Tuesday, March 31, 2009

No Swearing on this blog.

The Blog-O-Cuss Meter - Do you cuss a lot in your blog or website?
Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites

I saw this at both Larry D's and Sarah's blog.

A simple Womens Daybook.



Peggy is the hostess for A simple womens daybook. Pop on over to read what other simple women are up to.

Outside my window... the day has just started. It is still dark.

I am thinking... about today and what needs to be done before we go to Port Pirie.

From the learning rooms... we will be learning about the different oils blessed at the Chrism mass.

I am thankful for... a good nights sleep last night.

From the kitchen...I am preparing for a big cook this weekend.

I am wearing... my nightie still.

I am reading... The Screwtape letters.

I am hoping... the children all enjoy the trip to Port Pirie today.

I am creating... Tom's shirt and a clutter free kitchen.

I am hearing... Steve has put on the Drew Mariani Show.

Around the house... the children are all sleeping still, there is lots of washing to fold and put away.

One of my favorite things... a quiet morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Chrism Mass today, a picnic at the swimming pool, Confession this weekend,


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

Monday, March 30, 2009

5mart Martha Monday.

I really didn't do that well this week. Here are my 5 from last week

In the past, I have prayed in the mornings before I get on computer and check my blog/emails. This week, I only did that once. It only took one morning of me sleeping in later than usual to not pray. It was a big mistake. I didn't pray any mornings until Thursday and that was the only day I did it all week. I need to make it a priority this week.

So out of the 5 things, We did start Tom's First Communion prep, I sewed Madeline's dress and we had our trip to Whyalla. I think we only did the stations twice all week. I was only in bed by 10 on Monday night. I didn't get any kitchen cupboards cleaned out and the only day I did 5 decades of the rosary was on Thursday.

So this week I want to:

Sewing: Cut out a shirt for Tom.

Housework and home school: We will go to the Chrism Mass tomorrow and I will teach the children during the week about the oils that each parish takes home from the mass.

Health: I have joined Spark People First week they set the goal of 90 minutes exercise a week. I am also counting calories and keeping it between 1200 and 1500.

Family: This week is the last week that the pool is open so I think we will go for a swim and take tea there one night.

Spiritual: This morning I was reading Mary Vitamin and this stood out for me:

Quote:
"Tradition says that the three hardly ever spoke in the Holy House at Nazareth.A deeper silence than that of a Carmelite desert reigned there. The words of Jesus were very few. That was the reason Mary laid them up in her heart, because like treasures, they were rare as well as precious."
Father Faber, The Foot of the Cross, 179.
Meditation:
Our Lady's silence was the vehicle which allowed her to "ponder all these things in her heart."
"All writers on the spiritual life uniformly recommend, nay, command under penalty of total failure, the practice of silence. And yet, despite this there is perhaps no rule for spiritual advancement more inveighed against, by those who have not even mastered its rudiments, than that of silence. Even under the old Dispensation its value was known, taught, and practised. Holy Scripture warns us of the perils of the tongue, as "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Nor is this advice less insisted on in the New Testament; witness: "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man" (St. James 3:2 sq.). The same doctrine is inculcated in innumerable other places of the inspired writings. The pagans themselves understood the dangers arising from unguarded speech. Pythagoras imposed a strict rule of silence on his disciples; the vestal virgins also were bound to severe silence for long years.

I am going to make an effort to sit in silence before the children get up each morning. I think I will start small with 10 minutes and work my way to 30 minutes eventually. I really am not very good at silence.

Have a great week. If you want to put a list on your blog, I will add a link to you. Let me know in the comment box if you do.

Therese

Praise God.

A new week so some things I Praise God for.

Praise God for my daughter and the 14 years she has been a part of our family.

Praise God for our great day yesterday as a family celebrating her birthday.

Praise God for my online friends who encourage me in my faith.

Praise God for coffee that wakes me up well in the morning.

Praise God for the shopping trip the girls and I were able to go on this weekend.

Praise God for my boys.

Want to praise God for somethings from your week? Pop over to Jennifer's and add your blog to the Mr. Linky link.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sunday Silence



The Priests sing Pie Jesu.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

quick 7.


---1---

Birthday Tomorrow!

Tomorrow Madeline turns 14. She is our first daughter. It was really exciting to have a girl after two boys. Although I often thought once I got her home that girls weren't all that different to boys when they are babies. They are all just as cute and cuddly. Now at 14 she certainly is different from our boys. Happy Birthday for tomorrow Madeline. We hope we celebrate many more birthdays for you. You are a true blessing to our family.

---2---

A Shopping Trip!

