The Fox's Den

Miss Me?

2011-11-26T15:13:00.003-05:00

I've fallen off the blog radar. However, I think I'm going to dive back in to the not so anonymous web.

I'm trying to turn over a new leaf or two and I figure that it may be good to blog again. Even if no one reads this, I know plenty of people are look to change things, accomplish things, or just figure life out. In my opinion, we all are, some people just are lying to themselves and suffering the delusion that they have it all figured out. You know the type I'm talking about, right?

So here it is, my short term to do list:

Maintain my new workout schedule. I joined this great gym in town that is fantastic. They also pay attention to nutrition and your at home workout routine. So I am going there 3 days a week for a phenomenal training session in a small class setting. I am also going to work out 2 days a week at home.
I will also start (tomorrow - I know, bad to say, but I'm heading to the movies and dinner with friends so I know popcorn and no-so-healthy dinner options are in my future) to follow a reasonable plan of eating healthy. If you have plant based food ideas to pass along let me know!
I will work on creating a repertoire of healthy, vegetarian recipes that I can save for meals for work.
Before next Monday I will mail boxes to my mom with pants I've shortened and a box to a friend in NYC with some special items for her
By the end of this Monday I will write an article that will actually be put into a national resource for young adult ministry! (Woah!)
And I will work on my Spanish at least 5 days a week!

Whew! Ambitious, but that's the way I roll. I actually think that I can do this.

May be a bit maudlin today

2011-07-26T16:27:00.002-04:00

With everything going on in the world and now being just two weeks from flying to a massive gathering of Catholic youth, I'm in a "prepare for the worst" sort of mood.

As a group leader, I need to prepare contingencies for everything from lost luggage to a massive event of violence or illness. It is not something I enjoy, but I know it is worth while.

In the midst of talking about travel warnings, CDC warnings about measles in Europe, and the inevitable jokes about my clumsiness, I have to say a few things.

Whether I go to meet my maker in 75 years, a couple of weeks, or driving home from work tonight, I am okay with that. I can honestly say I believe I have lived each day as well as I possibly could. I have no regrets. Yes, there are things I hope and plan to do. But my golden years are neither in my past nor my future. Today, just like each today that came before, is a good day.

If I can try to have that same sense of joy and fulfilment each day, then whether I leave this earth in some catastrophe or in the quiet sigh of old age, it will not be a tragedy. It will be grace.

2011-04-25T16:26:00.002-04:00

My teenage self would hide in shame. I am a shopping queen. What did I buy that has me so excited? Hold your breath!

A Dirt Devil Scorpion, CLR, two end table/lamp things, and a standing lamp. Actually my parents bought the last one (and the bulbs).

So now I can clean up after my messy eater dog, get rid of the funky stuff in one of the sinks, and more grown-up lighting. It's a good day.

Crowds

2011-04-19T17:46:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about crowds lately. I warn you, I'm about to talk of politics and religion, so just know you've been forewarned.

Every time I have gone to Rome I've had to deal with crowds. The first time was for WYD 2000. There I was so immersed in the crowd that I got lost, completely separated from my group. I was 19 and traveling abroad without supervision for the first time. Glad to say that I didn't panic, but it was intimidating. We were packed like sardines in St. Peter's Square. It was hotter than, well, you know. Banners and flags interrupted your line of sight. The noise was a veritable tower of Babel. And I was simply one small member of the crowd. Never had I fully felt what it meant to be alone in a sea of people.

In 2003 I journeyed to Rome again. This time fully expecting a quiet spring break trip to visit a friend with another friend in tow. One afternoon, two of us were journeying back from an exhausting trek through the city (note: don't walk from central Rome to the catacombs outside the city - it is dangerous and exhausting). When we were nearly in sight of our friend's apartment we heard it. The unmistakable chanting of a crowd displeased with something. As the chants were in Italian, it wasn't until we got closer that we realized they were protesting the United States's decision to head into Iraq. Suddenly we were surrounded by people who were shouting against our government and President. There were flames and angry faces.

Last year I was on the other side of the crowd. I was standing alone in front of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square. I looked out to see the sea of people and felt the aloneness that comes from knowing you have a responsibility that no one in that crowd could fulfill at that moment.

These experiences resonate so strongly with me now as we head more fully into Holy Week. After facing that hostile crowd protesting our military presence in Iraq, I can understand Peter's fear and denials. After being just a lone voice in a crowd of thousands at WYD, I wonder, would I have kept silent while those around me shouted, "Crucify him!" And after the role I played at the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's last year, I can better appreciate how Pilate viewed the fevered crowd. I am not saying what they did was right. But can we claim to be immune from similar behavior.

After all, over the past weeks we have seen the terrible and great power of crowds to topple regimes. We know that one spark can lead to a wildfire of devastation. We know the power of the virtual crowds that lead to tragedies of smaller proportions courtesy of online bullying and the effects thereof.

So maybe, this Good Friday, if you are listening to the crowds, just remember where you are in the crowd.

One Year

2011-04-16T15:54:00.002-04:00

What a difference a year makes!

It has been one liturgical year since I spent the Saturday night before Palm Sunday debating between a dress and dress pants, heels and the more comfortable shoes.

This is rarely an issue for me. At most I may switch a top when I realize it is warmer or colder than anticipated, but generally deciding what to wear on any particular day isn't a major issue.

When one is going to be proclaiming the first reading at the Papal Palm Sunday Mass it becomes an issue quite quickly.

Thus I learned two things:

Always pack a dress when traveling. (Guys - maybe stick with a suit.)

There is no such thing as a comfortable pair of heels when you have to stand, walk, and climb cobblestone stairs.

Despite all the potential problems, I managed not to fall, not to mispronounce anything, and generally behave well. All told, a grand success.

I have no laundry...

2011-04-11T20:21:00.002-04:00

...at least that is what I'm telling myself.

That mind game will work until I have to go to sleep - my one set of sheets are in the dryer and another load is in the washer. I'm just exhausted. Yet another day off that makes me look forward to my desk tomorrow!

Thank to a thunderstorm that came through around 4 or 4:30 this morning, I had an early start. Nothing like your twit of a dog freaking out to wake you thoroughly up.

It was a good day though. Groceries, post office, library then home. At home it was work out and bake. I made two batches of biscotti for a coworker who has been begging me for them - brownie biscotti and chocolate chip biscotti. I think she'll be happy tomorrow. Then there is the pan of brownies (from scratch of course) and two pans of Dutch butter cake (think more like soft cookie bar than cake). The brownies and Dutch butter cakes are for the informal celebration of our associate pastor's ordination. I think it is also a testament to how we Catholics think you should always serve food at a celebration.

Now that Gracie and I are utterly exhausted, it is time to enjoy a flaky book. I'll get around to that laundry sooner or later.

Oh, the Joys of the Midwest

2011-03-21T17:24:00.002-04:00

Currently: 54 degrees, sunny, with a brisk breeze.

Tomorrow evening through Wednesday: Winter storm watch.

Oh, how I love the life of a Midwesterner.

Now all I have to do is deal with my upset stomach, the dog who needs a bath, and the half done laundry. Just another day in the exciting life I lead!

Oh Vegetables, I Miss You

2011-03-20T14:01:00.005-04:00

Welcome to Spring. According to the universe, spring has sprung for those of us in the northern hemisphere of planet earth. Could someone please notify Mother Nature? While today is pleasant, and tomorrow even more so, we're in line for 30s and snow later this week. I am not amused.

This also brings my annual early spring problem. I am craving fresh vegetables. Well cooked veggies in soups or from those bags that sit in the freezer each winter are just no longer cutting it. Alas, it is still too early for the Farmer's Market and I stare longingly at the empty stalls, waiting for fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and other goodies to reappear.

So here I am, despising my winter recipes of soups, stews, chilies, and roasted winter vegetables. Yet, cannot find other alternatives. Oh, what shall I do?!?

"They could be twins."

2011-03-17T18:11:00.003-04:00

I have to watch Hotel Rwanda in the next day or so. I need to pull a clip from it for youth group on Sunday. Our discussion is focusing on "Us and Them," the divides we create or believe are there when we talk about social justice issues and service.

As the film accurately explains, the difference between the Hutus and Tutsis was basically imposed during the colonial era. In the film, the white reporter cannot tell the difference. As he comments, regarding two women one of whom is Hutu and the other Tutsi, "They could be twins."

From the earliest age we place different labels on ourselves and others to try to understand the world around us. And to an extent, we have to do this. Animal, vegetable, mineral. Stranger, friend, family. Inedible, edible. Often these labels help us to know what is good or right in a situation.

What becomes dangerous, is when we apply fictitious or inaccurate labels, or worse yet, impose such labels on others. That, and the negative effects of the colonial era, helped lead to the genocide in Rwanda. That, along with insecurity, is what leads to bullying.

While I sincerely hope that the world has learned its lesson and the tragedy in Rwanda will not be repeated, I worry. We like our labels far too much. It is a slippery slope we venture on when we let ourselves fall prey to labels.

A Day to Miss Poli Sci

2011-02-06T17:12:00.002-05:00

With events unfolding in pecular juxtapositions of suprising tranquility and appaling violence, today is one of those days I miss being immersed in political science.

Do you realize that Southern Sudan, Tunisia, and Egypt are on the precipice? With the slightest breath, one way or another, they can begin the path to stable democracies or fall prey to the fears we carry as Americans - radical governments, unstable (or more unstable), and harder to influence.

But think of it this way. Using Twitter, Facebook, the internet, and classic word of mouth, Egyptians are in essence doing what our forefathers did in 1776. "If you don't really mind, we would like to have our say, thank you very much...oh, and we will have our say, by your leave or not." Now they may be more accelerated and a bit more violent than the Boston Tea Party, but times and situations change. In time they could be attempting to piece their own constitution. Can you imagine that - creating a state, creating a document that will survive long past your own imaginings of time?

Ironically, my iPod just started playing "For What Its Worth" by Buffalo Springfield. "Stop, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down." Pay attention people, history is happening and as history has a way of doing, it affects everyone.

Shameless Plug

2011-01-18T16:40:00.002-05:00

a.k.a. How I spent too much money at the Apple Store.

We all know I drank the Kool-Aid and it was apple flavored. However, when I got my Air, they talked me into Mobile Me. I think I'm in love. No more beating my head against a nearby hard object when I leave my flash drive at home. I drop a document/photo/anything really into the drive from either Mac or upload it to the MobileMe site and then I can access it from anywhere. Ah....happy day.

Obviously I don't have much of a life - there are a ton of major events coming up so I am all over the place (mentally and physically) for meetings, planning and so forth. It is fantastic to have access to all the relevant documents from anywhere.

Proud Owner of a Dog

2011-01-16T13:55:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of my little dog. She is finally growing hair back on her little paws and legs. It was pretty sad, especially in comparison to other Cairns I saw around lately.

Beyond that, not much else to report. I spent half an hour sorting M&Ms. I needed a bunch of red, orange, green, and blue M&Ms for tonight's youth group. Thus I have those in little dishes that will be closely guarded. The remaining yellow and brown ones are on dishes to distract the kids with until they can eat the other four colors after our activity.

