Seven quick takes

It's been awhile. Glad to be back. Hope your Friday is going well. It's rainy here, which always makes me want to go to sleep....

In order to stay awake, I will post 7 quick quotations -- on RAIN.

1. "Rain, rain, go away, Come again another day." ~ Nursery Rhyme

I remember singing this as a child. Boy, was I mad when it rained and I had fun things I wanted to do! I hear the echoes of that kind of anger in my own children.

For instance, one may be angry that soccer practice, or a game, has been called on account of rain. We moms often rejoice internally when the soccer fields are closed...right? How many times have you prayed for rain? I know I have!

I was really disappointed on Labor Day because our pool's party was cancelled...and the pool closed that day. Bummer!

Rain's got a really bad rap for ruining things, doesn't it?

2. "Into each life some rain must fall." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

But as we all know, rain is  a part of life.  The sun will shine, and it will rain. If you live on the East coast, like me, summer's great, but there's always a chance of a hurricane. I remember the summer of 1986 -- my folks had rented a place at the shore (that's what we call the beach around here) and Hurricane Gloria forced us to evacuate. When we came back, we had to wade through puddles that went up to our knees. Yuck.

So, even if it messes up vacation, or a game, or makes the pool party a bust, it's just one of those things we must grudgingly accept. Right?? 

3. "And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. " ~ G.K. Chesterton

Chesterton is always spot-on.  Yeah, there are some nice things that can occur when it rains. I like rainbows as much as the next girl.  Not the political rainbows that have proliferated among certain interest groups, mind you, but the good, old-fashioned, Noah's-Ark kind. 

I saw a really cool double one a few weeks ago after attending a retreat where we did a lot of grief recovery.  After all the crying, I felt a whole lot better.... 

Oh, that reminds me of this one! 

4. "Save a boyfriend for a rainy day - and another, in case it doesn't rain." ~ Mae West

I found out some awesome news right before that retreat -- I am free to marry. Yes, the long-awaited decree of nullity was granted, thank God. I felt like a 1000 pound weight was lifted from my heart. So, if I wanted to, I could have a boyfriend.  

If you have any recommendations of good Catholic men who are also free to marry, I will happily take them. No smokers, more-than-rare drinkers, Obama-supporters, or cat-haters need apply.  

So, that makes me think of this one...

5. "Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger." ~ St. Basil

How true! I've cried a lot of tears in the last few years, but again, they have fallen on soil that needed them.  That suffering bore a lot of fruit. My marriage was not good, to say the least...but didn't it bring me closer to God? Didn't it help me revert? Didn't I get three beautiful daughters out of the deal? 

Suffering really does act as a crucible, burning off the dross, and purifying the soul. I've still got a lot of impurities, but that's what the next few decades are for. 

Shortly after the divorce, when I had dated and been dumped, having looked for love in all the wrong places, I remember asking God in prayer, "How long do I have to suffer?" 

I got an answer, amazingly enough -- "How long do you want to suffer?"  

When I get an answer like that, well, how can I not obey Him? 

So I quit dating...and rediscovered the joy of the single life. Now, if I get married again, great. If I don't, I've learned how to live chastely. Didn't know how to do that before I got married! 

6. "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." ~ Roger Miller

What this one says to me is that attitude is EVERYTHING. I can perceive the rain -- any suffering, in fact -- as a punishment, or as a gift.  Suffering, when used for the good of others, and to grow spiritually, has meaning.  

That doesn't mean that there is no suffering, or pain. It just means that it's not useless. 

The sun will shine again, the rainbow will appear, and the crops will grow.

7.  "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way." 

~ Johnny Nash

A great quotation, from a great song. I actually prefer Jimmy Cliff's version. Here ya go. Enjoy. And relish the RAIN in your life! 

For more quick takes, go to Conversion Diary!

Wishes...

A friend of mine received the following writing prompt as a suggestion"


What do you wish were-
1. different 
2. better
3. more
about person, place, thing, event. Include self.


