Update on Saturdays

So, I've decided to discontinue Saturday's with the Saints. Not because I don't enjoy it or anything, but because I half the time I get obscure saints with no more than a paragraph of information and that's no fun for any of us. I'm not sure what I'm going to do instead, because I like learning about different saints and I like sharing what I find, but I'd also like to be able to give you more than a copy-paste paragraph on an obscure saint that nobody has ever even heard of!

I'm open to suggestions, in fact I'm all but begging for them. I've got a bunch of jewelry and knitting projects in the works, and hopefully a job change in a few months (more on that later). I'm really excited about this year.

Anyway, with all that said, if any of you have any suggestions on something I could do instead of Saturdays with the Saints, or even just a way to make sure I get more than a paragraph, let me know please!

Yours always,
Tara

Just a quick post

The holidays are more or less over, at least the more hectic part of them is finished, and I'm still winding down.

It's been a little hard. I spent Christmas with my dad, and then spent New Years with my mom. Payroll at work made a mistake, and until I know what's going on I'm on edge. I'd still tired and I'm more than a little peeved with a lot of people.

Sometimes, people get so upset over things that are just facts of life. And I understand, on some level, because I agree that it's wrong, and I don't see any reason why these things should be true, but as long as humans are imperfect creatures, then these particular problems will exist.

There will always be liars, there will always be judgmental Christians (regardless of denomination), and so on and so forth, and no place is free of them, so when people use those as excuses for moving I tend to think it's a bit naive. No matter where you go those people will exist, so why let them make the decisions for you? If you're happy at this church, and you like it, then make yourself at home and ignore Sister Bertha Better-than-you and the others in the Amen Pew. (yes, I am referencing the Mississippi Squirrel Revival, but it works)

And I'm all for people helping each other, but if some one doesn't want to help or can't help, you can't just automatically assume you know why! Especially if you know that person has anxiety or something! And dear God! Yes, I believe God protects His children, but I also think that sometimes He protects us by our own actions. If you know that an area of town is not safe after 5pm, you probably shouldn't go there because yeah, sure, St. Michael could escort you down the street with a flaming sword or something, but why make him? Do you really need to be there after 5pm? No? Then why go? Why put yourself in danger when you don't need to?

I'm not trying to be unfeeling, or difficult, but in this, I'm a fairly logical person. Sometimes God sends a miracle, and sometimes, God sends a boat and expects us to have to good sense to get in before we drown!

It is okay for you to do things for yourself, and guess what? If it's okay for you to do something for yourself, it's okay for other people to do something for themselves as well!

Ugh.

I love my family....but sometimes, I get a little annoyed.

Love you all,
Tara

Saturdays with the Saints: St. James the Greater

It's Saturday once again and that means it's time for another Saturday with the Saints! Our saint today is St. James the Greater, brother of John and son of Zebedee. One of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, he, along with John and Peter were singled out by Jesus to accompany him on several occasions and he, along with John, were given a special name by the Lord, the Sons of Thunder. Shortly after the Resurrection, James became one of the first Martyrs, and the story goes that, upon hearing him speak at his trial, the man who arrested James converted and was executed with him.

Though there is no historical evidence, many believe that St. James went to Spain and witnessed there until an apparition of the Blessed Mother appeared to him upon a pillar that is still conserved and venerated today. It was after this event that he returned to Judea and was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I. It is also believed that, after his martyrdom, his disciples returned to Iberia with his body, where it was buried.

And that's all I could find. Well, there was a few fictional stories and a blurb on the Latter-Day Saints, but we're here for the Catholic view of St. James the Greater.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and don't forget to have the kiddies put their shoes out for St. Nicholas!

Yours Always,
Tara

What's the German word for 'Headache'?

Because I can feel one developing even as I attempt to keep my cool.

Just once I'd like the world to operate in a sane and logical manner.

Apparently, I was supposed to work last night.....only no one told me, and no one thought to call me either. So my co-worker had to work a double, and I felt terrible and torqued all at once. I could really have used those hours. Plus, why did no one tell me? All my supervisor said when I told her I was available to work that day was "ok", which is what she normally says to acknowledge that I said something. She didn't say, "Ok, I'll put you on the schedule" or anything.

On top of that, her supervisor apparently didn't tell her about my time-off notice for my trip to see my dad, because she brought the schedule for the next two weeks and had me scheduled to work the day I fly out and the day after that! Now, I did as she told me to, she told me to inform him of the days I'd need off, so why didn't he let her know? Since she's the one that does the scheduling?

Plus, he's supposedly hired two new people, which is mental when we already have to double up on one shift at one of the locations!

More and more I think I really need to get a new job. I had planned on holding off until I could drop the application for the job in Germany, but I'm not sure if things will work out that way. Especially since, even if I get that job, I won't be over there until May or June. Of course, my frustration is based largely off how little people care about their employees, but hey, there's nothing I can do about that, is there?

As long as I'm making a half-way decent pay-check here, I'll stick with it. It's not a terrible job, and it pays the few bills I have (although, let's be honest, if I didn't live with my Granma, I'd literally have to choose between utilities and food, and that's if I was working a full 40hrs a week).

Sorry, I know you guys aren't on here to read my ranting.

