Today was week three of RCIA classes. We were in the Lower Chapel tonight, which was interesting because I had only a vague idea of where that was. I got it right, and showed up in the right place, which was a huge relief, but I felt like every move I made was ten times louder than usual. I feel that way most times I enter a church, with a few exceptions.
Anyway, we were discussing the hierarchy in the church and some of the history behind it, which was interesting. I still haven't reached the point where I'm incredibly comfortable or anything, but I imagine I'll be a little less anxious by the time the Holidays roll around.
At least, I hope so.
Speaking of holidays, I'm almost finished with the blanket, which means I'll have to cast on to one of my Christmas knits immediately following that. I'm thinking the shawl for Granma, and then maybe the socks for mom. I have to alter the pattern slightly, because she asked for socks like the yellow ones that I made, but with a fold over cuff. I'll probably add a few stitches and invert the pattern so that when she folds it over, the ribbing faces outwards as it should.
I left early for class this evening because I needed to run into Savannah and I know what a nightmare the traffic can be. I had to go to the mall to pick up a shirt that I had delivered to the store for Aunt D. She saw the one I had and really liked it. Anyway, while there I picked up a new wallet with Daryl from the Walking Dead on it.
Now I like the Walking Dead just fine, but I've really only seen about 4 episodes from the first season. And honestly, I like Daryl because, dude, he has a crossbow. A crossbow! I'm an archery fan, and I've been entertaining thoughts about getting a crossbow for years, as well as getting a better recurve bow (mine being a decent quality, but still cheap set). No compounds though. I firmly maintain that a compound bow is cheating.
Why isn't using a crossbow cheating? Because reload time sucks compared to a standard or compound bow. Accuracy is much improved, but reload is crap.
Anyway! Not the point here. The point is I like Daryl because I can actually see him surviving the apocalypse and I like that he uses a crossbow. That's about it. I still can't get over what an idiot Rick was in the first episode. Yeah, sure, he manned up and took charge, but he's still a bit of an idiot.
But this brings me to my tv problem. See, I don't watch a lot of television, and the stuff I do watch tends to be old (M*A*S*H, I Dream of Jennie, ect), travel related (Anthony Bourdain is my hero), food related, or nostalgia related (American Restoration, American Pickers, Pawn Stars). Add in a dash of Catholic tv, through in a few crappy action films and the entire Disney film collection and you have my film library.
There is a problem with that though. See, I like Doctor Who, I like Walking Dead, I like Sherlock, and Supernatural, and more.....but I don't keep up with the episodes, I'll watch half a season in a day and then not touch it for two months, and I see nothing wrong with spoilers and watch things out of order.
This, apparently, bothers people.
Now let's be honest. I care about what most people think about as much as I speak Greek, that is to say, not at all. However, I do care (stupidly, in this case) what my friends say, and this does bother some of them. So, choices? Either watch, or don't, and try not to get attached to characters you know next to nothing about (Daryl, for example). This is a bit of a problem because I've never cared, and truthfully, don't much care now except for one teeny tiny fact.
It makes me feel awkward.
Yep, say you like a show but only watch a few episodes sporadically and if that show has any sort of fan base some one will be willing to stone you for "not being a real fan". Now I know my friends won't do that, and their ribbing is friendly in nature, but other people aren't so understanding and God knows I'm not a nice person.
We're working on that, but it's very slow going because my brain-to-mouth filter doesn't always kick in before I say something mean.
TV shows can bring out the worst in people and telling them to take a long walk off a short pier is, for some reason, less acceptable than their form bullying.
So, do I watch the shows? Abandon them? Continue with my sporadic and out-of-order enjoyment?
Yeah, we'll go with option C. And hopefully, God will only place idiots in my path when He knows the filter is functioning.
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
Long days, poor internet connections, and disappointing schedules
I've been up since this 6 this morning, which I'm sure to many of you is hardly worth note, but given that I usually don't get to bed until midnight/1am, it's a bit of a thing to me. Truthfully, I need to start getting up earlier. I like watching sunrises, though I prefer to be inside to watch during the winter months, but that's not the point here!
Anyway, I was up early today, and I'll be up early tomorrow as well, because I'm going to swing by my mom's and make sure my brothers get off to school while mom takes Little Bird to her first doctor's appointment. Little Bird is doing quite well, especially given that she was just over three weeks early entering the world. She's tiny though, just a few ounces shy of six pounds, and no fat whatsoever on her tiny body. We had to buy some preemie clothes, because all mom had was newborn size. She's really sweet though, and the boys love her.
In other news, the internet connection on my personal computer here at work is continually mercurial and difficult. I can't listen to Catholic Answers Live, or watch EWTN without skipping, pausing, and glitching. Youtube works fine. Oh! And tonight I tried to watch Catholic TV (a new discovery, which is brilliant) and had worse luck with it than I do EWTN! This is getting ridiculous!
My work schedule is more than a little disappointing this week. I guess that's what happens when you can't work a full week, they cut your hours even more, but I'm hoping it's just a temporary thing. I'm going to talk to my supervisor this week and see what's going on with the schedule. The good news here, I guess, is that I'll be opening the shop a bit sooner than I originally planned. A friend of mine is coming over to help me take pictures of the items I'll be listing. I need to finish the Pieta rosary and the St. Patrick chaplet.
I've also got beads coming for the St. Francis of Assisi/Pope Francis rosary coming soon. I ordered some lovely dark wood beads for it. I've got my eye on some other items, including some resin for jewelry making and some drill bits for bottle lamps, but everything is due time. No rush.
I'm hoping, since my last few plans have fallen through, that I'll be able to make my trip to St. Augustine on the 11th. I don't really want to go alone though, and that looks increasingly like it might be the case. I'm used to this, truthfully, my parents, though they tried, were never very good at planning trips like that (hence, why we never went to Paris, Rome, Whittenburg, or the Medieval jousting in Worms despite living in Germany for 6 years.) Even with the trip to Disney we took before my Papa died. That was me planning that, thanks, and if Papa and Granma hadn't been the primary monetary force behind it, we still would never have made it.
Anyway, all of that aside, I'm looking forward to the week. I'm basically broke, and tired, but I think this week will be a good week.
Yours always,
Tara
Anyway, I was up early today, and I'll be up early tomorrow as well, because I'm going to swing by my mom's and make sure my brothers get off to school while mom takes Little Bird to her first doctor's appointment. Little Bird is doing quite well, especially given that she was just over three weeks early entering the world. She's tiny though, just a few ounces shy of six pounds, and no fat whatsoever on her tiny body. We had to buy some preemie clothes, because all mom had was newborn size. She's really sweet though, and the boys love her.
In other news, the internet connection on my personal computer here at work is continually mercurial and difficult. I can't listen to Catholic Answers Live, or watch EWTN without skipping, pausing, and glitching. Youtube works fine. Oh! And tonight I tried to watch Catholic TV (a new discovery, which is brilliant) and had worse luck with it than I do EWTN! This is getting ridiculous!
My work schedule is more than a little disappointing this week. I guess that's what happens when you can't work a full week, they cut your hours even more, but I'm hoping it's just a temporary thing. I'm going to talk to my supervisor this week and see what's going on with the schedule. The good news here, I guess, is that I'll be opening the shop a bit sooner than I originally planned. A friend of mine is coming over to help me take pictures of the items I'll be listing. I need to finish the Pieta rosary and the St. Patrick chaplet.
I've also got beads coming for the St. Francis of Assisi/Pope Francis rosary coming soon. I ordered some lovely dark wood beads for it. I've got my eye on some other items, including some resin for jewelry making and some drill bits for bottle lamps, but everything is due time. No rush.
I'm hoping, since my last few plans have fallen through, that I'll be able to make my trip to St. Augustine on the 11th. I don't really want to go alone though, and that looks increasingly like it might be the case. I'm used to this, truthfully, my parents, though they tried, were never very good at planning trips like that (hence, why we never went to Paris, Rome, Whittenburg, or the Medieval jousting in Worms despite living in Germany for 6 years.) Even with the trip to Disney we took before my Papa died. That was me planning that, thanks, and if Papa and Granma hadn't been the primary monetary force behind it, we still would never have made it.
Anyway, all of that aside, I'm looking forward to the week. I'm basically broke, and tired, but I think this week will be a good week.
Yours always,
Tara
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Little Bird is Here!
So, I was supposed to write a post of St. Nicholas of Tolentino for today's edition of Saturdays with the Saints. This, obviously did not happen because my little sister decided she'd waited long enough and she was going to come, dang it, whether we liked it or not.
This means it's a very good thing I didn't go to St. Augustine today, though, given how long it took, I probably could have made it. Even so, I'm glad I didn't go because I'd have been a mess....well, more than I already was.
Despite saying that I was going to hide out at DQ, I actually did go. No, I did not watch, and no, I did not drink (though God knows I really wanted a whiskey!). What I did do was knit, pace, pray, cook, and clean.
I also got to dress my sister in her first outfit, which wasn't as awkward as I had thought it would be. It's been a long time since I dressed a baby, and I've never dressed a newborn before. I was 12 when P was born, and I think he was 3 or 4 months old before I helped change and dress him.
She was really tiny, Much tinier than I've ever held, being just shy of 6lbs, and so incredibly adorable.
The hat that I made to match her outfit did fit, but because she was nursing, it kept falling off.
Anyway, the birth went well, according to the midwife. Both mom and sister are doing good, and assuming I get to bed in the next hour or so, I'll still get to mass tomorrow.
Good night all!
Yours always,
Tara
This means it's a very good thing I didn't go to St. Augustine today, though, given how long it took, I probably could have made it. Even so, I'm glad I didn't go because I'd have been a mess....well, more than I already was.
Despite saying that I was going to hide out at DQ, I actually did go. No, I did not watch, and no, I did not drink (though God knows I really wanted a whiskey!). What I did do was knit, pace, pray, cook, and clean.
I also got to dress my sister in her first outfit, which wasn't as awkward as I had thought it would be. It's been a long time since I dressed a baby, and I've never dressed a newborn before. I was 12 when P was born, and I think he was 3 or 4 months old before I helped change and dress him.
She was really tiny, Much tinier than I've ever held, being just shy of 6lbs, and so incredibly adorable.
The hat that I made to match her outfit did fit, but because she was nursing, it kept falling off.
Anyway, the birth went well, according to the midwife. Both mom and sister are doing good, and assuming I get to bed in the next hour or so, I'll still get to mass tomorrow.
Good night all!
Yours always,
Tara
Friday, September 26, 2014
Babies, blankets, and the fun of waiting
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know my mother is pregnant and ready to deliver any day now. This means a lot of waiting, and a lot of worrying. Because, you know, that's kind of what I do. Especially when family is involved. There's still no news on that front, but we're literally waiting for her to go any second now. Oh the joy.
In other news, I think I've just about finished the blanket that I started at the end of last month. I had hoped to finish it quickly, but I've been knitting non-stop since she found out she was pregnant and I'm having trouble slogging through projects. Even my socks, which I'm thrilled to be working on, aren't coming along as fast as they should be, even with me working on them sporadically.
