Happy Monday! Tuesday! Wednesday! Thursday! Friday! Okay, seriously?? I’ve sat down to write this post every day this week but every time something comes up and I’m sidetracked. Oh, well. Such  is life. However, I want to make the effort to post a Daybook since many of you have asked how Brian’s cancer testing went. In a nutshell, great! For the longer version, plus a little bit of this and that, read below. 🙂  I am linking up with Kelly for 7 Quick Takes.

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Grateful for…

• Brian’s good health.
• My brother’s successful surgery and that he’s back home with his family.
• The kids’ swimming instructors and their patience.
• Brian’s safe trip and return home.
• The love and family and friends.

Praying for..

• Those in abusive (physical or emotional) relationships.
• Those who have recently lost their lives, especially under tragic circumstances, and the loved ones left behind.
• The upcoming the BIS Brunches and those planing and attending.
• All pregnant moms, those trying to get pregnant, those who have lost their babies (especially my sis) and for moms contemplating an abortion.
• The souls in purgatory, especially family, friend and those most forgotten.
• Some special intentions.

Pondering…

My need for Reconciliation this weekend. I can always tell when I am getting close to (or past) my monthly Confession. I am more easily impatient, short tempered and put out by inconveniences. Yesterday I was upset with Brian over something stupid and caught myself talking down to him like he was one the kids.  I have been trying to be careful not to do that and to lift him up with my words and actions.  But I was in such a foul mood that everything anyone said to me was getting on my nerves.

I know when I get like this I need to humble myself before God and receive God’s grace through the Sacrament to strengthen my soul. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to confession, let’s both get to it this weekend! 🙂

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Around the House…

As you know, I have been trying to work on the house a little each day but the progress is so slow sometimes it is depressing. I feel like I am so far behind and have so little extra time and even with the kids “helping” I don’t feel like I am making a dent. The other day Brian came home and I just broke down and cried. I felt like a failure. I let the mess get so bad that I couldn’t get myself out of it. Of course that wasn’t completely true and Brian was quick to soothe me and gently reminded me that life with a busy family means progress may be slow but it is there. After a good cry and getting the tension off my chest, I was able to see the corners of the house that did look better and how continued purging of all the junk (my hoarding tendencies really come out when I purge!) will help me make more progress. 🙂

Family Chit Chat… (Brian Update)

My best friend and sweetheart.

As many of you know, Brian has been battling cancer for the last two years. He was clean as of Jan 2015. Last week he was scheduled for another round of bloodwork and a CT scan. We got the results in Monday and his scan was clean and his bloodwork was good. In fact, the doc said his levels have improved. Three months ago his bloodwork had him in the lower normal range. This time he was in the solidly middle range. It is such a relief to get this news. it is never something that we will be done with and we will always have that cloud over our head somewhat, but hopefully Our Lord will continue to bless us with health and healing.

Thank you so much to all of you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement. Brian thinks it’s a little weird that I share these things with you but I need the emotional support and prayers of my OL friends and in turn it may give an encouragement to someone else struggling with some of the things I discuss. So to you, the quiet lurker reading this who never comments, sending out an encouraging hug to you. No words need to be spoken.  🙂

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In the Kitchen…

I tried a new recipe for our Thursday’s breakfast dinner. I made Martha Stewart’s oven baked blueberry pancake. We don’t use white flour or white sugar so I made it with wheat flour and coconut sugar, adding a touch of cinnamon. It was a little more dense than a fluffy white pancake but still came out tasty and everyone gobbled it up! Next time I may try using wheat pastry flour.

