Wednesday journal

a commissioned Confirmation rosary -- simple is often best, pewter and black onyx

consecration to Mary bracelet -- there are a couple in my Etsy shop

Baptismal rosaries in my shop, too -- pink and blue

prom night -- doesn't she remind you of Snow White?

In the great outdoors...it is cloudy today, but everything in the back yard is so lush and green. The strawberries are flowering (not that we'll actually get any after the chipmunks get through with them), and the perennials are all coming back so beautifully (except the English ivy which is just plain dead). I love it this time of year...except for the allergy part. It is supposed to rain today so hopefully some of that pollen will get washed away.

Ya know, I had noticed that in the last five years or so that seasonal allergies had not been bothering me the way they used to -- itchy eyes and nose, runny nose. But, I have had more bladder pain recently and at a recent visit my doctor mentioned that there are mast cells throughout the body and it's likely my allergies are showing up elsewhere -- in the form of IC/IBS. Frankly, I'd rather have itchy eyes and a runny nose.

I am thinking about...the answer to some prayers. I recently had been asking for prayers for a special intention and this past week we got the answer to those prayers. My husband has been offered the job, and accepted, as vice president for advancement for a local Catholic university. He has been frustrated in his job lately, feeling like he was constantly fighting the battle to keep Catholicity in the hospital system. He admitted that he wasn't making much of a difference ever since many of the changes due to national health care implementations, and ended up losing most battles. He is hopeful that he will make a difference at the university, where they openly admit to wanting help to be more overtly Catholic.

I am wearing...a light green and blue cotton skirt, a white blouse, white sweater and blue loafers.

I am reading... Something Other than God. I know most people finished this book in a short time, but I only read at bedtime. Sometimes that's a chapter, sometimes it's a page. When I have time to sit down during the day or evening, I almost always chose to sew scapulars or make a rosary, so let's just say I am savoring this book. I am also listening to Shanghai Girls, which has been a very good book (also author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan). 

I am creating...I have put aside the sweater for the most part and am sewing scapulars, and working on some promised rosaries. 

At the school table...I think today the school table will be at the library. Faith has been harassing me asking me to go elsewhere to do her school work. I guess today is the day since she is up bright and early.

On the table...I'm not sure what is for dinner tonight, maybe omelets and hash browns. I'm trying to do several meatless nights a week, since the cost of meat has gone up dramatically. Eggs, fortunately, are the same price.

I am going to...try to put my feet up more during the day. My ankles are still swollen and I am probably going to have to go back to the doctor to do some investigating. I don't want to be on diuretics without knowing why.

I am also going to call the HR department at the university to investigate more thoroughly our insurance benefits.

And, apparently, I am going to the library.

A few of my favorite things...

...green, lush foliage and grass and ground cover.

...Celestial Seasonings Black Cherry Berry tea sweetened with honey and iced...mmmm.

...fig newtons...I know, you can't believe it ;-)

Plans for the week...we have a birthday party for Doug's niece (I need to bake the cake) on Saturday, and a graduation dinner for Geoffrey on Sunday, who said he did not want a party. In case you were wondering why I haven't posted pictures of graduations, he didn't walk. Takes after his ol' mom I guess (I refused to walk at commencement as well). I think we both finished college with a tad bit of a bad taste in our mouths. His diploma arrived in the mail and I'll be sure to post photos when he comes home and opens it! He has a job interview this afternoon. Prayers!

Prayers sent heavenward for...

...my husband, as he transitions from job to job, and my children

...my youngest son, for whatever God's plan is for him and for Him to know what his part is, and especially now that he is driving...God help us
...our priests and religious, especially our parish priests, and Fr. Howe
...all the babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion this week, for a change of heart

Thought for the day...

“May the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, always smile on your spirit, obtaining for it, from her Most Holy Son, every heavenly blessing.”

--Saint Padre Pio

Note: some Amazon affiliates links contained