2007 - What a busy year!

Looking back over this year its certainly been en eventful one.
My Baby became a teenager.
We've seen the arrival firstly of Gianluca then in March Leona made her grand entrance.
April saw the launch of our West Hull Parishes youth club, after which life seemed to spiral out of control.
Andrew went on deployment at the beginning of May (10th to be exact). This is always the cue for things to go wrong, break or fall apart. True to form within two months of him going we had a major catastrophe but I'll come to that shortly.
I was commissioned as an extra-ordinary minister of Holy Communion - but not without having a some what heated debate over receiving on the tongue V on the hand.
I stick by what I said, the priest concerned was wrong to scoff a people who choose to receive Our Blessed Lord directly on the tongue. Enough said!
My very first pilgrimage to Lourdes was also in May, while there it did nothing but rain, but this was perhaps good preparation for what was to happen the following month.
The major catastrophe I referred earlier to. THE FLOOD.
Never have I witnessed anything quite like it, nor do I want to ever again.
We still have no carpets but we are luckier than a lot of people. Our elderly neighbours are still living in a caravan.
The week-end after the flood was Leona's Baptism and I was honored to be Godmother.
I went on my fist Faith Youth Summmertime as a helper, then a week later the grown up Faith summer session. I'm looking forward to the winter conference in a couple of days time.
Along with James and Ella we've attempted to learn how to sing Gregorian Chant. I'm now quite good at miming it, as for singing Well errm, a little more practice I think is in order.
With the help of Joanna Bogle we've had many celebrations for various feast days.
All very enjoyable.
To complete the year I've had my eyes zapped today!
Apparently I had a hole at the back of my eye or something so they used some laser to stop the retina detaching itself.
I now have huge pupils from the drops and as my cousin so kindly put it I "look stoned".
Happy New Year.

I'm Back

I've had instructions to update my blog, so as it's a little quiet at the moment and I have a few spare minutes I thought I would do just that.
Actually I might be blogging a little more often now as Andy has bought me a digital camera for Christmas. He's home and is calling me downstairs. Must go

Happy Birthday Andy

It's Andy's birthday today, but as he's off defending Queen and country (or something like that) it's another family event we're unable to celebrate together.
As i can't bake you a cake because your too far away, I've sent a picture of one.

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Andy
Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you
I went to the zoo
I saw a big gorilla
and it looked just like you.

Jessica went back to school today, I can't believe she's in year nine.
I hate it when the summer holidays come to an end.
There is always a sense of regret.
I always wish that I'd got round to doing more than I have.
On the other hand it's good to be in a stricter routine.
I do seem to be slightly more organised when she's at school.

Keeping up with the goings on.

Since coming back from Woldingham I've not had a chance to write. So I'll try and bring you up to date with what has happened. I must say some of the events seem like a million years ago now and are a little hazy, I put it down to the fact that I've had a birthday and am now another year older.
Looking back at my diary I notice that I had a BBQ on the 5th August which is strange as I never mentioned it in my previous blog entry.
It was a bit of a mad thing to do, so soon after coming back, but I think I work better under pressure. I had planned it ages ago with my friend Sarah, who was ill in bed with a chest infection for the actual thing.
James from Catholic and lovingit, did a bit on his blog about it, but to be honest I think he was a little harsh about a certain priest. It would make a great article for the news of the world.
Just to set the record straight, all my guests where a pleasure to have round and Frances enjoyed the coffee so much she's gone and bought a percolator.
I think most of the following week was spent catching up with work, that's the only thing with my job, it's all very well having time off, but when I come back I've got twice as much work to get through.
The following Sunday (12th) I went on the Middlesbrough Diocesan pilgrimage to Osmotherley for the feast of the Assumption (yes i know the Assumptions on the 15th).
I'd forgotten how long it takes to get there, My car has really received a hammering these last few weeks.
We'd taken Angela and Gian-Luca (not sure if that's how you spell it) with us.
I had hoped to get there early and go to the priory, but there wasn't really enough time. I'd really love to write something deep and meaningful about the event, but as I said my memory isn't what it was and the only thing that springs to mind is it rained! God was once again pouring out his graces on to us.
I had hoped to do some something extra special to mark the feast of the Assumption, but everyone was busy.
I must correct myself here, we did do something extra special, we went to Mass.

