I didn't really want to go to Religious Education class last night with my kids. Eva asked to stay home and I said, "It's only the 6th class and we already missed one to be with Poppy, which turned out actually instead to be me nursing a horrific dying tooth nerve that night. We can't miss tonight. Sam is doing First Communion in the spring and needs to go to all the classes."
Still, I didn't want to go myself. The past classes had been difficult trying to understand what the Spanish-speaking speakers were talking about when I know maybe a first-grade level of Spanish (we go to a very welcoming church). Our director would try to translate but that became a little disruptive to the Spanish-speakers trying to understand the lecture. I wasn't really looking forward to my brain being on fire more after a tiring day with another tiring day on the way (co-op tomorrow).
We went anyway.
This time my three English-speaking companions and I were taken into a classroom (ironically, the one I taught in last year and had such a hard time because trying to teach kids Religious Ed directly after they've been in school all day was REALLY difficult). A video was put on and I was like, "Oh, I am going to fall asleep."
The video was about saints. And four saints were covered that blew my mind wide open. I sat there taking notes and trying not to bawl like a pre-menopausal baby when Edith Stein's (a Jewish-to-Catholic saint? Shut the front door!) story was told and it turns out she died in a gas chamber.
I wasn't super impressed with The Little Flower even though most Confirmation girls choose her as their saint, and Edith Stein was cool and all that back when it wasn't cool to be a woman. But the two that affected me were Katharine Drexel and Mother Teresa. Drexel was brought up all fancy and then used her $4 million from her parents dying to help Blacks and Native Americans. Talk about philanthropy! Mother Teresa ... what sacrifice!
And you know what I never truly sat and thought about? The fact that these people did not set out to become saints. They were not pious and selfless from the moment of their birth. They all come from different backgrounds and locations. They were not perfect. The Little Flower had to be dragged out of the Pope's pad by guards because she was a teen begging to become a nun and wouldn't give up. I dug that part because it sounds like something that would happen to me when I get an idea in my head and won't let it go!
THEY WERE HUMAN. Sometimes they were annoying and tenacious, but those qualities paired with hard work get stuff done.
The evening left me asking this:
What can I, as the homeschooling mother of 5 and wife of 1 do to make things better in the world? Maybe my calling is raising and educating awesome kids who might go on to do crazy-rockin' things in the world. That thought makes me laugh and feel less-than, as I look at the piles of dishes and laundry and think about how many popsicles I let them eat in the summertime and how we sometimes skip schoolwork for fun outings and how they have too much screen time. Maybe my calling is taking in extra kids when they need a place to just be kids. Maybe my calling is to someday write books that help people beyond getting published in magazines and learning how to make tater tot casserole.
Even if you aren't Catholic, and I was not raised Catholic (or even really Protestant yet I was drawn to it anyway), are you living your life like a saint? I'm not talking about being PERFECT. The saints were never perfect. Some of them have incredibly sordid pasts but turned their lives around and gave up their lives for a more selfless pursuit or two. Are you living your life like a selfish jerk or like a giving, loving, kind, patient, forgiving person?
*I think my comment box has disappeared! Can you let me know here or at mommykerrie@yahoo.com? Thank you for your help!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
These Are The Habits Of People Who Always Have An Immaculate Home
Nothing feels better than having a clean home. But actually getting one can be difficult, especially when you have a family. We all know those people who always seem to have immaculate houses. But we don't quite understand why. What is it about them that means that their homes are always so neat and tidy? What are their secrets? And how can we emulate them so that our own homes look the same?
It turns out that the tidiest people you know aren’t super human. It’s just that they’ve built up a bunch of keeping tidy habits over the years. Now it’s your chance to find out their secrets. These are their habits for always keeping their home tidy.
They Have A Special Place For Their Laundry
If you’ve got a messy house, you’ve probably got two places for your laundry. One is the back of a chair; the other is the floor.
