...and if not...

Attn: Everyone - Recall Notice!

2009-03-30T14:01:00.002-05:00

Recall Notice

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.  Some other symptoms include:

Loss of direction 
Foul vocal emissions
Amnesia of origin
Lack of peace and joy
Selfish or violent behavior
Depression or confusion in the mental component
Fearfulness
Idolatry
Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.  The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B..L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.  WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.  DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.  

Thank you for your attention! 

-GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "knee-mail."

40 Day Giveaway

2009-03-21T15:54:00.003-05:00

Wow. It's been a while since I've written here. Didn't realize it had been this long!! Sorry!!

I wanted to tell y'all today about something I should have mentioned a really long time ago!! This guy Flip (member of phatmass, point5covenant, SMU alum, Catholic center worker, friend of dUSt, etc.) has been video-blogging his lenten journey. Here's the premise:

For Lent 2009, I have selected 40 items in my closet/apartment and will give each item away daily until Easter.

It really is that simple. Each item has some meaning to him and he gives a little history about everything he gives away. His videos are fun and fresh. And hey! If you live in Dallas and don't get out much, you'll probably discover some fun new dives. I've been to most of the places he's been blogging from (and love them just as much) but I did "discover" a coffee shop I hadn't been to before. Sweet!

Click the picture to see his project!! You won't want to miss this!

First Friday Fast for An End to Abortion

2009-03-06T12:22:00.002-06:00

Today is a first friday fast! "It Began Here, Let It End Here." For newcomers, here is the original announcement:

It Began Here, Let It End Here:

By Catholic bloggers of the Dallas area

Is there a phrase more infamous than "Roe versus Wade"?

The principal people involved in this most infamous legal case were from Dallas. "Roe" is a pseudonym for Dallas resident Norma McCorvey. Henry Wade was the Dallas district attorney who filed the original charges in the case.

It all began here - in our home town, where we raise our families, where we go to church, where we live, and love, and learn, and work.

We are three bloggers who also live in the Dallas area. We are deeply committed to ending abortion in this country. To that end, we have committed ourselves to the following: On each First Friday for the next eleven months, we will fast and pray for the intention of ending abortion. This will culminate at the annual Dallas March for Life in January of 2008, where we will join our bishop and the faithful of this city in marching to the courthouse where Roe was originally argued.

We ask anyone reading these words to join us. Fast and pray with us each First Friday, no matter how far removed you are from Dallas, for an end to abortion. We especially ask other Dallas area bloggers and residents to join us, at least in spirit.

We will not win this battle in the courts. We will not win this battle in the media. We will not win this battle in any earthly way. We will only win through prayer, fasting, and devotion to Christ.

It began here. Let it end here.

Jesus, we trust in you.

Mark Windsor - Rafting the Tiber
Julie D. - Happy Catholic
Laura H. - ...and if not...

+++

As I was reflecting this morning on this initiative that was started almost two full years ago and thinking about the day ahead, I thought instantly of this post. Reading over it, I winced. But I also gave great thanks and glory to my God today - for today and every day until now. I have been graced with much growth, especially in the last few months. If I could write the post over again I would end it like this:

Only standing with Him can I be of any use. Only in Him, with Him and through Him can I hope to witness the softening of hearts and the saving of lives. Only with Him, in Him and through Him can this battle be won.

As Mark said yesterday, this is a battle not won with anger and weapons but with prayer and self-denial -- two things our murderous neighbors do not understand. Today I ask (for all of us) for the strength to continue on with this movement. I ask the intercession of Servant of God, Pope John Paul the Great, of my purest patron, St Maria Goretti, and especially of the Blessed Mother. May our efforts be always guided by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Runnin' the Race

2009-03-04T13:36:00.002-06:00

I was talking to my friend Katie this morning and she though this would be "blog appropriate." Here ya go:

I’ve been keeping a journal for the past couple of weeks. When I started it, it was just a journal, just a place to write down what was happening and how I felt about it. It was alright for a while but I wasn’t sure how long I would actually keep it up. As can be seen here, I have a hard time writing when expectations creep up.

