Monday Daybook

Outside my window... 

...grey, and cold, with freezing rain expected in the next 24 hours. In central Ohio, we are more likely to get weather in the form of freezing rain as from snow in the winter. Ice is just so much fun.

 I am thinking... 

...about prayer and how it helps those we love, mostly in ways we can never see.

From the lesson plans...  

...two lap books this week for Faith. Jessica inspired me and even though I almost never do lap books and probably do them all wrong, I decided this week was just too historic to not do them. Faith will make one of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI and then another of the election of the new pope. I can not believe how many hours it took for me to research and "format" this thing. It's no wonder I almost never do them -- about six hours yesterday. Now Jessica has her plans available if you want to "borrow" and leave a little donation (they are well worth a donation, believe me!).

From the kitchen..

...eating from the freezer this week. Every time I open the door, something falls out. Something's got to give. Maybe "leftovers" soup (save all your veggies and broth and dump them together -- it always turns out good) tonight with some sourdough bread I have rising.

 I am wearing...

 ...a khaki skirt, blue turtleneck, tan leggings and black patent loafers.



I am reading...

...for Lent -- I am reading True Devotion to Mary again, Lent and Easter with Mary, and Consoling the Heart of Jesus. I not reading anything else during Lent, but I am listening to Growing Up Amish on my iPhone via Overdrive when I am sewing or cooking.

I am creating...

...a sweater for Faith, rosaries, scapulars, quilts, doll bedding for Faith's belated Christmas gift. Almost the same list as last week. I have many of the main pieces of a baby quilt finished, and since Faith's birthday is a week past she'll just get her pjs when she gets them. Besides they are lightweight cotton and we are a long way from lightweight cotton around here. Plus I am working on the stole and that is the most important thing to get done. I downloaded this book of church symbols for the embroidery last week and I need to practice.

 I am planning...

...my Joshua's birthday dinner for tomorrow and family dinner for the weekend. He turns 21. Sniff, sniff.

I am hoping... 

...for a peaceful week. It seems that's all I ever hope for.

Last week I did get a few answers to some medical questions. I do not have a torn meniscus (in my knee) -- yey! -- the pain was probably due to a ruptured Baker's Cyst. After a quick check on the internet (I know, not a good idea) I learned a Baker's cyst can actually cause a DVT, so maybe my DVT was not completely unprovoked -- a good thing because the next move was to look for a malignancy which could have caused it.

In not so good news, I am probably a coumadin lifer. In other words, I'll be on blood thinners for life. Not so good, but better than a blood clot to the heart or brain, eh?

 Around the house...

 ...just keeping up with the clutter. I cleaned Faith's room on Saturday and my goodness, that girl is going to end up on Hoarders one day.

I am going...

...to go to the neurologist with Joshua and the coumadin clinic today. And then to return some repaired rosaries to a fellow parishioner.

 I am praying for...

...my children, and my husband

...my father-in-law who, we just learned, has cancer. He started radiation on his back last week and today the doctors will biopsy the tumor on his lung to see what the origin of the cancer is.

...my dear friend Gina, who is just part of the way through radiation.

...our priests and all religious, especially those who have strayed from the teachings of the Church

 ...all of the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, and for a change of heart for their mothers. 

Thought for the day...

If God gives you an abundant harvest of trials, it is a sign of great holiness which He desires you to attain. Do you want to become a great saint? Ask God to send you many sufferings. The flame of Divine Love never rises higher than when fed with the wood of the Cross, which the infinite charity of the Savior used to finish His sacrifice. All the pleasures of the world are nothing compared with the sweetness found in the gall and vinegar offered to Jesus Christ. That is, hard and painful things endured for Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ.
--Saint Ignatius of Loyola