I found an inspiring YouTube channel for videos of Catholic devotional prayers such as the rosary and the chaplet of Divine Mercy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mysaviormygod
If you thought that praying the rosary was just repeating prayers, these videos will help you learn about the important mysteries one is supposed to contemplate during the prayers. This one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS0xsCH4CtA uses good voice talents, music, film clips, and scripture quotes to help us focus on the message of the Joyful Mysteries. There are three videos just to cover the Joyful Mysteries; these remember the events that were joyful for the Holy Family, from the very beginning of Jesus' life on earth. There are other videos for the Glorious (Resurrection is one), Sorrowful (The Cross) and Luminous (follows Jesus from the River Jordan to the Last Supper) mysteries.
A detailed explanation of how to pray the rosary is found here:
http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm
Also note that you can listen to these prayers and scripture quotes (often set to music) at www.spiritfm905.com radio or www.ewtn.com radio or television. You can get Spirit FM 90.5 on regular broadcast radio throughout Tampa Bay and many cable systems carry EWTN TV.
A few words from little old me . . .
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wandering 'round Wally World
Well, we went to Super Wal-mart this morning. It wasn't too crowded; perhaps some folks don't have as much money at the end of the month? I had to get some school supplies and we needed motor oil, air filters and a bunch of different things.
While wandering through the aisles, we saw a pair of young teenage boys. One was wearing a Halloween mask, obviously one on sale at the store, which he had not yet purchased. He said to us, "Hey, I like your mask!" Hilarious, of course, because we weren't wearing masks, we are just old (forty-something) people. So, I said, "Ha-ha, very funny," and continued with my shopping, ignoring them.
Saw them again, in a different aisle, racing around, now both with masks, wigs and a plastic trick-or-treat jack-o-lantern. They say, "trick-or-treat!" I said, "Ha-ha, sorry, I don't have anything."
You'd think that would have been the end of it, but no. One boy says, "Money would be just fine!" Hmm, cute little imp; just go right up to a stranger, while in disguise and ask for money! I said, "Sorry I don't have any money," and started to walk past them, trying to ignore them. Then one said, "Well, how are you going to pay for that stuff in your cart? Why don't you put some of it back?" Now I was getting pretty irritated. I told them that I was a teacher, but didn't say where, and told them I didn't want to play their silly games. Then, one said, "You see, all teachers are rude!" Okay, I'm the one who was rude in that situation, because it isn't rude at all to accost complete strangers at Wal-mart!
Made me think of Dennis the Menace. Mr. Wilson was irritable, partly because he was older and set in his ways, like many of us including me. But Dennis truly was annoying. The difference is that Dennis didn't mean to be annoying; he wasn't trying to incite ire for kicks and was apologetic when corrected.
Robert was in another part of the store by the time of the second encounter. I don't think these kiddos would have been so bold had Robert been within sight.
While wandering through the aisles, we saw a pair of young teenage boys. One was wearing a Halloween mask, obviously one on sale at the store, which he had not yet purchased. He said to us, "Hey, I like your mask!" Hilarious, of course, because we weren't wearing masks, we are just old (forty-something) people. So, I said, "Ha-ha, very funny," and continued with my shopping, ignoring them.
Saw them again, in a different aisle, racing around, now both with masks, wigs and a plastic trick-or-treat jack-o-lantern. They say, "trick-or-treat!" I said, "Ha-ha, sorry, I don't have anything."
You'd think that would have been the end of it, but no. One boy says, "Money would be just fine!" Hmm, cute little imp; just go right up to a stranger, while in disguise and ask for money! I said, "Sorry I don't have any money," and started to walk past them, trying to ignore them. Then one said, "Well, how are you going to pay for that stuff in your cart? Why don't you put some of it back?" Now I was getting pretty irritated. I told them that I was a teacher, but didn't say where, and told them I didn't want to play their silly games. Then, one said, "You see, all teachers are rude!" Okay, I'm the one who was rude in that situation, because it isn't rude at all to accost complete strangers at Wal-mart!
