Friday, September 24, 2010

Five on Friday - Bloom’s Taxonomy

1.What did you do this week?

I flew over to the Show Me State, (MO) for work.


2.Why did things turn out the way they did this week?

Because I decided to let things happen the way God wanted them to happen, therefore, I trusted and I let go of my fears and just be myself.

3.How will this week’s events affect next week’s, both positively and negatively?

This weeks events were very important to my little family and we are blessed the way they turned out. We are now able to decide to move forward in a big decision and keep trusting that the Lord will protect us.

4.What were this week’s pivotal moments where things might have happened differently and changed everything?

Tuesday night  was the pivotal moment. It is hard when someone else has to make a life changing event decision for you, but then deep in your heart you know that whatever decision is made, strenght and trust in the Lord will never fail.

5.How was your week?
 
Amazing!!! even though, I came back bruised from Go Carts it was a great experience. Got to know a couple of co-workers, I hadn't had the opportunity to know very well and I was not disappointed.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Cowboys...

2 Interceptions. Bench Romo. BENCH HIM!!! He plays the same in every game. I have not seen absolutely no improvement from this guy!  Romo is on the same list as Dirk Nowintski. Good for nothing!

NEXT: Texans (2-0)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Movies We Watch

Movie: Clash of the Titans

To appreciate this new version, if you care, you must watch the original 1981 version. John digged from his retro tape collection and popped it in our VCR and we went down memory lane. We laughed at how horrible the graphics were but going back in time, this movie rocks!

Now coming back to the 2010 version, we were left scratching our heads. There was no love story between Perseus and Princess Andromeda. His mother dies and he's raised by "humans." No mechanical owl (actually, the owl makes a 5 second cameo), there were a lot of things that were left out from the original, I guess we aimed too high.

In the 2010 version, Perseus sole reason to save the Princess from the Crocken was because he hated the gods and wanted to show them he could defeat the Crocken all by himself without help from the gods or his father-god. He ends up falling in love with...I'm not going to say. The story on this version sucked. The only worth thing watching was Medusa, Scorpions, and the Crocken. The same guy who played the lead from Avatar plays Perseus.

We give it: C-


Movie: Mansfield Park (2007, Masterpiece Theater)

I read the book first and I was loving it up until the end. What a let down. I was mad. It is never good to be second-best. NEVER. I feel that Fanny Price, the heroine in this book, could have married the charming Henry Crawford but decided to risk it in just in case her COUSIN, Edmund Bertram, fell out of love from Mary Crawford, which he did and suddenly out of the blue, his man-light bulb inside his head decides to finally turn on and tells him that oh, how could I be so blind!? "Fanny, you are the love of my life, after all. Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage, because well, after admitting to you that Mary Crawford was the only woman in this earth that I could ever marry didn't work out after all, would you accept me as your husband. Please say yes, because well, you're my cousin after all and it will be pretty nice to keep in the family, don't you think!?"

What a disastrous ending! Jane Austen made me fall in love with Henry Crawford not the cousin, Edmund Bertram. Come on!

This movie was OK. John liked it. They changed a few things and of course the ending was not expelled bound like Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion.

Rate: D


Movie: Mansfield Park (1999)

I didn't know I was Masochist until I finished watching these two different versions. I read the reviews on both and I couldn't decide which one to go. This version is alot closer to the book than the 2007 version. However, Fanny Price didn't fancy to become a writer! There was nudity in this version so, don't watch it with your kids.

All I kept saying while watching these two different versions was "that was not in the book!"

Rate: D

Friday, September 17, 2010

Five on Friday - Nagging

1.What kinds of nagging injuries do you have?

Plantar Fasciitis and Sciatic pain


2.What long-procrastinated task is nagging at you lately?

Sofia's teacher has asked me for recent headshot of her. I got it, I just haven't printed the dang picture and everyday that goes my brain reminds me, "you still haven't done it, have you!?" I know, it's been two weeks already.

3.In what way have you been a nag to someone else?

When I don't have enough hours of sleep the night before. One big clue: I'm very very quiet the next morning. John is my witness.

4.Who in your life is a world-class nag?