Next, figure out how to post the packets of paper for the same activity...

Life Lesson

2011-01-13T11:13:00.002-05:00

Life lesson 1,423,549,294: Do not try to adapt a pattern when you have a headache that is borderline migraine. You will get your math wrong and you will not have a functional project.

Alas, I had fabulous fabric. I had enough time. I did not have a laptop case at the end of it.

While part of it was my fault, I am also going to venture that the Air is so small and thin, that the pattern may just not be a good one for it. Alas.

Thus I'll improvise until the one I ordered from Amazon comes sometime next week. Also ordered the adaptor that will let me plug my Air to a projector and such.

Next up, early lunch, then off to work for a crazy day of budget meetings, retreat planning, and an evening meeting of all the youth ministers in the region.

Happy (Belated) New Year

2011-01-12T13:40:00.002-05:00

Here we are, a new year. Work is insane as always. Gracie is pathetic, yet adorable, as always. And the walls of my condo are still beige. Likely, I will usher in 2012 with similar thoughts.

My big news is that after a year of pondering, researching, and saving some extra cash, I finally did it. I bought a MacBook Air. I think I'm in love. The thing is so tiny and light. It will be wonderful for travel. My purses are big enough that it will fit in most of them. The biggest problem is that the 11" version I have is so new, there aren't cases for it. Thus tonight's project.

Following what looks to be an exciting episode of Doctor Who that I'll watch while on my elliptical, I will tackle making a case for the Air. I'm heading to JoAnn's after work to pick up some fabric and the Velcro I need for the closure. I will post pictures of it tomorrow. I have a couple meetings tomorrow night I want to take it to and I don't want to cart it around without something cushioning it and keeping it from getting scratched.

A Turning of the Page

2010-12-22T22:32:00.003-05:00

Somehow I feel like today should be more momentous. Like some sort of gilded card should have magically appeared on my bathroom mirror or something.

Today is my last day of being in my twenties.

Strangely, it doesn't seem like that huge of a deal.

Instead my day was normal. At work I was a whirlwind preparing things for the service trip. My commute home took nearly three times longer than usual due to holiday shopping traffic. I ordered Chinese as I was exhausted and the idea of even preparing a bowl of cereal was too much effort. Then it was a bit of lounging before wrapping a few gifts and doing a few chores. Now my night will wrap up with watching a bit of one of my favorite movies, Return to Me.

Deep Thoughts

2010-12-19T17:17:00.002-05:00

This time of year is a time when I naturally tend to think deep thought. This is due to many reasons. The greatest culprate may be the bone-aching cold that keeps me huddled up in countless sweaters during the day and buried under fleece blankets at night. Then there's the face that this is Advent, a time of reflection, waiting, and preparation. And we can't forget Christmas and New Year's around the corner. Last, and perhaps least in the grand scheme of the world's concerns is the little day that commemorates my birth. Whew, no wonder December exhausts me!

With the looming approach of 30 next Thursday, a service trip back to New Orleans (see past blog posts on this topic), and a fantastic group of friends and coworkers that threw me a suprise party on Friday I cannot help feel that I am beyond blessed.

Have you taken a moment out of the inevitable chaos of this time of year to really think? I bet if you sat down for twenty minutes of silence you could easily realize that you are indeed blessed (or if you prefer the more innocuous term, lucky). Even if you factor in the trials and tribulations of the year, and we all have them, you are still blessed.

I have come to realize a few things. You realize your blessings when you stop to think of them. Anais Nin did say, "We see the world not as it is, but as we are." We will see what we want to see. As cheesy as it may sound, if I try to start the day looking for the good and the blessed, the good and the blessings will find me. I also find I am more willing to do the good and try to bless others.

In closing, I simply offer this:

Confessions, Again

2010-12-16T19:17:00.002-05:00

Here's a confession:

Some days a warm meal means toast or popcorn popped in a kettle on the stove.

Today is one of those days. I hurried through vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, picking up in the kitchen, and folding laundry. Then it was carrot sticks with hummus, apple with peanut butter, and likely popcorn later while I watch White Christmas.

On the upside, as I sit here watching Law & Order SVU, Gracie is helping to keep my feet warm. With my headcold, I am freezing most of the time - except in my office which is a furnace.

Fall Cooking

2010-09-20T18:16:00.002-04:00

Today is a cooking day. Here are two excellent and easy recipes.

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Steel cut oats make this beyond your everyday oatmeal. Plus since it makes 8 servings it is a great thing to toss in your lunch bag for tough days when you need some comfort food. Otherwise the oatmeal will be a great breakfast that will stick with you.

2 cups steel cut oats

12-oz. can of evaporated milk (I use fat-free)

15-oz. can of pumpkin (plain, not the pie filling)

5 ½ cups water

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Mix it all together in a crock pot. Turn the pot to low and let it cook for 4-5 hours. Stir frequently.

This recipe is simple, but does require you to stir basically the entire time it is on the stove. I doubled the recipe since it is a bit time consuming.

Butternut Squash Risotto

(Adapted from Gina's Recipes)

2 cup arborio rice

6 cups of vegetable broth and ¼ cup water or additional broth

2 cups butternut squash puree (this was an entire butternut squash)

6 cloves of garlic, chopped

6 shallots, chopped

1 teaspoon dried sage

1 teaspoon olive oil

⅓ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

Heat the broth and puree. Keep hot on a low heat.

In a large saucepan or kettle, heat oil on medium-low. Add the shallots and saute until golden, add risotto and sage and stir well to coat each grain with the oil. Add the broth & puree mixture a ladle at a time stirring gently and almost constantly. Let each ladle full absorb fully before adding the next. Continue this process until all the stock is used, about 25-30 minutes after you started. It will be creamy looking. Once all the broth is absorbed, add the cheese, stir, and remove from the heat.

1 cup

2010-09-11T22:22:00.004-04:00

What can we do against so much reckless hate?

A question many can ask today, but which was originally asked over 50 years ago by an author likely reflecting on the hate that killed not thousands, but millions. If you are an avid fan of Tolkien you likely recognize the line from the film which is a version of a line from the book.

Hate is nothing new in this world. Within the first chapters of the Christian and Hebrew Bible you read of the hate between brothers. Much of Genesis revolves around the terrible clash of brothers viscously attacking each other. Soon you read of the story of Isaac and Ishmael. But do you remember that they came together again in chapter 25 of Genesis to bury their father?

On this day, when people stand in the streets to remember, to protest, to try to make sense of the ever changing world, cannot we remember that hate does no good? Ever.

Cannot we come together to remember our dead?

Cannot we remember that the actions of extremists do not define a people?

Cannot we find a way to move past hate? For if we never learn from our long history, the future for our children will not improve. We must build a world of faith, hope and love. For if not, us, all of us, then who?

Hear Me Out

2010-09-08T10:00:00.002-04:00

Tofu can be excellent.

I follow this blog, Your Vegan Mom, because she obviously has a ton of good recipes that fall into the vegetarian category and obviously don't contain any form of dairy (way to avoid my lactose intolerance).

On Monday I made her House Tofu. This comes with a link to a Creamy Tofu Savory Sauce. I made the tofu as directed without changes. I put the tofu slices and marinade into a plastic container and flipped it every 30 minutes or so for a total marinating time of several hours.

I did make changes to the Creamy Tofu Savory Sauce to reduce the oil and things. I cut the oil to only ⅓ cup. I also had to use plain old canola oil as I didn't have that much olive oil and definitely no other fancy oils on hand. The Bragg's was in my cupboard, so I used that, but I expect the soy sauce would be fine. I switched soy sauce for the tamari. I also used nutritional yeast instead of the brewer's yeast. For both recipes I used low fat firm tofu without any problems.

The sauce was so easy to make as it is just dumping it all into a blender. You can eat it cold or heated. I am in love with this sauce. It can easily be used as a gravy on mashed potatoes. I made some whole wheat pasta, peas, and the marinated tofu. I then topped it all with the sauce. It was fantastic and very filling.

Confession

2010-09-02T11:41:00.003-04:00

I have no idea how many confession-titled posts are on this site. Nonetheless, here are two confessions for the day.

1. My new obsession is roasted chickpeas. These tiny guys are incredibly crunchy little snacks. I made a spicy version last night and have a small container of them on my desk. Thanks to the fiber and protein in the chickpeas, they are a great snack or supplement to my lunch. As the spice mix I used has cumin, garlic, curry, and chili powder, I need to chew some gum before my 1 pm meeting.

2. I love finding new blogs to follow and find fabulous ideas for sewing, reading, youth ministry, healthy cooking, vegetarian cooking, travel, astronomy... I have them all feeding into my Google Reader which makes it so easy.

I'm going back to enjoying my roasted chickpeas. Hmmm, I wonder if Gracie would eat them. Then again, her doggie breath is bad enough without the help of garlic and curry powder.

Dreary, but relaxing day

2010-08-21T14:12:00.003-04:00

Today is one of those Saturdays where you are more than happy to spend the day inside. Accordingly, between summer showers this morning, I ran to the grocery store to pick up a few items I needed. Then I settled into my day.

I made good use of my elliptical while watching another episode of Covert Affairs. Gracie napped. After cleaning up and finding my Crocs (my slippers died before the end of the winter and even in the dead of summer I will get ice cold feet standing in the kitchen for too long), I headed to the kitchen.

Now, bear with me, yes the recipes were from a blog that makes Weight Watcher friendly recipes. Don't dismiss them! I've now made several of her recipes and they are all excellent tasting. I stumbled across the blog when looking for new vegetarian-friendly recipes.

Today's creations include the Crock Pot Minestrone Soup, Roasted Red Pepper Soup, and Puerto Rican Style Beans. I finished the Red Pepper Soup and now have four containers of that in the freezer. The Puerto Rican Beans are cooling before they go in the refrigerator. I'll not be able to freeze those as there are potatoes in the recipe. The Minestrone is simmering away in the crock pot and won't finish until 8 pm or so. Then that will cool and head to the freezer too.

I have the ingredients to make the Roasted Broccoli with Smashed Garlic, but I think my chef time may be done for the day. I'll likely make that tomorrow once I'm home from everything.

I also made the Tomato Bisque which was excellent. The Zucchini Casserole is now a favorite too. Both freeze well which is ideal for me. I froze them and the soup help keep everything else in my lunch bag cold.

This is my basic methodology - spend two or so hours cooking so I have my meals for work. Otherwise I would end up eating a lot of garbage and spending too much on take away from restaurants or Whole Foods.

Why I love Pride and Prejudice

2010-08-20T09:06:00.002-04:00

For days like today, it will be a comfort. No, nothing cataclysmic has occurred. In fact, I'm doing well. I've gotten into a great routine of eating better, using my elliptical while catching up on shows like Covert Affairs and that one new one about the detective and coroner team that has Sasha Alexander in it, and ignoring the full laundry hamper.

It was a year ago today that I was awoken by the call from my mother that my grandmother had died. We knew it was coming as the lung cancer was quick and merciless. What I regret is that I did not more forcefully push the ties that kept me away from Wisconsin for those first few days. There was much to do and I should have been there to help. I can truly say that there are few things I regret and they are that which I did not do.

