#boostyourblog: You Are Never To Old For A Nap

Joining with the Boost Your Blog Challenge

This topic was actually for Friday but better late than never.

My favourite Sunday ritual is my afternoon nap. Seriously. As a kid my mother always wanted that afternoon peace and quiet so we were forced into taking a Sunday afternoon "rest", she didn't dare call it a nap because we were too old for naps. We hated it. We didn't actually have to go to sleep we just had to stay quiet and "rest" for an hour or two.

We actually used that time to come up with most of our mischief, we learned how to "break-out" of our rooms during one of those afternoon, I loved "Secret Seven" and "Famous Five" books growing up so I learned all kinds of neat tricks that I was only too happy to pass along, one of which included breaking out of a room that you are locked into. We took turns locking each other into a room and getting out from the inside, it actually worked. It is surprising how quiet one can be when we wanted to and still have fun.

Now as an adult I find I still like that quiet time, to rest, read, recharge and actually nap. Hey I'm not ashamed of it, I need my Sunday afternoon nap. I look forward to it, and when I don't get it lets just say a two year old has nothing on me, grumpy and unhappy. This rest and nap time really does carry me through the week until I can do it again next Sunday..

7 Quick Takes Friday #8

--- 1 ---

I had two friends give birth this past weekend/earlier this week. Both gave birth to boys. Both births went contrary to what was expected. My Canadian friends who's doctor was ready to do an emergency section two weeks ago after a very trying and difficult pregnancy gave birth naturally no complications. My Trinidadian friend had a complication free pregnancy but a slightly difficult labour with some intervention needed. Both mothers and babies are doing fine.

--- 2 ---

I found myself in an Isaiah sandwich at church on Sunday, I had recently turned 2 Isaiah (I2) in front and almost 1 year old Isaiah (I1) in the back. Both boys has beautiful curly hairs and chubby cheeks, and both boys were determined to take my attention off the Liturgy. I2 mother had a firm grip on him but he was on to her and soon figured out how to get around that little problem. I1 wanted mummy yummy but she gave him a bottle instead and he decided to let everyone know about the injustice and then got into the diaper bag as payback. Both boys eventually fell asleep. I love babies at Mass

--- 3 ---

It's health week at work so we got free blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol testing on Tuesday. The technician told I had the blood pressure to have, it was excellent, my blood glucose was excellent. My cholesterol was good, my number was within a healthy range, I didn't like good after two excellent so I had to consult Dr Google. Excellent would have been if my number was under 150 aka unreadable mine although within a healthy range I consider it too high.

--- 4 ---

I am working on my Lenten menu planning. Giving up meat for the whole of Lent when I hate to cook fish and my sister is allergic to shellfish can be very stressful at times so I'm hoping a very detailed plan will help with that.

--- 5 ---

I am expecting a delivery of items today that I bought with a gift card that I won over Christmas. I won 2 gift cards but only used one so far. What do you buy when you don't need anything, things that you can't live without but didn't know that you couldn't and you get one for someone else also so you can share the joy.

--- 6 ---

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, a lesson in that you can never be too far removed for Christ to come after you. His love is very wide, very high, very deep and very long.

--- 7 ---

My work week was very...... I definitely needed the reminder of this song

 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The Wedding at Cana

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

That sentence and this whole passage demonstrate so much to me than I can ever put into words so I'll just go with a few

1. Mary's intercession. Every time we pray the rosary we are asking Mary to intercede for us to her son Jesus and here we have the first (public) intercession. He tells her it is not his time, Jesus probably already knew that the wine had run out himself but was not ready to show himself but because Mary asks him he does.

2. Trust. This is Jesus' first miracle, Mary had no physical proof that Jesus could do anything. She had all these moments and words stored up in her heart that was pointing to something. She had a message from an angel over 30 years ago that pointed to something. However she had no concrete evidence that something would be useful here. Mary had a trust beyond measure, all those treasures that she had stored up in her heart pointed to something and she knew, she trusted that that something was great and ready and was in Jesus to do not just something "The" thing that was needed.