On Monday my car was back on the road again, this time heading off on the M1 for Hartley Wintney in Hampshire, to visit the IN-LAWS.
We had quite a good journey down, blissfully uneventful. Spent the evening catching up with Roger, Sheila and Stuart.
Tuesday, popped down the round to the convent at Hook for Mass, this set me up for the day.
Later that day sheila took us to see Hishclere castle (which I seemed to have difficulty saying). This was the home of the 5th Earl of Canarvon who discovered the tomb of Tutankhmun. To find out more visit www.highclerecastle.comOnce again the weather let us down, which was fine in the house,(although a little spooky sounding in the large gothic style entrance hall. With the wind howling you half expected the door to creek open and some sinister looking butler to appear)but it made it a bit chilly for exploring the grounds.
On the way back we stoped off at the Roman remains at Silchester, we had a walk around the old Roman walls, the cob webs where well and truly blown away that day.
Wednesday, up bright and early to catch the train for London. Sheila had got tickets in February (For Jessica's birthday) for us to go and see "The Sound Of Music".
Before going to the London Palladium we spent some time in the British Museum. The thing is it's so huge you need about a week to see everything properly.
The thing that I remember most of all the things I saw there, was behind a Glass case was a Monstrance,Chalice and Ciborium. I couldn't help thinking how much more valuable they would be put to their proper use.

The Sound of Music was brilliant, I do love going to the Theatre.

August 23rd - my birthday.
Popped down to the convent for Mass. There is a home for the elderly at the convent, so Jess and myself went for a cup of coffee with the residence after Mass.
Popped back to say bye to the family before hitting the road once again.
The journey back was a nightmare, it took about six hours.
Finally arrived back in Hull, mum and Dad came round with Pizza, Fran and Paul came with French booze from their hols. James, Ella and Leona brought me a Cake round, which Ella had baked herself. Oh and Andy phoned. What a Lucky girl I am.

Fr Gregory, the Polish priest is leaving us for pastures new. So after Mass tonight we had a good-bye cake.

And that I think brings us up to date.

A Fortnight Of Faith

After a conversation with Ella on the telephone today, I realised that once again I've not blogged for a million years.
This week I have tried to frantically catch up with my work, after spending very little time at home over the last two weeks.
The first week of the school summer holidays was spent at the faith summertime (Baby faith) at Ampleforth as a helper.
It has to be said I didn't enjoy the vomit on the bus going.I've never known anybody to be so proud and cheerful at handing over a bag of puke as Jerson Thomas. I'm sure if he'd had a ribbon in his pocket he would of gift wrapped the bag for me.

As for Ampleforth itself, I loved it. Don't get me wrong it was hard work and the days where long, but so much good is done there. I think there are many adults in our parishes that would benefit from the nurturing that was provided in that short space of time.

A quick turn around and the following Monday I was in my little green tractor (Diesel- citron saxo) heading down the A1, trying to desperately keep up with the mini bus, driven by Fr William. My car is brilliant as long as your going downhill!
The destination Woldingham, Surrey for the Faith Summer Session.
Why, oh why didn't someone tell me about these things years ago.
Well I suppose I know the answer, God has a time and a place for everything.
I must admit I found listening to the talks took a fair bit of concentration, I know on one of the days I could of done with match sticks to keep my eyes open, but I have bought copies of the talks and intend to listen to them again (preferably when I've not had G&T's the night before!)
I think one of the main things that struck me was the reverence shown at Mass. The total participation of the congregation. ( And I don't mean they all sang a song and said a bidding prayer!) The prayerfulness before Mass was so refreshing. In contrast you go home and to be honest the noise levels before Mass are a disgrace. How strange that people don't sit in the doctors waiting room discussing the state of their souls. Yet they are quite happy to chatter about how good cranberry juice is for their waterworks, when they should be preparing themselves to receive our Blessed Lord.
Sorry about that - rant over.

