My Seize the Day Interview on The Catholic Channel

It has been a busy birthday weekend, and I was having a minor freak-out on Friday after I got an email inviting me to be a guest on Gus Lloyd's "Seize the Day" show on The Catholic Channel, so I'm just now getting around to telling you about it.

I was on at 9 a.m. today, so that segment ought to be rebroadcast at 11:30 a.m. and midnight tonight, if you have Sirius XM and want to listen.  I was talking about my conversion, and it was a lot of fun.  Well, more fun than I expected, that is.  He's an experienced host and kept the conversation flowing instead of just giving me free reign to blather on and on.  Or, more likely, and what I was really afraid of, stammer and say a lot of nothing!

If you get a chance to listen, let me know your thoughts!

Happy Monday!

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...
Raining and drizzly, again, but I had a nice, cool walk with the doggy this morning.

I am thinking...
About how I don't have much on the calendar this week, so I can relax.  I still have things that need to be done---AHG, of course---but it's going to be hard to motivate myself!

I am thankful...
For the Eucharistic Congress this weekend.  I got to see the beautiful Eucharistic procession with all the schools and parishes from the Archdiocese.  You've got to love the Hispanic groups that are dressed up and dance and sing all through the procession, just like King David singing and dancing for the Lord!  I'm especially thankful for making new friends IRL (Maria and Sarah!), and getting to spend a fun hour with them.

From the learning rooms...
Math, math, math.  All summer long.

In the kitchen...
Last night my dear daughter made gyros.  I was just going to roast the leg of lamb that I bought for Holy Thursday (!) and never cooked, but she immediately moved to gyros and did most of the work.  They were good; the gyro lovers in the family thought they were awesome.  I'm not one of those, evidently.  But I ate it.  I wasn't excited about the lamb in any form, except maybe live.

I am wearing...
Shorts and an XL polo from a past Eucharistic Congress because I found plenty of other good stuff to eat this weekend, and it's a day for loose clothing and frumpy casual.  Only beause I'm in a good mood, though.  If I were in a bad mood, that would require bright colors, probably turquoise, flattering clothing, and makeup.  :-)

I am knitting...
Finishing the baby blanket today.  Really.  It's big enough.  The goal is to knit those last few rows, bind off, and weave in ends.  All that work will probably require a good movie or two!

I am going...
No Where!

I am wondering...
Why kids can't find anything to eat when both the pantry and fridge are stuffed to the proverbial gills with food.

I am reading...
The Catholics Next Door; All Creatures Great and Small; The Truth About St. Therese

I am praying...
For my best friend and her family, for Alison, for Elizabeth de Hority, for our priests and deacons, for a marriage, and for my children.

I am looking forward to...
the sun shining again!


I am hearing on my ipod...
I enjoyed Just a Catholic Dad on my walk this morning.  He always makes me smile!

Yesterday I heard myself on my ipod! At the Eucharistic Congress I got to record an episode of Catholic Weekend with Capt. Jeff, Maria, and Sarah Vabulous, the Catholic Drinkie.  So, go listen up if you want to hear my "lovely, female voice".

Around the house...
Laundry!!!  And I'll probably get drafted into helping my grown girl make preparations for a bridal shower this week, and getting ready for her 3-week trip to Spain and Italy.


One Two of my favorite things...
The Wizard of Oz, which, if you follow me on Twitter is one of my favorite movies.  We watched it last night and it was so much fun.

These hardy hibiscus flowers by my mailbox which bloomed today and greeted me this morning!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Look who came by while we were recording.

 Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Love This.

Catholic Media Promotion Day

On March 15, 2011, everyone with a blog, podcast, or Facebook page should list their favorite 3 blogs, 3 podcasts, 3 other media, 3 random Catholic things online, and their own projects.

Then, post the link to your list here on March 15th.

Additionally, to help get the word out, press are asked to write articles and press releases for this day.

Lastly, on March 15th, go to iTunes and leave at least 3 positive written reviews for various Catholic podcasts and 3 positive written reviews for Catholic mobile applications. 

~~~~~~~

Here we go---I'm going to do my little bit to promote Catholic Media.  If you're just hearing about this, go ahead and do your own post; it's not too late.

But it's not going to be easy to choose from all the great options out there!

3 Favorite Catholic Blogs:

1.  Jennifer Fulwiler's Conversion Diary.  Jen's a great writer; she makes me laugh out loud and she makes me think.  Posts range from scorpion sitings to thought-provoking posts on the faith, especially as a convert from atheism.

2.  Catholic Cuisine.  It's great for finding ways to live the liturgical year through feasting!

3.  Gloria in Excelsis Deo.  Katherine will be surprised to be listed here (if she even reads my blog!).  Her blog is mainly about her children as she tries to keep her spread-out family informed of their growth, but her traditional Catholic faith is such a strong part of who she is that it's really lovely to see.  It's heartwarming to see the kids learn their faith and she does a great job of explaining Catholicism to us. 

3 Catholic Podcasts:

I don't listen to very many Catholic podcasts, and I've only listened to one or two of some of these, sooooo:

1. Definitely, The Catholic Laboratory.  Ian Maxfield is great.  His podcast is very well done.  It's well organized and he's a clear speaker.  He also methodically tackles his subjects and makes them fairly comprehensible to non-science types like myself. Very educational!

2.  Catholic Pilot.  Capt. Jeff is a friend of ours, so that's the only reason he makes my list!  (Just checking to see if you're reading, Jeff.)  Seriously, if you're interested in a pilot's perspective on the view from the cockpit and Catholicism, this is your best bet.

3.  Just a Catholic Dad.  Living in the UK with a non-Christian wife and raising their daughter Catholic.  He's fun to listen to, though I've only heard a few episodes.

3 Other Media:

1.  Love my Divine Office app on my iphone!  Loved it on my ipod touch, but now that I have my phone I'll be able to listen to the prayers anytime, not only when I've remembered to upload them before leaving the wi-fi in my driveway!  

2. Fisheaters.  Great place to go for answers to Catholic Questions.  I link to it often.

3.  Faith and Family. It was always a gorgeous magazine when we subscribed to it and now it's online.

