1. Habit of gratitude

I read an article around Christmas time about gratitude and how different one’s life is, how much lower the stress, how much better the general attitude. “Well of course”, I said smugly to myself, as if I had mastered this. I do feel like I’m generally a grateful person and know how many blessings I’ve been given, but since then, little passages, a verse here or there, a moment of shock at something that pops (wrongly) out of my mouth at my dear husband has shown how far I need to go in this area, how much I need to learn about being grateful…truly grateful…for so so so many things that I complain about. And I do complain. Yesterday I happened “randomly” (ha!) upon this post from Apple Cider Mill, written back in April, and I was moved again, because I could relate to some of what she said. There is so much training my soul needs in this area.

While I continue to praise God for my husband and our marriage (after waiting so so long for him!) …I have not been grateful. For the move. For his job. For this city. For this house he has found. For anything really. It isn’t anything I would have chosen if left up to my own devices and the adjustment has been incredibly difficult. As a result, I have only complained about leaving so many things behind, particularly my job…even though it was replaced with a loving husband and so much. And while I cannot erase that it continues to be difficult in some areas, I CAN practice more gratefulness. A lot more.

I can allow more grace to open my heart to whatever God has in store for us, because He brought us here and I know He knows more than I do. Still, training of one’s soul is must be deliberate. Feeling that I can merely will away this unfortunate pattern I’ve fallen into isn’t going to work. And if I don’t do something, I risk not only my own state of mind, but my poor husband’s as well. So I pray. And God is good, because he takes our efforts at such things and reforms our brokenness. Thankfully. I’ll start by being humbled and grateful for that first.:)

2. And thank you IPhone

This was our sunset yesterday! Isn’t it beautiful! It was one of the most spectacular I’ve seen, so I had to share it. This was taken about a block from our house.

3. Knee, the good and the bad

My ortho’ doc looked at the films from the MRI yesterday afternoon, and confirmed that my kneecap had dislocated and that I additionally had ”moderate sized bone contusion on the subcortical anterior to mid lateral femoral condyle, as well as a subcortical bone contusion…in the medial patellar facet”. Thank you doctor speak. English please?

The great, great, great news first? ACL is still attached, PCL is still intact, I had no meniscus tears, and no other major cartilage damage… so no surgery. The bad news, the “contusion” was a bruise bad enough in two locations that went all the way down to my bone marrow (what the?), plus the muscles and stuff holding my knee together were strained so to therapy twice a week I go (at least it’s not surgery. Huge praise!).  What I wanted to know the most is what exercise I’m cleared for at this point… and sadly he was not too happy about ballet.:( He did say I could try at least the barre portion of class since it would be like therapy, but the minute I had any pain I could not “just push through it” and had to stop. I can also walk and ride a bike (and to the latter, I say negative ghost rider). Overall — better than I thought, so I’m grateful for that. Keep calm and carry on.

4.  Bible Study Update

The new study books came in to the church book store for the Bible Timeline study — great news since we have basically showed up for several weeks with zero preparation, no book, and looking like slackers. Plus, as noted before, we are inevitably late, and all of the dear grey-headed folk always seem to give nonverbal ‘tsk tsks’. (I’m positive of it. Or maybe I just hate to be late and am overly sensitive?)

Anyway, last night we had the book, had actually read the bible chapters, AND were on time (holy smokes! a trifecta!). It was a great study…we  covered the issues between Jacob and Esau, and then Jacob’s life after he received the birthright and blessing, and eventually his son’s Joseph and Judah. Love this part of the bible!

5. Italian Night, kiddo style

We moved our Italian night to Wednesday this week so that we could do it over a meal with the dear G’ family.

(Huge tangent: They have been a breath of fresh air here…a catholic family that is trying its best to live by the Church’s teachings, joyfully, and in the middle of this crazy city. Mr. G’ is a lawyer like M’, and went to Steubenville and then Notre Dame (all good things in my book!), and he and his lovely wife Mrs. G’ are the proud ‘rents of six wonderful kiddos. They are actually only a few years older than we are, but as we were Singletons much longer than preferred I suppose this is about right.;) Mr. G’s brother is a priest assigned to the Vatican Embassy in DC, and started a great church on the other side of town where we do the above noted bible study. I note all of this as background, since I think/hope we will be seeing much more of them.)

