Addicted

Hello all!! All... that's funny because I'm sure there are only a few who stop by and read my rantings....
I have to come out of the closet and say that I am totally addicted to Digi-Scrapbooking and Word Art.
I've made a few tags for my Myspace friends and have tried to do my own word art so I thought I would share one of them with anyone who stops by here....

I do love dinking around with PSP that's for sure....
Here's what I made this morning. The info for all that I used will be posted below...

The inspiration to the word art that I made came from the song:
The first time I saw your face by Roberta Flack





(The song that inspired this graphic)



The other one I made was:



Well I suppose I better get off here and get busy cleaning house, not to mention the fact that I have to prepare a session for my 1st Sacraments group for tomorrow...

Let me know what you thought of either graphic...
I'd really like to get to meet and know some people on here....

Now for all the copyright stuff....

Both Graphics
Scraps by:
JAELOP DESIGNS
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK LAYOUTS & DESIGNs
http://jaelop.blogspot.com/


Heart Template by Ali
http://Designsbyali.blogspot.com

The First Time Word Art by Itsjuls (me)


Square
Template by Missy
http://divineintentionz.com

Friend Word art by:
Crystal Z

Taco Bell, Eggs and Need of Prayer!

You know teenagers never cease to amaze me!!!  Let just say that the last two evenings have been very disturbing to me and  my household.  The worst thing about it is that the teens I am venting about aren't even my own!!!
Tues night around 9:15 p.m. the drama began....





Okay so small house pets weren't involved in the fiasco but the little dog above is a hint as to what happened....

So the story begins...
I was sitting here on my computer putting together my  new layout when all of a sudden I hear a car pull up (I hang out in my garage) and started honking their horn like crazy.....  So I tell Lance that it sounds like there is someone in front of the house to go and check, he does and then I hear car tires screeching and after a couple of minutes he comes into the garage for the push broom!


What in the world? Why does he need the push broom... he continues telling me that 2 young girls were in their car being chased by some young boys (found out that it's possibly an ex-boyfriend)....





I didn't think there was someone pointing the way but.... The young ladies sought refuge at our house because they knew that an officer lived at our home
(Lance brings home a patrol car on occassion)
and they came straight to our house....



***duh duh duh (imagine creepy music now)....***


I'm following him out the door as I'm listening to this story, still trying to figure out why in the world does he need a push broom...
I did a cat head count to make sure that they were all in the garage and a family pet didn't get squished...
(dread that thought!)
then he finally mentioned Taco Bell packets...


TACO BELL PACKETS???





He then continued the story about how they were squirting taco bell packets on the young ladies (around age 17-18'ish?) car..... I finally stepped onto the walkway and was in view of the driveway I didn't think I would see so many packets






No these aren't the original packets 




(stupid me I didn't even think of taking a picture!!)



normally I would love to see Taco Bell packets because that would mean I had a really yummy meal!! (especially since it's that lovely time of the month!)




There had to be at least 20 packets strewn on my driveway and the street!!!! Lance said that he called the young men (boys) back and they decided to yell out !^$* that!!!


No it wasn't a blessing!


So I started helping and then decided I better start looking at the car and sure enough there was taco sauce on the car... I told Lance that it needed to be washed off because it is acidic, I went into the house to get something to clean it off but Lance came behind me telling me that he was going to take it to the carwash down the street. Great... at least the car will be clean right??


Well......
(again play the creepy music)


the boys were at the car wash the same time that he went there.... from what I can tell between what I now know... they had a bit of a "discussion" at the carwash, normally I would be okay with Lance defending his property but again we are speaking about teenagers here and their amount of respect for others is something that needs to be fixed so to speak....


You might be asking "so what's the big deal???" Taco Bell... Washed Car.... both are something all women want when they are having that special visit from "aunt flo" right? Yeah I would have enjoyed it like I said if I got a meal out of it but all I got was a bigger headache and more drama tonight!!! The young boys (little brats!) decided that they would

Again I'm sitting here in my house.... (Wed. Night)


(in the garage-- ask me if you want why I hang out in the garage...)


and I was just about to call it a night, when all of a sudden I hear a smash against the garage door and a ping-ping.... then the roar of a car engine, Lance jumped up and ran out to see what it was.... I soon followed behind him....


OH MY GOODNESS!!!