Made me think of Dennis the Menace. Mr. Wilson was irritable, partly because he was older and set in his ways, like many of us including me. But Dennis truly was annoying. The difference is that Dennis didn't mean to be annoying; he wasn't trying to incite ire for kicks and was apologetic when corrected.
Robert was in another part of the store by the time of the second encounter. I don't think these kiddos would have been so bold had Robert been within sight.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tilapia and more
Fresh tilapia was on sale at Publix this weekend so that's what we baked that for supper along with some zucchini. Simple and yummy. Still have another meal-for-two's worth of tilapia in the freezer. May try grilling that later in the week.
We also made some things that we'll eat during the week. Robert made meatballs; he added salsa to make them moist and different. I made a beef stew in the crock-pot; my special additions were a splash of merlot and just a bit of Salt-free Spike (r) and Gravy Master (r).
We stocked up at the grocery store yesterday, so I'm thinking we won't have to do much shopping during the week. Then on Saturday, we will pick up our monthly prepaid SHARE order. This time we are getting an extra good price on extra-lean ground beef, and of course the usual very fresh, bargain-priced in-season produce.
Laundry is caught up, and I cleaned and whitened my sneakers. So it's looking as though I'm mostly ready for the week.
We also made some things that we'll eat during the week. Robert made meatballs; he added salsa to make them moist and different. I made a beef stew in the crock-pot; my special additions were a splash of merlot and just a bit of Salt-free Spike (r) and Gravy Master (r).
We stocked up at the grocery store yesterday, so I'm thinking we won't have to do much shopping during the week. Then on Saturday, we will pick up our monthly prepaid SHARE order. This time we are getting an extra good price on extra-lean ground beef, and of course the usual very fresh, bargain-priced in-season produce.
Laundry is caught up, and I cleaned and whitened my sneakers. So it's looking as though I'm mostly ready for the week.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Closet Cleaning
Spent a good part of today re-organizing our bedroom walk-in closet. Now there are only shoes, neatly arranged, by color and type on the floor -- no belts, scarves or various other things that may have fallen. I organized my clothes by color and type also so it will be easier to get ready for church or work. All my very casual and workout clothes are in dresser drawers.
I ended up with a large kitchen garbage bag full of clothes to throw away, two bags to give away, and a huge lawn trash bag of winter things that I will probably only use during a few days in January or February.
Best part was that Robert vacuumed the closet floor! I just hate vacuuming, because I can't stand the sound of the machine!
All of the give-away stuff is in decent shape, it just doesn't fit me any longer because I've lost weight. I thought for a minute that perhaps I should have a yard sale. Then I thought about how remote our neighborhood is, how hot the weather is, and the ever-present possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm. We are on a dead-end street so we don't have any through traffic. So, even though I could use some extra cash, I thought it better to donate all of it to a charity thrift store. It will bless the charity and some people who need bargain clothes. Some of the shirts were old youth ministry tees that have faith-filled sayings on them, maybe they will even inspire someone or at least make them smile. It is a small way that I'm able to give when I don't have much money to share.
The whole process of sorting and discarding was somewhat emotional. I didn't want to get rid of an outfit that Robert's mom gave me about five years ago, simply because it reminds me of her and the shopping trip when we picked it out together for my birthday. I've worn and washed it so much, it is looking old and it's a bit too loose and pajama-like now -- not as flattering. Robert says the floral pattern reminds me of the clothes that Maria made out of draperies for the Captain's kids in The Sound of Music. He wanted me to get rid of it. But I kept it anyway and rotated it into the group of clothes I use for bike rides and exercise clothes. Just want to hang on to it a bit longer.
I ended up with a large kitchen garbage bag full of clothes to throw away, two bags to give away, and a huge lawn trash bag of winter things that I will probably only use during a few days in January or February.
Best part was that Robert vacuumed the closet floor! I just hate vacuuming, because I can't stand the sound of the machine!