However, I won't wallow in melancholy. "Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery,"

I shall, "Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure."

The first quote is from Mansfield Park. A good novel, but not as great as Pride and Prejudice from which the second quote comes.

Heaven in a Mug

2010-08-18T19:57:00.001-04:00

This is likely going to be my salvation at some points when it is a bit crazy this fall. All I'm missing is some ice cream to go with it.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly before pouring in the milk and oil in. Keep mixing. Add the optional chocolate chips next (who makes that an option!) and vanilla extract, and mix again

No Czechoslovakia!

2010-08-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

Okay, that is probably not news. I hope.

However, for this year's incoming freshman college class they have never lived in a world where Czechoslovakia exists. Let's not even get into whether or not they appreciate Casablanca.

How I Torture My Mother

2010-08-17T10:09:00.003-04:00

I've had Gracie for over 18 months now. However, I still get the emails from Petfinder.com with updates on new dogs that fit the parameters I had set before I got her.

Now, I am routinely and intensely tempted to get a second dog.

I also use this as a way to torture my mother. I know she would love to get a dog. The current schedule of my parents and the looming retirement, however, keep them from adopting a canine friend. This does not stop me from forwarding my mother the photos and details of adorable little pooches looking for a home. Especially if they have heart-wrenching stories. This in turn makes both my mother and me wish we could be dog-ladies and give them all loving homes where they are spoiled rotten.

Should you ever be looking for a pet, please, please, please, do not buy from a breeder. Rather, rescue a pet. There are so many out there looking for a good home. If you do go to a breeder, do your homework. Make sure you are not supporting a puppy mill.

Invasion

2010-08-15T22:44:00.003-04:00

I am relishing only hearing the hum of the dryer and Gracie's occasional exhausted sigh.

I spent last week visiting the great state of Wisconsin. Then I hauled back to Michigan today (leaving far too early). It was then a quick scramble to unpack, do laundry, and get the house ready for an invasion. My good friend and her three kids are crashing here tonight on their way through town. It is amazing how three little people, all too short to see over my counters, can seem to fill every space in my condo. Thankfully a bit of pizza and some Disney movies (Monsters, Inc. and The Princess and the Frog if you are wondering) will work miracles...well, at least for a while.

Right now, pretty much everyone else (including my dog) is asleep. I'm just finishing a few things (laundry and grocery lists) before heading to sleep myself.

It seems Gracie will enjoy the chance to catch up on her naps once the kiddies leave tomorrow and I head off to work. She has not gotten her usual 23 & 1/2 hours of beauty sleep today!

And I didn't even injure myself!

2010-08-04T21:46:00.003-04:00

Look what I assembled all by myself!

It came in a giant box. Was plopped in the middle of my spare room.

It too two hours to assemble and one trip to Target (4 D batteries) and another half hour, but I got it assembled.

Pretty nifty!

A Great Truth About Dogs

2010-08-03T15:28:00.002-04:00

We all know that dogs are man's best friend. They are loyal, occasionally helpful but just as likely pathetic.

Today I had a perfect illustration of yet another canine truth - when you are moving a heavy, awkward piece of furniture by yourself, your dog will inevitably be right in the way.

I was moving a bookcase (a very heavy one) out of my spare room to make room for the elliptical and of course Gracie was right in the way every inch of the path I had to move it.

This resulted in the project taking twice as long. And may have helped develop the sore shoulder I now have. Tomorrow I will move Gracie's kennel to another space and shift my printer across the room. Then I will be ready for the delivery of the elliptical.

Should there be no further posts on this blog after tomorrow it is likely due to some sort of catastrophic, yet terribly embarrassing, accident caused by me assembling the elliptical by myself.

A Big Purchase

2010-07-29T21:52:00.002-04:00

I just spent a small fortune. I bought an elliptical trainer. I need to rearrange the furniture now in my spare room to accommodate it. That little project will be Saturday's task.

It will be delivered some time on Wednesday night and depending on the time, I may start the process of assembling it. Yes, I will attempt to assemble it myself. We'll see how that goes. In case I royally screw up, I bought the extended service plan.

Photos will likely be posted. I sense I will be making good use of my ibuprofen over the weekend.

My New Hobby

2010-07-27T09:13:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I had my very first quilting lesson. So far I find it really relaxing and combines two things I love - art and exactness.

Here's a square from my first quilt. I'm sure I'll be posting more as I charge along. It will eventually be a lap or crib sized quilt. It will be two patterns this one, the friendship star, and another, the 9-square variation.

Good Grief, again

2010-07-14T09:57:00.002-04:00

First it was the drama of the power outage on Saturday night -

I came back from spending the day at the campground with my parents to find the house without power. Normally this would be an inconvenience. however, both my dog and I smelled like campfire and Gracie picked up a few additional noxious odors. I needed a shower and she desperately needed a bath. Turns out it wasn't the power company who needed to deal with the problem. After 10 hours the solution was discovered - the master circuit for my condo was flipped off. Where is this circuit, you ask? On the outside of the building in a little box. How was it flipped? Well, anyone could have done it as there was no lock on the little box! Anyone walking along could just stop power to my condo. This was the same problem when I had lost power while in Alaska. Totally frustrating!

Second, it was a tragic betrayal by my washing machine -

I tossed a load of towels in the washer yesterday morning - a fairly small one, nothing out of the ordinary. However, when it hit the spin cycle, the machine started making a horrific grinding noise and the agitator completely stopped. After getting frustrated with the length of time before a Sears repairman could come, I thought more about it (and got some maternal advice). I ended up purchasing a new washing machine. It took about 15 minutes to spend hundreds of dollars. New washing machine will be delivered tomorrow.

So there it is, my life. Isn't it exciting?

See...no focus

2010-07-09T12:06:00.002-04:00

Just have to share this too (should anyone in the great void care)...

I am completely into my sewing machine. So far, I have mastered headbands. (I obviously need to keep working on my skills to make slightly more complex projects.)

Why headbands, you ask? Simple. I have a big head. Every headband I have ever purchased gives me headaches. My headaches turn to migraines. Ask my brother, he will quickly tell you that is a situation to avoid. Now I can make a billion headbands in a ton of fun prints and designs to keep my hair out of my face and off my neck (working on growing it out again). This is crucial with a service trip coming up.

As this is my primary skill right now and I just like to make things, I'm cranking out headbands for a friend too. She's a nurse, so they're practical for her. If by chance I know you and you want any, let me know! I'm obsessed!

I am also hunting for websites and blogs that will help me learn other projects and skills so I can graduate beyond this current craze of mine. Any ideas?

T.G.I.F.

2010-07-09T07:46:00.002-04:00

Not that it's been a bad week, more like this is my last weekend before the service trip. Plus my parents will be getting into town later this afternoon. We have quite the schedule of events. Most revolve around eating things cooked over the camp fire. Of course this is after the ritual of watching my father spend 45 minutes attempting to start the campfire followed by my mom distracting him so I can start the fire.

Gracie and I are both glad the worst of the heat broke. It is still supposed to be in the upper 80s this weekend, but that's over 10 degrees cooler than the last few days. This means that I will hopefully avoid having to carry Gracie home from one of her walks.

Joys of Lunch

2010-07-08T12:00:00.003-04:00

I just finished eating my fabulous lunch. I've basically been vegetarian since just after Thanksgiving. One or two reverses back into meat led to my digestive track not being too happy with me.

This has meant some tweaking of old recipes and finding new favorites. Since the heat index tops 100 degrees this week, the idea of heating up some soup (a standard lunch - I have several homemade soups in individual serving containers in the freezer) causes me to search out the nearest air conditioning duct.

My current favorite lunch is a wrap. I find a tortilla of choice - the big ones. I then put a glob of my favorite Trader Joe's hummus. Then we begin the art of layering veggies - tomato slices, cucumber slices, shredded carrot, sliced roasted red pepper. Then, the crowning moment - the avocado. I like about an eigth of an avocado per sandwich. If you're lucky (i.e. no me) and can eat cheese, I highly recommend adding some feta or other crumbly cheese.

Then I have some fruit in my lunch bag that I eat mid-morning (grapes today) and usually another for mid-afternoon (a plum that is seriously overripe).

As a plug for any of you who have a Trader Joe's in town, I highly recommend a few products:

Any of their hummuses. I've yet to have a bad one.
I use their soy creamer (alas for the lactose).
Fiberful or Fruit n Fiber. These are like grown up fruit roll-ups that have actual fruit in them and fiber. I like having the fruit & veggie ones when I travel. One of them will give you 1/2 a serving of fruit and 1/2 a serving of veggies. When you're spending your day on airplanes this is a nice thing to have.
The mini edame crackers. You don't have to eat a ton to feel full. I love the saltiness. Gracie loves them too. She now comes running when she hears a bag open.
The pretzel thins. They're pretzels but they're flat with just the crispy outside. I love dipping them in the hummus...or peanut butter. Gracie again loves these.

Enjoy your lunches! Any suggestions you want to share?

A Must Read

2010-07-06T15:21:00.002-04:00

Please take the time to read about this incredible young infantryman:

Spirit Intact, Soldier Reclaims His Life

Forced Vacation

2010-05-28T16:39:00.002-04:00

On a day when there are beautiful clouds allowing you a reprieve from the sun with an air temperature of around 85 and just the perfect breeze, all you can think is how wonderful it would be to start the long weekend early with a day of vacation. Right?

Unfortunately, this is day two of forced vacation. A trip to the doctor's on Wednesday resulted in the statement that I was to take the next two days to rest at home, drink lots of juice and if not better after a day of rest, start a serious antibiotic. After feeling like I was dying yesterday, I started the medicine. While no longer at death's door, I still am going through tissues like mad and am pretty tired after doing something simple like walking my dog or switching laundry (I just had to change my bed sheets after sleeping about 20 hours yesterday).

I took a quick burst of energy a while ago to water the plants I need to put in the ground still. I don't want them to die off. I'm hoping tomorrow I can go and get the materials I need to plant them - some new gardening gloves, some mulch, etc. I don't know if I'll be up to the planting part for a day or two, but getting to the store on that first burst of energy could be good.

For those who are curious I'll have pictures up from my latest trek to Alaska for the little brother's wedding. It was a great time. Everything from watching my mother attempt to get in and out of a boat, a helicopter ride, whitewater rafting, and of course the wedding.

For now though, I shall take Gracie's example and snooze for a bit. Then time for another dose of the uber-strong medicine. I'm supposed to take it with dinner. As I only have breakfast foods in the house (catastrophic issue while traveling - lost power for several days. My stock pile of food in the freezer was disgusting...and stinky) I'm not sure what dinner exactly shall be...