So, right…as I was saying…moved our Italian week. I went over and made a lasagna with their eldest, who is 13 and homeschooled (and is utterly delightful, kind, and such a sweet girl!), and then tried to teach the rest some Italian before Mac and Mr. G’ came home from work. It was soooo funny. ALL of them wanted to learn, and be involved, even the youngest who is three! By the end, they could all do their numbers, and answer the question how old are you ( ”Quanto anni hai?”) with their correct ages (for the little bean, it came out ‘ooooh trrrreeeeee honey’ instead of ‘Ho tre anni’, but huge props for him. I like honey as much as the next person. Addddddorable!). All very fun.:)

6. Basque stew

M’s family is French Basque, and his great-aunt passed on some recipes several weeks ago. I tried out the stew, since I had most of the ingredients — I only had to buy some cubed beef — and leftovers have been lunch for several days. While his family’s history is cool in and of itself, I love having recipes passed down. The best thing though was that such simple ingredients (literally beef, squash, carrots, onions, celery, and salt) could end up tasting so comforting.:) I think sometimes its easy for me to get carried away with “fancy” recipes, but that’s not always necessary. Here was the Basque version of “chicken soup”, and I’m sure I’ll break the recipe out in future winters again.

7. The result of 40 years worth of (secular) feminist arguments

I won’t get into a rant right now about some of the issues we have as a society, nor am I going to wax poetical on the catholic understanding of feminism, nor am I going to ask where all the real men have gone (by the way, just because I can’t help myself, the answer is we told them to stop being real men). I DO however want to give you this link for a National Review article, about the sinking of the Concordia. It’s related, promise.:) Let me know what you think.

I have, thus far, washed seven or eight loads, and have several more to go. I wouldn’t mind this per say, but really there is just the two of us, and I’m mildly embarrassed that we have this many dirty clothes. Or this many clothes, full stop. :)

The washing machine repair dude DID fix our washer yesterday (It took him 4 hours, and ended with him pulling out several socks and other clothing that had somehow been sucked under the rotator, clogging the pipes!), and while I’m thrilled (really!) to have it back, I’m now in some sort of domestic marathon that I don’t remember signing up for.:)

Sigh. Enough whining to the blogging world.;) I will praise God today for my washer coming back from the dead, and that we are blessed to have so many clothes in the first place. Some only have one or two outfits, after all. Onward and upward.

Isn’t there is something very therapeutic about “catch-up days”…you know, those days were you try to set everything back aright? After traveling or a visit or an event of some sort? A day to breathe? Man, I think so.:) After our San Diego trip and Hoya’s flea adventure (which ended with medicine, a flea bath, and me sifting borax all over the house, just in case) and our washing machine being officially broken (SERIOUSLY?), we turned right around and caught a flight to New Mexico last Thursday, just for good measure. We are home now and (thankfully!) staying home the next two weekends. Phew.

Yesterday afternoon was MRI fun day (no results yet!), so today (today!) is the dose of sanity. There is a washing machine repair dude (his technical name) downstairs, the dishwasher is running, vacuuming is done. A pot of tomato sauce is simmering and wafting yummy smells through the house, having started its 8-hour quest for goodness (I used my mother’s fresh parsley and basil, and I know it will be the better for it!). And most importantly, I’m looking forward to some prayer time and peace. I am hoping that whether today is a catch up day or a regular one, your days include that too!:)

Hope everyone is well today, and blessed!

p.s. Happy Birthday mom!

Now we are back, but M’ made a gruesome discovery this morning — Hoya caught fleas from some of the other dogs! There aren’t fleas in Nevada for whatever reason, so we know it was the visit…and we immediately put  flea treatment on this morning and left him outside. Hopefully that should do the trick, although the thought of them in my house makes me nauseous. M’ started vacuuming all the carpets where we think Hoya wandered. (PLEASE tell me they aren’t in my house!)