1. What do I wish were different?  I wish my children had an intact, healthy, spiritually united family. Instead they have a broken, dysfunctional, and spiritually divided family. 


On a lighter note, I wish I had the metabolism I had 20 years ago! 


2. I wish my relationship between myself and my ex were better. That we worked together regarding our kids. However, if that were the case, I would probably still be married.


3. I wish I had MORE sleep!!!! Like every other mom. 


But, as the saying goes, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride."

So, today I have to be accepting of my present circumstances and then take action where needed.

1. I am working on being a better mother -- more healthy, spiritually focused. When they are with me, I focus on THEM, not a boyfriend. Someday, I'd like a man in our lives. But today, I am waiting for my annulment to be granted.

2. I am trying to resolve some disputes between myself and my ex-husband.

3. I am trying to take better care of myself. 

7 quick takes -- kvetching and kvelling

1. (Kvetch) So happy it finally cooled down in the East. Of course, it cooled down just in time for my planned evening at the pool and tomorrow's tubing down a river. And not in time to relieve my near heat-stroke two days ago when the AC unit at the Crisis Pregnancy Center where I work decided to blast hot air. Alas.

Maybe this is God's way of saying "You need to clean your house." Probably.

2. (Kvetch) There was an annoying high-pitched sound here and I didn't know what it was...had to crawl under the desk to figure it out. My intern, who is 28 years younger than I, thought I was ridiculous, but I did find it! That amazed me because I have a hard time hearing high pitched sounds...so it must've been much worse for her...

3. (Kvetch) I had to take a very quick lunch break and wouldn't you know it., the antique shop that I have been eyeballing for 6 months is open. It's the first time I have seen a light on there ... EVER.

4. (Kvell) Some very nice person turned in a client's wallet to the local police station, who called me because my business card was inside. Redeems my faith in other humans.

5. (Kvell) A friend who was living outside the 48 contiguous states is back from a lonnnnnnggggg absence. I will see said friend tomorrow!!!

6. (Kvell) Another good friend who is married to a JERK is beginning to realize it. Having been married to a similar jerk, I saw what she was not able to. I was able to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. God willing, she will find her way out of an emotionally abusive situation. One way or the other.

7. (Kvell) It's Friday. (Friday, Friday...kicking with my good friends...la-la). Sorry. I imagine you HATE that song as much as I, but of course, it comes to mind. Gonna share the love...now everyone can have the lyrics running through their minds for the rest of the day! 

And if you still don't know what kvetching and kvelling are, click on the hyperlinks!

Laundry Purgatory

I have to say that with three children, laundry is a big chore. It is constant. I could do laundry all day every day and still never be absolutely done. I am so tired of laundry!!!!! Plus, my kids seem to have an aversion to putting it in the proper place. Thus, I find items of clothing in various states of decay all over the house. It's frustrating.

Before you give me lots of advice, let me just say that I have tried various methods to deal with the laundry. I found it manageable, and actually, quite enjoyable, when I was at home full-time. It's been since I went back to work full time that I find it so onerous. And even worse since I have become a single working mother.

Ok, so what does one do with an onerous, repetitive, and annoying task? Offer it up! Yes, laundry, too, counts. Unmatched socks? 10 minutes off purgatory. Difficult stains? 1 day. A load of barfed-on towels? 6 months. Soiled sheets? 1 year.

I ought to be paid up before I die. Oh, yeah...I keep losing my patience with the kids over laundry. So, I keep "earning" more time...Sigh...

Someday, my prince will come, but my King is with me...

My kids asked me when I'll "be done with the annulment." (The better question is when the annulment will be done w/ me!) They want me to find someone, I guess. I tried dating briefly last year after the divorce, in the post-divorce insanity and grief. I stopped when I realized I was making myself miserable -- and had put barriers between myself and God. Let's just say that dating is a near occasion of sin for me today.

