Conference time

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet!! For those in the somewhat close area be sure to come to the NW Catholic Family Education Conference May 1-2. Registration is $25 today, but goes up starting tomorrow (not sure of the price). 

Some fun friends are coming! They will be spending the night and I can't wait to stay up all night . . . ladies, bring your nail polish and refining masks ;)

KEEP TALKING

So, for those of you who tried to leave a comment on my friend's site but weren't able to, you dear souls, head on back over there now and give her a HUGE THANKS for reading these books to make life easier for the rest of us.

Seems when someone, and I won't say who, got her blog all rolled out they didn't realize that a template they had never used before was using 'embedded comments' instead of regular ones (meaning when you clicked to comment nothing happened because embedded comments require an extra little html step). . . but it is all fixed now so go on back and show her some love.

Coolioso

Check it, dog. Want a cool site to find some good books for your tweenagers? Well, I know just the spot. A friend of mine started a blog with her reviews of books deemed teen appropriate. She personally reads each and every book she reviews, gives a quick synopsis, and lists questionable material it may contain. While she is a great Catholic homeschooling mom, the books she reviews aren't necessarily religious oriented (in fact, most aren't). So, if you want a quick rundown of some good reads, head on over to booksnblather.blogspot.com, give her a "hey there" and bookmark her site.

Of course you could mention how great the blog looks ::cough, cough:: but that isn't necessary. 

Heeeeeeere's Johnny

(who's Johnny she said, and smiled in her special way)

. . . heeeeeeeeeere's {r}

1. How old are you?

6, practically 7

2. What is your favorite past time and why?

Gymnastics in the living room because I like to do gymnastics and it makes me stronger and better at gymnastics.

3. What is your favorite school subject and why?

Reading because it doesn't take that long (that sounds familiar!! I promise she didn't see her sister's answers)

4. What is your favorite song?

Every Hannah Montana song. When prodded to pick one she said "Rockstar"

5. What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is Best Loved Christmas Carols (a book that has the lyrics to Christmas Carols and a CD with the songs)

6. Do you like moving around, and where is the favorite place you have lived?

Yes. My favorite place has been Washington. Well, I don't really have a favorite, I have liked all the places we have moved and I got to make new friends in every place we moved. 

7. What is your favorite memory?

When I went golfing with Dad for my birthday.

8. What is your favorite food?

Fruits and vegetables (to which {l} said "Since when?" and I agree)

9. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? What would you keep the same?

To make everybody follow my orders. I would keep everything the same really, except for the way people would follow the rules. They have to follow my rules.

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A nun.

11. Tell me a secret about yourself.

No, cuz it is a secret. I stay awake until 12 in the morning. 

WoW-11

Yeah, why do I even bother with this thing. I guess I like to check in on Wednesdays and say "nope, this wasn't the week, better luck next week."

And why do I have so much resolve at night when in bed, but none the next morning when I wake up? I am not even going to weigh myself today~no point. I am planning on getting going this week and have started the day most excellently (of course I haven't been awake that long). 

Alright, back on track, back on track, back on track.

Stats:

Regina: 0

Paula: -4

Renee: 0

Amy: -1.5

Jessica: 0

Erica: -1.6

Laura: 0

Michelle (rs): +1

Angela:

Christine: 0

Juli: -1.6

Mimi:

Lena: -2.6

Sarah: -1

remember, anyone can re/join at any time

Hoping for your money

If you haven't already, head over to Jessica's blog and read about her Easter Hope Challenge to benefit the Hadley's. Once you've read the post click on the donate button on the upper right sidebar. 

Good luck, I hope you win a cool basket and I pray that a good chunk of change will be raised!

Learn more about the Hadley family here.

if you don't use paypal, and are one of my peeps, send me a check and an email letting me know you are doing it and I will have her add your name into the drawing--I'll even give her the check :)

Blather

My mom just called asking why I haven't updated. No real reason I suppose. I am busy taking an MT course online and pretty much all my free-time is going to that because I am trying to do it as quickly as possible (I still have lots of months left). Today we shall interview {l} as per Keri's examples. Don't worry, {r} will get her turn too, eventually.

1. How old are you?

I am 8.

2. What is your favorite past time and why?

Gymnastics, because I like to do vault drills and everything. I also like trampoline and floor.

3. What is your favorite school subject and why?

(very sour look on her face) Reading, because it doesn't take that long.

4. What is your favorite song?

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

5. What is your favorite book?

Win or Lose~a Hannah Montana book.

6. Do you like moving around, and where is the favorite place you have lived?

Not really because I hate, well it is kind of fun because you get to pack and unpack and see lots of places and we get to put our bed in different places. My favorite place is Albuquerque becaue we lived close to my cousins and we had a 2-story house.

7. What is your favorite memory?

Ice skating in Albuquerque with the Wades.

8. What is your favorite food?

Bratwurst.

9. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? What would you keep the same?

I would have everybody be Catholic. I don't know what I would keep the same, this is hard. 

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a gymnast and somebody who works in the salon and does hair and nails and makeup and everything. 

11. Tell me a secret about yourself.

um, uh, ::giggle::, I'm trying to think. I sometimes do the cabbage. . . a dance that {r} and I made up. 

WoW-10

I have done relatively well this week, except yesterday. Some friends came over with cupcakes and didn't listen when I said to take the extras back home with them. I had plenty of resolve early in the day but by afternoon it was gone and I indulged. Back on track today though! I have lost since last week but it I am still higher than the lowest I've been on WoW so it doesn't count. 

Fyi, for those not checking in anymore, this is the last week I will post your name if you haven't checked in for at least 3 weeks. You can rejoin at anytime. 

Stats:

Regina: 0

Paula: -0

Renee: +2

Amy: -2.6

Jessica: -1.5

Erica:

Laura: 0

Michelle (rs):

Angela: -3

Christine:

Michelle (wa):

Juli: +1

Keri: off computer for lent

Shelly:

Cecilia:

Michelle (ggyr):

Lori: 

Mimi: -2

Lena: +1.4

Sarah: -5

GOOD JOB ALL AROUND LADIES!

I feel so domesticated

That's what I told Tug tonight. "I cleaned the whole house and I made dinner! I feel so domesticated." It has been some time since I actually cleaned my house but tomorrow some friends are coming over so I spent the day cleaning. Unfortunately I have forgotten how to do it and had a bit of a run-in with the vacuum. The vacuum won!
I also told Tug, "This is why I don't clean!"
When {l} saw me taking a picture of my foot she asked, "Are you seriously going to put that on your blog?" Hell yeah, I earned that bruise and cut today! Ah, the life I lead . . . don't be jealous. 

the tonight of this post being 03/16

That's what he said

as seen on facebook, as answered by {j} age 3 (and occasionally l and r)

1. What is something your mom always says to you?
don't pee in mine undies; {l} try harder; {r} don't run in the house

2. What makes your mom happy?
watch cartoons

3. What makes your mom sad?
that time when grandma couldn't come on the airplane (answered by {l}, not sure what she is talking about)

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
you make a funny face

5. What was your mom like as a child?
you were born in oregon (no i wasnt)

6. How old is your mom?
4

7. How tall is your mom?
like this tall (separating hands just a little bit), free (3) inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
you like to go on an airplane

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
you go on the computer

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
for playing Wii SingIt

11. What is your mom really good at?
taking pictures

12. What is your mom not very good at?
you cannot go on the computer (oh no, i am VERY good at that)

13. What does your mom do for a job?
running (BWAHAHAHAHAHA)

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
spaghetti

{j} has now lost interest, the remainder will be answered by {l}-8 or {r}-6
15.What makes you proud of your mom?
{r} you try to do what is best for us

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
{l} candace from phineas and ferb because she tries to bust her brothers

17. What do you and your mom do together?
{r} we go to the store together

18. How are you and your mom the same?
{l} we both have brown hair

19. How are you and your mom different?
{r} you have your ears pierced and i dont

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
{l} you take good care of me

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
{r} you like to cuddle with him; {l} that he makes jokes

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

{r} you like to be at home either knitting or watching tv; {l} the mall (i rarely go to the mall)

It's a good thing it never snows in the Pac NW

NEVERor so we were told. . .

CFA

I admit, there are some things I miss about back 'home' . . . especially this place!

When we were in San Antonio last year Tug wanted me to go get some of their breakfast nuggets so off I went only to realize, argh Sunday. We also don't have Sonic here. Oregon had just gotten their first ones shortly after we moved there but (as far as I know) they haven't migrated up this far. I can live without Sonic because I pretty much just like their drinks but CFA, how I miss CFA!!

Two points if you can tell me the song this is based on.

St. Patty's Day

Planning of giving the kids green beer. . . perhaps a lap book instead? Someone in our homeschool group emailed a link to a free St. Patrick's Day lap book by CurrClick. I looked at it quickly and it looks ok, though I don't know much about CurrClick. They actually have a whole free section!!