I was talking to a friend one morning about it and told her I decided to make my journal letters to God. We had talked about needing to develop a more personal relationship with God and this was my way. I do best when I write. I can write to God like I would talk to her. I started that same day.

It’s been about a week now and it’s been wonderful. I love it. And I love this personal connection I’m beginning to develop. I’ve never had a connection like I have now. I’ve had a connection, but not an intimate one. It was always very formal, rigid, uncomfortable.

This morning while I was driving to get coffee I was reflecting on this development in my life. And then it came to me:

God is like a good race spectator: forever cheering you on - even when and ESPECIALLY when you are slowing down, feel like you might die, and really just want to throw in the towel. He’s the one waiting for you at the Finish Line cheering like you’re the first person ever to cross it even though a thousand more have crossed before you.

His graces are to the soul what water is to the body. They’re available to everyone but only you can choose to receive them and to be nourished by them.

Pretty cool, huh?

Strange Happenings in the Land of Laura

2009-02-25T13:34:00.004-06:00

The Land of Laura is an interesting place. (I just decided that the Land of Laura is the name of the place that sits behind my eyes and between my two ears.) Here are some things I've laughed about today:

When commenting on a friend's facebook status, I wanted to reference the egg that fell off the wall in the childhood nursery rhyme. Do you follow? It took a while for me to figure out what his name was. Then I had to google it. I was saying things like "humpity dumpty? humpidty dumpity? humpy dumpity?" to myself for what was probably close to a solid minute. Then when I finally figured it out and posted the comment, I laughed. Moments like that - the ones that are so silly and random and seemingly dumb - just make me who I am. I have them constantly - waaaay more than most people know.

Can I share that I make a lot of ear wax? Is that gross? I'm just trying to be real. Telling you that I have an issue with the buildup of soft ear wax and that my feet sweat (a lot) helps me to take myself a lot less seriously. It's amazing how light and fun and free I feel when I share things like that. You should try it.

Another funny thing that happened to me today that happens to me way more than people know: ... Well actually before I get into that I should say that only one person knows this happens to me and she only heard about it today. Good times. Okay, so I was intending to go to wordpress (where I have another blog - yes I have 3!!) and instead went to Wikipedia. I had started to type Wordpress when I thought of something else and watched myself type Wikipedia. The funny part? I wasn't thinking Wikipedia. My brain just kinda went its own direction on that one. And yes, similar things happen to me daily.

I bought a new journal (soft cover moleskine, my love) and with the exception of a couple days, I've been really great about writing a couple pages each night. When I'm journaling, I'll sometimes write words that I do not mean to write because I start thinking about something else. And the worst part is that the words I write not only are not the words I intended, they also have nothing to do with the thought that came blazing through my little brain. They are just random words that start with the same letter... if I'm lucky! Sometimes I don't even get that. (Hello, Ghostwriter!) And then, so I don't have to look stupid (in my own journal, the journal that only I see and is carried with me everywhere to ensure it), I work it into whatever I was saying. Because, well, you know, some day someone is probably going to read that journal. And I can't distract them from the brilliance of my life story by crossing through something. (Hahahaha!)

Well that felt good. I hope you enjoyed these fun stories from the Land of Laura. If you didn't, that totally sucks. You have now lost two minutes of your life to something you did not enjoy. If you did, stick around. There's lots more crazy where that came from!

Quick Note

2009-02-24T17:45:00.002-06:00

I'm hoping to get back to my old writing soon. I know it's been a lot of "other stuff" around here for a while and I'm ready to change that! Can't wait to see all my old faces again!!

Lent: A Time of Fasting and Feasting

2009-02-24T17:36:00.003-06:00

a repost from lent '06...

Yes, it's true. We can fast and feast this Lent. I have seen this on a few journals and I really like it. I liked it enough to pass it along in fact.

+Fast from judging others ... feast on the Christ indwelling in them.
It is easy to judge others and not ourselves. Let us purify ourselves of this today and share in the piece of Christ that is in each person we meet.