3. Obedience. Do whatever he tells you. Jesus was obedient unto death, death on a cross. The servants didn't question, they didn't hesitate, they "knew" it was only water in those jars, not a grape was squashed over that water, not even a drop of vinegar put in. They knew they could have easily upset the steward and there would have been consequences, unpleasant consequences. Yet they must have perceived that Jesus was a great man, that he had an authority about him, a presence, a glory and they dipped and took it to the steward.

4. Nothing is too small. Jesus' first miracle was changing water into wine at a wedding. Not the feeding of the multitude, not healing the sick, giving sight to the blind or casting out demons. A wedding, where people are celebrating and making merry. No one is in great need, running short of wine not withstanding. Wine runs out, big deal right, wedding ends a little early, the groom is embarrassed a little, no big right. Not to Jesus, He did not think the miracle at Cana below Him or too unimportant to be His inauguration into public ministry.

5. Jesus is overly generous in blessing us. The wine ran out so I'm thinking the wedding feast was at least half way over, now the groom could have been on the cheap side or his guests could have been on the greedy side, but I believe the wedding was in full swing an in the latter half of feasting. The steward even mentioned that people don't usually bring out the best stuff after the guest have had plenty to drink. The stewards fill 6 jars each holding 20 to 30 gallons, approximately 25 gallons each for a total of 150 gallons of wine for a weeding feast that was more than half way over with guests who already have had plenty to drink. Jesus did not just provide a sufficient quantity of a passable wine no He gave them, blessed them with more than enough of the BEST wine.

PS – This post is linked up with Tina at Gaudete in Domino.com for Sneak Peek Saturday.

And

7 Quick Takes Friday #7

--- 1 ---

I had an unexpected day off this week, YEA!!!!!! The electric company were doing some exchanges or whatever in the area so no power and then the generator failed. Not half an hour before a co-worker was reading an article in the papers about how it is good for your health to take a day off during the week.

--- 2 ---

I learned in disgusting detail what exactly is a partial birth abortion and I was sick for the rest of the day. I got a headache and lost my appetite. What exactly goes through another human being to actually be able to do that, I only heard the details I feel gross.

--- 3 ---

Abortion is illegal in Trinidad so while I have prayed for the unborn, the evil act itself was kind of abstract to me. There are no clinics here to pray in front of, thanks be to God, there is a March for Life annually as we walk and pray to keep this evil from our island.

--- 4 ---

On to more pleasant subjects, this has been the week of sinus headaches for me. I hate getting them, they are as bad as migraines for me but the most perfect cure for me is a sneeze. I sniff eucalyptus oil like I'm crazy trying to ease the pressure or make myself sneeze which seems to be working got a couple sneezes the last couple days and the pressure is way down,

--- 5 ---

I am now on a regular schedule for Eucharistic Ministry for evening Masses. A schedule will help keep me accountable because evenings are hard when I'm tired from work and I have to face traffic that it is easy to just say "maybe tomorrow". Yesterday I was very tempted to go straight home but I'm glad I didn't and now there is the schedule.

--- 6 ---

I was domestically good this week prepping and freezing veggies for quick and easy meals. It is a fun job, it's boring and tiring chopping, slicing and dicing just to fill ziplock bags, especially when your head is pounding and the couch is calling screaming your name.

--- 7 ---

For the repose of the soul of Fr Henry Charles who died suddenly this week, ironically while preparing for a funeral. I actually drove by the church during on all the going on and thought it was strange the activity I saw going on in the church yard but thought nothing of it. Then 2 friends left condolences on FB and then I read it in the papers the following day where, when and how.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.


 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

"With Thee I Am Well Pleased"

The last line of Sunday's Gospel is "with thee I am well pleased" and I have to ask myself can God say that about me at any moment.