Keeping The 3rd Commandment

If there is one thing worse that hanging around waiting for workmen to turn up, it's hanging around waiting for workmen to turn up on a Sunday. What is the world coming to?
To make matters worse they should of been coming yesterday, I had to wait in all morning and they never turned up.
It's the flood restoration company, they are coming to rip up the wooden floor, that we had laid less than a year ago!
I got so cross yesterday, that I ended up taking most of the floor myself, but there are some bits that i can't quite manage and it's a bit difficult moving our ridiculously big fridge by myself.
I was quite shocked how wet the floor still was underneath, we've now got the dryers in, so I feel like a proper flood victim. Goodness only knows how much they cost to run.
The room gets rather hot wih the dryers, so I suppose in a way it's not a bad thing we are having such a bad summer,there again, if we where having a good summer I wouldn't need to have the dryers in the first place.
I actually went to a BBQ last night. It was quite nice because James and Ella (and Leona) kindly picked me up, so I was able to have a few glasses of wine. I think I had a magic glass that refilled itself when i wasn't looking. This isn't helpful when you are to be expecting workmen anytime from 8 O'Clock onwards the following day. You can bet your life they'll turn up at 11.45 and wreck my plans for the full day. Good job I went to Mass Last night.

The last couple of weeks have really tested me, just when you think you've reached the end of your tether you realise you can actually bear more.

Ways Of Dealing With The Burdens Of Life:

Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days your the statue.

Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

It may be your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. (Very Possible!)

Never buy a car you can't push.

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

The second mouse gets the cheese.

When every thing's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

Birthdays are good for you. The more you have the longer you live.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

I'm swimmimg in the rain, just swimming in the rain.

Well, what can I say; WE'RE FLOODED. The water came in about midnight last night.
I first noticed the dark damp stain on the front room carpet, which gradually grew.
The kitchen floor started making alarming creaking noises and is totally bowed.
It's quite funny really because when we first got the wooden floor put down, Andy would get highly stressed if I so much as dripped a drop of water on the floor. Well sorry to tell you darling, but the kitchen floor got more than a little damp last night. Imagine my surprise this morning when I opened my bedroom curtains and actually saw a fish swimming down the street. Now that's not something you see everyday.
One neighbour had his canoe out, with a little imagination you could almost think your in Venice.
It's nice to see the way people deal with these situations. I think it really brings out the best in people, and helps to make them realise the things that are really important. If only for a short time. If only we could all be like that all the time, wouldn't the world be a better place?

Rained Off

Due to the severe weather conditions (it's rained a bit and half the countries grounded to a halt) I find my plans have changed, so that leaves me free to catch up with all the really important things I NEED to do. Blogging however isn't one of them.
However, we did have rather a good time yesterday celebrating the birthday of St John the Baptist. To find out more check out the link to catholic and lovingit. I don't know where they get the time to blog with such dedication.

Life goes on

Once again, nearly a month has passed and I'm bloggless. So much has happened I don't really know where to start.
I did want to write more about Lourdes, but it seems like a distant memory.
I've even almost blocked out the feeling of perpetual soggyness. Certain special moments I will always cherish; the grotto at night, especially when the Blessed sacrament was exposed, time spent in the Blessed Sacrament tent, the very personal Mass said in the hotel chapel on our final day.
I certainly discovered faults in myself that i didn't realise I had.
I suppose you could say that for a pilgrimage, it was quite successful.A good balance of peace and penance. Well perhaps at times there was a little more penance than I cared for, but as Our Lady asks for it thrice over who am I to complain.

