There's really nothing to say

Nothing of any interest has happened recently. I've been working on my room, doing laundry, going to work, really nothing worth writing about. I went to start on Granma's shawl (I'm worried if I don't start soon then I'll never finish) only to realize that I had misread the pattern and needed a different yarn, which is a mistake I can't really afford to fix right now. I still haven't finished that blanket, and truthfully, I think I need to redo that part of the next square that I have. I think I picked too complicated a cable pattern to finish it any time soon.

I finally finished reading St. Patrick's Confession, and hope to finish reading the book it was in soon. I'm hoping my sister will be able to visit soon, and that I'll somehow, miraculously, have enough money to get a hotel room so that we can all get together while she's here. I need to do something to relax, but I feel like a spring that all wound up. It'll be better tomorrow, but right now, I'm thinking about everything and it just keeps growing.

I'd appreciate you saying a prayer for me, God knows, I need all the help I can get.

Yours always,
Tara

Yesterday and today: Doctor's appointment, RCIA, and why cooking channels are brilliant

I mention the brilliance of cooking channels, but I should add a caveat to that.....they're brilliant until watching them makes you forget to get on and write your blog post. Yep, that's what happened. I got distracted by Chopped, and then an episode of this show on ABC called Forever. An immortal medical examiner who solves crimes.....even if he weren't really attractive and in possession of a nice accent, the concept would probably still be enough to grab my attention. But I'm not going to complain about the rest of it.

So to recap yesterday, I got up late, puttered around the house, went to the doctor's (apparently, I'm in good health and should not need to see her again for another year.) visited my mom and sister, came home, backed chocolate pumpkin muffins, dashed off to class, came home, had a beer, and wrestled with unanswerable philosophical questions.

All in all, not a bad day. Even if the beer wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I keep hoping to find something with a similar flavor to Guinness but without the weight of a Guinness....if that makes any sense at all.

Anyway, today I got up early, went to mass, puttered around Savannah (with some grumbling at my clock for moving so slowly) and went to Saints and Shamrocks. I love going into that store, but I need to be very careful when I do because I want to take half of the store home. And I just can't afford to do that.

I bought a few new saint medals to add to my charm necklace, two laminated prayer cards to go with the chaplet and the rosary on Etsy, a little statue of Our Lady of Grace, and a copy of Gaelic Storm's "The Full Irish: Greatest Hits".

I kind of feel like I've passed a milestone here. I now own a statue of our Mother. Okay, yeah, it's not the biggest, nor the most detailed, but it's still a very nice little statue. It just makes it all a little more real, if that makes sense.

As for Gaelic Storm, what can I say? I love celtic rock.

I'm hoping to get the listings up by the end of the week. I'm not sure how well it will do, but I hope it'll work out. I've got some ideas for more chaplets, as well as a few other crafts. I've got my heart set on a resin kit for jewelry making that I think will be brilliant, but the stuff I'm listing now needs to do well first.

Anyway, hopefully I'll remember to drag myself away from the tv tomorrow night as well.

Yours always,
Tara

Almost ready to open shop and parish social events as a non-social person

I've started getting things ready to open my etsy shop soon. Getting pictures taken, figuring out what to make next, and adding other little details to the mix. This isn't the most difficult thing I've done, but it's not easy, especially since I'm not all that good at pricing things. I don't want to price it too low, but at the same time, I definitely don't want to price it too high either.

So far I have several pairs of guitar pick earrings, a necklace and earrings set, a St. Patrick chaplet, and the Pieta Rosary. The rosary was a struggle to make because the wire didn't always want to do what I wanted it too. I'm actually thinking about taking and re-doing a one whole decade because it's a little too long. Don't get me wrong, I loved making it, and it turned out really well, all things considered, but it was a little difficult.

The chaplet also caused me a little trouble because the only St. Patrick medal that I had available was a double sided St. Patrick/St. Brigid medal. Still, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Oh, and I finally made my book music box.

I went a little overboard with the stickers, but I don't think it turned out badly. I've also got a few things in mind for the background on future boxes. The cross statue is actually for those little fairy gardens, I just cut the stake that held in up in the ground off and it was perfect. No lights on this one, just a lot of stickers and a music box movement hidden under that green fabric. It plays When Irish Eyes are Smiling.

I'd like to be able to make some for the store as well, later on. I'm hoping I've just about figured out what I'm doing with them, but you never know.

It's been cooler here the past few days, although the forecast promises that this lovely fall weather won't last. I'm not upset about the nights warming up, but I like wearing long sleeves and jackets so the days warming back up does bother me slightly.

I have a follow up appointment with the doctor tomorrow, which promises to be lots of fun. Actually, it shouldn't be too bad, I just have to whine about it as a principle. At least this time they shouldn't need to stick me with needles.....I hope.

Another thing I'm doing tomorrow is baking. I'm making three batches of Chocolate pumpkin muffins to (hopefully) take to my RCIA class to share. Food sort of acts as a conversation starter, which means I can socialize without feeling awkward.