The little... #^^#@%'s egged my car and the garage.....
(again I failed to have my camera!!)


now what really pisses me off is the fact that they wasted foodand


WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE GIRLS WHO CAME TO OUR HOME!


now they didn't go small.... they decided that a dozen wasn't quite enough... but a whole






flat would do the job!!!


Needless to say we found out who the little *&^&* was and decided to drive straight over to their home to talk to the parents....


OH MY GOSH!!! That boy has more attitude that an X-LG pair of Hane's can ever handle!!!! Let's just say that the boy likes to use the "F" word like it was the word: and, but, the, he, she, we, yes, no......
and he did all of it in front of his mother.....
so you know he has no respect for others if he has no respect for his own mother!


I suppose he decided to return to our home because of the "discussion" that Lance and he had gotten into at the carwash....


1. I don't like the fact that a confrontation has caused this to happen


and


2. I fear it is only going to get worse from here!





So why am I telling you all of this drama? Because I'm really upset and needed to get it off my chest. And because I really would appreciate it if you would pray for this young boy to change his way's and his heart. I also ask that you pray for the safety of my family, as we know how crazy teens can be.....


So for a while I will be made to feel uncomfortable in my own home, not knowing what will happen next. Yes I am trying to make light of some of the things that happened by adding in the pictures but that doesn't mean I'm not upset or a little fearful of what may possibly happen. I guess it's just my weird way of releasing the frustrations I'm having right now. That and the fact that it is 12:16 a.m. and there is nothing on t.v. and heck why not blog about this non-sense right?? So please add me to your prayer list I would really appreciate it, as I always pray for your intentions when in need.


Thanks for listening to my venting!!!!




You know...... I'm thinking....



But it's way too late! So I'll leave this little advice for all who managed to make it through this long blog....







Thanks for listening (actually reading)

From Marshmallows to Jesus

If you just fell into my blog and don't quite know me yet, you may be wondering how in the world can I possibly compare Marshmallows with Jesus...
just a couple of blogs ago I did a reflection called "I saw God today" and prior to that, "what's in my purse"? If we but look through eyes of faith then anything is possible and so is seeing or finding Jesus in Marshmallows. Let me share with you how this reflection began. I went to the grocery store for dinner items, no, marshmallows were not on the list! (although I'm sure any 5 year old would find that a great dinner)
 
As I was walking down the aisle with my daughter my eyes fell upon this bag, at first I thought it was a few bags stuck together! Only after I grabbed for the bag did I realize that it was only one package, and the marshmallows were HUGE!
 

 
Grant it they probably aren't the best thing that I should be eating but I just couldn't resist purchasing them, merely because I had never seen one so big!!!! The one thing I must say about marshmallows is that they are a great snack food that's for sure.... especially in the afternoon when you just "need" something sweet!! Okay enough of talking like I know what people should be eating LOL....

 
When I reached the counter there was a customer already there and had over-heard the conversation about how huge these things are and she looked over after and said hello and had a perplexed look on her face as if to say, "what are you talking about"? 
 I showed her the bag of marshmallows and she said how great those would be for a camping trip. She then took the time to ask how my mom is doing (everyone who know's me know's my mom) I thanked her for asking and gave her the report of my mom (who's doing fine).
 

Then it was our turn to be checked out at the register, the cashier mentioned how he had been told at the time of ordering stock that they had huge marshmallows so he said he figured why not order a few of them.....
 
Okay I know that the story is getting a bit long but hang in there I'm getting to the Marshmallows and Jesus part really soon.... *grin*
 
If you don't know how my mind works yet... (shame on you ha ha) I tend to wander into different thoughts every minute, reflecting on one thing will then bring up another topic and then that will lead into something else, before you know it I went from Marshmallows to Jesus.....
 

 
I was reflecting about how many people we came into contact with and how a simple marshmallow brought laughter and light, concern and appreciation, friendship and goodness, and most importantly LOVE into my day and those other's who were involved. Sometimes its hard to find even one of these in a day, but I had experienced all of these within a matter of 5 minutes.
 

 
The laughter was with my daughter, the acquaintance I have, and the cashier.....
The light was coming not only from our hearts but from those around us who caught the contagious laughter that we were experiencing at the time.
The concern was from the lady who asked about my mom and appreciation was for her to remember her.
The friendship came across when I seen this acquaintance whom I hadn't seen in what seemed like years!
The Goodness was the conversation that we had with the Cashier, who looked like he was having a really boring day until we started joking with him about the marshmallows.....
The most important thing that was there was LOVE.....
I loved without even realizing I did until this morning as I am sitting here writing this...