Adding to the problem is the fact that my knitting isn't done. One of my brother's requested a pocket watch for Christmas, so I abandoned the thought of knitting him socks in favor of the watch. That still leaves me with four pairs of socks, because my mom wants a pair, a baby dress, a shawl, a scarf, my socks, a large afghan (made in pieces) and a scarf that I've got rattling around in my brain.
I've also got my eyes on some resin for jewelry making, more rosaries, and a knitted advent calender.
Suffice to say, I'm a little anxious.
I've also got my music boxes.
The good news, I guess, is that I'm not going to St. Augustine this weekend. Like a lot of plans I try to make, it fell through. Aunt D won't be back from her home town until early in the morning, and she won't feel up to going all the way down to St. Augustine.
This, truthfully, is probably a good thing. With Little Bird waiting in the wings for her grand entrance into the world, it's probably best I stay close to home. Even so, I am still a little disappointed. Instead, I figure I'll run into Savannah and do a little shopping, then get some craft projects hopefully knocked out, and see if I can't finally get the enormous box out of the middle of my room.
My step-dad has a mini-fridge that he's going to let me have, so I also want to get a piece of vinyl or stone tile for it to sit on so it's not sitting on the carpet in my bedroom. This is fantastic because I'll finally be able to have a cold drink when I get home without having my alcohol in my grandmother's fridge. Given that she's a tee-to-taler, I generally prefer to keep my drinking to a minimum, and keep it out of her space.
I might also stop by Goodwill, and see if I can't find any good jackets, cardigans, skirts, and jewelry that I can recycle and reuse. I've got a million ideas, and a million things I need for them, and very little money to spend on them. My hope is that, once I get the shop up and running, hopefully in late October/early November, just in time for the holidays, I'll be able to turn the money that comes in around and sink it into more crafts. Making things is almost addicting because there's always a new idea running through your head, a different way to color it, a different stitch pattern, or even a new technique that you're dying to try out.
So yeah, hopefully, that's what I'll get out of it.
Yours always,
Tara
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Why do days sometimes seem so long?
Today has been a good day. I met up is two of my friends for lunch at Molly Macpherson's Scottish Pub, which was brilliant. I loved seeing them and spending time with them and the food was really good. Fish and chips, yum! I'm actually really picky about my fish, and I actually really loved it.
Despite all of that, today still seems really long.
My sister still has yet to enter the world, which has my mom worried that when she comes, she's not going to give much warning at all. Which, given everything so far, would actually be really accurate to Little Bird's personality.
Work has been incredibly dull, which is a good thing, but doesn't help to make the day seem any shorter.
Ah well, I guess that's just life.
Yours always,
Tara
Despite all of that, today still seems really long.
My sister still has yet to enter the world, which has my mom worried that when she comes, she's not going to give much warning at all. Which, given everything so far, would actually be really accurate to Little Bird's personality.
Work has been incredibly dull, which is a good thing, but doesn't help to make the day seem any shorter.
Ah well, I guess that's just life.
Yours always,
Tara
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
One step closer to "Home" and the great part about an Irish Catholic Store
First things first, as of today I am now officially a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, Ga. I'm incredibly pleased with this fact because I just feel so much more at home when I'm at the Cathedral than when I attend my mother's church and I feel like officially joining just makes that a bit more of a reality.
So, to recap my day. I started with (reluctantly) dragging my lazy bum out of bed and quickly getting dressed in long sleeves. (YES!) I was still cold even with the long sleeves, and had to make use of my sweater, but this is all a good thing because it means that I can start wearing my jackets and layers again and I LOVE that!
Having dragged myself out bed and gotten ready for the day, I went to mass, which was, as always, lovely. I like going to mass. It's a nice way to start the day.
After mass, I went down the road to the fancy Parker's and got breakfast and some change. I walked back to my truck, added a little more time to the meter, and then went and walked around the Colonial Park Cemetery for about half and hour. Then I took the long way back to the rectory office and officially joined the parish. (Yay!)
I then walked around Savannah for another 30 minutes, including briefly stopping in the SCAD shop (waste of time that, and not in a good way) before heading to Saints and Shamrocks.
Have I mentioned how much I love this little shop? While it's certainly not the greatest Catholic book shop ever, it is actually really well stocked for it's small size. I bought a cross for my wall (it's celtic style and has St. Patrick on it.) as well as buying two books and a pack of two really pretty green pocket handkerchiefs with a lovely clover design embroidered on them. The books are St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works and Three Irish Saints: A Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Style by Kevin Vost. I've already cracked both of them open to get an idea of what they'll be like.
Vost's book isn't really my normal reading style, but it sounded interesting, and I'm not one to turn down a chance to learn more about St. Patrick, so....I figured what the heck? It can't hurt to read it. I'm most excited about the first book though.
I love St. Patrick. I mean, I admire and respect a lot of saints, but I have a particular love for St. Patrick....even if he didn't drive any snakes out of Ireland.
Actually, I don't mind snakes all that much, and would much rather deal with snakes than rodents, but that's not the point here. My point is that I have a special place in my heart for the not-really-Irish Irishman (they claimed him, he's been adopted by the whole country for centuries, he's Irish.) Added to that is the fact that I'm pretty sure he's been working with Mother Mary to bring me to the Catholic church, and you can kind of understand why this book might be of particular interest to me.
I'm slowly getting used to the fact that most Catholics don't think I'm out of my mind when I say "I'm being (gently) dragged to the Catholic church by the Blessed Mother and St. Patrick." Yes, God's involved too, but I think the Good Lord understands that the gentle prodding of Mary, combined with St. Patrick's experience of being called on by generations of Irish Catholics (with their bad tempers and foul mouths) would get the best results. (That being excitement on my part.)
Plus, I'm pretty sure someone out there is the great wide wonder is laughing at me. Not sure who, but someone is laughing at me.
So, what's the great part about an Irish Catholic store? Easy. I can get a lot of my Catholic needs (books, tchotchkes, etc). And then, I can turn around and get lovely little Irish knick-knacks! Did I mention that I love tchotckes?
Seriously, I love kitsch. Shamelessly enjoy these sometimes over-the-top items. I also have a long-standing and deep-set love of the entire British Isles, Ireland and Scotland in particular.
I'm not sure what it says about me that I have this fascination with two groups of people known for having bad tempers, high alcohol tolerance, and a healthy appreciation for knock-down drag-out fights that end with every one having another beer, but there you have it. Proofs in the pudding, so to speak.
Actually, having re-read that paragraph, I think that says a lot about me. Except the alcohol tolerance. I've never actually tried to figure out what my tolerance level is.
Oh well.
Anyway, time for me to sign off for the evening. Take care all!
Yours always,
Tara
So, to recap my day. I started with (reluctantly) dragging my lazy bum out of bed and quickly getting dressed in long sleeves. (YES!) I was still cold even with the long sleeves, and had to make use of my sweater, but this is all a good thing because it means that I can start wearing my jackets and layers again and I LOVE that!
Having dragged myself out bed and gotten ready for the day, I went to mass, which was, as always, lovely. I like going to mass. It's a nice way to start the day.
After mass, I went down the road to the fancy Parker's and got breakfast and some change. I walked back to my truck, added a little more time to the meter, and then went and walked around the Colonial Park Cemetery for about half and hour. Then I took the long way back to the rectory office and officially joined the parish. (Yay!)
I then walked around Savannah for another 30 minutes, including briefly stopping in the SCAD shop (waste of time that, and not in a good way) before heading to Saints and Shamrocks.
Have I mentioned how much I love this little shop? While it's certainly not the greatest Catholic book shop ever, it is actually really well stocked for it's small size. I bought a cross for my wall (it's celtic style and has St. Patrick on it.) as well as buying two books and a pack of two really pretty green pocket handkerchiefs with a lovely clover design embroidered on them. The books are St. Patrick: His Confession and Other Works and Three Irish Saints: A Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Style by Kevin Vost. I've already cracked both of them open to get an idea of what they'll be like.
Vost's book isn't really my normal reading style, but it sounded interesting, and I'm not one to turn down a chance to learn more about St. Patrick, so....I figured what the heck? It can't hurt to read it. I'm most excited about the first book though.
I love St. Patrick. I mean, I admire and respect a lot of saints, but I have a particular love for St. Patrick....even if he didn't drive any snakes out of Ireland.
Actually, I don't mind snakes all that much, and would much rather deal with snakes than rodents, but that's not the point here. My point is that I have a special place in my heart for the not-really-Irish Irishman (they claimed him, he's been adopted by the whole country for centuries, he's Irish.) Added to that is the fact that I'm pretty sure he's been working with Mother Mary to bring me to the Catholic church, and you can kind of understand why this book might be of particular interest to me.
I'm slowly getting used to the fact that most Catholics don't think I'm out of my mind when I say "I'm being (gently) dragged to the Catholic church by the Blessed Mother and St. Patrick." Yes, God's involved too, but I think the Good Lord understands that the gentle prodding of Mary, combined with St. Patrick's experience of being called on by generations of Irish Catholics (with their bad tempers and foul mouths) would get the best results. (That being excitement on my part.)
Plus, I'm pretty sure someone out there is the great wide wonder is laughing at me. Not sure who, but someone is laughing at me.
So, what's the great part about an Irish Catholic store? Easy. I can get a lot of my Catholic needs (books, tchotchkes, etc). And then, I can turn around and get lovely little Irish knick-knacks! Did I mention that I love tchotckes?
Seriously, I love kitsch. Shamelessly enjoy these sometimes over-the-top items. I also have a long-standing and deep-set love of the entire British Isles, Ireland and Scotland in particular.
I'm not sure what it says about me that I have this fascination with two groups of people known for having bad tempers, high alcohol tolerance, and a healthy appreciation for knock-down drag-out fights that end with every one having another beer, but there you have it. Proofs in the pudding, so to speak.
Actually, having re-read that paragraph, I think that says a lot about me. Except the alcohol tolerance. I've never actually tried to figure out what my tolerance level is.
Oh well.
Anyway, time for me to sign off for the evening. Take care all!
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Long days and sitting on edge
Last night was a longer than usual night, which means that today has been a very long and tiring day. I have been tired and short tempered all day, and my vocabulary has sounded like a drunken sailors....sadly, no alcohol was imbibed to aid my colorful language. Nor will it be for a few days, at most, because my mother is expecting to go into labor either tonight or tomorrow.
Apparently, my little sister has decided that she's waited long enough, thank you very much, and she's quite tired of waiting. Mom hasn't gone into labor yet, but she's in the early stages, so she's expecting it to start up very soon.
I'm both excited, and terrified.
I like kids. I will swear up and down, left and right, that children are monsters and I want nothing to do with them, but the truth is a little more complicated.
Truth is, until my parent's got divorced, it literally never occurred to me that I might not get married and have kids. I certainly didn't plan on going out and settling with the first fellow I found and having a litter of little people, but I did think that, one day, I would find some one and have an undetermined number of kids.