A Few Lessons

2010-05-12T18:42:00.002-04:00

Lessons from this week:

Having a migraine + a sinus headache = excruciating.
Taking migraine medicine (prescription) then Sudafed sinus headache 3 hours later will result in a most uncomfortable, acid stomach feeling the next day.
I adore Trader Joe's chocolate ice cream. Really, that name, chocolate ice cream is insufficient. It should be called "I don't care that I'm lactose intolerant because this ice cream is that good" or "Yeah, I'm plain chocolate ice cream because I am too fabulous for any of that cookie dough or marshmallow swirl. I'm all that."
My dog loves to pull apart fleece toys in about 2.3 nanoseconds. I bought 3 lambswool fleece sort of toys on Saturday. By Tuesday night they were gone. Hope she got $15 enjoyment out of them.
Despite what reviewers may say about Iron Man 2, I loved it. Totally a summer blockbuster (not going to find enlightenment or zen here folks).

That is about it. Time to flip the laundry loads. Last load in the dryer. I'm trying to get everything all set so that tomorrow night I can pack very quickly. Little brother is getting married! I'm going to go rafting and on a helicopter! Watch for details and pictures! (Facebook will be a good bet.)

3:30

2010-03-27T09:38:00.001-04:00

Will you be up at 3:30 or something like that on Sunday? If so, try to catch the Palm Sunday Mass from St. Peter's Square.

For those my mom didn't email, I'll be doing the first reading!!!

Here's hoping I don't trip!

Modern Medicine

2010-03-11T16:48:00.002-05:00

Yet another thing I am grateful for - modern medicine.

The annoying headache (that kept me up for hours last night) was indeed a sinus headache resulting from a sinus infection. Add to that was some wheezing indicative of bronchitis and I'm a right mess. In steps the miracle of antibiotics (or whatever that prescription is for).

Best part of this was that I was at the doctor for all of about half an hour. Got there 10 minutes early for my appointment. They called me on time. I got checked out and then had a conversation about immunizations. I need my tetanus updated before heading out on summer service trips. Then out. I spent more time at Walgreens getting my prescription filled.

Now, here I am with some soup (sweet potato and lentil) a can of Fresca, and the first dose in my system.

Yet again

2010-03-10T17:06:00.002-05:00

I have managed to disappear into the insanity of my life.

However, this is not letting up, so no more excuses. Here I am blogging about the absolutely inconsequential. The biggest thing at this particular moment is that I just forced myself to eat an early dinner. The old effect of not having enough for lunch resulted in feeling queasy and not wanting to eat. Thus the forcing. Now that I've got some food in my system and a diet 7-Up to help settle it some more, all should be good.

I cannot believe how quickly time is going. January and February flew by. Now I am counting the days until two back to back conferences. One will be the annual Michigan Catholic Young Adult Conference. The other is an incredible opportunity that I have to go to ... Rome!

Yup, somehow the powers that be did not do a full background check - I'm sure my youth groupers and little brother would have had plenty to say - and asked me to be a delegate to the 10th annual Pontifical Council for the Laity's Youth Conference. I'm going to Italy!!!

This is an incredible experience for many reasons:

It is Italy.
I will not have 24 youth trailing after me.
It is Italy and there is gelato.
It's hosted by the Vatican (Someone from the Vatican has emailed me...how cool is that?)
I get to play my flute there (Have no idea about the music. I'm terribly out of practice, but hey, whatever!)
It is Italy and they have really, really good food.
I get to go to Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's.

I could go on. But I would like to highlight the two most important - #7 and #3.

Why me?

2010-02-26T12:46:00.002-05:00

Normally when I utter those words I'm stuck in line somewhere, like the security line at the airport and one of the machines breaks. Or I trip over thin air and end up in yet another air cast.

Lately though, I've found myself wondering, "Why me?" from the perspective of "Why am I so blessed?" Some might insert lucky, but hey, I'm a Church lady so it's blessed.

This isn't to say the past week or so has been easy. I've had an annoying cold. There's a pile of laundry (clean) taking over my love seat begging to be folded. My dog stank until I finally bathed her last night. I currently have yet another headache.

But, and most importantly...
...I have good food, and plenty of it. Even if I may not be taking the time to cook
...I have a warm home
...I can afford my migraine medicines and over the counter medications for the other headaches
...I can afford to keep my dog in the manner to which she has grown accustomed
...My parents and brother are alive, healthy, and meaningful parts of my life
...I have countless friends that are wonderful, caring people
...I have opportunities to travel, meet people from around the world, and hopefully make a positive difference

There are those who cannot, for recently...

...Two of my teens lost their father
...There are millions of Americans who cannot afford the things I usually take for granted - food, shelter, medical care
...There are millions of people globally who eat less in a week than I just ate for lunch
...There are countless women denied the education that has opened doors to me that even I never could have imagined

And so I may have a runny nose, a headache, and that pesky back ache from sleeping funny (another side effect of one of those stellar falls in college), but I have to ask, "Why am I so blessed?"

Deep Thought

2010-02-19T13:12:00.001-05:00

Okay, here's my deep thought -

What does someone who willingly hasn't had meat since Thanksgiving and is lactose intolerant abstain from on Fridays during Lent? Seriously - I'm curious.

Second, I nearly spat my water all over my monitor at this video:

We're There

2010-02-09T22:02:00.002-05:00

We have officially reached the point where I want to wear a skirt and sandals again. Not that I particularly care for shoes in general, but I am sick of bundling up and just want to wear a skirt again and not freeze. Okay, glad I got that off my chest.

Other than that, with the snow here, I left work a bit early and came home to a confused little dog. She loves the snow and frolics about in it. And then her paws freeze. And then I end up having to carry her home. Vicious cycle.

I made a simple dinner and later on made these fabulous maple and cornmeal biscuits. They are insanely simple and a good treat to have with soup.

Heaven in a disposable bowl

2010-02-02T14:04:00.001-05:00

I am eating some of the best soup I have ever had - Creamy Portobella Mushroom Soup. Seriously fabulous. Just needed to flaunt how fabulous my lunch is. If you're nice, I may post the recipe on Gracie's Kitchen. If you're nice.

My soup is calling to me. Enjoy your lunches!

Haiti: Incredible

2010-01-19T17:47:00.002-05:00

Trapped. Saved by dog food. Back at work. Back at work in her job as logistics officer for Catholic Relief Services in Haiti.

See the short story here.

More on Haiti

2010-01-17T16:13:00.003-05:00

The news regarding Haiti continues to overwhelm, with the beautiful stories of reunion, survival, and generosity along with the stories of grief, death, and suffering.

For reputable, up to the minute information, I would highly recommend the Catholic Relief Services Blog. They have over 300 staff and have been working in Haiti for over 50 years. The people there know the country and, reportedly, the staff is all safe to continue their work.

Furthermore, I do put forth CRS as a great way to make a monetary donation. They get exceptionally good ratings and 93% of your dollar goes directly to the people in need. That figure is much higher than many other organizations.

For Haiti

2010-01-14T09:42:00.002-05:00

The devastation in Haiti is unimaginable to me. All I simply put forth to you today is how you can help. As someone of faith, obviously prayer. The archbishop of Haiti, a country that is 80% Catholic was killed. The seminary is destroyed. In a time when people turn to their faith for spiritual help, they are without a shepherd.

There are many ways you can help with financial assistance.

Catholic Relief Services is a great organization.
The Red Cross

An others. If you wish to donate just check your favorite international relief organization's site. I will guarantee you find donation opportunities.

Rant

2010-01-12T16:46:00.003-05:00

Alright, I apologize in advance. This is one of those blog posts. I'm complaining.

I have a pet peeve. People who disregard every rule of punctuation and grammar in their emails. Now when I shoot off an email to a good friend with a quick thought, I know I don't always pay attention to details. They'll forgive me and know that I can write a complete paragraph with correct punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. However, when you email someone on a professional level, inquiring for information from an organization, or such, you should utilize the basic skills of grammar and spelling your 5th grade teacher worked so hard to instill in you.

People! Didn't you watch School House Rock? Did you totally miss your elementary education? Please use capital letters when beginning a sentence! Check your spelling! Use punctuation appropriately!

In Retrospect

2010-01-01T11:59:00.002-05:00

Like just about everyone who has taken up pen or keyboard in the past few days, I find myself meditating on the past, present, and future.

The past year has been one of momentous change, great challenges, and loss. It has also been a year of joys, blessings, and gains.

I'll spare you the blow-by-blow of the year. For those closest to me, you will be able to fill in the details or remember the phone calls and conversations over dinners.

A couple of things are standing out to me. One major event was the loss of my grandmother. She was the last relative of that generation. In effect my mother's side of the family is reduced to just the four of us now. Yet again, I was forcefully reminded that life is incredibly precious. I was reminded that I am blessed in the choices open to me in my life that were not open to my grandmother. I was reminded that it is not things I have done I should fear regretting, but the things not done.

Just a few short weeks later, my brother came home safely from war. My nights of fears and days of worrying about those unidentified callers subsided. Then, to add joy to the family being brought together, my brother proposed to his girlfriend. I'm so excited to have her join our family (though I don't think she really knows what she is getting into).

Oddly enough, Jell-O has become a huge part of 2009 for me. I know, you are probably looking at me like I just grew a 2nd head. Bear with me a moment. I love Jell-O, whether it is plain strawberry, cranberry, or one of the family's Jell-O salads, I love the stuff. But I can no longer take it for granted. Something that costs about half a dollar to make has become precious. The time in Guatemala City did this. I still hear Alta Gracia's story. I still remember how her children, who had food poisoning from eating rancid dog food scavenged in the city dump, were excited and fascinated by the Jell-O served in the hospital where they spent several weeks. I still hear her voice trembling as she says she still makes it for her children as often as possible now. We crack jokes about hospital food in general and Jell-O in particular. Now when I see that bowl of wiggling gelatin, I see how blessed I am.

May 2010 be a year of blessings and joys for you and yours. May those times of trial, hardships, and tears strengthen you. And may you always be blessed with Jell-O.

Christmas Joys

2009-12-28T12:39:00.003-05:00

Christmas has come and gone. It was a peaceful and relaxing holiday here. My parents came for a short visit and helped me to do a ton of projects around the house. Here's a sample:

Assemble the new coffee table and two end tables (my old end tables my parents purchased in 1976, they were nearly antiques!)
Get all the cords for my sound system tucked and tacked down out of sight and Gracie's paws
Put a hook on a picture frame that has three pictures of Her Gracie I got from a friend. Just hung it up now.

Another minor project was finally organizing my DVDs in these nifty drawer organizers. Makes the shelf so much neater and harder for Gracie to mess the DVD shelf up when she gets overexcited by the cats outside.

After running out in the snow for groceries and some knitting supplies, I'm tucked back at home and procrastinating on the laundry. At least now that the 'glitch' in my iPod dock for the sound system is fixed I can listen to music in my living room/kitchen area again.

P.S. Due to the request by a friend, all future cooking/recipe type things are at Gracie's Kitchen.

Not sure...

2009-12-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

I am not quite sure what to say about this...

Of Grandma's

2009-12-01T18:02:00.004-05:00

Yesterday afternoon was a busy time. In addition to the normal Monday routine of errands, laundry, and cleaning, I finally went through a box of things I had from when we cleaned out my Grandma's apartment following her death in August.