 
 We all were Christ-like to one another.....
We all shared with each other.....
We all were and had peace with us at that moment.....
We all loved and showed love without even realizing it....
We were all the same for just those few minutes of the day.....

 
So I ask you... did the Marshmallows lead us to Jesus or not....
 to the way that Jesus wants us to treat one another.....
YES they most certainly did (at least that's how I feel) that is how I am able to compare the Marshmallows to Jesus....
Because HE was present at that moment with us and those silly little (huge) marshmallows let me sit back and find how I can even find Jesus in something so sweet and squishy!
 

 
Take the time to see the love.....
Take the time to find Jesus in the events of your life.....
It's when we don't even realize it, when we find Him there the most!!!!
I hope your day is sweet and squishy....
I hope you see Jesus in your day....
and I pray that God shower you with blessings and love from on high....

I had to include this because my son took part in the love too!!! He made Hot Chocolate with his marshmallow!
Love,
 

My Mousepad is an ironing board

Hello there!!!  Kind of a curious title to this blog huh??? But you see it's true....
I was getting ready to iron and thought, "Oh my Gosh.... I am soooooooo addicted to Myspace and being online!!!!  Let me just take you through my insane moment of life... LOL!!!!
Here's proof that one can seriously multi-task and still stay online lol....  Okay how sad is it that I have to have the computer in front of me???? LOL..... Actually I was listening to Napster, charging my mp3 player and checking messages along with the ironing! 

June Cleaver beat that!!! LOL.....






 


I brought home the albs from the church that the Altar Servers wear because well kids will be kids, even in church and they just leave everything on the floor in the back room and so they were dirty and needed some TLC.... so being the "mom, Altar Society Member, grand flunky" that I am I figured,  I suppose I seen them... I might as well take care of them!  Only God know's how long it's been since they've been washed...


(probably the last time I did them)
 







 


Knowing I still had to iron them I got out the new steamer that my mom bought us for Christmas (Lance's Alb's are really long for the board!)  Although I thought that it was working really good I decided I wasn't going to use the steamer because I had 12 albs to do and my arms were already killing me, which reminded me of how out of shape I really am! (Okay so I'm a shape... round is a shape right? lol)  Okay back to the steamer... it really does work good but I knew I wouldn't be able to hang with that so I decided to pull out the ole' faithful!!!!!
 
 







I love this iron!!!!! It works really good although it steams so much that I have to keep refilling the water resevoir constantly.... Boy I should get some kind of commission for promoting these two products, don't you think????  So I'm standing here with iron in hand, mouse in front of me and the spray starch is beginning to run low.....
 
 




 



Now my question is.... how many of you actually still use spray starch... I knew I couldn't run to my neighbors to borrow any.... so what did I do????? I prayed really hard that I have enough to get me through all of them!!!!
Okay so how many did I have to do????




 



Oh man..... okay let's get back to the whole ironing and running low on the starch!  Really how many people actually use spray starch out there??? I know I still use it on a regular basis.... I love the way the garments come out after using it!  You know ironing can be really therapeutic (did I spell that right?) Lance loves to iron... how 'bout that ladies I got a man who loves to iron! hahaha
Oh my I keep rambling here but heck it's my blog and I guess I can do whatever I want right? lol....
As I was ironing I was thinking about all those people who say, "you know I really wish I could do something for the church, but I'm just too busy!" Oh my goodness..... come on.... you know there's so much that needs to get done and it can be done at home.... like ironing the vestments, altar cloths, albs, purificators.... etc.....  so if you know how to iron and have even one extra hour you can lend to the church once a month... here's your chance to change your statement from "I really wish I could" to "I'm really glad I did"..... yeah it may take a little bit of time, and I know that nobody will even know I did it (well now you guys do) but I do it because I want to give myself back to God who has given me so much..... and look at the finished product....
 
 




 
You know after taking this picture I thought I should do a "What's on my fridge?" blog what do you think??? Wanna hear what's on my fridge???  You know I never realized how much my mind wanders to different topics so easily.... please forgive my insanity... lol...
Please let me know what you think about my ramblings... and would you like to hear what the heck is on my fridge?  lol....
I better get running along.... I still have my husband face on (you know the face only a husband can love and see in the morning) Yikes dare I share.... lol
 
 







 


Yikes!!!! lol...  you know one more thing that I reflected upon while I was ironing was the fact that I was doing 12..... okay so my mind wandered to the Apostles and I wondered if Mary Magdalene ever helped them out by doing their laundry, you know the women did all that stuff back then and well there goes my mind again.....
 