+Fast from emphasis on differences ... feast on the unity of life.
We are called to unite our sufferings especially during this Lenten season. Let us gather together and bear our crosses as one people in the name of Christ.

+Fast from apparent darkness ... feast on the reality of light.
It is easy to be burdened by troubles of this world but let us not forget the ever radiant light which is God's love for us.

+Fast from thoughts of illness ... feast on the healing power of God.
Let us shift our focus from our physical pains and realize more deeply the spiritual healing God makes available to us, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation.

+Fast from words that pollute ... feast on phrases that purify.
Especially during this season let us question ourselves on everything we think, do, or say: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

+Fast from discontent ... feast on gratitude.
Praise God and give thanks for His abundant blessings. Let us rejoice in our dry periods and hold fast to the grace and mercy of God.

+Fast from anger ... feast on patience.
It is easy to be angry and more challenging to be patient. During this season, let us work more than ever on the virtue of patience (and charity).

+Fast from pessimism ... feast on optimism.
When things aren't going our way we hiss and pout. Let us instead find the lessons in each thing we do, whether they happen according to our preference or not.

+Fast from worry ... feast on divine order.
When things get us down it is difficult to remember the bright side of this. Let us pray for confidence in Him and ask for our hearts to be molded to His Divine Will.

+Fast from complaining ... feast on appreciation.
God has blessed each of us abundantly. Let us be appreciative of each hidden blessing and not allow our sour attitudes ruin a chance for grace and growth.

+Fast from negatives ... feast on affirmatives.
This Lent, instead of criticizing or fingering each wrong decision, let us provide those whom we love with affirmations of their purposeful strides to overcome sin and attain sainthood.

+Fast from unrelenting pressures ... feast on unceasing prayer.
If we live each moment as a prayer we should more appropriately and successfully accomplish those things which are in line with His Divine Will.

+Fast from hostility ... feast on resistance.
Let us this Lent resist the temptation to foster hostility. Let us shine forth at all times the light of Christ's love.

+Fast from bitterness ... feast on forgiveness.
Let go of trivial emotions which hinder forgiveness. God who is all loving and all good forgives each of those who seek reconciliation. Let us not deny our brothers and sisters in Christ.

+Fast from self-concern ... feast on compassion for others.
So many times we are self-centered and self-loving. Let us this Lent turn from our own needs and offer our attention to the needs of the lowliest of these.

+Fast from personal anxiety ... feast on eternal truth.
It is easy to be consumed in this world by the trials of daily life. Let us seek out His promises and hold fast to them always.

+Fast from discouragement ... feast on hope.
Do not dispair. God has a plan and in it there is much hope. Believe that He knows better than even ourselves what is best. Trust Him and He will see you through.

+Fast from facts that depress ... feast on truths that uplift.
Instead of dwelling on the negatives of our surroundings, we should seek out the truths that inspire and uplift us. Let us not seek our own depression but do everything in our power to remain hopeful.

+Fast from lethargy ... feast on enthusiasm.
Productiveness in faith is the most important in all of our lives. Let us enthusiastically learn about our faith and grow closer to our God.

+Fast from suspicion ... feast on truth.
Speculation and assumption should be left to the lawyers of the world. Instead of harboring ill thoughts due to suspicion, rejoice in what you know.

+Fast from thoughts that weaken ... feast on promises that inspire.
The devil will tempt us and lead us to feel and think we are alone and abandoned. Turn from the evil one and remember what God has promised us.

+Fast from shadows of sorrow ... feast on sunlight of renity.
Sorrowful distractions are from the evil one and prevent us from focusing on the healing power and the overwhelming mercy of our God. Let us turn from these and focus on Christ in the Eucharist. He who saves us will comfort us.

+Fast from idle gossip ... feast on purposeful silence.
Let us refrain from anything that is not kind, true, and necessary. Let us spend this time quietly in the everlasting presence of God.