Today I took the girls on a trip to Whyalla for some retail therapy. This was what Madeline wanted to do for her birthday. The girls all bought 4 new outfits each. We got some great sale items but still ended up spending a lot of money.
Now both Brigette and Amelia are talking about having a shopping trip for their birthdays. Since they celebrate two weeks apart, we may do one trip for both of them.

---3---

Chrism Mass.

This week on Tuesday our diocese is having the Chrism Mass. I am going to take Tom, Amelia and Christopher over to Port Pirie for the day.
Last time I went to the Mass it took nearly 2 hours so I think after Mass we will have a picnic lunch in the park or have some take away.

---4---

Pump Change.

Last night I checked Tom at midnight and his sugar was 27.6 (496 for the Americans). I checked for blood ketones and sure enough they were positive. This means that no insulin is getting into his system. When this happens we need to give him an injection of insulin and then change his pump. I woke him up and changed the pump. I slept through the 3am alarm to check him so got Steve to check him at 6am when Christopher woke up. He had come down to 10.2 (180).

---5---

Weight Watchers!

I am about 10 KG heavier than I was when I got pregnant with Christopher. I really need to loose the weight because I know it makes me more lethargic. I was going to join weight watchers here but they don't have a group. I am going to look into an online group. Tonight at Mass I told my girlfriend that I was walking with more regularly that I am going to come on Monday. My aim is going to be to go for a walk most days while it isn't too cold.

---6---

Bejeweled Blitz!

This game is totally addictive. I use to log into my facebook account once or twice a week. Since I started playing bejeweled Blitz I am logging in everyday.
Out of my friends on facebook, I am coming third. One of my friends has a score of 160000. I keep on wondering how the heck you get a high score like that.

---7---

Camera USB!

Still missing. I cannot believe something can disappear like this. I decided to order another one on EBay. I got one for a good price but I have to wait for it to come from Hong Kong. The seller has on his page that it can take up to two weeks. I hope it doesn't take that long.

Don't forget to pop over to Jen at conversion diary for other quick 7

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Another meme from facebook.

A
- Available: no.
- Age: 42
- Annoyance: people parking their cars in no standing zones.

B
- Beer: Yuk.
- Birthday: October 1st.
- Blind or deaf: neither.
- Best weather: low 30's sunny.
- Been in love: Absolutely.
- Believe in magic: no

C
- Candy: jelly babies or snakes.
- Color: anything bright. Really love bright red.
- Chocolate or vanilla: vanilla
- Chinese or Mexican food: Chinese.
- Cake or pie: depends on the flavour but most likely pie.
- Continent to visit: USA
- Cheese: YUM melted on pizza or on top of spaghetti.

D
- Day or night: night girl here.
- Dancing in the rain: no thanks.

E
- Eyes: hazel
- Everyone's got to: die.
- Ever failed a class: yes.

F
- First thoughts waking up: all ready?????????????
- Food: love anything sweet or spicy.

G
- Greatest fear: being alone.
- Goals: to be a great mother.
- Gum: occasionally extra.
- Get along with your parent/parents: Yes.

H
- Hair Color: brown
- Height: 151 cm.
- Happy: extremely
- Holiday: Christmas
- How do you want to die: in a state of grace.
- Ice Cream: home made butterscotch flavour.

J
- Jewelry: gold.
- Job: homeschooling mum.

K
- Kids: three girls, four boys.
- Kickboxing or karate: neither.
- Keep a journal: if you count my blog yes.

L
- Love: being a mum, having 7 children, going to church, eating pizza and drinking coke.
- Laughed so hard you cried: yes
- Milk flavor: chocolate
- Movies: The sound of music, It's a wonderful life.
- Motion sickness: no
- McD’s or BK: BK since my son works there.

N
- Number: 7.

O
- One wish: to finish off our renovations.

P
- Pepsi/Coke: Coke
- Perfect Pizza: my home made salami and cream cheese pizza.

Q
- Quiet: Love it.

R
- Reality T.V.: Just the biggest looser but it annoys me sometimes. The stupid questions asked by the compare really get to me.
- Radio Station: none.
- Roll your tongue in a circle: Yes.
- Ring size: no idea.

S
- Shoe size: 7.5
- Salad dressing: mayonaise.
- Sushi: never tasted.
- Shower: hot and long.
- Strawberries or blueberries: blueberries as long as I didn't have to pay for them. They are so expensive here.
-Singer: definitely not one of my talents.

T
- Tattoos: no.
- Time for bed: between 9 and 10.
- Thunderstorms: Good for a day, but them I'm ready for them to pass

U
- Unpredictable: not really.

V
- Vacation spot(s): would love to meet all my blogging, facebook and online friends.