So, I'm almost finished with Granma's shawl. I'd have finished it last week except I can't knit at work anymore. After that, I have to get my step-mother's cowl on the needles so I can get if finished. I'd rather work on my shawl, or mom's socks, but mom understands that I might not get it done in time. I really need to get some more stuff put up on Etsy, but I just haven't felt like making anything. I've got the stuff and the ideas, and I want nothing to do with any of it right now.

It's that massive headache I mentioned at the top of the post.

But, all hope is not lost! Starting January, I'll starting knitting for next Christmas, that way, by the time Christmas rolls around, I'll have everything ready. And my headache will be cut in half.

Hopefully, next year I'll be posting from Germany. Say a prayer for me, please? Hopefully everything works out.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and feel free to drop me a message!

Yours always,
Tara

The day before Thanksgiving (At least if you're American)

It's Wednesday night, and tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in my little corner of the world. This time, last year, I had two friends, neither of whom lived near me, was working as a janitor (a thankless job that barely paid for the gas my truck needed), was stressed over college, and was lying to myself about the damage my parents' divorce had caused for the third year in a row.

I've come a long ways from there. Now, I have five friends (yay!), two of whom live within a short distance from me, a different job that pays better, no college (though I really do need to go back) and while I'm still trying to work through my problems, I'm doing a lot better. I also have a new baby sister, my relationship with my mother is better, and my journey into the Catholic church is well under-way.

I'm still a little stressed, but I imagine I'll be stressed until they put me in my grave, so I'm really not to worried about that. I feel a lot better, even with all of my ranting.

So, how do I plan on spending my Thanksgiving? Well, I'm going to help Granma cook and clean, I'm going to watch the parade and the Muppet Christmas Carol, I'm going to read A Christmas Carol, set up my Christmas playlist for work, work on my knitting, and just generally enjoy the day.

Thanksgiving officially marks the start of my holiday season, and I'm really looking forward to it.

This year is also the first year that I'll be celebrating Advent. I've got a nice little wreath and candles, and two books, the Magnificat Advent companion and The Little way of Advent. While I don't feel the same kinship to St. Therese that so many seem to, I do find her Little Way to be lovely in it's openness. Both books look promising, and I'm hoping they help me celebrate my first Advent properly.

Anyway, I'm just on to wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Yours always,
Tara

What do you do when your job hits a new low?

Okay, so we recently got a new supervisor and this one is apparently a hands-on, ex-military, 20-something years of experience kind of guy.....and he's going to kill us all through boredom and insufficient hours. Apparently, I can't knit while at work. Go figure! I mean, it's not like I can knit without looking at my yarn or needles, it's not like it's a quiet activity, it's not like people don't ignore me anyway, it's not like I have absolutely nothing to do during an 8 hr shift besides surf the web, knit, and answer phones (which, actually, that last one isn't even part of my job description.

And I do understand why this could be a problem, really, I do. But it's not a problem, and unless it becomes a problem, I see no reason why I shouldn't be able to knit in between my rounds and such. It's not like I'm making rosaries, or anything like that. I'd have expected him to tell me I couldn't have my mini-saints before expecting him to say "No knitting." Like, really?

What's really funny is that, for all this guy is hands-on, I've actually only heard from him twice, both times he came here. I mean, really? You don't think to call and say "Hey, I'm your new supervisor."

What gets me is how everyone freaks out over my "crochet" (knitting!!!!) and not over a computer or smart-phone. Now how does that work? Apparently, I can watch movies and play video games on my phone or computer but I can't knit!

I get that some people have a problem with the knitting, but nobody at this location does. In fact, most of them are really cool about it. So like I said, if it's not a problem, why make it into one? Just because someone might get their panties in a bunch? So now I have to find a new way to entertain myself for 8hrs in between my rounds when there is nothing at all to do.

Shouldn't be too hard.

I can read a book, watch a movie, play a game....and look for a new job, because while the knitting thing is irritating, it's got nothing on the hours cut. Plus, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure we don't get holiday pay.

Wishing people cared more about each other and less about "getting the better deal",

Yours always,
Tara

Saturday's with the Saints: St. Walter of Pontoise

St. Walter of Pontoise was a French saint, born in the 11th century in Andainville. He was a professor of philosophy and rhetoric before becoming a Benedictine monk at Rebais. He was appointed to be the abbot of a new foundation despite his protests by Phillip I.

He left Pontoise to become a monk at Cluny under Hugh but later had to return. He attempted to escape his job, going so far as to hand his resignation into the Pope (who sent him home and told him to stay put this time). When that failed, he began a campaign against the abuses and corruptions of his fellow Benedictines....and was promptly beaten and imprisoned.

This time, when he was released, he went back to work and quite trying so hard to get kicked out.

I mean, there's basically nothing on this guy, like three paragraphs, and all of it talks about how badly he tried to get away from his job! I thought I had issues with my job? Oh no, I'm a happy camper compared to St. Walter of Pontoise.

He is the patron of prisoners, POWs, and is invoked against job-related stress.....so maybe he's the patron of disgruntled employees as well?

Even the picture of the guy looks like he'd rather be any where else!

Ah well. That's part of why we love the Church, isn't it? Because Her heroes are humans, and they get irritated and short-tempered and have bad habits. It makes us feel less alone.

Anyway, thanks for tuning in for this week's Saint.

Yours always,
Tara