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~Kathy

The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 30th

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... sunny, but cool

I am thinking... about what a mess the house is

From the learning rooms... lots of motivating going on right now

I am thankful for... my wonderful husband

From the kitchen... Spaghetti w/ garlic bread

I am wearing... knit shorts, short-sleeved knit shirt, barefoot

I am reading.. I'm looking for a free copy of There We Stood, Here We Stand by Timothy Drake, Richard John Neuhaus

I am hoping... to get caught back up again on housework

I am creating... a schedule for our school days, and it's not going well

I am hearing... my daughter singing

Around the house... work, lots of work!

One of my favorite things... is finding a wonderful new picnic spot

A few plans for the rest of the week... school, Stations of the Cross, co-op, Mass

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

What part of spring are you?

Well, I think it got it pretty much right, or at least that's how I try to be.

You Are Kids Playing

You are a free spirited soul. More than anything else, you are often just happy to be alive. You are always laid back and cheerful. You enjoy whatever happens to come your way. You are spontaneous and zany. You're the kind of adult who still runs through the sprinklers. You don't take life too seriously. You try to have fun at all times, even when you're working.

What Part of Spring Are You?

Small Successes - Every Bit Counts

Share your Small Success at Faith and Family Live!

1. We are hand-washing all of our dishes, and have been all week, out on the patio. Our grease trap is plugged-up, and so we cannot let any water whatsoever get down the kitchen drain, until we can have it cleaned-out, which will happen I don't know when. The blessing in this, is that we have dishes to wash, and clean water to wash them with. So many people in the world do not have either of those.

2. I cannot hang my laundry out to dry, because it is raining. The rain is a real blessing, as this area is something like 7 inches below our average rainfall. It also makes all the beautiful flowers bloom and is greening up the trees. It also helps provide lots of food for the birds and wildlife.

3. My husband's allergies are starting to calm down (another thanks to the rain). He is using his inhaler less and less. It is really making him crazy not to be outside doing all the things that need to be done around here.

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Annunciation
1775
by Anton Raphael Mengs

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A Catholic Collect for the Annunciation Feast

O God
Who didst please that at the message of an Angel
Thy Word should take flesh in the womb
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
grant unto Thy suppliants,
that we who believe her to be
truly the mother of God
may be aided by her intercession before Thee
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
Benedictine Monastic Diurnal

Feast of St. Gabriel the Archangel

Saint Gabriel the Archangel

Feast day: March 24th

Litany of St. Gabriel

For private recitation.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,

Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary , Queen of Angels, pray for us.

Saint Gabriel, glorious Archangel, pray for us.

St. Gabriel, strength of God, etc.

St. Gabriel, who stands before the throne of God,

St. Gabriel, model of prayer,

St. Gabriel, herald of the Incarnation,

St. Gabriel, who revealed the glories of Mary,

St. Gabriel, Prince of Heaven,

St. Gabriel, ambassador of the Most High,

St. Gabriel, guardian of the Immaculate Virgin,

St. Gabriel, who foretold the greatness of Jesus,

St. Gabriel, peace and light of souls,

St. Gabriel, scourge of unbelievers,

St. Gabriel, admirable teacher,

St. Gabriel, strength of the just,

St. Gabriel, protector of the faithful,

St. Gabriel, first adorer of the Divine Word,

St. Gabriel, defender of the Faith,

St. Gabriel, zealous for the honor of Jesus Christ,

St. Gabriel, whom the Scriptures praise as the Angel sent by God to Mary, the Virgin,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, blessed Archangel Gabriel,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray.

O blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, intercede for us at the throne of Divine Mercy in our present necessities, that as thou didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through thy prayers and patronage in Heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. R. Amen.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~March 23rd

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... the weather is changing w/ storms coming

I am thinking... that I really need to get the laundry on the line while I can

From the learning rooms... lots of History today with Dad, since he's home

I am thankful for... my dh being so happy with his job

From the kitchen... fried catfish and boiled shrimp tonight

I am wearing... denim stretch shorts, short-sleeved knit shirt & barefoot

I am reading... The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp

I am hoping... finish cleaning the schoolroom

I am creating... a menu for next month

I am hearing... the squirrels chattering & birds singing, in the trees

Around the house... we are working to finish de-cluttering

One of my favorite things... everyone sitting around, reading a good book

A few plans for the rest of the week... co-op and library

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Houston Museum of Natural Science

We had just a few days left on our membership (which we are unable to renew) so we thought we'd go down for one last day of fun!

