Catholics...just some of my thoughts

"Catholics don't read the Bible." (Okay, Catholics can say this about themselves, but others should not.) I'm pretty sure some Catholics really do read and even study the Bible. I do not need to memorize the passages to keep them in my heart and live them in my day. But it's okay with me that others quote the Bible. When they do, I hope that they wonder, think, feel what it truly means.

Catholics confess their sins to God. Priests are mere messengers of forgiveness. If you have never confessed out loud in the presence of another, you do not understand the power and beauty of the act. But it's okay with me if others do not feel the need to have a witness to their penance.

What's with "When I confess my sins, it's a personal thing between me and God"? When Protestants are saved, don't they shout it out (just in the movies or does this really happen?) or at least go in front of the whole church to witness it? Hello??? You don't see the similarities for Catholics who want a witness to their penance? Again...hello?

A simplified example...you do something stupid to your husband. Of course, he knows that you are sorry, but it might feel a lot better if it's said out loud. "I'm sorry that I did this." "I forgive you." Very simple, yet powerful words.

On my Dad's deathbed, I held his hand, laid my forehead on his arm, and apologized for anything I had ever done to cause him worry or pain. I said it out loud and although he could not reply, I felt his forgiveness, because I knew it in my heart. However, I'd feel a lot better if I could have just heard the words aloud. It's not that I would have known for sure. I do know for sure that my Dad loved me and had already forgiven me.

Just as not all Muslims are terrorists, not all priests are molesters. I am so sick of this point among the disenchanted or the other-believers. I have known a few priests, none of whom were/are molesters. Unfortunately, there are many molesters who are not priests; they are people of all religions. Non-Catholics will say, "What's so special about priests? They are just men." But when these "just men" makes mistakes, they are held up as supposedly supposed-to-be-better. There's no excusing that type of terrible behavior. Just stop the double-talk. I want every article that talks about a molester who is NOT a priest to detail the religion of that person. (Obvious sarcasm here, but you get my point.)

I recently read an interesting article about Catholics and Protestants. It shed some light on some differences.

(Do Protestants call themselves Protestants, or do they call themselves Christians? Anyway...)

The article said that Catholics looked at things we know and understand so that we can understand things we don't know know. Our sacraments and symbols are real things. These things are real to us, because we know/believe that Jesus is real. (Obviously, I am not saying that Protestants do not think that Jesus is real.)

The article also said (something like) Protestants do not look at how physical and cultural things connect us to God, but they focus on man's sin and redemption by God's saving them. So, Protestants believe in an existential inner connection to God. While Catholics believe that God is working with us in this world. Basically, what the author was saying is that we see the world differently. If I recall right, the author said that Catholics want everyone to be one big, happy family no matter what religion they are, and Protestants want to be obedient to Christ. I have to say, that's been my experience for the most part. I don't think that there's anything wrong with being obedient to Christ. That's just not how I look at things; it's not my motivator.

The 2nd posting to my first blog back in September 2005 was:

A co-worker just made a comment about Catholic Nuns and how they are judgmental sticks-in-the-mud. (paraphrasing there.) The Catholic Nuns that I met through Siena are/were some of the most forward-thinking, compassionate, intelligent, dynamic individuals that I have ever met or probably ever will meet. They inspired true thinking and true justice.

So, can't we all be one, big, happy family?

Cleaning & Organization

I've spent the weekend so far cleaning house and starting to organize for Spring! If I can maintain cleanliness of house today while making other strides, I would be happy. However, you might remember my younger daughter, Hurricane Sophie, who can destroy a clean home in a few stormy seconds. I think she's coming down with a cold, and so maybe she'll be a little more settled today. (I'm not hoping that she has a cold, because that would be bad. However, if she has one, I can take advantage of the effects.)

My goal today is finish organized the family room. I bought more shelves and put those together yesterday. Now, I need to go through 2 laundry baskets full of papers, etc. and toss, file, or do! I also want to go through my closet and dressers and donate to charity, hand down to my daughters, or throw away. Sometimes, purging feels so good.

My friend Stacey came over yesterday and retrieved some fabric. Next up...curtains for Sophie's room. I cannot wait to post a pic of them! I love the fabric!

The best cleaning I did yesterday...I had the windows open! Fresh air and sunlight are the absolute best cleaners and clearers ever. It clears the head too!

Okay...Sophie just poured bits of ricecakes all over the dining room floor. It's been about 5 minutes, I fearfully wonder what the kitchen looks like since she started out in there. Better go!

Dirty Dozen

I asked a bunch of my friends to answer a dozen questions. Check out all the different answers! (Okay some of them will be vastly different, like question #1.)Just some fun! (My answers/comments are in orange!)