This isn’t how people with tidy homes operate. They’ve got a special place for all their laundry, usually the laundry basket next to their washing machine.
They Make Vacuuming A Breeze
One of the main reasons people hate vacuuming is because of the vacuum cleaner itself. Vacuum cleaners can be big, difficult to manage and loud. People who always seem to have immaculate houses tend to invest a bit of money in their vacuum cleaners. They buy top rated vacuum cleaners because it’s these vacuums that make the job easier. The easier it is to suck up the dust from your carpet, the more likely you are to do it.
They Wipe Their Surfaces Everyday
Nothing looks worse than a kitchen counter top or a bathroom sink that hasn’t been cleaned in a while. It’s messy, and no doubt, bacteria ridden. But I’m sure that if you’ve ever been to your friend’s immaculate house, you noticed that the surfaces are sparkling clean. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the reason that they’re so clean is because they get wiped every day. Your countertops end up looking terrible because all the dirt and mess for days and even weeks accumulates.
They Aren’t Hoarders
You’ve probably had the urge at one time or another to have a big clear out. But when you tried to do it, you found it harder than you thought you would. Whenever you tried to throw something out, you wound up keeping it instead. You feared that even though it didn’t have an obvious use today, that it might at some point in the future. Could you be a hoarder?
Here’s the thing about tidy people: they aren’t hoarders. In fact, they make a point of using only what they need and ditching the rest. You may have noticed that your tidy friend doesn’t have a bunch of stuff stuffed under their bed like you do. Everything somehow has its proper place.
They Make Their Beds Daily
Speaking of beds, there’s one last habit that defines the tidy home; making one’s bed daily. It might not sound like a big job - and it isn’t. But it makes a big difference psychologically.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Retired Socialite? Grown-Up And Responsible Doesn't Have To Mean Boring
It's a bit of a cliche that as you get older, you settle down. And there are some cases, undoubtedly, where it isn't true. You probably know a few people for whom it isn't. You may be one of those people. However, there is a pattern of behavior where, as rowdy as we may have been through High School and college, adulthood comes to most of us.
As we accumulate the things of adulthood - be that marriage, kids, owning a home - our priorities slant. And so, more often, when someone asks if we want to go out for the evening, we're more likely than ever to say "no". We've retired our dancing shoes. The shot glasses we brought home from parties are now used to hold change. It's a young person's game. Leave it to them now.
But should we give up that easily? Sure, we don't want to have those nights where we spend the next three days trying to work out how we spent the next week's budget in two hours. But getting outside the same four walls for reasons other than work can be an essential part of keeping your brain awake, if not young.
It's Not Every Night Or Even Every Week
There are those of us who look back on our college days and think "Well, I know I got my diploma, so I was definitely there, but...". If your early adulthood is largely a blur, you're not alone. Going out every night isn't good for anyone. And the more you grow up, the more you realize that quality beats quantity when it comes to partying. Not least because you remember the night later on.
Although it's sure to sound like a kind lie, there's an argument to say that keeping an eye on money makes going out better. In the days when debauchery was commonplace, many of us will have taken money out that was meant to last the night. Our bank statements tell a different story, as we see we visited the ATM another few times. And if we don't remember it, how good can it have been?
It doesn't mean you can't have a couple of drinks and enjoy the evening. Just that you have to be selective about it. Celebrating a special occasion sometimes merits a night out.
Being Responsible Means Leaving The Car At Home
Going out for an evening on a budget means making some choices about where the money can best be spent. Again, when we're a bit younger and more carefree, it's common to take a taxi home which can be expensive when you're not keeping track. As you watch the pennies more, you'll think about this more carefully. Checking out codes for existing Lyft users means you can get money off the journey and not have to worry about overspending.
By arranging transport ahead of time, you can ensure that you don't make stupid decisions. Bringing the car along on a night out means that you're limited in where you can go and what you can do. For the avoidance of all doubt, one drink before driving is too many. It's proven to affect reaction times. It's just not a chance worth taking, especially as you have less time to react in the darker hours.
