Winterr's words

It's new years eve here in Australia, I can't believe it! This year went so fast, in a way i'm glad because I want 2006 to get here because I have loads of important things to get done.
I have not stayed up for the count down in a few years but tonight I hope to, I am off to a new years eve party tonight and hope to stay awake til midnight! Scientists are giving us an extra second in 2005 for some reason to do with clocks or something, so enjoy your extra second!

Good posts of the day that I enjoyed a lot are as follows (like they say at the oscars!)



Jonathan's post on The Holy Family
and :
St.Peters helpers post on the same subject: The Holy Family: School of holiness

I found my favorite Holy Family picture on the net from ewtn.com I must have seen it before because it was like de ja vu of my grandmas house. It's the one I have pictured.
So to end this post I say "HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE"

Just recently I discussed a little about Angela Baird with St.Peters Helpers.
I wrote about her in one of my very early posts when I started blogging last year, but I have found that since then, I have seen more interest in her story.
The moments she spent suffering before her death touched me and I always think about her prayers when I pray about abortion issues.
Here is a link to a website that her family maintains, it also has the story of the day she fell and died. I would hope that you find this story as wonderfully astounding as I did.

An excerpt from the site:
"As she lay waiting and dying, Angela prayed for two intentions specifically; aborted babies and her dad. She did not complain of the pain, she merely prayed the Rosary and to her guardian angel. The students, rescue workers, and medical staff who were with Angela in her last hours all were amazed at her courage and peaceful demeanor, despite the pain from a broken back, pelvis, arm, two legs, and massive internal injuries and bleeding. As rumors came down from the mountain, that a student had fallen, students quickly filled up the school chapel in prayer. John Finley and Mark Kretschmer, upon hearing of the accident, climbed up the trail to Angela, bringing what medical supplies that were on hand at the campus."

The link is here:

In Eternal Memory of Angela Baird

Some people want toolkits for Christmas, so to all you toolkit wanters my gift to you is this tool kit
The Augustine Club Apologetics Toolkit thank me later :D

Also, Heather posted some things that summed up her year whether major events or small, you can it find here

My version is here:
It's been a year filled with many different things , some great and some difficult, so the "good" things are that last December I got engaged while visiting Jonathan in the USA for Christmas.
January was busy and it's the busiest month of my year every year, it went on very busy until march, which then took me to another trip to the USA in April. That was another great experience that I'm thankful for.
I also was able to meet our new parish priest Fr.Pat who has really inspired me and helped my faith grow.
I also finished some studies in pathology type stuff, mainly blood and specimen collection which was a big challenge, I chose to do something that I never thought I could do but always wished I could, I felt like proving to myself that I could do anything I set my mind to, and I did it and have my lovely certificate, so yah I'm proud of myself ha.
Attending Pre-cana lessons this year with Jonathan was something that I will never forget, there were times we had to face each other and say things that were just so special, and we had our engagement blessed too.
Now I look forward to getting many things done next year, I have another overseas trip planned before I permanently move to the USA.
One really wonderful thing this month was that I tried on my wedding dress, wow I didn't expect it to be such an emotional experience, looking at myself in a mirror as a bride! It was indescribable.
Many memories over this last year have also included my family, just different everyday things.
I'm also thankful for my bad times, I know that I can take on all difficulties and find the strength that only comes from God to get through it, it is that strength that keeps me going through all life's hardships that have come and gone. I know that I did not face my trials alone and no one can tell me that is BS, well they can but I won't listen lol.
But I'm happy in general and really look forward to the new year, when I become Mrs. Jonathan!

I went out last night to the movies and watched Narnia, and I loved it! I watched the series on the ABC when I was about 10 yo or so and liked it back then. Now that i'm older I see the true message behind the story after having read the gospels.
My sweety, Jonathan links over to a 9 min preview of it that you can find
here

Something that you may find very interesting is Antonia's
Objections to who wrote the Bible
Believe me this girl is a blessing to the blog world!

Christmas season is almost upon us. December 25th! Of course we commemorate the birth of Jesus. Now the very exact date of Jesus birth is not known and historians place is birth somewhere between 7BC and 2BC.
What are your traditions for Christmas? Do you put up a tree? Lights? Go to Church? Does your family get together? Sometimes Christmas can be stressful because of the gift giving. It's always that time of year when you need to get into the shopping crowds, spend money. Some people get depressed if they are going through a hard time at this part of the year. We can lose focus on what Christmas truly is.