WoW-9

blah. What else to say, not much!! I haven't been good, I haven't even been trying. I just like to make you guys feel good about yourselves~look, I lost weight, Regina didn't, haha. That's me, always putting others before myself. 

Ugh. 

Try, try again.

Stats:

Regina: +1

Paula:

Renee: -5, muy excellente

Amy: -3.3 great job

Jessica: -0 at least you didnt gain!

Erica: +.4

Laura:

Michelle (rs): -2, excellent!

Angela:

Christine: -1, great job!

Michelle (wa):

Juli:

Keri: off computer for lent

Shelly: should I just take you off the list?

Cecilia:

Michelle (ggyr): same as Shelly?

Lori:

Mimi: ± 0

Lena:-1.4

Sarah: +2

Advancing

{r} finally mastered a new trick today

I am somewhat bummed because the Y changed their policy and now instead of allowing those who haven't missed more than 2 classes preregister for the next session they are leaving it to a lottery system so you never know when you will actually get in a gymnastics class. The sessions are 6 weeks so if they don't get in, they won't be doing gymnastics for 6 weeks (possibly longer if they don't get in the next session either). Luckily both girls are in a higher classes (not just beginner) so that ups their odds of getting in but still. . . pretty bummed!

WTF

On Thursday, March 5th, the Judiciary Committee of the Connecticut State Legislature launched a major attack upon the Roman Catholic Church. The Judiciary Committee introduced bill #1098/2009 that, should it pass, would deprive the bishop and pastors of any administrative, financial and legal power over their parishes. Please note that if this legislation passes, "it will break the back of the Catholic Church" (Steve Kellmeyer, Bridegroom Press, March 7, 2009). 

Bridgeport Archdiocese website

more info (video)

link to Connecticut bill 

I received the above info via email. Now, I won't pretend to know much about what is going on but I do wonder why ONLY the Catholic Church is addressed here and WHO THE HELL DO THEY THINK THEY ARE to tell us, the Catholic Church, how to organize ourselves. . . what ever happened to separation of Church and state?!?

The email I received asked us to email christopher.donovan@cga.ct.gov (Christopher Donovan) and Martin Looney looney@senatedems.ct.gov . . . 

Dear Connecticut House Leader Christopher Donovan:

Please work with Senate Leader Martin Looney to immediately initiate proceedings to expel Rep. Michael Lawlor and Senator Andrew McDonald for their extreme prejudice against the Catholic Church.

Their shameful introduction of Bill #1098 is so prejudicial and malicious that it makes them unfit to serve the public good.

Please see to their immediate expulsion.

Respectfully,

Just copy/paste into your own email, be sure to sign it with your address, phone, and email. 

It is of the utmost importance that this legislation be slapped down immediately before this poison reaches the rest of the states in the Union. It is greatly feared that if Connecticut passes this through, the entire nation will succumb in short order.

Just by the yarn

of my chinny chin chin. 

Since some of you asked I suppose I shall say . . . LOOK WHAT I FOUND

just enough to finish up the thumb, albeit 2 rows short (that's right Renee, one thumb is 2 rows longer than the other thumb, deal with it. Actually, overall I would have to say these are NOT my finest work, lots of little thing wrong but since you said you would be working in them I figured it didn't really matter).

 I still haven't found the extra ball of yarn. 

It's your fault

that we didn't wake up in time to make it to Mass this morning. We thought we were on time until we learned about the whole jump ahead an hour thing. Neither Tug nor I had a clue, why didn't you tell me?? Thanks for nothing!!

Edit: sorry, I should have clarified. We didn't wake up in time to attend Mass at our usual we-love-the-choir-loft,-only-altar-boys,-nice-cry-room,-bell-ringing,-reverent parish. Instead we had to trudge over to the don't-like-it-so-much-but-hey-it-counts parish. . . I didn't mean to imply that we missed Mass entirely. 

Depression is

having your sister request some fingerless mitts and getting all the way to here

then not being able to finish. As the picture shows all that is left to do is the thumb. Do you know how much yarn is needed for the thumb of a fingerless mitt? A ridiculous amount . . . ridiculously small that is. Do you know where my second ball of yarn is? Go on~guess. Your guess is as good as mine cuz I have NO idea. I do know I have a second ball of yarn here somewhere, I don't know where it is. I have a whole 109 yards, and I only need about 1 yard, and I have spent days looking to no avail. sigh. 

Wow-8

I started off the week horribly but ended strong-ish. The kids had been sick so we didn't make it to the Y for their classes and I wasn't motivated enough to go on my own, but it is back to business now. 

