Sprite & Jaws

When I was in middle school, we had a pet parakeet named Sprite! He was yellow (mostly) and green and blue - like a Sprite can.

At any rate, we would let him out of his cage and allow him to roam around the house. .

One day, dad, Seth, and I were in the back bedroom watching old home 8mm movies on the old projector (yes, way before anything was digital and VHS hadn't reached its peak). We ran out of popcorn, so I went to the kitchen.

When, I came back, I went to sit down. It was dark in the room. No one had seen Sprite wander in. I sat on him. Not all the way. But, enough to scare him and ME!

From that point on, he would literally take off and hide somewhere if he saw me.

Then, he died. Just collapsed in his cage.


And, then there was that time, Jaws, my pet goldfish, jumped out of his tank and died and we thought our cat, Patches, had eaten him. Mom was spring cleaning the next year (I was taking a nap, I couldn't have been older than 8) and found him behind the stereo. She flushed him and then told me later what happened. I didn't cry. Jaws was a very adventurous goldfish!

Let us take a moment to remember these two pets of mine.













ok, continue on with your lives.

Sneaky Tidbit

I still set my alarm clock an hour ahead of when I'm supposed to get up, therefore, hitting the snooze button about 6 times. Though now I've grown to only hit it twice as there are two alarms on my alarm clock.

I've been doing this since high school.

There has only been one break where I did not do this and this was in the monastery. There, the bells woke me up at 5:20 am every morning, except Sunday, where the bells would ring at 5:35 am.

What are we doing?

I just found out the Cordella's have a blog, and its been up since December....hop on over if you like to laugh!

someone playing a joke

Ok, I guess someone was trying to be funny, but it isn't funny.

SomeONE signed me up for a magazine subscription to a not-moral magazine! Ah! That magazine is as bad as Cosmopolitan! And, if that wasn't bad enough, the subscription was being sent to the parish I work at. Not funny! At all.

So, today, I cancelled the subscription. I cannot even believe that someone would do that. Well, their money has now been wasted!

Cookbooks

I should be asleep...but I'm not...instead I am blogging...

On Friday, when grocery shopping for the Girls' Retreat, I had about 20 minutes to kill while at BJ's waiting for Rach to show up...and well, I wandered over to the book section and came across these two books --

I pondered...and I looked at the indexes on both, and finally caved. what can I say? I LOVE to cook.








This is my schedule for the next 72 hours:

Wed
Doctor's appt - 9 am
Put seats in van - 11:30 am
Work - 12 pm - 9pm
MSC mtg - 7 pm
Sleep

Thurs
March 4 Life with 12 teens - 8a-3:30 pm...ps I need another driver.
Dinner with LF and fam - 5 pm
Pack for retreat - 10:30 pm
Sleep

Fri
Leave house - 9:30 am
Spiritual Direction - 12 noon (Mass first)
Drive to AL - 2 pm ish
Arrive at Casa Maria - 4:30 pm ish (hopefully if I don't get lost in Alabama on some back roads)
Retreat begins - 7 pm


Ah, life...I think I actually get to rest after the Superbowl...or at least, that was when I was planning on resting...ie sleeping for like 3 days and just vegging out...

The Women of AMATA 2009

"ARISE, my Beloved and come to me!" ~ Song of Songs 2:10-14.

Man, it is uber cold outside!!! seriously...I went to do some grocery shopping today for the Girls' Retreat that's this weekend...and I had to do some re-arranging and put in a cooler what might go bad...I know its supposed to get REALLY cold tonight, but I still worry about the yogurt...so, when I finally got inside, even though I had gloves on, my fingers were pink and numb and they hurt...note to self: stop wearing Isotoner gloves b/c they don't work...

so, yes, thats my prayer intention for you folks...please pray for us...Amata means Beloved is our title and theme...yes, it is also a book title from a 'well-known' authoress...

also, dear blog readers, I've had a change of thought. I like the fact that a ton of you are anonymous and a mystery to me...stay that way...

just read...and I promise to keep posting...

alrighty then. goodnight.

ps. Don't forget to keep supporting the Summit sisters and buy their soap! :) Maybe for Valentine's day, get some of their lotion and lip balm samplers to spread the word! I know I am.