Hope you got a giggle out of this blog or at least feel like you aren't the only crazy one on Myspace!!!
Have a very blessed and wrinkle free day!!!!
Love,

I saw God today

Hi everyone!
Okay so yesterday I introduced you to a reflection that I was doing out of this book:

 

If you happened to have missed it then please see my blog from yesterday, it's quite interesting the responses that I've gotten in comments and in messages! It's through others that I feel fed so please continue to visit me often! I'm hoping to continue doing a blog a day if I have the time and opportunity. Today I want to share with you a reflection that I am doing with our 2nd year Confirmation Students. You see most of them haven't allowed themselves to be exposed to different genre's of music and limit themselves in reflections.

Because I absolutely LOVE music I thought I would incorporate it in our lessons on occassion.

So last Thursday as I was sitting here putting a session together I had my music playing (If you know me... yeah big shock huh? LOL) and the song I saw God today happened to come on.....

So it got me thinking.... how can I use this song with this group????

I found the lyrics and printed them up and then sat and reflected and PRAYED that the Holy Spirit inspire me with an idea.... and WHAMMO there it was....

Our closing prayer for that session was the song and as part of their own reflection we sat in silence to visualize their day (we have evening sessions so they had a whole day to look at) and then they were to write their own verse to the song as to where they saw God today. I know most people will think be thinking, "what the heck? See God??" Yes, see God! You see it's easy to miss Him when He's standing right in front of us.... Let me refresh your mind about what Jesus said.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.' Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' " Matthew 25:35-45

But not only do we see God in our fellow brothers and sisters.... we see God around us constantly!

When we walk outside how often do we take for granted the grass, the trees, the clouds and the sun, the stars and the moon.... Well.... who else has created these things??

He surrounds us with the beauty of His creation everywhere. Yes even in those people that drive us nuts, those whom we love and even those who would want to have nothing to do with us.

Okay so back to the reflection..... they were to go home and write out a verse to the song along with the chorus....

So I'm curious would you do this with us too???
My verse was a reflection of my own preparations of the session and those whom I serve.
Here's mine...

Looked for something to say, looked for somthing to pray...
Read the readings of the Day and then I found the way
I saw the students, each one that came
I seen the faces that God does see
I was blessed to see them in a whole new way,
for I seen them through the eyes of God and in them I knew I saw God Today...

 

Okay so I'm not the best song writer but that is what I had felt when I did this reflection and still do today. So are you willing???

I'd be really interested in hearing where you see God today!  You can open a new window and go to www.projectplaylist.com to hear it whenever you want and remember it's free. I've also included the lyrics to the song so that you can "see God" in them....

Please share this with your friends too.... this is how we become the Body of Christ to others.... this is how we bring about peace.... this is what we are called to do.... now let us share.....

As you can see I have it on my mp3 player....

(which is something I will reflect upon in another blog.... how electronics bring us to God)

Artist: Strait George
Song: I Saw God Today
Album: Troubadour

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop
Had to take a break
I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight
Saw a flower growin' in the middle of the sidewalk
Pushin' up through the concrete
Like it was planted right there for me to see
The flashin' lights
The honkin' horns
All seemed to fade away
In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know he's here
But I don't look
Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Saw a couple walkin' by they were holdin' hands
Man she had that glow
Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was startin' to show it
Stood there for a minute takin' the sky
Lost in that sunset
Splash of amber melted in the shades of red

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know he's here
But I don't look
Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleepin' like a rock
My name on her wrist
Wearin' tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today

Please leave your reflection in a comment



Everyone is free to comment other comments left......


remember this is what we are called to do, this is what we are called to be... The Body of Christ.....



 


I pray your eyes See God today in everything.....



 


Love,


 

What's in my Purse???

Hi I'm glad you made it to my blog! Thanks for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
 
So you wanna know what's in my purse huh?
 


I've been reading a book this last week and after each chapter there is a series of questions and reflections for someone to do....
 