Having Kids Doesn't Mean The Death Of Being Social
If you're ever invited to go on a night out, and say "Well, I would, but there's the kids," do yourself a favor. Ask yourself if that's the real reason, or whether you're making an excuse. You certainly should prioritize your kids ahead of partying, but millions of us who are parents still go out on occasion. As long as you have a responsible person who can babysit, why not?
You don't have to drink any alcohol at all to enjoy a night out. It can be very pleasant with a meal, but if you want to be clear-headed in case the babysitter calls, that's more than fine. It's about knowing what you're comfortable with. But let's be clear. Having kids, financial responsibilities and a schedule to stick to doesn't mean going out stops being fun. When did you last go for a meal and a movie? Or go and see a band?
For some of us, the social life does get canceled when family life begins. We can make any number of excuses for this being the case. But there are ways to still have the occasional night out without becoming a terrible parent or a financial disaster area. Balance in all things makes life kind of nice!
Let #Swagbucks Buy You Wine!
Good news for wine lovers, and I know quite a few of those! You can get paid to build up your collection through this special offer from Winc and Swagbucks. Winc is a great site that matches wines to your palate. Don't like a bottle they send you? No problem - they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can get new wines delivered to your door every month, or skip a month if you feel like it. Plus, if you order 4 or more bottles, shipping is free!
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If you haven't tried Swagbucks yet, this is a great time to start! Signing up through me and then completing the first half of this offer and getting the 2000 SB entitles you to a bonus 300 SB. If you complete a survey through Swagbucks before November 1st, that's another 100 SB bonus. That means you can get a total of $44 worth of SB for trying out Winc, then turn those SB into gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and Target, or get PayPal cash!
Fantastic Holiday Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
People take holidays these days for a number of different reasons. And, if you want to find out more about yourself then you should take a holiday alone. This is one of the best ways of gauging who you are as a person and having experiences that will affect you. Change your life right now, by getting out there and having an unforgettable holiday. These are a few of the perfect holiday ideas to help you find yourself.
Go and See the Aurora Borealis
There are some things in life that just have to be experienced. Certain places or sights have to be experienced to be fully appreciated. And, if you want a life-changing experience then you need to go and see the Aurora Borealis. You might know these best by their other name - the Northern Lights. There are so many things you will experience on a holiday like this. You'll be in a country and climate you may never have been to before. And you’ll get to enjoy this amazing, beautiful, life-changing wonder in the sky. This is sure to make you rethink your life and your values almost immediately.
Finally Visit the States!
If you’re from Canada, you’ve spent your entire life with America right on your doorstep, but maybe you've never been. Well, now is your chance to finally see what all the fuss has been about. America is going through a lot of changes right now, so it’s best to take the chance to do this now while you still can! Click here to get a sample of the sort of singleton trip to the US that you could enjoy. Visit the Grand Canyon, drive along Route 66, hit the Vegas strip, and much, much more! The US is so diverse and varied and has so much to offer the individual traveler. You may want to do a bit of research before you go to make sure you don't get overwhelmed! But, it’s certainly a country that will affect you in many different ways. And when you return you will not be the same.
Backpack Through Europe
If you really want a trip that lets you cut loose and focus on finding yourself, then backpacking is perfect. There are so many wonderful things you can take from the backpacking experience. It’s the perfect holiday for an individual to take as it’s low-key, inexpensive, and lets you focus on a different sort of holiday. You can enjoy a stripped-back kind of holiday. Sometimes it’s good to get away from hotels and fine dining and just get back to basics. You really get the measure of yourself as a person by taking this approach. If you want the ultimate exercise in finding yourself, then you should take a backpacking trip through Europe.
Taking a holiday is the best way of ‘finding yourself’ and discovering who you are. So many people go through a crisis at some point in their lives. And they often can't see a way out. Sometimes dropping everything and taking a holiday is the best approach to take.
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