I'm sure that He is pleased with my Mass attendance, making it to Confession and Adoration, praying. But is He well pleased with me? The little things, the moments of jealousy and anger, when I get snarky and sarcastic. The not so little things, when I know in my heart He wants a certain action, thought or response from me and I purposefully say no and go my own way.

I want to please God and I want Him to be well pleased with me, I know that He gives me sufficient graces to achieve just that but my human nature seeks the easy way out more often than not.

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the bodily form of a dove, we too also receive the Holy Spirit at our own baptism. The physical descent of the Holy Spirit publicly marked Jesus as the Christ, God's Beloved, His Son. We too are marked as children of God at our own  baptism, God wants His love and truth to shine through us. The Holy Spirit is within us to to set us on fire for God and His Word, to find joy in pleasing Him.

PS – This post is linked up with Tina at Gaudete in Domino.com for Sneak Peek Saturday.

7 Quick Takes Friday #6

--- 1 ---

I.accidentally made a pink pizza on Saturday, you can read all about it here. It tasted great and I'm thinking about other colours. Maybe there's a market for tinted pizzas.

--- 2 ---

My best-co-working friend is switching departments, she is leaving Accounts and headed to Internal Audit. I am happy for her but sad for me, I won't have anyone to talk to and joke with.

--- 3 ---

This move not only disrupts my personal life but also my professional life. I am either going to have to take over her duties (which I may have to do for a little while anyway) or I will have to train someone. I am not looking to forward to doing that, I know from experience it is a frustrating process. Lots of prayers needed.

--- 4 ---

I have a baby shower to attend tomorrow. My friends who just celebrated their first anniversary are expecting their first child. I'm excited for many reasons but especially because I love babies.

--- 5 ---

I finished my first Novena of the year, I started the year with a Novena to Bl John Paul II. The easiest way to remember where you are in a Novena start on the first day of the month or and use an app that sends you reminders

--- 6 ---

My first full week back at work since November is over and I am ever so happy. It has been a trying week with deadlines, people leaving, etc.

--- 7 ---

Praying for all pregnant women, especially those who are having difficulties, our QT host Jen and my friend Debbie (not baby shower mama)


 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Pink Pizza

Yes you read that right I made pink pizza. It was totally accidental but hey something to blog about. On Saturday I was following a recipe to make Garlic & Onion Pizza Dough using bouillon cubes but didn't have the garlic and onion flavour (probably should have checked the pantry first) so I used the tomato & as a substitute. I didn't realize that it would turn the dough pink until I was mixing it and.....

My phone camera and the lighting in my kitchen does not do it justice. My sister came into the kitchen looked at it and asked in a slightly horrified voice "why does that look like that" and then shook her head when I explained. Whatever...

Valentine's Day meal anyone???

For someone who was disgusted (semi disgusted) with the colour and the fact that I put shredded carrots on my pizza she ate two huge slices and then again. I am sure I am not the only one who puts carrots on my pizza, I also usually put shredded spinach but didn't this time it would have been awesome on the pink though. I wonder if there is a bouillon that turns stuff green for St Patrick's day?

 

  

My sister for all her disgust didn't wait for the pizza to cool a little before slicing in I barely got a picture of it whole. I tasted the tomato in the dough and it was good. I had three slices, the first two and then I went back for another (notice we're still using our Christmas place mats).

The Gifts in My Little World

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day we celebrate the three Wise Men bringing their gift offering to the Little Baby Jesus. Friday I was listening to "More 2 Life" radio program on Ave Maria Radio and they were discussing the the gifts that other people in our lives and the gifts that we are in others lives. God puts people our lives for a reason and we are in other peoples' lives for a reason.

So today I am going to reminisce on some of the gifts I have in my life:

- My cousin/little sister. I remember when she was a little girl I would always tell her the reason she was born was to get me to pray. There are times I meant it in a bad way (she was also born to teach me patience) but she really was a gift to my pray life over her lifetime and great teacher of patience. I actually mean that in a good way.

