The Green Police

Time to participate in Kathy's

blog carnival.

I have to admit, that while I do try to recycle and take environmental considerations under advisement, I choose plastic, a lot. What am I supposed to line a bathroom garbage can with? A plastic bag, of course. Why is it preferable to pay money for a bathroom trash can liner, than to get one for free with my groceries. I also use it to toss out smell garbage right away so it doesn't stink up my home.

So... What do you think of my defense for when the green police come after me? And no, I won't be in the market for a "greener" car for quite some time.

Click here if you really want to read something seriously worrisome about 'green policing'.

Ships, Sweaters, Spiders, Mosquitoes, and Funny Sermons : Happy Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday!

While the sponsor of Pleasantly Disturbed Thursdays will be unable to provide linkage for a while (he was in an auto accident, but is "okay". In other words, in lots of pain, but we are thankful he is alive and mobile), I am still going to do a Pleasantly Disturbed post today. You can click on the above link to let Duane know that your thoughts and prayers are with him.

Today I called my aunt and mentioned to her that I was going to see the Tall Ships at Navy Pier with my husband tomorrow. She told me to wear a sweater. At that moment, I knew Momma was truly enjoying the fullness of Heaven. There she is, enjoying the light from the face of Jesus, and SOMEONE ELSE is telling me to wear a sweater in the middle of summer. It couldn't possibly get any better than that for her...

But seriously, I am not annoyed with my aunt. I was reminded of Momma, and had to smile. I knew Momma would be happy that auntie said that, and had to smile some more.

I won't be smiling about having to be at the boat at 8 am, but it was the only time available any longer, and I wanted Bob to be able to enjoy the boat trip. I was on a ship for Pirate Fest, so I'm good until next year, but I figure that Bob deserves to enjoy being on a ship again if that's what he wants. So I will be going to sleep early tonight in anticipation for getting up early to make the boat.

There is a HUGE spider crawling on the outside of the window I am facing right now. I am okay with teeny spiders, but this one is as big as my hand. AND I HAVE BIG HANDS FOR A WOMAN! Dang, what does that spider eat, anyhow? Most spiders eat mosquitoes, but this spider looks like he really should save some mosquitoes for the other spiders, you know. I'm sorry. That was mean. Maybe that spider is like me, and has hypothyroidism. I'll leave a Synthroid tablet out on the ledge for him later.

I really have been enjoying going to Women's Prayer Group. We meet every other week. I can't say I find anything disturbing in our meetings , though. Just pleasant. Well, okay. We pray for situations and people that disturb us or are disturbed and in need of prayer. So maybe it fits.

Our new pastor likes to tell jokes in his homily and fit it in the sermon. He told one about a guy in a gorilla suit two weeks ago, and the one about Jesus and the computer contest this past Sunday. I plan on sending him this one as soon as I get his email address.

Grandma is eighty-eight years old and still drives her own car. She writes:

Dear Grand-daughter,

The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if

you love Jesus' bumper sticker ..

I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a

thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting..

So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.

Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed.

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought

about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had

changed. It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't

honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that lots of people love Jesus!

While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and

then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!'

'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'

What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus!

Everyone started honking!

I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those

loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love! There must have

been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something

about a sunny beach. I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his

middle finger stuck up in the air.

I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant.

He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something. Well, I have

never met anyone from Hawaii , so I leaned out the window and gave him the

good luck sign right back.

My grandson burst out laughing.

Why even he was enjoying this religious experience!!

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they

got out of their cars and started walking towards me. I bet they wanted to

pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had

changed.

So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through

the intersection.

I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before

the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after

all the love we had shared.

So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the

Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for

such wonderful folks!!

Will write again soon,

Love, Grandma

Ooops. Was I insensitive to tell a joke about honking cars when our sponsor Duane was in a car accident? Well, now that I have disturbed you all, I guess I will go.

Children

This week's One Word blog carnival topic is children. I have not been blessed with children, so I can't speak as a parent, and I haven't taught for years, so I can't speak as a teacher.

Just a little something I have been thinking about though...

Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version)

⁶ Train ^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]} a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Anyone out there discouraged because right now, at the moment, it seems that the little one you worked so hard to train right grew up and strayed from the straight and narrow, don't be afraid. When he is old he will not turn from it. I don't normally get my theology from Touched by an Angel, but there is a great episode where an old man is discouraged because his son has turned away from God, and he points out this verse to Tess. Tess then points out to him that the verse doesn't say his child will NEVER falter, but that when the child is old, he will know the right path and take it.

I thought it was interesting, anyway.

I am sure if you check out Bridget's post and blog carnival, there will be some awesome stories of children and parents.

In the meantime, I invite you to listen to a hymn I dearly love.

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light - Kathleen Thomerson

I want to walk as a child of the light,
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world,
the star of my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all;
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God,
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.

I'm looking for the coming of Christ;
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus.

What Do I Love About My Church? Let Me Tell You...

Last week Friday my friend Kathy (katdish) asked What do you love about church? on her blog. I had so many answers running in my head, and little time that day to type them, much less sort them. But since it IS Sunday, reflecting on why I love worshipping Him at the Church I do worship Him in and sharing that seems a good idea.

First of all, I'd be remiss if I didn't share that us Catholics believe in transubstantiation. That means that we believe that at the consecration, the bread truly becomes the physical body of Jesus Christ, and the wine truly becomes His precious blood. I love going to Church on Sunday and receiving Him in such an intimate way.

I also love the liturgy format. Gloria, Opening Prayer, Old Testament Reading, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel, Sermon, Creed, Prayer Petitions, Offertory, then Liturgy of the Eucharist.

I love that my parish is not only handicapped accessible, but level. We all go in through the same doors. Their isn't a separate door, with ramp like at some other parishes I have been at. It would seem that this sort of thing wouldn't matter, but it does. My mom loved being able to go into a Church that was level (though she wasn't in the parish I am now except wheeled in a coffin...our last parish was also level.). Going in and out the same way made her feel less like she was in the spotlight, and less self conscious. So now I notice if a Church is level, and find myself happy when I find that it is.

Speaking of level, I like how my parish is not hung up about who has what. Socio-economic distinctions aren't much noticed. (We do have a food collection for those who are in need, but who gets it isn't common knowledge.)

I was very fond of my former pastor. Going to him for the Sacrament of Reconciliation was a life changing experience. Twice. I am going to miss him. I plan on liking our new pastor. He tries hard, and he tells great jokes. No, I haven't had the opportunity to go to him for confession.

I love the friends I have made through various parish organizations. I also like that I got involved in these organizations through other friends I made. It wasn't me being out going or anything.

I love having the opportunity to teach CCD.

I love seeing people I know and BEING one of the friendly people at Church now.

We have an "evangelization committee". I put that in quotation marks because the idea seems to me to be more about being welcoming and educating people (fellow Catholics and anyone else interested) about our Faith, and sponsoring programs and activities to help do that. What it really is about is reaching out to people. When I think "evangelization", my mind thinks of people who go door to door. We don't. It's not that we are opposed to people going door to door, it just isn't what we do.

I love the hymns. But then, I'd probably like the hymns anywhere. I love the way a hymn can bring me to tears.

I'm sure there are other things I love about my Church, but this post is getting a little long....

Over a year ago, I wrote a post about why I go to Church on Sunday, which deals with the same idea in a bit of a different way.

For more reasons others love their Church, check out Katdish's blog.

Hooray for Saturday: Allstate TV Ad: Jogger

Okay. My Uncle HATES HATES HATES these commercials. I, on the other hand, find them funny. Especially this one where he is wearing the pink headbands and carrying pink weights, and ... well, you get the picture. I think Allstate makes a great point here without actually objectifying women to make the point. This ad gets a thumbs up from me, and a special posting contribution to Hooray for Saturday blog carnival.

Introducing Myself to My New Pastor

And now it is time for another Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday.

