Emotional Noise

Have you ever heard the saying...

CLUTTER IS LIKE EMOTIONAL NOISE

I have been chipping away at all my clutter.  I do not have an elaborate system, but I do have motivation...and that is key.

~ Backed Blogged - March Feasts & Goings On: p,h,f,r style ~

Linking up to Like Mother, Like Daughter to share some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

March is filled with more wonderful feast days...which fall during the Lenten Season. These feast days tend to be even more celebratory (in our home), because we are in a solemn time, focusing on the "dying to ourselves", so that He can be better known in our hearts and through our works.

Here are several every day happenings in our lives at the Hand-Maid Household:

{pretty}

Celebrating all the feast days makes for a pretty home...

Little Lamb waits patiently while her mother captures the moment via film :P

{happy}

This typewriter used to belong to my dad when he was in high school.  He gifted it to my eldest daughter, my Butterfly.  She is a freshman in High School, and although she has her own laptop to participate in her online courses, she has always wanted an 'old-fashioned' typewriter.

One of the first things she wrote (on the well-used, ink depleted ribbon) was a thank you letter to her grandfather -my dad- for the typewriter.  
Secondly, she wrote a story, while playing a game she made up of taking turns writing a story with several people.  The first person writes a paragraph, then the next person continues with a paragraph and so forth...It goes like this:

"My Sister Wants a Story, so...here goes.

     Once upon a time (as all fictional stories start) there was a very beautiful princess with red-brown hair that went all the way down to her feet.  Every evening, she would walk in her magical garden which wasn't very magical!
     She was joined by her white unicorn, named Crystal.  Crystal was a very tame unicorn that loved to fly through the clouds and over rainbows.  Her favorite food was marshmallows and cotton candy.  Crystal had brought her friend Amethyst.  Amethyst was a purple unicorn that had just joined the unicorn herd, so Crystal had brought her to meet her favorite human, Princess Guiliana, the only human who was smart enough to be able to talk to unicorns.  One day, a young prince of Pulchra Unus walked besides the garden wall and heard her singing.  Her voice was like angels in choir.  When she sang, the birds would join her and all the animals would stop and listen.
     He asked his manservant who was it that was singing with the heavenly voice.  His manservant (another name for comic relief, sidekick) answered that they must have died and gone to paradise.  Then the Paige replied, "it is Princess Royal, Guiliana of Hardcastle".  The prince insisted that he be gotten an audience with the King of Hardcastle, but there was a large golden gate with a large lock!!!!!!!!! 
     The lock could not be removed, unless one as worthy as to take the princess' hand in marriage came forth.  The Prince was determined to see the Princess, so after he returned from hunting he....(to be continued)."

More happy, the Library Book Sale was this month...So many gems were found!

{funny}

The growth of the chicks have been amazing.  I could take a picture everyday and see a change...

{real}

During Lent, many activities are taking place in our home and within our Parish life.  This is the first year that I am not teaching the First Holy Communion class; however, as the DRE, I continue to organize the Sacraments that our young parishioners receive.  Traditionally, during the Lenten season, the 1st Communion students receive the sacrament of Confession (Penance or Reconciliation).  They also receive a blessed crucifix from the Holy Land.  The candle cross below, represents all those that have made the Sacrament of Penance.

Candles are placed on a small table.  These candles will be lit once each child has made their First Confession.  The flame is taken from the Paschal Candle of last year.   It is a beautiful day...many souls are made clean and pure.

Also, as the years fly by, we turn from all the wonderful activities that we enjoyed while the children were younger and celebrate the feast days with food and books.  That is not to say we do not participate in any activities, but they are not as frequent or as needed.  Here are a few books that we enjoy during the March feasts...

We have enjoyed the traditional St. Joseph's table in the past, and we hope to enjoy it in years to come -

credit

However, this year, we settled for a day of Holy Mass and quiet prayer.  It was perfect!

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

~ Back to School - Fall 2013 ~ {phfr} style

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

The ABCs of school...

Academics!

We have always started our academic year on or near the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (right after Labor Day).  It seems that everyone began weeks before us...I was starting to feel a bit late.
But, to tell you the truth, I was glad to have the extra days to plan and organize and even borrow fun ideas from other moms, like here and here.

Books!

I believe,  that for every home school family, this sight is cause to be euphoric!

{pretty} sight

Oh what a pretty sight!

The Books have arrived!!!! 

The Classics

Curriculum!

This year we are using a few more online courses and my children are loving it!  (and so am I). 



A Classical Curriculum

Biology with Lab, Chemistry with Lab, HS Latin I & II, Theology, Vocab. & Writing...

This is an exciting year for us!  Technology has taken designing our own classical curriculum to a new level!

{happy} heart

Books that make a heart happy!

We found these little treasures after visiting a few antique shops...The prices were not as good as our library or church book sales, but they were a steal nonetheless.

{funny}

credit:  Victor S E Moubarak

Victor S E Moubarak falls under {funny}; Why? 

Because he writes very funny posts.  If you would like to smile, laugh or ponder Godly thoughts, a quick visit to TIME FOR REFLECTIONS will not disappoint. 

He is the author of several books, including the captivating book "Visions"; perhaps you have read it?   Victor's latest book "More Time for Reflections" is now available, which you can download for FREE!  Or, for a nominal fee, receive it via Kindle.