I don't think she'll read this, so I'll say, Patricia. lol...

5.Nag is such an ugly word. What would be a nicer way to describe someone who exhibits nagging tendencies? 
 
"you need to drink some kool aid!" OR
"are you cross?" OR
"would you like time out?" OR
"you need to take a chill pill" OR
"would you like a skinny starbucks with that?"

The Courage to Grieve

I'm having a difficult time grieving. I have internalized it and unconsciously decided to avoid the process due to the busyness of my life. I have sought refuge in my job, my daughters, my husband, my friends, even my dogs. I was having lunch with a co-worker yesterday and she asked me how my therapy sessions were going and that made me stop and realize that I haven't put worth the effort to complete this process. At times, I want to pretend nothing ever happened to my Dad, that he's still coming over to talk to me. Then, I remember my visits to the hospital and I break that emotional meltdown from happening.

I canceled my appointment with Miriam (therapist) because I feel I need something else, something more. I actually found it but I failed to go out of fear of facing my pain all over again. I have unresolved issues that I want to put to rest but I know that getting there will be painful. Does pain ever end? How does one find acceptance to death?

I have this anxiety that comes and goes and I'm getting sick of it. I don't know if canceling my therapist session was a good idea but I know that I can't put this off for too long. At times I "think" or I make myself "believe" I come to peace with all of this but deep inside I still hurt and I have not found all my answers. Miriam told me I never will and that crushed me.

When people ask me how I'm doing, I can't lie. I'm still hurting. I hurt for too many reasons both good and bad. I want to tell him so much. I want to ask him so many questions. This is when life becomes unfair.

Miriam advised me to get the book called "The Courage to Grieve," and I'm having such a difficult time reading it. I have only manage to read a few pages. It truly takes courage to go through this stage. This process  really, really sucks. I feel like I'm in a swamp of unresolved issues and tears are raining down on me. I'm stuck in it. I don't know how to get out. I need to find courage somewhere in this swamp but I can't seem to find it.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Conversion Story

click on this link:

How I went from lifelong atheism to orthodox Catholicism (Audio)

Awesome story! PRAISE THE LORD!

Cowboys 2010

I want to believe!!! Make me a believer, please!!! I was excited to watch "AMERICA'S TEAM" to show themselves and beat McNabb and all I saw was the same old Cowboys playing on the field; they brought the same amount of penalties, fumbles and our offence hasn't changed! We are still making the same stupid mistakes!

By the by, Romo is still playing like Romo, the Rookie and he still panics, dude, get over it! And why, oh why do you play a player who ranks the most penalized player in the history of the league to screw up and take away our last chance of winning! Why, oh why!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next: Chicago Bears.

On a more positive note, Sofia is now saying "Cowboys, Touchdown." This was the only highlight of the game last night.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Peach Class 2010

Sofia starts her second year at Little Saints, Mother's Day Out Program. This year, she's with the 2 year old Peach Class, with Ms. Amy and Ms. Victoria.

Again, my heart ached leaving her behind, unfortunately, she didn't share the same heartache that I was experiencing, she was way too happy to be in school.

Here's Sofia with Ms. Amy. This is the day we visited the classroom for an hour. Ms. Victoria speaks Spanish and will be teaching Spanish to the Peach class! Ms. Victoria loves that Sofia is already Bilingual in Spanish!

See that smile!

Here's little James. James was in Sofia's Red Class from last year.

Sofia kept smiling all day long because she got to go to school.

Raquel: "So not fair Mommy! I get to be stuck at home every day besides going to Mass. Not fair!"

The day when she got to spend half a day at school. She's got the keys ready!

Here's little James again!

Sofia doesn't even say bye to me. Ms. Amy told me when I picked her up that she was the happiest little girl in that room and she got everyone to laugh with her and talk to her. My social butterfly!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

More Stuff

Brides must always think of their future husbands first! Forget the lingerie!

Smoking is believing that in the very near future you will die of some sort of Cancer.

June Cleaver you ain't!

Feed your body chocolate when you are feeling tired and in a months time you won't be able to fit into that gorgeous dress. You betcha!

