And so it begins...the weeks leading up to the resurrection of the Lord. Our 8 year old granddaughter asked me this morning what I was going to "give up" for Lent. She is giving up chocolate kisses she told me, all the while looking at a bowl of them on top of the refrigerator. Something tells me the  chocolate kisses need to disappear. :)
How well I remember giving up things for Lent after Lent....chocolate, peanut butter. But after decades of life it isn't so much what I give up as what I give of myself.
I pray for the grace to be selfless....and the tenacity to practice (and stick with) introspection, listening to the "still small voice" within....and the strength to "let go and let God..."
What will these 40 days mean for you?
What do you hope to accomplish? Discover?
Wherever these weeks lead you, I wish you pea
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Fat Tuesday 02/21/2012
 
I have really never liked that name....fat Tuesday....but I understand it. And while I didn't have the bismarks (that's what I call them) I did decide to join in the ritual. Sooooooooooooooooooo, I bought a box of m and m's started eating. Two thirds through the box I decided I didn't feel so hot, so I threw the rest away. Will I
evvvvvvvvvvvver learn???!!!
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Gratitude 02/20/2012
 
I sometimes forget to thank God for all the blessings I have. Today I am particularly grateful that our six year old granddaughter, Meggan, had a normal CT of the head this morning.  There are so many children who are ill in this world 
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Hard to believe that Wednesday is Ash Wednesday (already).  For me, it is a period of introspection, a time to really take time daily to center myself on what is going on internally.
Part of what I am incorporating are the Jesuit spiritual exercises. The first time I was introduced to them (years ago) I thought I could easily adapt to them. But, they require a daily period of introspection.  When you REALLY attempt to add them to your prayer life....well, it's a heavy commitment. It is one that I want to become more familiar with, so I am willing to give it my all.
Have you thought of this upcoming Lent as a time of transition, of more listening to the Spirit within you?
What will help you to focus?
I wish u peace on  your journey.
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PATRICK 02/15/2012
 
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In just a few days Patrick will be 3 years old!!! I'm still trying to figure out how that happened. I call him Lovey and I smoosh him with kisses and hugs every chance I get. Funny how these grandchildren capture our hearts (and minds) in a split second….blessings all 7 of them.

Count your blessings…..
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"Love makes the world go round...." "Love, Love, Love.....All we need is love" "But above all I wish you love..." Just a few of the wonderful music pieces about LOVE..
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ALLY 02/14/2012
 
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Such a sweet face, right? Ally's nickname is TORNADO ALLY. Does that tell you anything? Well, today at school she announced to the whooooooooole class that she wants to be called TORNADO ALLY from now on. Hm, I wonder what she will be when she grows up. ;)
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Jack is 8!!!!! 02/12/2012
 
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How cute are these freckles!!!!!!
On Feb 6th our sweet Jack turned 8 years old!!!! He is a precious little boy and full of love (and a wicked sense of humor). I remember clearly when he arrived. I had the privilege of being there for his birth….this little red headed lamb came pushing out into the world. Our world is better because of him. We love you, Jack!!!! And we're so glad you were born!
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Jim's Final Vows, Los Angeles CA, Feb. 5, 2012
There are moments in time that are difficult to describe in words....moments that reside deep in our hearts where words are not important....the place where feelings take precedence over all else. Such were the moments we experienced a week ago when we gathered together at Loyola Marymount University, to witness our oldest son, Jim, professing his final vows as a Jesuit priest. The liturgy was beautiful....the music....the homily....the kindness of the Jesuit community.....the receptions, their hospitality ( I might add Jesuits are known for their hospitality among other things). And the weather was wonderful! 
And so....once again....I am grateful for these special moments in time.
I wish you joy and peace and treasured moments......

 
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Remotes.... 01/28/2012
 
WHY must we have so many remotes??? This morning my little grandson happened to sit on one of them (the silver one).....all of a sudden we had lost the signal. So, I took a look at it (as if that would accomplish anything, because I didn't have the R-E-M-O-T-E-S-T idea what all those buttons were for!) and I pushed a couple of buttons that didn't look as ominous as some of the others. But, no luck! Hmmmmm, I thought, maybe I should use the OTHER remote...the black one. Didn't make any difference because I still was confused. When I called Comcast, I had the kindest rep who talked me through it until VOILA! it worked!! He must have "sensed" that I would probably never remember all the steps the next time, because he very kindly said "How about if I repeat that so that you can write it down" (in the off chance that I would run into this problem again). And, hey, Who KNEW I would get to learn something new at 8am on a nice Saturday morning :)
The kitchen tv also has two remotes, one of which I now hide because if anyone uses that one the KITCHEN tv doesn't work! Then there is the upstairs tv with THREE remotes....that I don't have the R-E-M-O-T-E-S-T idea how to work or WHY we need so many!!!!!!  
Ahhhhhhh, but the day is ending now and I'm just grateful that I can put all of them aside for today and be remotely satisfied that I have accomplished a little something today. 
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