My parents got divorced, forcing me to question pretty much everything I thought I knew about love and marriage, and I swore left, right, and center that I was never getting married and never having kids to any one who even remotely suggested that I might one day want that.
Honest truth. I want that. I want to get married and have kids. I want to have that. Especially now, as I'm entering the Catholic church, because there's so much that I would love to experience. Christening and first communion and all those lovely little milestones that parents prepare their kids for and that I'd like, God willing, to one day prepare my own kids for.
The thing is, it's been so long, and I've said it for so long, that I actually feel a little awkward around kids now. And I'm not willing to admit it out loud to my family that, yes, I would one day like to have kids. But I'm going to have a little sister and I'm torn between being excited and being scared out of my mind because I haven't taken care of a baby since P was born ten years ago, and yeah, I won't be taking care of her all the time, but I will take care of her occasionally.
I want her to grow up to be what I'm not. I want her to be strong, and confident, and easy-going, and to be the kind of person that people love to love. I want her to have every opportunity in life because there are so many things that I never got to try and I wish that I could have tried them.
I want her to be the person who always makes the world better.
I also don't want to step on my mother's toes any because we already have a slightly precarious relationship, largely because we just don't operate on the same wave-length. My mother is emotional, and I'm more logical, and the two do not always go well together.
All the fun.
In other news, tonight was the second night of RCIA classes. Monsignor O'Neal was teaching us tonight. It was actually really nice. The teaching bit was a bit dull, we were going over the order of mass, but not in a way that really helps me. What would help me is a comprehensive understanding of when to sit and when to stand. I've about got the standing and kneeling bit figured out completely. I don't always have to look at the people around me for that part, but the earlier part I haven't got a figured out. Anyway, it was more of a breakdown of the different parts of the mass. The best part was the Monsignor himself. He's an older Irish gentleman, and he's got a great sense of humor.
Anyway, I'll talk to ya'll again tomorrow.
Yours always,
Tara
Apparently, my little sister has decided that she's waited long enough, thank you very much, and she's quite tired of waiting. Mom hasn't gone into labor yet, but she's in the early stages, so she's expecting it to start up very soon.
I'm both excited, and terrified.
I like kids. I will swear up and down, left and right, that children are monsters and I want nothing to do with them, but the truth is a little more complicated.
Truth is, until my parent's got divorced, it literally never occurred to me that I might not get married and have kids. I certainly didn't plan on going out and settling with the first fellow I found and having a litter of little people, but I did think that, one day, I would find some one and have an undetermined number of kids.
My parents got divorced, forcing me to question pretty much everything I thought I knew about love and marriage, and I swore left, right, and center that I was never getting married and never having kids to any one who even remotely suggested that I might one day want that.
Honest truth. I want that. I want to get married and have kids. I want to have that. Especially now, as I'm entering the Catholic church, because there's so much that I would love to experience. Christening and first communion and all those lovely little milestones that parents prepare their kids for and that I'd like, God willing, to one day prepare my own kids for.
The thing is, it's been so long, and I've said it for so long, that I actually feel a little awkward around kids now. And I'm not willing to admit it out loud to my family that, yes, I would one day like to have kids. But I'm going to have a little sister and I'm torn between being excited and being scared out of my mind because I haven't taken care of a baby since P was born ten years ago, and yeah, I won't be taking care of her all the time, but I will take care of her occasionally.
I want her to grow up to be what I'm not. I want her to be strong, and confident, and easy-going, and to be the kind of person that people love to love. I want her to have every opportunity in life because there are so many things that I never got to try and I wish that I could have tried them.
I want her to be the person who always makes the world better.
I also don't want to step on my mother's toes any because we already have a slightly precarious relationship, largely because we just don't operate on the same wave-length. My mother is emotional, and I'm more logical, and the two do not always go well together.
All the fun.
In other news, tonight was the second night of RCIA classes. Monsignor O'Neal was teaching us tonight. It was actually really nice. The teaching bit was a bit dull, we were going over the order of mass, but not in a way that really helps me. What would help me is a comprehensive understanding of when to sit and when to stand. I've about got the standing and kneeling bit figured out completely. I don't always have to look at the people around me for that part, but the earlier part I haven't got a figured out. Anyway, it was more of a breakdown of the different parts of the mass. The best part was the Monsignor himself. He's an older Irish gentleman, and he's got a great sense of humor.
Anyway, I'll talk to ya'll again tomorrow.
Yours always,
Tara
Monday, September 22, 2014
Inking bust, blanket progress, and rosary news
Saturday was a long, long day, and it was made longer by the fact that I was supposed to be getting a tattoo done....and it never happened.
I'm incredibly disappointed, not only that I didn't get my tattoo, but also that no one had the decency to call and let me know that they wouldn't be there. I had an appointment for 1pm, and of course, I showed up about 15 minutes early. The shop was closed, with a sign that said "Appointment only". Okay, no big deal, like I said, I had an appointment. I knocked. I waited half an hour. I called three times. The place looked like it had pretty much been cleared out. No one called me and said "Hey, we need to reschedule." or even, "you need to find a different tattoo parlor."
So, instead, the money I set aside for my ink is going to a trip to St. Augustine with Aunt D. We're going to go see the shrine to Our Lady of La Leche and the Mission there, and maybe see the Cathedral Basilica while we're there, if it's opened. They're restoring it right now, so we won't see the full splendor, but I heard it's worth visiting anyway.
I guess that's just how life works. I've already started putting back a little money again, and I've got a place in mind for the next time I care to try. Maybe I'll be able to go by the time my sister comes down to visit again. I'll probably head in about a week or two before with my mock up, and a few questions.
In other news, the blanket is still coming along at a slow but steady pace, which wouldn't be a problem except that Little Bird seems very anxious to enter the world. I'm expecting to get a phone call any day now saying that my baby sister is making her entrance into the world. I'd like to have the blanket finished by then, but I've got at least seven squares left, plus the final stitching to make sure it holds up.
I also bought the yarn for my mom's Christmas present today, as well as buying H's Christmas. I was going to make him socks, but he asked for a particular pocket watch, and as a lover of pocket watches myself, it's hard not to encourage that. I'm also looking at maybe visiting my dad this holiday season, which would be nice, except for the fact that I hate the cold.
Of course, I'll be honest and say I don't hate it near as much as I say I do. I just like to whine about it.
In other news, I got the beads for one of the rosaries I have planned today. Black glass pearls and dark blue drop-shaped crystals will look great with the Pieta center and the crucifix that I have to go with it, which depicts Jesus being taken down off of the cross. I'm hoping to get the beads for the Pope Francis/St. Francis of Assisi rosary tomorrow, and then I'll set them aside for my Etsy shop. I still have two crucifixes that I'm not positive what I want to do with them.
Let me rephrase, I don't have a finished product in mind yet. The centers I have will work fine with one of the crucifixes, but I think the other one might need something a little different. Either way, soon as I figure it out, I'll get the beads and get it made.
I've also got a few ideas rattling around for auto-rosaries, including one that can go on the steering wheel, which I liked because I don't feel comfortable handling beads while driving, but I also lose count if I'm not physically touching something. This is why I like to have an obvious difference between the Aves and the Paters. It makes it a little easier to use. The one I saw that hooked onto the steering wheel seems like it'd be a good alternative to my usual practice of using the knuckles on my fingers.
I'll be back on tomorrow to fill you in on my second RCIA class and my adventures with trying to find the right beads. Aunt D will be out of town, so I'm not sure if I'll hang around Downtown or not. I do want to get a wall crucifix, and I've been eyeing a couple of different ones at Saints and Shamrocks. We'll just have to see how willing I am to kill time tomorrow.
Goodnight all!
Yours always,
Tara
I'm incredibly disappointed, not only that I didn't get my tattoo, but also that no one had the decency to call and let me know that they wouldn't be there. I had an appointment for 1pm, and of course, I showed up about 15 minutes early. The shop was closed, with a sign that said "Appointment only". Okay, no big deal, like I said, I had an appointment. I knocked. I waited half an hour. I called three times. The place looked like it had pretty much been cleared out. No one called me and said "Hey, we need to reschedule." or even, "you need to find a different tattoo parlor."
So, instead, the money I set aside for my ink is going to a trip to St. Augustine with Aunt D. We're going to go see the shrine to Our Lady of La Leche and the Mission there, and maybe see the Cathedral Basilica while we're there, if it's opened. They're restoring it right now, so we won't see the full splendor, but I heard it's worth visiting anyway.
I guess that's just how life works. I've already started putting back a little money again, and I've got a place in mind for the next time I care to try. Maybe I'll be able to go by the time my sister comes down to visit again. I'll probably head in about a week or two before with my mock up, and a few questions.
In other news, the blanket is still coming along at a slow but steady pace, which wouldn't be a problem except that Little Bird seems very anxious to enter the world. I'm expecting to get a phone call any day now saying that my baby sister is making her entrance into the world. I'd like to have the blanket finished by then, but I've got at least seven squares left, plus the final stitching to make sure it holds up.
I also bought the yarn for my mom's Christmas present today, as well as buying H's Christmas. I was going to make him socks, but he asked for a particular pocket watch, and as a lover of pocket watches myself, it's hard not to encourage that. I'm also looking at maybe visiting my dad this holiday season, which would be nice, except for the fact that I hate the cold.
Of course, I'll be honest and say I don't hate it near as much as I say I do. I just like to whine about it.
In other news, I got the beads for one of the rosaries I have planned today. Black glass pearls and dark blue drop-shaped crystals will look great with the Pieta center and the crucifix that I have to go with it, which depicts Jesus being taken down off of the cross. I'm hoping to get the beads for the Pope Francis/St. Francis of Assisi rosary tomorrow, and then I'll set them aside for my Etsy shop. I still have two crucifixes that I'm not positive what I want to do with them.
Let me rephrase, I don't have a finished product in mind yet. The centers I have will work fine with one of the crucifixes, but I think the other one might need something a little different. Either way, soon as I figure it out, I'll get the beads and get it made.
I've also got a few ideas rattling around for auto-rosaries, including one that can go on the steering wheel, which I liked because I don't feel comfortable handling beads while driving, but I also lose count if I'm not physically touching something. This is why I like to have an obvious difference between the Aves and the Paters. It makes it a little easier to use. The one I saw that hooked onto the steering wheel seems like it'd be a good alternative to my usual practice of using the knuckles on my fingers.
I'll be back on tomorrow to fill you in on my second RCIA class and my adventures with trying to find the right beads. Aunt D will be out of town, so I'm not sure if I'll hang around Downtown or not. I do want to get a wall crucifix, and I've been eyeing a couple of different ones at Saints and Shamrocks. We'll just have to see how willing I am to kill time tomorrow.
Goodnight all!
Yours always,
Tara
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Saturdays with the Saints: St. Guntramnus
Contran
Gontram
Gontran
Gontrano
Gontranno
Gunthrammus
Gunthramnus
Guntram
Guntrammo
Because I don't have a hard enough time remembering peoples' names.