Per your request Heather


This is me at Christmas, eating dessert, I requested that Heather show her Italian bracelet which you can see here and she requested that I show a photo of a dress I bought a while back, which I wore at Christmas,Sorry H it's not a proper dress pose :) I hate to post me eating but there are not many photos of me at Christmas and I don't like em either. But none the less its DONE, and we were good sports for it.
I hope all had a great Christmas day!


Oh and look what happened to my first gingerbread house! The icing got too runny and the sweets got half eaten before I could take the photo. It was my first time so I guess runny icing isn't too bad.

PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM
My priest got unwell during the Christmas eve mass, an ambulance had to be called and he is in hospital with none of us allowed to visit. He has emphysema and got pneumonia. Only last year my other priest got unwell, right when I came back to the Church, I hope that he will be better soon and that when we comes back he can feel appreciated more, by reading our newsletter every Sunday I get the impression that he is under pressure. But our Sunday morning service went well and I got such a beautiful fatherly Christmas greeting from the priest that took over, it was so fatherly and that's really a special thing when the fathers of the Church can be like fathers to people who need that. I really appreciate what they do.

Wishing you all a happy and blessed Christmas


I hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas and new year. I also hope all your dreams, hopes and wishes come true x



O holy night
(traditional)

Oh holy night The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth,
Now long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees,
oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine, oh night, oh night divine
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy NameThy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom
The power, and the glory
For ever and ever
Amen

Want to know something? I steal, and this time I stole from the one and only Wendy thank you Wendy!


1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider? Apple cider
2. Turkey or Ham? Don't care, both even!
3. Do you get a Fake or Real you cut it yourself christmas tree? I want a real one but never got one, except for twice when I was visiting Jonathan for Christmas, I found that rather thrilling :D
.4. Decorations on the outside of your house? Yes, not that I do much of a good job
5. Snowball fights or sleddin? Never done either, prob because i'm Australian
6. Do you enjoy Going downtown shopping?Yes
7. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies? They rule! I recently watched Santa Claus Jnr or something It was fantastic
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? I don't know
10. Stockings before or after presents? BEFO
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them? I don't go out of my way to listen to them,
12. Go to someone elses house or they come to you? I go out but would love to host something one day
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when? I can't remember
14. What do you do after presents and dinner? Relax, maybe drink, once I fell asleep right after dinner
15. What is your favorite holiday smell? all the spicy stuff
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall? I have never been ice skating, so mall I suppose
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day? Christmas day.
18. Favorite Christmas memory? when Jonathan asked me to marry him
19. Favorite Part about winter? snuggling up
20. Ever been kissed under mistletoe? No, but I think it would be pretty sweet

If you want to be tagged, be tagged although I havent tagged The Cubicle reverend yet so You Are Tagged!! ...Oh and Jose' taggity tag, you're it :D

I have heard about those oil prices rising in the USA! I guess prices have soared on many things all over the world including fuel, although I have noticed a slight drop in cost there, but still, it's high!
So whilst reading msn, I found
12 ways to fight soaring heat bills I read it and found it to be pretty wise and decided that I wanted to link on over, so..I did!
If it helps one cold American, then I have done my job ;)

One other thing I want to post is a link to a post from Dymphna's Well
Let go let God I needed to read this like you wouldn't know, I am really thankful to God when I find stuff that hits the spot on some things. Thanks 4hischurch too!
Here is something I stole from that post:

"Everyday is precious and life passes all too quickly. We must not allow yesterday to contaminate today. How sad it would be for us to miss today's beautiful sunshine, because we refuse to let go of yesterday's overcast skies. In Hebrew there is a saying, "Do not prolong the suffering beyond the time of pain."

It's been so hot here, i'm ready to soak in some cold water for a few hours!
Anyway...I have been seeking God for many things lately, as most of us do I guess, or those who don't, find some other thing to seek, which is fine of course.
I have many favorite biblical scriptures that speak so much to me, but for this time of year I think not too much beats Matthew 18:1-5

Greatest in the Kingdom

"At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst and said to them "Amen, I say unto you , unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me"

Another thing which is not fitting to this time of year and totally off the subject is that time of Jesus life where he felt so sad. Im talking about "The agony in the garden"
Every time I feel down and face the agony in my own garden I try to reflect on how my agony is nothing compared to what Jesus faced. For he said "My soul is sorrowful, even to death" in a way it's comforting to know that Jesus does understand our sorrow.
But enough about sorrow, I hope all are prepared or almost prepared for Christmas!

