My Fortune is About to Change?

My sister gave me a fortune cookie from Panda Express the other day. The fortune my Mom got was funny considering her personality, the one my sister got basically said she'd be a good community organizer, so when they gave me mine I couldn't wait to see what mine would say. I opened it up and there was my fortune

You will soon have the opportunity to improve your finances

Sweet. I mean doing almost anything at this point will improve my finances. I only have 4 more days of work left. But I think tomorrow I will buy myself a powerball ticket. I already know what I'm going to do with the money.

I'm Tired of the Pope's Trip Already

3 or 4 days into his trip and everyone is mad. The Muslims are mad. The Israelis are mad. I knew they would be, but I'm tired of it already. He should have stayed home, or better yet he should come visit here again. He can crash at my place, we'll make room.

This is Terrible

Two members of a small monastery decided to open a florist shop
to help raise money for their good works. The idea of buying
beautiful flowers from gentle friars appealed to a lot of people in the town, and soon they were flocking to the shop.
Meanwhile, the florist across town saw his business virtually
disappear when all his customers began buying flowers from the monks. He thought the monks had an unfair advantage, so he visited them and asked them to return to the monastery and leave business to businessmen. They politely declined.
So he visited the monastery and asked the Abbot to convince the
monks to abandon the business. He declined as well.
Next the florist sent his mother, his parish priest and his children to
visit the monks, asking them to cease their business so the original florist could make a living. It didn't work.
Finally, in desperation, the florist hired the town thug, Hughson
McNasty, to use personal persuasion. Hugh McNasty showed up one night with a cudgel, shattered the windows of the monk's shop, tossed their flowers out into the street, and gave the monk's black eyes, promising them he'd be back unless they closed their business.
Terrified, the monks shut their store and returned to the monastery.
Proving, of course...
Hugh and only Hugh can prevent florist friars.

April Fools!

LOLSaints

3 Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing
their hopes and dreams when the first tree said,

'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver
and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone
would see the beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take
kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world.
Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and
straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top o f the Hill and
look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to
them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will
always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of
woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This
looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a
carpenter, 'and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he
knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I
should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The s econd tree was happy
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because
he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the
Woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this
one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box
for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not
at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of
being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left=2 0alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they
placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger
would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew
that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second
tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the
water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to
keep the20men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said
Peace' and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had
carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the
streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to
a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the
top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong
enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was
possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way,
always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God
will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had
imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways
are not our ways, but His ways are always best

Please keep this moving... pass it on, so God may inspire more people on the
way.

May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the
palm of His hand.

Rush Listened

Rush is wearing red today.

Autom Rocks

I've been doing this thing with my kids in CCD, if they behave well they get a star, not so well they get a X, 2 Xs get rid of 1 star. At 10 stars they get a prize. I instituted this policy, then I realized that I would have to start buying prizes. One thing that I think is funny that has come out of this is that one of my students from last year that always acted up is now the best behaved student. He was first to get a prize and he is farthest along towards 10 at the moment too.

The first thing I bought them was this picture frame with an image of the Sacred Heart. I have a couple extras up in Kenosha, I should take a photo of it since it looks like they don't offer it anymore. I don't remember exactly, but I think they were each about $.50. They are pretty good quality too, sturdy.

When I gave the student the prize he said next time I should give them a something to do with Mary. So knowing that this prize is coming up soon I got them these rosary boxes. They are only $.99 each. They came in the mail on Monday. They look just like this one, except instead of St. Jude on top its Our Lady of Grace.



Not to pass up a deal though a few days later I ordered these as Easter presents for $4.99.



I had bought these as Christmas presents, I think they were about $3 each. I bought an extra one and we set it up in my Dad's hospital room over Christmas. The kids really seemed to like them too.



I think I probably buy them too much stuff. I never see the other classes getting little gifts, and I never remember getting anything much from CCD other than those cheap $.50 rosaries (the glow in the dark ones were the best!). But, oh well.

Autom

Pumski?

US First Lady Michelle Obama has a nickname for hubby Barack Obama - 'Pumski'.

I saw this article at Cbabes today, and in a weird way I'm curious as to what this could mean. I know that couples come up with all kinds of cute names for each other, and I tend to come up with lots weird and random names for people and pets. But what could this one mean? I think its very unfair of Michelle to do this to us. But I have come up with my own solution to what it is.

Clearly pum is like a pumpkin. And since the Obamas are from Chicago 'ski' can only refer to the man so loved and yet so unknown to Illinois school children, Polish American Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski.

