I'm actually working full-time this week, so I might not post anything new for a few days.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.
Blessings!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Lies About The Pope
Don't believe everything you hear!!!
I hardly ever watch or listen to the mainstream media, since I find them to be completely un-trustworthy a great majority of the time. I just happened to hear ABC News do a report on allegations against the Pope & was appalled by the lack of factual & detailed information.
Everyone should do themselves a favor and before forming an opinion on ANY news story, search the Internet, do YOUR OWN research, and you'll be amazed at what you discover to be the truth.
The article below is one of many which give details of some of the allegations. Worth the read.
Journalists abandon standards to attack the Pope
An article by Phil Lawler.
We're off and running once again, with another completely phony story that purports to implicate Pope Benedict XVI in the protection of abusive priests.
The "exclusive" story released by AP yesterday, which has been dutifully passed along now by scores of major media outlets, would never have seen the light of day if normal journalistic standards had been in place. Careful editors should have asked a series of probing questions, and in every case the answer to those questions would have shown that the story had no "legs."
First to repeat the bare-bones version of the story: in November 1985, then-Cardinal Ratzinger signed a letter deferring a decision on the laicization of Father Stephen Kiesle, a California priest who had been accused of molesting boys.
Now the key questions:
• Was Cardinal Ratzinger responding to the complaints of priestly pedophilia? No. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which the future Pontiff headed, did not have jurisdiction for pedophile priests until 2001. The cardinal was weighing a request for laicization of Kiesle.
• Had Oakland's Bishop John Cummins sought to laicize Kiesle as punishment for his misconduct? No. Kiesle himself asked to be released from the priesthood. The bishop supported the wayward priest's application.
• Was the request for laicization denied? No. Eventually, in 1987, the Vatican approved Kiesle's dismissal from the priesthood.
• Did Kiesle abuse children again before he was laicized? To the best of our knowledge, No. The next complaints against him arose in 2002: 15 years after he was dismissed from the priesthood.
• Did Cardinal Ratzinger's reluctance to make a quick decision mean that Kiesle remained in active ministry? No. Bishop Cummins had the authority to suspend the predator-priest, and in fact he had placed him on an extended leave of absence long before the application for laicization was entered.
• Would quicker laicization have protected children in California? No. Cardinal Ratzinger did not have the power to put Kiesle behind bars. If Kiesle had been defrocked in 1985 instead of 1987, he would have remained at large, thanks to a light sentence from the California courts. As things stood, he remained at large. He was not engaged in parish ministry and had no special access to children.
• Did the Vatican cover up evidence of Kiesle's predatory behavior? No. The civil courts of California destroyed that evidence after the priest completed a sentence of probation-- before the case ever reached Rome.
So to review: This was not a case in which a bishop wanted to discipline his priest and the Vatican official demurred. This was not a case in which a priest remained active in ministry, and the Vatican did nothing to protect the children under his pastoral care. This was not a case in which the Vatican covered up evidence of a priest's misconduct. This was a case in which a priest asked to be released from his vows, and the Vatican-- which had been flooded by such requests throughout the 1970s -- wanted to consider all such cases carefully. In short, if you're looking for evidence of a sex-abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, this case is irrelevant.
We Americans know what a sex-abuse crisis looks like. The scandal erupts when evidence emerges that bishops have protected abusive priests, kept them active in parish assignments, covered up evidence of the charges against them, and lied to their people. There is no such evidence in this or any other case involving Pope Benedict XVI.
Competent reporters, when dealing with a story that involves special expertise, seek information from experts in that field. Capable journalists following this story should have sought out canon lawyers to explain the 1985 document-- not merely relied on the highly biased testimony of civil lawyers who have lodged multiple suits against the Church. If they had understood the case, objective reporters would have recognized that they had no story. But in this case, reporters for the major media outlets are far from objective.