W
- Weakness: coke zero.
- Which one of your friends acts most like you: not sure.
- Worst feeling: confrontation.
- Worst Weather: cold snow and ice.

X
x-rays: had many.

Y
-Year it is now: 2009....
-Yellow: great colour especially if it is bright.

Z
-Zoo Animal: monkeys

If you want to do this, let me know and I will add a link to you.

Tagging:

Deb

and

Mary

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wednesday.

I have a heap of photos to post but the cord to upload the photos from the camera to the computer is missing. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday my new sewing machine arrived. It is great. I have started Madeline's dress on it.

It was a nice day yesterday (not too warm so I took Tom, Amelia and Christopher to Lyons Park for a picnic. They had lots of fun running around with our dog pepper and playing on the playground.

Tom has been having some high sugars so we need to adjust his basal rate and carb ratio on his pump. This means getting up at 3am to check his sugars. It is very tiring after a couple of nights so I need an early night tonight.

So hopefully in the next couple of days I will find my usb and upload some photos of my new sewing machine, our picnic in the park, our votive candle for stations of the cross and Christopher's new shirt.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The stations of the Cross.

During lent we have been praying the stations of the Cross. Homeschooling mum 4 Christ asked me what they are so here is an explaination.

The Stations are a series of reflections that Catholics do during lent (it can be done anytime but it is probably done more through lent). There are 14 different station:

1 Jesus is condemned to death.
2 Jesus takes up his cross.
3 Jesus falls for the first time.
4 Jesus meets his Blessed Mother.
5 Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.
6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7 Jesus falls for the second time.
8 Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9 Jesus falls for the third time.
10 Jesus is stripped of his garments
11 Jesus is crucified
12 Jesus dies on the cross.
13 Jesus is taken off the cross
14 Jesus is laid in the tomb.

We light the fourteen candles. We start with the sign of the cross and then The opening prayer If you want to see the different prayers, each station follows on from the other on this web page.

As we pray each station we blow a candle out. When we get to the end we finish in darkness. The atmosphere from the darkness is very somber and surreal.

Here is a youtube video of the first station that can give you a bit of an idea what we pray.

Monday, March 23, 2009

5mart Martha Monday.

My five from last week:


1. Sewing: Madeline has a pattern she wants made. I will cut it out and start sewing
.

done. All ready to sew.

2. Housework and home school: We are going to make a Votive Candle Stations of the Cross and I am going to clean out another kitchen cupboard.

Votive candle is made. I will upload a photo when I have a bit more time. Plastic cups and dishes cupboard cleaned out. (this is a different cupboard to my plastic container cupboard and it wasn't nearly as daunting).


3. Health: Before Tom had his pump, I went walking twice a week with two other ladies from our church. Since Tom has been on the pump, you could count the number of times I have been with them on two hands. I really need to get back in the habit of walking with them more regularly. They now walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so my aim will be to walk at least twice per week.


I did go walking. On Tuesday I jambed my finger in our car door just when I was getting in to take Daniel and Brigette to school and Christopher to kindy. I decided not to drive because my finger was so sore. I told Daniel to drive himself and Brigette to school and decided to walk Christopher to kindy. That was my first walk. My second walk was a short one with Amelia on Wednesday. She enjoys walking. We only did a 20 minute walk on Wednesday because I thought I would be able to go with my girlfriends on Friday but didn't wake up in time.


4. Family: I think it is time to look at my mothers rule and change chores. There seems to be a kink in our routine that has us a bit disorganised with washing. I also want to do the stations of the cross with the children on Friday night.


We did the Stations last night. Friday night is just too crazy here. My mothers rule has been changed. I am hoping by the end of this week we will see if the change is enough or not.

5. Spiritual: I need to get back to the bible study I started. I haven't done very much of it and we are half way through lent. I really want to be a good way into it by the time lent is finished.

I didn't do any. I just cannot motivate myself when I do these things on my own. The good news is though, Karen from Karen's Catholic Journal is starting an online bible study. I am going to buy the book and join in. If there is anyone else here that wants to join in, just post a comment at Karen's blog.

So my five for this week are:

Sewing: Sew Madeline's dress. It is her birthday on Sunday so I am hoping to get a couple of other things made for her too.

Housework and homeschool: For home school we are going to do a couple of craft lessons and learn to make an apron. We are also starting some lessons for Tom to prepare him for his First Communion. I will also clean out one more kitchen cupboard.

Health: Go to bed by 10.00 each night. Tom needs to have some changes to his basal rate so I will be getting up and testing blood sugars through the night. Usually this means a test at midnight and another one at 3.00am. I need to be in bed early so that I can still feel human the next day after testing.

