Autism site asks for stories

I was invited to write a story about someone with autism, and so I went ahead and did it today; you can read it here at this Autism support and education site:

First things first: Meeting the Autism Diagnosis

Curriculum Sales on Mrs Apple Pie

More Curriculum Sales on Mrs Apple Pie's education shop!  Check it and tell some friends that might be looking!

Mrs Apple Pie Education Variety Shop

Danny Boy by Eva Cassidy

Being a light to others; responsibility

"In our prayer to-day, we can ask ourselves: Do I dedicate sufficient time to my religious formation, or do I allow myself to become absorbed by the other things that fill each day? Do I have a plan for reading, reviewed in spiritual guidance, which will help me make progress in doctrinal formation according to my age and background? Am I faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, knowing that there I find the light of truth rather than the contradictory opinions I often come across in matters of faith, social teaching, etc? Do I try to get to know the teachings of the Popes and to make them known? Do I respect them with piety and docility? Do I frequently rectify my intention, offering up all my actions to God, taking into account our tendency to seek applause, recognition and praise for what we do? Am I constantly aware that this is often where the deformation of one's conscience begins?

We need light and clarity, both for ourselves and for those around us. This is our big responsibility. The Christian has been placed by God as a lamp to light up, for others the way towards God. We ought to educate ourselves to face the rush of people who are going to press upon us with a specific and urgent question: 'Well then, what must I do?' [Escriva, Furrow, 221] Children, relatives, colleagues, friends, they all look to our behaviour and we have the responsibility of leading them to God. And so that the blind person's guide is not himself also blind [Matt15:14], it is not enough to have second-hand knowledge or mere hearsay. To lead our friends and relatives to God, a vague and superficial knowledge of the route is not enough; we need to have walked it ourselves........."

(from Lenten volume of: In Conversation with God)

Making strides…

Around this time of year as spring shows signs of really breaking through, I am usually full speed ahead getting my second grade class ready for First Communion.  This year is no different, only first communion comes a couple weekends earlier, so I am a little more anxious preparing the way.

Usually a mother of one of my students will make the banner, but the last couple years, I’ve constructed one….this year I’m using some of this kit to put onto a much bigger banner (30” x 48” approx),

There is also a chalice and host and many little lambs, and the children’s photos will adorn the banner as well.  So far, it’s looking very lovely.

This time of year I also begin to realize how lax I am in caring for myself and my personal health.  The needs of my family exhaust, and especially the needs of my special children, and the above and beyond kind of care I must give them. Yes, I definitely see my endocrinologist – that has happened consistently without interruption for the last 13 years, even when I’ve had to bring babies in tow and drag younger children along.  But, just now I’m catching myself – during Lent no less – with the bad eating habits that have probably long persisted well after the holiday seasons!!!  I am adjusting, for the sake of just feeling better, everyday, hoping to squeeze out every last bit of energy I can muster….and ward off the effects of menopause as it seems to drain me so much with a bad thyroid.  I really need to power eat! I am looking at having to have female surgery in the near future, for needed repairs to a prolapse that has increasingly worsened….in the meantime, a little weight loss and some more exercising will help patch the way a little longer – buying myself time, yes, I am.  I dread the thought of the hospital stay, mostly because of my son that suffers from serious anxiety- panic disorder….I’m not sure how we will manage – or how my husband, mother or older children will manage him and the horrible freaking-out that can ensue when I am not here for several days…….I guess some day I will be writing the rest of this story…..

In the meantime, I am adding more fruits and veggies and whole grains to my lazy-as-of-lately diet.  I am committed to eating a beautiful healthy apple each morning with my raisin bran :), dowsed in skim milk.  I have some new supplements coming and I’ve already added some much needed vitamin E capsules along with my evening primrose oil to my daily regimen.

Hoping for a good day today as we look to tying up many loose ends, and anticipate loosing that hour tonight for Daylight Savings…..always an adjustment.

Have a great day wherever you are…..may peace and confidence in God’s plan for you be yours.

Just one of my peeves…you know :)

I just don’t know if I can get excited about this (The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins).  Yea, I know, I’m a real downer with these things :)..but bear with me, remember I’m a conservative Christian kook …I’m not too relaxed on many issues or fads that the general public hold up as the latest and greatest….in fact, that always seems to make me suspect. I’m very particular with my children in regard to literature and movies; I always have been and I imagine that isn’t likely to change any too soon…especially when I have an ultra sensitive – is prone to nightmares by the most unlikely events child in my home.  But, even before him, I began child rearing with a commitment to quality control in the department of books and T.V./movies. 

I am not a preacher  -- good thing for my readers!…but I do have an opinion and I do share it with conviction on occasion, and I may meet with flack, no doubt  but most of my thoughts are well articulated, (and some fears as to why I will not let my children read or view this new release) in this interesting and very thorough perspective on The Hunger Games as reviewed by Focus on the Family.  Whenever I want to know the “real truth” about something out there …I turn to Focus on the Family because they give “details”, details I need to know in order to know if I can say yea, or nay.  The Hunger Games had enough nay in them for me to say “no” this time around. 

