From an e-mail forward, so not my own work…. 🙂 Obviously, way too cute to keep to myself! Enjoy!
Dachshund & Pink the Pig
This Dachshund is fostering this little guy for another mom who couldn’t take care of him.
He had his eyes closed, but now they are open. He is just a little bigger than her other pups.
She loves this little guy as much as the other puppies and she is nursing him back to health.
He is the cleanest pig-uppy ever because she licks him all the time.
HIS NAME IS PINK….
Catholicentric — definition per Urban Dictionary (at the site of the same name plus the dot com, I won’t actually link it because most of the contents are morally filthy and I wouldn’t want to go shopping for my millstone, thanks)
(adj.)
1. Relating to, measured from, or with respect to the Catholic Church and it’s teachings.
2. Having the Catholic faith as a center.
(n.) One who bases his or her political ideals on the prospects of the Catholic Church (i.e. Super-conservative no-church-and-state homophobes); One who believes Catholicism to be the center of their universe.
Hmm…. Do I fit the definition today? On one hand, I didn’t go to Mass today. On the other hand, I did make sure that I got to Bible study with Fr. JJ. I also purchased at the local Catholic bookstore, Faith@Work, Beginning Apologetics Course #8 on the End Times (so that I can refute the Rapture for Sandra), Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen, and 2 copies of The Magnificat Advent Companion (Lindsay, one’s for you!!). Then, I went to the Troy Public Library, to which I have not been in over 2 years and still owed them $3.75 from my overdue fines from when I checked out Harry Potter #6 and failed to return it in a timely manner. I never remember to return my library books on time. I am the library book fine queen. In fact, I think I still have a library book that was checked out from the parish library 6 months ago…. And it was due 3 weeks after I took it…. Maybe I should bring that up in confession…. I’m still only 1/4 way through that book — it’s very heavily philosophical. I read about 10 different books at once. Anyway, I digress. At the library, I borrowed 2 books-on-CD: John Paul the Great by Peggy Noonan, and The Pontiff in Winter by John Cornwell. I also borrowed the following books: Let God’s Light Shine Forth (The Spiritual Vision of Pope Benedict XVI) by Robert Moynihan, Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II, Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, The Rise of Benedict XVI by John Allen Jr., and Our Fathers by David France.
This last one sounds like it will be complete trash-talking about the Catholic Church and our priests. I’m sure that book will lead me to no end of irritation, but that can be a good thing.
They are all due in 3 weeks on December 9. Please remind me to bring them in! 🙂
Later tonight, I will be going to RCIA. Tomorrow is a Gospel of Life talk with Pat McDonald — which everyone should attend, even if you have to fly in to hear it. Thursday is Theology on Tap with Fr. Ken Kaucheck. Friday, our Adventures in Matthew Bible study group will go to a local Synagogue to learn more about the Jewish faith.
Catholicentric? Nah. I think I’m normal. 🙂
Today is a day where I gleefully run around reminding people to get me presents in honor of my service in the Navy. A little tongue-in-cheek, perhaps, because I don’t really expect presents, but I am excited that those of us who serve or have served in the military are recognized, at least to some degree by the general populace.
I don’t really think that it is possible to return to being a “civilian” after you have served. It changes you, in a fundamental way. Whether your tour of duty was long or short, you answered “Yes” to the call. When you signed those (many, many) documents, you agreed to having some Amendment rights taken away, to the possibility of being called into battle on behalf of your country whether or not you agreed with the battle in question, to taking lives if necessary, and of giving your own life if necessary.
These are not small promises.
There is a special bond, a fraternal community, built within the ranks of the military. There are disagreements, rivalries, and people you just cannot stand; but that man or woman next to you, or across the oceans, is your brother or sister, and you know that when the time comes, they will have your back, just as you would have theirs.