Family: Pray the stations of the cross, The girls and I are going shopping on Saturday for Madeline's birthday. We will also go out for tea as a family to celebrate.

Spiritual: Pray 5 decades of the rosary each day.

Do you have any 5mart Martha challenges for yourself this week? Let me know in the comment box and I will link to your post.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Praise God.

Jennifer from My Chocolate Heart is hosting a meme for everyone to praise God for things in their life. This is a really good thing to do often because being thankful makes you see how much we are given each day.

This week I

Praise God for lent. For the opportunity to pray more and make sacrifices.

Praise God for the stimulus cheque we got this week.

Praise God For the opportunity to renovate our bathroom and laundry.

Praise God for the new sewing machine that I will get this week.

Praise God for my wonderful husband that always encourages me in my faith journey.

Praise God for the opportunity to teach our children as they prepare for their sacraments. I am starting to prepare Tom for his First Communion.

Do you have something to praise God for. Write them on your blog and post a link in the mr. Linky link.

Therese

Sunday Silence



Laetare Sunday.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Quick 7.


---1---

I have added a couple of links this week to my side bar. The first one is the faith filled days link.

This link is to help with home schooling by the liturgical year. It has lots of resources for home schooling mothers to do with their children. If you want ideas for different feast days they have a heap of links to different activities.

---2---

The second link is to Type One demystified.

There are many things people don't realize about type one diabetes. Many people think it is the same as type two and that treatment is similar. There are many differences between the two. The website is to educate people about type one and what it involves. If you want to learn more about type one diabetes click on the picture in the sidebar.

---3---

Yesterday we got another stimulus payment from the Govt. We are going to start our new bathroom with the money.

---4---

One of the worst parts of renovating a house is trying to agree with Steve about what we should do and what we shouldn't. We both have such different ideas about what is good and what isn't. At the moment we are trying to work out what to do with our end rooms.

At the moment we have the bathroom and a walkway between the kitchen and family room. I want to knock out the bathroom walls and open up the family room to come off the kitchen.

To do this we have decided to put the bathroom in the laundry but we cannot decide where to put the new laundry. At first we were thinking at the end of the family room but we would need to pull out the floor boards, put in a suspended floor and concrete the area. It is a lot of work and a lot of money.

I think we need to sit down with our original floor plan again and work out the best layout.

---5---

This is a picture of my new sewing machine. I have always wanted a computerized one with lots of different quilting stitches. It also comes with a quilting extension table. This week I ordered it and it should be here early next week. I cannot wait.

---6---

Has anyone seen this you tube video that shows all the Muppets bloopers? It is funny.











I think this is the best Rick roll I have ever seen.

---7---

This baby sling looks so great Michele linked to it on Twitter I think I want to make a couple of them once I get my new machine.

Pop over to Jen's for other quick takes


Friday, March 20, 2009

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Small Successes


My small successes for the week.

1. Today I mended Sam's work pants. I really love sewing but hate mending with a passion so this is big. I hope you appreciate it Sam.

2. I have kept Tom's bsl diary up to date all week.

3. Today I did all our paperwork and paid all our bills. I balanced all our accounts and they are both spot on.

Don' forget to visit Faith and Family for other small successes.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Interview with my children about me.

I was tagged for this on facebook but decided to post it here too. It was fun to see what my children thought of me.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Amelia: Don't do that.
Tom: check your sugars.

2. What makes mom happy?
Amelia: getting coke
Tom: having good sugar level.

3. What makes mom sad?
Amelia: Tom not checking his sugars
Tom: not having good sugar levels

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Amelia: Tickling
Tom: tickling me.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Amelia: I have no idea.
Tom: she got her tonsils cut out.

6. How old is your mom?
Amelia: umm, how old are you?
Tom: 41.

7. How tall is your mom?
Amelia: about this tall.
Tom: I'm not sure.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Amelia: drink coke
Tom: play the wii

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Amelia: clean
Tom: write on her blog.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Amelia: be a good singer.
Tom: blogging.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Amelia: cleaning
Tom: sewing.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Amelia: playing guitar hero
Tom: guitar

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Amelia: cleans the house.
Tom: teaches me and Amelia.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Amelia: salad
Tom: pasta.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Amelia: because she is my mum and I love my mummy.
Tom: she gives us treats.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Amelia: cinderella
Tom: not sure.

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Amelia: go to the park and mcdonalds.
Tom: go to the shops together.

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Amelia: we are not.
Tom: in the same family.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Amelia: she has real curly hair and I have less curls.
Tom: I'm a boy and you're a girl.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Amelia: Because....she's my mum.
Tom: because she had me as a baby.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Amelia: he believes in God.
Tom: that he is your husband.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Amelia: church.
Tom: out for coffee with dad.

