Surprise! Home From Deployment....

I surprised Morgan and Madeleine on Friday. I told them we were going to the airport to pick up Nana (my mom). That was a little bit true. Mostly, we were going to greet Seth, who has come home on leave for a couple of weeks. Go Navy!

Little Flowers: Industry

My friend Kristi led the last Little Flowers meeting. The girls learned about industry. Shannon had arranged for the other Little Flowers group to clean in the church and to repair hymnals. Kristi asked Shannon if we could join them. It was wonderful to see the girls moving around the church quietly, whispering and genuflecting and being respectful. Even the seminarian who was there praying his breviary couldn't resist a smile.

Madeleine

Abigail

Morgan

Maria

Marianne, Morgan, and Shannon

Madeline

Kristi, Morgan, and Madeleine

In the Sacristy

Shannon, Kristi, and the girls

The first communicants oohed and aahed over the hosts which are stored in the sacristy.

Thought for the Day

Last night, I was debating about whether to go up to the hospital to visit my Grandpa, who is nearing death (my mom's dad, for those of you who know our family).  Since he is unaware of his surroundings, just laying in bed suffering, and already had my uncle and aunt, my mom, and my grandma with him, I didn't know whether I would just be in the way or whether my presence would be helpful.  The decision was tied to the fact that it was 10:30 at night when I received the call.  I spoke to my mother, then hung up and asked Jeremy what to do and he didn't know.  A few minutes later, my aunt called and I asked her what to do, especially since she was already there.  She asked me something that I don't know that anyone has EVER asked me.  It was very short, but very profound.

"What does your heart tell you to do?" asked Betty.

I feel that I've always been taught to use my intellect and not so much my heart.  I think I will remember this forever.  I did go up to the hospital.  I sat beside my grandpa and rubbed his back gently for about an hour.  Then I visited with family and went home.  I'm glad I went.  That's what my heart was telling me to do--to visit one last time, even if Grandpa was unaware of my presence.  My intellect was telling me I wouldn't be of any help, or would be in the way.  Sometimes the intellect doesn't matter.  Sometimes the heart is a better decision maker.
::
Please pray for my Grandpa!  The end is near for him and that doesn't scare me, but I do hate to see him suffer. Please pray that God makes him comfortable.

Snarky Stuff I've Been Meaning to Say

1.  Dear Texas Driver, We in Nebraska have noticed that when it snows, it is helpful to clear the snow off of the rear window of the vehicle before driving.  It allows us to see what's behind us.  You should try it.  Love,  The Person Behind You

2.  Dear Monster Truck Owner, I want you to know that I am amused whenever I see or hear a truck with loud exhaust, humongous tires, or a double rear axle (sans farm tags).  In fact, I often snicker to myself.  These features on a truck scream, "I'M COMPENSATING FOR LACK OF SOMETHING ELSE!" and I know what it is.  Love, The Annoyed City Dweller

3.  Dear Small Town Drivers, We are happy to have you as guests in our city!  We realize that you are unfamiliar with the city and its streets.  However, speed limits are posted at regular intervals through our city.  When the sign says 25MPH, it does not mean 40MPH.  When the sign says 45MPH, it does not mean 25MPH.  Also, please remember to use your turn signals and do not slam on your brakes every two blocks while you are looking for your turn.  You will be rear ended eventually if you keep up that behavior.  Love, The Small City Driver

4.  Dear Other Drivers, I have researched specs on many, many vehicles.  I have yet to find a vehicle that was made without turn signals.  Therefore, my conclusion is that your car most certainly has a turn signal.  Use it.  Love, Aubrey

P.S. Remember to turn your signal off when you are finished using it.

5.  Dear Lady Gaga, You are really weird.  Love, Aubrey

Bedridden

Yep, that's me!  I'm happy to say (no sarcasm) that I was diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday afternoon and have orders to drink good stuff, take lots of medicine, and be really lazy in bed for a couple of days.  That explains why I felt so very rotten for so long.  I'd get up in the morning, feel good for awhile, then hit a brick wall sometime between 11 and noon.  Yesterday, when I actually contemplated not putting the littles down for their naps because it was so much work, I knew I was too tired to keep on keepin' on.  So I called my doctor's office and they squeezed me in for an appointment in the afternoon.  No first communion meeting, no bible study, no running errands, just hit the sack. 

