Fearless Friday

Thank you to Angela, for this opportunity to join in her prayers, and those of all the others on Fearless Friday. Your prayer intentions are in my heart. If you would like me to pray for you, please leave a comment, or send me an email at thorns dot lily at gmail.com.

Today I am feeling thankful for a few good turns in our lives this week.

1. We have had a few breaks in our finances this last week. Nothing overwhelming, but things that I am so grateful for, and which we really needed.

2. Mr. Thorns had 3 interviews this week!

3. St. Anthony helped me find my way home when I was lost!!

On my heart to pray for today:

1. All the unemployed.

2. A couple getting married tomorrow, M & A.

3. A couple married last weekend, D & R.

4. My daughter who started a new job this week, and her special guy who never ceases to amaze me.

5. My children who are still sick, though Bananas is recovering, she is not full form, and for Boo who went down yesterday.

6. For the health of my friend and her son, who I will be starting this novena for, again, on Sunday. Please feel free to join us in praying for J and his health, and for his family.

7. For all the other intentions on my heart and in the hearts of others.

Book Blogger Hop

My favorite new-to-me author this week is Beth Fantaskey. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside was her debut novel, and she surprised me with both the plot and the quality of her writing. She has recently released Jekel loves Hyde, and there is a sequel to Jessica's Guide upcoming. She writes YA, and she is adorable in her pics. In her list of facts about herself she says she has been fired once, and she is the mother of two children, both five years old, who are not twins.

This week I finished both Beth Fantaskey's book, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Welcome to the hop! Go check out the new rules on Crazy For Books. Thanks for stopping by.

St. Anthony, Finder of lost...roads?

I know, you are thinking, "Did she say lost roads?" Yup, that is what I said. Lost roads.

Yesterday I went to visit The Oldest, because I altered a dress she is wearing to a wedding this weekend. In case you don't remember, she lives in another state, three hours away. I had a lovely afternoon with her. We were even were able to catch a soccer game her special guy played in, and I was able to enjoy a brief visit with a friend I haven't seen in a while. It was nice to have my daughter to myself for a little while, which is a rarity in a large family:).

After the game, and a brief visit with my favorite futbolista, I was headed home. Every time I leave my daughter's town, I leave from a different location. One soccer field or another, a restaurant, or from her apartment, but with the road work going on I have often managed to lose myself right in her town. Not this time, her special guy gave me perfect directions and I found my way to familiar turf. This is where I lost myself this time.

Somehow, I took a wrong road when I came off the highway. Unbelievably I ended up in the middle of nowhere, in fact, I was 4 miles beyond the ends of the earth, as someone said to me just last night. (Now, if I could only say it in Spanish...lol). I started to panic.

Then I remembered St. Anthony, the finder of lost things. I thought, "Why not roads" and I prayed to St. Anthony to help me find my lost route. I was only half way home at this point. Immediately after praying this, literally in the middle of nowhere with no street lights, houses or buildings, I round a corner and find this lone gas station, all lit up and OPEN at 11:00 p.m.

I go inside to find a very pleasant man, with a soothing voice and calming presence behind the counter. I told him I managed to get myself entirely lost. He started to give me directions, then pulled out a pen and drew me a map. He explained what landmarks I would see on the way, how long it would take me to get from point A to point B to point C, so I would not be needlessly worried. Then he said, here is the number to the store, if you get lost, call me and I will help you get back on the path.

His directions were perfect. I did not get any further shaken up because it was all exactly as he had said. Once I knew where I was I called my husband and asked him to please call the man at the gas station, I was sure he must still be working, and thank him for getting me there safely. Later, Mr. Thorns told me the man's name was Paul.

Thank you, St. Anthony, for sending Paul my way, to lead me home when I was lost, and thank you St. Anthony for finding my lost road. One of these days I'm going to leave The Oldest and make it straight home, without incident!

Scooby Doo Marathon

I loved Scooby Doo as a kid. One of the first DVD sets we bought was Scooby Doo, and all of the children love the show. Now, poor little Bananas has been sick for almost two full weeks, and we have been watching a Scooby Doo marathon for the last 4 days! She and I are watching now, while the rest of the children are out to their summer activities. After watching for 4 days straight she is still laughing! Today I am grateful for Scooby Doo and the smiles he is bringing to my sick little girl.

I'm a person, not a condition

Today is the 20th anniversary of the signing, by George H.W. Bush, of the People with Disabilities Act. This article explores the how attitudes have changed, and how far we still need to go.

A moving article.

Some of my favorite people have disabled bodies, but brilliant minds and sparkling personalities. I saw this with my mother, people thought because her body was broken, so was her mind. I see this in the nursing home where I work, residents discounted or pitied because they have various disabilities. People give up on others because they are uncomfortable.

This article says that attitudes will change when children have an opportunity to feel comfortable around disabled people:

I don't think most parents purposely instill discrimination in their children. I
think it's just that most young children are not exposed to anyone with
disabilities and therefore lack the familiarity that makes them comfortable
around someone different from them.

Parents need to look for
opportunities to introduce their children to community members with
disabilities, laying a foundation for inclusion, acceptance and friendship.