We have a new pastor at my Church now. He seems like a very nice priest. It's not easy being new though. Especially when you don't know the crazy parishioners from the sane ones. Now, if I was new, I would easily be put in the sane category, because I am quiet when I am in a new situation. But when someone else is introduced into a new situation, I desperately try to make them more comfortable. Unfortunately for them, that means opening up the whole box of crazy on them at once. I introduced myself to the new pastor when I was volunteering for something on Saturday afternoon. The next day was the "Meet and Greet" where we would all have cookies and coffee in the back of Church after every Mass and introduce ourselves. Yep. All 2000+ of us in one day. So when I told him my name on Saturday, I told him that I'd give him a pop quiz the next day at the meet and greet. He turned absolutely pale and his face fell. I laughed my breaking stained glass windows laugh, and told him I was only kidding, the quiz wouldn't be until next week. The next day, at the meet and greet, there were name tags. Coincidence?I also told him I saw him at Fr. O's 50th Jubilee Celebration, but that I thought that with seeing former parishioners from his old parish, meeting new people would be overwhelming. He agreed. I then told him that I was more tempted to pretend I was a former parishioner and ask if he remembered me than I was to introduce myself. Then I rattled more stained glass with my laughter as one of my friends playfully hit me and said "You're so bad...".My intention really was to make him feel welcome and like he was already part of things. I have a feeling that instead I just helped him sort the sheep from the goats. Naaaaahhhhhh....Naahhhhh.....
I feel like today's Pleasantly Disturbed post also works well for a Life is Funny post.
Join Wendy's blog carnival. Join DS's blog carnival. Join carnivals! Just don't come dressed as a clown. You'll scare @katdish.

Earthly Treasures

My friend Peter Pollock did a post a while back about a woman who pretty much ignores her wealth. She has real estate she never visits, and he suggests it is a waste. He then drew a parallel between her, and how we Christians sometimes treat the Gospel of Christ.

I see his point. I truly do. But it will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, that it had me thinking about dishes. I left this comment on his post.

"You make a good point.

When I was reading about the properties she ignores, I was thinking about my china cabinet. I have my mother in law's http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/chi... and my mother's good china. http://images.replacements.com/images/images5/chi... I am afraid to use it, though, because what if it breaks? I know it is not exactly an expensive antique, but any plate I replaced it with would not be the same, because it wasn't selected, washed, dried and put away with their own hands.... It just wouldn't be the same. These are more earthly treasures, and I am afraid to put them to good use... Our faith however, should not be as fragile as china, and should be able to be put to good use often."

However, I have been thinking and thinking since reading this post. Yes. About china. And crystal salad bowls. And wine glasses. I have been thinking about things that I have decided are too "special" to ever use, and so they are not being used as they were meant to be used. Seriously. My mil died with almost a full set of china, but my own mom had one soup bowl left, about half of the teacups, 9 out of 12 dinner plates... Why? Because she didn't treasure them? Hardly. They were a wedding gift from her mom, and she put them out for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter... but not every day. Some pieces are missing because I used to help her do the dishes. Yes. Me. Butterfingers. I dropped some, by accident of course. Do you think Momma had a cow because treasured dishes were broken (remember, this was before Replacements.com ltd made it easy to find and restore missing pieces). No, I'd cry, and she would hug me and tell me that people are more important than things, and that I am worth more to her than the whole set (which, I KNEW meant a lot to her). She'd then pick up the pieces. I'd want to try to glue it back together. She'd refuse.

"You could cut yourself! Do you think this teacup is worth even a drop of your blood to me? Forget it. It was an accident. It is only a thing..."

I did not forget it. I remember it now. People are worth more than things. It is time to start using the family china. Perhaps on my birthday. I have already started on the good salad bowls...

Oh, and sorry for twisting up the meaning of your post in my mind, Peter. My only excuse is that my mind is random...

No Coffee?

I have been drinking mostly tea lately. I drank coffee today for the first time in three weeks. Before that it had been months. I enjoy coffee a lot. Really. I am convinced it is a holy drink, because there have been mornings when I took a sip and then immediately shouted "HALLELUJAH!"

Still, I don't think I ever reacted so drastically to NOT having a morning cup of coffee, ever...

T-shirts, Thyroid, Trouble, and Tootsies

Time for another Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday.

First of all, I am disturbed that the Pleasantly Disturbed T shirts don't come in my size. Just because I am large (as in triple x by size AND rating...), it doesn't mean that I shouldn't get to wear a t-shirt! (Please go tell Duane you are on my side on this. Unless you aren't. Then, stay out of it!)

