Web Wednesday: The Lenten Edition #1

Alright, alright! Technically, last Wednesday should have been the first Lenten edition, but I was too busy going to church and other things and avoiding food to even consider getting online.  The big danger was I'd end up on pinterest (or worse, Facebook) and start looking at food.  And the last thing a fasting person needs is pictures of food. [And I thought it rather cruel that our priest mentioned PRIME RIB during Ash Wednesday services... I still have a hankering for it!]

Things are still evolving here at Casa Awesomeness with regard to our Lenten decorations and activities.  I have to admit, now that I'm not on Facebook, I've replaced some of that distracted time with reading Catholic blogs and have found some fantastic inspiration.  No... you don't have to be Catholic to read the blogs... there's no blood test.  However, reading blogs from other Moms, regardless of denomination, is always inspiring to me.  So here are a few Web finds...

• Catholic Icing:  Almsgiving Lenten Idea for kids... and YES, I do now have an almsgiving box.  It's soo easy!
• Three-Sided Wheel:  Keeping Lent Holy::Lenten Mantel... and YES, I do now have a Lenten display (and no it's not the mantel, because my mantel is too skinny)!  I did not do the candles, either, since the we are doing Stations of the Cross at School each Friday in Lent.
• I'm kinda having fun this week surfing around Home Ec-101.  Why?  I dunno, maybe I can become the perfect housewife if I knew more about managing a home. That's my theory anyway... we wouldn't want to admit that going to bed at a reasonable hour might have something to do with why I'm tired ALL  day long, begging for a nap and avoiding housework because it seems like too much work (it's always a little humbling when I admit that it really only too 3 minutes to clean out the dishwasher when the mental dialogue to convince myself to do it took 45 minutes!).

I guess... those are my three choice "found on the web" websites this week.  Enjoy...

Tipster Tuesday: The Lenten Edition #1

If you didn't catch on, I gave up Facebook for Lent. It might not seem like much of a sacrifice to some people, but it is to me... and more importantly, it's been a huge distraction in my day.  I check on my computer, I feel compelled to respond immediately (never mind that if my doorbell rings unexpectedly and I don't feel like seeing someone, I just don't answer).  I look at my phone... I giggle at some stupid thing that happened to someone else and when I retell the story to my husband, he stares at me blankly.  I have actually told my kids, mind your own business, this is my Facebook page and it's none of your business.  Really, if it's on Facebook, it's apparently everyone's business.

I'll admit, the first day was difficult and I did start texting a friend random updates (she said it was okay).  I think I asked her how an egg wasn't meat when it becomes a chicken, after all if an embryo is a baby and egg must be part chicken?  I'm sure she was laughing at me... but I was kind of serious.

It's already gotten easier to resist.  I'm not thinking I need to "bean it out" anymore.  And I'm discovering I have more time than I thought.  This MUST be how I got more things done when my kids were little, I wasn't dinking with the computer all day long.  So in the event that you've enjoyed me on the Facebook fast... here are some alternatives.

From the Chicago Tribune: 10 Tips for Giving Up Facebook

• Although it does seem to mock something as simple seeming as giving up facebook, over a more significant vice... turns out the ones listed aren't things I do.  I did find their suggestions amusing.  I actually have written down my posts before and no I didn't give a %^$@# five minutes later.

Update the Catholic Gadget to your browser, so you can sink your teeth into all kinds of Catholic content when you get the urge to Facebook.  I've found some interesting suggestions.  And if you're not Catholic, under the concept of everything is on the Internet, I'm guessing your denomination has some kind of "gadget" or "widget" that does something similar... or just use Google.

Read a book... there are lots of them, but if you feel like you need to cling closer to God to resist temptation, read the Bible.

Call a friend who has also given up Facebook, chances are they have time too!

Alright, my friends, have an Awesome Tuesday!