The New York Times-- which touched off this feeding frenzy with two error-riddled front-page reports-- seized on the latest "scoop" by AP to say that the 1985 document exemplified:
…the sort of delay that is fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal in the church that has focused on whether the future pope moved quickly enough to remove known pedophiles from the priesthood, despite pleas from American bishops.
Here we have a complete rewriting of history. Earlier in this decade, American newspapers exposed the sad truth that many American bishops had kept pedophile priests in active ministry. Now the Times, which played an active role in exposing that scandal, would have us believe that the American bishops were striving to rid the priesthood of the predators, and the Vatican resisted!
No, what is "fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal" is a media frenzy. There is a scandal here, indeed, but it's not the scandal you're reading about in the mass media. The scandal is the complete collapse of journalistic standards in the handling of this story.
The "exclusive" story released by AP yesterday, which has been dutifully passed along now by scores of major media outlets, would never have seen the light of day if normal journalistic standards had been in place. Careful editors should have asked a series of probing questions, and in every case the answer to those questions would have shown that the story had no "legs."
First to repeat the bare-bones version of the story: in November 1985, then-Cardinal Ratzinger signed a letter deferring a decision on the laicization of Father Stephen Kiesle, a California priest who had been accused of molesting boys.
Now the key questions:
• Was Cardinal Ratzinger responding to the complaints of priestly pedophilia? No. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which the future Pontiff headed, did not have jurisdiction for pedophile priests until 2001. The cardinal was weighing a request for laicization of Kiesle.
• Had Oakland's Bishop John Cummins sought to laicize Kiesle as punishment for his misconduct? No. Kiesle himself asked to be released from the priesthood. The bishop supported the wayward priest's application.
• Was the request for laicization denied? No. Eventually, in 1987, the Vatican approved Kiesle's dismissal from the priesthood.
• Did Kiesle abuse children again before he was laicized? To the best of our knowledge, No. The next complaints against him arose in 2002: 15 years after he was dismissed from the priesthood.
• Did Cardinal Ratzinger's reluctance to make a quick decision mean that Kiesle remained in active ministry? No. Bishop Cummins had the authority to suspend the predator-priest, and in fact he had placed him on an extended leave of absence long before the application for laicization was entered.
• Would quicker laicization have protected children in California? No. Cardinal Ratzinger did not have the power to put Kiesle behind bars. If Kiesle had been defrocked in 1985 instead of 1987, he would have remained at large, thanks to a light sentence from the California courts. As things stood, he remained at large. He was not engaged in parish ministry and had no special access to children.
• Did the Vatican cover up evidence of Kiesle's predatory behavior? No. The civil courts of California destroyed that evidence after the priest completed a sentence of probation-- before the case ever reached Rome.
So to review: This was not a case in which a bishop wanted to discipline his priest and the Vatican official demurred. This was not a case in which a priest remained active in ministry, and the Vatican did nothing to protect the children under his pastoral care. This was not a case in which the Vatican covered up evidence of a priest's misconduct. This was a case in which a priest asked to be released from his vows, and the Vatican-- which had been flooded by such requests throughout the 1970s -- wanted to consider all such cases carefully. In short, if you're looking for evidence of a sex-abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, this case is irrelevant.
We Americans know what a sex-abuse crisis looks like. The scandal erupts when evidence emerges that bishops have protected abusive priests, kept them active in parish assignments, covered up evidence of the charges against them, and lied to their people. There is no such evidence in this or any other case involving Pope Benedict XVI.
Competent reporters, when dealing with a story that involves special expertise, seek information from experts in that field. Capable journalists following this story should have sought out canon lawyers to explain the 1985 document-- not merely relied on the highly biased testimony of civil lawyers who have lodged multiple suits against the Church. If they had understood the case, objective reporters would have recognized that they had no story. But in this case, reporters for the major media outlets are far from objective.
