It's Done!

I actually finished the table runner in time. I had a nice chunk of time last night because Dad rocked Amber to sleep for me :) I do still need to sew a backing on to it (maybe something for Christmas) but for today, IT'S DONE!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Thirteen tuesdays for St Anthony~2

2.
O glorious Saint! Thou didst escape from the dangers and temptations of the world by disdaining greatness, riches and the comforts of life, and by joining the Canons Regular of St. Augustine; we beseech thee, obtain for us detachment of the heart and a true contempt for the world.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory
THE MIRACULOUS RESPONSORY OF ST. ANTHONYBy St. Bonaventure1. If then you ask for miracles, Death, error, all calamities, The leprosy and demons fly, And health succeeds infirmities.Chorus:The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.2. All dangers vanish at thy prayer, And direst need doth quickly flee; Let those who know thy power proclaim, Let Paduans say: "These are of thee." Chorus:The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.3. To Father, Son, may glory be, And Holy Spirit eternally.Chorus:The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.Pray for us, St. Anthony,That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.Let us pray.O God! May the votive commemoration of St. Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance and may deserve to possess eternal joy. Through Christ Our Lord.Amen.
http://www.catholictradition.org/Padua/padua.htm#2

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY... November 24, 2008
Outside my window...it is very cool and clear with clouds in the distance, and a little bird that likes to 'share' Leo's breakfast.

I am thinking...that it might be nice to have a week off of schooling for Thanksgiving week.

I am thankful for...the work that has been trickling in that is helping us get our bills paid. And for the oppertunity to visit the cemetary finally for November.
From the learning rooms...the boys are starting their First Holy Communion notebooks and, of course, there will be crafts and cooking class this week :)
From the kitchen...simple and easy food this week. It makes Thanksgiving Day more special.I am wearing...my turquois skirt and my blue fish top from Hawaii.I am creating...that same table runner. It's going to be finished or else!
Holly and Amber like to help!



I am going...to the OB today. Otherwise, I will be home.
I am reading...57 Saints to the children at night.
I am hoping...we get our tags paid before we get caught driving w/out them :/
I am hearing...Thomas telling Amber that eating potatoes makes you big and strong :)
Around the house...the pile that I tried to clear off of the counter is still there. I never got to it :(
One of my favorite things...is large blocks of time to get projects done. They don't come about too often, but they're golden when they do.
A few plans for the rest of the week:GO to the doc and visit my grandma in the nursing home, finish my runner, and treach the boys how to make pie!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is the dress that My sister-in-law, Brenda, made using my old dress as a pattern. Sorry that the pic is not good, but I had to have Daniel take it and this is the only one where I still have most of my head!

Poor Daniel :(

While climbing our family tree, (the crepe myrtle in our front yard) Daniel hurt his arm. It's not broken, but a really bad sprain (two more weeks or so in a splint). He is a little bummed because he can't catch up on the math that he is behind on, but even more bummed because he can't swing a hammer ;( Daniel is our most avid builder and just loves to use tons of tools. He can't wait to be old enough for POWER tools. But for now, he hands the tools and supplies to his brothers as they learn a little more eye-hand coordination. And he swings some with his left hand:)

Get better soon Dangerous Dan!

The fort is underway!

It has been a while since I've posted on this, but I have been taking pictures so that I can keep track. So I'll make this a catch-up post and try to be more regular about it from now on.

A brief history... We have been talking about building a play/tree house for/with our boys for about 6 years and never had the rescources or time to do it. Well, DH heard that a house was being torn down and he obtained permission to salvage what building materials he could from it. So we got enough used lumber to start The Fort (so named because the boys are a little too old for a 'playhouse' now :) It will be built on skids so we can move it if we ever move, and it will have an upstairs for the big kids with a first floor for littles. Since DH is in construction, he is using this oppertunity to teach the boys how to build a building, and, of course, everything is being done 'to code'. That means 2x6s for the first floor walls and everything! My more 'akward' boys are actually getting the hang of using a hammer, and Daniel and Peter are just loving 'shop class'! Well, when I get all of the pics downloaded, I will give a play-by-play of the project. I have already posted the preperation of the construction zone by removing the pecan stump with Amber overseeing the whole operation ;)
Our goal is to finish it by summer.
Till next time~Gloria

Leaves and sunsets

I caught my camera shy, oldest son, Benjamin off guard while taking this picture of the colors on my October Glory Maple that we planted 3 years ago in our front yard. I thought I'd try to get some close-ups of all the colors too while I was at it. They are so pretty!
I took the above pics on an overcast day. The next day I got some with more sunlight and deeper colors.

And this is a sunset that Benjamin wanted a picture of.

