every other church in the area we were in.
I think my favorite pictures are from Ettal Abbey near Garmisch. It was amazing. If I ever get the chance to go back to Europe, I'd like to see it again. Dad, of course, liked the beer best, but I was more into the architecture and history. I'll have to dig out those photos. The sky was the most amazing blue that day, and it framed the monastery beautifully.
He's promised he'll do his best to remember. I know it's not really his thing though. I'm the art lover, he's more into 20th century warfare history (WWI and WWII).
Meanwhile, my mother gets closer and closer to having the baby. She's having her at home, which makes me glad I don't live there anymore. Not that I don't want to be supportive or anything, but....Blogger + (loved one + pain) = x-x. If it was anyone else, I could probably do it just fine, but it's my mom.....I'd be plastered to the wall, hyperventilating while trying to stumble through a decade or two of the rosary as a means to try and calm down. All, by the way, with no success.
Best we just skip that.
Ultimately, time just seems to pass by to quickly. Mom and I went school shopping for the boys before lunch yesterday, and it was a bit of a mind trip to realize that H, the oldest of the two boys, is 5'10" (and still growing, the little shit!). He used to be so tiny!!! He's all gangly and his voice is getting deeper and I feel old. I'll be 22 this August! But H is almost 15 and P is 10, and they're both getting bigger and I'm not taking it very well, I admit.
Ah well, that's life, right?
I will see you later, gentle readers! I have errands to run (all the fun, right?)
Your's always,
Tara
Monday, July 28, 2014
Ramblings of a Restless Mind
"But Tara," you say, "you've already posted once today! And your track on blogging, and social media of any kind, shows you burn out on new things quickly!"
Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know. But I'm at work, bored, and have nothing to do. Such is the joy of working the late shift.
I'm also a little disappointed. I've been trying to listen to Catholic Answers Live in the evenings as often as possible, but since the building didn't clear out until right as the program was ending.....that was a bit of a no go. I will say this though, I love modern technology. If it weren't for the internet and iPhone apps, I wouldn't be able to tune into a Catholic Radio station. I don't think we have one in our area.
Honestly, I'm surprised that I've been listening. I'm not a big fan of radio, mostly because there's too much talking. I'm definitely more concerned with the music. Especially in the morning. I don't want to hear you talk. I just want something sweet (and preferably caffeinated) to drink, some good music, and the morning offering I get from The Catholic Company every morning.
I'll say this for my journey with the Church, I'm spending more time reading and learning about God than I have since I was a kid. Oddly enough, I haven't really encountered anything that I've struggled to accept yet.
The Lord, of course, does enjoy a good laugh, and I'm sure my running mental commentary has Him in stitches.
"Not another rosary! I didn't know there were this many in the entire state, much less the tri-county!"
"Oh look! A site that randomly gives you the name of a Saint! I love hist....okay. That's not creepy at all. Hello random saint, who I've never heard of, who's feast day is on my granma's birthday. Nope. Not creepy at all."
*crickets*
The rosary is a bit of grumbling point for me anyway. I enjoy making things using a lot of different mediums, and shortly after I started working with beads I had an idea for a rosary that just wouldn't leave me alone. *sigh*
I mean, don't get me wrong. I love it! But I'd never made anything even remotely like it, and I tend to freak out over projects I don't feel prepared for. A rosary? Heh, yeah....can you see the slightly deformed looking eye-pins?
Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know. But I'm at work, bored, and have nothing to do. Such is the joy of working the late shift.
I'm also a little disappointed. I've been trying to listen to Catholic Answers Live in the evenings as often as possible, but since the building didn't clear out until right as the program was ending.....that was a bit of a no go. I will say this though, I love modern technology. If it weren't for the internet and iPhone apps, I wouldn't be able to tune into a Catholic Radio station. I don't think we have one in our area.
Honestly, I'm surprised that I've been listening. I'm not a big fan of radio, mostly because there's too much talking. I'm definitely more concerned with the music. Especially in the morning. I don't want to hear you talk. I just want something sweet (and preferably caffeinated) to drink, some good music, and the morning offering I get from The Catholic Company every morning.