So I go into the doctor's office and checked in, they took me back to my room and I fell asleep while I was waiting for the nurse.  The nurse came in and woke me and then I fell asleep while waiting for my doctor.  He came in, took a look at me, and raised his eyebrows.  "What's going on?" he said.  I handed him a list and told him that I had to make a hypochondriac list because I knew he'd come in and ask that question and I'd go blank.  He laughed at me and told me that's what old ladies do when they come in.  Thanks, Dr. M.  You rock.  He asked me what my primary complaint was and I said that I was sooooo tired.  I was so tired that I felt like crying.  You ever felt that way?  And no appetite.  In fact, I'd lost 5 pounds in a week.  So after a chest X-ray and some blood tests (between which I slept on the table with the leg rest up), he came back in and said, "you've got pneumonia!" 

I was so glad to hear that I didn't have mono, something contagious--being as I'd just nuzzled my friend Sarah's three week old baby a few hours earlier--but something that can be cured with an industrial strength antibiotic, rest, prednisolone, rest, and an inhaler.  Sweet. 

So here I sit in my bed, leaning against the wonderful headboard lovingly made by my grandpa for me, headphones on and plugged into my iPod which is sapping juice from Jeremy's laptop, Coldplay singing sweet melodies into my ears, drinking red Gatorade and a Cinnamon Dulce Latte (free from Starbucks as an early birthday gift!), and blogging.  Does it get any better than this?  I think not.

Meat Free Monday

I've just discovered Meat Free Monday, a concept introduced by Paul McCartney and detailed HERE at the cause's website.  The intro reads:

     By giving up meat for one day each week you can save money, reduce your environmental impact and live a healthier life.
     In 2006, a United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization report, Livestock’s Long Shadow, highlighted the environmental impact of meat-eating and the importance of making more environmentally and socially conscious food choices. In 2009, we launched the Meat Free Monday campaign as a simple and straightforward idea to show everyone the value of eating less meat – and to make it easier for us all to do so.
     We’re not asking you to give up meat completely, we’re encouraging you to do your bit to help protect our planet. By joining together in having one meat-free day each week we’ll be making great steps towards reducing the environmental problems associated with the meat industry. You’ll also be giving your own health a boost, and with the added benefit that vegetables cost less than meat, having one meat-free day each week means it’s good for your pocket too.

I laugh and laugh and laugh--because that's what I do best--at this concept.  Why doesn't everyone just become Catholic?  We give up meat every Friday and have been doing it since waaaaay back before Paul McCartney was born ... maybe.  I guess he is kind of old.

Good grief.  This world is full of Catholic wanna-be people who haven't yet realized their full potential.  They wanna celebrate St. Patrick's day, Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Christmas, practice meditation and fasting, contemplation, charitable work, they want to save the environment, encourage pacifism, women's rights, and respect for all things living (except baby humans, of course).  Take care of the needy, visit the sick, man ... we're even anti-death penalty (mostly, or at least I am). Oh yeah, and we also have this thing called the Sabbath: a whole entire day of mandatory rest.  Woo-hoo!

Do it already, people.  Take the step.  Join RCIA.  Get it over with.  Be Catholic.  Give up meat once a week.  Change the world!

Bucket List

shot a gun
gone on a blind date
Skipped school
watched someone die
Visited Canada
Visited Hawaii
Visited Europe
Visited Mexico
Visited Florida
Seen the Grand Canyon
Flown on a plane
Served on a Jury
Been lost
Traveled to the opposite side of the country
Visited Washington, DC
Swam in the Ocean
Cried myself to sleep.
Played Cops and Robbers
Played Cowboys and Indians
Recently colored with crayons
Sang Karaoke
Paid for a meal with coins only
Made prank phone calls
Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose
Caught a snowflake on your tongue
Had children
Had a pet
Been skinny-dipping outdoors
Been fishing
Been boating
Been Water Skiing
Been Downhill Skiing
Been Hiking
Been camping in a trailer/RV
Been camping in a tent
Flown in a small 4-seater airplane
Flown in a glider
Flown in a helicopter
Flown in a hot air balloon
Walked on a glacier
Driven a Motorcycle
Been bungee-jumping
Gone to a drive-in movie
Done something that could have killed you?
Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life.
Visited Africa
Rode an elephant
Eaten just cookies or cake for dinner
Been on T.V.
Steal any traffic signs
Been in a car accident
Donated blood
Bailed out of Helicopter/Plane
Rode on an aircraft carrier
Flew the first day flights resumed after 9/11
Visited Yellowstone
Received the Anointing of the Sick
Seen my grandchildren
Been present at a birth (when I wasn't giving birth)
Dug up a dinosaur

Look What I Found!

Beneath a layer of green carpet and a pad in the family room, I discovered....

SOLID OAK IN PERFECT CONDITION!

Mt. Antero

Picasa photo editing ROCKS!

After editing

Different picture (vertical vs. horizontal) but same scenery, same original appearance!

I repeat: Picasa photo editing ROCKS!

My Favorite Prayer

The Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.