Happy Halloween

Wishing you a spooktacular day and night!

Happy Birthday

To my heart
To my joy
To my love
Her own Spartan

The other day my boss asked, "How do you feel being the mom of a 21 year old?"

My answer, "Proud."

Today...

My boss said I was useful. He said it was a compliment. The qualification wasn't needed. I knew what he meant.

The picture is of the office. My coworker is at his desk. Next to him, by the window, is my stained glass work table.

When it comes to work and me: I guess we are mutually useful. I'm grateful for the workspace.

"Live Like You Mean It." jeff noel

Love like it too.

Slowly

As in art so in life, slowly the pieces come together. Woven with intentions and action. Be in a constant state of service.

Today's Blessings

Today was nothing like I imagined. It was way totally better. Rocked out at the St George Parish haunted house. Many of MY students volunteered to run the event. I love them all. Rock On!!

Sound Advice

When I was much younger someone unqualified held the key. Now that I'm older and sometimes wiser... Occasionally it's out on loan.

How can he commit if he doesn't know the love?

Teaching last Monday night on knowing and recognizing God the Father. Sitting in a circle, on the floor, cross cross apple sauce, took turns reading aloud from You Are Special by Max Lucado. Followed by the questions: What does God look like? What does His love feel like? Got the answers Gandalf, Dumbledore, and warm.

Read the passage out of The Shack where Mack first meets Papa in all Her loving glory. Asked the questions again. A student confessed he doesn't know God's love. Given our classroom history I'm not surprised but I say, "Really? I'm sorry."

This is Confirmation 2. The year the students commit to their faith. How can this student, or any person, make this decision given their current faith state? And what can I do in 5 short months that hasn't been made apparent in 15 years?

In keeping with the season....

Consider this a PSA: Let your light shine through.

Work

As much as I love to ride my bike and breathing in the fresh cool morning air. As much as I appreciate exercising and the internal feeling of being healthy. There are some days when all it is is WORK. Work in a very physical sense where: Work equals force multiplied by distance. Every pedal stroke, every pebble bump, every hill climb and coast down... Work Work Work

Advice

If you are apt to draw lines in the sand, make it a dragon, or a horse or a cat or maybe a flower. Do you get the picture?

Simply: Draw pictures not ultimatums.

Gentle reminder

Today I was reminded of World Youth Day Madrid. Ready for an early morning bike ride I stepped outside to see the roads were wet. Since when does it rain with a 10% chance? Walked instead. The reminder: In our comings and goings we are where we are suppose to be in life.

Bridging

We crossover many times in our lives. Perhaps It's simply transitioning from the day to day to a vacation. Or maybe it's becoming a teen, an adult a parent. A better person. More devote. Stronger team player.

Bridges are there to help us travel beyond life's obstacles. And not to stop us in our tracks.

Life can be so confusing

You can't tell if you are coming or going. Make a move . Go anyway.

Don't be....

Sad it's over. Be glad it happened.

It's over in a flash.

Life is so precious and fleeting. Don't waste it.

Don't be crabby.

Happy Blogiversary 2005 - 2013

What does one write about for 8 years?
2875+ posts... so that's roughly 98% of the time for daily blogging.
That's a lot of musing for a busy mom.

I'm going to be 53 soon, very soon.
I don't feel 53. But what does 53 feel like anyway? I don't know.
I don't dress 53... Unless jeans and a tshirt are nouveau 53.
I don't act 53... This is the most frightening fact to me personally of all.
But how does a 53 year old person act? I don't know this either.

I'm a literal thinker. Not good at times, but I'm working on it.
Think Patty, Think... outside the box.

I'm a joker. I love to laugh. While texting I can spin a story that will make you smile. I promise.
I love to exercise and right now that means riding my bike. Either perched on the
trainer late on a week night or on the weekends cruising the early morning street. Be still my heart.

I love to work. To be a part of a bigger team with a goal. I do indeed love my current job. But I always have. I love my children. They are my life, my blood.

My whole life I've blurred the lines of friendship to include boys as well as girls. I was never a pink doll only girl. I was a "let's dig a deep hole in the neighbor's backyard and look for dinosaur fossils" girl, or the skinny quarterback girl.  The boy friends are probably rooted in all that backyard football growing up and then having something to do with acquiring scientific training, education wise. More boys than girls in these fields.

That said, at 53 my girlfriends mean the world to me. And the boys, despite their ever present cooties, aren't bad either.

At almost 53, I love life and I thank God.
And thank you for being a part of it.

Happy Birthday Lovie

I love you with my heart and soul. More than life itself.

Today

Today I had the pleasure of being in a car alone with one of my daughters. The radio had poor reception. Her iPhone wasn't charged. As I drove, she talked. It was wonderful.

That time of year. Birthday time.

Frodo for Halloween. 

Hanging with her favorite Catholic Youth Minister/ Rock Star, Chris Padgett. 

Eating yogurt on the steps in Ballinteer.

Leaf play.

Hanging out with Memere.
She will be 13 soon. Where did the time go?

Pinboard @ Work

Boss: Can I trust you?
Me: That's a question only you can answer.
Boss: Good answer.

What's on your frig?

On ours: family, phone numbers, artwork, reminders. Jokes, quips, calendars, shopping lists.

What we do, does indeed, matter.

Religious education, specifically Confirmation II, started this week. Our focus: God the Father's love for us. And how we spread that love. What we do in this life shares God's love with those we encounter. Multiplying His endless supply.

As Yoda said,"There is no try. Only do."  Picture taken on the way to the May 2013 Boston Brain Tumor Ride.

Five Stars?

This time of year it's bring your own linens. Sleeping bags are best. Fireplace for heat. Pond water on tap. No phone. No cell. No TV. No newspaper. Sometimes Wifi by the grace of the neighbor. Electricity, of course. And indoor plumbing; which is not always a given when talking camp accommodations.... Unlimited spectacular views. Endless peace and quiet. Definitely 5 stars. Maybe six.

May You...

Find a peaceful place.

The beauty of no street lights is....

You have to know where you are going.

The scary thing about no street lights is.... You have to know where you are going.

There is no sadness

When there is banjo music.

All I Really Need To Know

I Learned From The Mouse
by Michael Mullin

A dear friend found this book at a yard sale. It reminded her of me. So she picked it up and gifted it to me.

What a gift - What a complement

Interesting enough also yesterday my boss asked me why I live Disney so much and I replied their excellent customer service. A total example of being kind to all that we meet in life.

Have A Magical Day

Following the herd?

That can be good and bad. Depends on where they are going and on who or what is leading the charge.

Some warnings are obvious.

Thin ice? We are talking about no ice. There will be no attempted crossings by foot unless one has a deity complex. Some warnings aren't necessary, but others.... Like Don't Smoke. Don't Drink and Drive. Don't Do Drugs. Why do so many people take these as suggestions? Perhaps they have a deity complex?

With Love...

The Mickey is never truly hidden.