Face the Storm

I've been cleaning today. When things get busy in my life, something gets messy. And, well, a few things got outta control - the office, my bedroom, my car. I can't stand messiness. Its like oil and I am water. It drives ME crazy. I really need another bookshelf in here. But I need a different dresser. Mom and I will have to have a talk. I need shelving. I am hoping she says yes.

At any rate, during the cleaning of the bedroom today, I came across a sheet with several quotes that I've said and a journal entry that I typed out for encouragement for me. So I share with you today what is on the page. If you have been following since the 'Glorious Crown' days, some of these might sound familiar.


All that really matters is where you are at the moment.

Whatever you do, do it for the Glory of God. -- 1 Corinthians 10:31

Living to glorify God means doing everything, for Him, His Way, to point to His greatness and reflect His goodness.

We are blind to the life here below because our eyes are raised toward the ONE who is our Head.

Expect great things in following God's will. Be strong in the Lord. Trust in Him.

(This one is obviously one God spoke to me through prayer.) Trust in Me and you will receive.

It does not matter much the time I pray or read scriptural books, if I do not have works in my life.

Our Blessed Mother in all her innocent love for the Father, knew LOVE.

How many times has God shown us a way out, but we've ignored Him because we think it won't work. He's God for crying out loud!!!!


5-12-03

Face the storm. Say, "all is well" and mean it. God is in control and I am not. I need to accept that right now I am up/down, a one-woman circus. That I am on an emotional roller coaster...As I look over this year on NET, I am most grateful for how my sisters kept pursuing me in sisterly love and how I responded. Also for how much God showed me....My team has helped me grow this year by showing me patience is a gift from God. That in loving others, you must first love yourself. To be vulnerable is to go deep in relationships. Just be honest. Reconcile right away. Trust in God and He will light the way.......I've "tasted and seen" the goodness of the Lord in how God has humbled me into seeing I am just a vessel of His love....Hebrews 11:1. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Matthew 6:33





I would have to say the above entry is still true today. I am grateful for all the experiences God has allowed me to have. He sustains and uplifts me and calls me to do more, to be holy. With Him I can do anything.

Empty of Yourself

Found some cool quotes from a retreat I went on in September.

I have a terminal illness.





All of you do too, its called life.




Where is mercy in suffering? God allows us to suffer because He allowed His Son to suffer.

The devil doesn't do anything original, he just takes what God has made and distorts it.

and my personal favorite from Fr Cantalamessa: Hail Mary, empty of yourself.

What A Blessing

Ok, Indiana blog reader revealed herself.

On my StatCounter.com stats, I can see that on average there are 30 IP's visiting daily. Thats alot if you consider Outside the City Walls has just been online for about 6 months. thats amazing.

So, would my reader(s) from the following states reveal themselves and how they found themselves returning here to this blog:

St Joseph, Michigan

Anacortes, Washington
St Louis, Missouri

Cortlandt Manor, New York

Baltimore, MD

Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK

Dartford, Kent, UK

Greenville, South Carolina


As for me, I am doing well. I have had a spiritual director since October '08. It definitely was a bit weird at the beginning as he is similar in age to me. But, Fr Kevin is way cool! He's a good replacement to Fr. L

Life has been chugging me along. I am finally comfortable again in my own skin. I LOVE my ministry at STA. I am excited to see where Jesus will take us as we grow.

Life at home with the parents is still Gravy! It is NOTHING like before I left which is truly a BLESSING! My relationship with my mom has just grown exponentially and I am utterly grateful.

I am going on a personal retreat - a women's retreat at Casa Maria - in two weeks. I am soooooooooo excited. I've never been out there. And, I'll have the opportunity to see my friend, Sr. Tracy, who entered last August.

I have a prayer request. for me. I will say more in February. Please just pray for God's will to be done.

God is in control. And I am still bendable. I hope. Its all for His Glory that I live each day! I pray that I can live according to His will and also that I allow myself to be His vessel. He alone has the answers.

ps. does anyone recommend any retreats for teens? I have been leaning towards a discipleship retreat complete with a comissioning. Send Us Out. or a retreat based upon JP2 and his "Do Not Be Afraid" mantra.