It is strange to go through some of those things. There are a pair of old brown gloves that reach to my elbows. I wonder where she wore them. What dress was she in? Then there were some items I had given her. Two plates I bought in Assisi that she hung in her kitchen. They now are on my wall. There was a wooden spoon she had purchased on one of her elaborate trips in Scandinavia. Eighty-three years of life, only 28 of which I experienced, fewer that I have memories of, are reduced to a small box and a spattering of pictures and memories.

Whirlwind

2009-11-30T15:53:00.002-05:00

The last two weeks have been chaotic, even by my definitions. First it was a week at the National Catholic Youth Conference with 23,000 high school youth. Then it was off to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and the first chance to see my brother since he returned from Iraq.

I'll leave NCYC alone. It was work. While it was a wonderful conference, it doesn't compare to Thanksgiving week.

Seeing my brother again was incredible. All the goofing around, catching up, and torturing my dad. Plus we managed to make Thanksgiving dinner without starting a fight, the house on fire, or other such disaster. In fact, I am quite pleased to report that the turkey was perfect in my opinion.

We had a good week of shopping for our unwrapped Christmas. Clothes and tech accessories for my brother. A TV & Sound System for me (blown away by my family's generosity). A coat and video camera for my birthday. Dinner and a concert out for my parents (gift cards). All told very effective use of our time helping to stimulate the economy.

One of our big projects was going through things from my Grandma and Uncle Paul that had collected in my parents' basement. We found photos from the turn of the century, and a few even older. There were items we couldn't identify. Things that we wondered why they were kept. But overall, it was an incredible journey into the past of our family. Even Gracie helped. Mostly she inspected the basement and all the unique smells.

Unsurprisingly, Gracie was quite tired on the way home. As you can see in the photo, she slept all six and a half hours of the drive.

Now things are back to normal here for Gracie and me. She's sleeping while I do chores.

Clarification

2009-11-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

A couple of inquiring minds asked about my whole milk thing. Basically I'm at the point where if I have milk, cheese, or even look the wrong way at a cheesecake I am seriously uncomfortable and...how to put this delicately...need exclusive use of the restroom. For a reference, see the film French Kiss with Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein. The whole, "I ate that cow!" scene sums it up quite well.

I kid myself sometimes and will go for a piece of gooey pizza or some killer ravioli at my favorite Italian restaurant. I will then take the lactaid and tough it out. However, a glass of milk, ice cream, etc are out of the question. I also seem to be getting more and more sensitive to it.

It isn't an allergy, just an intolerance.

Oh, and for those that have asked about what I've been cooking, since people who don't follow this blog but who haunt Facebook also asked, I've started posting the recipes and comments to the notes page on my FB profile.

I also will likely be out of commission for the next two weeks. I leave tomorrow for the National Catholic Youth Conference. I return Sunday around 10 pm. Next Monday I hope to leave around 10 am for Wisconsin for an extended Thanksgiving - and most exciting - the chance to finally see my brother. I haven't seen him since August 2008!

Here's hoping I stay functioning as a nasty cold has hit me just in time for the flights tomorrow!

Confession

2009-11-13T11:59:00.003-05:00

It is lunch time here in the den and I am eating tofu. Yes, it is true. Before you cast my friendship aside and relegate me to the bean sprout table, please hear me out!

I love this dish. Seriously. Since I can't have milk products without uncomfortable results, I have run across some vegan dishes in an effort to find milk-less replacements for some of my favorite foods. The added bonus, besides not getting sick, is that frequently they are healthier. Mostly I just like not getting sick though.

This particular dish was oh, so easy! Cook a box of pasta. Get a jar of favorite pasta sauce (I can't tell you how much I love Trader Joe's sauce). Then in a bowl, mash a block of firm tofu, add 1 T lemon juice, as much garlic as you like (more the merrier in my book), and Italian spices to your preferences, and stir. Dump the cooked pasta in a baking dish, pour sauce on top, put the tofu stuff on top and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. I got it from a site, can't remember where. I didn't even print it out since it was so easy. It also was cheap and made a ton of food. I love it because it really works like feta, is super filling (great for lunch on long work days), and doesn't make my stomach angry at me!

Lest you fear I have gone super crazy nutritious, I purchased a large bag of Christmas Mint M&Ms on Tuesday and finished them by noon yesterday. I love those things. Oh, and there's still the tea lattes from Starbucks.

Alright, back to lunch.

My Flashing Light

2009-10-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

Here's my flashing lighted sign of the day - I am in the right job.

I just got the itinerary for the second service trip I will lead next summer. One will take our group to Ohio July 18-23. I will get back late in the day, whence I will gather my dog, take a hot shower, and collapse in bed. On the following Friday (July 30) I will leave a few minutes to 2 pm on a flight that will ultimately lead me to Bolivia on service trip #2.

And I am all excitement.

The second service trip will be an extraordinary experience. I truly am nearly bouncing in my sad little beat up office chair (anyone want to give a youth minister a new desk chair?).

Okay, back to business - I have to put all the trip information into the bulletin, newsletter, websites, emails, etc.

Love my job!

(But I wouldn't mind a nap.)

Not Another Monday

2009-10-13T16:06:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had expected a fairly normal day. I had a few errands to run in the morning and then was planning on heading into the office around 2 pm.

Lo and behold, by 7:00 my plans had changed. Gracie woke up and started vomiting. Of epic proportions. She seemed to be doing better, but then another bout around 10:30 or so. By this point she was nearly vibrating and coughing and such. I was sitting on the floor with her in the kitchen and calling the vet. We hopped in the car and rushed over. Turns out she had a nasty little bug thing in her system and some bits of bone. After about 4 hours I had special food and some medicine.

This morning I was off to Target to replenish my supply of carpet cleaner and paper towel.

She is pretty much back to normal now. But yesterday was a long day.

As usual

2009-10-11T15:19:00.002-04:00

Just as I expected, this fall has been absolutely insane. In July I spoke of looking forward to Thanksgiving, just so I would have the chance to finally relax after a traveling the globe, kicking off and maintaining youth ministry, all the special events, regular events, and planning of the next three major trips for the ministries. Not to mention weddings, house-guests, my brother's homecoming, and all those other little things completed and forgotten.

I've been totally immersed in work lately. Not too shocking given what I do and the time of year. Not that I really get a slow time, though. What is interesting is the juggling of a major trip (Guatemala) and the planning of three more (stateside service trip, Honduras/Guatemala, and World Youth Day).

Those few precious minutes I have not spent working or sleeping (far too few spent sleeping) have been filled with some nifty things. I got a new car. My Grandma and Mom were conspiring to help me out with a down-payment on a SUV before my grandma died. My mom helped to carry out her wishes and I now own a KIA Sorrento EX with nice features. Gracie approves of the car. I also caved. I own an iPhone. I love my iPhone. (Any recommendations on apps grately appreciated.) I also did some killer clearance shopping - cardigans, long and short; scarves, brightly colored; and a great North Face backpack. I love clearance sales. Got what I needed at a great price and am now set for some time.

I'll be posting soon about a fabulous book I'm reading. I will likely finish it later this week. I've got 4 house-guests coming in tonight. A friend and her 3 kids. And yes, I still live in a 1,200 square foot condo. The next three days will be interesting.

Of No Surprise

2009-10-07T11:44:00.003-04:00

As the people in the article say, they will not be surprised when the research backs up their observations. Dogs are a therapudic part of life.

This is a fantastic article from the New York Times on the health benefits of pets. Particularly as I have encountered several teens now who fall on the Autism spectruum, I find the effects of the dogs on children with Autism fascinating.

Read. Enjoy.

Rescue a dog.

Too cool

2009-09-14T11:23:00.002-04:00

Yup, I'm just too cool for words. Why, you might ask? Because I have a shiny new crock pot. And it is red. (No shock there.)

I'm actually really excited about it. I need to work on having food on hand for days like yesterday where dinner consisted of a brownie and a handful of potato chips during youth group. Thus today, I'm all out of whack - a bit shaky and headachy.

My first go at a recipe is in the pot. I was so organized that not only did I know I was going to get the crock pot on sale at Target (DAR, you know how wonderful that part of daily errands was), but I had the grocery list set with ingredients.

I'm pretty excited about this. Do you have any recipes you could toss my way? I'd love to have some good, healthy options to add to my collection. Either leave them in the comments or email. I'll post the emailed ones so that those of you out there could potentially use them too.

Off to balance the check book, practice my flute (playing Ave Maria in a wedding on Saturday), and then just chill.

Motley Dog

2009-09-02T11:52:00.002-04:00

Gracie is one of the most pathetic four legged creatures today.

Last night she got into some burr like things. The problem is that they were very tiny, we're talking mustard seed tiny. Since I wasn't home (my friend had let her out), it was two hours before I came home to assess the situation. The burrs had worked themselves into the fur all around her right ear.

Thank you dad for the fabulous pocket knife because it had the only pair of scissors both small enough and sharp enough for the task of cutting the matted hair and miniature burrs out.

Now, not only does Gracie have a molted tail, but a nearly bald spot on her head. Truly pathetic. I would post a picture, but she is sleeping off the stressful day she had yesterday.

New Orleans & Guatemala

2009-08-29T09:03:00.004-04:00

Today is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking New Orleans. It would be another 24 hours before the greatest tragedy would strike, the collapse of the levies.

As the archives of this blog will show you, the experience of the service trip that spanned the Christmas/New Year stretch of 2006-2007 was (it seems almost too cliche to say) life changing.

Now, I have the incredible experience of Guatemala to add to that exceptionally short list of life altering trips and experiences.

The obvious common denominator between these two is the service component. Yes, that is crucial. It is one thing to see the polished attractions a place uses to make a living from tourists. It is another to see what that place might wish to hide or what happens to that place when disaster strikes. The service trips offer a unique opportunity to see places not often seen. To see familiar sights in new ways. To challenge your preconceived notions of what is and what should be.

The less obvious link is the idea of story. I can still tell you, nearly verbatim, the stories we heard from the survivors of Katrina. I can still feel a sort of haunting from recognizing that we were pulling apart pieces of a stranger's story as we found china, a wedding dress, a crucifix amid the shambles of their home. In Guatemala we heard stories of extreme suffering and profound hope. I had to infer stories for the children and babies who were yet too young to tell their stories.

One of my favorite quotes from E.M. Forster is "In space things touch. In time things part." The things I have seen and the stories I heard have touched me. Yes, I did part from them. However, they have worked their way into me and truly changed me. They have become a part of me.

We Interrupt This Program

2009-08-20T18:50:00.003-04:00

I know I was going to give you all the best description of all the wonderful (and slightly not wonderful) aspects of my trip to Guatemala. However, men plan, God laughs.

My grandmother died this morning. Over the past week we have been watching her precipitous decline. Tomorrow I have a meeting at work and then will start the trek to Wisconsin for the funeral.

Strange month for me so far. Could have done without the strangeness.

Buenas Dias!

2009-08-16T16:41:00.004-04:00

I'm back! I survived...sort of.

