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.