But WAIT!  There's more...you can now listen to Victor's vintage radio program recordings entitled Reflections Soundtracks.  We plan to play a program during our afternoon school year teas...great discussion starters for our family talks!   Especially because both my teens are studying (more) theology.

You can read more about the author, here.  Have fun!

{real} busy

I am still organizing for our school year!!!

Books ordered.  check!

Classes scheduled.  check!

Back to School supply shopping.  check!

Organizing book shelves, desk area, learning room...

I will right be back!

Traditionally, we begin our school year on:

 

~ The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~

 

 

This year will be slightly different...

 

...to be continued.

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment... 

 

 

~ Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{pretty}

 

 

 

I have had this candelabrum for about 10+ years and I still love to look at it.  It makes our fireplace mantel look pretty.

 

{happy}

 

A Happy smile on my Happy Birthday.  :o)

 

 

{funny}

 

 

These faux phones gave me a chuckle...remember these?  I explained to my children how they functioned; the original ones you would use your finger to dial...these were push button.

 

I was almost as excited as when I saw a *phone booth* when we were walking through our downtown one evening...I never thought I would be explaining about *pay telephones*.  When did those disappear!?  We actually used the pay phone to call our cell phones to show our kids how they worked.  LOL.

Too Funny.

 

Do you remember operators?  Or, for that matter,  *popcorn*? 

It's OK that I'm aging myself...I just celebrated another b-day.  Deo gratias!

 

 

 

*The real McCoy*

 

Speaking of real...

 

{real}

the book parade...out to dry

We experienced a little plumbing problem...
...and to top it off, it happened just as we were walking out the door
to a reception we were coordinating. 

Dear husband handled it.  (He's my hero).

I looks as though we were setting up to play dominoes (with the books)...thankfully only one shelf was affected.

These are just little trials and inconveniences of everyday life...we are reminded to pray for those whose homes were devastated by the recent hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}, ~ The Master Bedroom Challenge Edition ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

 

{pretty}

 

My Our desk, in our bedroom, is *pretty* darn messy!

 

 

...but it is filled with some *pretty* neat things:

I began the challenge this morning at 7:05AM.

I had 3 bags and one pile to tackle.

Also, one VERY dusty (but pretty) lamp shade, books, pictures, treasure box and the desk itself was in need of a good dust.

 

I sorted through the piles/bags and divided them into 3 (more) piles:

1.  Garbage

2.  Memories

3.  File

 

Underneath my mess belongings, I found more treasures!  A *pretty* spoon that I had brought back from our family trip to Victoria, BC., a key (I still don't know what it opens), and *photos of our family trip to Alaska.  (*dangerous, as it slows me down; as I tend to reminisce)

 

I thinned out the book collection I had on my desk and just kept the following:

+ Thomas A. Kempis - The Imitation of Mary

+ Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letters:  Spe Salvi & Deus Caritas Est

+ Pope Paul VI Encyclical Letter:  Humanae Vitae

Debbie Lillard - Absolutely Organized (A Mom's Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & Clutter-Free Home)

Simon Tang - Kalwaria

and a couple journals & books on Home School & Virtues

 

{happy}

 

Now this makes me HAPPY.  Vintage things - so full of character and wonder.  I love it with all its marks and worn spots...but my favorite is the intricate little clasp.  I was so intrigued by it as a child...

Inside my treasure box, which was given to me by my mother, are pictures of me and my siblings when we were young...HAPPY memories.

 

my sister and me playing dolls - 1960's

Here is a peek inside and a close-up of the label inside the box.  A true trove of treasures.

 

 {funny}

 

Hidden underneath my pile...was this little gem.  FUNNY, it was still in it's original package - sitting and waiting to be put to use.  Now we will use it for our afternoon teas. 

The picture below is of my parents on a double date with another couple and their chaperone - my 6'3" grandfather - in full view!   LOL.  I LOVE IT!!! 

 

My parents are on the left...then my aunt (my mom's sister) and her date (my uncle).  On the right, looking dashingly handsome, is my grandfather.

Everyone seemed to dress so nicely, back then...men in suits and ties, women so proper and modest...

My parents have been married  54 years and my aunt and uncle, 62 years!

 

 

{real}

 

 

 

This is the *now* picture...but honostly, I don't know how long it will stay this way. In our house, horizontal surfaces are magnetically attractive to *stuff*! 

REALly. :o)

 

Thank you, Ladies over at LM,LD ~

For the very fruitful challenge!

 

 

 

 Addendum:  The *challenge* ended at 8:07AM, approximately one hour; including picture taking time and detailed vacuuming...which woke up my sleepyheads so we could start school.  :o)
 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment!

 

~ RED, White & BLUE ~

Because of our recent General/Presidential Elections, we have been brushing up on the different parts of our Government.

Little Lamb's artwork is influenced by our studies as well...I mentioned that the Republican and Democratic symbols were the Elephant and Donkey.  This was her political commentary:

I think we need to revisit the symbol lecture again;  or maybe revisit the mammal vs reptile lesson.?  (she actually said it was easier to make a snake - so there). :o)

We have also been following the Electoral Votes.  I was excited to get this tutorial from Charlotte...we {like} the marble analogy!

And we downloaded these great electoral college maps from Leila...thank you ladies!!

Butterfly's count

Little Lamb's score

...AND MAY HIS WILL BE DONE.