The New York Times-- which touched off this feeding frenzy with two error-riddled front-page reports-- seized on the latest "scoop" by AP to say that the 1985 document exemplified:
…the sort of delay that is fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal in the church that has focused on whether the future pope moved quickly enough to remove known pedophiles from the priesthood, despite pleas from American bishops.
Here we have a complete rewriting of history. Earlier in this decade, American newspapers exposed the sad truth that many American bishops had kept pedophile priests in active ministry. Now the Times, which played an active role in exposing that scandal, would have us believe that the American bishops were striving to rid the priesthood of the predators, and the Vatican resisted!
No, what is "fueling a renewed sexual abuse scandal" is a media frenzy. There is a scandal here, indeed, but it's not the scandal you're reading about in the mass media. The scandal is the complete collapse of journalistic standards in the handling of this story.
Friday, April 9, 2010
15 Comments
I'm not sure why, but I was wondering which of my past posts had the most comments, and I'm glad to find it was a very worthy topic. The post was a cut & paste from another blog about receiving Holy Communion, and even though not all comments are related to the topic, there are some great comments.
I won't post the whole thing again, but you can CLICK HERE if you wish to read it.
I won't post the whole thing again, but you can CLICK HERE if you wish to read it.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Felt Softies
I found a really cute shop on Etsy that makes saint dolls out of felt. They are just adorable and look to be really well made. Now when ever I look through anything about saints I always look for Saint Rita of Cascia, so that's the picture I'm going to share with you.
I hope you check out this shop (HERE), I think these would make a great gift to any newly Confirmed Catholics or those who will be and have already chosen their patron saint.
I hope you check out this shop (HERE), I think these would make a great gift to any newly Confirmed Catholics or those who will be and have already chosen their patron saint.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Kelsey Lynne
Happy birthday Kelsey!!
This is my little sister, (I think she was about 5 in this picture) and today she turns 18.
When Kelsey was born I was 11 and I couldn't have been more excited to have baby sister. We have always been very close and even though she's now a busy teen and we don't talk as often as we used to the sisterly/best friend closeness is always there.
Kelsey,
You will do so much changing in the next few years and I can't wait to meet the woman you become. I hope you enjoy the journey of discovering yourself, making new friends, and taking on new challenges. I have so much faith in you, I know you'll be great at what ever you choose to do. I pray that you will not have as hard a time during this part of life as some do, and that in those hard times you are able to ask for God's help. One of my favorite quotes is "Before you go to sleep, give your troubles to God, he'll be up all night anyway".
You will always be my baby sister and there will always be times that when I look at you all I will see is a tiny 3 year old with a short blond bob. You sure were cute. I hope you know how much I love you & that I will always be here for you.
A few fond memories of you as a young child.
1. Using your hand to dig for ice in MY glass of water. This happened quite often, I might have started it actually, and if I remember correctly you still love chewing on ice.
2. Singing the bumble bee song over & over with you in the car. It helped when you'd start to get cranky, you especially liked the spitting part. LOL!
3. Realizing you were really quiet in another room for a long time, getting worried and finding you reading (trying to) and surrounded by books, you were only 2. You loved books right away and always wanted someone to read to you.
4. You really loved Barny, and all though I didn't, watching you get super excited was worth the torture of sitting through it. :)
5. When I was home with you (weekends), you were my little shadow and you never left me alone...I loved it. I think that lasted until about high school, lol.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Daily Actions
I will examine how I perform the ordinary actions of the day.Have I risen at the sound of the bell and immediately turned my thoughts to God and to the subject of my meditation?
Have I prepared well the points of my meditation, and sincerely tried to make to make a good one; applying my memory, understanding, and will, and taking practical resolutions?
Did I hear Mass with reverence and receive Holy Communion with due preparation and thanksgiving?
Have I recited my prayers with attention and devotion, remembering that I was then praising God in the name of the whole mystical Body of Christ and in union with the saints and angels in heaven?
Have I applied myself seriously and constantly to my duties and occupations, with a right intention, seeing the dispositions of Providence in all circumstances of the day?
Have I avoided sensuality and selfishness in eating and drinking, and attended to the wants of my neighbor at table?
Have I been faithful in my devotions to the Sacred Heart, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, my patrons and my guardian angel?
From Catholic Prayer Book
Monday, March 29, 2010
Faith (Do I.........?)
Questions to ask yourself:
Do I make an honest effort to grow in the virtue of faith by daily mental prayer on the mysteries of the faith, as revealed in the life of Jesus Christ?
Do I make at least a short act of faith everyday?
Do I pray daily for an increase in faith?
Do I ever tempt God by relying on my own strength to cope with the trials in my life?
Do I unnecessarily read or listen to those who oppose or belittle what I know are truths of my Catholic Faith?
What have I done today to externally profess my faith?
Have I allowed human respect to keep me from giving expression to my faith?
Do I defend my faith, prudently and charitably, when someone says something contrary to what I know is to be believed?
Have I helped someone overcome a difficulty against the faith?
from Catholic Prayer Book
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Holy Week
"And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest."Today is Palm Sunday and the first day of Holy Week which leads to the most important feast of the year.
Important days of Holy Week:
Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper and betrayal.
Good Friday – The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.
Easter Sunday – The day Jesus rose from the grave.
I pray for a blessed week and a glorious Easter for all, and I hope everyone takes full advantage of all opportunity for spiritual growth this week and the entire Easter season.
Monday, March 15, 2010
18 Again!
Today was my husbands birthday, and like many years before and many that are to follow he is 18. :)
I hope you had a happy & wonderful birthday Sweetie, I love you so much and I am truly blessed and thankful that you have chosen to share your life with me.
I made my first from scratch cake today, in his honor. To check it out please CLICK HERE to visit my food blog.
I hope you had a happy & wonderful birthday Sweetie, I love you so much and I am truly blessed and thankful that you have chosen to share your life with me.
I made my first from scratch cake today, in his honor. To check it out please CLICK HERE to visit my food blog.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Spring Is Near
A couple of months ago I threw some wild flower seeds in the planter along our retaining wall, and they're finally starting to bloom. I'm so excited!!
Most flowers I plant die, so I thought this time around I'd start with seed, I sure hope they make it. The mix I chose is supposed to attract birds and butterflies, I didn't see today but then it is raining. I did however find a Lady Bug. I love lady bugs and I used to catch them all the time as a kid.
The very last picture is the view from my bathroom window. It was such a beautiful day I had to take a picture.
Most flowers I plant die, so I thought this time around I'd start with seed, I sure hope they make it. The mix I chose is supposed to attract birds and butterflies, I didn't see today but then it is raining. I did however find a Lady Bug. I love lady bugs and I used to catch them all the time as a kid.
The very last picture is the view from my bathroom window. It was such a beautiful day I had to take a picture.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Possible Obstacles
7 Possible Obstacles to Our Sanctification:
1. Mortal sin
2. Deliberate venial sins
3. A lack of generosity in pursuing God's will and uniting our will to His.
4. Lack of bodily mortification.
5. Lack of interior mortification.
6. Lack of spiritual reading.
7. Lack of mental prayer.
"All the saints became saints because of mental prayer."
1. Mortal sin
2. Deliberate venial sins
3. A lack of generosity in pursuing God's will and uniting our will to His.
4. Lack of bodily mortification.
5. Lack of interior mortification.
6. Lack of spiritual reading.
7. Lack of mental prayer.
"All the saints became saints because of mental prayer."
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Lenten Discipline
A discipline won’t bring you closer to God. Only God can bring you closer to Himself. What the discipline is meant to do is to help you get yourself, your ego, out of the way so you are open to His grace.
~James Kushiner
Thursday, February 18, 2010
During Lent
I will not be posting very often during the Lenten Season, but will not stop all together.
