~ 1 ~
The biggest event of the week around our house has been sickness. Lots and lots of coughing and stuff noses. Quite frankly, with three of the five of us on antibiotics, I’m getting really tired of it.
As I mused on Facebook the other night, “I think my lungs are trying to stage a mutiny. Don’t they know they need me to survive?” I’m just praying that we’ll be a lot healthier by next week’s Quick Takes.
~ 2 ~
So now, with being sick, I have found that I am considerably less enamored with the snow. Eric and I talked about how at the beginning of the winter, we loved the big snows that were coming in. But, now we’re cringing as they talk about things like “significant snow” next week. I told him that it reminded me of the first two verses of the song “In Like a Lion (Always Winter)” by Relient K.
It’s always nice to look out the windowAnd see those very first few flakes of snow
And later on we can go outside
And create the impression of an angel
That just fell from the sky
When February rolls around I’ll roll my eyes
Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies
And by the fire, my heart, it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waitin’ on the other side
~ 3 ~
I have decided on something to give up for Lent that already makes me nervous to think about. That must mean it’s a big sacrifice if it makes me nervous when I haven’t even done it yet, huh?
I decided that starting with the first full week of Lent, I will be giving up the computer for one day each week. It won’t always be the same day each week (not always Mondays, for instance), but it will definitely be one full day each week. Although I would have loved to have counted from midnight to 11:59 pm as a day, I know that for me (and my crazy sleep habits), I had to say that a “day” will be from when I wake up until I go to sleep for the night.
I’m hoping that this will allow me at least one day a week to really focus on non-computer things. Who knows — maybe I’ll keep it up past Easter. (Somehow, I doubt that.)
~ 4 ~
I was struck by two things this week while at Ash Wednesday Mass. They are the same two things that strike me each year.
The first is one that I can’t even seem to put into words. There’s just something about seeing the parade of people walking by after having been freshly marked with ashes (and told “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return”). There are babies and there are elderly people. Rich people and poor. Our mortality is something that nobody can hide from. But, there is also a sense of unity in seeing it too.
The second, on a lighter side, is that at some point while waiting for our turn to go up front, I always have to turn to Eric and say something along the lines of, “Is this church a clown car? Seriously — where does this endless line of people keep coming from?”
~ 5 ~
Speaking of faith related items, it’s coming up on First Communion time soon. If you’re working on First Communion banners this year, you might want to check out some of my popular past posts about this topic:
I can’t quite believe it, but it’s the first time in three years that we don’t have a First Communion in our family. Granted, it was very different for us, but Eric and I both had our First Communion in 2007, then Noah in 2008, and then Jack in 2009. It seems a little odd to us that we aren’t busy with it this year.
~ 6 ~
I can’t believe that I almost forgot one cool thing from this week — Brenda and I launched a free toolbar for Catholic families/homeschoolers. I’m really excited at the kind words that people have been saying about the toolbar. I can’t wait to watch as the resource grows. (If you know of great sites that should be added, please pass them along. We already have a list of more sites to add, but the Internet is so big that it’s impossible to be aware of all the gems out there.)
~ 7 ~
Do you ever feel like you just can’t keep up? I would love to say that it’s the illness talking, but I know that’s not it. (The strong cough medicine probably doesn’t help either. So, if this has all rambled, please blame that, as I took it right before writing this post.)
Every so often I just feel like the things that I think are my priorities are a little out of whack, and like I need to do some things to bring things back to how they should be. I know where some of the issues are, but I guess I just need to figure out what to do about it.
This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love your idea of ditching the computer one day a week. I think I may try this later in the year. I hope you and the family are feeling better soon.
I can relate to #7 right now! I am new to Catholicism and I had no idea that Communion banners existed. I guess if that is common where I live I will be making three of them this year?
"And by the fire, my heart, it heaves a sigh
For the green grass waitin' on the other side"
That poem is wonderfully appropriate for mid-February. We've seen some melting, which makes me incredibly anxious for spring and playing outside. Only two more months to go (for Idaho)!
Good for you with having the discipline to step back from the computer. Hopefully it will be a chance to enjoy your family even more.
Nicole
I hope you're feeling better soon, that's no fun. The idea of giving up the computer, even for a day, gives me hives
Seriously, that is a big sacrifice in this day and age, especially for a blogger.
What struck me at Ash Wednesday services were the sheer numebr of people there. There were more folks at our church than on Christmas. While happy to see folks come out, I also wondered wehre they are every Sunday and on special holidays… And, I can relate to your feeling sbaout giving up your computer time. I have given up doing any blogging or recreational things online until after I have attended to all my other life roles and duties each weekday and Staurdays. As a homeschooling mom, independent contractor and converting clutter queen, that means I have all but given up my computer save for for work and quick email checks each day. It's not an easy challenge for me… Also, now that I have found your boog, I will have to check it more. As afarily new hoemschooler (traininghappyhearts.blogpsot.com), I am sure there is much to learn from…