The equation looks something like this.

Singing

One of the pre-schoolers asked me yesterday to sing. She was singing a Christmas song she heard, and she wanted me to try singing. I really didn't want to sing though, so I kept telling her I wasn't any good singing. She kept pressing me on it though and so I told her I only like singing at Church. She was surprised at the answer, 'you like singing at Church?'. I told her it was because everyone sounds good singing at Church.

Thank You Jesus

We have this tradition in our family when we're driving or doing little things and we catch a break to say, "thank you Jesus" or "thank you Lord". I mentioned the habit to my friends once, but they weren't very impressed by it. They said that Jesus wouldn't be too interested in the little occurrences in everyday life and that He didn't have anything to do with those little breaks we catch. I happen to be one to believe that God's hand is in everything, but I told them even if He wasn't involved, I'm sure He likes to be thought of anyway.

I just had a big "thank you Jesus" moment, earlier. Nothing monumental (like the plane that went into the Hudson earlier - that's a big Thank you Jesus moment), but it mattered to me.

Since the New Year the bus schedule that I catch seems to have changed. It used to pick me up somewhere between 5:08 and 5:12. But the past few weeks its been picking me up more like 5:20 and every time the bus is packed and I'm jammed up against the doors. I got out of work at 5, but with the weather being so cold (-10, -29 windchill) I decided it would be prudent to hang around and talk to my coworkers a little. I waited an extra 5 minutes or so, but I figured I'd better get out there to start waiting. So I walked to my stop which is in front of a church. I had brought my camera with to take a couple photos of the pieta they have out in front. I took a couple shots (although I think some of them are shaky) and put my camera back into my purse. I turned around and before I could even get my gloves back on I saw the bus coming. It was 5:10 and I had only been outside for 3 or 4 minutes instead of 20 like I have been the past two weeks. I was never so happy to see a bus in my life and the first thing I thought was 'thank you Jesus'.

Maybe CTA figured on sending out more buses today because it was so cold, or maybe the traffic was lighter today, but whatever the reason I wanted to thank Jesus who is Lord of everything.

I'm Sick of Obama, So Sue Me

Call me bitter or whatever, but I'm sick of seeing Obama. I know I have at least 4 more years of seeing him as President, and thats not as much my problem. I'm sick of the fawning over him by the media, and the mass commercialization of his face.

How many times a day do I have to see long-winded commercials with Montel Williams trying to sell me commemorative coins with his face on them?

How many chain stores (like Walgreens) do I have to walk into with Obama t-shirts and hats?

How many magazine covers have to have him on the front? I even saw a dog magazine with him on it.

Every other story on the Trib does some puff piece on the Obama family - from them staying in a haunted hotel to the accessories Mrs. BO will wear to the inauguration.

And their countdown to his inauguration - so I know the exact moment he will take office.

And don't forget the commemorative plates. My house will be incomplete unless I have one of these apparently.

Its enough already. He's not even in office yet and I'm sick of seeing him. This is not the normal celebration around the election of a new president, its some sort of sick devotion to him. Did he win the election or American Idol?

Black Squirrels

I can never decide if squirrels are adorable or demonic, but this little guy is definitely in the adorable category. All my life around here the squirrels were browny-gray, but for the past year we've seen these black squirrels around. I have no idea where they came from, but for some reason they are just so much neater than the normal ones. He actually shows a bit of dark brown in his fur in the photos than you can't see in person.

Do I Have Gaps in my Knowledge?

There Are 0 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge: No Gaps! Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Religion Economics Literature History Science Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

H/T Esther

Whats Up With Halloween?

I can't believe its the middle of October already. Hobby Lobby has not only had Christmas stuff out for at least a month, but its already 40% off. There's a jumble of seasonal goods to be had in the aisles; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all together. Next time I look Valentine's Day stuff will probably be in the aisles.

But the other day I was thinking about Halloween. What the heck has happened to it. I don't really have this idyllic vision of Halloween when I was a kid, but has anyone else noticed that it has been completely over taken by adults and is exceptionally frightening?

At my new job I sometimes have free time and I will flip through the Oriental Trading Company catalog. We had one that was all themed for Halloween, but I was taken back by how gruesome or gross some of the items were. And last Halloween every day on my way to work I passed a life-sized mannequin who was hanging off a tall tree over the street. I won't even get into the suggestive/obscene costumes that I saw at a Halloween store in recent years. Every year I see more and more Halloween decorations (even more than Christmas now) but less and less trick-or-treaters.