I'll say this for my journey with the Church, I'm spending more time reading and learning about God than I have since I was a kid. Oddly enough, I haven't really encountered anything that I've struggled to accept yet.
The Lord, of course, does enjoy a good laugh, and I'm sure my running mental commentary has Him in stitches.
"Not another rosary! I didn't know there were this many in the entire state, much less the tri-county!"
"Oh look! A site that randomly gives you the name of a Saint! I love hist....okay. That's not creepy at all. Hello random saint, who I've never heard of, who's feast day is on my granma's birthday. Nope. Not creepy at all."
*crickets*
The rosary is a bit of grumbling point for me anyway. I enjoy making things using a lot of different mediums, and shortly after I started working with beads I had an idea for a rosary that just wouldn't leave me alone. *sigh*
I was so worried the crucifix would be too large but (surprise, surprise *sarcasm*) it was just the right size. The Aves are Connemara marble, and the Paters are Kilkenny marble. The center is St. Patrick.
Like I said, I love it.....but it was a little odd. I've had my rosary for about three years now, give or take.
Honestly, I had figured it was for someone. And maybe it is. Maybe I just haven't met that person yet. But for now, I've been fumbling my way along those little beads as best I can.
I just bought some yarn, and two new sets of needles. As soon as I get them, I'm taking a break from baby knitting to try making some socks. I really wanted to buy this one skein of yarn, but sadly, I'm a bit too thrifty to pay $27+ shipping for yarn. Especially since I've never done this before.
Adding to my usual penny-pinching is the fact that I just bought a new iPod to replace the dead one. They usually last about four or five years. I'm hoping this one will last longer, especially since I splurged a little more than the last two times, and bought the 160GB classic.
My book list is about as long as Route 66. I just added two new ones. Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn and My Treasury of Chaplets by Patricia S. Quintiliani. I haven't received either one yet, but I found Rome Sweet Home on Catholic.com and then saw it again at the Cathedral. And My Treasury of Chaplets came from Life of a Catholic Librarian whose blog I've just started reading.
My mind is a swirling vortex of thoughts. It is in these moments, dear readers, that I am at my most vulnerable. I'll spill my heart out before you, if you'll let me. Hopefully it won't be too painful. I have so many fears, so many doubts. Especially in regards to the Catholic church. Oh the doctrine isn't too hard to accept, truthfully. But I feel so loved just sitting there talking to Mary.....it's almost uncomfortable, if that makes any sense. And the Lord has been so patient with me. Like Gideon, I have asked Him three times for a sign, and three times He has given me one. The most recent was St. John of Damascus. His feast day is the same day as my granma's birthday. My granma, who has been my truest comfort, confidant, and friend for my entire life. Even with this, I feel so afraid. My parents love me, but it's nothing like this, and it does scare me somewhat.
I'm signing off now, dear readers. It's almost time for me to pack up and head home, and I'm tired. I'm prone to crying when I'm tired, which is completely unacceptable right now.
Goodnight all,
Tara
Thank You Mother Mary, St. Patrick, and St. Anne!
So, the conversation with my mother went far better than I had hoped! While I can never see my mother even considering converting, she took the news that I was considering it far better than I had thought she would.
Maybe because she's pregnant?
I've been thanking God, His Son, and Mother Mary, as well as the (fairly long) list of saints whose intersession I requested ever since lunch time. It is an incredible weight off of my mind. I truly thought that she would blow up.....or have a melt down.
I know it sounds like I'm not giving my mother any credit, but my mother is an incredibly emotional person. She doesn't grumble, she rages! A bit of a terrifying thing for her daughter, you know?
Still no luck on finding a priest to help me. I'd attend the RCIA classes in a heart beat, but I work on weeknights, so that just isn't going to happen. And, of course, they don't have morning, or Friday classes. Life, it seems, can never be simple.