Blessings, Gloria

Thirteen Tuesdays in honor of St. Anthony~1

I hope that by entering this into my blog, I will be less likely to miss any of them. A girl can hope anyway, right?

O glorious St. Anthony, born under the protection of Mary Immaculate, on the Feast of her Assumption into Heaven and consecrated to her at a tender age; thou didst vanquish the demon by the Sign of the Cross, which thy finger impressed on the marble of the church where thou wert praying. Oh, we beseech thee, obtain for us a tender devotion to our Blessed Mother, and the strength to triumph over all the attacks on our infernal enemy.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

THE MIRACULOUS RESPONSORY OF ST. ANTHONY
By St. Bonaventure
1. If then you ask for miracles, Death, error, all calamities, The leprosy and demons fly, And health succeeds infirmities.
Chorus:
The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
2. All dangers vanish at thy prayer, And direst need doth quickly flee; Let those who know thy power proclaim, Let Paduans say: "These are of thee." Chorus:
The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
3. To Father, Son, may glory be, And Holy Spirit eternally.
Chorus:
The sea obeys, and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
Pray for us, St. Anthony,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God! May the votive commemoration of St. Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance and may deserve to possess eternal joy. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

http://www.catholictradition.org/Padua/padua.htm#2

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY... November 17, 2008

Outside my window...everything iscovered in a cold dew and I' can tell that this nice weather won't last long.

I am thinking...that today would be a good day to give Leo a bath and fall trim.

I am thankful for...the beautiful weather we have been witnessing lately. I really need that sunshine.

From the learning rooms...the math fight as always. I think that we'll try to get a game of baseball in at the field today for P.E. And We will start with the First Holy Communion books. Fom the kitchen...we will be making bannana bread with our abundance of overripe bannanas.

I am wearing...an old, comfy, denim maternity dress and my shredded sneakers.

I am creating...the same fall table runner as last week. Not done yet :(

I am going...to pay some bills today. At least I'll get out of the house today.

I am reading...Sermons by St Alphonsus on Sunday after the Rosary, and 57 Saints to the little ones at night.

I am hoping...to have a productive week.

I am hearing...Thomas telling Charlie about the picture he's drawing while Charlie's trying to focus on his math.

Around the house...Dust! This nice weather will be nice for some pre winter tidy up.

One of my favorite things...is the clean, crisp smell in the air when fall weather settles in; it's almost here.

A few plans for the rest of the week:I never know what will happen. I've given up on making plans.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Have a blessed week!~Gloria

Holly's fall crown

Daniel wanted to do something nice for his sister, so he made this crown for her to wear. Isn't he sweet?!

Home to stay!

I'm glad to say that my dear Mother in Law is doing well. It's been a rough road, but after the second surgery to the abdomen, (and of course her hip replacement), in the last few months, things look like they are going to be fine. Some more healing to be done, and she will be good as new. She said she'll be glad to go straight to the third floor to visit me and the new addition, but she never wants to see that second floor again. I don't blame her! Thanks for the prayers and concern.

Love, Gloria

Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY... November 10, 2008

Outside my window...Is a beutiful day and the October Glory is finally changing color.

I am thinking...that it is so nice getting up EARLY. I should really do this more often.

I am thankful for...the fact that I'm almost caught up on my bills. Now maybe we can look foreward to fixing the car, getting the children some clothes, going on vacation (ok now I'm getting ahead of myself :)

From the learning rooms...I think I'll do a unit on manners. With all these boys, It will be helpful for them as well as me.

From the kitchen...Our first day of soup for lunch. Winter's coming.

I am wearing...a comfy, black, knit skirt and a burgundy sweater that is made more like a sweatshirt.

I am creating... the same table runner that I was last week. I wonder if I'll finish before fall is over :)

I am going...to see if I can get these guys out of the house to see a free concert called Pianafiddle on Thursday.

I am reading...57 saints to the children at night and Genesis for History.

I am hoping...I can get the house cleaned up while hubby is working all day. I seems easier to do when he's away.

I am hearing...the Nutcracker (the kids can't wait for Christmas :).

Around the house...there is a pretty good mess that needs cleaning.

One of my favorite things...is Thomas's smily face first thing in the morning :)

A few plans for the rest of the week: maybe a concert on Thursday, otherwise, just the usual routine (if I can find it:/)

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This little guy has decided that he likes the spot between our two back doors to sleep at night. He leaves a little mess, of course, but it isn't too bad. He's so cute.

How sad!

From: James
Overall, Newchurchers favored Barack Hussein Obama over substantially anti-abortion candidate John McCain 54 to 45 per cent in the November 4, 2008, U.S. Presidential election, according to an Edison Media Research exit poll conducted for the Catholic News Agency.
C/O Traditio.com
How sad that Catholics no longer know their faith! Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pray for us!

Sewing!