Well I just love a reversion to Catholicism story, don't you? Very recently I found a new blog written by a young lady, about her reversion and other topics about her life. I give her a huge "WELCOME!" may her journey be a great one!
Go give her a warm welcome!
The Journey of a Catholic Revert

Hat tip to Julie I stole this from you, I couldnt help theiving, im bad :)


1. Clear large space on table for wrapping present.
2. Go to closet and collect bag in which present is contained, and shut door.
3. Open door and remove cat from closet.
4. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.
5. Go back and remove cat from cupboard.
6. Go to drawer, and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors, labels, etc. . .
7. Lay out presents and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.
8. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit and collect string.
9. Remove present from bag.
10. Remove cat from bag.
11. Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.
12. Lay out paper to enable cutting to size.
13. Try and smooth out paper, realize cat is underneath and remove cat.
14. Cut the paper to size, keeping the cutting line straight.
15. Throw away first sheet as cat chased the scissors, and tore the paper.
16. Cut second sheet of paper to size - by putting cat in the bag the present came in.
17. Place present on paper.
18. Lift up edges of paper to seal in present. Wonder why edges don't reach. Realize cat is between present and paper. Remove cat.
19. Place object on paper, to hold in place while tearing transparent sticky tape.
20. Spend 20 minutes carefully trying to remove transparent sticky tape from cat with pair of nail scissors.
21. Seal paper with sticky tape, making corners as neat as possible.
22. Look for roll of ribbon. Chase cat down hall in order to retrieve ribbon.
23. Try to wrap present with ribbon in a two-directional turn.
24. Re-roll ribbon and remove paper, which is now torn due to cat's enthusiastic ribbon chase.
25. Repeat steps 13-20 until you reach last sheet of paper.
26. Decide to skip steps 13-17 in order to save time and reduce risk of losing last sheet of paper. Retrieve old cardboard box that is the right size for sheet of paper.
27. Put present in box, and tie down with string.
28. Remove string, open box and remove cat.
29. Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for locked room.
30. Once inside lockable room, lock door and start to relay out paper and materials.
31. Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close and relock.
32. Repeat previous step as often as is necessary (until you can hear cat from outside door)
33. Lay out last sheet of paper. (This will be difficult in the small area of the toilet, but do your best)
34. Discover cat has already torn paper. Unlock door go out and hunt through various cupboards, looking for sheet of last year's paper. Remember that you haven't got any left because cat helped with this last year as well.
35. Return to lockable room, lock door, and sit on toilet and try to make torn sheet of paper look presentable.
36. Seal box, wrap with paper and repair by very carefully sealing with sticky tape. 37. Tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst areas.
38. Label. Sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulate yourself on completing a difficult job.
39. Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.
40. Spend 15 minutes looking for cat until coming to obvious conclusion.
41. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.
42. Go to store and buy a gift bag

I had to post it, I just can't stop catting


I recently read about someone who was suspended from school for speaking spanish!
I think that's a little way over the top, or WAY over the top.
I read it from Jose' s blog (sorry I can't do the hyphen on top of the E, if anyone knows how let me know too!) and the post is here

Also there is an Advent/Christmas novena that i'm doing from St.Peter's helpers so if you are interested in doing it too, go ahead!

Check out Jack's
Even mice need a little B16 it's cute.

I have been tagged by Jose`
I was about to post mine in his comments but then I noticed I was tagged, and since he called me "The queen of Winterr" I shall do it ;)

So this here is about quotes that mean something to us, that just stick and we remember them and also live by them and that are special to us.
For example Jose` has a neat tattoo of Phillipians 4:12

Well enough said, here are mine:

"if you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where they should be, now put foundations under them"
~Henry David Thoreau.

Doing what we can to acchieve our dreams and goals is better than just sitting there dreaming about them right? That's why I like this one.

"When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness"
~Jesus Christ

I don't think that there is a quote by Jesus that I don't like. This quote should speak for itself why I like it and live by it, I know that Jesus came into this world and became a sacrifice, so that we do not stay in the darkness but choose to walk in the light.

