Monday, February 25, 2008

Hello Everyone!

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Well, things haven't been working out all that well for me these past few weeks. This past Friday, things got even worse. As many of you know, our finances have been in a rough patch lately. And I could deal with that. I am dealing. Praying very hard, but dealing. But that's nothing compared to what happened this past Friday.

My husband woke up at 4 in the morning with an irritation of sorts in his eye. He went downstairs to put eye drops in but couldn't do it himself. Not wanting to wake me up he just came back upstairs and tried to go back to sleep. Well of course I was awake and I asked if he had brought the drops upstairs. He hadn't so I went down and got it. I came back up and put a big drop in his eye. Unfortunately, it turned out to be SUPER GLUE!! I super glued his eye shut.

Now let me explain how that happened. It was 4 am. Jesse had left the super glue out on the coffee table. The bottle is cone-shaped. It also had ZERO writing on it. I was confused and it happened. I took him to the ER and they did NOTHING for him. Actually said there was nothing to do. Well I had called Poison Control and they said that they most certainly should have done something. They could have applied Lubricon which is an oil-based ointment to get the eye open. Or Vaseline or mineral oil. They also should have contacted the opthamologist on call. Well I called him myself and made an appointment for Kenny on Saturday. Dr Zambelli himself called me back and talked with Kenny. Explained again to us what we should be doing and then called back later that evening. He wanted to see Kenny first thing in the morning. At 6:40 am Kenny was in the doctor's office and he got his eye open. Gave him 2 different antibiotics and he goes back again today. But PRAISE THE LORD, there was no damage to his eye. I was hysterical. I thought for sure I had blinded my own husband.

So that's what's been going on here. Please say a prayer for him (for us) and I'll check in again soon. Thanks to everyone for your prayers already. We need them!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Problems Again

I have my own problems.

Hi, once again this is Julie's mom here to tell you Julie once again has that problem cloud over her head. I will let her tell you about. I will say things are better today then yesterday. Keep her in your prayers.

Love, Margie

P.S. Someday this one might be funny, as our family says a lot "Only Julie"

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Dork Fish

This is for my mother...



Lenten Scriptures: Mat 20: 17-28 "Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Thought for the Day: Pray a Rosary for vocations today, and consider how God is calling you to serve.

Friday, February 15, 2008

So I've had better days...

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Let me first start out by saying thank-you to everyone who dropped by while I was out. It touches my heart. Remember the styes that I kept getting? Well, it got a lot worse before it got better. I had one on my upper right eyelid. It went away and then I had one on my upper left eyelid. It went away. But then...I got yet another on my lower right eyelid and this one got badly infected. I called the doctor on Monday after my mother practically threatened me, haha, and he called me in a prescription for an antibiotic drop. By Monday night I couldn't see out of my right eye anymore, it had swollen so bad. Tuesday was just as bad. Wednesday was a little better. And then suddenly it got a lot better. I could finally see without any problems yesterday. You can still see it. But it's just a little bump now. Instead of it covering my entire bottom lid, it's just this little thing now. Moral of the story...don't let them get out of control.

School was canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the snow and ice. The boys were thrilled! But we could have been in big trouble. Let me explain. Remember a few months ago when the sensor went on our furnace? Kenny replaced it and we've been fine. But then Monday night when we were getting all of that snow, the furnace cut out again. We woke up to a 58 degree house. Kenny said that he would bypass the sensor for the day and fix whatever the problem was when he got home that night. The furnace would just have to run all day. He showed me the pin (bypassing the sensor) and said that if it got too hot in here to pull it. That was about 5:30 in the morning. Well, unbeknown to my sweet husband, when he bypassed the sensor...the flue didn't open. Carbon monoxide was pouring into the house. About 10:00 the boys and I were deathly ill. Our heads were heavy and pounding. We were dizzy and sick to our stomachs. Hearts pounding out of our chests. We could hardly stand. As a matter of fact, Austin laid down in the hallway upstairs. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how we could all get so sick. Same symptoms and everything. Then it dawned on me. Could this be carbon monoxide? I sent the boys outside and pulled the pin. I opened a window. And waited. Unfortunately, the house was freezing again. But we were alive! When Kenny came home I explained what I did. He went down to check and came running back up. He said the flue didn't open and I was right. Austin said good thing Mom was here. Or you would have had a hard time waking us up, huh Dad? Kenny said no...you would have fallen asleep forever. Austin's head spun around and said...Good thing Mom doesn't go to work anymore! Kenny winked at me and said yep.

I'm taking that as a sign from God. Times are rough right now. But yet every time I question our decision for me to stay home, God sends me a sign that lets me know I am supposed to be here. The last sign was when an old outlet caught fire and I was here to put it out. So while we may be struggling financially right now...I still know we made the right decision. I have turned this problem over to God and He will get us through this. Oh and I don't really know what the problem was, but Kenny fixed it. He knew immediately what to do but just didn't have the time in the morning. And the moral of this story...Trust in God!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Lenten Scriptures: Mat 5:20-26 "...go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Thought for the day: Meditate today on Jesus' call to forgive others just as God forgives us.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

May You Be Blessed

Please take a minute and watch this beautiful movie - receive the message - and share it with others. Have a blessed Sunday!