I couldn't find out a lot about him, but here's what I do have. He was the son of a king and a saint, and the brother of two kings. He divorced his wife, and when her physician couldn't heal her, he killed the physician. (ouch! And people think Malpractice suites are bad!) Upon his conversion he was filled with remorse and so devoted his time, energy, and money to building the church. He was a generous, compassionate, and forgiving ruler, who was known for justly enforcing the laws, regardless of station.
He is the patron saint of divorced people, guardians, and reformed murderers.
His feast day is March 28th.
And that's it. That's all I've got. I hope you enjoyed today's edition of Saturdays with the Saints. See you again on Monday!
Yours always,
Tara
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Heat, walking shoes, and mail
Once again the chiller is out, which means that it is hot at work again. I can't say I'm to terribly surprised, but it's getting ridiculous. It makes me a little nervous about winter, because I heard they close the building when it gets really cold, which means that I probably wouldn't be working, which, of course, means no paycheck. It's enough to make you sick.
In other news, my dad decided to ask the sales rep at the Nike store near where he lives about walking shoes for women, since I mentioned I needed to get a good pair of walking shoes for Tuesday mornings. Did I mention that I have issues with paying more than $40 for shoes? Even my Doc Martens! I bought them off ebay for $35! And he's talking about $80 walking shoes!
Not that I can't see the value, it's just something I struggle with.
I got a package in the mail today from catholicprayercards.org. It was great! I ordered several saint medals, a St. Brigid's Cross charm, a small Pope Francis pectoral cross, and several rosary centers and crucifixes. I'm most excited about the two rosary centers and the crucifixes I picked to go with them though. I've got some beads in mind for the Pope Francis rosary, but I haven't decided on the beads for the Pieta one.
There were two things I really loved about ordering with catholicprayercards.org. First was interaction. Originally, I had ordered a St. Bernadette/Our Lady of Lourdes medal, but they didn't have it in stock. I received an email letting me know and offering me the choice of any equal priced medal. Second, I loved how fast it shipped. As soon as I had let them know which medal I'd like, they shipped the package and it arrived four days later. Everything was in excellent condition and like I said, I'm really excited about the rosaries.
Another thing that I liked was the prayer cards that came with it for free. I thought that was a nice little touch to make the experience that much more memorable.
Good night for now!
Yours always,
Tara
In other news, my dad decided to ask the sales rep at the Nike store near where he lives about walking shoes for women, since I mentioned I needed to get a good pair of walking shoes for Tuesday mornings. Did I mention that I have issues with paying more than $40 for shoes? Even my Doc Martens! I bought them off ebay for $35! And he's talking about $80 walking shoes!
Not that I can't see the value, it's just something I struggle with.
I got a package in the mail today from catholicprayercards.org. It was great! I ordered several saint medals, a St. Brigid's Cross charm, a small Pope Francis pectoral cross, and several rosary centers and crucifixes. I'm most excited about the two rosary centers and the crucifixes I picked to go with them though. I've got some beads in mind for the Pope Francis rosary, but I haven't decided on the beads for the Pieta one.
There were two things I really loved about ordering with catholicprayercards.org. First was interaction. Originally, I had ordered a St. Bernadette/Our Lady of Lourdes medal, but they didn't have it in stock. I received an email letting me know and offering me the choice of any equal priced medal. Second, I loved how fast it shipped. As soon as I had let them know which medal I'd like, they shipped the package and it arrived four days later. Everything was in excellent condition and like I said, I'm really excited about the rosaries.
Another thing that I liked was the prayer cards that came with it for free. I thought that was a nice little touch to make the experience that much more memorable.
Good night for now!
Yours always,
Tara
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The Season of Pumpkin Everything is Here!
Did I mention how much I LOVE pumpkin? Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin coffee (PUMPKIN COFFEE!!!) and much much more! Pumpkin is one of the most delicious and versatile items to grow on God's green earth and it's lovely!
I was a bad girl. I'm trying to cut back on sugar and caffeine (this is not going very well), and today I said "screw it" and bought a pumpkin pie donut and an iced pumpkin coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. It was totally worth it.
Seriously, that was some good stuff.
But anyway, that's actually the most exciting thing that's happened to me today.
I didn't go to mass this morning. My midweek mass will now be on Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays, though if my boss decides to have me work on Tuesday mornings it'll go back to Wednesdays. I just can't afford to go every day, no matter how much I'd like to.
Anyway, there's really nothing to say. I finally finished the blanket square I was working on and have cast on another one. It's not as wide, so hopefully it won't take too long to knit it up. I'd like to finish it tomorrow if at all possible, and move on the the next one. I have at least four more left, and I'd like to be finished by the end of the month. Then I can move on to other projects.
I think I lost one of my double points for my socks though. It's not in the bag, so I'm hoping it just fell out into the floor of my bedroom. I just had it the other day, after all. If not I'll have to buy another set, which isn't terrible, I guess, it just puts me further behind. That's part of why I'm so anxious to finish this blanket. I feel like I'm falling behind, which bothers me greatly.
Anyway, good night all.
Yours always,
Tara
I was a bad girl. I'm trying to cut back on sugar and caffeine (this is not going very well), and today I said "screw it" and bought a pumpkin pie donut and an iced pumpkin coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. It was totally worth it.
Seriously, that was some good stuff.
But anyway, that's actually the most exciting thing that's happened to me today.
I didn't go to mass this morning. My midweek mass will now be on Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays, though if my boss decides to have me work on Tuesday mornings it'll go back to Wednesdays. I just can't afford to go every day, no matter how much I'd like to.
Anyway, there's really nothing to say. I finally finished the blanket square I was working on and have cast on another one. It's not as wide, so hopefully it won't take too long to knit it up. I'd like to finish it tomorrow if at all possible, and move on the the next one. I have at least four more left, and I'd like to be finished by the end of the month. Then I can move on to other projects.
I think I lost one of my double points for my socks though. It's not in the bag, so I'm hoping it just fell out into the floor of my bedroom. I just had it the other day, after all. If not I'll have to buy another set, which isn't terrible, I guess, it just puts me further behind. That's part of why I'm so anxious to finish this blanket. I feel like I'm falling behind, which bothers me greatly.
Anyway, good night all.
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
RCIA class #1 and the hunt for a small wall crucifix without a scary price tag
Ehem.
RCIA. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Let me be incredibly honest, in the hours leading up to this class, my stomach was in knots. Why? Because I'm not, by nature, an out going person. I like people, don't get me wrong. I like groups of people too. But only if I know them all and have at least a minimum level of friendship with them. So classes of any kind are a bit intimidating.
Of course, everyone reading this who has been through these classes at the Cathedral knows that there was really no reason to be worried. There were a few tables with chairs, extra chairs along the wall, and a grand total of about 40 or so people there. I didn't count.
I took along my knitting, but did not actually pull it out. I probably should have. Knitting helps to relieve nervous energy, and most people are more fascinated by it than annoyed by it. I think I've lost one of my needles in my floor though. St. Anthony has his work cut out for him helping me find it.
My room exists in a state of semi-permanent chaos, with a vague sense of organization where my craft supplies are concerned. I still have boxes that I haven't unpacked, and quite frankly might never get around to unpacking....which is all the more reason to unpack them, because I probably need to get rid of 95% of the stuff in the boxes.
Anyway! The class! Today was a basic intro class. Father Shrek (yes, I did spell that correctly, thank you....I think) gave us a small syllabus (yay!) to give us an idea of what we'll be covering and when we will be out of class, such as St. Patrick's Day. Smart move that one. Savannah is crazy on St. Pat's! We start to actually get into things more next week.
He also mentioned the blessings thing. Many of you may recall that, for a time, I would go up to receive a blessing during the communion procession. I stopped after reading some stuff that implied that this recent tradition was not well received by those in authority. I'm still conflicted about the whole thing, and honestly, I'm probably going to go nuts trying to figure out what to do. According to Father Shrek, it's fine to do so. I'm still not sure whether I should, or whether I should stay in my seat.
There's some things that I do that I know a lot of people argue over, and frankly, for most of it, I can't really bring myself to care. There is no definitive "this is how it should be" so I figure, as long as I do my best to follow the rules, I'm fine. I'm not going to stop doing something just because a few people don't like it. But in this case, I'm not really sure what to think.
Now that I'm off on Tuesdays, my weekday mass service has been changed from Wednesday to Tuesdays. Added to this is a new exercise regime for Aunt D and I. After mass, we walk. Just, you know, where ever. We walked around for a few hours before stopping by Saints and Shamrocks. Every time I go in there I look at the wall crucifixes, and every time the price tags are scary.
I'm not sure why it is, but depending on the object, my "scary price tag" could be anywhere from $15 to $200. It all depends on the object. Restaurants where everything is $10 or more....scary price tags. A wall crucifix for $50.....scary price tag. A book for $30....scary price tag. Now that's not to say I never make purchases for things with "scary price tags" but I do try to keep it to a minimum. Scary price tags are called that for a reason, after all.
And honestly, I balk at spending $50 for most things. Which does not in any way negate the fact that I realize spending $100 for the complete M*A*S*H series plus the movie and a disc of bonus features is a really good deal. It just means that I still looked every where before finally making the purchase. What can I say? The joys of online shopping. I don't have to ask for help because it's already at my finger tips, I have the option of shopping multiple stores at the same time, and I don't have to deal with people. Brilliant.
Oh! Some quick shop news. While I will be doing a lot of work on personal projects, I am hoping to start on some items for the Etsy store shorty. It's my hope that I will be able to officially open for business by the end of October, beginning of November. I'll be sure to post a link when I open for business.
One thing I've been looking into is a metal casting service. Sadly, metal casting is a bit beyond my skills, but I'd really like to see a better medal for Our Lady Star of the Sea. The primary ones that I've found all look a little.....clinical. I can't help but think that any devotion to our Mother deserves to be a little more vibrant. Not necessarily colorful, but more detailed perhaps. Especially since we have so many beautiful medals for the saints, and other devotions to the Blessed Mother, easily available to us.
There's a lot of beautiful devotions to Mary that don't get a lot of attention. I'm not sure why, maybe because they aren't apparitions? But another really beautiful one is Our Lady of La Leche. I guess maybe I like that one so much because my mother breast fed my brothers, and will do so for my sister as well, but I just think it's lovely to see our Mother like that.
Anyway, I've gone off into rambling again. I really need to stop doing that. So I'm going to sign off, and call it a night. It's been a long, productive day.
Oh! Shameless plug for my favorite (well, a favorite) show on EWTN. Saints Alive! comes on tomorrow night at 5pm Eastern!
Goodnight all!
Yours always,
Tara
RCIA. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Let me be incredibly honest, in the hours leading up to this class, my stomach was in knots. Why? Because I'm not, by nature, an out going person. I like people, don't get me wrong. I like groups of people too. But only if I know them all and have at least a minimum level of friendship with them. So classes of any kind are a bit intimidating.
Of course, everyone reading this who has been through these classes at the Cathedral knows that there was really no reason to be worried. There were a few tables with chairs, extra chairs along the wall, and a grand total of about 40 or so people there. I didn't count.