"Come ye, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for..
I was hungry and you gave me food
I was thirsty and you gave me drink
I was a stranger and you welcomed me
I was naked and you clothed me,
I was sick and you visited me,
I was imprisoned , you came to see me
truly truly I say unto you, as often as you did it to one of my least brothers, you DID IT TO ME"
~Jesus Christ: Matt 25:34-36, 40

Isnt this what being Christian is all about? What we do while we are here and to who we do it to? Who do we choose to help, only people that look ok? or the very LEAST of them? I always try to think this way, I try to treat you the way I would treat my God. (ok I don't really succeed at treating you that good)

"love others as God loves you, remember works of love are works of Peace"
Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Yeah works of love are very much works of peace and so much more.
So now be tagged readers, especially hmmmm who can I do it to.....

Antonia I know you like these things and Steff go on, you can do it ;) but if you read this you are tagged anyway.

Yesterday was mine and Jonathan's one year engagement anniversary! He proposed to me in the most perfect way that you could for me!
I can't wait to let you know of a wedding date.

This is something I never expected, (naive or not) and it's disgusting and very un-Australian. I'm talking about the Riots in Australia which I think are about racism.
They call themselves "Australians fighting back" and target Lebanese, Muslims and all Middle eastern.
I am Australian and I love Australia, but am really ashamed at these gangs, waving the Australian flag and then bashing people with dark skin. This is not and has never been what Australian means. Shocking.


I pray for peace.

I have seen this blog roll type thing on other blogs before and I wanted to do one too.
I will not mention all of my link list because some of them I haven't come to know as much as these folks.
In no particular order:

Marie-Linda, (Peace be the journey) I first came across M/L when I was new to the blog world, I can't remember if I came to her blog first or vice versa, but I find her to be so sweet and I love reading her blog. What she writes (and her mother Samia) has been an inspiration to me and my faith. A very special girl, who spends her time in labs :)

Antonia,(Antonias world) I haven't known her for very long at all but found her through St.Peter's helpers, her blog became addictive, I love hearing of her wedding plans and her studies to become a doctor, she is a special girl.

Jonathan, (Ancient future Catholic musings) I didn't come across Jonathan in the blog world so because he has a blog he is to be mentioned in my blog roll call :) He is my fiance and I love him as you would rightly suspect.
His blog is very inspirational, I have learned many things from his blog,(not mentioning what I have learned from him in person) especially where the Church is concerned. I enjoy the way he expresses himself and is of course a one of a kind type of person, his heart shows through his writings and I love it. Blog aside, he is the most generous and loving man I have met, and of course I have to give him credit for loving someone like me.

Jose (consistent inconsistencies) I haven't been reading Jose's blog for longer than a few weeks, I found him through The cubicle reverends blog. I like his honesty and like hearing what he thinks in many areas. I think he is a great person and a very devoted Christian man.

Patrick, (E-fishinsea) when I found his blog I instantly liked him and was addicted from then til now. Not only is he funny but a very intelligent man. He has been a great friend to me and I hope that I have done the same in return. His heart is beautiful and that's what I noticed first off and it shows all the time. You will never come across anyone like him. He has been a bit of a light too. I would call him the golden soul if he knew what one was. He likes blue. I'm waiting for a company to make Patrick dolls actually.

Sprite,(Thoughts of a Sprite) not only has she the best looking blog in history, but she is so cute and funny! With a serious twist of course, it's not all about cute and funny but about her life. And what a life! Her heart is expressed through her writing too, she's like a little earthy angel, every time I read her blog I feel much better than I did before clicking. She also has wrestled with an aligator! She's beautiful.

Stef, (Miracle drug) Steffy is my German friend, we lived together for a couple of months, I can't remember how many exact months. We had so much fun together, staying up late and making no sense to each other, we worked out that I was crazy and she was a Kuttel, I'm not telling you what that means in German. Oh this is about her blog right? OK, well her blog lets me find my friend, it reflects her personality really well, she is a very smart girl and will be a great teacher. She is beautiful too, a salesman tried to pick her up at my front door, he was besotted.

St.Peter's helpers, this is a blog of lay people dedicating themselves to this blog. I don't know which one of them it is but I think St.P's is so very special. I have never been able to understand some things about the Catholic Church the way I do when I read this blog. It makes me feel awakened to what a great Church I belong to. I also think harder about my actions after some of those awesome posts. Keep it up!