23: What would your mom be if she wasn't a mom?
Amelia: a family day care worker.
Tom: lonely.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

A couple of fun quizes.




Your Brain is 73% Female, 27% Male



Your brain leans female

You think with your heart, not your head

Sweet and considerate, you are a giver

But you're tough enough not to let anyone take advantage of you!






You Are 50% British



Congrats, mate. You're are probably British.

(If not, definitely Australian. Or Kiwi. Or Canadian.)



You enjoy most aspects of mainstream British culture, without being stereotypical about it.

You also have a typical British temperament. You wouldn't dream of being impolite.



H/T Alexandra

Media fails to report accurately on Embryonic Stem cells.

Nine things the media failed to tell us about embryonic stem cells.

H/T to Jill Stanek

Monday, March 16, 2009

5mart Martha Monday.

From last week:

Sewing: Finish Christopher's shirt.

Done!!!!!!!!! I sewed this pattern:



As soon as my camera is found I will take a photo of Christopher in it. It is a great pattern and I think I will sew a couple more for him for when he starts full time kindy.


Housework and Home school: We are going to read the way of the cross this week. I will read a little bit each day and they will do some posters for us to put up around the home school room. I will also clean out one other kitchen cupboard besides the plastics one. Maybe I will leave the plastics until I have done the rest of the kitchen.


We read the Story of the Cross but didn't get the posters done. I actually changed my mind about what we would put up for our family stations.

The 2 saucepan cupboards were cleaned out.

Health: Continue watching our diet and eating more whole grains. Continue drinking more water.

Ate well for most of the week. Bought a lasagna on Wednesday night because I forgot to get something out of the freezer on Tuesday night. Drank water each day. I really should try and drink more of it though.


Family: Sunday we have planned a family day. I think we will go to Quorn first thing in the morning for mass then we are going to the Quorn Native Flora Reserve for a picnic
.

We left home early Sunday morning for 8.30 mass in Quorn. After mass we took the children to a local park and then went to dutchmens stern for a walk. It was a fun morning.

Spiritual: Continue getting up early to pray with Steve and spend more time on my Bible study.

I think I only got up on Tuesday and Wednesday morning to pray with Steve. I will try to get up again this week.

My five for this week:

1. Sewing: Madeline has a pattern she wants made. I will cut it out and start sewing.

2. Housework and home school: We are going to make a Votive Candle Stations of the Cross and I am going to clean out another kitchen cupboard.

3. Health: Before Tom had his pump, I went walking twice a week with two other ladies from our church. Since Tom has been on the pump, you could count the number of times I have been with them on two hands. I really need to get back in the habit of walking with them more regularly. They now walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so my aim will be to walk at least twice per week.

4. Family: I think it is time to look at my mothers rule and change chores. There seems to be a kink in our routine that has us a bit disorganised with washing. I also want to do the stations of the cross with the children on Friday night.

5. Spiritual: I need to get back to the bible study I started. I haven't done very much of it and we are half way through lent. I really want to be a good way into it by the time lent is finished.

Do you have any 5mart Martha challenges? Post them either on your blog or in the comments section. I will add in a link to you if you post them on your blog.

Therese

Facebook!

This morning I received a note from facebook:

Face book is going to clear face book accounts if ..


We all know that Facebook is an extraordinary social network where you can talk to friends, find old friends, and so much more.
The Face book team is well aware that Face book is getting too over populated due to the fact registrations have increased 50% since February 15 2008. At there signing in database, it shows that more than a quarter of the members of Face book hasn't log in their accounts in over a month.
So where is this leading to you may ask. Face book is clearing their entire data base and deleting users of who have not sent this message to their friends. If you are one of the following people, you will get your user account wiped and would have to re add all your friends. So send this message to as many of your friends as you can, I know you don't want to start all over from scratch so send away, show your pride for members Face book!

What do you think about it?

I personally think it is fake.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Quck 7


---1---

This is my 800th post. I have been blogging since August 2006 and love it. Thanks to all the people that come regularly to visit me here and make blogging so enjoyable.

---2---

We got Tom's new glucose meter yesterday. I decided to get the Accu Check Go meter. I am very happy with all the features. The meter has an alarm that sounds if Tom is high or low and an alarm to remind him to check. We check Tom's bsl usually between 6 and 8 times a day and we can only set 4 alarms at the moment but that is better than no alarm at all.

---3---

One of my favourite blogs to read is Yes, they are all mine by Gramma 2 many. She has posted 200 posts and is having a give away to celebrate. Pop over and look at the fantastic socks she is knitting for the giveaway. Leave a comment and you have a chance to win the socks.