Guatemala was the most incredible trip I have ever taken. I'm somewhat tired now from trying to get ready to head back to work and the 'normal' life I lead, so here are some of the highlights:

Rosa de Jamaica. Seriously, this tea like drink is a new favorite. It is made from the dried flowers of hibiscus. Take a look:
The nursery in Zone 3, Santa Clara. Amazing what they are doing there with so little.
Mi novio, Brandon. Seriously, he was the cutest little guy. By the end of the second morning he would run at full tilt towards me, latch on my leg, and give my knee a hug that would cut off circulation.
Ashly's smile. This little girl would wrinkle her brow and make a frown that would put Scrooge in his place. Finally she smiled. And it was truly angelic.
The fantastic teens and adults I traveled with. They were a perfect group and kept things interesting, inspiring, and a little crazy.
Apples to Apples. I'd explain, but you just wouldn't get it. Though it is one of the best games ever. Our game lasted for 3 or 4 days of play.
The restaurant in Antigua. I don't know what it was called, but it was incredible. As I sit here hungry, I desperately wish I was sitting there.
So much more...

I will post more, fret not. Oh, and let us not forget the miracle of surviving a stomach thing (I took my prescribed antibiotics that I was sure I wasn't going to need), the worst headcold I've had since getting home from WYD 2005, and two poisonous caterpillars.

Martha

2009-07-29T07:26:00.002-04:00

Church lady moment. Today is the feast of St. Martha. I've got a soft spot for Martha. I get her. Here was a 'do-er'. When someone walked in, she wanted to make sure they were fed, the house was clean, there was a warm bed for them. She was a busy woman. Today's readings are interesting in the Catholic lectionary. You get to choose which of two Gospels to read and they aren't two versions of the same story. One is the story of Martha and Mary - where Mary chooses to sit and listen to Jesus while Martha is rushing around with the food and hostess duties. The other story is from John where Martha meets Jesus after her brother has died. Her faith is such that she knows her brother will rise on the last day and that Jesus is Lord.

Now that gives me hope. Particularly on a week where I'm utterly swamped with work and my own busy-ness. The service trip is 3 days and 20 hours away. Just a little work to do there. I wouldn't even be here online except I woke with a headache bordering on a migraine. I'm waiting for my meds and the caffeine from my fabulous cup of coffee to settle in.

So right now I might not be choosing the better portion. But on the other hand, by choosing to follow in Martha's footsteps, I am working to help feed, clothe, and give comfort to others. It may not be better, but I think it is still good.

Beach Bum

2009-07-22T09:12:00.003-04:00

Never have I envied a dog before to such an extent. Meet Charlie. This guy is a beach bum in Mexico. He was highlighted in Dog Fancy and the website with the notes people leave in his journal (carried by him all over the island) is fascinating. How I wish Gracie and I could head down to Yelapa to meet Charlie face to face.

Oh, woe is me. Oh, and books.

2009-07-14T08:18:00.003-04:00

Good morning world. First I would like to thank the headache gods for the oh so kind gift of a nasty headache this morning. When you take Excedrin with your morning med (ironically migraine prevention), you know the day is going to be peachy.

However, in the midst of the headache and the constant worry over some family developments, I'm still in an oddly good mood. Taking the Excedrin made me think that I should look at my packing list and create a list of items yet to purchase (my Excedrin bottle is nearly empty). With the Guatemala service trip now 18 days away, we're in the home stretch and I am actually getting pretty darn excited. I am also freaking out over the little things - I am nearly daily checking my passport's location and expiration date.

Plus, have I ever mentioned how much I love lists? Yup, we're talking color coded lists. The packing list, the what to buy list, and the short 'what to get from the youth room' list. Then there are the lists of forms and outlines for the last parent meeting.

My final quandary is that I'm taking regular paperbacks with me. I don't want my Kindle to find a new home with someone in Guatemala, so it is staying here. Thus far I have The Teeth of the Tiger, The Secret Life of Bees, and Habibi to read. The first two are rereads for me and the last is a book from my friend. Her family is good friends with the author. However, given the speed that I read, I think I should probably take another book or two.

Any suggestions on paperbacks?

Advice?

2009-07-10T12:12:00.003-04:00

Dear readers, for those that I know well, I think this question could be up your alley. Whether you have allergies, intolerances, or other issues, I'm curious what you use for digestive issues. Due to stress I'm eating Tums as if they were M&Ms and that's the least of my worries (no details, I don't feel like anyone wants to read gory details).

Are there other options besides the usual: Tums, Pepto, Imodium,...?

With the trip officially happening to Guatemala, I know my poor, beat up digestive tract will be further challenged (though I love trying new food).

Silence

2009-07-05T14:02:00.002-04:00

When my temporary roommate left this morning for Mass and the rest of her day's plans, she seemed worried that my plans were solely to putter around the house. Particularly as Her Grace decided she was too petrified last night of fireworks and firecrackers in the distance to do anything on her nighttime walk, she insisted on waking me up before 6:00 am. This meant I made it to 7:00 am Mass and was home, including a grocery trip, before 9:00 am. I've done some laundry, some organizing, and now am vegging on the sofa with Her Grace. Gracie is stretched out sound asleep, occasionally emitting a less than dainty snore. Yup, I have no great ambitions for the day.

In fact, this is really the sort of day I need. Tomorrow is a full work day with dinner with a few friends. Tuesday and Wednesday are the usual chaos of young adult and youth meetings. Thursday is an all important leadership meeting for the youth and adult leaders of the youth ministry. Friday will be lock-in prep with the weekend devoted to that oh-so-favorite part of my job. Yup, a quiet day at home is pretty necessary right now.

Bookmarks

2009-07-04T13:37:00.004-04:00

Is it odd that I am finding solace in my books on ancient Greece, modern politics & women, along with some poetry while establishing a bookmark to the State Department's page on Honduras?

I am finding a discussion on the Trojan war and ancient Greece's military efforts escapist. The book on the role of women and leadership was thought provoking enough to distract me. And the poetry is calming, comforting, and quite familiar.

So until it is time to head to Greenfield Village for their fabulous fireworks, it is back to reading.

~P.S. I highly recommend all three of those books.

Smart?

2009-07-03T16:13:00.002-04:00

I'm all for the efforts to protect the environment, don't get me wrong. However, I have to say that either the owners had immense shopping restraint or were overly hopeful in what could be packed into the vehicle I saw parked in the loading zone of Ikea. A little Smart Car. Good luck with that one folks.

There you go, deep thought for the day.

Ummm....

2009-06-30T16:26:00.002-04:00

I'm not really sure what to say about this one. I am supposed to travel to Honduras on August 2 with a group of 9 other youth and young adults from my church on a mission trip.

Honduras had a coup.

Apparently Venezuela has threatened invasions.

Trade has ceased with some nations.

The U.S. and other organizations, like the UN, have come out against the coup.

The U.S. State department has issued a travel advisory.

Ummmm...okay. This was so not in my job description. Seriously, nowhere did it mention dealing with coups in foreign countries. I think they may have gotten me confused with my brother.

Confession

2009-06-30T08:47:00.002-04:00

I just checked. As of October 17 I can upgrade to an iPhone without crazy fees. Guess where I will be on that day?

Yes, I am going to further jump into the darkside. I debated about going with another smart phone. The Palm Pre caught my eye. However, already owning a Macbook, there are just so many advantages to having them all work together.

So until I can storm the Apple store on the morning of October 17, I will content myself with debating which iPhone to get. Right now I think it is worth investing in the newest incarnation with the most memory. That then leads to another issue - white or black? Oh, life is full of difficult decisions.

Wife Camp?

2009-06-19T11:40:00.003-04:00

In my usual perusal of websites that relate to adolescent media, culture, marketing, etc. for work, I ran across this article on a Wife Camp.

Okay, common courtesy, appropriate dressing and make up, among other ideas presented at the camp are in need. Trust me. I can tell freshmen from senior girls simply by how thick their make up application is. The average is 1 thank you note for every 3 or 4 gifts to seniors. And then there's what they wear to Mass. Now my mom was certainly not all about dress codes, I could wear jeans to Mass (thank you, Mom), but wearing a micro mini that says "Juicy" on the rear to Mass is not appropriate in my humble little book.

However, the presentation seems archaic. Not to mention way too much like finishing schools or those debutant things where you'd walk around with books on your head.

Read through the article and the comments. Fairly interesting.

Something much needed

2009-06-16T17:09:00.003-04:00

A line.

A line is much needed.

I ask you do we really need:

Darcy's Hunger: A Vampire Retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Seriously. It comes out December 1. Apparently it is going to cross over into the overpopulated land of vampire fans in an attempt to cash in on the success of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (which amazingly works).

For a bit on the book and why I'm quite dubious and expecting to be 'most seriously displeased' see: Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, by Amanda Grange – Preview

A Hingepost

2009-06-05T19:12:00.005-04:00

Thomas Cahill has a series of books he calls the Hingeposts of history. I think we all have those in our lives. They are often deceptive since they are not always the moments accompanied by pomp and circumstance.

Some of my first postings on this blog began with my reflections on the service trip to New Orleans. While cleaning my spare room, I ran across a printed copy of this poem, Like Magi You Have Come. To this day, that nine day trip remains one of the most powerful and haunting experiences of my life. When I read the poem, I couldn't help thinking the author got us wrong. She makes it seem what we, and the thousands others like us did, was extraordinary. It wasn't. It was just a moment where there was a realization that this was something that had to be done. It wasn't optional. It was not extraordinary. It was necessary and it was the very least that we could do.

With the effect that the New Orleans trip had, I can only wonder what will happen this summer in Honduras. I still hear the stories of the Katrina survivors. I hear the haunting memories and the secondhand ghosts of those who never made it through the flood waters. I hear the hope, the despair, the confusion, the faith. I still see the devastation and desolation. I still see the remnants of lives - a wedding dress, family china, fractured picture frames. I see the faces of those who say with unswerving faith that they were blessed.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself. - Aldous Leonard Huxley

The service trips do not change the world. They do change each of us who travels into that vast unknown. Therein we find ourselves, our God, and a better idea of how to truly live each day.

The Blessings of a Dog

2009-06-05T18:52:00.002-04:00

Countless studies look at the effect that owning a pet has on a person. Many point to longevity or better mental health. From a purely non-scientific standpoint, I must reply, "Duh!"

Since adopting Gracie I have been reminded that dogs provide a bit of grace for their owners. They will cheer you when you are upset. They will gladly allow their fur to catch your tears of joy or pain. They will happily lie on the sofa with you when you want a lazy Saturday afternoon. All you need to do to make them infinitely happy is to say, "Good dog," and accompany your words with a good belly rub. Their demands are few - feed them, walk them, brush them, and offer a few toys. In return they will give you unconditional love.

There are many theories on happiness. Some might be true. Frankly though, I believe that a dog will help your chances.