Feast of Saint Joseph

Feast of Saint Joseph

V. He made him the lord of his household;

R. And prince over all his possessions. —Feast of St. Joseph (March 19)

The quote above was from this website, along with many prayers of/for St. Joseph.

Small Successes - Little Things Mean a Lot

Share your Small Success at Faith and Family Live!

1. I was able to hang all of my laundry out on the line yesterday, thanks to our Lord for the glorious weather!

2. I am making progress on my "To Be Read" pile of books, some of which have been sitting there for quite some time.

3. Our property is getting cleaned-up for spring, slowly. My dh cannot be outside right now, due to all the pollen and his asthma, so the dc and I are working on it. There just always seems to be something else to take care of out there. It is starting to look good though!

The Simple Woman's Time Journal

That's My Girl!

Feast of Saint Patrick

Feast of Saint Patrick

Ancient Saint Patrick's Day Prayer

O God,
by whose providence the blessed Patrick
was chosen to be the apostle of the Irish;
that thus the people of Hibernia,
who had gone astray in darkness
and in the errors of the Gentiles,
might be made children of the Most High
by the laver of regeneration:
Grant, we beseech thee,
that by his intercession,
we may hasten without delay
to the paths of justice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Breviary of Armagh, cited in The Liturgical Year: Vol. 5

Breastplate of Saint Patrick

I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever,
By power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan River;
His death on cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the Cherubim;
The sweet 'Well done' in judgment hour;
The service of the Seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord, And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death-wound and the burning
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Translation: Cecil Frances Alexander

Saint Patrick's Day Collect

Almighty God,
who in your providence chose your servant Patrick
to be the apostle of the Irish people,
to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error
to the true light and knowledge of you:
Grant us so to walk in that light,
that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and ever.

Feast of Saint Patrick Liturgy of the Hours Prayer

God our Father
You sent Saint Patrick
to preach your glory to the people of Ireland.
By the help of his prayers,
may all Christians proclaim your love to all men.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours

A Prayer to Saint Patrick

Apostle sent by God to Ireland,
in your humility you called yourself a sinner,
but you became a most successful missionary
and prompted countless pagans
to follow the Savior.
Many of their descendants in turn
spread the Good News in numerous foreign lands.
Through your powerful intercession with God,
obtain the missionaries we need to continue the word you began.

New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book

Ancient Antiphon to Saint Patrick

All the children of Ireland
cry out to thee:
Come, O Holy Patrick, and save us!

From the words the angel spoke to Patrick, cited in The Liturgical Year: Volume 5


All of the above obtained from:

Saint Patrick's Day Prayers
Prayers and Collects for the Feast of Saint Patrick

The Simple Woman's Daybook March 16th

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... the sun is shining and it is nice & warm!

I am thinking... what to do for the Feast Day of Saint Patrick tomorrow (also dd's Baptismal day celebration)

From the learning rooms... today is a day off for them, since their dad is off today

I am thankful for... the return of our beautiful weather!

From the kitchen... breakfast of omelets, biscuits & gravy and OJ all courtesy of dh

I am wearing... denim capri pants, short-sleeved knit shirt, barefoot

I am reading... I am just starting the Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerich

I am hoping... to start walking this week with my dc

I am creating... and saving ideas for celebrating the Liturgical Church Calendar

I am hearing... my dc singing and dancing in the living room (it's actually a fitness dvd, LOL!)

Around the house... we have conquered the laundry monster AND kitchen monsters!

One of my favorite things... seeing all the flowers and trees blooming, with the birds singing

A few plans for the rest of the week... no co-op this week, visit the library & get pet meds

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The dc with their Grandma (dh's mom)

Ugh! Rain and Cold!

I am trying to praise the Lord for the rain He is giving us, really, I am. We are at least 7 inches below what our normal rainfall would be this year already. It's just so hard to be happy about it, when at the same time all the rain is falling, it is a very chilly 40-something degrees outside. I know, we've been blessed with such warm weather all week last week, and will be again next week, so I'm trying really hard not to complain.