~~~~~

Randomness:

1.  I just discovered this new blog and wanted to share today's post.  Oh, my.  It's The Spiritual Exercises Blog. Are you "plumb enough" today?  I can tell this is going to help get my spiritual life in order!

Have a great day perusing all this Catholic stuff online.  Don't forget to LIKE Catholic Media Promotion Day on FB, and see what everyone else likes!

Another March Daybook

Outside my window...

...DARK!!!???

I completely forgot that Daylight Savings Time exists, and just last week I was saying that we wouldn't have anymore pre-dawn drives to school until the fall.  Hooray!---oops.  Darn.

I am thinking...

about the horrors in Japan.  I can hardly imagine the tragedy over there.  I've seen only a little bit on TV.  Intellectually I know what's happening, but can you imagine the horror of having your whole world turned upside down?  Your home, your neighborhood, your whole town destroyed?  People dead, lost, missing?  More tragedy yet to come?  Oh my.

Many prayers for those poor suffering souls, and resolutions of my own to be ready to meet the Lord.  It can happen anytime.

I am thankful for...

...Lots of things!  I'm keeping a list in my purse, but I notice that I'm often "too busy" to think about it and write things down.  That seems like a bit of a problem and I can see how it would be much better to have an "attitude of gratitude" all the time, even when times/moments are difficult.  Especially when things are difficult. 

(That's a repeat, and of course I'm more determined than ever to be thankful and appreciate every. little. thing.) 

The voices of ALL of my children saying family prayers together last night.  For a couple of very brief days we are all together again.

From the schoolroom kitchen table...

Oh, it will be difficult today with my wonderful college students home for spring break, and TMax on break as well!  No one will want to work.

We are really enjoying the Civil War Unit Study we started last week.  The kids are enjoying it and LEARNING.  I'm seriously considering buying another one for next year.

From the kitchen...

Corned beef sandwiches on Thursday and some Irish Soda Bread!

I am creating...

...A Linen Stitch scarf, and a Dragonfly shawl.  After starting and ripping out 4 times, I think I've got the hang of the Entomology shawl.  Learning how to do the beading was tricky, but it will be worth it for that added sparkle!

I am reading...

...One Thousand Gifts.  Still reading sporadically.  And writing my lists sporadically.  But I'm working on them in my head, which is an improvement over not being grateful at all.

...Alice I Have Been. It got better, but I wonder where it's going now.  I feel as if I've past the climax and still have a quarter of the book to read.  Fortunately, bookclub was cancelled yesterday so I have more time to finish.  Unfortunately, my friend had to get very ill for that to happen.  I hope she's better soon!

I am hoping...

...for a fruitful Lent.

I am hearing...

...at 7:47 a.m. the house is silent.  The remaining inhabitants are still asleep.

I'm listening to SQPN's Catholic Weekend Podcast.  Tomorrow is Catholic Media Promotion Day.  Go LIKE it on FB and tomorrow (March 15) 

On March 15, 2011, everyone with a blog, podcast, or Facebook page should list their favorite 3 blogs, 3 podcasts, 3 other media, 3 random Catholic things online, and their own projects.

Then, post the link to your list here on March 15th.

Additionally, to help get the word out, press are asked to write articles and press releases for this day.

Lastly, on March 15th, go to iTunes and leave at least 3 positive written reviews for various Catholic podcasts and 3 positive written reviews for Catholic mobile applications. 

Around the house...

Simple Mom has a decluttering program going on.  That's a good Lenten Activity.  I like the idea of going through my house methodically and purging it of stuff. 

I did my clothes last week, and this week is paper clutter.  But we really need to get to the big basement and schoolroom declutter! 

I am going...

...shopping with Brendan, to a piano lesson.  

One of my favorite things...

...Dinner with my whole family present---especially when I didn't have to cook it.

...and in the "How Shallow Can You Be?" category after Japan, my new iphone.  Sorry, but I love it.  Just don't show me the monthly bill.

I am praying for...

...all the poor souls, living and dead, in Japan

...Diane

...Tracy

...our priests

A few plans for the rest of the week...

...Choir, school, No AHG (!), thrifting with my Katie. 

...Decluttering my basement with Katie????

~~~~~

More Daybooks HERE