All of the give-away stuff is in decent shape, it just doesn't fit me any longer because I've lost weight. I thought for a minute that perhaps I should have a yard sale. Then I thought about how remote our neighborhood is, how hot the weather is, and the ever-present possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm. We are on a dead-end street so we don't have any through traffic. So, even though I could use some extra cash, I thought it better to donate all of it to a charity thrift store. It will bless the charity and some people who need bargain clothes. Some of the shirts were old youth ministry tees that have faith-filled sayings on them, maybe they will even inspire someone or at least make them smile. It is a small way that I'm able to give when I don't have much money to share.
The whole process of sorting and discarding was somewhat emotional. I didn't want to get rid of an outfit that Robert's mom gave me about five years ago, simply because it reminds me of her and the shopping trip when we picked it out together for my birthday. I've worn and washed it so much, it is looking old and it's a bit too loose and pajama-like now -- not as flattering. Robert says the floral pattern reminds me of the clothes that Maria made out of draperies for the Captain's kids in The Sound of Music. He wanted me to get rid of it. But I kept it anyway and rotated it into the group of clothes I use for bike rides and exercise clothes. Just want to hang on to it a bit longer.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Counting my blessings
Many days it has been quite stressful at work. Let's just say it's a tough audience! I am counting my blessings, today, though! At least I have a job! Either five or six teachers at my school lost their positions, because enrollment in one of the grades was lower than anticipated. I hear that the school district will work hard to place them elsewhere, but it has to be very upsetting and unsettling.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Cooking up a storm!
I had some small amounts of different kinds of ground meat in the freezer, leftover from my summertime Great Burger Experiment of developing recipes for the Build A Better Burger Contest http://www.buildabetterburger.com/. So I decided to thaw some ground beef (chuck), pork, and lamb and create Everything But the Kitchen Sink Chili. I added lots of veggies, two kinds of beans, a little beef broth and tomato sauce, and plenty of spices. I hope it tastes as good as it smells because it smells wonderful right now!
(I drained most of the fat off of the meat, because I'm used to chili made with extra-lean ground beef, not these fattier meats. The beans and veggies will balance out any remaining fat.)
At the same time, I grew tired of looking at the cans of pumpkin and evaporated 1% milk sitting on the shelf, so I am baking some pumpkin pie. I didn't want to fuss with making a regular pie crust so I made a graham cracker crust - again, the graham cracker crumbs had been on the shelf for awhile. Don't worry, nothing's past it's expiration date - I checked!
It has been a day of making good things out of ignored pantry items and leftovers. Robert will sometimes look in the fridge and cupboards, and say "there's nothing to eat, we have to go shopping," and is always amazed when I'm able to "make food out of nothing."
(I drained most of the fat off of the meat, because I'm used to chili made with extra-lean ground beef, not these fattier meats. The beans and veggies will balance out any remaining fat.)
At the same time, I grew tired of looking at the cans of pumpkin and evaporated 1% milk sitting on the shelf, so I am baking some pumpkin pie. I didn't want to fuss with making a regular pie crust so I made a graham cracker crust - again, the graham cracker crumbs had been on the shelf for awhile. Don't worry, nothing's past it's expiration date - I checked!
It has been a day of making good things out of ignored pantry items and leftovers. Robert will sometimes look in the fridge and cupboards, and say "there's nothing to eat, we have to go shopping," and is always amazed when I'm able to "make food out of nothing."
Friday, September 10, 2010
It's Friday!
I'm so glad it's Friday. It was pay day and an end to a chaotic week. Still getting new students in some of my classes. Had to call some parents today about unruly student behavior. Actually didn't get to call each one I wanted to call.
Have a headache and hoping it's gone by the morning. I have a bunch of lesson planning to do for the week.
Planning to stock up on groceries tomorrow and menu-plan as well.
Also praying for new job opportunities for Robert.
Have a headache and hoping it's gone by the morning. I have a bunch of lesson planning to do for the week.
Planning to stock up on groceries tomorrow and menu-plan as well.
Also praying for new job opportunities for Robert.
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