Outside my window: Blue skies, bright sun, cold air.
Around the house: Girls and husband, snuggled on couch. Boy, asleep in crib. Me, perched at bar-counter with laptop. Let’s not talk about the state of the house beyond that, okay?
What I’ve been writing: Great book apps for kids for Tech Tuesday and reasons for using the Youcat at CatholicMom.com and the start of a new series on blogging at the Catholic Writers Guild blog
In my thoughts: Advent, of course. 🙂 And remember how I prattled on about my office? Well, I’ve been thinking and trying to involve other smart people in a possible reutilization of that space. I’m also thinking of Christmas shopping (and, to that end, I just made a spreadsheet this morning and shared it with my husband). And also rattling around in my sleep-deprived mind is budgeting and the shared calendar we’ve been using and whether I truly understand how Mint works (why am I still confused? and frustrated?).
In my plans: Sleep. And reading, followed by a steamy time in the shower to clear my sinuses, with a nap on top, a snuggle with a kid or two, maybe Mass (or maybe not), and meatloaf. Because nothing says “take THAT ye nasty sinus virus” like a good ole batch of meatloaf.
In thanksgiving: For Saturday sick bay hours and an unplanned weekend (we’d be breaking plans if we had ’em).
In my prayers: Friends and family who have asked for my special prayers, a project that’s been rattling around in my brain, and the ability to keep smiling through the trials of everyday life.
Nose inserted: Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, by James Martin, SJ
Recent reads:
- Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith, by Robert Barron, which I reviewed earlier this week.
- Rediscover Advent, by Matthew Kelly – I read this in one day, in part so that I could review it at length. I received a review copy a while back, and it caught my eye because Kelly’s Rediscovering Catholicism was one of my favorite books from my 2008 reading. It’s not bad, and I’ll be reviewing it at length later this week.
Links I like:
- Exploring the Youcat – a free online course (which I will be using!)
- Cheating Death, Growing in Gratitude – a great reflection by Pat Gohn
- Does Facebook cause more shallow relationships? – Matthew Warner cites reasons why it may not. I was intrigued.
- How will you make room? – an Advent reflection that I needed to read
- Sacraments 101 at Busted Halo, found via Marc Cardonella
A favorite thing: Hot coffee with a splash of cream, though with these cold days and sinus-infected season on me, my favorite peppermint tea is a close second.
Food for thought: “The closer a person is to God, the closer he is to people. We see this in Mary. The fact that she is totally with God is the reason why she is so close to human beings. For this reason she can be the Mother of every consolation and every help, a Mother whom anyone can dare to address in any kind of need in weakness and in sin, for she has understanding for everything and is for everyone the open power of creative goodness.” – Benedict XVI in his homily for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2005, via BenedictEverday.com
Worth a thousand words: In my inbox this morning:
