Simple Woman's Daybook for 12-21-09

FOR TODAY... from Erin's Daybook

Outside my window... Finally! A COLD day! Hopefully it holds through Friday

I am thinking... I can't wait for the money for supplies to start my Rosary/jewelry hobby... and I hope my MIL won't crap out on getting the meats for dinner Friday... really praying for St. Dymphna's intercession with her. I know we made the best decision available moving in with her, but it's difficult living with someone in her state.

Also my daughter asking very urgently to say a prayer to "the Mary Statch yoop" at Mass yesterday and proceeding to say the grace they say at her Preschool. Gave me a nice chuckle and warmed my heart that she's so keen on prayer

I am thankful for... our extended families. And the opportunity for daily Mass.

I am wearing... blue shirt and jeans

I am remembering... How beautiful The Nativity Story (movie) was last night. Drew me closer to Our Holy Mother. And I start counseling/mentoring at a local Pregnancy Center here in town Jan 5.

I am going... to check up on one of my more promising applications tomorrow; research options and write a proposal to establish childbirth classes to the clients at the Pregnancy Center so they have an affordable options to hospital classes.

I am currently reading... everything I can about Rosary making, Beadworking and restringing pearls

I am hoping... for employment and St. Rita's intercession

On my mind... Christmas presents for our kids are going to be late this year. But they'll have presents from aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc to distract them.

Noticing that... I feel so much peace when at Mass and just afterward.

Pondering these words... " Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing; God never changeth" St. Teresa of Avila- still applicable this week

From the kitchen... cheeseburger pasta.

Around the house... cleaning.

One of my favorite things~ my children's beautiful ignorance of what we're going through right now. They are happy and healthy and excited for Christmas.

Simple Woman's Daybook 12-14-2009

FOR TODAY... from Erin's Daybook

Outside my window... warm and muggy. After 4 days of cold. Such is Florida

I am thinking... I can't wait to be employed so we can go off public assistance. I have SO much compassion now for my fellow low income families and the endless maze that we have to navagate through with no compassion from those in charge of the process.

I am thankful for... family and my parish

I am wearing... pink tank and black yoga pants

I am remembering... what it was like when we had disposable income

I am going... to apply at another ALF here in town

I am currently reading... St. Augustine Catholic (my diocese's magazine)... want to become a late addition to the Harry Potter reader bandwagon before Deathly Hallows movie comes out.

I am hoping... for one of us to be employed to start the new year off right!

On my mind... Christmas gifts for the kids.

Noticing that... Small communities are so much more wonderful.

Pondering these words... " Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing; God never changeth" St. Teresa of Avila

From the kitchen... baked chicken with veggies

Around the house... catching up to do....

One of my favorite things~ the true quiet that comes with living so far out in the country

Simple Woman's Daybook 11-16-09

November 16th

FOR TODAY... from Erin's Daybook

Outside my window... lovely day with awesome blue skies.

I am thinking... it's been SO long since I've updated my blog! And I hope to get some good news about starting Midwifery school tonight at the meeting

I am thankful for... my mother in law giving us the opportunity to thrive... and for such a perfect (for us) community here.

I am wearing... black and floral kimono tunic and blue jeans. Actually did my hair today (to show off my newly covered grays with dark auburn)

I am remembering... my grandmothers.

I am going... to the prospective students' meeting at Florida School of Traditional Midwifery... tomorrow to LCCC to sign up for PCT training and looking at the couple ALF's here to see if they're hiring CNA's.

I am reading... Back into reading daily mass readings. Still have to choose another Catholic Company book...

I am hoping... That I can find funding to attend midwifery school... hopefully with my hubby and my income, we'll be able to handle it when it comes to starting.

On my mind... the upcoming holidays... t-giving at my mom and dad's, and Christmas here. And that we'll be able to give the kids a half decent Christmas this year!

Noticing that... God's amazing Providence is just that... amazing

Pondering these words... "A kind and gentle spirit" 1Peter (not sure of the verse)

From the kitchen... spaghetti... simple for my husband to make while I'm at the meeting.

Around the house... dusted. Back on cleaning schedule tomorrow!

One of my favorite things seeing my children running around a 1/2 acre lot and then being so tired they go to bed without argument at 9pm!

From my picture journal... TBPL

My Library Project

While I truly enjoy being a book reviewer for The Catholic Company, there are a few subjects I've been thinking about reading. So I've made it my personal project to read (or read about):

1.) Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. With the recent deaths of two of her children, one of which was a champion for ALL lives (especially the ones that no one wanted and usually put in an institution) and the other, who laid the groundwork for our current healthcare ideals, I'd love to know more about this woman. She was the rock of the family- and the one that fostered all of her children's strong foundation in faith.

2) Dorothy Day. Champion for the poor. As someone currently on government assistance, I can personally attest to the way that people are STILL being treated simply because they can't afford basic necessities. Do I agree there are abusers of the system? Absolutely. But I'm not one of them- don't treat me like one. The way I found out about her is through the movie "Cinderella Man"... he was on welfare, and once he came back into some money, not only paid back the government for what they were given, but also donated to Dorothy Day's cause.

3) St. Rita. My personal favorite saint. She and I have somewhat similar lives. While my husband wasn't violent at all, we had difficulties. And I'm praying for his conversion.

4) Anything by Bishop Fulton Sheen. The more I read online/see on YouTube, the more I realize this man's brilliance.

5) A volume on the lives of the Saints. I've been particularly drawn to Saints Dymphna and Peregrine because of family members's health issues that I'm offering up.

So these are my Must Read list for right now...

Book Review- Be Holy: A Catholic's Guide to the Spiritual Life

It seems like I (for the most part) get just what I need when it comes to the Catholic Company's Reviewer Program... And in this one, Fr. Thomas Morrow really comes across as that "dad" who warns and guides you, without taking a preachy tone.

The book starts out with discussions on what happens if you do (or don't) establish a life of holiness. What I liked most is that it explains that you don't need to recite a Litany of the Hours when just starting out, to be holy- God will reward your baby steps until you're running a marathon.

Part two is the "meat" of living a holy life- Prayer- and all it's forms, difficulties and rewards. I especially liked a story Fr. Morrow tells about a woman that was experiencing a low in her life as a wife and mother of 4. Literally, it was the narration of my life as a mother and wife... do I really think my life would be just like hers if I did what she did? I don't know. But I do know that God wants me to open my life to him in prayer as much as possible.

Parts 3 and 4 really get into your life outside the Church- how you serve his people in society. Fr. goes through the Spritual and Corporal Works of Mercy with fantastic, relatable examples on how to put them in practice. Additionally, explainations of the Virtues- something so very pertinent in our society, especially in the times we live in.

Throughout the entire book, examples are also brought from our brothers and sisters the Saints, who lived life just as we did... overcoming some of the same obstacles as we, in their lives for the greater service to the Heavenly Father.

Fr. Morrow also lists some books to start or enrich our spiritual reading... as well as a brief description of meditation and Lectio Divinia. Or if you're really starting out on your spiritual life, tips on how to start small, in order to grow.

And to what end? Attaining Heaven. Going home to our Lord, and having Him smiling lovingly and say to each of us "Well done My good and faithful servant".

I'd say overall this would be fantastic for a RCIA candidates, Confirmandi, or anyone struggling with their spirituality.

You can find this and other wonderful Catholic products at The Catholic Company.

Mad Men... I am a Maddict! SPOILERS!

I was SO excited for the Mad Men Season 3 Premier last night. I had to fight to listen to the beautiful dialogue this show has, because my son was still up. However, I am still a Maddict.

I'm happy to say that elitist hiney- hole Pete had his ego rather abruptly deflated when he realized that he would have to share the Head of Accounts position with Ken. Serves him right for all the underhanded things he's done.

I'm not so sure I'd be able to feign happiness being pregnant after the circumstances Betty had to deal with in the first 2 seasons. Granted, she turned out to be one manipulative b---h, but still, to know for sure that your husband is cheating on you? I wonder what she'd do if she found out that her shrink was calling Don after their sessions to report. Or that the only reason he didn't bag the flight attendant is because of the fire alarm.

Peggy kind of took a back seat. I REALLY wanted something to happen between her and Pete after she revealed to him that she had his baby and gave it up; the heir his family was so adamant should NOT come from adoption. Would I want something to dramatic to happen in real life? No. But this is my guilty pleasure weekly, seeing as how Sex and The City and The Sopranos are no longer...

I like Mad Men just as much as I liked Sopranos. And for the same reasons. You had to think and analyze to "get" what was going on in each episode, and you had to hold on to back stories because what was going on in a certain character's story line wasn't addressed each week. My poor husband tried SO desperately to catch on to Sopranos when we went to my parents every Sunday night during the final season, but I had to explain WAY too much for him to jump on the bandwagon with as much fervor as my family had.

I also like Mad Men because I'm a Period girl. But I'm especially a 40s-60s girl. When people dressed- your hair was done just so, you had a smart outfit on (and used the term smart and people knew what you were saying), there was social protocol... and until the early-mid 60s American women were praised for being curvaceous- Marilyn Monroe and Gina Lollobrigida.

Sopranos, SATC and Mad Men are like the Bombay Martini's I adore so much- it may take you a drink or two (or 10- NOT IN A ROW!) to really, truly fall in love. But there's no turning back once that happens. Hooray! My Sundays are back!

Book Review: Diagnosis Critical

By Leonard J Nelson, III

As a student heading into nursing, I was drawn to reading this book, as I will have to balance my identity as a Catholic with a vastly secular heathcare system. The times we live in are difficult to find such balance. On one hand, we are a society in desperate need to find SOME way for every American to receive the healthcare they can afford, without sacrificing quality, Yet we also want to avoid being forced into a healthcare protocol that might require us to, as tax payers, foot the bill in procedures against our religious beliefs.

Mr. Nelson brings quite a few good case studies and the history of healthcare in America, many systems of which were directly founded by Catholic nuns and priests, yet have become multi-million dollar enterprises run by secular businesspeople.

There is also an argument for the Conscience Clause that seems to be in danger under President Obama's Administration's healtcare reform. This would force doctors and hospitals that do not offer such anti-life programs as abortion and sterilization on their religious grounds to essentually close or comply.

And then there's the right to life issue. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, I will have to deal with such things in my line of work. The most notable (and from my locale) is Terri Shiavo. Her case is explored in this book, and has been made (not by Mr. Nelson alone) to be the "poster case" for end of life issues.

I do have to say, this was an extremely difficult read for me. It was written on a collegue level vs. something for the general public, which may have been remedied by possibly making it a series so that it would be a bit easier to read, digest and understand fully before realizing you have 4 more sections to get through.

You can find this and other Catholic gifts at The Catholic Company.