Service. This is not just a word. This is a part of who we are. Just as baptism makes us new creations, in a way, the military also transforms us in this service. Not to say that I haven’t met my share of men and women who complain, whine and try to get out of work. Certainly, there is that, too. But, there is a spirit of self-giving, of acknowledgement of our commitment to offering ourselves as sacrifice, even if we are never asked to do this, which colors our life.
As we are all called to be a sincere gift of self for others and to love our God and our neighbor, I have seen within the ranks of the military a great example of this — a real pouring out of one’s talents, time, blood, sweat, tears, and resources for the good of others, even others we do not know or will never get a chance to meet.
I was not Catholic when I entered the Navy. I was raised atheist. But if you, today, look at my dog tags, they say on them “RC” for Roman Catholic, because when they asked me on the day that I in-processed at Boot Camp how I wanted to be buried if I died in service, that was my choice. I have to see now that God was with me every moment of my life, whether I realized it or not. And I am very thankful that He gave me this experience.
I think it is great that the saint we honor in today’s liturgy is St. Martin of Tours, who was a soldier before becoming a priest. From the Magnificat, there are a bunch of things which spoke to my heart this day:
“In Saint Martin, you exchanged military weapons for the weapons of the Gospel: — in all those who have died in military service, exchange suffering and death for life.”
Portion of Psalm 144:
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock
who trains my arms for battle,
who prepares my hands for war.”
Ephesians 6:12-13
“Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.”
May God bless all my fellow military members, keeping them safe and well and in His loving embrace. And to all my friends from the Navy, and other branches of service — I love you guys!
In fond remembrance of René LaMorte, USN, called home to God after a 6 month deployment on the USS Eisenhower. We love you, Néné!
“If you were going to die tomorrow and had only one phone call to make, whom would you call? What would you say?
Would you start talking about your sadness, or would you be grateful for all the gifts you received in life?”
— From “Uplifting Thoughts for Every Day”
I would have thought that this would be a hard question for me to answer. But, surprisingly, it wasn’t. I would call one of the people that I really feel that God has specifically given to me. I can only hope that I would not make the phone call about my fears or sadness or anything like that. I would hope that I would be able in that phone call to be able to express to the person how much he or she is loved by me, and how I am always praying for him or her, and how I will continue to do so.
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There Are 0 Gaps in Your Knowledge |
 Where you have gaps in your knowledge: No Gaps! Where you don’t have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy |
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The Castle Personality Test |
 You have no problem diving into new experiences. You’re so brave that you don’t even notice how courageous you are. You don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how people see you. You’re kind of scared to know what they think. You are a very romantic person. You can’t help but see the world as it should be. Right now, stress occasionally makes you feel trapped in your life. You usually have a clear perspective on things though! Overall, your life is very peaceful – if not a little solitary. Much of what goes on goes on in your head. You aren’t optimistic about the future. You worry about what will happen to the world and if we’ll be able to clean up the messes we’ve made. |
I know all of you are agonizing what to get me for Veteran’s Day. I thought that I would give a suggestion, so you won’t have to wander the store for hours in indecision. 🙂
A new monitor for my computer. I find myself stuck. I want to post the rest of my World Youth Day photos, but I need to color correct the majority of them. However, my current — and really old — CRT monitor is already cranked up to 100% brightness and 100% contrast, and it still shows everything as really dark. So when I go to correct my photos at home, any person looking at them on another computer gets blinded and wonders why this girl always takes high-key, blown out pics. And I am so anal, that this really disturbs me. So, I don’t want to correct while it is all messed up. Yet, alas, I do not have the funds to get a new monitor right now. You see my dilemma.
Just in case you needed a Veteran’s Day present suggestion…. A new LCD monitor would be great. 🙂
Go Navy!!