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Watching…

(At the Movies)

Summer is movie time! Here are the latest…

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl

Although I am old enough to be their parents, I enjoy watching the young adult movies filled with ironic teens who never quite talk like any teen I’ve known. Although, I happened to sit behind a group of hip, ironic teens that talked as if they belonged in one of these movies. It was kind of sweet to witness. Anyway, the movie was about a self-centered teen (Greg) who is forced by his mom to befriend a classmate (Rachel) that has leukemia. Although Rachel has cancer, the movie is really more about the self-loathing Greg learning to care about someone other than himself and risking getting hurt in order to connect with another person on a deeper level. There are touching moments and quirky humor that add to the overall movie. Rated 3 1/2 out of 5 stars or “I wouldn’t rent or buy the DVD but I’d watch it again if it happened to be on TV.” Parent’s note: The movie contains profane language, crude remarks/ behavior, a secular worldview and deals with cancer and it’s effects.

Mr. Holmes

Some may think that the story of Sherlock Homes has been done to death but I don’t mind the various versions. This movie is the story of a non-mythical Sherlock at the end of his life, dealing with his failing mind and his desire to right a case that he cannot remember. It is definitely more of a drama than a mystery. The story was a little slow at times (and the storyline a little depressing) but what really made this movie was the remarkable talent of Ian McKellen. He was painfully believable as a genius of a man grappling with the decline of his mental capabilities. Maybe it felt a little close to home seeing my father-in-law decline mentally but it touched me. Rated 3 1/2 out of 5 stars or “I wouldn’t buy the DVD but I’d rent it on DVD so Brian could watch it.” Parent’s note: The movie deals with some adult subjects.

Listening to …

Molecules by Atlas Genius is my song of the week. 🙂

Reading…

I’ve been so bad with my reading lately! I am trying to finish up Jen Fulwiler’s first book Something Other Than God so I can read her new one Like Living Among Scorpions: One Woman’s Quest to Survive Her Suburban Life.

Also on the night stand…

Lizzy and Jane

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Here are last couple of posts…

Other than the granola recipe and a couple Daybooks, it’s been quiet. I’m in summer mode. 😉

• Pinterest Party & Link-up (vol 37): Homemade Coconut Granola

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In the blogosphere…

When life is so busy you don’t have time to read your favorite blogs, then I recommend at least reading Catholic All Year. Kendra manages to always have great posts such as these…

• Why We Feel Better If We Care About Cecil the Lion
• When I Didn’t Like My Mother-in-Law and How I Learned to Get Along Anyway: Mystery Blogger Series
• 4 Reasons Why I’m Not Boycotting the Forty Companies on That List

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Here are some Instagrams I’ve taken these past two weeks.

1 – #projectblessed – Goodbye. Goodbye lawlessness. There’s a new sheriff in town.

2 – #projectblessed – Sitting. I’m sitting down with the sweet @celia.oz to plan a Blessed Is She Brunch for Monterey, CA.

3 – That moment when your daughter says, “I’ll make the boys’ breakfast so you can do your work, mom.” ❤️❤️ Mamas of young ones, one day your 13 yr old will make meals and your 8 yr will vacuum and your 5 yr old will match clean socks and your 4 yr old will set the table. You’ll have helpers soon!!

4 – #projectblessed – Street & Glimpse. You can get a glimpse into Matthew’s mind when you see what he wants for his birthday. We saw this while walking along the street of downtown Carmel.

5 – #projectblessed – Clean. I was cleaning the kitchen and found this guy. After a few swats with a shoe I realized it was from Matthew’s toy Spider-Man car. (I don’t know if I was more relieved or mad.)

6 – #projectblessed – handwriting

7 – #projectblessed – Where I live. Even on a gloomy day, there’s no place like home.

8 – It’s been a busy day but now I’m slowing down and writing a letter to a @blessedisshe__ sister.

9 – #projectblessed – Drink. After shopping with the boys I feel like I need a stiff drink.

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Bonus Take

Speaking of Blessed Is She, tomorrow August 1, it is my turn to share a Gospel reflection with you. Here’s a snippet…

So that’s what I’ve been up to lately! What about you? What’s currently happening in your life? Do share.

Have a great weekend!

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