Well, now, isn't that easy enough? How hard is it to perform random acts of kindness for disabled people we encounter? How difficult is it to seek out friendships?

Maybe in honor of today's anniversary, you could join me in a pledge to cultivate relationships between our children and the disabled. If you think you do not know anyone, call the ARC or the CP foundation. Tell them you read the article linked above, and you want to do your part to make your children comfortable around disabilities, and aware of the needs of the disabled community. Tell them you want to cultivate friendships, and ask them to recommend someone who would welcome the friendship of your children, because you want it to be a positive experience for all involved. Then, follow through with regular visits, letters, and phone calls. Build those relationships and do your part toward making the future better, through your children.

Are you with me? God bless you.

For photo credit, click the image.

Fearless Friday

I have decided to participate in Fearless Fridays, a prayer day for all intentions. If you have any intentions on your heart I will pray for you. List your intentions in the comments. If you would like to participate also, join the Linky over at Angela's blog: Free Spirit Haven.

This week I am praying that my husband gets a job. He has been unemployed for 13 months, and it has been the hardest 13 months of our lives, most especially the last 7 weeks.

I am praying for my daughter, who is in another state, going to college, maintains an apartment, cares for a kitty cat, takes care of more than she should at her age, and is starting two new jobs.

I am also praying for the special young man in my daughter's life, who works so hard (full time), is a college student, manages and plays for a semi-pro soccer team, and much more.

Also on my heart this week is Sweet Mary, who has had more than her share of health troubles.

My Bananas, she has been pretty sick all week.

A certain family who has a wedding coming up, and is always in my prayers for health and happiness. Extra prayers for the couple to be married that their lives are filled to overflowing with health, happiness, security, and love, lots and lots of love.

For all the unemployed everywhere, who struggle in innumerable ways, some ways no one wants to voice, because there just are not jobs out there. Look at this article about just how many are unemployed out there.

For Angie and all her prayer intentions, and all who join the meme this week.

And lastly for all those who have intentions they wish to keep in their hearts but need prayers regardless. If you would like me to pray for you, please add your intention into the comments below.

Free iTouch

7-22-10

I am moving this up from the 16th to keep it near the top of my blog because I am getting more interest than I had expected!! If you are interested, there is still time. Please read through all of the information below. Yes the iTouch is completely free, but it is free when you sign up for a course...read on...and get back to me if you are interested!!!

Today in my email box I found a way to get a free iTouch, though I'm not eligible I thought I would pass it along.

There is, of course, a catch, but one you may be okay with. If you are interested in Medical Transcription, the school I am attending, online, is top notch. I started this class to help with the family finances, from home. I am a mommy first and foremost, and this going out to work is not good for me or my children. However, my husband has been out of work for more than a year, therefore I am putting a back-up plan in place. A friend of mine took this class a few years ago, and was easily able to obtain a position working from home. She is making good money and contributing to her family's bottom line. It has been a blessing to her; therefore, I decided to give it a go.

The school is offering a free iTouch to anyone who signs up before July 31. If you are interested, send me an email and I can give you more information, or leave a comment here, with how to reach you. I moderate all comments and will not publish one with any private information, such as your email address or contact information.

Dang, wish I was eligible, I would not mind having one of those things :-)

UPDATE: I've had some interest in this, who is next? Are you? Send me a note!!

The Danger of .... Receipts??

Pen and Paper: WHAT AN EXCUSE.

Did you know that shopping receipts contain a hazardous chemical? I certainly did not!! I am passing this information along as I know some of you will really want to read this. I think it is worth looking into !!

When I think of how many times I have looked over a receipt whilst eating, how many are in my bag next to snacks or gum, how many are left in the bottom of shopping bags, next to produce...it sickens. Who knew???

Go look at this post, she writes a funny post, but underneath her humor there is a real issue...

It's Monday....

It has been a couple of weeks since I last participated, I've been busy with studying :).

Here is what I finished and reviewed in the last week or so:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Loved it.

The Lighter Side of Life and Death
Hmmm, read the review!

Olive Kitteridge
This one surprised me!

What I'm reading now:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
This has been on my reading list for a while, and the book club at the library is reading it this month. I am never able to participate in their discussion as it is always while I am working, but I am often interested in their books. There were just so many copies sitting in the "Hold" cabinet that I just helped myself!

The Teenage Liberation Handbook
Subtitle: How to quit school and get a real life and education. I'm a home educator, and I'm intrigued. I hope I have time to read it before it is due.

The Masked Monkey
A Hardy Boys Mystery that I promised my little monkey I would read to her, as a read-aloud.

The Big Book of the Berenstain Bears
A read aloud with my 6-year-old.

I'm sure there are more...I am also continuing my studies, and I am knee deep in summer camp, swim lessons, tween summer activities, All-Star baseball season. Oh, and did I mention, my two little girls have either Coxsackie virus or Strep? I haven't decided which yet, though I am leaning towards strep :/ blech.

To join the meme.

blogger hop

Joining the hop again this week over at Crazy for Books! Click on the link and check out how to play along!

This week's question is what book are you just dying to get your hands on?

Any of the classics I haven't read (which, of course, are numerous given the number out there!) but I suppose I would have to say the next Flavia de Luce mystery, since I just finished reading the first one.