If we can do these things I believe our Lenten season will be truly blessed. Think about it. Use it. ENJOY IT. [All of the italicized text are my own words. I despair at their inadequacy but recognize a chance to grow in humility. I pray my efforts are not in vain but rather prove to be a grace from God.]

St. Thomas Aquinas, the dumb ox, pray for us! St. Maria Goretti, pray for us! St. John of the Cross, pray for us! Sts. Francis and Clare, pray for us! All the angels and saints, pray for us!

(By the way, my Stations of the Cross recording will hopefully be up again sometime soon!! I hosted it in a temporary spot the last time I posted it.)

Parents' Worst Nightmare

2009-02-22T21:35:00.002-06:00

Your baby is born premature because mom needs a new liver and the only way to save mom and baby is to deliver early and hope for a transplant. You deliver early, get your transplant within days, and you both go home (after ICU for weeks on end). It's a miracle. Life is good.

Then tragedy hits and instead of consoling you, you're charged with murder. It happened to a family in California. Read about it here and please, if you will, say a prayer.

Prayers, if you please

2009-02-19T23:38:00.002-06:00

My mother (yes, "mommy") is the strongest (read: toughest/most stubborn) woman I know. For reals. (Yes, I said for reals.) She had to have surgery today and unfortunately came out sporting about three times as many incisions as are normal for the operation she underwent. She's in a lot of pain tonight. It was really hard for me not to cry in her room. I tried to be strong for her and the kids. It crushed my heart though. I hated listening to her moans of pain, watching her cry and say, "I can't do this."

Anyway, please pray for her comfort and peace. The morphine drip is helping to take the edge off (that should tell you something) but it's still really difficult. I pray she gets some sleep... and some REST!

Please keep her in your prayers. We hope to have her home again tomorrow.

Nutella: What's the big deal?

2009-02-09T12:18:00.004-06:00

I feel I might be flogged (figuratively) by the blogging community - perhaps the community at large - for expressing my passiveness on the subject of Nutella.

When I first heard about the stuff, I had high hopes. Everyone I knew absolutely loved the stuff. In fact, for a while, it was all I heard about. Nutella, nutella, nutella.

Friends were posting pictures of Nutella-covered mouths, faces, and hands.

I heard of the wonders of Nutella on just about everything... and the sensory overload of Nutella by itself.

"That's it," I thought. "I must get some Nutella."

So after a long trip to the grocery store (I have a really hard time asking for help... and I had a hard time finding the stuff...), I returned home with my jar of Nutella. I quickly derobed and got into my best Nutella-eating outfit. I couldn't wait to have my first Nutella experience.

Removing the lid and peeling back the seal, I dove in. "Oh my goodness," I thought to myself. "I am SO excited. This is going to be great! Oh, Nutella, my love! We meet at last!"

And then the first taste. And disappointment. And semi-disgust.

What the hell were people thinking? It wasn't even that GOOD. It was alright. But it wasn't great. Who the heck started this craze?

And that's how I've felt about Nutella ever since. I tried it once and put the jar in the pantry. For all I know, it may still be in the pantry. I will likely never buy Nutella again and I will certainly never subject my kids to it.

By the way, I think it's absolutely criminal that the makers of Nutella suggest slabbing the stuff onto a croissant. A croissant, people!! Croissants are a delicacy that should not be tinkered with. Especially if we're talking about Nutella. Good grief.

Torn ligament or torn cartilage? Any bets?

2009-01-31T08:45:00.002-06:00

This was copied from my Training blog at a health site. I've only typed out the story twice and I'm already sick of doing it. Haha.

So I blogged a few days ago about a knee injury. The longer I sat to think about it (I was forced too - I’ll explain in a sec), the more and more I realized just how seriously silly I can be sometimes.

After about a week of hobbling around, trying here and there to run a little, I could no longer take the pain and moseyed on down to the ER. They asked me all kinds of questions about the initial injury and the pain I was experiencing. When forced to actually think about it, here’s what I came up with:

The initial Boom! Clank! POP!! was at least a month ago. I stood from a stool to stretch my legs out because my knees were kind of sore. I had been helping a friend move that day so it didn’t really concern me too much. But as I stretched out my left leg, my knee popped backwards. Yes, hyperextension. (Not fun!) The pain was intense to say the least. I never did check to see if it was swollen. I just shrugged it off as best I could (wasn’t easy) and went on with my life. I felt the effects for about three to four days but then didn’t notice it hardly at all.