Motivational Monday: The Lenten Edition #1

Today, I'm seeking motivation, like always. After all, it's always harder to get up out of bed on a Monday after an especially soothing Sunday.  And yesterday was especially soothing... I even did manage to get a nap in after our Lenten reading hour.

Today, I'm going to be focusing on serving my family:

• menu planning
• grocery list making
• grocery shopping
• working (paid)

I'm also going to focus on serving God:

• I have yet to read my Lent with the Saints book (it's in the bag with my bible study/RCIA stuff)
• Catching up/getting ahead on my bible study
• Taking care of my family, which of course is how I am called to serve on a daily basis

So as I set to my daily tasks and my extra tasks... how am I motivating myself?  By giving it up to God... or at least that's the plan.  A friend of mine always used to talk about "giving it up" and I never really understood until last Friday.  Why last Friday?  I attended Stations of the Cross with the school kids for the first time since I was a school kid.  

Oh, my word. No I can see why I have zero recollection of my experience as a child.  I'm going to assume because there was a lot of kneeling which for me as a child would have thrown me off-- I would have been figuring out when to do what and hoping I didn't screw up, so I'd be struck by lightening.  Attending Stations on Friday, something clicked.  I was going along with the assistance of one of the teachers, repeating the prayers, kneeling when I was supposed to, singing when I was supposed to... and for the first 3 stations, I was trying to figure things out.  For the next 3 stations, I was mentally bemoaning all the kneeling-- my back hurt and  my knees felt wobbly.  For the next 3 stations, I got really comfortable with the prayers and the motions of the stations.  For the next 3 stations, I was lost in the prayers...   And then somewhere around the 10th Station, something in my head clicked.   My RCIA director has said, either it's true or it's the biggest hoax.  Suddenly, I was filled with the sense that it was not a hoax... people had to have seen this happen. They would have known, even if some crazy people spread the word, how could this rumor persist across the ages.  [Go ahead, say I'm delusional... I'll be enjoying heaven someday... you can go be sorry for saying I'm delusional elsewhere.]  I was further lost in the rhythm and prayer. So much so I looked over my shoulder and was startled to find that Father was standing about 3 feet from me.  I realized I'd lost all sense of where I was until I saw him at the end of Station #14. I watched Father say and participate in the 15th Station of the Cross and felt this bizarre sense of awe at his reverence.  

Did I have an awakening?  I can't say... though in some of my reading about Lent and the New Evangelization of the Catholic Church, there was an Guide to Spiritual Makeover on the Our Sunday Visitor website, that talked about us needing to be evangelized ourselves in order evangelize others.  I think that's what happened... so I needed to share it with you.

My motivation today is simple... how can I complain about the mundane details of being a Mommy, when someone can willingly die on a cross.  And not just any someone, but the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ. So when I feel like bemoaning my chores, I will give it up to God... not just to God but for God.  

Amen, I say to you, Amen.

Soothing Sunday: The First Sunday in Lent

My previous Sunday soothers have all be focused on me and doing something for yourself, rather than everyone else.  However, since it is now Lent, our soothing Sunday activities here in Casa Awesomeness are focused on our Faith.
We have been very purposeful about our Faith activities since this past Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and spent some time preparing beforehand for our Lenten sacrifices.  Our preparations included:

• signing up for Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure. I also additionally ordered the workbooks and the road map (if you go to the site, you'll understand).  Many of the printables are available online but not all.  My kids and I are enjoying the videos and the rosary recordings that are out there.
• Making a Lenten Goal poster where we all participated by writing our sacrifices/plans on heart-shaped colored pieces of paper.  It's been very handy to point to and gently remind my son (who put "I will stop pestering my family members" as his sacrifice).  We plan to color in a thermometer type thing, like you would see for a United Way campaign, instead of money, it's tracking progress towards Easter.  The idea is to encourage each other to keep working towards our sacrifices to God.  [Oddly, today's homily on temptation, stressed that we can not fight temptation all on our own just "me and Jesus" style.  I guess I was ahead of the homily on this one!].
• Using some resources found online at Mrs. Walker's Frog-tastic Web Site, we made a bucket fillers display and have talked about filling each other's buckets rather than stealing goodwill from others.  My kids have been really enjoying getting their little notes and writing them.  I really do feel like they are seeing the efforts.

We've been adding some things to our sacrifices and activities here and there to focus on the sacrifice our Lord made for us.  In the Catholic Church, that's really at the crux of Lent, focusing on the sacrifice that was made on our behalf and be repentant.  It's really so much easier to make little sacrifices when you imagine and see the image of Christ on the Cross.  

• Inspired by another blogger (who's site I didn't pin on pinterest or bookmark, however, it's quite prevalent on Catholic Mom blog sites-- the twist was that this person tied a crucifix to theirs) and the Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure suggestion of making a bean jar, we've all been enjoying doing things as asked or for others and putting a bean in the jar.  By the way, we decided to use chickpeas, because they are easier to pick up and seemed like something we could easily imagine that Jesus may have snacked on. By the way, at Easter, those chickpeas (aka Garbanzo Beans) will replaced by Jelly Beans.  It was a quick and inexpensive craft and we ended up making 2 (one for my Confirmation Sponsor). In addition, the crucifix I chose to decorate it with is the Blessed John Paul II crucifix.  I chose that crucifix for it's "look" and already have a connection with the Blessed JPII.  I would definitely credit him with the turning point to my eventual return to the Faith after many years away. The kids and I decided to let this be a kitchen table centerpiece so that we can all be reminded to do things for others. 

To bring things around to Soothing Sunday, my kids' school has a Lenten reading challenge each year.  Families are asked to turn off the electronics and read for an hour each day.  The resulting reward is your name is entered into a drawing for a bicycle.  They give away (through generous donations) one bicycle per grade, one for a family, and even the teachers get entered (though without fail, for the last 5 years that we've been there and I'm sure long before that, the donate the bike back).  

Today our family activities will include, catching up on Holy Heroes (we were "naughty" yesterday and skipped it), saying a decade of the rosary together (we're on the second Sorrowful Mystery-- which is available on the Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure page for today), and then we plan to read together.  All this family activity is bound to lead to something good. Surprisingly, as much as my kids groan about getting up and going to school/church/anywhere that isn't "fun," they are very into the Lenten Adventure.  It's really fantastic.  

I'm going to have to look around, but I may be following Holly at the Three-Sided Wheel's Domestic Church idea for today as well and redecorating the mantle.  We had already purchased a small tealight candle holding grotto to light during our rosary time. [I was lucky enough to find it on the 50% off shelf, covered in dust and looking sad, lonely and not all that inspiring, at my local Catholic Shoppe.  After running it under some cold water and letting it air dry, it's turned a gleaming and inspiring white.  I think it would go nicely with Lenten mantle display, as will my Infant of Prague crystal  (the infant image is engraved into the lead crystal and coated with an iridescent finish)that a dear friend brought me from the church of Our Lady Victorious which houses the Infant statue.]

The Return of Family Friday

Have you been missing Family Friday?  I have.  I was so excited just a few weeks back when we cancelled movie night and the kids got along great.  We're back at that point and I have to say, I'm not excited.

We're going through a patch of tough love here in the Awesomeness House.  Again, it doesn't feel so awesome, so it's harder for me to blog about how to be Awesome. 

Yes, the reality is, everyday, I struggle with being Awesome.  My kids are "normal" kids in that they aren't perfect.  In fact, some days, I'm convinced they really are trying to make me insane.  Do you ever have that feeling?

I thought it best to focus on how I'm raising myself up in order to keep my head just above the Awesome line, while my arms are grabbing at the kids trying to keep their heads closer to the surface of Awesome.  That's really it... part of being a family is not only spending time together doing meaningful things, it's also about bringing each other up towards God. 

For my family, we're heading towards the Lenten season... it's less than a week away.  Lent is a great time to raise yourself up above the Awesomeness line and focus on God.  In fact, those 40 days and 40 nights... that's what they all about.  It's a time of extra reflection on Jesus' sacrifice.  So as we get ready to pack up our "Alleluia," I'm reflecting on some things we can do as a family to move closer together and closer to God.

The first thing I need to "dig" up is my 40 Ways for 40 Days book.  I used it last year for something inspirational to do during Lent and ended up adopting a Catechumen (someone who is going through the process of becoming a Catholic).  I'm happy to say, I supported my adoptee's Faith during the final few weeks before her baptism/Eucharist/confirmation and I was inspired to finally move forward towards my Confirmation. [I'll be Confirmed at the Easter Vigil Mass this year-- yes, now would be a good time to pray for my strength of Faith.] This year, I want to do something different.

The second thing I'm doing is, I've joined the Lenten Adventure at the Holy Heros website.  It's free... and I'm hoping it will be fun.  Despite the fact that one of my children is not supposed to be having any electronic media for the next week, I'm definitely going to be "indulging" him with Faith education.  [And no, you don't have to be Catholic to join in... so if you're a Christian, you may want to look into doing this with us.  You may just find some deep inspiration for your own faith.]

A third thing I'm considering is implementing a Family Rosary time.  I haven't quite worked out how I want to do it.  Do I want to do a full rosary each day?  A weekly rosary focusing on one mystery?  A decade a day each week focusing on one mystery a week (this is what the kids do in school)?  Does anyone have their two cents they want to post in the comments or on the FB page?  Please do!  As Awesome as I am, I still need a little guidance. I know that if I announce we're going to do a Family Rosary, my son will groan, my husband will give me a skeptical look and my daughter will remind me every day and ask if it's time to say the rosary yet.  As part of this, I am going to put  Rosary: Mysteries, Meditations, and the Telling of the Beads, by Kevin Orlin Johnson as the next book in my reading list (right after I finish the last hundred pages of a book about Abraham) and jump over a few others I was planning to read.

Lastly, I think we're going to take some time on Mardi Gras, next Tuesday, or on Ash Wednesday next week and all put together our Lenten sacrifice goal.  I think I may make up a poster this weekend that we can all decorate together as part of our family time.  After all, with no TV, computer, gaming system privileges for one child, we all have to find something else to do.

How do you plan to implement or continue Lenten traditions in your home?

** UPDATE**
I forgot to share some Lenten Reading suggestions for the Catholic Publication, Our Sunday Visitor.  The Lenten Reading List has some great suggestions (I even own a few already and my local Catholic Shoppe carries several of the options!)

Not sure it's motivational, but it is Monday.

Today, I'm overwhelmed by the trail of mess my youngest child has left behind.  She's a Tasmanian Devil (and if you remember the old Looney Toons cartoons... she even makes the noises while she's running around... spitting craft supplies, dolls, paper schnibbles, clothes and mayhem in her wake).  I'm not sure how to get through to her.  She's begun to think that "putting stuff away" means plopping it in the center of the carpet of any given room.  I know she knows where it goes, because when someone says "where are the crayons?" She goes to the aptly named "Craft Cabinet" and looks around.  They aren't there because she's left them in the center of the carpet, but can't see them any more because they are under a pile.

I'm afraid, the only choice I have left is to motivate her by loss.  Yes, loss.  She doesn't care about her things, or our things, so the only choice I have left is to permanently remove them from her.  She was given a blanket this weekend as an early Valentine's gift.  It's in the center of the floor in my living room.  It's mine now.  I just need to find a place to put it to keep it safe (after all it's brand new).

Unfortunately too, the only answer I have left for her today is "No, you may not." I hate saying no to her... it feels like I'm crushing her individuality.  Then again, constantly being frustrated and annoyed with her behavior is probably also not helping her self-esteem.  And really, this isn't about self-esteem, is it?

It's really about respect.  Can she respect herself enough to not be a complete slob?  Can she respect that people have worked hard in order to be able to afford to purchase her the things she has?  She's going to have to learn.  And I'm pretty sure no one is going to like it.

So now, I'm off to motivate myself into grabbing some storage bins to pack up all the stuff she didn't put away.  I should probably steel myself for the wailing and gnashing of teeth... Oh, it's going to be awesome alright!

Thinner Thursday has been re-named to "Cookin' with Awesomeness"

No, this does not mean I've abandoned my quest for a healthier me.  I just felt like "Thinner" was so limiting and potentially discouraging.  The truth is... you're probably NOT going to get thinner making these recipes alone and they won't all be "low cal" recipes.  However, the reality is... a little bit of this and a little bit of that go a long way. 

I love to cook, so if I can catch myself cooking with Awesomeness (the Godly one) in mind, I'm pretty sure dinner will taste awesome (the worldly one).  I'm not talking seven deadly sin awesome, but be truthful.. a good home made meal always tastes better than take out or something out of a box.

Today is not so much going to be busy schedule-wise, but I do have Bible Study this afternoon, my daughter has ballet, and my son has a Dr's appointment.  It's going to be stressful an afternoon of just getting everyone where they need to be on time and properly prepared for their activity.  I know... it does sound busy but yesterday was so much busier [grocery shopping needed to be done, lunch with a friend, Dr appt for me, basketball practice for the boy, first communion meeting for the parents of 2nd graders (i.e. me with kids in tow), along with usual homework.]  Today's a piece of cake comparatively. 

It's a good day to use the crockpot because we will all be arriving home at the same time and all hungry at the end of the day.  No one is going to want to cook and stopping by McDonald's (or something of that nature) is not going to provide my family with the nutrition that we need.  I'm convinced if you eat badly, you behave badly because your belly is full but your body is still hungry and needs fuel. 

In the crockpot today... "Ralf's Venison Chili." [No, the venison (aka DEER MEAT) is not Ralf's but his chili was so good, I actually cooked venison for the first time in my life.  It's venison from my Dad's freezer from November's catch (kill? harvest?  what's the right term here?).  Funny, when I asked for ground venison, my Dad's voice got a little lower (with a tinge of excitement) when he said I could "take whatever I want."  I think it was manly pride that he was providing for others sneaking out.  If you know my Dad, you can imagine how endearing that was to see.]   Anyway... because it's Ralf's recipe, I don't feel right sharing (but Ralf, if you're reading this and you want to share it in the comments, go right ahead!).  I will however, share my own "Sneaky Chili Recipe." 

I call it sneaky, because I've fed it to the manliest carnivores and they've said... mmm... this is really good and meaty tasting.  It doesn't have any MEAT in it, but it's not completely a vegetarian chili (because I use beef bullion).   And it's so good and easy to make that it's just gone on my menu for Good Friday when I have a bunch of guests, including my sweet baby sister who is a vegetarian (and I will use veggie bullion instead). My "sneaky" secrets for this recipe are a variety of beans and soy crumbles/TVP crumbles. 

I'd like to expound on the soy crumbles/TVP crumbles before I launch into the recipe.  If you're a "Tofu is gross" kind of person, it's not that glob of unflavored rubbery/gelatinous gunk you may have been fed before.  You taste what the rest of the ingredients are... and get that meaty satisfaction along with the protein.  My local grocery store sells TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein) in the frozen food section from a brand name Q'uron, but I prefer (and will compromise my common sense and go to Wal-Mart for it) the Morningstar Farms brand Meal Starters.  Be careful if you're going to by Morningstar Farms, because they also sell as sausage flavored one which is really nasty in chili (great in breakfast foods though).  Now, clearly the words texturized vegetable protein is a little "gross out" sounding... but it's good.  [And if you know my husband and can imagine him saying "this is good, uhm, texturized vegetable stuff" then you can maybe trust me a little more and give it a try].  I have also seen dried TVP in the gluten free area of my grocery store (so apparently, it can come gluten-free?!  I'm not sure, because I've never checked the label closely).

Trust me, when you can just sit down to dinner with your family and attempt to enjoy the moment... you will feel Awesome.  Chances are, the kids will say, "Mom, this is awesome."  It feels good to be complimented and it feels good to feed your family a healthy meal. You will feel like the day's cares are not so significant because  you can enjoy a stress-free meal and not have to tip anyone.  In fact, people may be so excited, they'll do the dishes.  Okay, so after all that... here's the toss it in the crockpot and have a busy day recipe.

SNEAKY CHILI
1 bag Morningstar Farms Meal Starters (plain)
1 can black beans
1 can light red kidney beans
1 can chili beans (your preference on strength and brand)
1 can Great Northern or White beans (not cannelini beans)
2 cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with garlic
1 pkg pre-chopped red onion/yellow onion and green pepper from the produce section of the grocery store.*
1 tbsp chili powder
dash of cayenne (or to taste)
1 tbsp beef flavored bullion

Drain all the beans (except the chili beans-- don't drain those or you lose the flavor) and  put them in a crockpot sprayed with non-stick spray.  Add all ingredients into the crockpot, breaking up the soy crumbles and stirring them in.  [Don't worry about the ice chunks that come with it, it's just extra water].
Set your crockpot to low for 4-6 hours and either manually switch to warm (or if you have an awesome programmable crockpot like mine, it will switch for you) and eat it when you're ready.

I usually put out sour cream, cheese, crusty rolls (or crescent rolls) and (if my Dad's around) hot sauce to garnish.

*If you have the time and inclination, you can chop 1 onion and 1 pepper up and place in your chili... but if you're in a hurry or you realize one pepper costs $1.99 and it's $3.19 for the mix with the right amount with no waste... you may decide your money is worth it. You do what works for you. 

Welcome Back Wednesday!

The best laid plans of mice and men usually involve plans... and they go awry.  Mine certainly did.  I'm hoping I'm back... you see, I suffered a bit of a "dark night" the last week.  I moved from Awesome (the Godly focused definition) to awesome (the worldly focused definition).

For starters, I pulled a muscle in my neck leading to messing up my lower back (again).  It's hard to see/feel the Awesome when your sciatic nerve is so pinched your whole leg feels like it's asleep. Several things were in play to accomplish this level of awesome pain in my butt (quite literally):

• I assisted in the first grade classroom with a stiff neck.  Leaning over miniature sized table and chairs only leads to 2 things:  numb butts and strained lower backs
• I lost some weight... in my case, this shifted the pressure on my, admittedly, weak stomach, hip and knee muscles... so I've had to adjust my own expectations based on my body.  I have to realize that the full steam ahead for me might just look like B-52 bomber taking off, rather than a fighter jet.  [Ooh, just revealed my Air Force Brat roots there... but I tell you, I need to look more at the long term strategy-- and a B-52 is a strategic plane... a fighter jet, not so much]
• my son tackled me after I had JUST BEEN to the chiropractor.  He's a 5 ft tall ... very solidly built (deceptively so-- his weight is much higher than expected based on his body fat). 

Then, I started to let the doubt creep in.  Yes the evil, evil doubt. 

• Is anyone reading this?
• Does anyone care?
• I'm yelling at my kids while stuffing my face with chocolate creme oreos (that have been smeared with peanut butter)... who am I to claim awesomeness.

Then I realized (during my week long hiatus), that I set myself up quite a tough goal.  Blog every day for a year, all while maintaining or increasing my home and work duties.  Yes, the phrase, "Am I nuts?" creeped into mind.  So here's the deal, peeps.

I want to blog every day, but because I'm so busy being Awesome, that's just not going to happen all the time.  [Yes, I could write a week's worth of blogs and just schedule them to post, but where's the awesomeness in removing the reality of being a real person with real responsibilities?].  It all comes down to feeling obligated vs feeling inspired.  And by the end of January, I felt obligated. 

It's my belief that when you do things out of pure obligation, you lose the heart of the matter.  The LOVE of it is gone.  Yes, I am obligated to feed my children dinner.  The difference is I LOVE my children and this is a responsibility I chose to take on when I acted with/out of love in order to conceive them.  So that kind of obligation is different from "I really should do this because I arbitrarily set up this idea of being (worldly) awesome."  If I'm not feeling the fire of inspiration, I cannot light a spark within you as well.

So, I'm going to try to stick to my themes... but I may need to adjust things a bit.  So bear with me, because I'm bound to hit Awesome/awesome again. 

I just have to remember for myself that the Awesome is not in projecting perfection, but rather seeing the divine within myself and allowing that Awesomeness to shine through. 

Just for kicks and giggles, if you're reading the blog, please comment here and on Facebook-- it will motivate me to share more than if I don't know whether or not anyone really cares.  And showing the LOVE is part of being Awesome.

Oh, by the way, I hope  you like the slight redesign.  I, uh, wanted to change themes and kinda screwed up and then settled on this library type thing.  Yeah, it's not that original and a bit "canned tuna" but I'm a librarian.  Nothing  brings me more comfort than being around books.  So this actually felt more relaxing to me.  There you have it... an accidental Awesomeness.

Web Wednesday #5

Typically, I've used Web Wednesday to highlight some fun stuff around the web.  Great resources, ideas, ways to entertain your kids/family... Like I said, fun stuff.

Today, I'm not feeling so "fun."  I'm not generally very political... I've already announced numerous times, that I'm Catholic.  Generally, I let people form whatever opinions of me they might with a lot of concern.  Today, I'm throwing my concern out the window.  If nothing else, your opinion of me today should include the idea, not that I'm the most Catholic person you know, but someone willing to stand up for what they believe... unashamed.  You can disagree with my opinion, I don't mind.  You can even decide you think I'm narrow-minded. I can't control what you think... but I do think you need to take a look at these:

• Bishop Earl Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing speaks out HHS Mandate
• Catholic Bishops speak out enmass about HHS Mandate
• Occupy Wall Street protesters accost Pro-Life protesters
• PepsiCo  and Kraft/Cadbury Adams continues it's contract with Synomex, using flavors developed using electively aborted fetal kidney cells
• Go here for a list of affected products

Yes, I have an opinion on abortion  and yes I have an opinion of the violation of freedom of religion.

There you have it... found around the web.

Tipster Tuesday #5

[Due to a stupidity error, this was not posted on Tuesday... I hit save as draft, rather than publish post-- because I'm that awesome!]

In case you haven't picked up on it... some of my key focus points this year are getting organized and getting healthy.  Lately there's been a few hiccups trying to impede my progress towards my goals:

• The schedule
• The behavior
• The Fizzle

But I'm not letting it get me down... I'm recommitting myself to myself... or my goals.

• Block off parts of your schedule for YOU... not the kids, not work, nothing but you.  Use that time on weekends to refresh and during the week to keep on top of what matters most to you.
• Define what matters most to you... I know that sounds like I've turned into a cross between Dr Phil and Stephen Covey.  There's a reason why they say these things.  You can't be awesome if you don't have a good eye on what matters.  In my world:
• Faith
• Family
• Self
• The rest
• As you try to reach whatever goals you've set, who are you accountable to?  (Yes, besides yourself) Involve others in your goals and make a "pact" with someone to get you going.  Get excited and share what you're doing.  You never know... what ever it is that you're doing may be inspirational to others.  That's what God put you here for... to inspire others in whatever you're good at.  I see great Moms every Tuesday at Mother's Club and each week, I think they're doing such awesome things, I must be able to get at least half that out of myself... and I push myself harder. 
• Stand up for what you believe in... unabashedly...