Gracie

2009-06-01T19:09:00.002-04:00

Sorry, here's another post about my dog. I am so amazed at how well she is doing. She seems to be moving completely past the effects of the puppy mill and the first abusive family. When I say her name, no matter what she is doing, she wags her tail. She loves to sit in front of the opened patio window and guard me from the very dangerous robins. No longer is she afraid to come into the building. Since I've admitted defeat after her Houdini escapes from her crate, she now spends the day out of her crate while I'm gone and nothing is amiss when I get home. Considering I've only had her since February 7, this is pretty incredible. People were warning me that four months could be the earliest I would be able to housebreak her.

Ode to a Kindle

2009-05-27T19:04:00.002-04:00

Alright, I keep getting questions from people about my Kindle. As many of them (okay 2 out of my 3 readers) read this blog, I'm answering questions in one fell swoop. Great word, swoop.

So first off....

Reading on the Kindle isn't like reading a computer screen, cell phone screen, or PDA. It isn't back lit. It is a 'digital ink' of some sort that Amazon came up with. It is like reading a paperback on the slightly grey toned paper. I have read entire books in one sitting (6 hours) without eye strain or any visual problems.

My Kindle (Kindle 2.0) stores up to 1,500 titles. Yes, even I can't read that number of books any time soon. Right now I think I have 92 items (I'll explain the word choice "items" next). Most of them I've gotten for free at sites like Feedbooks and Girlebooks. Classics, older texts, etc are often for free since the start of Project Gutenberg a while back. There are tons of free books out there. If you're into sci-fi/fantasy especially - not surprising that authors of those genres embrace the potential for the eReaders. Amazon itself even offers some free books - mostly Harlequin romances, but they had 3 sci-fi books that were first in their respective trilogies during the month of May. On Amazon, NYTimes best sellers are always $9.99 or less. There are many books (1,000s) under the $10.00 mark. Then there are those that are basically comparable to getting a print copy. If you remove a title purchased from Amazon from your Kindle, it is stored to your online account so you can put it back on your device without having to purchase it again. I believe it is also set up to help you transfer titles if you upgrade your device later on.

The reason I said "items" above is because you can load several forms of files onto your Kindle. I have some pdf files of things from online or just documents that I wanted to have access to without going online or using my computer. You email the document to an email address that you set up with Amazon and they will mysteriously convert it to a readable format.

What is really cool, but dangerous if you don't have good self control is that you can buy books to read any time, any where. If there's wi-fi, 3G, etc around, the Kindle picks it up and you can head into the Amazon bookstore to buy something from the airport, your car on a road trip, or your favorite coffee shop. They also have samples, usually the first chapter or two of the book so you can read it and then decide whether you want to buy the book. It is a nice feature as it will allow you to understand the book more than just the 'back cover blurb.'

The battery life is excellent. They say 4 days with wireless turned on and 2 weeks with it turned off. I've read several books on one charge.

I absolutely love it. I can't think of any complaints about it at all. The convenience factor is huge. I loved having it when I flew recently. Instead of hauling even a small bag to carry a few books (I never know what I'll be in the mood to read), I just popped the Kindle in a pocket of my purse and had no other bag for a carry on. It is thin, think the width of a pencil. It is lightweight - I can hold it in one hand while dealing with a dog petrified by a storm with the other hand. And you can find fun covers for it that will keep it safe and express your personality (Etsy has some.)

Another bonus is that when your bookstore is out of a text, you can get the ebook version. I know a friend had to wait because Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was on back order, but I got it right away as an ebook.

Simply put, I love it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm still loving regular books. My three book cases attest to that. But I'm not giving up my Kindle any time soon.

Routines and Weekends

2009-05-26T09:34:00.002-04:00

I loved this past weekend. Well, most of it.

With everyone talking about remembering our nation's service men and women, it was difficult to not think of my brother. However, on Sunday, I got the first email from the grapevine that gave some preliminary "redeployment" information. With four months to go, plans are in the works and some tentative dates made available. I'm not sure why, perhaps it is just the steady worry of eight months beginning to add up, but I think that my worrying has increased. It is totally useless and only serves to keep me up at night, but I worry nonetheless. I will be so grateful to get that first call from him when he is stateside.

The parts of my weekend where I wasn't worrying were quite busy. Have you ever experienced Ikea's Sieze the Days? Ever gone on Memorial Day weekend? Chaos. Organized, yes, but chaos. I went with a friend and her girls. It was a marathon of lines and wandering through their store. Overall it was a good time and I walked out with a few small items and a book case that is perfect. This then meant I had to build said book case. That was Sunday's project after Mass. I would like to say that I did construct it without injuring myself or Gracie. So I now have a great place to drop my purse, Gracie's leash, and store some of my better books.

Today we're back into the so-called routine of my life. As much as I ever have a routine. Since I could smell Gracie before I could see her, this resulted in a bath. She is not speaking to me right now. Just giving me indignant looks. I'm trying to decide whether I should run to the grocery store this morning or wait until tomorrow.

Prison Break

2009-05-12T20:28:00.002-04:00

Today I faced a prison break. My day was normal, long, but normal. I got home from work, pulled all my things from the car and headed in the door. Then I unlocked my inner door. Lo and behold, I was greeted by someone.

Somehow, my little dog managed to escape her crate. As I had been tired when I left and in a bit of a rush, I may have not shut it properly. In any event, she escaped and spent a significant portion of the day running amok. Or as I believe, curled up on the shirt and socks I had left on the floor last night when I got in late from an out of town meeting. My dirty laundry makes her favorite spot to sleep.

My first response was to run through the house looking for where she left little puddles for me. Under both the artificial lights and natural light, I could not find anything. It appears that after the prison break, Gracie was an angel. Now this leaves me wondering about leaving her out of her crate during the day. It may mean I always have to have at least a little dirty laundry lying around, too.

Heaven in a Pan

2009-05-10T19:57:00.002-04:00

Today I thought I would have little interest in cooking. However, I absolutely had to get to the grocery store as my 'day off' tomorrow entails a meeting at the Diocesan office.

At Trader Joe's I wandered aimlessly looking for some interesting things to spice up my mundane menu for the week (I hadn't thought too far past cereal). First I grabbed a bottle of their Yellow Curry Sauce. I also nabbed a box of the No Pudge Brownie mix.

Seriously, I'm a snob when it comes to baked goods. I usually stay far away from mixes unless absolutely necessary due to lack of time or a major illness. However, a friend brought the No Pudge brownies to a potluck once. These are the best, gooey-est, chocolatey-est things ever. I made a 9x9 pan. I have eaten about a third of it. I plan on wrapping and freezing individual brownies for later chocolate fixes. The mix is pretty cool, you just add in vanilla yogurt. I keep plain yogurt on hand to make dressing for my favorite cucumber-tomato salads, so this is perfect.

Ended up basically existing off of popcorn and brownies most of the day. Gracie loved the popcorn. I love it as I used olive oil to pop it in the pan instead of regular vegetable oil. Highly recommend that, it gives it a slightly different, subtle flavor.

Then I decided given night meetings and the joy of life to make some curry. Chunked an onion, the world's largest chicken breast, and browned them. Then added the sauce. Fabulous, healthy meal over brown rice. One container is in the fridge with three more in the freezer for later in the week.

Just wanted to share some of my food adventures. Plus it keeps me from cleaning the closet out.

The Rule Book

2009-05-10T13:59:00.005-04:00

I agree with the proposition that one of the characters in The Jane Austen Book Club (film), that I'm watching, again, is that Jane Austen could be a rule book. I think I may just have to reread the books now and see what rules I can come up with.

A Confession

2009-05-09T09:23:00.003-04:00

I saw Star Trek last night and I was way too excited for it. The movie deserves all the praise that it is getting. All the basic components for a summer blockbuster are there: special effects that make you jump, plenty of action (with a great score that keeps the tension), a couple of fist fights, one great fencing scene (loved that!), a little romance, a few good laughs, and the knowledge at the end that another film could be made.

If you're at all familiar with Star Trek, you'll enjoy seeing the required characters come together and hear the key catch phrases for the 'first' time. If you're a girl, you'll wonder how the female Star Fleet officers can be

expected to save the galaxy in short skirts yet again. If you're a guy, you probably won't think of it in that way.

What I love most about the movie is the development of the Spock and Kirk relationship. Of course the hero appearance of elder Spock helps things a bit. While I never watched the first and original series of Star Trek all that faithfully, just the occasional rerun on late night TV, the films made the friendship of Spock and Kirk a driving force. It defined them and gave depth to two archetypes that could become mere caricatures. In this film, you see how such a strong bond can form. Hatred and love are two sides of the same coin. Tragic and extreme circumstances often bring people together. Opposites attract. A common mission. All the adages apply, but are given life by the individuals. It is the sort of friendship we all hope to have with at least one person in our lives.

Another Adventure

2009-05-06T11:02:00.003-04:00

Just as I'm coming to terms with the knowledge that the Honduras service trip is less than 90 days away, I am creating my next adventure.

I am starting to look into traveling to Kochi, India, for two weeks to work at an orphanage for girls. This is an amazing facility with a powerful story of its own, not to mention the story of the girls it helps.

While we still have disparity in income and de facto sexism (along with racism, and all the other -isms) in our country, nothing here compares with what these girls face. First there is the caste system. Then there's the religious factor. Oh, and if that wasn't bad enough, they are girls.

I realize I do not have the technical skills that others have brought to Home of Hope, but perhaps I could still do some good. Or at least hear the stories. After all the service trips I have taken, I have learned one of the most powerful acts of service is merely to listen. From the hills of Appalachia to the inner city of Dayton, Ohio, to the hurricane ravaged lower ninth of New Orleans, people appreciated our physical labor. But the ability to tell their stories to people who truly would listen, seems to always be what they most wish.

Maybe I can listen. Maybe the stories can be shared. And maybe that can make a difference.

Mid-Ministry Marathon

2009-04-29T07:33:00.003-04:00

Last weekend was the young adult retreat. Yesterday was a long drive to and from a funeral for a friend's grandfather. When I got to the office it was mild chaos waiting for me with the amount of stuff piled up. I also ended up helping Paul Wilkes download and save some files for the presentation he was doing at our parish. Around the time I thought I had contained the chaos, I looked at my calendar and saw that I was doing the annual "Why you should come to YG" presentation to the 8th grade religious education classes tonight. Chaos not contained. Oh, and let's not forget that there is a youth group retreat this coming weekend. What containment?

With a nasty headache on the fringes all day yesterday and apparently lingering today I'm in a fabulous mood. Thus woke up, took Excedrin, and after walking Gracie I made a strong pot of coffee (Mississippi Mud Pie fair trade coffee, thank you).

Work is the main reason why I've neither blogged nor had much to blog about. I'm even struggling to figure out a time to go shoe shopping. I need a pair of nice brown heeled sandals and new black shoes for work. Given my feet are periodically entirely too cranky, shoes and I don't get along well. I wish Merrills were dressy enough for what I need. Why can't I always be able to wear my slippers to work? (Yes, a benefit of youth ministry is that there are 'work' days where I am in my slippers - usually around 2 am during lock-ins or retreats.)

Alright, I have to make a slide show with pictures that show Youth Ministry is not boring.