Our poor dogs' kennels caved in under all the weight of the rain. We have tarps on top of them, put in at an angle, so the rain should have run off, but it didn't. It actually bent the pole in half! I now have the dogs on my patio. I am so thankful it is such a big patio, so all 5 of them can fit on there and each have it's own little area to call their own. We have my dd's dog inside, along with the cat and guinea pig.
My dh and I think we've come up with an improved roof system for the kennels, but we'll have to wait until we have the funds available. The dogs all have dog houses, but it's just been so wet, that it's a swamp for them to be walking around in there. It normally isn't this much of a problem, because it is usually much warmer when it rains, so it evaporates or drains away very quickly, thus not leaving them in swamp conditions.

Small Successes

1. I finished cleaning out/organizing all of the photos on my computer!

2. I am finally starting to work on the vast number of books that we own, getting ready to sort through them in order to sell off (yes, I know, a ghastly thought, but very necessary) quite a few of them.

3. My children are finally getting the hang of their chore and schoolwork schedule, making things flow much smoother around here. Woohoo!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook March 9th

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... is glorious sunshine with birds singing & flowers blooming

I am thinking... about what new books to request from the library

From the learning rooms... making sure my son completes his Math for the day

I am thankful for... beautiful spring weather

From the kitchen... wonderful oat blender batter waffles made this morning

I am wearing... denim stretch shorts, short-sleeved knit top & barefoot

I am reading... wonderful new blogs and websites

I am hoping... figure out this crocheting stuff so I can teach my daughter

I am creating... and organizing my photo folders on the computer

I am hearing... the birds singing, squirrels chattering and dogs barking through open windows

Around the house... getting the kitchen cleaned-up and organized

One of my favorite things... listening to my children play outside in the beautiful sunshine

A few plans for the rest of the week... keep the house picked-up, Friday co-op & library

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Ah, such serious business, getting married (22yrs ago)! LOL! (It was funny too, because we had to use baptismal candled to light the Unity Candle, and they had told us to keep them turned away from the congregation, forgetting that then it would show in the pictures. I guess we were concentrating hard on that, so we looked so serious. And yes, it was in one of those "icky" modern churches, not the beautiful one I grew up & went to school at, but my mother insisted on this one, saying the other was "too old".)

Celebrate the Small Stuff

1. I finally finished what we refer to around here as "Mount Laundry". I could not believe how far we had fallen behind on it. But, to be honest, a great bit of it was "winter" stuff that we were washing to be put away; i.e., afghans, blankets, jackets and heavy sweaters. You just have to love winters down here in the South. We've hit 82 degrees so far today, and it's still climbing.


2. I was so sick the last couple of days, yesterday being absolute worst, and my dc really rallied around and took care of "poor ol' mom". They cooked dinner, which was quite delicious (I forced myself to eat, even though I really didn't feel like it), and cleaned-up afterwards. They even finished the last load of laundry. My fever finally broke late into the night and I am better now.



3. I am trying to keep us on a more consistent schedule of school and chores, and doing well with it. There is always room for improvement, but I have been pleased so far. We have done really well with school, but the chores and stuff always seem to start slipping. We are doing well now.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~March 2nd

Visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

For Today...

Outside my window... cool, but glorious sunshine.

I am thinking... I'll be so glad when spring is finally here.

From the learning rooms... all done for the day!

I am thankful for... my family and my home.

From the kitchen... wonderful spaghetti sauce simmering!

I am wearing... denim capri pants, a short-sleeved knit shirt, socks and house slippers

I am reading... The Dolorous Passion Of Our Lord by Anne Catherine Emmerich.

I am hoping... that our warmer weather come Wednesday will be here to stay!

I am creating... wonderful home for my family to spend lots of time together.

I am hearing... the album De Profundis by the Daughters of Mary.

Around the house... I am almost completely caught-up on the laundry and I got all of my ironing done.

One of my favorite things... listening to my children play together.

A few plans for the rest of the week... We take our kitty to the vet to be neutered on Thursday & our dogs for their shots on Friday. We go to church for Lenten services on Wednesday evening, & the dc have co-op on Friday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is a picture of my daughter's dog, attending a tea party last year. LOL!