Lenten Scriptures: Mt 4: 1-11 - "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, buty by every word that comes corth from the mouth of God.'"

Thought for the Day: Take time to meditate on the many ways God speaks to you daily.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Just Can't Get it Together

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I must apologize to all of my blogging friends for my inability to get it together long enough to visit everyone. I don't remember how I did it before. Yesterday, I lectored for Ash Wednesday services. Then when I got home I tidied up before having to make dinner. After dinner I left for ...Bingo. Now I am not a bingo kind of gal. My mom is. She and her best friend go every Wednesday down to our church hall for "award winning bingo." But I am not a good Christian in that setting. I know this. I accept this and since I never seem to win, only donate - I stay away. But last night I was on a mission. I needed signatures.

I wrote a letter to our bishop regarding our parish's need for a permanent pastor. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you'll know that Father Jim was assigned to another parish. We do not have a permanent pastor at this time. Father Steve is the pastor at St. Philomena's in the neighboring town and he has been assigned as our "Pastoral Administrator" until a replacement (if any) can be found. As for "Replacement Ministry" (meaning when Father Steve has responsibilities at his own church) Father Mark comes from yet another parish to fill in. Our church is entirely too large to not have a permanent pastor. Due to the pastoral shortage the days of each parish having her own pastor is becoming a thing of the past. However in our area, there are 3 parishes in Beaver Falls (the next town over) with 3 permanent pastors. And I want one of them! So I went looking for signatures and I found quite a few.

The plan was to leave once I got the signatures. But since "Aunt Patty" was sick last night, my mom would be playing by herself. So I stayed to play. She paid for it, ha ha. So technically I didn't lose anything. When I called home to tell Kenny that I would be late, he reminded me to swear quietly - HA HA! I didn't win anything. But I didn't completely lose my senses. I behaved appropriately! I left for bingo at 5:30 so that I wouldn't bother anyone while they were playing. If you've ever gone to bingo, you know that they'll scratch your eyes out if you're bugging them while they're playing. I didn't get home until after 10. And the whole point in mentioning all of this is that my visits to everyone have suffered. I'm not visiting like I used to. For that I apologize! I'll get it together. I just need to work the kinks out. Please be patient with me.

Lenten Scriptures ~ Luke 9:22-25
Thought for the Day: ~ Pray that you will always be attentive and responsive to God's will.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Season of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday. It begins the 40 day liturgical season of prayer and fasting before Easter. As Catholics, we're called to sacrifice. My kids and I struggle every year with what we're "going to give up." Last year Austin said that he was giving up ice cream. Sounds good. But then I thought about it. "Austin, how often do we eat ice cream? That's not really a sacrifice, is it?" I am very good at pointing out the hang-ups in my children's Lenten sacrifices. But what did I give up last year? Uhmmm, nothing. Yep friends, I'm a hypocrite.

I gave up chocolate one year and I was a complete and nasty witch. I tried to give up pop one year. But the headaches were awful. I could try to give up smoking. But I don't even want to think how miserable everyone would be around here. So everyone can forget that. Decisions, decisions.

As I typed this post I began to think about some changes that I could make. Make the necessary changes to be a better person. I opened my bible today. It fell open to Psalm 50: The Acceptable Sacrifice. I kid you not! Verse 14-15 says: "Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High. Then call on me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall honor me."

I remembered this morning that God already knows my heart. He already knows my fears and His plan for my life is laid out before me. He already knows what I will ask of Him. But I have to remember that while my God is a merciful God, St James reminds us that faith without works is dead. (James 3:26 - "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." It is not enough that I have faith in God and in His merciful nature. I must change the way I view the world and others. I am turning my problems, fears and worries over to God this morning. He will deliver me from them. And I will praise God and bring Him glory.

Lenten Thought for the Day: Do something kind for someone anonymously.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Spring Will Come!!

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I'm sure everyone is getting tired of me complaining about the cold weather. And it's really my own fault. I'm ready for Autumn by Sept.1. I decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. By February my attention has turned to spring and all the glory it brings of the earth's rebirth.

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I'm so excited for spring this year. This will be my first year at home. I will have time to really clean all of the leaves out of my yard. Incidentally, I don't have trees in my yard. But directly behind me are woods. I have more leaves than a forest. This year I want to plant a garden. My kids aren't going to be too happy about that. Takes up their playing area, you know. But for the past 5 years all of the neighborhood kids have played in my yard. Pick a new one. I want to plant my flowers and enjoy my front porch again. Spring is coming!