The Cubicle Reverend, I have not known his blogginess for long, about the same time as Jose, he is very witty this guy, creative and funny too , he is a very good person I can tell and is popular in the blog world because of his personality. Another intelligent man. I also got called the Queen of Australia on his blog and that's a plus.

David, (post protestant thoughts) His honesty blows me away! What he thinks he just comes out and says it!! That's what I first liked about his blog. He is not only a very nice and friendly man but a good Christian who does not pretend to have everything together. I have come across Christians who feel that they cannot be honest in fear of something (don't know what) but David shows me through his writings that I can just be me.

Jack B. (idle mendacity) I don't remember how I came across Jack, but I love his blog, his personality and his intelligence. He also has a good looking blog and I find a lot of honesty in him too.

Dymphna's well, I don't know her well but I love her blog, she has a great personality that reflects through what she writes. Her faith is very inspiring and I don't say that lightly.
I often find something to comment about on her blog.

Santa (Santas Darium Ecclesiasticum) I miss Santa, he hasn't blogged in a while, he is busy surfing, he is a great guy.

David B. (Aid to memory) Great way of explaining on his blog, I enjoy reading when I get the chance, Jonathans brother. In person he can make me laugh and is a very nice person.

Jennifer (Totus Tuus) Great blog, I like how she can be herself, I met her in person too, and found her to be a very beautiful person. I hope to see her again soon!

I haven't got you all listed but that's because I don't know absolutely everyone on my links, enough to comment too much on their personality. But I love your blogs or I wouldn't link there.

You probably knew that already. And if you didn't well don't be too shocked....I forgot to link to some Christmas prayers from
Church year.net so if you wanna see you know where to go.
Hard to believe it's almost the 3rd week of Advent right?

I went to a friends Christmas party tonight, had a great time, ate, drank, wore a santa hat (had to) and took a photo of a baby dressed as an elf. Cute.
So my Aunt saw me, she thinks I look tired and need more meat on my bones... Thanks Aunt M. :(
Yeah I love her too.

I have been tagged by Mr.Cube
Im going to be a good girl and do it.

Write 5 random facts about yourself, and then list the names of 5 people whom you in turn infect.


1. Eggplant makes my tongue feel strange (but I eat it)

2. I sniff candles scented or not

3. I never miss my daily exercise (unless i'm sick, im like General Carmel when it comes to this, I even went jogging in a storm)

4. During storms I sit at my window and watch for lightning, as if fireworks are happening.

5. Childrens runny noses make me almost throw up (I love kids and babies very much, there is just something about boogers that makes me almost, well you know)

I have tagged a lot of you, but would like you to do this if you are reading, so in other words, you are tagged so do it, it's only 5 facts! And I like getting to know you peeps.

This is my yahoo Christmas avatar, take notice that I didn't forget my kitty :)
One thing I like about yahoo messenger is all the fun and silly stuff you can do.
I do like MSN too when I don't muck it up, i'm still learning...



Oh and my avatars name is, Carmel of course! ;b

Whilst on the subject of Christmas:
Church Year.net do have an All About Christmas page, up now for your perusal!
I find the explanations on pagan related type issues that people have rather interesting to read, not to mention it's all you really need to know about the season, you think you know it all do you? Church year.net will surprise you :D

Im so not finnished my Christmas shopping, and it's hard to believe that next month I will be so busy working with our family business that I will hardly have time for anything else. Apart from dinner and sleep. I do have the best job though, except for supervising the employees, I don't like that, I don't really get satisfaction from telling people what to do, I fired my first person the year before last year and I hated it, but it was only once in a matter of years so I guess that's ok.
My work hours sometimes go for 10 hours and longer on pay days where I have to do all those brain killing accounts, but it's all worth it.
I hope to blog next month at least a little :)

Tonight we went to watch "The Nutcracker" ballet, it was pretty good and so very French! I loved it.
I knew 2 of the dancers personally and didn't recognize them until someone pointed them out!
They had wee little girls who danced so cute, they were adorable.
After the Ballet we watched some contemporary dancing, it was awesome, they had a super hero theme too, with Batman and all, my favorite was the cat woman theme, there were girls dressed as catwoman, and well I do love cats! I want a catwoman costume too! Not that I would wear it anywhere I just want one just because :D
The dancers were great and we all had a good time.
I didn't have time for dinner before the night, so by the time it was all over I had to zap into McDonalds, which we call McChucks in Australia lol
I'm glad to be home, my bed is waiting....