On the family front, Andrew is now heading towards Muscat. I've not spoken to him in a million years, but apparently he's reading my blog, so "hello darling."
I'm trying to tidy up the back garden, I've hired a skip. All I need now is some spare time to fill it. It's really annoying when you can see what wants doing, but your physical strength holds you up. I spent ages trying to drag this battered old plastic barrel round to the skip, and nearly killed myself heaving it into it. I'll just start getting the garden looking moderately tidy then I'll realise the untidy fairies have wrecked the house. Well actually that's probably me and Jess, but how does it happen?

The youth club is still holding it's head above water. It's not quite as good as I would like, but it's stuff that hopefully will work out in time.

Work is just CRAP!

Lourdes water

well here i am in lourdes, and all it has on is rain.It is a miracle there is any water left in the sky.
i am not going to write much becuse this silly french keyboard is a bit ofa pain to use, its ok if you whant àéç but can i find an apostrophie, no chance.
As forthe spell check!!!!

Flat Tyre and Organ Monkey

It's Sunday morning and another week-end is almost over.
Great news, Andrew phoned last night, actually he phoned a few times but I wasn't in when he first phoned and I'd forgotten to turn my mobile back on after Mass. So that was me in trouble before he even got hold of me, but as I pointed out he could of phoned me from Gibraltar if he wasn't so busy playing golf, (git! - Only joking).
That's the only problem with emails, it's not so easy to banter, because if some one doesn't hear the tone of your voice they may think your serious and if you don't correspond for a few days, you can go for ages thinking all sorts of stupid things.(Nothing new for me - i usually do go around thinking all sorts of stupid things).

Friday -
The attendance for the youth club was quite disappointing, it's funny we're getting a good turn out for the 8 -11's, but the 11+, it just keeps going wrong.
I must be doing something right though, because the Devil really seems to have it in for me at the moment. When I'm not being got at mentally, stupid little things go wrong, for instance I get to youth club on Friday, park the car, unload the car, a few minutes later one of the girls informs me I've got a flat tyre.
There it was, flat as a pancake. As it was just me and the three girls, it seemed a good opportunity to have a lesson in how to change a car tyre, the only thing is it helps if you know what your doing.
We managed to drop the spare tyre down. we even sort of got the car jacked up, but mere physical strength prevented us from removing the flat tyre. Probably a blessing really. No doubt if I'd got the spare one on, it would of gone flying off halfway home.
Accepting defeat I phoned the AA.
Actually it's what you might call a Serendipity because there is another tyre that was totally bald which to my shame I know i should of got changed a while ago, so Saturday morning, off I pop to Endyke tyre mart and get them both done. It's great, my car now drives in a straight line.
Last night Mass was celebrated by Mgr Seamus Kilbane. Last year he celebrated his golden jubilee and has chosen to celebrate Mass in each of the places he has served as priest. Apparently his first appointment as a baby curate was at Corpus Christi.
I did feel a bit of a fraud when he was thanking people he mentioned the organist. I at the moment for my sins operate the digital organ. Some people like to give it it's trade name the gulbransen, I usually refer to it as the branston pickle machine. It usually does leave me in a pickle. Some people really hate it, I wouldn't say I'm a great lover of it, however I'm sure there are a great many other sounds that are far more offensive to God.
With my Mother's musical talents I feel like I should perhaps be a little more musically inclined, but alas Mrs Pratt put paid to that a great many years ago. For a young girl to be greeted by an elderly lady in her nightie, plagued by cats jumping on the piano, and the nauseating smell of cooked fish for her cats, extinguished any musical talents I may of had long ago.
I feel I'm not destined to be the organ grinder, just the monkey. But what a great monkey I make.

After the week-end

This last week-end was one of those week-ends that are so hectic, your almost glad to go back to work for a rest.