So I thought why not do it with anyone who stops here too! It should be interesting if you really take the time to do it!!!! I did this last night with the parents that showed up to our parent meeting and they really got into it, the men even went so far as to pull out their wallets!!! The reflection question I chose was:
"If someone found my wallet or purse, would they know that I am a Christian by what is inside of it??"
 

So here's what is in my purse:

 
I received this blessing oil at a Directors of Religious Education meeting from our Sister who is in charge over us... it smells really good... I can only imagine our Blessed Mother smelling this as she was changing Jesus..... I wonder if this is what the oils smelled like when the "sinning woman" anointed Jesus' feet...

mmmmm..... smells really GOOD!
 

 

 NEXT ITEM:
 

Of course just reading all the daily tasks would indicate that I am a Christian but so would the fact that there is a scripture quote on each page and the front of it has really cute pictures of animals and in the center it says
"The Lord rejoices in all He has made!" Psalm 104:31
 

 

Then there is:
 

 
Okay so this probably won't stay in my purse after today, but it was the envelope that had the tickets in it to celebrate with our past pastor of our parish and his 25 years of Ordination, he's now at St. Joseph's in Modesto. If you missed my blog that I posted yesterday then you should check it out, he's in the video behind Lance in the Procession line at the Blue Mass (yeah go read the other blog it tells you about it)
 

and I also found:

I love this rosary, I purchased it at San Damiano when we were at the Pre-Ordination retreat for the Deacon Candidates. Wow that seems like so long ago but it was only about 2 years ago. I bought it because of the stained glass look and at that moment I had been listening to the song "Stained Glass Masqurade" by Casting Crowns. If you never heard it I suggest you listen to it because it really hits home with me and how people perceive us as being perfect because of the fake smiles and emotions we use....

just go to www.projectplaylist.com and do a search on it, it's free don't worry.

 

Okay so what's next?

 

ah my keys to the Catechetical Center.... just the lanyard alone will tell people that I am a Christian don't you think??? Afterall they wouldn't know that those key's open up the doors to the teaching of the faith!

 

Then there's

 

Yeah if you look at the date then you will see that this is an old bulletin. I usually have one in my purse because as I'm in town people ask me questions about things that are happening at the parish... I don't want to walk away without answering their questions correctly and if I don't have the answer in there then I call them back to tell them the answer... (or I give them the phone # to the parish)

Okay... I'm digging deeper in my purse...

 

Yep I checked it still says "In God we Trust" Thanks be to God for that! I'm praying all the time (no not for money) that our country return completely to HIM. (oh and by the way... I usually don't even have this much money! LOL)

 

ummm let's see what's in the side pocket...

 

Yep I'm always asked for my phone number so I decided it was time to make up some business cards (as if I have a business lol) and this is what I came up with..... speaking of I have to make some more!
 

Then there's

 

Okay so any chance I can get to purchase religious stamps for mailing my bills is a blessing to me... believe me I do a lot of praying before I pay the bills each month... God does provide that's for sure.... and so when I mail these I know that many other people will be handling this letter so I try to affect them by having them look at a religious stamp...
(that's me, always trying to get people to elevate their minds to God)

 

Geez.... I really need to clean out my purse!

 

I was just recently given this small New Testament/Psalms/Proverbs bible and I've had it in my purse since the kind man gave it to me...
Now if people don't know I'm a Christian by seeing that then something is seriously wrong (or they have never seen a bible)

 

 Hmmmmm..... Oh yeah one more thing....

 

Now how often have you heard a cell phone ringing in church???? Oh my goodness! Let me just say that nobody is that IMPORTANT that they need their phone on during Mass/Services, afterall if Jesus was to call I do believe that He would be calling all of us at the same time.
 The reason I pulled out my phone is because I have church numbers in there, numbers to other parishoners and the chancery (Diocese Offices) and I also have a religious ringtone (something someone mentioned last night which I forgot about).
 
 
Okay that looks like that's about all that I have in there that would indicate that I am a Christian if someone found my purse. I know you're probably thinking that I have this because I'm the Deacon's wife or because I'm the DRE at our parish, but that's not why.... It's because I know that I am a child of God and these things help me to remember who and what I am. They help me when I need to get in contact better with our Lord and they help me to help you get into contact with him too!!!
 
So now it's your turn.... What's in your Wallet/Purse (isn't there a commercial that uses this slogan?) I pray you enjoyed and have come away from this blog feeling a bit more blessed. I feel I have by just reflecting upon all this stuff and sharing with you!
 
Love,