While my children are young and very impressionable I feel it’s my job to filter for them – after all, the public at large, the authors, and the movie industry isn’t doing it, I don’t expect them to, they aren’t raising my children, nor do I prefer them to.   And yes, I was the ogre mom that said no Harry Potter, no Twilight and early on, even no Pokemon (although I lost on that last one with one child who seemed to be able to have access to it through cousins and well meaning friends…) ..later I banned it. 

The Hunger Games

as reviewed by Focus on the Family

Pink Lemonade Pound Cake

I know, I know!  But this looked SO delicious....it came from a blog where PINK things rule :)

Pink Lemonade Pound Cake


1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package instant lemon pudding mix
4 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup pink lemonade concentrate
4 drops pink or red food color, optional


Glaze:
1 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup white sugar




Recipe
1) Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour one 10-inch tube pan or
bundt pan.


2) Combine the cake mix, lemon pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, 1/2
cup lemon concentrate and the milk. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter
into the prepared pan.


3) Bake at 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour. If your oven runs hot be
sure to adjust accordingly!


Remove from oven and prick cake all over with a fork. Immediately
pour lemonade glaze over top of cake.


Let cake stand in pan until almost cool.


LEMONADE GLAZE:
Combine the remaining thawed frozen lemonade and the white sugar. Mix
thoroughly and pour over still warm cake.
Glaze above makes a delicious moist cake that is sure too please. Alternative glaze This glaze will  give more of a look like the photo French Vanilla icing in a jar or from scratch Lemon Zest add to taste pink food colouring.

What you should be thinking when you hear noisy kids at mass....

...very good article...thoughtful!


What you should be thinking when you hear noisy kids at mass

Me and books....unorganized??? c'mon!

The unorganized messy shelf ......yes, isn't it pitiful! lol!  It has seen much neater organized days and weeks and months and years...but not lately!  It is one of my projects as I clean and clear, sell off books, and begin to look ahead to a new school year.  Oh the memories on this shelf!! P.S.  Yes, that's Pope John Paul II up above there....holding it all down!

The Trouble with Cousins: Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny

Peter Rabbit has his fair share of trouble, and mostly for good reason...the little rascal is disobedient to old Mrs. Rabbit.  He defies her instructions and finds himself in terrible dangerous trouble in Mr. McGregor's garden.  More so, Peter and his relations have some dangerous adventures together as well....it is simply a case of not listening to mother rabbit!  When Peter pairs with his cousin Benjamin, there is always some tense moments!  Benjamin is always looking to get into trouble and in the end get a "switching" from his old father rabbit!

It's so interesting that Beatrix Potter seemed to hit upon human inclinations when personifying her Peter and Benjamin.  You know how there are those friends, cousins and siblings alike that seem to lure you into mischief as well as get you in trouble every time!  You can't seem to say no to them....Peer pressure...the rabbit family has a load of this trouble in these sweet stories of Potter's that teach simple and helpful lessons.

This week I'll be tackling The Tale of Benjamin Bunny for my K -3rd grade co-op group.  We will dabble in water color painting this round, and I'm trying to figure out more room for my bunch, as there is up to 18 of them now.  I like to get them cozy on the carpet first, gathered around my reading area with their furry stuffed friends they've brought to keep them comfy during the reading of the story.  Then I have them move to the table for the activity part....only this room isn't nearly as big as I had hoped, and with so many gathered 'round table, and doing a special art project, they are pretty tight.  I don't want them to accidentally infringe or spill paint upon their neighbor's work.  I will need to re-think this set up I think!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

 Too Many Daves
                                       
   by Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
had twenty three sons and she named them all Dave?
well, she did.  And that wasn't a smart thing to do.
You see, when she wants one and calls out 'yoo-hoo!
come into the house, dave!' She doesn't get ONE.
All twenty three Daves of hers come on the run!
This makes things quite difficult at the McCaves'
as you can imagine, with so many Daves.

And often she wishes that, when they were born,
she had named one of them Bodkin van Horn
and one of them Hoos-foos.  and one of them Snimm.
and one of them Hot-shot.  and one Sunny Jim.
and one of them Shadrack.  and one of them Blinkey.
and one of them Stuffy.  and one of them Stinky.
another one Putt-putt.  another one Moon Face.
another one Marvin O'Gravel Balloon Face.
and one of them Ziggy.  and one Soggy Muff.
one Buffalo Bill.  and one Biffalo Buff.
and one of them Sneepy.  and one Weepy Weed.
and one Paris Garters.  and one Harris Tweed.
and one of them Sir Michael Carmichael Zutt
and one of them Oliver Boliver Butt
and one of them Zanzibar Buck-buck McFate...
But she didn't do it.

And now its too late.

Peter Rabbit....should have listened to Old Mrs. Rabbit!

So enjoyable to be teaching a Beatrix Potter literature course at our local home school co-op this session.  I love good literature and feel we owe it to our children to expose them to good literature, elevate their language/vocabulary and lure them in with a good story and exciting characters.  Peter Rabbit and friends are so likable.  The children today were so upset Peter was getting chased all over the garden by Mr. McGregor and so afraid he wouldn't get away!  And the sighs of relief...when he finally got out of the garden and raced home.  oh my!

Peter didn't listen to his mother Old Mrs. Rabbit - he disobeyed, and had quite a terrible day!

We did a lovely little craft and next week we'll try our hands at water color painting as we learn about Peter's cousin Benjamin Bunny this next time.