---4---

On Saturday mornings we have a cooked breakfast. Steve generally does the cooking. He cooks bacon, eggs and fried tomatoes. I generally eat the eggs on toast. I am not really a fan of bacon or fried tomatoes.

---5---

Today is catch up with the washing day. I don't know why it has fallen so far behind this week but we have a heap to get done today. Tomorrow we are going to Quorn for our picnic so I really need to try and get the washing all done today.

---6---

Talking about our picnic, I think I will do some cooking today for it. Since we still have lots of pumpkins, I think some pumpkin choc chip muffins and some pumpkin bread.

---7---

This week I have been reading a lot about stem cells since the President has allowed embryonic stem cell research. I came across this article that exposes many myths about it.


Have a great weekend.

Therese

Don't forget to pop over to Jennifer's for more quick 7

Friday, March 13, 2009

Some promising news from Stem cells (Not embryonic)

President Obama has lifted restrictions on the use of federal money for research using embryonic stem cells. Some researchers are already making progress using stem cells from umbilical cord blood, which entails no controversy since there is no destruction of an embryo involved in the process. One research team is closing in on a treatment for people suffering from Type I diabetes.

Read the rest here

Friday Funnies.

Smart Blond!!!!!!!!!

Jeff urgently needed a few days off work, but knew the Boss would not allow him to take a leave. He thought that maybe if he acted crazy then the boss would tell me to take a few days off. So, Jeff hung upside down on the ceiling and made funny noises. His co-worker Cathy (who's blonde) asked him what he was doing?

He told her that he was pretending to be a light bulb so that the Boss would think he was nuts and give him a few days off. A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked "What are you doing ?" Jeff told him he was a light bulb. The boss said "You are clearly stressed out. Go home and recuperate for a couple of days". Jeff jumped down and walked out of the office. When Cathy followed him, the Boss asked her: "

And where do you think you're going?


She said, "I'm going home too, I can't work in the dark!"

Thursday, March 12, 2009

The sisterhood award.


Thanks so much to Alexandra and Nana K for awarding me with the sisterhood award.

I am honoured to receive this from both of you and consider you both close friends even though we only know each other over the internet.

I am passing this award onto:

Lowdenclear

shirley

Marilena

Vicki

Ouiz

Therese

Ellie

All these ladies have been great friends. They have all encouraged me in my faith journey and to be the best mother I can be to our children. Thank you all for your friendship and encouragement.

Therese

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wordless Wednesday



click on the picture to read the writing.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Gratituesday.


All the talk about embryonic stem cells been funded with federal funds has got me a bit down today so I thought I really need to do a gratitude post.

So today I am grateful for knowing the truth about embryonic stem cells.

I am also grateful for Adult stem cells that are showing more promise than the embryonic ones. I am hopeful that one day there will be a cure for diabetes from adult stem cells.

I am also grateful that we have access to an insulin pump, insulin and blood glucose meter that make treating Tom's diabetes much easier.

ETA one more thing to be grateful for is This article from the Wall St. Journel Who seem to get it.

H/T Alice

Therese

Monday, March 09, 2009

5mart Martha Monday.

My five from Last week were:

1 Sewing: I will sew a shirt for Christopher for Kindy.

I have cut the shirt out but not sewn it.

2. Housework and home school: Finish of the two kitchen cupboards and cook meals for the next month.

I cleaned out the cupboard above the stove but didn't do the plastics cupboard. It is so overwhelming to look in that I just cannot get the energy to do it. I also have cooked most of our meals. I still need to do the Tuna mornay and pasties.


3. Health: drink 8 cups of water at least each day.


I did drink a lot of water but probably not 8 cups. I am going to keep on drinking more though.

4. Family: We will continue taking our children in pairs to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Also Steve and I are making more of an effort to get out for dates more often.

Today Steve and I went out for coffee and we have taken Madeline, Christopher, Brigette and Amelia to pray in the church over the last week.

5. Spiritual. Steve and I are going to pray the rosary each morning together.


I did this for 3 out of the 5 mornings before work. On Wednesday and Thursday night I had interrupted sleep and just couldn't get out of bed.

So this week my five are:

Sewing: Finish Christopher's shirt.

Housework and Home school: We are going to read the way of the cross this week. I will read a little bit each day and they will do some posters for us to put up around the home school room. I will also clean out one other kitchen cupboard besides the plastics one. Maybe I will leave the plastics until I have done the rest of the kitchen.

Health: Continue watching our diet and eating more whole grains. Continue drinking more water.