I took along my knitting, but did not actually pull it out. I probably should have. Knitting helps to relieve nervous energy, and most people are more fascinated by it than annoyed by it. I think I've lost one of my needles in my floor though. St. Anthony has his work cut out for him helping me find it.
My room exists in a state of semi-permanent chaos, with a vague sense of organization where my craft supplies are concerned. I still have boxes that I haven't unpacked, and quite frankly might never get around to unpacking....which is all the more reason to unpack them, because I probably need to get rid of 95% of the stuff in the boxes.
Anyway! The class! Today was a basic intro class. Father Shrek (yes, I did spell that correctly, thank you....I think) gave us a small syllabus (yay!) to give us an idea of what we'll be covering and when we will be out of class, such as St. Patrick's Day. Smart move that one. Savannah is crazy on St. Pat's! We start to actually get into things more next week.
He also mentioned the blessings thing. Many of you may recall that, for a time, I would go up to receive a blessing during the communion procession. I stopped after reading some stuff that implied that this recent tradition was not well received by those in authority. I'm still conflicted about the whole thing, and honestly, I'm probably going to go nuts trying to figure out what to do. According to Father Shrek, it's fine to do so. I'm still not sure whether I should, or whether I should stay in my seat.
There's some things that I do that I know a lot of people argue over, and frankly, for most of it, I can't really bring myself to care. There is no definitive "this is how it should be" so I figure, as long as I do my best to follow the rules, I'm fine. I'm not going to stop doing something just because a few people don't like it. But in this case, I'm not really sure what to think.
Now that I'm off on Tuesdays, my weekday mass service has been changed from Wednesday to Tuesdays. Added to this is a new exercise regime for Aunt D and I. After mass, we walk. Just, you know, where ever. We walked around for a few hours before stopping by Saints and Shamrocks. Every time I go in there I look at the wall crucifixes, and every time the price tags are scary.
I'm not sure why it is, but depending on the object, my "scary price tag" could be anywhere from $15 to $200. It all depends on the object. Restaurants where everything is $10 or more....scary price tags. A wall crucifix for $50.....scary price tag. A book for $30....scary price tag. Now that's not to say I never make purchases for things with "scary price tags" but I do try to keep it to a minimum. Scary price tags are called that for a reason, after all.
And honestly, I balk at spending $50 for most things. Which does not in any way negate the fact that I realize spending $100 for the complete M*A*S*H series plus the movie and a disc of bonus features is a really good deal. It just means that I still looked every where before finally making the purchase. What can I say? The joys of online shopping. I don't have to ask for help because it's already at my finger tips, I have the option of shopping multiple stores at the same time, and I don't have to deal with people. Brilliant.
Oh! Some quick shop news. While I will be doing a lot of work on personal projects, I am hoping to start on some items for the Etsy store shorty. It's my hope that I will be able to officially open for business by the end of October, beginning of November. I'll be sure to post a link when I open for business.
One thing I've been looking into is a metal casting service. Sadly, metal casting is a bit beyond my skills, but I'd really like to see a better medal for Our Lady Star of the Sea. The primary ones that I've found all look a little.....clinical. I can't help but think that any devotion to our Mother deserves to be a little more vibrant. Not necessarily colorful, but more detailed perhaps. Especially since we have so many beautiful medals for the saints, and other devotions to the Blessed Mother, easily available to us.
There's a lot of beautiful devotions to Mary that don't get a lot of attention. I'm not sure why, maybe because they aren't apparitions? But another really beautiful one is Our Lady of La Leche. I guess maybe I like that one so much because my mother breast fed my brothers, and will do so for my sister as well, but I just think it's lovely to see our Mother like that.
Anyway, I've gone off into rambling again. I really need to stop doing that. So I'm going to sign off, and call it a night. It's been a long, productive day.
Oh! Shameless plug for my favorite (well, a favorite) show on EWTN. Saints Alive! comes on tomorrow night at 5pm Eastern!
Goodnight all!
Yours always,
Tara
Monday, September 15, 2014
Music Box, Stella Maris, and lots of excitement.
I want to find a different way to secure the lights though. The staples stuck out and then had to be pushed in and it just....it works, but I'd like something better.
I'm also trying to figure out if I should try to illuminate the smaller ones. Yeah, I'm going to make some smaller ones. I've got an idea of how I want to go about it, so now I just have to give it a shot. I'm thinking something Phantom of the Opera-esque.
There's the inside of the bird's perch. Inside is the battery operated switch for the lights and music box movement itself. I bought the ones in the case because at the time when I bought them, I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with them.
I think, after mine, I'll just purchase the movements, sans cases, and make something for it myself. For one thing, this will save space, and for another, it won't be as difficult to work with.
Anyway, that's my terrible artwork you see to the right. I was trying to keep it within an oval shaped frame, like most of the medals you see, but um....well, I decided making our Blessed Mother look as good as my (really poor) skills would allow was bit more important. I tried.
There's a few things I like about this picture. The sea doesn't look as bad as I had thought it did. And I manages not to completely mess up the hands....I think.
Other than that, I think it's terrible. Really and truly terrible.
I'm a little disappointed at how little there is for Our Lady Star of the Sea. I mean, I know it's not the most popular title our Mother has, but still! It's one of the oldest Marian devotions there is! And it's a beautiful one too.
Although, I'll be honest, part of why I love it might be because I love nautical stuff, despite the fact that I'd sink like a rock.
Anyway, tomorrow is the start of RCIA classes. I'm so excited! I can't wait! I'm also vaguely terrified because *eek* people! but I'll survive. I'm meeting Aunt D for Morning mass, followed by breakfast and walking, then I'm running some errands for my mother, and then who knows what I'll do until time to leave for class.
Can you tell I'm excited? I'm thrilled!
I'll tell you all about it tomorrow!
Yours Always,
Tara
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Saturdays with the Saints: St. Monica of Hippo
St. Monica lived from about AD 331-387. She was married to a man named Patricius, a pagan who had an official position in Tagaste (what is now Souk Ahras, Algeria). Both her husband and her mother-in-law had bad tempers and were not known for their good behavior. St. Monica's alms-giving and prayer life annoyed her husband, but he did respect her.
She had three children who survived infancy: sons Augustine and Navigus, and daughter Perpetua. She was unable to have her children baptized, even after Augustine fell ill and then recovered.
Augustine fell into a terrible lifestyle, which he wrote about in his confessions, that caused his mother a great deal of grief. After his return from Carthage, deep in Manichaeism, St. Monica banned him from her table for a time. She later had a vision which convinced her to reconcile with him.
She followed him to Rome, and then, finding that he had left, she followed him further to Milan, where they came to be under the teaching of St. Ambrose, who led St. Augustine to conversion.
Both St. Augustine and St Monica went to Africa where Monica died, at Ostia.
St. Monica is the patron of wives, abuse victims, and her feast day is August 27th.
Thanks for joining me for another Saturday with the Saints!
Yours always,
Tara
Friday, September 12, 2014
Busy Thursdays and Awkward Appointments
So I wasn't able to post yesterday due to not having a computer available. I spent the entire morning with Aunt D, which was lovely, and then went to work, expecting to use the computer there as I normally do. No dice.
Some idjit had put in the wrong password enough times that the computer locked us all out. Until Tech comes out and fixes it, we're S.O.L.
So I brought my personal laptop today. This has the added benefit of having my kindle app on it (since I don't have an e-reader) and all my bookmarked web-pages.
Next Tuesday, the same day RCIA classes start, I'm supposed to drive with Aunt D to her old place (about 5 hrs. away) to pick up her stuff. We're going to attend noon mass at her old parish, and then head back, arriving with (hopefully) an hour to spare before class-time. I like to be early. But anyway, other than making sure Baby has all her fluids where they should be and checking her tires, she should be all ready to go. It's not quite time for another oil change, and I just got the front-end alignment fixed (with tire-rotation), so like I said, we shouldn't have any problems.
I went to the doctor today. Nothing to bad, no worries. She thinks I might have acid re-flux and basically told me to cut back on everything I enjoy in life. I'm kidding, it's not that bad. She did advise I cut back on the sodas (I didn't have the heart to tell her I've already cut my consumption by more than half. I went from going through a 12-pack in 4 days to going through one in two weeks. Progress has been made) and also to take it easy on spicy foods (I refuse to give up Indian food) and fats (she couldn't possibly mean my shepherd's pie). Truthfully, everything she told me I already knew and have already started working on, despite my jests.
Of course, as with any visit, they're doing some tests, just to verify that everything is, indeed, fine. Fech!
I'm reminded why I don't go to see doctors unless I absolutely have to. So many tests and so many ridiculous questions. I spent fifteen minutes answering the questions in the paper work I filled out!
Oh well, Que sera sera.
I bought a few new e-books recently. Thankfully Amazon has a kindle app for computers, since it will likely be a while before I give in an buy any sort of e-reader. I had a tablet, but I could never quite get it to work to my liking, so it was retired.
I've got just about everything for the music boxes. I just need to grab a few pieces of sturdy scrapbook paper and a stapler that I can lay flat. Well, that's all I need to do the one for Little Bird. I still need another set of lights and a small celtic cross to go inside mine. I'm really pleased with the lights. They came in today and are just the right size, really bright, and operated by a small battery pack. In all, I'm thrilled.
I might still check the craft store while I'm there though, just in case they have anything better there.
Anyway, that's all there is to tell for now. I'm back down to 36 hrs because of the RCIA, but I'm hoping I can pick up Saturdays in the future, and even so, I'll still be doing pretty well. I'll buy the yarn for mom's socks soon, and probably P's as well. H and Step-dad are both getting plain grey socks, so that won't be hard, and as soon as Little Bird is born I'll get started on the dress. Hopefully Granma's shawl won't be too hard, and I've already got more than enough yarn for the advent calender.
I'm hoping to open an Etsy store following the holidays, where I'll sell rosaries and chaplets, and maybe music boxes too. We'll see how it all works out. Look for more info in the future!
Yours always,
Tara
Some idjit had put in the wrong password enough times that the computer locked us all out. Until Tech comes out and fixes it, we're S.O.L.
So I brought my personal laptop today. This has the added benefit of having my kindle app on it (since I don't have an e-reader) and all my bookmarked web-pages.
Next Tuesday, the same day RCIA classes start, I'm supposed to drive with Aunt D to her old place (about 5 hrs. away) to pick up her stuff. We're going to attend noon mass at her old parish, and then head back, arriving with (hopefully) an hour to spare before class-time. I like to be early. But anyway, other than making sure Baby has all her fluids where they should be and checking her tires, she should be all ready to go. It's not quite time for another oil change, and I just got the front-end alignment fixed (with tire-rotation), so like I said, we shouldn't have any problems.
I went to the doctor today. Nothing to bad, no worries. She thinks I might have acid re-flux and basically told me to cut back on everything I enjoy in life. I'm kidding, it's not that bad. She did advise I cut back on the sodas (I didn't have the heart to tell her I've already cut my consumption by more than half. I went from going through a 12-pack in 4 days to going through one in two weeks. Progress has been made) and also to take it easy on spicy foods (I refuse to give up Indian food) and fats (she couldn't possibly mean my shepherd's pie). Truthfully, everything she told me I already knew and have already started working on, despite my jests.