The plan is to spend more time reading the Bible, and finishing my books on St. Rita and St. Bernadette. I will also be practicing my baking skills more during this time. I know it doesn't seem spiritual, but I do a lot of thinking and have some great conversations with God while making things like Cake Balls.
There are many more things on my list for Lent, but lets see how much I accomplish and follow through with before I mention them.
Maybe you have some activities planned or challenges to accomplish? I would love to hear about them. I can always use more ideas.
The plan is to spend more time reading the Bible, and finishing my books on St. Rita and St. Bernadette. I will also be practicing my baking skills more during this time. I know it doesn't seem spiritual, but I do a lot of thinking and have some great conversations with God while making things like Cake Balls.
There are many more things on my list for Lent, but lets see how much I accomplish and follow through with before I mention them.
Maybe you have some activities planned or challenges to accomplish? I would love to hear about them. I can always use more ideas.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
A Good Read
Gina at Life Matters has made a great post, one that I think should be passed around so that maybe someone who fits into the catagories named will read this, stop, and think about their lives.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Dominican Sisters On Oprah
Aggie Catholics posted all the clips from yesterday's Oprah show and Paul and I just finished watching them.
The Sisters presented themselves wonderfully and answered commonly held questions about convent life.
If you have not already seen it check out Aggie Catholics for all the clips.
The Sisters presented themselves wonderfully and answered commonly held questions about convent life.
If you have not already seen it check out Aggie Catholics for all the clips.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tulips
I bought some tulips at Trader Joe's today, and after I put them in the vase I felt inspired to practice my photography.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saint Colette
Colette was born in Corbie, France. At 21 she began to follow the Third Order Rule and became an anchoress, a woman walled into a room whose only opening was a window into a church.
After four years of prayer and penance in this cell, she left it. With the approval and encouragement of the pope, she joined the Poor Clares and reintroduced the primitive Rule of St. Clare in the 17 monasteries she established. Her sisters were known for their poverty—they rejected any fixed income—and for their perpetual fast. Colette’s reform movement spread to other countries and is still thriving today. Colette was canonized in 1807.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Quiet Moments
You would think that I would have many "quiet moments" given that I spend a big part of the day by myself, but that all depends on what you mean by a quiet moment. When I think of a quiet moment I don't think of just being alone and in silence, I think of something much better.
A quiet moment is a moment of peace, when the scene that surrounds you is so relaxing that it calms not just your nerves but your mind, and helps you see everything more clearly. When I have these moments I am usually left with an energy that I may not have had in awhile. I know when I experience a quiet moment I get inspired to do all sorts of things, like baking, cook something I haven't tried yet, create a few blog posts, call my mom when she's not at work & can actually talk, lie on the couch and read the entire afternoon, plan something fun, or just clean the house.
Quiet moments are important and usually much needed for everyone from time to time, but also hard to come by. Creating moments for yourself is sometimes just as beneficial as the moment itself, and I wish I did that more often.
Here are some of my favorite quiet moments.
* Walking around Home Depot (no really). I love looking at all the flowers and imagining how they would look around our home, and there's just something about flowers that bring me closer to God than I may have been 5 minutes prior.
* Looking through cookbooks. Not only does it relax me & have me wanting to make something bad & really fattening, but I enjoy it so much that when I'm done I feel as if I've had a mini vacation from my brain. Love it.
* Going for a walk with Paul. I do most of the talking on these walks (and every other time too) and between the exercise and being able to just let everything out it's like someone gave me a shot of adrenaline, and it usually lasts a couple days, at least. OK, it might not be quiet, but it has the same effect.
* Adoration. Spending time kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament does wonders for one's soul. I believe that's when I pray my best and truly remember all of the little things I'm blessed with and grateful for. A moment spent with the Lord is always the best moment.
What are your favorite "Quiet Moments"?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Things your burglar won't tell you
From an email.
Your Security team is committed in keeping you safe at work as well as at home. Below is a list of things your burglar won’t tell but we will.
Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your
shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.
· Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
· Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of computer gaming system they have.
· Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on your driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
· If it snows while you're out of town, Virgin drifts in the driveway are dead giveaways. I look for car and foot tracks to the house. [Get a neighbor to create tracks to your house.]
· If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. And if your dead bolt has a thumb latch that’s great, now I can break the glass and enter by opening the door. Dead bolts that are keyed on both sides make it hard for me to enter.
· Some alarm company will alarm only some of your windows and doors. But I check all of them including windows on the second floor, which often access your master bedroom-and your jewelry. Most garage doors are not alarmed. I hate it when you have a good idea to put motion detectors there too.
· It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
· I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
· Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
· Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
· You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
· I look for a house were no one is home. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If I think you are home I will find another home to check. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
· Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
· The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
· I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
· I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
· I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or computer gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
· I look for you to announce your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
· To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
· If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
· Give me a brake. Don’t listen to those KRMC Security Guys. When you are at work is when I will be checking on things.
Thank you for helping us in keeping you safe and secure,
KRMC Security Services
Your Security team is committed in keeping you safe at work as well as at home. Below is a list of things your burglar won’t tell but we will.
Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your
shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.
· Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
· Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of computer gaming system they have.
· Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on your driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
· If it snows while you're out of town, Virgin drifts in the driveway are dead giveaways. I look for car and foot tracks to the house. [Get a neighbor to create tracks to your house.]
· If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. And if your dead bolt has a thumb latch that’s great, now I can break the glass and enter by opening the door. Dead bolts that are keyed on both sides make it hard for me to enter.
· Some alarm company will alarm only some of your windows and doors. But I check all of them including windows on the second floor, which often access your master bedroom-and your jewelry. Most garage doors are not alarmed. I hate it when you have a good idea to put motion detectors there too.
· It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
· I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
· Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
· Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
· You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
· I look for a house were no one is home. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If I think you are home I will find another home to check. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
· Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
· The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
· I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
· I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
· I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or computer gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
· I look for you to announce your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
· To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
· If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
· Give me a brake. Don’t listen to those KRMC Security Guys. When you are at work is when I will be checking on things.
Thank you for helping us in keeping you safe and secure,
KRMC Security Services
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Chocolate Rose & Cake Balls
Tonight I decided to make Chocolate Rose Lollipops...they were really easy but I wish I would have bought more red chocolate 'Cos I ran out, which is OK since I also LOST the pretty wrappers that I wanted to use for them. Errrrrrrr!! Paul helped me look for them for a long time, long after I had given up he kept on looking. :) But they never turned up.
My plan was to take these to everyone at work tomorrow, but I guess it will have to wait, which is OK since I'm not sure I like the taste. I added some cherry flavoring to the Red Chocolate & I think I should have left it alone. I think if someone else made it I'd think they were great, maybe I'm too critical with myself.
I also made cake balls, which is something I make quite often. These ones were chocolate cake with butter cream icing mixed with Bailey's Irish Cream. Yummy!
The Word Hypocrite
Without actually looking up the meaning of the word "hypocrite" I'm going to talk about what I think it means & how I feel others use it.
My example of a hypocrite: Someone who speaks publicly about how a particular action is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done to make themselves look good, but has recently participated in what they're speaking of (without owning up to it), or knowingly plan to in the near future.
How I feel too many people use the word hypocrite: Someone who speaks against any act that they feel is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done, but has at anytime in their past participated in what they speak of.
Many people do things when they're young, uniformed, and misguided. Does that mean that they should live their whole lives according to the past, that once they realize that what they did was wrong that they have no right to speak of it, or prevent others from the same mistakes.
NO! No matter how small the incident, if it is wrong, it is wrong, and if any of us can possibly save someone from making the same wrong choices it is our MORAL obligation to do so.
I encounter people too often who I feel don't use this word correctly and I find it so frustrating, and I pray for the strength to speak up more when I can.
