Travel Bag Tuesday: Suede

My mother-in-law gave me this handbag she wasn't using. I am not sure she even used it more than once! 

It is suede/leather and very roomy! With the colder weather, I think one can still pull off the suede.

Wheelin' Wedneday: A Cool Deal

Picked up 3 Purex detergents at $6.29 each and a Crest toothpaste for $4.99.

Total was $23.86 before tax

I had a $1.00 coupon for the toothpaste and a $3.00 off coupon for the detergent. The Cashier allowed me to use an in-store coupon for $5.00 off of $25.00 even those I was a little short of that total. CVS also had a deal of buy one-get two free on the Purex. 

Total out of pocket cost including tax: $2.70

Total ECB's earned: $4.00

Nifty, eh?

Tasteful Tuesday: Yummy

Although, we are trying best to adhere to the fast and abstinence of Lent, Hubby has not burdened me with the task of also not using bread or pasta. Yes, we keep that relatively low in our rotation of meals, but it makes my life a little bit easier with dinner ideas. 

As you can see, this glorious chicken sandwich could not have been possible without the toasted buns (who doesn't like their buns a little toasty?). 

I cooked the chicken breasts in bacon fat

Check out that set up!

Yum!

Work: Still waiting to hear whether or not I received the new position. I am hoping by the end of this week.

Church: St. Joseph's altar with bought and homemade goods. My mother-in-law gave me some purses. Do you think that would be a good donation?

Home: I managed a fairly good cleaning last Friday and I want to maintain it as much as possible. 

Budget: Nothing too crazy.

Pro -Life: I should be able to cover two hours this week at the abortion clinic.

Dinner Making: I hate planning meals.. maybe I was meant to live in Europe where people shop each day...

Health: The weather is cold and rainy again so not too many outside walks planned.

Music: Practice!

Yard: Don't know if I will get out there this week.

What's going on in your world?

Old or Frumpy or Neither....

I snagged these beauties on sale... did you notice the heel size? Have I become old or just more conservative? Does comfort replace style or is this in style?

Tracking Spiritual Progress For You or Your Kids!

This season of Lent I decided to make a spreadsheet of all my promises for Lent. At the end of each day I mark the good, the bad, and the ugly. I then can renew my zeal for the next day already knowing where I need to place my concentration. 

I am sure all you mommies out there do something like this- it just took me a while to pick it up! ;-)

Manic Mondays that are Musically Inclined

Work: Still waiting to hear whether or not I received the new position.

Church: I don't think too much is going on with me in this arena. 

Home: I am not so disheartened as usual with the house. I think my Lenten promise of not using the computer/television four days out of the week has already paid off from last week. This could get really exciting- I will keep you posted.

Budget: I continue to work on this, but I haven't really been spending huge amounts of money. Just a little more cautious lately. 

Pro -Life: I should be able to cover two hours this week at the abortion clinic.

Dinner Making: We need to do a good grocery run especially since company will be coming in on Friday.

Health: Better weather and more time at home will help in this arena.

Music: I have three practices this week for our spring concert.

Yard: Hubby and I have started back on the yard again. We are trying to get grass growing in the front yard. I figure something has got to give if we keep working on the yard at least two hours a week.

What's going on in your world?

Lent and the Spirit of Sacrifice

Read Full Article Here

Whatever sacrifices we make, we must always keep in mind the way a Catholic should do penance.  We must be balanced in our approach. We should challenge ourselves and push ourselves to do a little extra.  It should be a sacrifice.  But we must also not bite off more than we can chew.  One of the most important parts of our Lenten mortification must be the ability to persevere through the entire season and if we take on too much, then human nature will all too often cause us not to cut back a little, but rather fall away from almost all the sacrifices together. Then we are back to doing just the minimum or, God forbid, no sacrifice at all.  It would be better to offer a little and persevere than to offer a lot and fail to complete our Lent.

A THANK YOU FROM ALOYSIUS

"Thank you for my plant... even though it makes me flare with anger. I am also not sure why it likes to float. And, yes, that is me smiling."

Friday's Favorites: First Friday Mass

I am so thankful that our previous parish priest started the First Friday Mass and devotion at our parish. The devotion to the Sacred Heart resonates with me and I am continually drawn even more so to First Saturdays. 

How about you?

Book Choice for Lent

Last year a priest recommended this for Lenten reading and so I have taken his advice and started the book yesterday.  This recommendation reminds me of a conversation with a woman at work. She is Catholic, but in the Novus Ordo world and has continuously mentioned a book that supposedly pulls from St. Ignatius. The author is Margaret Silf. I finally looked up the information on the book and author and was saddened to discover that this woman has converted to various different religions, left her Catholic faith and is now into some kind of non-denominational  sect. She continues to preach/hold these "Ignatian" like retreats for various walks of life. What blows my mind is that the lady I work with doesn't seem to take into consideration the tried and true books written by the saints themselves! Why not dismiss the water-down unauthentic book and go straight to St. Ignatius and his writings? Why place your soul in danger like that? 

Lenten Promises

Just a snippet of my Lenten Promises this year.

1. Spiritual reading and prayer each night with Hubby.
2. Keep Lenten fast.
3. Stations of the Cross once per week.
3. No television/internet (except blog, email, work, bookstore stuff) Monday through Thursday.

Do you have any ideas to share?

Fat Tuesday

Let me tell you... the people at work brought in so many desserts to celebrate the day before Lent! I think most were rolling on the floor and drunk on sugar! How about you? Did you eat until you couldn't eat anymore?

Just Another Manic......

Work: Second interview this week.

Church: Washing towels and sheets for priests' quarters.

Home: I want to concentrate on the yard this week.

Pro -Life: 40 Days for Life hand outs created and passed out at church.

Health: Walking is on the agenda!

Music: Only one practice this week since Fat Tuesday will be here!

What's going on in your world?

He Knows When It Is Time to Eat!!!!

M.I.A.

Hello!
I know I didn't post much this week-sorry about that! I am going to attempt to post each day this month.

Let's see if I can round up the week:


I've got Lent on the mind-trying to finalize penances and prayers.
My second interview takes place next week.
Two choral practices came and went.
I picked up paint for our outside rails which will be part of my projects for the year.

1. Paint front door and porch
2. Get deck re-finished
3. Paint Man Cave
4. Complete half-bathroom remodel

That's about it... work is getting busier which is a good thing. I need to get back into walking more often. I think my side has stopped hurting as much so that is good.

Okay- see ya tomorrow!