Speaking of feeling awkward! Last night was the parish Stewardship Appreciation dinner in the park by the cathedral. I went. Thankfully, Aunt D showed up before I could get so uncomfortable as to leave, but it was a close thing. I'm not a social person by nature. I mean, I love people, I like being around people, if I didn't work second shift (and was Catholic instead of "becoming Catholic") I'd be trying to do a lot more. Unfortunately I also have a really hard time socializing.

I'm not comfortable starting conversations, I'm not comfortable taking point, as it were. I need to get to know people....then I never shut up, so be fore-warned, I'm bad about talking too much with people I'm comfortable with.

It makes things like the dinner really hard to enjoy because I'm literally just standing out there in limbo! I knew exactly three people there, and two of them were priests! (Not that that's a bad thing, quite the opposite, it's good to know one's parish's priests.) I managed to relax when Aunt D arrived, but still. It's absolutely terrible.

I'm hoping to visit my Dad this year at Christmas time. It's kind of hard because I have to figure out when I can go, how much it'll cost, and how long I can stay. I looks like I'd really only be able to be there for 5 days, not including travel time. I also would need to get a carry on bag to go for my stuff. Working takes the fun out of travel because if you take time off, you lose pay, and then what? I don't get paid enough as it is, which is why I'm so grateful that I live with my Granma. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to afford a place to live.

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll talk to ya'll again tomorrow.

Yours always,
Tara

Saturdays with the Saints: St. John Bosco

Today's edition of Saturdays with the Saints features St. Giovanni Melchior Bosco, better known as St. John Bosco. In an interesting twist of fate, if you will, it turns out that I didn't have to decide between a randomly generated saint and a saintly Fransican, because according to franciscan-archive.org, St. John Bosco was a member of the Franciscan Third Order of Penance. So, he fits both criteria.

I think that works out quite nicely, don't you?

St. John Bosco was born on August 16, 1815 in Becchi, Italy. He was the youngest of three, and was born in a time of famine and want. He had dreams starting at the age of nine about his mission to help boys with no homes.

He left home at the age of 12 due to difficulties with his older brother, Antonio. He eventually found work, but would not begin proper schooling for another two years. It was 1830 when a priest, Joseph Cafasso identified that he had a natural talent and sought to cultivate it.

He entered the seminary five years later, and after six years of study was ordained on the eve of Trinity Sunday by Archbishop Franzoni of Turin.

While fulfilling his duties, he visited a prison and saw a large number of boys between the ages of 12 and 18 were locked up and desired to help them. After meeting a boy who was in a similar situation while preparing for mass, he began the Oratorio.

The purpose of this mission was to keep young boys off the streets. The Oratorio was forced to move several times, and St. John Bosco was almost committed to an asylum at one point. When St. John's mother, "Mama Margaret" joined her son on his mission, things began to look up and the first Salesian Home was founded.

Adding to the positive outlook was the fact that municipal authorities finally recognized the value of the work that St. John was trying to so. With the authorities finally behind him, he was able to raise money to build technical schools and workshops to help the boys.

At the time of his death, January 31, 1888, there were 250 houses in the Salesian Society containing over 130,000 children.

His feast day is January 31st, and he's the patron saint of apprentices, boys, editors, Mexican young people, laborers, schoolchildren, students, and young people.

I hope you enjoyed this post, and maybe learned something you didn't know. I'll be back again next week with another Saturdays with the Saints!

Yours always,
Tara

Knit, purl, and a very tiny person

I'm hard at work on that baby blanket still. I'm not sure if I'll ever finish it at this rate. It's beginning to drive me nuts. Especially since I still have so much more to work on. A dress, a scarf, a shawl, socks, and on and on and on goes the list. Next year, I'm starting in January!

I spent some time with Mom and Little Bird today. Not as much as I would have liked, but still, some time. I had to run into Savannah to try to find something to make it easier for Mom to nurse, only for the store to be out. And, to add to it, the local Walmart had it. I drove in circles, but it was fine.

Little bird is so tiny. Unfortunately, she's just too long for the preemie onesies to fit her. The newborn stuff swallows her. She does have a few outfits, but still. She's just so tiny!

It's been a rather dull day. I went to mass this morning, which was lovely, and spent time with my Mom and sister, which was great. I'm getting better at admitting that, yes, I do want to hold her. Once I'm holding her, I'm fine, it's just saying that I want to hold her that I have trouble with.

Hey, nobody said I was normal.

Other than that though, it's been a dull day. I worked on my room some, made some tentative plans to get another book shelf and maybe a hat stand, if I can find one. I'm waiting for the beads to arrive for the St. Francis of Assisi/Pope Francis rosary I'm planning.

My computer and I continue to be at odds over Catholic TV. It's getting a bit ridiculous. Hopefully I'll be able to work it out soon, because this constant struggle to get it to do what I want is more than a little frustrating.

So far, I've been doing pretty well with praying the rosary nightly. I'm struggling with the bedtime/morning alarm a bit, but we're getting there. Slowly, but with prayers, surely, we're getting there.

I'm not sure if I want to randomly generate a saint tomorrow, or if I want to do something a little different. I'm tempted to do a post on St. Francis, but I'm thinking about finding a saintly Franciscan instead. I'll figure it out, and if you want to leave a comment with your opinion, I'd love to hear it.

Yours always,
Tara

Isn't it October?

Why is it so darn hot in this state! I mean, okay, I'm glad we don't get snow every winter and generally have fairly mild weather during the colder months, but it's October! It's not supposed to be hot enough to wear tank tops and shorts!

My friend who was going to model for me was unable to make it do to family business (which I totally understand) but I still took some photos of the jewelry I've made, as well as the St. Patrick Chaplet and the Pieta rosary which I finished earlier. The pictures, as far as I know thus far, turned out pretty well, lot of lovely natural light and some pretty decent backdrops. The weather was miserable and I was half way through taking pictures and sweating like a pig.

I like cooler weather. I like sweaters and cardigans and light jackets. I live for that! This is getting ridiculous.

In other news, I got part of my Halloween costume (which is actually useless since I will most likely be working that night) yesterday. The costume is supposed to be Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen of Ireland (my friends, if they read this, will be laughing at me, I assure you) and so requires a yellow chemise with a green over dress as would have been common for a woman of her status at the time. I got the idea for it from takebackhalloween.org which has a lot of really great ideas for home made costumes that aren't skimpy.

This has several positives. One: on the off chance I do actually get the chance to dress up for Halloween, my costume won't be revealing, and won't be flimsy and cheap. Two: Chemise have a myriad of uses, not the least of which is layers (which are brilliant when it gets colder) and really comfy nightgowns. Finally, three: It gives me an excuse to buy "period pieces". What can I say, I like really old clothes. Largely because they cover lots of skin.

Also on my agenda of things to figure out, I'd like to learn to pray the rosary in Irish Gaelic. This will most likely prove to be a tad bit difficult. There aren't a lot of audio files, I don't know anyone who speaks Gaelic (besides the Monsignor that is) and I haven't actually started learning the language yet. (One lullaby for my sister in no way counts). So, on top of the million other things I have, I want to do that as well.

I must have lost my mind.

Anyway, coming up Saturday is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (which sounds interesting) and Sunday there's going to be a dinner in the square at the Cathedral. I'm looking forward to it a lot, which is a little out of character. I'm not really a social person, but at the same time, I think it'll be fun. Hopefully it will turn out well. I will definitely do a post on Saturday, because I missed last week (no complaints there, Little Bird, tiny though she is, is doing rather well) so barring a crisis, we will have a Saturdays with the Saints post.

See you tomorrow!

Yours always,
Tara

Motivation problems, scheduling issues, and setting goals

Like many people of all ages, I struggle with motivation. I find it difficult to drag myself out of bed, struggle to push myself to excel, and have issues caring about most things.

This, obviously, is a problem. It's not an easy problem to admit that you have. If you struggle with motivation, you're lazy and deserve to fail. Now I won't say there isn't any truth to that, that the entire idea is unfounded, because it's not. Sometimes I am just being lazy. And then sometimes I'm overwhelmed, sometimes I'm tired, sometimes, I'm just not present.

All of which only serves to make the problems worse. It gets even worse though, when you succeed for a short period of time, say a month or so, and then find yourself back in the rut. You start off getting to be by 12:30 and getting up by 7, and then the next thing you know, it's 1:30 and you haven't even tried to fall asleep. Your alarm goes off and you hit the snooze button (another black mark against second sift, getting up early feels fairly meaningless.)

You realize there's a problem and decide to fix it.....except you don't. Maybe you do it properly for two or three days in a row, but then you're tired, your body is still adjusting back to the proper schedule. It's so easy to get into bad habits, and so hard to get back out of them.

Which is where I'm at now. I know I need to get up earlier. I know I need to (finally) finish unpacking my room. I know I need to clean up more often, and to a higher standard. I know I need to eat better, work out more, and spend less time on my computer.

It's not easy, especially since there is so much to be done. So much I need and want to do, and the time that's available is never enough. But it has to be.

So, I'm making myself accountable right now, and maybe putting it down where everyone who wants to read it can will help keep me going. The goals are simple.

I'd like to lose a minimum of 10lbs.
I'd like to cook at least once a week. Since it's just the two of us at home, that's actually more than enough.
I want to get my room unpacked completely and put together properly by the end of the month.
I want to save up enough money for my tattoo by Christmas.
I want to make at least two items for my Etsy store every week. Not necessarily big things, but something nonetheless.
I want to go through all of my clothes and get rid over anything and everything that doesn't fit or that I don't wear, regardless of what it is.
I want to get up by 7:00 every morning, and be in bed by 12:30 every night, earlier on nights that I can manage it.
Finally, I want to say the rosary at least once a day. I've fallen out of the habit, and I need to get back to it. Especially since I still haven't memorize Hail Holy Queen.

So there we have it. I start tonight, there's not a lot off that list I can do tonight, but I can pray the rosary, and I can get to bed earlier. I have to set out a few items that I'm taking photos of tomorrow, my camera, batteries, and make sure my sd card for my camera is empty so there's plenty of room, but other than that, I don't have a lot left to do.

Pray for me, as I try my best to conquer my own weaknesses through God.

Yours always,
Tara