I was a lot happier with the way the youth club went this week although i did make rather a big mistake.
Because we run the two different age groups fortnightly, this was going to be the last time the younger group met before he feast of the Ascension, so I wanted to make quite a bit about that, unfortunately I forgot that Ascension Thursday is from now on celebrated on a Sunday, I was busy reminding them how there was an important Holy day coming up next Thursday, but it's shifted. In my defence, my Diary still has it down as Thursday.

On Saturday I had an early start as I was off to York to be commissioned as an extra- ordinary minister. Had a bit of difference of opinion with the priest about receiving Communion on the tongue. He thought it would be nice if everybody would "get used to receiving on the hand."
It's a shame that some one in his position feels such repugnance at the prospect of having his finger licked, when in reality he is supposed to be acting as Christ giving himself to us.
However I do think when I'm voicing my displeasure I should perhaps wear slightly less distinctive clothes, my bright green coat didn't make for good camouflage.
All in all it was quite a nice day, (despite the above episode) met a lovely lady named Clare.
After taking the "Scenic" route home I made it back just in time for Mass, although I missed the first hymn.
Round to James And Ella's for a Euro vision party. Had a lovely evening despite the eurovision song contest, I think the highlight of the night was Fr William's outrage at the voting tactics of our continental cousins. I was a little concerned that when Poland didn't give us any points Fr Gregory might find himself out on the streets. Luckily Ireland and Malta restored our faith in human nature.
Didn't get home until gone two as the taxi didn't show up.
Sunday was equally busy, but I can't be bothered to write any more.
Just a note about Andrew, He is now in Gibraltar and after that they are going to Egypt. Jessica is very jealous and thinks that a trip to Egypt will be wasted on him

Good Bye, Andy

A month had passed since I last blogged, I really don't know where the year is going.
We said good bye to Andy today, that's it for the next seven and a half months.
I'm actually feeling very delicate tonight, before he left I actually found myself getting upset over ironing his shirt. Don't get me wrong ironing can be upsetting at the best of times, but this was different. The realisation that I won't be ironing his clothes until December made me iron them on this occasion with the most tender loving care. I wouldn't mind, he usually does his own ironing (especially as far as his uniform is concerned) as I put creases in all the wrong places.
Jessica was really brave until he'd just left, she ran after the car waving then came in and had a little weep.
Mum and Dad had come for dinner with the understanding that they would go just before Andy left, I must stress this understanding was between me and Mum and when at a quarter to seven Andy asked Dad if he wanted a coffee and dad said "oh yes please" I was starting to get a little agitated.
Dad had his coffee, then Mum managed to diplomatically shift him, Bless!

Christian Passover Seder Meal

Christ, mysteriously incarnate as both the Son of God and a faithful Jewish man chose the Passover Seder to institute the new "meal" of salvation and redemption. As Christians we can celebrate this Seder to share our common ancestry with our Jewish brothers and sisters, and in memory of the meal that Jesus cerebrated with his apostles.