Thanks Jazzy for letting me know it was on!

I'm rarely surprised at news headlines but this story gave me the heebie jeebies, it shouldn't I guess since terrorism is todays thing, maybe it's bc I travel and want to travel.
Passenger shot dead
By the way, the US marshal shot the passenger who claimed to be carrying a bomb.


Scary movie 


I thought the above pic was funny :)
I feel a lot better today, thanks for the sweet wishes everyone!
Yesterday I had to go into town, despite feeling unwell. I saw one of my mothers friends in a clothes store, I went to try on a dress, so mother's friend decides that she wants to know how I look in it, I didnt know she was going to just walk on in the dressing room saying "got it on yet Carmel?" I'm thinking "well does it matter??? YOU JUST WALKED IN!@!!" .....anway it was a bit funny, she's nice.

I have had a huge day, full of appointments, driving here there and everywhere! I drove through a pretty full on storm for one appointment and I think I have used about 40dollars in fuel for my car!
Tonight I attended a Christmas event, in which I sat on a table with some people I didn't know except for a couple I did know.
Well this old guy and his wife were next to me. Dinner time rolled around and I was trying to eat some chicken, I was hungry and what do I hear this old man tell his wife???? Something like this: "oh love, this is better than eating old chicken corpses, imagine the smell of those, I remember back in .......blah blah blah...We were given chicken with the feathers still on it, and it had a bad smell, hahahaha" Right, that did it I felt like saying "where do you want me to shove this chicken?"
I felt sick, and I still feel sick.
I also had a little disagreement with my mum, I love her a lot but sometimes we just get a little annoyed with each other I guess, I should apologize for getting narky.
Also my sister wrote her b/fs name on this keyboard im using grrrr. BTW she is not a teenager! (I love her)
So im coming down with something I think, who's gonna cook me some chicken soup? Actually.... leave out the chicken.
My patience is being tested, breathe Carmel breathe...
Im going to go to bed now and think of a deep blue calm ocean

Mass this Sunday was beautiful. I love this time of year in the Church. Last week my priest asked us to examine our conscience about the things that keep us from being better people.
I had a big list, but I found that writing it down really inspired me to become a better person.
Things that I didn't normally think about , became more apparent to me the more I wrote.
Also this past week, some of us could choose a ticket from the Christmas tree in Church with a poor child or adults, sex and age written on it, and we were to go out and buy them a present, I thought that was a beautiful thought so I did it, I just made sure that I did not choose a teenager as I find them difficult to buy for.
So on Sunday we put our gifts under the tree, it made me feel really good actually, not because "I" did something, but because someone is going to get a present, who normally would not.
I'm also loving the candle lighting and prayers to do with the Advent wreath, mine looks a bit funny but it's still a wreath, I love the old traditions and try to keep them alive, besides I love candles too!
I'm certainly going to attempt being a better person and to stop thinking of myself most of the time. xxx

A few years ago I joined up with frequent flyer program, I figured that I have traveled so much I should get rewarded some how, I mean flights don't come cheap.
Now I'm really excited because my faithful travel with a particular airline has finally awarded me a free round trip INTERNATIONAL flight, I think that's awesome...Conditions apply of course but so far what I have looked into isn't so bad, and yes I have traveled thousands upon thousands of miles, I think since I joined I have flown 70thousand miles in the past 2 years, more if you count other airlines.
I have been in all kinds of airport strife too, like spending the night in Washington Dulles airport thanks to some hurricane this year. But I'm resilient, ok to a point!
I had to sleep on some chairs, one I noticed had tomato sauce stuck on it eww, I'm used to hotels!! I do find my emotions get messed up at the time of flight delays and I have to make a trip to the bathroom and cry it all out lol, but hey that's just me.
During my second trip overseas, I got stuck in LAX airport all day, I was tired from a 14hour flight and not in my right mind. This poor guy that I had sat next to from Australia came over to me and asked me something (who can remember what it was, I was tired!) and that's it, the waterworks came on and I cried right in front of him, he looked so worried :) Then that caused 2 others to come over and ask me if I was ok and even went as far as buying me a beer hahaha. It's ok I didn't go off with strangers it was all there at the airport, besides they were in the same boat as I was. This led to me meeting 2 Americans and the delay didn't seem as bad, still, it was bad enough.
I keep a little travel diary with me when I go away, it's full of these stories.
My favorite airport delay was when I got stuck in San Francisco, I got to spend a night and day there in a gorgeous hotel, I was on my own but still managed to have myself a blast, I took the train to the city and WOW, it's gorgeous. I want to go back there some day.
That's all from me, I have a few more things to say but this post is so long! Ta ta :)

I wish I could keep it!