Of course, as with any visit, they're doing some tests, just to verify that everything is, indeed, fine. Fech!
I'm reminded why I don't go to see doctors unless I absolutely have to. So many tests and so many ridiculous questions. I spent fifteen minutes answering the questions in the paper work I filled out!
Oh well, Que sera sera.
I bought a few new e-books recently. Thankfully Amazon has a kindle app for computers, since it will likely be a while before I give in an buy any sort of e-reader. I had a tablet, but I could never quite get it to work to my liking, so it was retired.
I've got just about everything for the music boxes. I just need to grab a few pieces of sturdy scrapbook paper and a stapler that I can lay flat. Well, that's all I need to do the one for Little Bird. I still need another set of lights and a small celtic cross to go inside mine. I'm really pleased with the lights. They came in today and are just the right size, really bright, and operated by a small battery pack. In all, I'm thrilled.
I might still check the craft store while I'm there though, just in case they have anything better there.
Anyway, that's all there is to tell for now. I'm back down to 36 hrs because of the RCIA, but I'm hoping I can pick up Saturdays in the future, and even so, I'll still be doing pretty well. I'll buy the yarn for mom's socks soon, and probably P's as well. H and Step-dad are both getting plain grey socks, so that won't be hard, and as soon as Little Bird is born I'll get started on the dress. Hopefully Granma's shawl won't be too hard, and I've already got more than enough yarn for the advent calender.
I'm hoping to open an Etsy store following the holidays, where I'll sell rosaries and chaplets, and maybe music boxes too. We'll see how it all works out. Look for more info in the future!
Yours always,
Tara
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Minor frustrations, schedule changes, and why I treat holidays with kid gloves
I decided, looking at my progress and looking at how far I had still to go, that I would not be able to finish this blanket before the baby shower, though I should still have it finished before Little Bird is born....assuming she goes to term, that is. Therefore the new project is the music box. While this project does have some unique challenges of it's own, I'm fairly confident that I can get this finished by Sunday evening. I've got the music box movement, the book box, the little toy dragons, plenty of cardboard to hide the movement, and some nice paper to make the whole thing look a little more polished.
However, it occurred to me that it might be a tad bit dark inside the box, so I decided to look for a set of small, battery operated led string lights to illuminate it. It took forever to find a set that didn't cost a ridiculous amount and that would arrive before Saturday! I kept finding 7' and 3 meter sets. I need three feet not thirty feet! Ridiculous. Of course, now I have to borrow one of my mom's staplers which lays flat (so I can staple them in.) I also will probably do that with the little dragon that's going to be hanging from the top of the book, along with a little dab of hot glue, just to make sure he doesn't fly out of the box.
I have four or five little dragons and a tiny bird to go inside. I haven't even started on mine, but that's okay. I don't think mine's going to be as labor intensive. I've made backgrounds to go inside the boxes, and I'll measure tomorrow to make sure I size them just right before I print them.
Aunt D called me yesterday to let me know that, due to some up-coming event, our parish is only holding mass in the afternoons. I sort of already previous plans, so no mass today. I don't like that, not one bit, but I'll be going tomorrow, and that's what's important. Missing mass really does irritate me though. I like morning mass. It starts the day off nicely.
Of course, as mentioned in various posts, the holidays approach swiftly, and already I've begun to pace myself because if I don't, I'll burn out before the season even gets here, and then be even more of a Grinch than I naturally am. (Think about it, a largely introverted individual during the holiday season....yeah, nope.) I'm hoping that I can get this blanket off the needles and get my mother's Christmas gift on, then do Stepda's, and H's before Little Bird is born. Hopefully I can get P's knocked out too. I also have Granma's (which will take longer) and Hazel's. L's, Cas', and K's. Lots of knitting, very little time, and knitting burn out on the horizon. Here's praying that I'll finish it all.
I also have a stocking, an advent calender and all it's little ornaments, my socks, and a shawl that I'd really like to make!
It's enough to drive a gal mad!
Yours always,
Tara
However, it occurred to me that it might be a tad bit dark inside the box, so I decided to look for a set of small, battery operated led string lights to illuminate it. It took forever to find a set that didn't cost a ridiculous amount and that would arrive before Saturday! I kept finding 7' and 3 meter sets. I need three feet not thirty feet! Ridiculous. Of course, now I have to borrow one of my mom's staplers which lays flat (so I can staple them in.) I also will probably do that with the little dragon that's going to be hanging from the top of the book, along with a little dab of hot glue, just to make sure he doesn't fly out of the box.
I have four or five little dragons and a tiny bird to go inside. I haven't even started on mine, but that's okay. I don't think mine's going to be as labor intensive. I've made backgrounds to go inside the boxes, and I'll measure tomorrow to make sure I size them just right before I print them.
Aunt D called me yesterday to let me know that, due to some up-coming event, our parish is only holding mass in the afternoons. I sort of already previous plans, so no mass today. I don't like that, not one bit, but I'll be going tomorrow, and that's what's important. Missing mass really does irritate me though. I like morning mass. It starts the day off nicely.
Of course, as mentioned in various posts, the holidays approach swiftly, and already I've begun to pace myself because if I don't, I'll burn out before the season even gets here, and then be even more of a Grinch than I naturally am. (Think about it, a largely introverted individual during the holiday season....yeah, nope.) I'm hoping that I can get this blanket off the needles and get my mother's Christmas gift on, then do Stepda's, and H's before Little Bird is born. Hopefully I can get P's knocked out too. I also have Granma's (which will take longer) and Hazel's. L's, Cas', and K's. Lots of knitting, very little time, and knitting burn out on the horizon. Here's praying that I'll finish it all.
I also have a stocking, an advent calender and all it's little ornaments, my socks, and a shawl that I'd really like to make!
It's enough to drive a gal mad!
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
THe Approach of Autumn
It's September (not that anyone didn't already know that) and autumn is here! It is, technically, a little too early to start on Halloween decorating, not that that stops people. Almost every store is drenched in orange, brown, red, and yellow in one corner, and Orange, slime green, vibrant purples, and black. There's pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, leaves and creepy looking dead trees, empty fields and full grave-yards.
Now, I am a huge fan of Halloween. I love acting, love dressing up, and love an excuse to watch dorky kid movies (Scary Godmother! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Spookable Pooh! The Nightmare Before Christmas!...good for two holidays, that one!) So Halloween, with costumes, candy, and a decent number of kiddie movies, is brilliant! This year, I won't be able to take part in my favorite tradition of passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. I love passing out candy to kids in costumes! So cute. Any way! Not the point!
The point is, my favorite season swiftly approaches. The annual torrential down-pour we get every winter hasn't started, the humidity has blessedly retreated. (This fact can make even hardened atheist praise God). The weather cools off and I can wear long sleeves, cardigans, sweaters, and leggings without risking heat stroke.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the beginning of the Christmas season (which, in my mind, officially begins at the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade because that's when my mother would permit Christmas carols and movies to be dusted off and brought out for our enjoyment.) all come in autumn.
Also accompanying autumn is Christmas shopping, frantic knitting, school (SCHOOL! *sobbing*) and an over abundance of sweets that demand to be tasted.
I love food. And the foods that are best for the colder months, soups, stews, roasts, heavy pastas, and almost anything with pumpkins or potatoes are my favorites. This is why I fight year round to maintain my (fairly) slim figure. I've already mentioned my great love of Irish food, which tends, as a general rule, to be hot, heavy on potatoes, and made with (really yummy) cheap cuts of meat. Although I may argue that last point on the basis of the price of stew meat the last time I went to the store.
My point is, autumn is here! (basically) and there's a lot to love about the wonderful season we find ourselves in. There's also the impending birth of my sister, the birthdays of both my parents (within a week of each other) and plenty of time to bake as many desserts with pumpkin as I can stand.
This has been an ode to autumn from your friendly neighborhood blogger. Regular posting will resume tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.
Yours always,
Tara Hills
Now, I am a huge fan of Halloween. I love acting, love dressing up, and love an excuse to watch dorky kid movies (Scary Godmother! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Spookable Pooh! The Nightmare Before Christmas!...good for two holidays, that one!) So Halloween, with costumes, candy, and a decent number of kiddie movies, is brilliant! This year, I won't be able to take part in my favorite tradition of passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. I love passing out candy to kids in costumes! So cute. Any way! Not the point!
The point is, my favorite season swiftly approaches. The annual torrential down-pour we get every winter hasn't started, the humidity has blessedly retreated. (This fact can make even hardened atheist praise God). The weather cools off and I can wear long sleeves, cardigans, sweaters, and leggings without risking heat stroke.
Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the beginning of the Christmas season (which, in my mind, officially begins at the end of the Thanksgiving Day parade because that's when my mother would permit Christmas carols and movies to be dusted off and brought out for our enjoyment.) all come in autumn.
Also accompanying autumn is Christmas shopping, frantic knitting, school (SCHOOL! *sobbing*) and an over abundance of sweets that demand to be tasted.
I love food. And the foods that are best for the colder months, soups, stews, roasts, heavy pastas, and almost anything with pumpkins or potatoes are my favorites. This is why I fight year round to maintain my (fairly) slim figure. I've already mentioned my great love of Irish food, which tends, as a general rule, to be hot, heavy on potatoes, and made with (really yummy) cheap cuts of meat. Although I may argue that last point on the basis of the price of stew meat the last time I went to the store.
My point is, autumn is here! (basically) and there's a lot to love about the wonderful season we find ourselves in. There's also the impending birth of my sister, the birthdays of both my parents (within a week of each other) and plenty of time to bake as many desserts with pumpkin as I can stand.
This has been an ode to autumn from your friendly neighborhood blogger. Regular posting will resume tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.
Yours always,
Tara Hills
Monday, September 8, 2014
Knitting, music boxes, and missing Sunday mass
Let's start with the last point.
I missed mass on Sunday. Actually, I missed the last half of mass on Sunday, due to indigestion. My breakfast, consumed as I dashed out the door 1 hour and 10 minutes before mass, just did not sit well, and I had to leave. I absolutely hated it, especially given the fact that I had no problems for the rest of the day. However at the time, while I suspected that was the problem, I wasn't sure, and felt it best I go home.
I hate that I missed mass. The entire thing irritates me just a tad, because I genuinely look forward to mass every week. I plan my Wednesday around being able to attend the morning mass, and my Sunday around the 10am mass. RCIA classes are starting soon, and my Tuesdays will be planned around RCIA. So missing, even if it's necessary, is not something I like doing.
Now, of course, on a weekday morning, I don't have to leave quite so early, only 40 minutes. I also don't have to drive around for 10 minutes to find a parking spot on weekday mornings, and traffic (though having slower speeds in some areas due to school zones) is better. Truthfully, if I just wanted to drive past the Cathedral it would only take 30 minutes. The extra time is to park, get inside, and have a few minutes to pray, meditate....and locate today's entry in the missal.