Nunnie's Attic has a whole category dedicated to your garden needs. We have hand selected our inventory. We stock our webstore with items we want to own. But always remember that if you're looking for something specific and you don't see it, just ask. We will do everything in our power to find what you're looking for to best suit your style.

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Can't you just picture yourself lying on this hammock? Basking in the warm sun. Reveling in the beauty that surrounds you while taking a much needed break. Won't you take a peek inside the attic and see what treasures you can find?


**click on the images for a description of the item**

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Well I Finally Fell Asleep!

I only slept for a few hours Wednesday night, maybe 3 hours. Thursday night I didn't sleep at all. I heard the freezing rain fall. I watched TV as over 300 schools delayed. I decided at about 5:30 that I wasn't going to send the boys if our school didn't delay. Every other school in the area had delayed already by that time. But about 5:50 the notice came that they had. So the boys enjoyed an extra 2 hours of sleep. I tried all day long yesterday to sleep. I put on soothing music. I tried my bed. I tried my couch. I tried my reclining chair. But I couldn't find a comfortable position. Isn't that just the worst thing? I was completely exhausted and yet unable to sleep. I went up to bed last night at 11:00 and the last time I looked at the clock it was 2:00. I woke up when Kenny's alarm went off at 5:30 and I thought for sure that was going to be it. But he sat on the edge of the bed and played with my hair for a little bit. And lo and behold...I started to relax again. He shut off the light and I fell back to sleep. And I slept until 9:15. I could feel what I call the cats' "Hunger Stare" on me. Sure enough, I woke up to 3 of them just staring at me. But that's ok. 7 hours is better than nothing.

Now on to other matters! My sweet friend, Alexandra from Silver Bell Cottage, tagged me to play 4 Things About Me. I always like these little memes. I enjoyed learning a few more things about Alexandra. I'm supposed to tag 4 other people to play. But, I have done that a few other times already. So, if anyone wants to play along - please do so. It's fun. I'm trying to give completely different answers this time. So if you have read one of mine before and the answers are different, that's why.

4 favorite movies ~
I Remember Mama
Imitation of Life
Pocket Full of Miracles
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

4 places I've lived ~
With my parents
By myself
With Kenny
With my husband and my boys

4 shows I watch ~
Project Runway
Monk
Paula's Home Cooking
Lakewood Church

4 people who email me ~
My mother
My sister
My friend Cindy
Proverbs 31

4 favorite eats ~
Anything made by my father
Bacon-wrapped Saltine crackers
Pulled pork sandwiches
Chocolate Derby Pie

4 places I'd rather be ~
The beach
Spending my millions
Cooking with Paula Deen
Lounging at my villa in Italy

4 things to look forward to ~
Watching my sons graduate
Watching my sons marry the love of their life
Being able to play with my grandchildren
Enjoying retirement with Kenny

Friday, February 1, 2008

And We're to Trust Our Children to Know Better??

I found this article on Comcast this morning. Can you believe this? We pray that we've taught our children right from wrong. We pray that our morals and ethics have been instilled. We pray that when faced with adversity our children will know to take the high road. And then some stupid ass in authority comes along and does something like this. This is one of those times when I could seriously forget my upbringing and punch someone.

Pa. Teacher Accused of School Threats

2 hours ago

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — A teacher who was upset because she didn't get her preferred classroom assignment left more than a dozen scribbled threats at her elementary school and a suspicious device in a student's desk, authorities said.

Susan Romanyszyn, 45, was charged Thursday with 17 counts of making terroristic threats in connection with the incidents at Longstreth Elementary School in Warminster in October.

Authorities said the fourth-grade teacher scribbled messages on school walls and on paper that threatened bomb and gun violence. The messages were written in sloppy handwriting with numerous misspellings and some with crudely drawn cartoons, police said.

A prosecutor said the actions stemmed from Romanyszyn's assignment to teach fourth grade rather than fifth grade. "She was upset or disgruntled at not getting the classroom assignment she wanted," Bucks County District Attorney Michelle Henry said.

Police also allege Romanyszyn put a water bottle containing white power and screws into a student's desk and scattered nails around the lot where teachers parked, leading to school trips and activities being delayed or canceled.

In an interview with police, Romanyszyn denied having anything to do with the incidents and said she wasn't upset about not getting a fifth-grade teaching position, according to a court document. Her attorney rejected the allegations.

"In a case like this, you go on a person's character, and the character of this woman is out there for inspection," Sara Webster said. "Nobody says she's an angry person. She loved what she did, and she loved her students and she always got good evaluations."

Romanyszyn was arrested after authorities interviewed students, administrators and teachers and reviewed footage from school surveillance cameras, Warminster Police Chief Michael Murphy said.

Romanyszyn, who has been on administrative leave since Oct. 22, turned herself in to police and was released after posting $100,000 bail. She faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

Romanyszyn was previously a middle school teacher at Eugene Klinger Middle School, where in 2004 she was one of two elementary mathematics teachers selected as a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.