1. Where did we meet?
at work - PQ
ProQuest
ProQuest
At ProQuest...I liked you because you were nice enough to tell me that although Robin was being helpful, she often told newbies how she does things, and that I can feel free doing things the way I liked to. That was nice. :o)
School
I think the first time was at the JCPennys in Adrian.
SHU Alumni Stuff!
Your Mom's house
At my birth (Hannah's answer...I laughed my booty off!)

2. Take a stab at my middle name?
lots of the right answer with Ursula
Catherine (That's a good guess of a Catholic middle name!)
I see the "U" above, and as your alumni director, I should have known...
I was named after my Mother's best friend Mary Ursula DiMattia.

3. Do I smoke?
no and don't care for those who do
nope
Um, no. Really not.
That would be a big, fat "no!"
Definitely not!!!
no and neither should I
bleck - I hope not!
of course not
NO
My Dad smoked for so many years; I saw the pain and suffering it caused him and us.

4. Color of my eyes?
blue
greenish hazel
Green? Oh boy...I think I have that right.
Hmmm... hazel?
hazel
greenish brown
green???
blue
Bluish green
Blue...my eyes are blue!!! When are they green or brown or hazel??? Of course, I don't know anyone else's eye color other than mine, my brown-eyed sister, and my daughters blue eyes.

5. Do I have any siblings?
2 brothers & 1 sister
yes
Yes, you have a sister and brother, right?
Two brothers and a sister... (right??)
yes, 3
yes, 1 sister and 2 brothers, one of which I married.
A sister & a brother.
yes, a sister and two brothers
Yes
I see that too often I just say "my brother" instead of "one of my brothers".

6. What's one of my favorite things to do?
watch movies and go to Target - definitely, end-capping is the way to go
bug "a man who I refuse to name"(That's something I used to do, but haven't in a long, long time.)
lust after hot men - well, well...only construction workers on ladders
Watch fun movies with cute guys... (cute guys in the movies -- not watching them on the couch with you...) - I would not be opposed to cute guys on the couch with me.
Be with your kids - Definitely!
shop? - Hello!!! Of course, retail therapy is the best!
cannot say your favorite thing to do on here in case anyone reads it.... :-) - Everyone is a comedian!
Read - I used to spend all summer up a tree with a book.
Read - Read wins!


7. What's my favorite type of music?
country & the stuff on Doug - For those not in the area, DOug is a radio station.
you like a lot of different music
rock
Hmmm... anything upbeat and fun, or nostalgic
80's and country
not sure a little of country and rock?
country??
Josh Groban type
Old Rock
I do like a little bit of everything, but probably like 70s and 80s the best. From AC/DC to the Raspberries to the Go-Gos. Very eclectic.

8. Am I shy or outgoing?
pretend outgoing nature at first with people, but really a little reserved
duh….very outgoing
are both, depending on the setting
Pretty outgoing -- more so if you know the person pretty well
Outgoing, but can be shy at times
outgoing
Outgoing but not obnoxious.
outgoing
outgoing
Wow...an overwhelming vote for Outgoing? Actually, the first answer is probably the closest to truth. I was born shy. I learned to be outgoing if I had to be.

9. Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules?
follow the rules at work and where there would be repercussions, but when you know that you can get away with it, you don't abide by society's expectations.
again…duh
you follow the rules
You follow the rules -- unless you're defending the underdog or someone has done you wrong.
a little bit of both, but usually follows the rules
of course the rules
Follow the rules when they make sense.
you follow the rules but are outspoken at times
follow the rules
The truth is a blend of two answers = I follow the rules (unless I'm defending the underdog or someone has done someone I love wrong) + I follow the rules at work and where there would be undesirable consequences, but when I know that I can get away with it, I fly my own way.

10. Any special talents?
writing, witty, funny
none I can mention ;-)
SUPER MOM! And super Read Receipt lady.
You can fix anything... you're especially organized... you can keep up with the local gossip better than any 80 year old lady. :o) (I say that affectionately.)
very good at being patient with me and Sophie! (This answer is not from Hannah!)
raising your 2 girls on your own
apparently... LOL oh, and you are very funny and smart.
patience, patience & more patience
Being a Good Mother - from my Hannah!
Yeah, yeah, yeah...all good and noble, but my real special talent is popping my shoulders out of joint.

11. How many children do I have? 2 wonderful girls...okay, everyone got this one right! I went on a date with some dude once, and he didn't know that I had kids until the way back home. Yeah, he was icked out of contention right there.

12. If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring?
poster of a cute boy like Vin Diesel or Tim Daly
snacks – and your target card (even though you couldn’t use it)
John Stamos with a Stephanie Plum book in his hand
Vin Diesel, an endless supply of venti skinny decaf no-whip caramel macchiato and your Burt's Bees
your chapstick
sun block
Your girls!
your ipod
Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls
All excellent choices...I'd have to bring it all!