Family: Sunday we have planned a family day. I think we will go to Quorn first thing in the morning for mass then we are going to the Quorn Native Flora Reserve for a picnic.

Spiritual: Continue getting up early to pray with Steve and spend more time on my Bible study.

Therese.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Lent: A time of renewal.

Each night for the last couple of weeks the children and I have been watching the biggest loser. At first I didn't like the set up of the game and the way they need to vote people off. I also hated the emotional outbursts and stupid questions the contestants were asked.

The people in the house for the biggest looser are there to learn what is good to eat and to exercise. Each week they weigh in and the two teams that have lost the least amount of weight, fall below the yellow line and are up for elimination.

The contestants that are above the yellow line decide who will go home. They have one vote each and the team with the most votes goes home.

Each time a person is sent home, they have a little preview of what they do when they get home. Most of the contestants keep up their training and eating well so that when they come back on the last night, they have also reached their goals.

Anyway (there is a point to this ramble about the biggest loser) during lent I have been getting up early each morning to pray with Steve and I have taken Tom, Amelia and christopher to mass during the week. I was reflecting on this and realized I really should be doing this all the time, not just during lent.

I think lent is a time for us to form good habits and renew our faith. It is like the people in the house for the biggest loser. They learn good lifestyle choices and continue when they get home. We in lent can start good prayer practices and keep them up after.

I hope your lent is going well.

Therese

Saturday, March 07, 2009

A productive day.

We are now in the Autumn season here and days are not too hot. It was perfect weather for Steve to get out in the garden.

He has got rid of the crops that are no longer growing and started to prepare the ground for some new plants.

I started our oamc today and Christopher was sure I needed a hand. He is rather cute but when I have a lot to do he can get in the way. I knew he would be more helpful to Steve who was now putting manure on our garden.

I got Christopher his wheel barrow and Steve would fill it up with manure and then Christopher would follow Steve over and dump his lot on the garden. He had lots of fun and was out of my hair for a while and the best part of all was he helped Steve.

quick 7.


---1---

I have 792 posts at the moment. I think my next quick 7 will be post number 800. Only 200 posts to 1000.

---2---

I haven't done a OAMC since the beginning of December. We have been spending a lot more on food because of it so I did our big shop today and will cook and freeze our meals for the month over this weekend. I cooked the chickens and mince today when I got home so the meals shouldn't take too long to do tomorrow. I usually spread the cooking out over 3 days so that I don't feel overwhelmed at the amount of work involved.

---3---

This weekend is a long weekend in South Australia. It is the Adelaide Cup weekend. We have a holiday on Monday to watch the horse race.

My father use to really enjoy going to the races and they were a part of life for us growing up. I remember going to the special mass one year that they have the Sunday before the Adelaide cup. I don't know if they still have it. Maybe one of my readers knows.

---4---

Every two years, our health insurance pays for Tom to get a new blood glucose monitor so at the end of march, I am going to get one. (It will be 8 years since diagnosis). I have been looking online for the type I want. I think we will stick with an accu check one. They really seem to suck the blood well and we have results in 5 seconds.

---5---

I just realized also since it is 8 years since Tom was diagnosed it is now 8 years since we left Adelaide. Time really does fly and I find it hard to believe we have lived away from family and friends for that long.

---6---

Steve is getting out into the garden this weekend. He will pull out some of the plants that aren't growing anything and plant some new plants.

One of the things he is planting is strawberries. I love strawberries and they are so expensive here so I am looking forward to them growing.

---7---

We are half way through the first term here this week. Home school is going really well. We have a great routine established at the moment and I know both of them better and what is a good effort for them and what isn't. I am also noticing Tom and Amelia are better friends. Last year there was a bit of sibbling rivalry and Amelia spent a lot of time bemoaning that there were no girls here to play with. I don't think she has complained at all about that this year.

Don't forget to pop over to Jennifer's for other quick 7 and to congratulate her on the birth of her 4th child, a lovely girl called Joy.

Friday, March 06, 2009

For Nancy. Tim Tams.


These biscuits are the most delicious chocolate ones you could ever taste. What a pity they are not available in the States.

They are really yummy but also very expensive. Very rarely do we buy these.

The name meme.

Sarah tagged me for the name meme.

Copy the questions from my post and paste them in a new post on your blog. Erase my answers and put yours in. Use the first letter of your name to answer ALL of the following questions. If the person before you has the same 1st letter pick a new one. You CAN NOT use anything twice, and you CAN NOT use your own name for the boy/girl question. After you are done, tag 5 people.......


