Thursday, January 31, 2019

The DC Trip!

Like most of the nation, Nebraska has been caught up in
the POLAR VORTEX!
Things are looking up though as temps tomorrow
are supposed to be in the 40s and potential 50s
on the weekend!
Yippee Skippee!

Their Beacon of Light stocking caps
Maddie's trip to Washington DC
for the March for Life was an amazing experience for her!
The March for Life topped her list of cool things about the trip.
Riding the Metro in DC was at the bottom of the list!

Maddie and one of her roomies on the trip
Having been totally clueless about mass transit when we lived in
Philadelphia 30 years ago, I sympathized.
I walked around in a daze trying to navigate the el system.
The Pius students didn't know how to pay for the Metro, how to get
through to get on the Metro, where to
 get off and where to go once they got to their stops AND hearing 
other riders complain about all these students
did not help!


They were on the go from 5:30 AM until 8:30 or 9 or later
every single night!
Once they left the hotel at 6:30 or 7 AM, they didn't return
until at least 8:30 PM.
They attended Mass every day at the largest and most 
beautiful Cathedrals!
They visited Arlington cemetery and chatted with our
own Representative Fortenberry at the Capitol
and most importantly, they stood up and
marched for life!


Due to impending bad weather and road closures
in Pennsylvania, they skipped sightseeing in Gettysburg and
departed for home early!
The buses were able to make it through PA before the
interstate closed and arrived home a mere 24 hours
after departing Washington DC.
The bus ride was long!


It was great trip for her in so many ways
and she wants to go again next year!
PLUS -- she wants me to go along as a chaperone!
Hmmm- just wondering - do you think I could fly out and meet them there?


Wednesday, January 16, 2019

On a Bus For Days!

Last night, Maddie and 267 other students from the
Lincoln diocese boarded buses to Washington, D.C.
to participate in the 46th Annual March for Life!

 There are 81 students from Maddie's high school
on this pilgrimage.
We are so proud of her for joining in and being a part of the March for Life!
Such a wonderful way for her to grow in her faith.


And hey, it's a long bus ride from Nebraska to Washington DC!
They are supposed to arrive around dinner time tonight - 
so approximately 24+ hours on a bus!

They have numerous events on the agenda and some sightseeing.
The actual March for Life on the National Mall takes place on
Friday afternoon.


They will jump back on the buses on Saturday, 
arriving home on Sunday in the late afternoon.
She is so excited to be a part of the March
and go on this trip!
Please pray for the students and others participating 
in this year's March for Life.

Stay tuned for reports from M when she returns!



Friday, January 11, 2019

Clutter Be Gone!

While I have had good intentions 
every single year of decluttering and getting rid
of STUFF,
 I admit I have failed at the 
follow-through. 
The stuff piled up here and 
there in my house alternates between
 taunting and haunting me!

This year, I'm really going to try and
make an effort to declutter the house!
The effort is good enough.
I don't have to and don't want to beat myself
up for not having a picture-perfect
house or closet.
Source:  Facebook
Mr. Tennis bought me the Marie Kondo book
a few years ago and I started it, but stuck it 
somewhere to read later.  
Hmmm - how appropriate - it's now lost in the clutter somewhere!
But, I watched some of the Netflix series,
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo!
I thought it would be another one of those
shows where hoarders are shamed into getting rid of
just about everything they own
and given dirty looks by the organizer.
But it's not.

Marie is so sweet and non-judgmental and
provides tips and advice
on how to tidy up, fold things and
generally live happier without so much stuff!

Last weekend, I tackled my closet
and ended up with 6 large bags to donate and 
a couple bags of trash.
Plus a few hundred hangers (it seemed like that many) -
no need to buy hangers anymore!
I can now get into my closet better and
see what I have.


I didn't force myself to get rid of anything that I haven't worn
in a while, but still sparks joy anyway, such as this
fabulous faux fur vest that I wore 7 or 8 years ago.
It was in the very last spot in the closet way in back.
I love that vest -- I may never wear it again
but it sparks joy . . . so it stays!

This will, no doubt, be a long process 
but it's good to get started!




Monday, January 7, 2019

Catching Up - the Birthday Post!

Attempting to catch up a little bit!
Even though Maddie and I loved our part-time
jobs as Christmas gift wrappers, it did
put us a bit behind and the poor old blog
suffered!  
As did my housekeeping and laundry!


Miss Maddie turned 17 in December!
Yay for a birthday and the start of Christmas break! :)
Bummer that she had finals on her birthday! :(



We celebrated at one of her favorite places with the
whole family - Olive Garden!
Can you say YUM!!
We brought our own birthday cookie cake
and it was delish!
It had just enough frosting to keep me happy!


She's such a sweet and special girl!
Happy No. 17 Maddie!