Am I the only one that feels this way?
My example of a hypocrite: Someone who speaks publicly about how a particular action is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done to make themselves look good, but has recently participated in what they're speaking of (without owning up to it), or knowingly plan to in the near future.
How I feel too many people use the word hypocrite: Someone who speaks against any act that they feel is wrong, immoral, or just shouldn't be done, but has at anytime in their past participated in what they speak of.
Many people do things when they're young, uniformed, and misguided. Does that mean that they should live their whole lives according to the past, that once they realize that what they did was wrong that they have no right to speak of it, or prevent others from the same mistakes.
NO! No matter how small the incident, if it is wrong, it is wrong, and if any of us can possibly save someone from making the same wrong choices it is our MORAL obligation to do so.
I encounter people too often who I feel don't use this word correctly and I find it so frustrating, and I pray for the strength to speak up more when I can.
Am I the only one that feels this way?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Happy Anniversary!!
Two years ago today I married the most wonderful man in the world, and every day I know I am blessed to share my life with him. I never tire of spending every moment with him, and we never run out of things to talk about.
I'd like to mention a few things I love & appreciate about him, to him and to you, and even though I could list 100+ I'll only name 10.
1. I love how you wake me up every morning to talk while you eat your cereal, so that we have some morning time together.
2. I appreciate every time you help with the dishes & that you always wash all the dishes you use. THANK YOU!!
3. You're a man of true faith, and strength, and are a great example to everyone around you.
4. Thank you for working so hard to stay in good health, and for dragging me along kicking & screaming. :)
5. You have taken such great care of your mom this past year and have spent countless hours/days by her side, which just proves that you're a true blessing to so many others.
6. Creating reading weekends was one of your best ideas ever! I really enjoy spending the weekend on the couch doing nothing but reading and snacking all day together.
7. It was you who helped guide me home to the Catholic Church, and showed me how to have complete faith in God without even trying to, just by living out your faith daily, effortlessly.
8. Sometimes when you get really excited about something, a look comes across your face that makes you look 8 years old. I love that!!
9. Thank you for working so hard to provide for us. We are very fortunate to have what we do, and I am thankful to you and to God everyday for making it possible.
10. You are sooo much fun to be around, no matter where we go, or what the activity is, even if we go nowhere and do nothing, we have a blast together. You have a gift for making every moment special, fun, and unforgettable (yes I'm singing it-inside joke).
I love you so much Paulo and I can't wait to experience all of life's future adventures with you.
I'd like to mention a few things I love & appreciate about him, to him and to you, and even though I could list 100+ I'll only name 10.
1. I love how you wake me up every morning to talk while you eat your cereal, so that we have some morning time together.
2. I appreciate every time you help with the dishes & that you always wash all the dishes you use. THANK YOU!!
3. You're a man of true faith, and strength, and are a great example to everyone around you.
4. Thank you for working so hard to stay in good health, and for dragging me along kicking & screaming. :)
5. You have taken such great care of your mom this past year and have spent countless hours/days by her side, which just proves that you're a true blessing to so many others.
6. Creating reading weekends was one of your best ideas ever! I really enjoy spending the weekend on the couch doing nothing but reading and snacking all day together.
7. It was you who helped guide me home to the Catholic Church, and showed me how to have complete faith in God without even trying to, just by living out your faith daily, effortlessly.
8. Sometimes when you get really excited about something, a look comes across your face that makes you look 8 years old. I love that!!
9. Thank you for working so hard to provide for us. We are very fortunate to have what we do, and I am thankful to you and to God everyday for making it possible.
10. You are sooo much fun to be around, no matter where we go, or what the activity is, even if we go nowhere and do nothing, we have a blast together. You have a gift for making every moment special, fun, and unforgettable (yes I'm singing it-inside joke).
I love you so much Paulo and I can't wait to experience all of life's future adventures with you.
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