I went to the doctor the other day. It was time for my yearly blood test. Technically, I only need a blood test every year to see if I need to up my thyroid medication dosage, but the doc likes to take more and do a CBC every year. Only sometimes he has trouble finding a vein and sends me to the hospital to do it. I insisted that since I had to see him anyway to get him to refill my prescriptions (he wants to see me every few months because of hypertension. Mine, not his...), he'd take the blood.

He said that it is hard to find my vein sometimes. I told him that I had confidence in him. Then after he drew the blood, I said "GOOD JOB! I knew you could do it!" His new assistant had a hard time to keep from laughing. No the doctor did not laugh, but he smiled. He did laugh when I told his assistant which drawer he would find the right tubes in...

The Doc's assistant was a little surprised that I could watch the doctor draw my blood. I said "Hey, what the heck! It's only a vein! But I'd hate to be the one taking the blood... People sometimes get mad if you keep poking them. " Yes. TWSS.

Prayer group was WONderful on Monday. People are bringing in different worship songs for us to sing together. It is really great. Only problem I anticipate is that the ladies are talking about asking our music minister to start including these songs at Mass. I have a feeling it is a good thing we are getting a new pastor.... one who doesn't know that starting a women's prayer group was my (and Vicki's and Chris's) idea. Let the Music Wars begin!!

Today I go to the foot doctor. I got something weird growing just underneath my toenail. I hope he freezes it before cutting it because I am not nearly as laid back about my feet as I am about my veins.

Better to Laugh Than to Cry

The subject of this week's one word blog carnival is laughter.

My mother used to say it is better to laugh than to cry. In theory, I agree with her, but I have often laughed so hard that I ended up crying. That works for me, too.

Momma used to say that when I would tease her about some minor thing that she did that I found annoying. Then I'd feel guilty for teasing her and she'd say "Oh Helen, I'd rather you laugh about it than cry about it! It is better to laugh than to cry..."

Lately though, I have found that I can laugh at the annoying things I do as well. My friend Wendy does a blog carnival every week called Life is Funny.

I admit, I don't participate by writing a post each week, but even when I decide that I'm not ready to share something ridiculous I did, or that I don't have time to type it (read that as "too busy reading and commenting on other blogs to update my own"), I think about how my life is funny, and it usually is because of my own foibles.

I could cry for all the times I laughed and teased my mom for making me wear sunscreen, and now I keep a spare in my glove compartment "just in case". But I choose to laugh.

I could cry for all the times I teased mom about wearing a big straw hat, and I now have three. But I choose to laugh.

I could cry for all the times I teased mom about making me take a sweater "just in case" and how I never had one when I needed it because they are all in the car "just in case". Now I keep a shawl draped over the passenger seat instead. But I choose to laugh.

I could cry for all the times mom insisted I drink a cup of tea with my meal because it would digest my food better better, and I insisted I did not like tea. Since she died, I have been drinking up her tea from my cupboards, and find that I just needed to give tea a chance. But I choose to laugh.

Why do I laugh? Do I find joy in my foibles? No. But I do find joy in knowing my mom understood me, forgave me and loved me. I feel joy that God forgives me and loves me. I feel joy that I can share my foibles with you and find that you, my brothers and sisters, will forgive me and love me.

My dad used to like to tell jokes that taught a lesson. Maybe I also feel joy that I am allowed the privilege of learning from my mistakes. So I laugh...

Consider joining my friend Wendy's Life is Funny blog carnival. I find it a great opportunity to reflect on reflect on my foibles, laugh at them, and learn from them. (And yes, sometimes I share jokes that have taught me a lesson or two... Or a video that has nothing to do with my life. I'm imperfect here as well as in real life. Go figure...)

Have Fun!!! Happy Saturday!

My hubs hates this song because bub is mentioned. I always overlooked that line until he pointed it out. Still, as a polka, this song is pretty funny, no?

Hat tip to @Buzzbyannies for letting me know this version is out there!

Happy Katdishmas!

Today is my friend katdish's birthday. So, without her permission, I am linking up an old blog post of hers where she shares information about herself.

Here is a link to her current blog.

Love you lots, Kathy!