Tapeworms to lose weight!? Get outta here! Why didn't we know this sooner! Got to go and seek them in my yard! I'll have John sanitize them since I won't dare touch them, but I will eat them for the sake of reaching thin kingdom glory!

There you have it. It's our fault!

For Kidney stones go wild with salt!

Doesn't matter if she's got morning sickness and carrying your child, give her some Mornidine and she's good to go at the kitchen again. Geez! Give the woman a break!

....on a side note, I have never found myself smiling like this when I'm cooking. Not even for myself. Who does it?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Movies We Watch

Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Sill

If you have a political agenda then make a movie! If you are an environmental freak make a movie about saving the earth from the humans! This movie should have been titled: THE DAY THE SCIENTIST WERE SMARTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE.

This movie is about Aliens invading earth. Their purpose: To save the earth from us. We are endangering the Earth, and the Earth is dying and is all our fault, therefore, they have come to erase us from it or else the Earth has no chance of surviving because we just don't give a hoot about the planet we live on. Keanu Reeves plays the Alien who has come to see whether or not we deserve a second chance. He doesn't see that humans can change, therefore, he starts the process of destroying all human life.

Oh! and guess who are the only humans that give a hoot about earth!? Scientist and Environmentalist and Al Gore.

Besides all the political undertones about Green People are good for the Earth and people who don't worship the Earth (like me) we give it 2 1/2 stars. Whatever.


Movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

A journalist has been given an assignment to find a missing person that went missing 40 years ago. Along the way, he is assisted by a hacker (the girl with the dragon tattoo) to help him find where Harriet is.

This is an amazing drama, thriller movie about detective work sought out to find her killer. On the negative side: There were some very rated R moments that we fast forward. We didn't see the correlation to the main plot but everything else was pretty fascinating how there were able to trace clues unchecked by the police. The movie is in Swedish. You need subtitles unless you know Swedish. That reminds me Ikea's Swedish meatballs are good!

This movie is based on a book. This movie is part of a trilogy. The story continues on two more sequels. 4 Stars.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day Weekend 2010

For Labor Day Weekend, we decided to explore our walking trail and see more of it. It took us three days to see it all...actually, we tried but this trail is preferably seen riding bikes than walking.

Day one: There are three paths to this walking trail. This is one part we hadn't seen. Nothing but open land! It was beautiful. We had to hike uphill for this path. Coming down, of course, was easier. This is at the top.

Now, we are going down! and going home. It took us about 45 minutes from our house to see where this part of the trail ended. It was worth it.

Day Two: We are going to the second path of the trail.

More open land! It was amazing! It felt like being in another place, certainly, not in Plano!

What!?

There it is! WILDLIFE! Fight, fight, fight!!!


This is another lake we didn't expect to see! The trail continues around this lake. It is pretty large, we opted not to walk it. We were tired and it had taken us 55 minutes to get here! So, we hurried back home!

Day Three: This is the one side of the trail that we have always walked. There is a Creek that runs on all three sides of this walking trail. There is lots of bridges like the one below.

On this side of the trail there are lots of ranches. This side you will see horses. On the other side, cows. At any given time, you will see the owners riding their horses.


The trail ends at this beautiful park with another amazing lake.

For all of the Bon Jovi fans.

The trail also goes around this lake. It is just lovely.

There are tons of ducks swimming on this lake.

"Mom, let's go. Please. I'm tired.
 

Raquel's Corner

Raquel turned 10 months this past Friday. So, I decided to start sippy cup training now instead of when she turns one. I did horrible with Sofia. I took her bottle away when she turned one without taking the time to training her to the sippy cup. It was horrible! But, I won't let that happen again!

Raquel: What is this mom? Cute colors! Is a cup! What do I do with it?

"Oh! hold it like this? I see and now what?

"take it to my mouth like this? Not my nose!? Oh!"
"like this, mom!?"

"I'm not sure about this mom. How about we let it go!?" NO!? Come on!"


Raquel riding the bike.

Raquel giving high 5's!

In Celebration of Labor

The Value of a Good Day's Work
By: Chuck Colson

The bumper sticker read, "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go." Well, that's what many--including Christians--think about work. Find out about the goodness of work.