Being Blessed by Autism

Yes, I am blessed. Autism has blessed my family. Would I be extremely happy if my daughter could speak and eat healthier and have fewer sensory issues? Of course. However, I am very blessed to have her in my life. Her innocence, her sweetness! Everyone who really knows her loves her. She is special in many ways.

One way...Sophie's Aide...In the Spring of her 1st grade year, the woman who spent all school day with Sophie was injured by a drunken semi-truck driver. This woman's legs were cut off above the knee. When her Aide returned to the school to work the following fall, she was in a wheel chair. Sophie walked up to her, kicked her leg out at the open area where her Aide's legs should have been, and then proceeded to crawl up on her Aide's lap. What was Sophie saying? Yeah, I notice that you are different now, but I still like you anyway.

Another way...My older typical daughter spent the night at a friend's house. When I picked her up the following morning, she said, "They are like the perfect family. It was creepy!" What did she mean? Dad is the sole financial provider. Mom is a Stay-at-home-Mom. One daughter. One brother. One purebred dog. They ate dinner while sitting at the table! Spotless house. Uh...yeah, nice, but not like us. We are Deadbeat Dad, Single Working Mom, one typical daughter, one special needs daughter, one mutt. That table in the dining room is for sitting and eating a meal together? Who knew? And most specifically...the house is a mess. I asked my older daughter if she knew that most houses did not have bits of ricecakes and popcorn scattered about the floor and table and counter, etc.? What's more important perfection through control or a loving, caring, accepting attitude? A child with special needs answers that question.

And another...adversity through a child brings family together. I know without a doubt that my Mother (and Father, if he were still alive), my Siblings and their children, and even extended family members hope and dream and do whatever they can for my girl! That's a good feeling!

A child is not a burden. A child is a gift. A special child is a special gift.

We have been very fortunate.

Autism and Vaccines

I don't usually blog too much about autism. I live it every day. So, when I write, I write to escape. However, a friend of mine asked me about vaccines and autism. Here is my reply...

Never get "caught up" on vaccines. Do not even follow the schedule. I tell my friends to have one shot at a time done on their babies.

Both my girls had multiple shots done at once. I trusted the doctor and the medical industry. Bad idea. In my gut, it felt wrong. I should have known it was stupid.

Why, oh why, would anyone choose to give a kid all of those diseases at once? That's what's happening! Can a body handle a little bit of polio, diphtheria, measles, and others all at once? Hell no! It's common sense. Take it slow. One shot at a time. Let the kid recover. If the baby does have a reaction, how would the doctors know from which shot? We take our time and introduce one new food at a time, but we inject them with terrible diseases all at once? Common sense says no. Do not let the doctors shame you into anything.

The medical community means well, but they are brainwashed into thinking whatever is commonly taught. Do I think that the doctor who administered the 4 vaccines at once into Sophie wanted to harm her? No. I think that the doctor was trying to keep her safe, but the doctor was misinformed and passed that misinformation along to me.

Do I think that the medical industry needs to change their tune about vaccines? Yes! I use the word industry, because it's the businesspeople running the big pharmacy companies who are lobbying and persuading and buying the idiots who announce that vaccines are safe for all in the way that they are recommending.

The medical community needs to promote one shot at a time. Will it be inconvenient for parents to take their kids to the doctors more often? Yes. Will doctors be busier than they already are? Yes. Will insurance companies be happy? No. Is the inconvenience to parents and doctors worth it? YES!

I live it. I live everyday wanting and wishing and hoping and having faith and expecting miracles that my baby girl will talk to me, that she'll be able to care for herself one day, that she'll be able to let the world know what she's thinking and feeling. And now my heart is breaking with each tear I cry for her, for me, for anyone who knows and loves a child with autism.

Foolish Self-Deprecator?

I have great faith in fools - self-confidence, my friends call it.
~ Edgar Allan Poe

Someone who can make jokes about herself does not have self-esteem issues, but is secure enough to laugh. Those who are not secure with themselves are those that comment on someone else's self-deprecating humor and ask why.

My ex-dysfunction did not like it when I laughed at myself. Everything was so serious. Drama, drama, drama. I'm so glad to be rid of that serious fool.

It's better to laugh than to cry. Why whine and complain about every little thing? I'd rather have a bit and be a bit entertaining. Laughter is contagious. Laughter is the best medicine.

So, why not laugh at yourself?

Time...

Time, why you punish me?
Like a wave bashing into the shore
You wash away my dreams.
~ Hootie & The Blowfish

So much time has gone by. I haven't done the things that I want to do. I cannot even find the time to go to the post office with pictures to mail to my sister (with her Christmas card). That's how long I've been trying to do this one thing.

It's already the end of March! Where does time go?