Anyhow, I am in limbo. I actually am enjoying it today. I didn't date when I was separated at all, on principle. Not sure why I lost my principles once the divorce was granted. Fallen human nature, I guess. Today the main man in my life is the Son of Man. He's all I need.

Do I ever want a mere mortal in my life? Yep, a lot of times I do. Especially when I need to lift something heavy. But also when my kids aren't with me. I do get lonely. Late at night, too. Sometimes I just want a hand to hold, a muscular shoulder to cry on. Someone to be my champion.

There are advantages to being in the state I am in. I get to make ALL the choices about decor. My husband was very controlling. I made no choices about decor for 15 years. That stunk. It was hard when I moved out because I didn't know what my own preferences were.

I also get to dress myself without too much criticism (I get some from the snarky teenager) today. I can wear what I like.

I get to put religious statues, pictures, holy cards, and the like wherever I want. I can go to church and pray all I want, without the name-calling, putdowns, and snide remarks. I can give as much as I can afford -- which ain't much -- in the collection.

I can open up my bills without being shocked at the charges that I didn't make...

I can take the job I want. Amazingly, the job I wanted materialized after the divorce and my experiment with dating.

I get to have TWO WHOLE cats. I am happy. No, I am not turning into a cat lady. Two is quite enough, thank you. I did want the cat to be less lonely. He is. He has someone to pick on. : /

Which brings me back to married life...I want better for myself and my daughters than what I have experienced with their dad. I pray, and hope, if it is God's will, that I can find a man who can show them how a man treats a woman, and how a sacramental marriage works.

Keep me in your prayers.

What Do We Remember on Memorial Day???

What do we remember on Memorial Day?

Some of us seem to remember that we like to spend money at the mall.

Some of us like to remember to get out the grill and fire it up.

Some of us like to remember to put sunblock on.

Some of us like to remember our forefathers who died for our beloved country.

Some of us like to do all of the above. And why not? I remember a few years back going to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which features the Rockettes. http://radiocitychristmas.com/

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what this bunch of tall, willowy, long-legged women kicking away had to do with Christmas. I got on my inner high horse and decided I didn't much care for the ostentatious, commercial presentation.

But then, something blew my mind....

I never had seen a living Nativity before that day. All of a sudden, my opinion was changed. What had seemed like sacrilege was revealed to be a most amazing tribute to Him, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So, when you start feeling annoyed at the Memorial Day Sales, the smell of roasting hotdogs and sunblock, and wonder why we've gotten off track, remember...

THEY died to ensure OUR freedom. In order to honor them, should we not celebrate their lives and their triumph??

In Flanders Fields 

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. (1872-1918) , Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

And, May the Souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in peace. 

Nice quiet Friday

Ahhh, a quiet Friday night. Kids are with their dad. Cats fighting periodically. Started watching a movie - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - that I had wanted to see in the theatre, but hadn't gotten to. I loved the Cold War. I mean, I worried daily about being nuked by the Russians, but at least we knew who the enemy was. And we knew they were afraid of us, too. I am not as much a fan of the War on Terror. Too terrifying. Too real.

How did we not see this coming?? I mean, I was ten when the Ayatollah's guys took our guys hostage. And what about Pan Am Flight 103? Umm, did no one see the handwriting on the wall? I didn't. Ignorance is bliss, I suppose.

I didn't get my parents' and grandparents' terror of Communism and Nuclear War -- that is REALLY, on a gut level -- until 9/11. I totally understand now. I used to be glad that my kids were so small when it happened -- 2.5 years and 6 months (Tertia not having been considered yet) -- but maybe it's not so good because it's not part of their Weltanschauung to be a paranoid Patriot. Just like it didn't make sense that my parents and grandparents were such knee-jerk Commie-haters.

I guess we all have to learn the hard way, huh??/

Where were you when the Towers fell??

Days of Terror: A September 11 Photo Gallery