This is one of those things that I've fancied doing for a few years but never quite got around to doing. I suppose it would of been better to do this on Maundy Thursday, but with going out to Mass I don't think we'd of had time, so we decided (quite on the spur of the moment) to hold it last night.
I'd downloaded all the information on what to do a while ago from http://www.domestic-church.com I wasn't sure how open to doing this Andy would be, some times if you ask him to do some thing like this he'll look at you like you've asked him to eat his own liver, and other times he'll reluctantly agree then go all out and totally astound me.
This thankfully was one of those later occasions, he was a little unsure but I think what swayed him was the macho image of head of the household. I did suggest asking James to take the lead Father part, but Andy's testosterone levels wasn't going to allow for that.
Traditionally before the Passover holiday the house is to be meticulously cleaned --eeerm I sort of tided a little bit.
The table was set with the extra place for Elijah. Ella went straight to the place I'd set for Elijah, so I had to move her just in case he showed up.
The meal is in two parts: the ceremonial foods; the matzoh, horseradish etc and then the proper food.
We start of with mother (that's me) lighting the candles whilst at the same time saying the blessing, a tricky move for someone as uncoordinated as me, I think I nearly set fire to the instruction sheet.
Next came the first of the cups of wine - "The cup of Salvation". We then washed each others hands.
We then all had to eat a bit of parsley dipped in salt water - Jessica and her friend Jessica pulled some interesting faces at this point although not as good as the bit when they had to eat the horseradish
As we didn't have any boys Jessica asked the four questions.
Next came the Matzoh or unleavened bread, I'd made this myself from Kosher flour stuff I think that's also called matzoh. I'm not sure what the finished stuff is supposed to be like but it turned out a bit like the communion host that taste like they are made from wholewheat flour. I've seen people use pitta bread for this but after looking at the ingredients for pitta bread it still contains yeast - "The leaven is a symbol of sin." "Don't you know that just a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough". Maybe I was going a bit OTT but if you're going to do a thing, do it properly (although it has to be said I didn't for the shank bone as you'll see later)The bitter herbs, we actually used creamed horseradish, well ok it was horseradish sauce, bt have you seem the size of an actual horseradish they're huge and really ugly looking. As i said no one really enjoyed this experience but your not supposed to.
The Haroset came next - this I made myself from apples,nuts Cinnamon, honey and wine. (Topped with a crumble topping and baked I feel this might be quite nice.)
After that we where supposed to recline on cushions, but we didn't have any so we pretended!
We all took a turn doing the readings for the story of the passover, then came the second cup: THE CUP OF PLAGUES. Andy all along took his Father role very seriously as he said the blessings I was very inpressed, he even got a little cross with the girls wen they got a bit giggly and where not taking it as seriously as him. I forgot to mention that when we ate the matzoh you share half between all gathered round the table and the other half is wrapped in a napkin and hidden for the kids ti find later, I suppose this is the origins of hunting Easter eggs. In he Christian Seder they use the comparison of Jesus wrapped in the shroud and hidden away from the world for three days.
When we came o the holding up of a shank bone or other symbol of the lamb we made do with a plastic lamb that came on top of some mini Easter eggs looking quite cartoon like sat down waving it's legs and smiling, perhaps this did ridicule the seriousness of the evening, but Andy still managed to pull it off with great solemnity. (Oh how I wish I'd had my camera at the ready).
Next came the bit with the egg - For further details check out the website via the link,
Dayenu - it would have been enough, The Father says various things to which we respond it would have been enough.
We then drank the cup of joy before the girls where sent to search out the hidden matzoh, which took enough time for Andy to go outside for a quick smoke.
Next we lifted our cups to Elijah I think it might of been at this point that I spilt red wine all over the table cloth!

The final cup, the cup of praise brings in the Christian significance with the final cup being the crucifixion.

We the feasted on roast lamb which turned out very well all though I say it myself and Kosher biscuits to finish with no one apart from Ella really seemed o like these very much, as James said they taste like any foreign biscuit.
A game of Cludo concluded the evening.

My Splinter is heavy today

This week-end is looking like it could be the most chaotic of the year. Saturday we've got the youth day at Beverley. This finishes at 4pm rush back for the 5 O'clock mass. Sunday i really want to go to the afternoon recollection thingy given by Opus Dei,but then the there is the youth Mass down at St Charles on Sunday eve. I'll need to pick some bits up for the kids get together before the youth Mass, and on top of this I need to make time to see my husband who I've not seen for two weeks.
(He's only home for the week-end). AAAAARRRRHHH

Jess is having two friends staying over tomorrow night (ready for the youth day), the house is a tip, I've got a pile of ironing the size of mount Everest and I've gone and confided something in someone I shouldn't.
On top of this some person is behaving in a unreasonable manner towards me, and to be honest I'm not sure what "this persons" problem is. What can I do, but gaze on the crucifix and realise my cross isn't so big after all

Babies Babies

LITTLE MISS PREECE
Since I last blogged two friends have had Babies, Angela had a little boy about two and a half weeks ago and his name is -- something Luca, can't remember what the first bit is. Ella gave birth to a little girl a week last Monday, she is still without a name, but looks like a little doll.

