Monday, December 31, 2012

To Do List for 2013


I don't do New Year's resolutions; I often to Lenten promises.  However, Running Green Girl (Running Green Girl Blog) gave me a better idea.  I did a smaller "to do" list in 2012.  In 2013, I hope to accomplish the following:

Attend 100 masses
Create on online photo album for 2013
Start online photo album for daughter 1 (high school years)
Start online photo album for daughter 2 (high school years)
Read 100 books (I read 80 in 2012)
Teach son to swim
Force . .  . I mean . . . encourage more strongly son to ride his bike
Paint my bedroom
Recaulk upstairs windows (if not replacing)
Attach new weather stripping to front door--10

Log 100 30+ min. exercise sessions
Renew professional membership
Complete level 2 catechesis certification
Go geocaching five times with my son
Run one road or trail race
Replace toilet seat in main floor bathroom
Replace toilet seat in bathroom in master bedroom
Plant a new perrenial
Finish daughter 1’s quilt
Finish daughter 2’s quilt--20

Send 100 thank you notes
Revise my resume
Get a full-time teaching job (or pick up a tutoring student to generate more income)
Volunteer 25 hours to church-specific tasks
Grow strawberries in the garden
Take the main library’s grant-writing class
Volunteer 25 hours for mommy/school (son) tasks
Volunteer 25 hours for mom/school (daughter) tasks
Complete (and eat) one batch of canned veggies
Work on my “for fun” blog--30

Work on my teaching blog
Spread a load of dirt around yard and near house
Mulch landscaping in spring
Complete (and eat) one batch of freezer jelly
Enter 100 personal journal entries
Get my annual female exam
Enter 100 prayer/religious journal entries
Find a general  practice physician
Work on writing with son and “his blog”
Print up new curriculum on individual (numbered) cards and laminate--40

Create a vocabulary journal for students in 7th grade
Create a literature notebook for 7th grade
Teach daughter 1 to drive and get license
Get my eyes checked and order much-needed bifocals
Teach daughter 2 to drive in late autumn/early winter
Continue to reduce the amount of waste in trash can
Compost even more
Participate in National Write a Novel month
Continue being diligent with making purchases when on sale
Drink more green tea vs. coffee--50

Utilize more paperless techniques with family
Utilize more paperless techniques with teaching
Be able to do 100 sit-ups
Be able to complete 100 push-ups in one day
Explore more herbal remedies for headaches and minor ailments
Plant more herbs this year
Purchase an indoor herb container
Set up a Google docs account for school
Set up a “teacher” Goodreads account for my students to view
Create artwork for master bedroom--60

Create artwork with Fiesta ornaments
Start setting money back for Christmas (like I did for husband’s computer—cash only)
Purchase new lamps for living room
Recaulk children’s bathtub/shower
Restock car’s first aid kit
Renew CPR/first aid certification
Eat and review a new fruit each month
Reorganize kitchen
Eat and review a new veggie each month
Discover and review a new main course recipe each month--70

Discover and review a new side dish recipe each month
Drink three water bottles (reusable, of course) each day
Get a manicure/pedicure with my girls to kick off summer
Begin to organize family photos
Organize household paperwork (including old checks, receipts, tax returns)
Create a family emergency binder
Download a “classic” song and a “new” song from itunes each month
Discover and review a new desert recipe each month
Purchase new cushions for outdoor chairs
Purchase a reading nook chair for my bedroom--80
 
Find a desk and refinish (if necessary) for son’s room
Purchase a food processor
Donate old television in our basement
Find a coffee table of sorts for front entry of house
Go to a garage sale
Purchase an immersion blender
Go antique shopping just for fun
Organize two service projects through school
Create an art or creative project each month (and be brave enough to post pic)
Send great-gma a monthly letter (vs. phone calls)--90

Organize online video resources on a teacher acct.
Purchase a microplane grater
Catch lightning bugs
Play in the sprinklers with the kids
Have a water balloon fight
Make homemade icecream for neighborhood kids
Try a new wine each month
Take a writing course, a writing workshop, or join a writing group (formal or informal)
Learn to make rosaries (for Rosary Club)
Pray one of the hours 100 days this year (thanks to the iphone app)--100
 
I better get started . . . well, on the wine part anyway.  Happy New Year!!!!

 

 

Friday, December 28, 2012

He Doesn't Ask For Much #1

When my son was just four days old, he was in a kindergarten classroom for his sister's Star-of-the-Week family day.  He was attending the YMCA basketball games at two weeks old.  And he continues to just tag along anywhere we need him to go with rarely a complaint.  He doesn't ask for much.

At Christmas, we cover about 1,000 miles in four or five days.  He has to wait to get home to play with many of his gifts--including two very cool "gross science" experiment kits.  I promised we would do them when he gets home.

After four nights away, we finally arrived home to a snowy home--having to shovel the drive to pull into it then proceeding to unpacking the van, laundry-palooza, etc.  Got things under control and fed everyone.  My husband had a dinner engagement with friends.  The girls went upstairs to catch up on computer/texting.  My son went to the basement (aka--"kid cave") to chill and watch televsion.  I poured myself a glass of wine, lit the fire, turned on a movie only appropriate for moms, and huddled under a new Christmas gift quilt.

No joke--three minutes later, my son walks upstairs to ask, "Hey mom, if you are not too busy, could we please do a science experiment now?"  As if that wasn't sweet enough, he adds, "If you are too tired, we can wait until tomorrow."  It took mom super powers to smile, put my wants on hold, and swab bellybuttons, between the toes, ears, and nostrils.  He was thrilled.  And guess what--the wine, fire, and movie was just fine later.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Prayer for the Blessing of Children


This blessing comes from the older Roman Ritualor Collectio Rituum from 1954. It has been revised since then, but the former one can still be used.
Prayer:
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth.
V. Our God is full of mercy. R. The Lord has care for little ones.
V. O Lord hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with you. R. And with your spirit.
PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Who, begotten in eternity, yet didst will to he born in time; Who dost love the innocence of childhood, and didst lovingly embrace and bless the little children who were brought to Thee: anticipate the needs of this child (these children) with Thy tender blessings, and grant that no evil may corrupt his (her, their) mind, but that advancing in age, in wisdom, and in grace, he (she, they) may live so as to please Thee always. Thou Who dost live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
May the peace and the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son + and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever.
R. Amen.