Its Back

The Pillsbury Bake-Off is back! I just randomly went to the website a few minutes ago and saw that the 44th annual contest has begun. I have until April 20, 2009 to submit my recipes. I know I want to submit "Treasure Bars" and "Christmas Treasures". I just have to figure out how to do it within a four hour time frame. I CAN do this. I have plenty of guinea pigs available.

And, I seem to recall there's another recipe I am supposed to submit that is not in the Sweet Treats category. I'll have to think about that one.


Now, I am off to bed. I am starving, but I have my annual physical tomorrow. Then, I'll go grocery shopping and make some Special K bars for Saturday.

Oh, yes, that's right, I added another blog (What the He** does a Vegan eat anyway?). Be sure to check it out. One of my CORE is a vegan. She became one after a stint with the Peace Corps and a parasite. bummer. BUT, I found some really good recipes tonight that are all vegan. As I am also contemplating going vegan for Lent. we shall see.

does the blog reader from Indiana or Bellmore, NY like to reveal themselves? Would you like to tell me how I know you or how you came to be a regular blog reader?

as promised - photos

photos from my CT trip -

Friday b/c Alison had to work, I was able to travel to Summit (a 2.5 hour drive) for a visit. It was so great to see the sisters and visit the Shrine. And, of course, to catch up. I hope to go back this summer for another visit. Its always fun to visit!

Then on the way home Maggie (the GPS) took me another route as I-91 was bumper to bumper...I survived the George Washington bridge a 2nd time...and I travelled through CT on I-87...I love to take pictures out my car window...I just turn the camera on and click...I don't have to look through the viewfinder...I get to see later what wonderful treasures I've taken...I also love the fact that in New England they have gas stations on the freeway...it makes for a much easier drive...thanks Alison for letting me borrow your car.
On Friday night, Alison, Stacey, and I went to the Cheesecake Factory. We had such a good time! I love Girl's Night Out! And, I know Stacey was thrilled to have one too! So, on Saturday afternoon, Alison took me back over to Stacey's house for a tour (b/c they live in a re-made Colonial home)...Gorgeous! and the picture below is of her neighbor's front yard...with the chairs in the snow!
Sunday night we watched "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", had dinner at Margarita's, and then went bowling.
Thanks, Ali, for letting me come and visit you. I will miss Bubba and La-La! too.


oh, yes, and I can't forget about my travels back to rainy warm Georgia.
I ended up not getting to the Hartford airport until 2 pm b/c I had to go to the bathroom enroute!

But, when I made it to the gate at 2:13 pm for my 3 pm flight, they weren't even boarding...b/c a flight attendant from the previous flight crew had left her cell phone on board...so we had to wait for her!

We finally were up in the air about 4 pm. My connection in Charlotte was supposed to leave at 5:50 pm so I was a bit worried as how long I'd have.

Charlotte - 5:15 pm. My flight is delayed. I grab a slice of Sbarro's (its no New England pizza, but it'll have to do) and a Strawberry frapp and a cinnamon scone (yummy)...and board the plane at 6:05 pm...we do not get in the air b/c of complicationns until 7:10 pm or so - door falling off, grounded for 25 minutes, the line is too long...and then the turbulence...thank you rain!

we land at about 8 pm, only to wait at the baggage claim until 9 pm...

but, I finally made it home at 10 pm...but I do have to say from Charlotte to Atlanta, which should only take about 45 minutes or so, I had two seats all to myself...yet, there was a draft so I pretty much froze all the way home...

excited to get back in the YM game....i have tons to do...CORE retreat this Saturday, Girls' retreat next weekend...and my first full LN on Sunday...plus, writing up a curriculum for our new Confirmation program...as well as adding the final touches on the Peer Ministry program adapted for our parish...

oh, and registering for all the summer conferences without really knowing who will be attending...Jesus is in control and I count it ALL as JOY!!!!

Say Something by Teresa Peterson

I am on vacation in CT with AR....fabulous...I had the opportunity to travel to NJ to visit the sisters b/c AR had to work. She graciously let me borrow her car...and I drove the 2 1/2 hour drive down there...I didn't get lost. It was great to see the novitiate and few other sisters...I will post pictures when I get home. promise.

on another note - one of my friends from NET just released an independent CD - "Say Something" by Teresa Peterson....i love her voice...

below is a live video of her playing...for more info, you can check her out on her website, just click the title of this post.