I went for a long walk today and look what I found! Isn't this little guy cute? (or girl) this lizard was sunbathing and I caught him/her. So I of course I talked to it and said "hey little guy, you are going to become an internet star on my blog" and I took a photo, admired and then left it alone, I had a feeling that I was freaking it out.
But I do sooooo wish I could keep it!

I had to re post this, I dunno what I did wrong before, but here it is again

Top 10 REASONS TO BE GERMAN *Stef

1. Oktoberfest.
2. Oktoberfest-beer.
3. BMW.
4. VW.
5. Audi.
6. Mercedes.
7. On a highway you can travel at a speed that would bring you to jail
in any other country of the world.
8. You do not have to learn German as a foreign language.
9. You think Sauerkraut is delicious.
Oh no I lost number 10!!! Sorry stef, ummm dog ate it, I will make up number 10:
10. You can live near Stef!

Top 10 REASONS TO BE AUSTRALIAN *me, Credo, Speculative Catholic, hope I havent missed any
1. Know your great-grand-dad was a murdering bar steward that no
civilized nation on earth wanted.
2. Fosters Lager.
3. Dispossess Aborigines who have lived in your country for 40,000
years because you think it belongs to you.
4. Cricket captain not afraid to cry live on TV.
5. Tact and sensitivity.
6. Bondi Beach.
7. Other beaches.
8. Liberated attitude to homosexuals.
9. Drinking cold lager on the beach.
10. Having a bit of a swim and then drink some cold lager on the beach

TOP 10 REASONS TO BE AMERICAN *most of my link list

1. You can have a woman president without electing her.
2. You can spell color wrong and get away with it.
3. You can call Budweiser beer.
4. You can be a crook and still be president.
5. If you've got enough money you can get elected to do anything.
6. If you can breathe you can get a gun.
7. You get to be really obese.
8. You can play golf in the most hideous clothes ever made and nobody
seems to care.
9. You get to call everyone you've never met "buddy".
10. You can think you're the greatest nation on earth.


Top 10 REASONS TO BE CANADIAN *Patrick, Marie-Linda, Samantha Burns

1. It beats being an American.
2. Only country to successfully invade the US and burn its capital to
the ground.
3. You can play ice hockey 12 months a year, outdoors.
4. Only country to successfully invade the US and burn its capital to
the ground.
5. Where else can you travel 1000 miles over fresh water in a canoe?
6. A political leader can admit to smoking pot and his/her popularity
ratings will rise.
7. Only country to successfully invade the US and burn its capital to
the ground. (they mention that twice?)
8. Kill Grizzly bears with huge shotguns and cover your house in their
skins.
9. Own-an-Eskimo scheme.
10. Only country to successfully invade the US and burn its capital to
the ground. (they mention that 3 times?)

TOP 10 REASONS TO BE ENGLISH *Antonia

1. Two World Wars and One World Cup.
2. Warm beer.
3. You get to confuse everyone with the rules of cricket.
4. You get to accept defeat graciously in major sporting events.
5. Union jack underpants.
6. Water shortages guaranteed every single summer.
7. You can live in the past and imagine you are still a world power.
8. Bathing once a week - whether you need to or not.
9. Ditto changing underwear.
10. Beats being Welsh.

This covers most of my readers I think...

Oh please please please don't be offended, it's just a joke, you are all lovely :D
I did not write these myself, I found them on the net, so don't blame me !!


I had a nice laugh when I read Church bulletin bloopers at St.Peter's helpers

I have been invited to a Christmas party and i'm supposed to wear Christmas clothes! What are Christmas clothes, like t-shirts with Christmas trees on them or something? I don't have Christmas clothes, crikey! Oh well, I do have a Santa hat, that will have to do I suppose because i'm NOT wearing a Christmas tree!

Soooo cute

Thanks to Patrick for the kitty ...


CRIKEY!!



and...too cute

A candle for Van Tuong Nguyen .



He was executed today by hanging and I don't believe that will stop drug trafficking crimes.


You can
Say a prayer and light a candle for any reason, I thought it was a nice site

Nguyen offers his soul to God