If worst comes to worst, I can always talk to my boss. Maybe work Friday in exchange for having a weeknight off. I'd rather not though, I hate causing trouble for other people.
If no one has called me back by Thursday, I'm going to try calling again. I also plan on checking out a parish a little closer to home. Since I started going to mass, I've been going to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, which is close enough to not be a ridiculous drive, but is still farther away than is really practical for a 20-something making minimum wage. Thankfully I don't have many expenses.
I'm not really looking forward to it though. I really do love going to the cathedral, even if I do feel as though I'm too loud every time I enter. A side-effect of six years spent in Germany, I think.
Besides, I hate being the new person at a church. Hence, weekday mass. Wednesday morning will probably be when I go. Hopefully, there won't be a lot of people.
Being shy is like being Tony Stark in your head, and Castiel in real life. (why yes, I do watch Supernatural, occasionally.)
On a different note, due to my mother's pregnancy, my knitting of late has all been for an exceptionally small person. On one hand. I'm thrilled....on the other, I'm terrified! I've never knitted sweaters! Cardigans! Dresses! I've only just gotten confident enough to try socks! Dear readers, I've been knitting for ten years, and never once made a pair of socks.
I do have a lovely pair planned though, so here's keeping our fingers crossed, yes?
If all goes well, the men in my life (father, step-father, and brothers) will all be getting socks for Christmas.
And, dear readers, they will like it!
Your's always,
Tara
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Let's get our feet wet, shall we?
Well, here we are, attempt two at blogging (legit blogging, not tumblr blogging). Hopefully this attempt will go better than the last one.
Quick intro!
So, my name, well, my pen-name, is Tara Hills. I'm single, in my early twenties, and live in South East Georgia, USA.
That's it, that's all you get.
Just kidding!
I'm the oldest of three children. My parents got divorced my last year of high school. Both are remarried (to other people), and my mother is pregnant. Yep, you heard me, pregnant. I'm gonna have a little sister!!! FINALLY!
I have two little brothers.....I'm going to enjoy watching this little girl boss the boys around. She will have them wrapped around her tiny little fingers, mark my words, dear readers, mark my words.
I knit, crochet, paint (poorly, btw), sew (with moderate success), write poetry, and every spring I attempt to garden with absolutely no success. Such is my life.
I'm also a Baptist....who's considering converting to Catholicism.
This will be fun.
And so, dear readers, if there are any, you'll get to follow me along as I bumble my way through life. My next post will be tomorrow or Tuesday, depending on how lunch with my mother goes. I've been putting off telling her telling her that I'm considering converting for about a month, so......
The post will either be titled "Thank you Mother Mary,St. Patrick, and St. Anne!" or "Why my Mother is Crazy"
Pray for me, readers. Pray hard.
Your friend,
Tara Hills
Quick intro!
So, my name, well, my pen-name, is Tara Hills. I'm single, in my early twenties, and live in South East Georgia, USA.
That's it, that's all you get.
Just kidding!
I'm the oldest of three children. My parents got divorced my last year of high school. Both are remarried (to other people), and my mother is pregnant. Yep, you heard me, pregnant. I'm gonna have a little sister!!! FINALLY!
I have two little brothers.....I'm going to enjoy watching this little girl boss the boys around. She will have them wrapped around her tiny little fingers, mark my words, dear readers, mark my words.
I knit, crochet, paint (poorly, btw), sew (with moderate success), write poetry, and every spring I attempt to garden with absolutely no success. Such is my life.
I'm also a Baptist....who's considering converting to Catholicism.
This will be fun.
And so, dear readers, if there are any, you'll get to follow me along as I bumble my way through life. My next post will be tomorrow or Tuesday, depending on how lunch with my mother goes. I've been putting off telling her telling her that I'm considering converting for about a month, so......
The post will either be titled "Thank you Mother Mary,St. Patrick, and St. Anne!" or "Why my Mother is Crazy"
Pray for me, readers. Pray hard.
Your friend,
Tara Hills
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)