Holly's big brother Daniel spent two days making her a working sewing machine with his erector set. She is the happiest girl on the block!
She can sew to her hearts content, and mom doesent have to supervise :)

President Elect

Times are a-changin' allright. I feel like the nation is really signing it's own death warrent now, in more ways than one can tell. I guess that it has to get darker before the dawn of The Triumph.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, protect us! Holy Innocents, Pray for us!

I'm thankful to have two candles that were blessed on the feast of The Purification by the very holy Father Byman, may he rest in peace. I just wonder how long these outrages against Our Lord can go on before He decides that He's had enough. This, I'm sure , is all a part of His divine plan. I try not to worry, Lord knows I have plenty to be concerned about. So I will let God's will be done and take Good St. Pio's advice to

"Work, Pray and Don't Worry".

Love, Gloria

Daybook

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY November 3 2008...
Outside My Window...it is raining. Looks like it will be a wet winter. I guess we do need the rain though. Last year was too dry.
I am thinking...my house needs a good cleaning! I am trying to dream up a way to house all seven of my childrens' stuff in 1100 sq ft of space, without it scattering to the ends of the earth after only 3 days since cleaning day :/
I am thankful for...a roof over our heads durring all this rain, and a house full of healthy kids :)
From the schoolroom...we are starting to write essays now, keeping up in the Saxon books, and always looking up How Stuff Works.
From the kitchen...we have persimmon muffins (cookie shaped) for breakfast and tea that Peter was so good to get ready for us :)
I am wearing...The same dress that I wore last Monday that my dear sister in law, Brenda, made for me. It is heavy denim so it is warm, durable and comfy :)
I am creating...a fall color table runner if I can ever get my house in order.
I am going...to vote tomorrow.
I am reading...57 Saints to the little ones at night and the election handbook one last time (some of those propositions seem tricky)
I am hoping...That God will answer the prayers of His people concerning the next round of government officials. Also that our prayers are not just postponing the inevitable, although that is entirely probable :/
I am hearing...Holly(6) explain to Thomas(4) how to play in the rain without getting dirty and wet (expert that she is, having changed out of sopping wet clothes already)
Around the house...general antsyness resulting from cabin fever and too much candy.
One of my favorite things...is the fall colors. It's too bad that the temperatures have been too warm to change my October Glory Maple tree all of the colors that its name implies :(
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:Straighten the house, read up on grant writing, and try to have a productive school week.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...Holly is a big girl now. She lost her first tooth!
~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

All Hallows Eve/Day

I've been busy this week. I don't think this will be a good post, I never get to the computer when I'm in the mood to write, and I don't write well when I'm not in the mood. But I'll try.

Anyway, For All Hallows Eve, we went around our neighborhood in the car this year. There aren't many in our area that give out candy, but since we are the only family in the 2 blocks that make up our loop, and the fact that Allen has known some of them since high school, we feel a little obligated to make the rounds here first. I do try to make sure that they pick a costume that has some significance to at least the battle between good and evil if not directly to a certain saint. Allen did a great job on Peter's face. a very convincing Darth Maul! Daniel chose to be the spanish version of Robin Hood...Zorro! (making his hat on the treadle machine was tricky!) Benjamin had a hard time picking a costume this year (that happens when you get older). He decided to be a mailman, which was a challenge for me to find a saintly connection to. But we made up some little cards with Jack 'o' the lantern on them and wrote Happy Hallows' Eve on one side and on the other, wrote

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord;
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen
I told him that he could be Saint Anthony's Messanger :) It was a big hit with lots of people commenting on the originality of his costume. He gave every one who gave him candy, a card. There was one house that had 2 guys in the garage giving the candy out. One of them commented on him being a mailman and said "Well, you should have some mail for me!" And Bejamin said "I Do!" as he gave him one of the cards that we made. He tossed Benjamin an extra piece of candy for that one! Peter want's to be a mailman next year :)

Charlie likes to be a cowboy. I just realized that it's like a western version of a shepherd. We'll have to touch on that one. I couldn't resist letting Holly be Snow White, seeing that we recieved such a nice costume from a cousin, plus, there are lots of princesses that have made it to heaven. And it gives me oppertunity to teach them about the virtue of poverty even if you are rich. And Thomas was a hobbit, easy big brother hand me down :)

For All Saints Day we had a tea party with 12 apostle cupcakes and an eternity (bundt) cake with land of milk and honey frosting on them for lunch (oh, we had ham sandwiches too :)

This is our Holy Souls tea party that Peter set up for us. Isn't he thoughtful! I made persimmon muffins for breakfast and because of the sad state of my muffin tins, (the coating is flaking off of one of them) I baked them as a cake and cookies. Now what kind of mom gives cake and cookies for breakfast?!