In other news, I'm still working on the baby blanket. I've made some slight adjustments to my mental plan for the next square, and hopefully it'll knit up faster, allowing me to move on to the next squares. I think I only need four more squares. I might do six more squares, plus the edging, but it depends on how it looks and how long it takes.
I also got my music box movements in the mail today. I ordered two music box movements in white cases the other day, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Puff the Magic Dragon". I'm going to get two of those boxes that look like books, and cut a slit in the "binding" for the windup knob to stick out. Then I'll build a little cover so that the movement doesn't rattle around, and it's hidden. Finish it with a little decorating and voila! a lovely little music box. Puff the Magic Dragon is for Little Bird...or maybe I should say it's for Mom? either way, it's for them. I'm shamelessly admitting that "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" is for me. I love that song, and I think it'd be lots of fun.
Aunt D is back in town. I'll see her Wednesday at mass, which will be nice. I also have to stop by the college afterwards to see about registering for classes in the coming mini-mester. I don't know what all I'll need, and I hate calling them because I can never get through! And I'm not the only one! Sometimes they take weeks to get back to you....sometimes they never get back to you! Absolutely infuriating!
I'm hoping to stick to online classes, since I can work on them at work. They also tend to be a little easier in regards to quizzes and essays. I'll be honest though, I don't like school. I hate how people build college up, I hate how political it can be, I hate how many terrible professors have tenur (WHY?!) and how many of them can make your life miserable, and I hate how many people don't listen before they shoot off their mouth! I'm not speaking Greek, for crying out loud! We're in college! I shouldn't have to hold your hand and lead you through what I just said!
It's a pet peeve that was born in college-level English, when one of my class-mates would literally try to argue with me while saying the exact same thing that I was saying! I mean, okay, so sometimes I sound like I swallowed a thesaurus, but I do try to keep the more advanced words back because there's only so many times you can say "elucidate" before you realize that, apparently, this word was removed from the common lexicon. ("Lexicon" has probably been removed as well, come to think of it.)
It also doesn't help that the teacher had terrible tastes in short stories. The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. Ugh! And we had to write an essay about an underlying theme! There is no underlying theme in that story! There's not enough in it for there to be an underlying message or theme. I apologize if any of you like it, but it's really not a good choice for that. Especially since she said she didn't want "thirty papers about the same thing"! Pick something else for the love of all that is good! Edgar Allen Poe would have been brilliant. Hans Christian Anderson, the Brothers Grimm, for crying out loud Aesop's fables have more meat to their stories! At least with those you can go with the main plot, or with the symbolism (the fox being chosen because it is commonly believed to be a "sly" animal, ect.)
The other problem is simply that people with degrees get better jobs, and get paid better, but I've met people with Doctorates and masters degrees and they're dumber than a brick! They have no common sense or practical knowledge. They test well, and maybe can bullshit a good paper (be honest! If you have ever written a 6 page+ paper, it's about two paragraphs of real information and six or more pages of utter tripe!) but they are completely unable to operate beyond that. But these people manage to get, and keep, good jobs with good pay!
Meanwhile, my dad knows a guy who's taught people to do a job for 10 years, and worked in that job in the military for 20+ years, who's being let go because he "does not met the required qualifications" because now, after 10 years, they require a college degree! I just don't understand. I really don't. He knows what he's doing, he knows better than any one, and he's good at what he does. He's not that old, and he's in great health!
I don't understand a lot about our world. I don't understand why people can't pay their employees what they need to live, and not just survive. I don't understand why people make a big deal out of small things, and treat big things like they're trivial matters. I don't understand our world.
Anyway, I'm signing off for now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Yours always,
Tara Hills
I missed mass on Sunday. Actually, I missed the last half of mass on Sunday, due to indigestion. My breakfast, consumed as I dashed out the door 1 hour and 10 minutes before mass, just did not sit well, and I had to leave. I absolutely hated it, especially given the fact that I had no problems for the rest of the day. However at the time, while I suspected that was the problem, I wasn't sure, and felt it best I go home.
I hate that I missed mass. The entire thing irritates me just a tad, because I genuinely look forward to mass every week. I plan my Wednesday around being able to attend the morning mass, and my Sunday around the 10am mass. RCIA classes are starting soon, and my Tuesdays will be planned around RCIA. So missing, even if it's necessary, is not something I like doing.
Now, of course, on a weekday morning, I don't have to leave quite so early, only 40 minutes. I also don't have to drive around for 10 minutes to find a parking spot on weekday mornings, and traffic (though having slower speeds in some areas due to school zones) is better. Truthfully, if I just wanted to drive past the Cathedral it would only take 30 minutes. The extra time is to park, get inside, and have a few minutes to pray, meditate....and locate today's entry in the missal.
In other news, I'm still working on the baby blanket. I've made some slight adjustments to my mental plan for the next square, and hopefully it'll knit up faster, allowing me to move on to the next squares. I think I only need four more squares. I might do six more squares, plus the edging, but it depends on how it looks and how long it takes.
I also got my music box movements in the mail today. I ordered two music box movements in white cases the other day, "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Puff the Magic Dragon". I'm going to get two of those boxes that look like books, and cut a slit in the "binding" for the windup knob to stick out. Then I'll build a little cover so that the movement doesn't rattle around, and it's hidden. Finish it with a little decorating and voila! a lovely little music box. Puff the Magic Dragon is for Little Bird...or maybe I should say it's for Mom? either way, it's for them. I'm shamelessly admitting that "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" is for me. I love that song, and I think it'd be lots of fun.
Aunt D is back in town. I'll see her Wednesday at mass, which will be nice. I also have to stop by the college afterwards to see about registering for classes in the coming mini-mester. I don't know what all I'll need, and I hate calling them because I can never get through! And I'm not the only one! Sometimes they take weeks to get back to you....sometimes they never get back to you! Absolutely infuriating!
I'm hoping to stick to online classes, since I can work on them at work. They also tend to be a little easier in regards to quizzes and essays. I'll be honest though, I don't like school. I hate how people build college up, I hate how political it can be, I hate how many terrible professors have tenur (WHY?!) and how many of them can make your life miserable, and I hate how many people don't listen before they shoot off their mouth! I'm not speaking Greek, for crying out loud! We're in college! I shouldn't have to hold your hand and lead you through what I just said!
It's a pet peeve that was born in college-level English, when one of my class-mates would literally try to argue with me while saying the exact same thing that I was saying! I mean, okay, so sometimes I sound like I swallowed a thesaurus, but I do try to keep the more advanced words back because there's only so many times you can say "elucidate" before you realize that, apparently, this word was removed from the common lexicon. ("Lexicon" has probably been removed as well, come to think of it.)
It also doesn't help that the teacher had terrible tastes in short stories. The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. Ugh! And we had to write an essay about an underlying theme! There is no underlying theme in that story! There's not enough in it for there to be an underlying message or theme. I apologize if any of you like it, but it's really not a good choice for that. Especially since she said she didn't want "thirty papers about the same thing"! Pick something else for the love of all that is good! Edgar Allen Poe would have been brilliant. Hans Christian Anderson, the Brothers Grimm, for crying out loud Aesop's fables have more meat to their stories! At least with those you can go with the main plot, or with the symbolism (the fox being chosen because it is commonly believed to be a "sly" animal, ect.)
The other problem is simply that people with degrees get better jobs, and get paid better, but I've met people with Doctorates and masters degrees and they're dumber than a brick! They have no common sense or practical knowledge. They test well, and maybe can bullshit a good paper (be honest! If you have ever written a 6 page+ paper, it's about two paragraphs of real information and six or more pages of utter tripe!) but they are completely unable to operate beyond that. But these people manage to get, and keep, good jobs with good pay!
Meanwhile, my dad knows a guy who's taught people to do a job for 10 years, and worked in that job in the military for 20+ years, who's being let go because he "does not met the required qualifications" because now, after 10 years, they require a college degree! I just don't understand. I really don't. He knows what he's doing, he knows better than any one, and he's good at what he does. He's not that old, and he's in great health!
I don't understand a lot about our world. I don't understand why people can't pay their employees what they need to live, and not just survive. I don't understand why people make a big deal out of small things, and treat big things like they're trivial matters. I don't understand our world.
Anyway, I'm signing off for now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Yours always,
Tara Hills
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Saturdays with the Saints: St. Maurice
St. Maurice was the leader of the Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century. He was born in AD 250 in Thebes, Egypt, near where the Aswan Dam is today. He grew up there and joined the legion. There he worked his way up through the ranks and became the leader of the 6,600 man legion.
The story goes that the Emperor Maximian ordered the Legion, composed (supposedly) entirely of Christians, to make sacrifices to false gods to ensure victory, and to harass fellow Christians. They refused, and every tenth man was killed in a military punishment known as "decimation". They continued to resist, and a second decimation occurred. When they still refused to comply and use violence against their fellow Christians, they were all executed. This execution occurred in Switzerland, in Agaunum, in what is now known as Saint Maurice-en-Valais, where the Abbey of Saint Maurice-en-Valais is.
This is the first version of the story, contained in the public letter Eucherius, bishop of Lyon, addressed to fellow bishop Salvius. Other variation say that the Legion refused to follow orders after discovering that a town they had destroyed was inhabited by innocent Christians, or that they were executed because they would not make sacrifices to false gods.
St. Maurice was the patron saint of the Holy Roman Emperors. In 926, Henry I (919-936) ceded the present Swiss canton of Aargua to the abbey in exchange for the sword, lance, and spurs of Saint Maurice. The sword and spurs were used in the coronation of the Austro-Hungarian Emperors until 1916.
He is traditionally depicted in full armor, and has come to be connected to the legend of the Spear of Destiny, which he supposedly carried into battle. There are over 650 religious organizations devoted to him in France and other European countries.
He is the patron of the Duchy of Savoy and of the Valais, as well as soldiers, swordsmiths, armies, infantryman, and, for some strange reason, weavers and dyers. He's also invoked against menstrual cramps.
I'll be honest, I don't understand why he's the patron of weavers and dyers, or why he's invoked against menstrual cramps, but hey, that's what the sites say, so there! His feast day is coming up on September 22.
Hope you have a great day!
Yours always,
Tara
Friday, September 5, 2014
I finished the pumpkin baby hat, with little I-cord vine and leaves. You can just barely see my long-suffering St. Patrick sitting underneath it in the picture. He goes with me to work every day, poor fellow. It's not too bad, I hope. He sits on the desk, smiling gently from his perch.
I've also almost finished reading The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey & Song, which means I'll be moving on to The Bad Catholic's Guide to Good Living.
I get back to working on the baby blanket tomorrow, and I'm so thankful that the weekend is here! I have work to do on my room, more clothes to go through and so on, and I'm going to try and go to morning mass this coming Sunday. I usually attend the 10am mass, because I'm lazy and like to sleep in. It also makes it easier to avoid going to my family's Baptist church.
I'd like to start getting everything in order for Christmas soon. Presents, decorations, and such, all prepped and ready for the upcoming holiday season. I know I'm starting early, but I have too, with most of my gifts being hand-knits and with my appalling lack of decorations of any kind, I need to start now so I'm not perpetually broke when the holidays season does arrive.