I'm really not someone who gets up in arms about Halloween as this horrible holiday. * I have fond memories of going around with friends and family to neighbor's houses and bags and bags of candy and I don't seem to be adversely effected by it all. I do remember getting chased away from an older lady's house once for knocking too loudly on her window (I have no recollection as to why I was knocking on the window, except maybe we thought the bell was broken?). But I do question how Halloween can be fun for kids, especially younger kids, when it is not a little creepy or scary and is instead grotesque and frightening.

* I respect people who feel that way. And also the people who instead to have costumes about positive people like the Saints or other things like that. My sister went as St. Joan of Arc for a couple of years at the end of her trick-or-treating days.

Mom

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'


'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'


'Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

How Exciting

Gas under $3, woohoo.

Pelican

I was taking pictures around my church again this evening after mass. I was mostly focusing on the stained glass windows. I always look at the one obviously behind the altar, and the ones in the middle along the side of the church because thats usually about where we sit. But since I was taking pictures I went and looked at the ones along the side in the back. On one side was an image of the Lamb of God. On the other was the pelican. It was only a few months ago that I learned that the pelican is another symbol for Jesus. I had never read that before, but earlier this summer I took pictures of some pelicans at the zoo and when I came home and did some reading about them I was surprised to learn of its symbolism.

Legend has it that, in times of famine, a mother pelican will pluck her own breast and feed her young with her blood, resulting in her death. The pelican is thus an apt symbol for the crucifixion of Christ, which he suffered willingly for the sake of the church.

Source

Micki at Holy Cards for Your Inspiration shared this holy card earlier this year.

Best Quote Ever

Ok, maybe its not the best quote ever, but it is still a good one.

Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi:

"Maybe we need to abandon the habit of issuing apologies and treating history as if it were a court always in session"

I've learned enough to know that I need to stay away from any discussion regarding creationism, evolution, and everything in-between, but that quote is just gold.

I Have Renamed the City of Chicago

I was having a conversation with my friends yesterday about the pronunciation of words. And I mentioned that my sister and my brother pronounce Chicago "chi-cah-go" which I thought was weird because nobody else in my family says it that way. They asked how I say Chicago and I said "Chi-caw-go, with awe in it, like awesome... in fact thats what the city should be called, Chicawsome". So now when anyone asks where I'm from I'm going to tell them Chicawesome - and the city is indeed that.

Just Do Something

Esther posted this thought and I had to share it too.

I once stopped behind several cars in an intersection. The winter weather was icy cold and a strong arctic wind blew relentlessly. Ahead
of me a young woman stood alongside the street rubbing her bare hands together and dancing in place to keep warm. Beside her rested a sign that read, "I have a baby and no food." She was obviously crying, likely from the pain of the cold wind.

Homeless and unemployed people are a common sight in many of our larger cities, and most motorists drive by without offering
assistance. They have no doubt been taught that giving money fosters a dependent lifestyle, or the ready cash may be used to purchase
alcohol or another substance rather than the food it was intended for. Like me, they may have been taught that one should give to a
local charity or through one's church, as these institutions can help those in need far more effectively.

This, of course, is true, but I am reminded of the college students who encountered a homeless man on the sidewalk. One of the students took a couple of dollars from his wallet and handed it to the unfortunate stranger. His friend commented, "Why did you do that? He's just going to spend it on booze or drugs." The student answered, "Yeah...like we're not!"

As I waited for the light to turn, I felt conflicted about that young woman. Whether or not I should give money, she was obviously in need. And whether or not she actually had a baby really didn't seem to matter. I gave up guessing people's motives and analyzing their
stories long ago. It was cold. She was cold. And she obviously felt she had to be there.

What should I do? Give her money? What was best? As I wrestled with these questions, the window rolled down from the car in front of me and a hand shot out holding a warm pair of gloves. The driver took her own gloves off and gave them to the shivering woman. I saw the young woman mouth the words "Thank you" as a broad smile lit up her face.

As I debated, somebody else helped. As I hesitated, somebody else acted. As I tried to decide the BEST way to assist, somebody else
just did what she could. As I did nothing, she did something. I made myself a pledge that day to always do SOMETHING.

Whether it is big or small, just do something. Something is almost always better than nothing!

Inspired Unknown Author

This story immediately made me think of Matthew 25:35 - 40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome,
36 lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me."
37 Then the upright will say to him in reply, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?"
40 And the King will answer, "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me."