Then I started running.

Last Thursday I went out for a run before choir rehearsal and couldn’t run more than a few seconds without wanting to scream from the pain I was feeling. Deciding I’d rather walk a short distance in the time I had than to keel over where no one would find me til morning, I took it easy on myself.

By last night the pain was so intense I wanted to cry with every step I took.

Two hours and one X-ray later (and many rounds of “Yes, I really ran on it for two weeks,” with various staff), I was told I hadn’t broken a bone and based on my presenting symptoms, would need to see an orthopedic specialist. So they immobilized me, put me on crutches, handed me a script, and sent me away.

The expressions on the faces of some of the medical staff there were priceless. I wanted to laugh but was in so much pain, I mostly just smirked. Yep. I’m silly sometimes.

So needless to say I’ll not be doing any kind of running in the next few weeks. With no medical insurance, it may be a few MONTHS before I’m able to hit the streets again.

The crutches are already a pain in the neck. I have moments of wanting to ditch the crutches, tear off the brace and break out in a full sprint but am fully aware I wouldn’t make it three feet before falling over, swearing in pain.

*Sigh*

P.S. In my last post I said my knees looked relatively the same. Apparently that was my wishful thinking. A friend gasped when she saw my knee last night and the nurses each commented on how clearly swollen the left knee was. Whoops.

Sharing My Favorites: Fat Cyclist

2009-01-28T16:55:00.003-06:00

So I've decided (in the last five minutes) that a "favorite" doesn't necessarily mean that they've stood the test of time. They can be labeled a favorite within minutes, seconds even if it comes to that. This won't happen often so don't get scared or excited. This blog was just too good not to share.

Fat Cyclist started when Elden ("Fatty" as he's termed himself) needed motivation to lose weight. Short story shorter, he started a blog to post his weight publicly every day. Not wanting to just post his weight, he wrote stories to share too.

What's he up to now? Let him tell you:

Besides being a middle-aged guy who loves cycling, I’m also the father of four kids (2 boys, identical twin girls), and the husband of a woman — Susan — who is fighting metastatic breast cancer.

Even if you aren't into cycling, you'll probably still enjoy reading some about his family and his life. His energy is such, however, that you'd probably end up reading the cycling posts too! Love it!

Check him out and while you're there, maybe consider helping him raise money to fight cancer. All proceeds of the Team Fatty raffles this year go straight to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. What raffle? Only the coolest/best raffle I've seen ... EVER.

Donating in increments of $100.00 could also land you one of these, made by Susan herself:

Remember Susan is the one battling cancer. Isn't that neat? I love, love, love the bracelets but what I love more is that she's able to make them. I also love that the money you put towards getting one goes to such an awesome cause.

Please do consider stopping by and at least offering up a word of support! With four kids and a sick wife, I'm sure every note of encouragement is appreciated - even if not each of them is read with full consciousness! :oP

Monogram Chick

2009-01-28T11:41:00.003-06:00

Pretty sure I've mentioned her blog before and if I haven't, shame on me! She has a great variety of offerings - many perfect for gift-giving! (Hint, hint! Haha)

Anyway, this post is to tell you: She's just introduced a new product! Yup! Go check it out!

Also, while you're there, check out these cosmetic bags!! Aren't they adORable!? I've already planned several of them as gifts for friends.

Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas

2009-01-28T10:53:00.002-06:00

Today is the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of my absolute favorite saints! I'll hopefully be able to update this later with a little about "the Dumb Ox." Until then, St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!