.

At The Car Wash

Jessica reached thirteen, and I'm pleased to report there was no horrible overnight transformation.

We've had a busy day today, some of the kids from church held a car wash to raise money to go to Lourdes. All in all it was quite successful apart from the petty bickering (I'm sorry to say this was as much parents as it was children).

Children live what they learn, so how are we to instill in them the Christian values of love of neighbour, and to give without expecting anything in return, if they are not set this example by their parents?

Maybe I am too judgmental, I don't mean to be. In fact I probably made matters worse. After about ten minutes of coming out from confession I feel that I probably went and undid all the good that I had just received. My passions against injustice always seem to get the better of me, and again I fall.

On a lighter note, I got absolutely drenched by one of the kids, who seemed to have mistaken me for a car, everywhere I went after that I left a puddle behind, but it's all part and parcel washing cars.

THIRTEEN

In the little about me on the left hand side of the page, I mention that my daughter is on the brink of becoming a teenager. Well, that fateful day arrives tomorrow!!
I'm bracing myself for the stroke of midnight, will my pleasant little girl, suddenly turn into a slobbing, grunting adolescent with the inability to stand up straight or talk to anyone below the age of 15?
Is it really thirteen years ago that she came into the world?
Do you know, I still refer to her as my little girl, but she's nearly the same size as me.
I'll never forget not that long ago I was in town with Jess, and walking behind us was a group of teenage girls, effing and blinding at the top of their voices, I was getting very cross, and had given a disapproving look towards Jessica as though to say, " Oh, how awful, you won't EVER do that, will you?" Anyway, I'd had enough turned round and launched into the "Do you mind not using that language, I've got my little girl with me," lecture. Only to find that the girls behind me where maybe only a year or so older than "my little girl". I think it was then that it hit me, my baby was growing up.
Little children give you a tiny insight into the unconditional love of God, but as parents we need to image the work of God at creation.

Blancmanche, Pancakes And Ashes

Had a hectic couple of days, so I've got a bit of catching up to do.
Monday night we went to Faith Forum, it was a really good talk , Retrieving truth from propaganda: Pius XII and the Jews.
It's amazing how simple truths can be smacking you in the face but people rather believe muck raked crap with no creditable evidence. E.g the book "Hitler's Pope". I believe there are people who read these books who are just looking for trouble, you could give them a million books which would set the story straight and they wouldn't want to know.
If anything Pope Pius should be in the running for a Sainthood, not his character torn to pieces by S**t stirrers who have got personal problems with the Catholic church.
On a lighter note, the talk was delivered by Dr Cyprian Blamires. I really wanted to ask him if when he was a kid, did the other kids call him Cyprian Blancmange.
Pancakes
I made yet more pancakes on Tuesday. James and Ella came round, and things did get rather silly. To my shame it only takes two glasses of red wine for the pancakes to end up everywhere apart from the frying pan. It was great fun tossing then from the pan to the plate. Although at least one did end up on the floor. I'm not sure who had that one!! The pancakes worked rather well with a few different toppings. Apart from the usual Lemon juice, Syrup or sugar, we also had fresh fruit and ice cream. Not just any ice cream but Ben and Jerry's. MMMMM
After stocking up on pancakes I was ready for my Ash Wednesday fast.
We went to evening Mass, actually not that I'm ashamed or anything, but I'm quite pleased I didn't have to walk around in the broad daylight with the HUGE cross on my forehead. I must say Fr WM is very enthusiastic and very generous with his ashes, I looked more like a chimney sweep. One poor man with very little hair had a very big target to aim for. Talk about X marks the spot. Gosh I hope this doesn't sound to irreverent. I don't mean it to.
After Mass we went over to the presbytery for the first of the 'Our Father' course.
Actually I really enjoyed it, and I'm sure I'll get a lot out of it as the course progresses. I'll write a bit more on this at a later date.