- My friend Rica keeps me social. I am very much an introvert and if given the slightest chance will not put myself out there. My friend R keeps me included planning retreats and get-togethers and from retreating into myself and my own solitary pursuits. This last year had been a very busy time work-wise and I had a very illegitimate reason for being un-social so to speak but R kept me included with rightly timed texts, e-mails and phone calls.

- My grandmother. Everything I do is super fantastic except for when it's not. She is the best cheerleader a girl could ever want yet she doesn't let you get a swollen head. The dress I wore for Christmas I made myself, when she saw it, she acted like it came from the Vera Wang collection or something although we both knew there were many flaws. I was pointed to a few of them I didn't even know about later but I felt like I can continue trying instead of never sitting in front of a sewing machine again.

I think and I hope that I am a gift to my younger cousins as a good example to follow. A few years ago one of my cousins told me she wanted to go into accounting because that is what I did (she is currently studying law) but she always calls me for advice. The other one who is a year younger somehow knows without a doubt that I can make anything happen (to have her confidence). I always dress modestly and while not at the peak of fashion, not frumpily. The other younger girls don't live as close and aren't around as much but I know the adults talk so while I don't have the same regular influence but I do hope I still have a good impact.

I hope I am a gift to the many people in my life in some positive way or the other. I know there are days when my sister wishes I came with a return to sender.

Who are the gifts in your life? How are you a gift to others?

PS – This post is linked up with Tina at Gaudete in Domino.com for Sneak Peek Saturday.

7 Quick Takes Friday #5 The First QT For 2013

--- 1 ---

It's a new year, a fresh start, about a month of mixing up last year, this year, next year and the year before. I may be the only one (someone please tell me I'm not the only one) but at the start of every year when I am talking about something that has happened or that I plan to do I almost always get confused about the time period. I say this year when I mean last year, last year when I mean the year before, I say come January when we are already in January and I always write the wrong year sometimes it's not even the previous year's year.

--- 2 ---

This year I attended New Year's Day Mass at Mt St Benedict, it's a beautiful Monastery in the East of the island. I haven't actually attended NYD Mass at my own parish in years, what started as a fluke has just built itself into a tradition. I cannot remember exactly how it started but it happened a couple times in a row, fast forward to last year Latin Mass was being offered on a limited basis and I decided on that and this year my neighbour suggested we go up to the Mount so I have already decided next year God willing I will definitely be looking into somewhere else to try.

--- 3 ---

I successfully hosted a get together on New Year's day. 6 kids, 3 of whom are toddlers, 3 teenagers, 7 adults. Our place is really small and you don't realize how small until you try to fit that many people and have little kids running and rolling around. My sister and I gathered people from differing branches of our lives and everyone got on really well, we had people talking and swapping stories as if they had always known each other.

--- 4 ---

The food at our little get together was amazing if I do say so myself. I panicked a lot in the preparation, one friend called to cancel because she is sick so I worried that I would be making too much food. Then I forgot that my corn casserole takes over an hour to bake and was worried that everything wouldn't finish in sync like I wanted to and everyone would be sitting waiting. Everything finished in good timing we didn't have too much food or too little and we just the right amount of leftovers.

--- 5 ---

My sister was a great help in keeping the clean-up ongoing so that I was not left with a huge pile to take care of at the end of the night. I told her thank you and she asked me for what, I do tend to just give instructions (which she ignores at will) because in my mind I know how I want things to go, it was nice to just let her take the initiative and just do what I needed to do without getting overly stressed. 2013 I will try to let her take the initiative without always pointing out what she needs to be doing, it may be good for both of us.

--- 6 ---

Ever notice how totally talented little hands can be at getting into things sometimes. At Christmas we put a couple candy jars on the coffee table and the almost 2 year seemed to have no problem getting into it, the 3 year old was even more efficient. It's a glass dish and no one dropped it and they all managed to open it silently.

--- 7 ---

I am back at work for real this time and already hard at it. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. Don't these people know that the year just started, the funny thing is that we are working on a project using figures and info from the last 5 years.

P. S IT'S STILL CHRISTMAS!!!
 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!