Homily later, blog now

2009-01-26T12:39:00.003-06:00

So I haven't been posting much lately because there are some parts of my life that I just don't consider public. Quickly, here's what I'm up to:

1. Running

My friend Nikki just started her own runner's training program - Runwell - and I've joined the newbie boot camp. It's kicking my butt but I love it. I've somehow managed to injure my left knee, however, so it looks like I'll be out of commission until at least Saturday when I can get in to see someone about it. Check out Nikki's site at http://www.runwelltraining.com - and sign up if you want! The coaches are amazing (very encouraging and supportive while they kick your butt! haha) and the people training are fun. We spent a good fifteen minutes in the parking lot last week after a run just laughing and having a good time. One guy even remarked, "Forget the running. I'm coming for the conversation after!"

2. Choir

Still singing. Still love it.

3. Work

It's what we do.

4. Friends

I have a great group of girlfriends that I just love and I see them a few days a week. Their energy has had a really awesome effect on me and I'm grateful for their friendship.

5. CRHP

From Julie D. : WHAT IS CRHP?

Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP, pronounced "chirp")
A two-day retreat held in isolation from the world, but on church premises, for 36 men one weekend and 36 women the following weekend. The main emphasis during that time is a series of witnesses telling of their personal encounter with Christ based on one of a variety of topics, such as Renewal, Reconciliation, Discipleship, etc. The retreat participants can then go on with their "team" to a series of weekly meetings that go on for six months while they study Scripture and prepare to give the next retreat. More in-depth reflection found here.

That's pretty much all I can cram into my schedule. And I love every minute of it. :)

While I'm here, check out this new blog I found: http://bakerella.blogspot.com/ Love it!

And I'll get to the homily thing next time... :o) Until then, be holy!

Gut Reaction

2009-01-19T15:36:00.002-06:00

I had mine. What was yours?

(I'll tell you mine later...)

Groundbreaking Abortion Documentary

2009-01-16T16:32:00.002-06:00

This has been all over the place today. Please keep praying for an end to abortion.

The following was received in an email from the Catholic Pro-Life Committee of North Texas

From The Justice Foundation:

As the city where Roe v. Wade was originally filed, Dallas has been selected as the first city in America for a mass showing of a special documentary about the effects of abortion on women and men. This documentary will air repeatedly around the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

"Beyond the Dark Valley" was co-produced by The Justice Foundation and Fresh Air Media. Fresh Air Media produced Billy Graham's television specials for many years and, most recently, the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency. "Beyond the Dark Valley" educates viewers about the devastating effects of abortion. Viewers who have experienced the pain of abortion will be referred for spiritual hope and healing in the Dallas metroplex through the toll-free National Helpline for Abortion Recovery (866-482-LIFE). Working with the National Helpline, "Beyond the Dark Valley" also offers help for women who are in unexpected pregnancies by referring them to pregnancy care centers in their area.

Click here for the five viewing dates & times . . .

Violet? Really?

2009-01-12T16:16:00.001-06:00

VIOLET

You surround yourself with art and music and are constantly driven to express yourself. You often daydream. You prefer honesty in your relationships and believe strongly in your personal morals.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

Found at Happy Catholic

LKF

2008-12-23T12:27:00.002-06:00

A little known fact about me: I'm crazy about grammar and spelling. I am certainly not perfect but I do my best to be educated and precise in my writing and speech. On that note, here's a little something I read recently that greatly satisfied my prideful streak, as it relates to grammar and proper English:

The misuse of “I” and “myself” for “me” is caused by nervousness about “me.”

It's an article I found on the Washington State University site, via Google. Read, be informed, speak well. Please.

Things I love

2008-12-22T14:18:00.003-06:00

Jessica Claire is sharing herself with us and is asking for us to do the same with her (in the comments). I decided to bring one back here with me to share with you.

Something I love:

Knitting in the quiet after midnight in my pajamas, days before Christmas/birthday/anniversary for someone I love and adore, thinking of their smile and laugh, that radiance which comes when they are truly pleased.

I love to love. :) How 'bout y'all?

Sharing My Favorites - Erin Vey

2008-12-12T12:04:00.010-06:00

Part of sharing myself with you is sharing the people in my life - on many different levels and planes - who affect me positively, inspire me to be bold, different, true. It is my sincere hope that you will like these people too - that you might find in their stories a source of inspiration, hope, or joy.

It is with that intent that I plan to feature people here who have brought those things to me, mostly unknowingly. Today I'll start with Erin Vey.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am passionate about a great many arts, one of which is photography. With the help of my google reader, I follow about 40 photographers on a consistent basis. I look at their art, take mental notes, and soak in their brilliant personalities as best one can through the blogsphere.

Erin is one of my absolute favorites. Not only is she a brilliant photographer, she has one of the most gorgeous subjects of all time... Miss Gracie!

Click on any of the photographs to see the original post by Erin.

Erin is a Dog Photographer and I would dare say the best I have ever seen. Her style is classic, funky, fresh, real.

She has an unreal eye for capturing the beauty and essence of each animal she photographs.

Not only does she clearly understand the significance of the relationship between a dog and his owner, she appreciates it in a way so profound, it can't help but emanate from her work. You see her photographs and you KNOW she loves this. She loves THEM.

Erin is a truly talented and exceptional person. I've never met her in person and likely never will. She will likely not see this post nor ever know my name. The love she has for her work, however, has touched my life and my person and for that I am truly grateful.

I am happy to share this gem of a person with you and hope you will stop by to see her often!

(And if you have a dog-lover in your life, be sure to purchase Miss Gracie's 2009 Calendar! It's sure to please.)

Until next time...

Neither here nor there

2008-12-11T14:32:00.007-06:00

I think I'm going to start calling all of my "random" posts "Neither here nor there". Sounds like a name I could live with. I suppose it's neither here nor there.

Oh, come on. That was funny.

It made me laugh.

Anyway, I decided that it was high time to stop dreaming about all the wonderful things I wanted to do in life and just go about doing something concrete and productive. This is not to say I've stopped dreaming, it's just that I've also started doing. Dreaming and doing. It's wonderful.

Speaking of dreaming, I'm dreaming of winning this contest. I'd love to keep it all to myself, but that wouldn't be very friendly and giving of me. I strive to be friendly and giving. Don't let my stink-eye scare you away. You don't know about the stink eye? Then you don't know me! I mean... isn't this damask thank you card just lovely?!

Hurry on over and enter the giveaway! And don't forget to mosey around the blog while you're there. Heck, go ahead and add it to your google reader like I did! You can never have enough blogs to read...

Speaking of reading blogs, how is it that I now come to a reader each day with over 150 unread posts?! That's unreal. UN-REAL. Actually, it's very real. Which is why I'm telling you about it. But enough about me... more about me!

I was looking through images on my cell phone again the other night trying to decide which ones I simply must keep and which ones I could delete. The thought of parting with any of them is way more overwhelming that it should be but somehow accepting and sharing my psychosis as it relates to such a trivial matter makes me feel okay with it.

What was I talking about? Oh right. Cell phone pictures. I found this one:

Is this not a gorgeous cat? My eyes are already watering and burning and itching and driving me nutty just looking at the photo but really! It's beautiful!! -- What is it anyway with developing allergies so late in life? I mean, this wasn't a problem when I was young the way it is now. What gives?

My birthday is Sunday and I'm honestly dreading it. I think this is the first year I can remember that I actually wish I could just skip the day. Last year some families for whom I babysit threw a party at Matt's, a local Mexican restaurant, for me when my own plans failed to execute. It was a big birthday last year and I thought I had to do something. I'm glad I did but... I'm just not really up for any of it this year. I don't like the big fuss. It's just another Sunday.

Some things I am not dreading and for which I must remember to be grateful:

- Helping a friend pack for her move to Kansas as she was recently engaged! I'll miss her terribly but am ecstatic for her and this new chapter in her life.

- CRHP get-together on the 15th (those girls are just lovely), wrapping party tonight, and cookie swap (hosted by a CRHP sister) on Sunday

- Helping with the Magi Tree sorting and distribution on Saturday

Not to mention the White Rock Marathon is Sunday morning and I cannot WAIT!! Wanting so very desperately to venture into running myself, this is one of the highlights of my December.