I've got several books on my to-read list, including the Cape Light series, and a variety of Catholic books. RCIA classes start the week following next and I'm excited.
There are no Irish dance classes for beginning adults so far, which is disappointing, but not an insurmountable problem, by any means. Man made instructional DVDs for a reason, after all, and it would be more enjoyable than pilates I'm sure.
There's a festival coming up that I'd like to go to. It's on the same ay as my appointment with the tattoo artist, but I'm sure I can work with that. I can go after the appointment, though it'll be nice if I can get a ride, and therefore enjoy the more spirited aspects of the fun without breaking my rule of no drinking after imbibing...even if I am still well under the legal limit. Unfortunately, I live with a tee-o-taler, and I hate putting my mom out. (Besides, if she wasn't pregnant, I'd be the Designated Driver. Or step-dad would be...)
There's not much else to say today. Hopefully there won't be any interruption in Saturdays with the Saints, but tomorrow will be kind of busy, so no promises.
Yours always,
Tara
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Livestream issues and pumpkin baby hats
As usual, I pulled up the EWTN radio link to listen to Catholic Answers Live, only for what ever reason the link did not want to work, so I had to find a different link. Thank you Ave Maria Radio for your handy live-stream.
I set the baby blanket aside. I just don't have enough time to finish it, so I've casted on a baby hat in orange. I'll add a stem and leaves and make it a pumpkin hat. Little Bird is supposed to be born a little more than a week before Halloween, so it's appropriate.
I've just about finished reading The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey & Song. I love this book! So does H, based on what she's heard from me. Apparently, the 7.1 liters of alcohol consumed by her Slavic ancestors at a normal wedding is something to be proud of. I can't blame her, I feel great pride at shenanigans of my Irish ancestors (as chronicled under Irish Cream, among other entries.)
I am so looking forward to the weekend, and, other than my mother's baby-shower, I have no plans what-so-ever. That sounds nice. I'm going to knock out this hat, work on that blanket, and sleep!
I'm not sure if I want to get up and go to mass in the morning or not. I'm tired, but I don't know if that's because I didn't get enough sleep, or if I've gotten too much sleep lately. All the joy of the human body.
My granma thinks I need to mention it to the doctor when I go on the 12th, but I really think it's just a cycle that I need to break. Get ten minutes too much sleep and you might end up feeling even more like a zombie than if you got ten too few.
I feel better when I drag myself out of bed, but I'm a lazy bum and don't get up if I don't have to. All the fun.
Of course, adding to my lethargy is the weather, with it's on-again-off-again raining. This is good at bedtime when I'm trying to go to bed, but not so much when I'm bored out of my mind at work.
There's a new program on EWTN tonight that I'm looking forward to called Catholics Come Home. It looks like it'll be good.
Anyway, I'm signing off for the night.
Yours always,
Tara
I set the baby blanket aside. I just don't have enough time to finish it, so I've casted on a baby hat in orange. I'll add a stem and leaves and make it a pumpkin hat. Little Bird is supposed to be born a little more than a week before Halloween, so it's appropriate.
I've just about finished reading The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey & Song. I love this book! So does H, based on what she's heard from me. Apparently, the 7.1 liters of alcohol consumed by her Slavic ancestors at a normal wedding is something to be proud of. I can't blame her, I feel great pride at shenanigans of my Irish ancestors (as chronicled under Irish Cream, among other entries.)
I am so looking forward to the weekend, and, other than my mother's baby-shower, I have no plans what-so-ever. That sounds nice. I'm going to knock out this hat, work on that blanket, and sleep!
I'm not sure if I want to get up and go to mass in the morning or not. I'm tired, but I don't know if that's because I didn't get enough sleep, or if I've gotten too much sleep lately. All the joy of the human body.
My granma thinks I need to mention it to the doctor when I go on the 12th, but I really think it's just a cycle that I need to break. Get ten minutes too much sleep and you might end up feeling even more like a zombie than if you got ten too few.
I feel better when I drag myself out of bed, but I'm a lazy bum and don't get up if I don't have to. All the fun.
Of course, adding to my lethargy is the weather, with it's on-again-off-again raining. This is good at bedtime when I'm trying to go to bed, but not so much when I'm bored out of my mind at work.
There's a new program on EWTN tonight that I'm looking forward to called Catholics Come Home. It looks like it'll be good.
Anyway, I'm signing off for the night.
Yours always,
Tara
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Blanket process, EWTN, and Saints Alive!
It's Wednesday, and of course that means dragging myself out of bed to go to morning mass. I've considered going more frequently, but gas prices always make me nauseous. I didn't really feel like getting up and going this morning, but when I commit something to my routine I like keep it, and mass always makes me feel better anyway.
Is it mass, or Mass? Help a clueless convert out, please.
Anyway, I was incredibly tired and cold! Autumn is fast approaching, as evidenced by the fact that I'm waking up cold even if it isn't all that cold when I leave the house to go to mass. This is why, though I love Autumn and love the appearance of winter, I'm not overly fond of these season. Drives me nuts.
I'm investing in leggings and petticoats!
I wonder if women realize just how brilliant petticoats can be! They add two-to-three layers (tulle or cotton, but none-the-less) of material! You can't do that nearly as well with pants! Broomstick skirts, petticoats, and leggings! Layers make cold weather, not only tolerable, but even enjoyable!
I actually have a few things in mind that will look really lovely and keep me nice and warm at the same time, especially if I get the chance to visit my dad, which I'd like to do if the opportunity arises.
Anyway! The baby blanket. I've got the first seven blocks stitched together and have started on the eighth block. I'm both confident that I can finish in time and also terrified that I won't be able to because I'm estimating that I only need eight more blocks, but each block gets progressively larger as I go, and it doesn't include the lacy edge I'd like to add to the edge. I have three days left. Well, four if we count the main portion of Saturday because the baby shower isn't until that evening, but still! That means I have to crank out three block a day!
So I'm a little panicked, especially since I need to get this off the needles and get my other projects on the needles.
I'm thinking about putting the blanket aside and making the pumpkin hat, and then finishing the blanket over the next week. We'll see were I am tomorrow evening.
In other news, I've been enjoying EWTN a lot lately. Well, certain programs of EWTN, that is. I love Mother Angelica, and I found a new program that I really love called Saints Alive! tonight. I love programs like this! I was a history nerd in school.
Which is why history classes suck, because you grow up and realize that they lied to you! They ignored an entire side of the argument, forgot (how convenient *rolls eyes*) important events, and minimized (those bastards!) the contributions of people to suit their own view and it's so irritating!
*sighs* It's enough to make a body spit nails!
Anyway, back to knitting with me. Night all!
Yours always,
Tara
Is it mass, or Mass? Help a clueless convert out, please.
Anyway, I was incredibly tired and cold! Autumn is fast approaching, as evidenced by the fact that I'm waking up cold even if it isn't all that cold when I leave the house to go to mass. This is why, though I love Autumn and love the appearance of winter, I'm not overly fond of these season. Drives me nuts.
I'm investing in leggings and petticoats!
I wonder if women realize just how brilliant petticoats can be! They add two-to-three layers (tulle or cotton, but none-the-less) of material! You can't do that nearly as well with pants! Broomstick skirts, petticoats, and leggings! Layers make cold weather, not only tolerable, but even enjoyable!
I actually have a few things in mind that will look really lovely and keep me nice and warm at the same time, especially if I get the chance to visit my dad, which I'd like to do if the opportunity arises.
Anyway! The baby blanket. I've got the first seven blocks stitched together and have started on the eighth block. I'm both confident that I can finish in time and also terrified that I won't be able to because I'm estimating that I only need eight more blocks, but each block gets progressively larger as I go, and it doesn't include the lacy edge I'd like to add to the edge. I have three days left. Well, four if we count the main portion of Saturday because the baby shower isn't until that evening, but still! That means I have to crank out three block a day!
So I'm a little panicked, especially since I need to get this off the needles and get my other projects on the needles.
I'm thinking about putting the blanket aside and making the pumpkin hat, and then finishing the blanket over the next week. We'll see were I am tomorrow evening.
In other news, I've been enjoying EWTN a lot lately. Well, certain programs of EWTN, that is. I love Mother Angelica, and I found a new program that I really love called Saints Alive! tonight. I love programs like this! I was a history nerd in school.
Which is why history classes suck, because you grow up and realize that they lied to you! They ignored an entire side of the argument, forgot (how convenient *rolls eyes*) important events, and minimized (those bastards!) the contributions of people to suit their own view and it's so irritating!
*sighs* It's enough to make a body spit nails!
Anyway, back to knitting with me. Night all!
Yours always,
Tara
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Feverish knitting and up-coming baby showers
Coming up very shortly, my mom is having a baby shower, courtesy of her friends. The following Sunday, she has another one, courtesy of her church. I have nothing held in reserve for either of these showers, but have already said I will attend the first. (I might skive out on the second, or buy some felt and make a birdie baby mobile or something.) However for this up-coming shower, I am frantically attempting to finish a baby blanket.
Not the giant patchwork afghan that I'm making that I hope to have finished before her first birthday at the latest. But I have, instead, started a new blanket to hopefully finish this week. Of course, rather than do the sane thing, that is, pull out the circulars and knit it in one big piece, I'm working it in several pieces. Several cabled pieces.
Basically this blanket will be a great big cable sampler that will wrap Little Bird up all snug and give me all sorts of practice on needle juggling. So far I've made four of the as yet unspecified number of panels and have used the honeycomb cable, the Stag horn cable, and the chunky braid.
I have about six colors in play, primarily in blue, with cream, tan, and silver. I'm going for an ocean feel. Besides, those are the colors my mother prefers.
I can't believe I'm defending my color choices on here. No body cares! Except apparently a lot of people care and I think it's ridiculous!
Anyway, it goes with out saying that my socks have been put on hold for an undetermined period of time until I finish.
Yours always,
Tara
p.s. I've been having a hard time getting to sleep lately. Any one have any suggestions?
Not the giant patchwork afghan that I'm making that I hope to have finished before her first birthday at the latest. But I have, instead, started a new blanket to hopefully finish this week. Of course, rather than do the sane thing, that is, pull out the circulars and knit it in one big piece, I'm working it in several pieces. Several cabled pieces.
Basically this blanket will be a great big cable sampler that will wrap Little Bird up all snug and give me all sorts of practice on needle juggling. So far I've made four of the as yet unspecified number of panels and have used the honeycomb cable, the Stag horn cable, and the chunky braid.
I have about six colors in play, primarily in blue, with cream, tan, and silver. I'm going for an ocean feel. Besides, those are the colors my mother prefers.
I can't believe I'm defending my color choices on here. No body cares! Except apparently a lot of people care and I think it's ridiculous!
Anyway, it goes with out saying that my socks have been put on hold for an undetermined period of time until I finish.
Yours always,
Tara
p.s. I've been having a hard time getting to sleep lately. Any one have any suggestions?
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