With an election on the way, candidates are attending picnics and rallies accross the nation in celebreation of Labor Day. Too many will denounce the rich and pander to the dissatisfaction and fears many workers feel. Work to many, you see, is a necessary evil. The goal in life is to put in enough time to retire and relax.

But that attitude and that goal is contrary to a Christian worldview perspective on work.

Christians, you see, have a special reason to celebrate Labor Day, which honors the fundamental dignity of workers, for we worship a God Who labored to make the world—and Who created human beings in His image to be His workers. When God made Adam and Eve, He gave them work to do: cultivating and caring for the earth.

In the ancient world, the Greeks and Romans looked upon manual work as a curse, something for lower classes and slaves. But Christianity changed all of that. Christians viewed work as a high calling—a calling to be co-workers with God in unfolding the rich potential of His creation.

This high view of work can be traced throughout the history of the Church. In the Middle Ages, the guild movement grew out of the Church. It set standards for good workmanship and encouraged members to take satisfaction in the results of their labor. The guilds became the forerunner of the modern labor movement.

Later, during the Reformation, Martin Luther preached that all work should be done to the glory of God. Whether ministering the Gospel or scrubbing floors, any honest work is pleasing to the Lord. Out of this conviction grew the Protestant work ethic.

Christians were also active on behalf of workers in the early days of the industrial revolution, when factories were "dark satanic mills," to borrow a phrase from Sir William Blake. In those days, work in factories and coal mines was hard and dangerous. Men, women, and children were practically slaves—sometimes even chained to machines.

Then John Wesley came preaching and teaching the Gospel throughout England. He came not to the upper classes, but to the laboring classes—to men whose faces were black with coal dust, women whose dresses were patched and faded.

John Wesley preached to them—and in the process, he pricked the conscience of the whole nation.

Two of Wesley's disciples, William Wilberforce and Lord Shaftesbury, were inspired to work for legislation that would clean up abuses in the workplace. At their urging, the British parliament passed child-labor laws, safety laws, and minimum-wage laws.

Here in America we've lost the Christian connection with the labor movement. But in many countries, however, from Canada to Poland, that tradition still remains strong.

Much of our culture has a distinctly Greek view of work: We work out of necessity. But, you see, we are made in the image of God and as such we are made to work—to create, to shape, to bring order out of disorder.

So this Labor Day, remember all labor derives its true dignity as a reflection of the Creator. And that whatever we do, in word or deed, we should do all to the glory of God.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

The Beloved Man (ENG, ESPA)

A Siberian shaman asked God to show him a man that He loved. The Lord advised him to look for a certain farmer.

“What do you do to make the Lord love you so much?” the shaman asked the farmer when he found him.

“I say His name in the morning. I work all day and say His name before going to sleep. That’s all,” the farmer replied.

I think I found the wrong man, thought the shaman.

Just then the Lord appeared and said, “Fill a bowl with milk, go to town and then return. Without spilling a single drop.”

The shaman did so. On his return, the Lord wanted to know how many times he had thought of Him.

“How could I? I was worried not to spill the milk!”

“A simple bowl made you forget Me,” said the Lord, “and the farmer, with all his tasks, thinks of me twice a day.”
_____________________________

El hombre amado

Un chamán siberiano pidió a Dios que le mostrase un hombre amado por Él. El Señor le aconsejó que buscara a cierto labrador.

-¿Qué haces para que el Señor te ame tanto? –preguntó el chamán al labrador cuando lo hubo encontrado.

-Digo Su nombre por la mañana. Trabajo todo el día entero, y digo Su nombre antes de dormir. Nada más que eso.

“Creo que me he equivocado de hombre,” pensó el chamán.

Y en ese momento apareció el Señor, diciendo: “Llena un cuenco de leche, ve a la ciudad y vuelve, sin derramar una sola gota.”

El chamán obedeció. A la vuelta, el Señor quiso saber cuántas veces había pensado en Él.

-¿Cómo podía hacer eso? ¡Estaba preocupado por no derramar la leche!

-Un simple cuenco ha hecho que me olvides –dijo el Señor-. Y el labrador, que nunca deja de trabajar, piensa en mí dos veces al día.