Unfortunately, as he is a house dog and doesn’t understand why he has been left outside, he has been barking at me through the glass door for three hours. Three going on four. I’m not going to lie, I’m hoping that this is like training a spoiled toddler. I just have to wait him out with sheer will power, and then he’ll stop, right? Once he realizes I won’t give in?

Wish me luck.

Update: he has decided that instead of barking, he will up the ante on the tantrum. He’s now throwing himself against the door. I guess if it hurts bad enough, he will stop.

He will not break my will. lol.

1. Welcome little one!

Since I have been remiss in posting this yet, a warm welcome to the newest of the Red clan, Miss Josie Marie. Some of the pictures (taken by Red’s talented sister) are too cute for words, so go see them here.  I especially like the “screaming at the top of my lungs” shot, and the “proud big sister Gianna” shot. Praise God for a new little soul, and prayers for the Miller family as they adjust to a family of seven!:)

2. Knee update

I went for my x-rays which were digital and all very cool, especially since they were brought up on a new iPad right in front of me. Then the ortho’ doc tried to move my knee this way and that, some movements with no response, and some that made me want to rip his head off or throw his cute techi set-up out the window. In the end, he thinks I have dislocated my knee cap (what the?!), and may-or-may-not have cartilage damage. I think he was worried that I wouldn’t comprehend all of what this means, so he drew me a little picture and then emailed it to me. Observe:

(I give him extra points for writing legibly.) So…right, thus far, next step is MRI, and then we could go down the PT route (praying for this one. I’m already soooo tired of being sedentary!) or surgery (less desirable, unless it means I will be able to go back to exercise and dancing sooner). Onward and upward.

3. All 73 books, 24 weeks. Yowzers.

Mac n’ I decided we needed a little more scripture in our world, so we started attending a bible study in one of the local parishes. Some of you may be familiar with it — the parish is doing Jeff Cavin’s Bible Timeline – and so far we really like it (except for the fact that we are “those people”…you know the ones that are always late and never prepared. eeek. In our defense the bookstore was out of the study guide and the new ones haven’t come in. Hopefully to be remedied soon!).

Almost to a letter all of my bible study experiences have been just with gals around my age, so it’s really interesting first of all having a mixed group and a range of ages. And I really like going through a study with my husband!!! He has great insights and applications to culture that I never think about, so the conversations on the way home are always interesting. Plus we basically get to go through the entire bible and see salvation history from beginning to end…Old Testament promises coming to fruition in the New (as an aside, this timeline is an AMAZING reference, don’t you agree!!! Love it!). God is just amazing. And oh so comprehensive.;) Loving this new addition to our schedule.

4. Spousal competition: Italian Night

In addition to bible study, a new add-in to our week is Italian night, after having decided we needed to brush up our language skills (or lack!). Our first go with Rosetta stone was on Tuesday. Technical difficulties abounded. Many laughs were had, but in the end it was a competition. And both of us love a healthy competition.:) It was all very entertaining, since in order to get to the next step you have to pronounce everything correctly, and I’m proud to say that I got less negative beeps than Mac, and that of course means I’ve won. I am victorious. Victory is mine. At least until next Tuesday (dun dun dun!).

ok, I’m done.

5. San Diego Bound!

Ok, I may not like Las Vegas, but I DOOOO like being able to drive to California in a few hours. This weekend we are going to San Diego instead of L.A. to hang out with one of Mac’s Navy buddies n’ wife. I haven’t met either, and because I am basically a recluse around new people it should be great. ha ha. KIDDING. I will have to pretend to be outgoing, and think of witty things to say a la Tina Fey.:)

The great thing aside from San Diego (full stop) and new friends (all joking aside), is that I have some family there. I get to spend Sunday brunch with my Great Uncle Van (Vanno! Love Italian names, lol.), who is the last living sibling from my grandfather’s side. He’s spunky, funny, old school, sometimes mildly irreverent (not that it’s a good thing, but I can’t help but laugh!), and one of the smartest people I know. He called me the day before the wedding in tears since he wasn’t there, and I’m anxious to see him — and to introduce Mac!:) Hooray!