1. What is your name?: Therese.
2. A 4 letter word: team
3. A boy's name: Thomas
4. A girl's name: Tabitha
5. An occupation: Train driver
6. A color: turquoise.
7. Something you wear: T Shirt
8. A Food: Tim tams
9. Something found in the bathroom: Toilet
10. A place: Thailand
11. A reason for being late: Traffic.
12. Something you shout: terrific.
13. A movie title: Trading Places.
14. Something you drink: tea
15. An animal: tiger
16. A song title: Tainted love by soft cell.
17. A verb: Travel.

I tag:

Jennifer

Shelly

Soutenus

Nanna K

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Small Successes


Small Successes.

My small successes for the week:

1. At the beginning of the year I started keeping a journal. I wrote in it the things I wanted to do each day and the next day I would go back and review my day and see what I had done and what I hadn't done. It was a good way for me to be on task and doing what I should do rather than what I wanted to do.

I kept it up every day for about three weeks and then just stopped. I think all it took was going to bed later one night and not doing my review.

My first success is starting doing this again.

2. We have our little car in for service this week. When it first went in, (Monday) it was going to be done that day. We still don't have it back.

My small success with this is I have managed to keep up with the housework and home school program even though I have had to chauffeur everyone every where.

3. My third success is making it to daily mass everyday this week. Yah.

Go to Faith and Family Live for more quick successes.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

A simple Womens Daybook.



FOR TODAY March 3rd, 2009...

Outside my window...it has been cloudy all day. We even had some rain earlier. The clouds are starting to lift now though.

I am thinking...It is March already. I went to write February when I wrote todays date.

I am thankful for...Mass this morning. I am hoping to take the children every day during lent.

From the learning rooms...We are continuing on with our Lenten program.

From the kitchen...Chicken snitzel's tonight for tea. YUM.

I am wearing...A tan blouse, 3/4 denim pants, socks and runners.

I am creating...The plan for our end room.

I am going...no where special this week.

I am reading...Nourishing Traditions still.

I am hoping...that our car repairs will not be too much.

I am hearing...Steve is playing Command and Conquer.

Around the house...The younger children and Daniel are in bed, Madeline and Brigette are doing their homework and I am on the computer.

One of my favorite things...chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Pick up the car tomorrow. Keep on with our Lenten program and have a fun family long weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Don't forget to pop over to Peggy's for other day books.

Monday, March 02, 2009

5mart Martha Monday.

From last week:


1. Finish sewing the boys pajamas. (yes, this is still on my to do list).

Complete. I will post some pictures of the boys tomorrow in their pajama's.

2. I am going through different cupboards and de junking so I want to go through two particular cupboards in my kitchen. I really need to sought my plastic cupboard and we have a junk cupboard above the oven that I am not even sure what we have up there. These two cupboards are going to be cleaned out.

Started but not complete.

3. I want to draw up a floor plan for our end room renovations. We have a couple of ideas in our heads about what to do down there but I really need to draw it on paper to scale and see if what we plan is possible.


Complete.

4. Since lent is starting this week I am going to limit my computer time to the evening once the children are in bed.


Failed. I actually forgot that this was one of my plans. :::blush:::I have limited my time though and only been on in the morning before the children get up and after school each afternoon.


5. I am starting a bible study called Corageous Love This is going to be some of my spiritual reading for lent
.

I read the first chapter of this. I was hoping to do a bit more.

Starting this week I am planning things a bit differently.

I have come up with 5 different areas that I need to do things in.

My 5 are:

Sewing.
house work and home school.
Health.
Family.
Spiritual.

1 Sewing: I will sew a shirt for Christopher for Kindy.

2. Housework and home school: Finish of the two kitchen cupboards and cook meals for the next month.

3. Health: drink 8 cups of water at least each day.

4. Family: We will continue taking our children in pairs to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Also Steve and I are making more of an effort to get out for dates more often.

5. Spiritual. Steve and I are going to pray the rosary each morning together.

do you have a list of things you want to do?

Let me know in the comment box if you put it on your blog. I will add a link in to this post.

Therese.

Please pray for a cure for Type One Diabetes

Please pray for a cure for Type One Diabetes
Our sons Tom and Christopher and our daughter Amelia are type one diabetics. We pray everyday for a cure. We do not want one by illicit means though so don't support any organisation that contributes to Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Click on the photo of Tom and Christopher to read about why I am against using Embryonic Stem cells for a cure.

Total Pageviews

Sitemeter

Australian Catholic Homeschoolers.

Tom's and Christopher's insulin pump

New book: Faith Quilt.

New book: Faith Quilt.
All proceeds from sales of "FAITH QUILT" going to "Casa de Amor Children's Homes in Bolivia" and "Sarah's Covenant Homes in India" Two truly extraordinary organisations that take in the most needy children and give them a place of love and security to call home.