Moving On Up

Nicole Hill always had that sparkle of a woman to watch, even back in the day when we met and she was preparing for marriage. Seven children later, she's managed to bring her family through the daunting task of getting her husband Matthew through college with style and obvious grace. She's sharing that knowledge on a great blog, particularly if you like make-a-head meals. Give it a look. The recipes and home-won wisdom will repay your glance.Climbing Hills

Congratulations, Jo!

Your terrifying courage is well repaid.


"If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God’s grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of the will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man; darkness not daylight; and look not to the light but rather to the raging fire that carries the soul to God with intense fervor and glowing love. The fire is God, and the furnace is in Jerusalem, fired by Christ in the ardor of his loving passion. Only he understood this who said: My soul chose hanging and my bones death. Anyone who cherishes this kind of death can see God, for it is certainly true that: No man can look upon me and live."
St. Bonaventure

Assignment: Confessions

I've decided to drop numbering my forays into the Great Books. It made some sense when I was working from end to end, but now that our group is choosing books in a mostly random fashion, I feel it conveys no meaning.
I truly did enjoy Augustine's Confessions though I felt I didn't get as much out of it as I wanted. I would like it if I had the time to read it two or three more times, but I don't. I can make do with the bits I picked up. Looking at his perspective on time and comparing it with the little I know about modern ideas really reinforced the idea that our knowledge grows cumulatively each generation upon the next. I loved how personable St. Augustine is. Anybody else going on and on like that I'd think "What a windbag!," but because he is confessing not lecturing my heart was much more open to the lessons he had to offer.
Even though I failed to mine every nugget, I was impressed enough to continue with the next book of Augustine's that the Great Books recommend--The City of God. I'm only getting started, but I'm enjoying it. It's more my style of thinking than Confessions. I want to compare it with Jeremiah and Lamentations if I can find the time.
In any case I can say mission accomplished about Confessions and move it along.

Go the F**k to Sleep

Family movies about bad parental priorities seldom have as charming a vehicle for the retraining camp as Mr. Popper's delightful penguins. I went with a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I've loved the story since I was a child and I read it to my kids. The idea of barely referencing the characters I love so much worried me. They did a wonderful job crafting a new story. The new Mr. Popper has six charming penguins to teach him the lessons he seems to have have missed with his own offspring. The penguins allow him to be more emotionally honest than one can be with children. The movie is gentle and funny, and well worth watching. Everyone should have penguins to practice on. You can go right ahead and read them Go The F**k To Sleep without worrying about scarring them for life.

Welcome Henrietta Pussycat

Best birthday present ever has to be my iPad. It's like crutches for my brain. Things that came so easily when I was younger, I now need apps to keep track.
And there are tons of apps! Want to get your kids excited about doing their chores? Chore Pad has everyone working hard to earn stars and open trophies. Want to pray in a deeply meaningful way in community with the church? The Divine Office simplifies all the ribbons and antiphons and allows you to pray at the same time as three to five hundred people. Want to lose weight? Livestrong Calorie Tracker has all the info you need to count calories including those burned by exercise. Want to pick up the pace on your writing project? Write Chain gently nudges you to meet daily goals. And I'm just getting started.
Not to mention that it's just fun. I have games and the Internet at my fingertips. Entertaining children who are worn out or bored is just at the tap of a finger. I've added nook for kids, though I won't be replacing my classic nook--X the Owl. I love how it is as close to a book as an electronic machine can get. All of my Great Books reading will be done on my nook. For picture books you really have to have color, so I don't mind moving that function to my iPad--Henrietta Pussycat. All in all, I foresee those two sharing purse space for years to come.

To Do List

1. Pray the Divine Office every day.
2. Housework
3. Training the kids in basic life skills.
4. Summer School
5. Finish the first draft of Harriet and polish small sections up to second draft standards for my writer's group.
6. Read the Great Books, specifically The City Of God,and prepare for monthly meeting of the Great Books Group.
7. Take kids to Japanese study group.
8. Maintain blog.
9. Publicize Pregnant Rituals
10. Develop recipe for Pillsbury Bake-off.
11. Exercise

Felix Felicis

Did you ever have one of those days where everything goes better than right? Yesterday was one of those days for me. It started with my terrific kids working together to clean up while I led my second through summer school. Just as we finished, Kurt's love spoon was delivered. Hand crafted in Wales it was the sequel to the one we bought on our honeymoon. None of the ones we browsed were ambitious enough to have six balls in a cage signifying the desire for six children. We purchased the most meaningful spoon instead and have treasured it all these years. Now we were ready for six balls in a cage. The same craftsmen carved both. I was so excited about giving it to Kurt. Next I took kids to the library to work on Japanese in their study group. While I was out I decided to walk through our little village and actually shop the stores I drive by. It was a pleasant distraction until I reached the Love Inc. thrift store. They often have nice things, but I was not expecting to find a complete set of the Great Books with a terrific binding. I needed a copy of the Syntopicon that I could carry around. My husband's parent's set is both revered and the binding is a bit fragile, so I don't take it out of the house. I dickered the already reasonable price down to a guilt free price. I came home and got ready for a mysterious date that ended at the Apple Store where this 40 year old lady was given an iPad. I love it. I love, love it. The portability is amazing. Last stop was El Burrito Loco--my favorite restaurant. They were nearly empty so the chef put some extra shooozz into my burritos. I felt so blessed and enriched. I'm doing the right things with my life. I've finally found my path. That is so worth turning 40 for.