Anyone can join at any time . . . just check in on Wednesdays and leave a comment with your ± pound(s).

Stats:

Regina: -.5 but that is of the gain so net 0

Paula

Renee: -0

Amy: -4 awesome!

Jessica: -1.5 good job!

Erica: -3.8 super!

Laura

Michelle (rs)

Angela

Christine: -1, good job!

Michelle (wa)

Juli

Kerri: off the computer for lent

Shelly: no scale

Cecilia

Michelle (ggyr)

Lori

Mimi: 0

Lena: -6.4 holy moly, awesome

iPod shuffle

from facebook:

Ipod Survey
1. Put your iPod on shuffle (does iTunes count? cuz I'm using iTunes).
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the memo as well as the person you got the memo from.

Gee-iTunes shuffle doesn't work that well, it seems to go back to the same artists a lot...

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
i'll have to say i love you in a song (jim croce) 

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
whiskey lullaby (brad paisley, alison krauss) this is the ONLY bp song i like.  

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
drive (the cars)...ive never liked a guy based on his car; tug drives a minivan

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
 the promise (tracy chapman) not sure if i feel the day is promising, but i do love this song

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
father and son (cat stevens) too bad this isnt actually a religious song and that cat became a muslim

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
short skirt, long jacket (cake) NEVER. skirts are a rarity and FO SHO not short!

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
vienna (billy joel) first line "slow down you crazy child..." 

8. WHAT DO THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
go your own way (fleetwood mac)

9. WHAT IS 2+2?
hollaback girl (gwen stefani) HOLLA, FOUR

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
satellite (dmb); perhaps because they all live so far away?

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
sister christian (night ranger); christian yes, sister not so much

12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
the promise (when in rome) 

13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
weirdo (new order) mission accomplished

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
tusk (fleetwood mac)  "don't say that you love me, just tell me that you want me"

15. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
operator (jim croce) HA, perfect. everytime my mom calls she doesn't want to talk to me, she just wants me to patch her through to the girls!

16. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
lead on (george strait) nope, we danced to 'to make you feel my love'

17. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
the house is rockin' (stevie ray vaughan) are they excited that i am dead??

18. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
shine (newsboys) i do NOT enjoy cleaning

19.WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
blister in the sun (violent femmes) actually, i tan

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
vivir sin aire (mana) jist of the song is living without you is like trying to live without air

21. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
mary (sarah mclachlan) hmmmmm

22. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
killing an arab (the cure) damn, i guess the arab got me first

23. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
hiphopototamus vs rhymenoceros (flight of the conchords) nuff said

24. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
birdhouse in your soul (they might be giants) they are ticklish little bastards

25. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
we didn't start the fire (billy joel)  true dat

26. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
taxman (stevie ray vaughan) i did not marry the taxman

27. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
it's your love (tim mcgraw) depends on who the 'your' is

28. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
the caterpillar (the cure) at least something does, even if it is just a caterpillar

29. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
she'll make her way (natalie merchant)

30. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY?
pride & joy (stevie ray vaughan) as in take care of them

31. ARE YOU A GOOD DRIVER?
take a chance on me (erasure) is that a no?

32. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO?
try a little tenderness (otis redding) really, you should try it

33. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF FOREVER?
american soldier (toby keith) so true, so many of them give up their forever for ours

34. ARE YOU AN OPEN PERSON?
switch (will smith) bait and switch that is

35. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
fear (sarah mclachlan) actually, i am not much of a worry wart though Obama can be fear-inducing

36. HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?
no more i love you's (annie lennox) aw, how sad

37. HUGS OR KISSES?
piano man (billy joel) didn't marry the piano man either

38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
wasted (carrie underwood)

40. Will YOU GO FAR IN LIFE?
gone daddy gone (violent femmes)

41. WILL YOU EVER HAVE CHILDREN?
a long december (counting crows) really, being pregnant in decemeber aint so bad, its the summer months that suck

42. WHAT WAS/IS HIGH SCHOOL LIKE?
the beaches of cheyenne (garth brooks) grew up no where near water, the rio grande was dry in our area

43. WHAT IS SOME GOOD ADVICE?
dreams (fleetwood mac) can be

44.WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU WILL SAY BEFORE YOU DIE?
don't speak (no doubt) i suppose that is nicer than saying shut up

45. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU WILL DO BEFORE YOU DIE?
landslide (fleetwood mac) maybe i was shooting at the arab but it was the landslide that got me