Back To School

Well, that's another half term over!
Some parents can't wait to get their children back to school, but I really enjoy having Jessica at home. I think the school holidays always go far to fast. Usually at the end of school holidays I'm full of regret that I didn't get to do half the things with her that I wanted to. She did get her sleep over, but I do wish I could of taken her out for the day or something.
I think she enjoyed herself last night at the 'Festival of Food.'
Basically what it was, was at church we had a get together, with food from all the different communities. You could bring your own drink, and try some of the different cuisines. The food from the Filipinos was rather interesting and very tasty (what little I got to try), there was also some rather nice Indian dishes which smelt lovely. The Poles also made some dishes which I'm sure where equally delicious, but to be honest I didn't really get Chance to taste much as Frances and I where busy making pancakes. I have no idea how many we made in the end; I do know when I went to bed that night I was still making them in my sleep!!
Better get to bed as we have to be up bright and early in the morning.

Roses Are Red

Well here it is again, St Valentine's day.
I received some lovely roses from Andy, the only thing is he arranged it through my sisters and consequently they came with the most ridiculous message on the card.

To my beautiful Honey Bunny
with all my devoting love,
buttercups, daisies and beautiful butterflies.
Kisses, cuddles and sweet delicate pumpies!!

I transcribe it as it was written!!!!!!!

Unfortunately I won't see Andy for another month, but I've promised to cook him an extra special meal when he comes home - No it will not be a pot noodle!!

We, that is to say Frances and I had mother's prayer tonight,usually we do it in the private oratory however tonight we did it in church as Fr Wm is away, and it seemed too difficult to get Fr G understand what we where asking (he's Polish), plus he was going out. So we got high on paint fumes as the church is in the process of being painted. I must say St Jo's is starting to look a lot better. Well you couldn't get much worse than a pink ceiling!!!!!!!!!! I think one parishioner disapproved because they said on entering church, in the loudest theatrical whisper, "Greeeeeen" ( in a very distasteful sounding voice).

The sleep over went quite well, although I'll never understand why they call them Sleep overs, I think it's the one thing they didn't do.
We all said night prayer together (with no awkwardness from anyone), after which they opened up a discussion on their faith, which was wonderful. Thank you God, and sorry for my doubts.
You could say it was an uplifting experience.

Better Blogging

I've not done very well at this blogging lark, the problem is I'm to busy doing stuff to blog about it. It looks like Andy won't be home for ages, so maybe blogging will be a good way of remembering everything I have to tell him.

I'm very excited because it looks like I'm going to Lourdes. It's about time, I feel like I am the only Catholic who's never been there.
Jess is going with school at the same time and to be honest I thought she might not be to impressed with me going at the same time, but my daughter came out with a corker, " oh yes, that's fine Mum, it will stop me worrying about you!"
I sometimes wonder who the parent is in our relationship.
We're in for a fun night tonight, as she has three friends sleeping over, we're doing the whole pizza and film thing, just wondering at what point do I suggest night prayer?

A Mother's Rule of Life

This fantastic book is set to transform my life!
The only thing is I don't have time to sit and blog about it at the moment as this isn't blogging time, its night prayer time. Not a very good start!!!!!

The agony of the parish council meeting

There is nothing like a parish council meeting to raise your blood pressure.
As our Catholic family gathers together to discuss "matters arising" some of the worst qualities of human nature rear their ugly head.
Actually compared to some parish meetings this one was not too bad, I was back home for ten o'clock which is a bonus.

It was a pleasant surprise that we had the reading taken from the evening prayer, James 4: 11-12. as part of our prayer at the start of the meeting.
I'd said my evening prayer before I went out and had thought how appropriate. " Brothers (And sisters, they can be worse!!!), do not slander one another. etc etc ---- Unfortunately two "Ladies" sat very near to me obviously hadn't heeded the words. MEEEEOOOW ---saucer of milk table1.