Signs it is Holy Thursday

2009-04-09T14:23:00.001-04:00

Here are the signs it is Holy Thursday:

I feel the exhaustion in my bones
I have a trunk full of 17 costumes for the Living Way of the Cross
When signing into Facebook to message about the Way of the Cross, I see Gracie's picture and say to myself "Awww, she looks so cute. I want to go home and hang out with her, scratch that, I want to go home and take a nap with her curled up at my feet."
I am counting down the hours until the Way of the Cross is completed and I will be at home in comfortable clothes and getting ready to see my friend!

Really?

2009-03-29T17:55:00.003-04:00

Really? Snow?

Okay, so I'm not that surprised by it. However, I am definitely not pleased with it. As a Midwest girl, I know that we're just as likely to have a white Easter as a White Christmas.

Nonetheless, I am ready for true spring. Bundling up to walk Gracie in the morning is not that much fun.

They say that every snowflake is different. If that were true, how could the world go on?

How could we ever get up off our knees?

How could we ever recover from the wonder of it?

- Jeanette Winterson

Gracie's New Home

2009-03-27T10:22:00.004-04:00

No, I haven't gotten rid of her. Rather, she got rid of crate #1. After coming home from work yesterday and seeing her little nose sticking out at me, I had a fairly good idea that we'd be going to the pet store this morning before work. Thankfully it is one of the days where I need to work in the evening so it wasn't a problem.

Due to her also creating a mess on the inside of the crate, I had to give her a bath. Thus my little dog had quite the day. When I was rinsing the shampoo from her head I saw that she had, from sticking her head out the crate, rubbed her neck raw in a couple of places. She was pretty tender there, so I couldn't dry her well. She ended up getting chilled and I spent the rest of the night with her wrapped up in her favorite fleece blanket playing baby on my lap. It was quite endearing until my arm fell asleep.

Now the little angel is sleeping on the floor. No doubt she is resting up to cause havoc when I go to work. Hopefully crate #2 will last more than 7 weeks.

Despite all these headaches and the money being thrown at the pet store, it is wonderful to have her around. She is sweet, affectionate, and slowly becoming more playful. I just need to teach her how to play with the various toys around the house. It is so sad that for over two years she lived in that puppy mill with no concept of affection or play.

This is a Test

2009-03-26T12:00:00.001-04:00

First off, I'm trying the posting via email. Half the time I am not at a point in my day where I can log in to the site and do a full fledged post, but there's something that I wish to write about. Now this should allow me to do so. We'll see how it works and if I like it.

This is also a test, or rather, time to study. The big box from Amazon came with my Spanish books. A huge workbook on verbs. Another huge workbook on vocabulary. And a huge beginner-intermediate level textbook that will also help me polish my grammar. I have 129 days until the Honduras service trip and I want to get back some of my lost Spanish. It has been quite a while since I last studied it in school. I'd like to be able to have simple conversations with the children and to ask for things like directions, the bathroom, or such from the general population. Knowing German was so helpful in Germany, and there were more who spoke English there.

Now, in all the free time I have during Lent, I'll be diving into my Spanish.

Hasta luego!

The Plague

2009-03-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

For over a week I have been dealing with the plague. It started two Sundays ago and finally this past Sunday started to go away. The worst was not having my voice for three days and the absolute exhaustion that accompanied the entire week.

The one distinct advantage to being very ill is that when you finally do begin to recover, you have that wonderful drive to do anything, everything. With the absolutely lovely weather the last three days, this has been perfect. I have taken Gracie for her first long walk. She is still recovering. We need to work on building up her stamina. She slept in until 8:00 today and is sound asleep again on the futon behind me. Little does she know she is getting another good walk before I head into work.

The drive to accomplish things, anything, is definitely going to be helpful at work. It is Lent and that means much to do with just a few weeks left to accomplish it all. Still debating what perspective to do the Stations of the Cross reflections from. We have had the reflection from the perspectives of Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of God, and the centurion. I need to figure out what we'll do this year.

I hope that you all can enjoy such lovely weather as we are having. Gracie will probably be praying for rain in a day or two if the long walks keep wearing her out.

Impressive

2009-03-04T11:12:00.002-05:00

Last night I came home from work to quite a surprise. Her Grace had maneuvered her crate out of the den and into the hall way. Not only that, but when I went to let her out I saw a huge pile of pillow stuffing. Somehow, Gracie managed to get at a really old pillow and destroy it while in her crate. She must have ripped the cover off because the bits of fabric were within her crate along with her shredded towel. She covered about 15 feet of distance and a destroyed a large throw pillow.

I'm fairly impressed with her. Supremely annoyed, but impressed.

Useless

2009-02-23T15:55:00.003-05:00

Right now Gracie is sound asleep in the sun, on my sofa, using my foot as a pilow. Meanwhile, a large, noisy cat is on my patio staring at us. What a fearless guard dog I have!

It Is Official

2009-02-21T17:41:00.004-05:00

In the midst of the snow storm, Gracie and I ventured forth on our first car trip without other guests. She promptly fell asleep on the back seat. I drove slowly. We then spent an hour at the pet shop with the final adoption. Filled out the paperwork, wrote the check, and now officially have a doggie.

Then it was a bit of shopping. A fuzzy toy. Another water thing for her crate. This time I'm really hoping the hamster bottle like contraption holds out longer than the other ones. She ends up knocking out or over the other dishes.

Then there are all the long litany of new products I've acquired to clean, deodorize, or otherwise try to keep things under control.

Ah the adventures of owning a dog.

If Heaven Were Cheesy, this would be it...

2009-02-18T19:05:00.003-05:00

In only slightly more time than it takes to make mac & cheese from the box, I made this Home Style Macaroni and Cheese. Oh. My. Goodness. Absolutely fantastic. So worth the extra lactaids.

This is seriously all my blog is about today, Mac & Cheese. So go print out the recipe and make it. Really.

And mom, if you think it sounds good, buy the ingredients and I'll make it when I'm home in a few weeks.

Side note - Gracie spent the whole time I was cooking hanging out in the kitchen. Not prancing around or being underfoot, but laying there. She particularly likes the rug at the sink. Though it was such fun for me when she choose to lay down in the little space between my stove and fridge. It is barely enough room to open the fridge door on a good day.

An Encounter Among Cereal

2009-02-16T10:14:00.003-05:00

On Friday I made a much needed trip to the grocery store. I was short or out of just about everything (couldn't even make coffee that morning as I had no milk for it). About two-thirds of the way through the store I hit the cereal aisle in search of bran flakes and muesli. Scanning the shelf to see if there were others on sale of interest, I crossed paths with an elderly woman coming from the other end. She said a kind, "Hello." I smiled and said, "Good morning."

What happened next surprised me. She said, "Thank you for taking the time to smile and say hello." Then she continued on her way looking for whatever breakfast food she was hunting for that day.

It was only later after I was in the car on my way home I started to really think about the encounter. The idea that two people exchanging pleasant greetings is an anomaly. I don't know whether she was surprised that a young person said hello or whether just any person said hello. Either way, shouldn't such exchanges be common? Should we not pay attention to those around us. Say "Thank you," to the clerk or waiter. "Please," when we order our food or drop off the dry cleaning. Should we not acknowledge the humanity in that person?

Reality Check

2009-02-09T05:09:00.003-05:00

Please note, it is only 5:10 am and I am posting. Not too insanely early, however, I have already taken Gracie out, started a load of towels in the wash, and hand washed a few things that don't go in the dishwasher. What joy is mine.

Enter the realities of dog ownership. She was making noises (not quite growling and crying) around 4:30 am. I held out for a while, but figured it was better to get her out and walked than keep her in there. I'm looking forward to when I can trust her in the house while I sleep. At least she ate her dry kibble. I'm going to feed her closer to 7:00 and likely take her out then to try to show her what a normal wake up call time is.

Well, I am going to see if she lets me nap for an hour or so.

New Routines

2009-02-08T09:35:00.002-05:00

No more snoozing my alarm until absolutely necessary to wake up. This morning I was up, brushed my teeth, and pulled jeans on over my PJs. Then into the spare room to get Gracie and take her out for a morning walk. So far she has done everything she needs to outside and not soiled the house.

First 18 hours are going well. I got a kick out of it this morning when she kept exploring the shower in my bathroom. She sniffed around while I showered too; that startled me. I feel bad that I have to work today and put her in her crate. For some reason she doesn't like going back into the house or into her crate. She's happy enough to be there in a minute or two, but the initial action gets a lot of resistance from her.

Our other victory was the food issue. She ate the canned food I put down. I think she ate a piece or two of the dry food. The treat from last night is still around.

It is very different bringing a grown dog from a rescue into the home. Dudester was so playful and, if I remember well enough, affectionate. The bonding was pretty easy. Gracie is skittish. If I bend down to pet her, her tail goes flat and her ears shift. If I'm siting on the floor or she's next to me on the sofa, she tenses a bit, but isn't as fearful.

I need to get another smallish fleece blanket. I'm using one that is from West Point on the sofa right now, but I would like one for the futon too.

The Saga of Grace

2009-02-07T20:08:00.005-05:00

At 10:45 am, Mission: Getadog commenced.

With two faithful sidekicks properly caffeinated with coffee and gingerbread biscotti, we departed for the target: Pet Supplies Plus. We arrived as the rescue was setting up their dogs. Jackie was quickly diverted by a Yorkie mix. Sharon made it all the way to where the Chihuahua was. Finding a volunteer, I started the hunt for our objective, Tara. She was in a puppy pen with a Lhasa apso with an attitude and only one eye. Tara was licking my hand, playful, and awfully cute. A volunteer came with a lead and let me take Tara to a quieter corner. We tried to bond, but it was chaos. Cats, dogs, kids, volunteers, and prospective adopters.

Then, trouble. Another couple came who intended to adopt Tara. They had a dog already, thought it might actually be one of Tara's puppies that were rescued. Their dog was a bit hyper. He caused Tara to practically turn cartwheels when he barked a very high pitch bark. For about thirty minutes I hung in suspense and held firmly to Tara's leash. I figured possession is 9/10ths of the law. Turns out they decided to get another dog who was more playful. Huge relief. Huge.

Then it was waiting. And sending Sharon on reconnaissance to tell me what my licence plate number was. Then the girls trooping in with me to fill out the final paperwork. Then in the car. Her paws were positive black with gunk. Thankfully I had towels in the trunk. We then trooped into PetCo so that Tara could have her first grooming.

Then the humans needed food. Over lunch/dinner at Applebees we started the discussion of names as my first choice, Sophie, really didn't seem to suit. Our choices were:

Lizzy (obviously a bow to Jane Austen)
Jane (see above)
Gracie
C.J./Claudia Jane (a bow to West Wing)

Then it was back to PetCo. Seriously, that place may be my favorite new store. Food, treats, bowls, brushes, toys, and reusable bag later and we were set. Then it was off to pick up the pup. She looked like a new dog.

I brought her home and my co-conspirators stuck around for a while. Then they left and the pup kept pacing around checking things out. Then she sat down. For the first time in about six hours. She finally curled up on the sofa by me.

Allow me to officially introduce, Gracie. Also known as Her Grace or Gracie Lou.