6. In case you ever think that He isn’t on your side…

This is a little part from one of my daily prayer books, written from God’s perspective. Love it.

“Though Israel was the smallest among nations, I chose her as my treasure possession. My people had only to obey me; I would be their God and Protector…You are also my treasure. People will try to convince you that my demands are too great, or that my motives are selfish. But know that, whatever I ask, it’s because I love you. You are priceless to me.”

7. Cookies

I am making black n’ white chocolate chip cookies. Doesn’t cookie smell just get you? It’s coming upstairs and making me want to eat them. ALL of them. Because that’s the rational thing to do when faced with warm cookies. Good thing that I am making them for a ‘hostess’ present for this weekend and want an even number. Of course, if I eat 2…

Have a great weekend everyone!

“I had no special talent, nothing to offer. But God still called me. And he filled up what I lacked. God always fills up what we lack.”

We were doing turns across the floor, and I was felling pretty good, and then I came down from the turns wrong, tried to catch myself….and then I heard and felt a pop, and then came, pain, and then I was on the floor. My knee had gone completely out! It was a horrible feeling, and I sat there in pain for a second. The director and his wife were instantly by my side with his arm around me and the other one gingerly trying to see where on my knee I was injured. Thankfully it had gone back into place, and after 20 minute of ice I could put weight on it… but I think some damage was done.:( The orthopedic doc’ couldn’t take me until this morning…I’m hoping, just hoping that it just needs time off and not surgery! Ugh… prayers appreciated! This would be the worst if I can’t dance anymore or for a long time. It just breaks my heart even thinking about it!

In any case, me thinks I’ve been remiss in writing, but what else is new?!:) Oh how I envy all of you who still blog away with oh-so-interesting things even with uber busy schedules. I don’t have the latter, so I have no excuse…but maybe that’s the problem? I don’t have anything to write?:) I mean…I could regale you with tales of Hoya’s exploits (which involve protecting me from the UPS/trash/mail men, sleeping, looking out the window, sleeping, eating, sleeping….) but…ya know.;)

In any case, we had M’s two sisters, my father, and his Great Aunt Sue for Christmas day. It was quieter than we thought it would be, but we had a great meal (we splurged a little and bought beef tenderloin, and I discovered a kicker recipe for collard greens that involved more cream, bacon, and butter than I’ve ever used in my life in my cooking adventures…sooooo yummmmm!), and then ended up listening to Aunt Sue in all her fiestyness tell stories of growing up in Carson City (“all dirt roads back then…”), including one where one of the casino elephants (!!!) got loose and ended up sitting out the day in her family swimming pool. She is a great story-teller and we soaked it up, especially M’ and the girls, who hadn’t heard some of this hilarious family history. As if that wasn’t enough, she then sat down at my piano and started banging out Christmas carols, some from memory. Such a blessing to have her around! She must have been a force to be reckoned with before retiring from religious life (not retiring from religion…well, you know what I mean, anyway…)

A few days later, after all traveling family units had been deposited back at airports (phew!), we went on a road trip to California (because, you know, resting at home wasn’t enough. lol.). M’ didn’t have to work, and what fun to have my best buddy around for whole days! We hit Newport, Laguna, Manhattan and other beaches, before ending up with Dr. Kell’ and family in Oxnard, California for the New Years, and I revelled in being near the water. And trees.

I almost forgot what they looked like. ha.

And now we are off to a new year full of promises and hopes. We spent the entire car ride back talking about our ‘schedule’, and what we wanted to accomplish, and what resolutions we had…wonderful, wonderful for my schedule oriented brain.:) Onward and upward and into 2012!

Prayers for all of those who are traveling out there! May you have safe trips!

In any case, I was poking around, and eeeurrreeeka! Apparently Fr. H’ posts all of his homilies online! This is a goldmine, especially in this season. And lest I get too grumbly (yes, real word according to me) about not getting to hear all of this in person, what was the first homily I listened to about? Living life fully right where you are.:) Got it, Lord…

Go here if you need an extra Advent reflection on yesterday’s gospel.:)

Hope everyone is well!