In November, I volunteered for the DRC Half Marathon. I called times at Mile 9 and had a blast. I had almost lost my voice by the end of it but it was still fun. I loved watching my friends pass, sweat gleaming and smiles shining. So awesome!

Since I've nothing more to say, I'm checking out before I totally lose all readership I may have gained the past five minutes. Peace!

Mark Shea to visit Dallas!

2008-12-10T15:34:00.002-06:00

Mark Windsor writes

It's confirmed.

Mark Shea will be at St. Anthony's in Wylie on January 24.

Festivities commence at 9:45 with 101 Reasons NOT to be Catholic.
Continuing at 10:45 with This is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence.

Lunch (hotdogs...nothin' too fancy) at 11:30.

The final talk is at 11:45 - Making Senses Out of Scripture: Reading the Bible as the First Christians Did.

See Mr. Shea's blog here.

I'm very much looking forward to this! Woohoo!

a little about the design

2008-12-05T13:24:00.004-06:00

I really enjoy having themed designs here at the blog. In the past I've only really had themes for Lent and Easter. And actually, that was really only holy week and the first week of Easter!

When I saw these candles, I knew I had to have them as a part of the blog! Obviously I will "light" each candle as the weeks progress through this advent season. I chose black as the overall background color to portray (though not very artistically) the sense of the world being in darkness as it awaits its King.

I hope you all enjoy it. I'm so glad to be back!

Lenten/Advent Meditation – “Loves desires to see God” - St. Peter Chrysologus

2008-12-05T12:09:00.001-06:00

From Micah, who stumbled upon this blog recently...

When God saw the world falling to ruin because of fear, he immediately acted to call it back to himself with love. He invited it by his grace, preserved it by his love, and embraced it with compassion. When the earth had become hardened in evil, God sent the flood both to punish and to release it. He called Noah to be the father of a new era, urged him with kind words, and showed that he trusted him; he gave him fatherly instruction about the present calamity, and through his grace consoled him with hope for the future. But God did not merely issue commands; rather with Noah sharing the work, he filled the ark with the future seed of the whole world. The sense of loving fellowship thus engendered removed servile fear, and a mutual love could continue to preserve what shared labor had effected.

God called Abraham out of the heathen world, symbolically lengthened his name, and made him the father of all believers. God walked with him on his journeys, protected him in foreign lands, enriched him with earthly possessions, and honored him with victories. He made a covenant with him, saved him from harm, accepted his hospitality, and astonished him by giving him the offspring he had despaired of. Favored with so many graces and drawn by such great sweetness of divine love, Abraham was to learn to love God rather that fear him, and love rather than fear was to inspire his worship.

God comforted Jacob by a dream during his flight, roused him to combat upon his return, and encircled him with a wrestler's embrace to teach him not to be afraid of the author of the conflict, but to love him. God called Moses as a father would, and with fatherly affection invited him to become the liberator of his people.

In all the events we have recalled, the flame of divine love enkindled human hearts and its intoxication overflowed into men's senses. Wounded by love, they longed to look upon God with their bodily eyes. Yet how could our narrow human vision apprehend God, whom the whole world cannot contain? But the law of love is not concerned with what will be, what ought to be, what can be. Love does not reflect; it is unreasonable and knows no moderation. Love refuses to be consoled when its goal proves impossible, despises all hindrances to the attainment of its object. Love destroys the lover if he cannot obtain what he loves; love follows its own promptings, and does not think of right and wrong. Love inflames desire which impels it toward things that are forbidden. But why continue?

It is intolerable for love not to see the object of its longing. That is why whatever reward they merited was nothing to the saints if they could not see the Lord. A love that desires to see God may not have reasonableness on its side, but it is the evidence of filial love. It gave Moses the temerity to say: If I have found favor in your eyes, show me your face. It inspired the psalmist to make the same prayer: Show me your face. Even the pagans made their images for this purpose: they wanted actually to see what they mistakenly revered.