I’m not really sure if I should be posting about what kind of *dog* I am, but here we go anyway:
You Are a Labrador Retriever |
 You are very optimistic. You approach life with enthusiasm and vigor. You aim to please, and you are a very quick learner.You can be a bit rowdy and unruly, especially when you don’t get enough exercise. While you are a bit wild, you’re never dangerous. You are a truly gentle creature. |
H/T to Kevin.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1990
Today Me and Clint were playing chess he quit after 2 games 1st a draw 2nd he won. Afterwords I played by myself. Mom said you have to put it away when your done. When I finished I put it in it’s box and went in Clints room and set it on his desk. He said put it all the way away, I’m not going to do it. I said No I cleaned it up its in your bedroom and I’m done. I walked out and banged my right ankle against the space heater near the bathroom, went into the living room where Dad said whats going on we went back to Clints room where I explained what I’d done and shouldn’t he put it away because I didn’t know where it should go and also because I didnt take it out. Dad took me in the hallway and told me to work on my attitude after I huffily said Okay where does it go and put it there. He said no one like a person with an “I’m better” attitude and left. I didn’t have an I’m better attitude and just went to my room and started writing. Its now 12:52 pm.
Sunday, Jan. 7, 1990
Tomorrow I’m starting a paper route of 37 customers. I’m taking over for Eva Kasmarack, 14 years old. We collect every 2 weeks and make about $36 a week. I’ll try to keep you posted.
Thursday, Jan. 11, 1990
I LOVE Aaron, Mom doesn’t know quite how much I do though. She just knows that I like him that sort of true, I’m heads over heels in LOVE with the sandy-haired blue-eyed 12 yr. old 7th grader. [Which, of course, was the beginning of a life-long attraction to sandy-haired, blue-eyed boys….] He’s in 3 of my classes 2nd, 5th, 7th Hr. I sit kitty corner to him in Math 5th Hr with Mr. Koehn. [Insert diagram here of seating arrangements]
Mr. Mason In Science 2nd Hr [Insert diagram here of seating arrangements]
7th Hr. L.A. Mrs. Milton [Insert diagram here of seating arrangements. Also of note, is the fact that I met up with Mrs. Milton again when I was going through RCIA a year and a half ago to enter the Catholic church…. 🙂 Small world….]
I even wrote a story about us [Oh boy] using the names Aaron Debrowski and Hart Freshwater in which in 5th Hr. Hart faints and Aaron gets concerned and everyone finds out. Later they go together, wouldn’t that be cool if it did happen. I wish it did. [Obviously, I’m a foolish romantic in need of saving….] I wish so much that we would go together. I probably would be very happy if that happened. Please…
Last year I had Aaron in 4 of my classes 1,4,5, + 6th Hr.
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1990
I’m
[…obviously distracted.]
Sunday, Jan. 28, 1990
I’m scared, somethings happening to dad he even had to wear a heart monitor, we don’t know what it is yet, I hope it’s not serious.
Grandma’s going too her eyesight is getting extremely bad and everyone knows it’s from her diabetes. She eats sweets all the time, She’s going to kill herself.
My Grandma Barnard died (from cancer) before I was born or maybe I just don’t remember, my parents only talk about her when I ask questions. [Actually, before my parents were married.]
Memere (memay) is slowly losing it mentally, [Obviously, I’m the Queen of Tact at this age.] the way Uncle Jerry keeps a tab on her medicine she might die in a year or so, probably not but what do I know she’s 83 something (Alzheimer’s disease). [I loved my Memere. It sounds harsh, but I was trying to document things as I saw it.]
Pepere [Okay, I had no clue how to spell this.] (pepay) died of diabetes like Grandma’s going to. He made it to see me when I was 1 week old. I smiled at him. [What a morbid little entry, Little Me!]
What the earth has given and human hands have made; it will become for us the light of Christ:
Cute lunch story:
I’m in the cafeteria picking out my soup, and notice that they have cute little Halloween names, which is awesome. A man next to me looks over and says, “Oh, you shouldn’t have that. Day like today, you should be having the ‘Chili con Carnage’.”
I give him a big smile and gesture to my soup, “But this is the ‘Good Choice Chicken and Rice’.”
He looks at me again and says, “Mmm. Yes. I see your halo. Okay.” 🙂
