The John Wayne of Popes

It's funny because my husband and I just sat down last weekend to watch The Quiet Man. A John Wanyne film set in Ireland about a newly married couple and their struggles to understand each others culture and background. That movie sparked an ongoing conversation between our family and the Wasson family. My husband got a great kick out of the movie, and now it's probably his favorite movie.

Anyway, my husband asked me to go to this website called Creative Minority Report to look at an article comparing Pope Benedict to John Wayne. What a great article. Please read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Knit-Wit

I have finally gotten back into knitting. I've had a 5 month dry spell, but I am excited about the project I am working on (pictured above), and I am also excited about the project I am about to attempt, as soon as I get the yarn. It is the most beautiful Victorian lace shawl. I think I can do it, with a little help from my good friend Kimberly, who has been knitting for many more years than myself. I do have some difficulty understanding the instructions for certain (most) patterns. It is hard for me to visualize what I am being told to do. Kimberly says it's because I don't have the needles in my hands. I guess we shall see. I did knit my first button hole last evening, on the baby sleeper (above)! It wasn't hard, just something new that I had never done before. I will keep you posted on the monster knit (the Victorian shawl) as I am working on it. Hope to get the yarn soon. Anyone know of a yarn comparable to the Peruvian Uros Aran yarn? The colors pictured are nice, but I was hoping for more of a light beige or cream colored yarn.

Living with a Big Galoot!

Ratzinger, the Big Galoot...
I love my puppy, Ratzinger! Yes, he is still a puppy. He will be two in September, and still has some filling out to do. As you can see from the pictures above, Ratzinger can quite easily reach the counter top. If we do not watch, he will help himself to any leftover crumbs on the counter, or even a sandwich if it's there. When we do eat, we command him to "Get on the couch!" This usually works, unless Ratzinger is being stubborn. Once the command is given, he looks at us with his saddest, most pathetic look, as if to say, "Awe, do I have to?" Yes Ratzinger, you have to "Get on the couch!" As if it were to worst, most uncomfortable place to be banished to.

Ratzinger, the coward...

You would think that being a gigantor would give you a sense of security. That you would feel confident in your abilities to intimidate others with your fearsome size and your deep, loud bark. Well, not Ratzinger. He is the most cowardice dog I think I have ever seen. He is so afraid of the unknown. Last night I brought in a shower seat that my mom had let me barrow. Ratzinger had to walk by it to get up the stairs. He slowly crept by as he watched it intently. Finally as he passed it completely he started to run for the stairs, you know, just encase the chair had decided to go after him at the last second.

A neighbor boy used to come over quite often. He was very good with Ratzinger and the two enjoyed each others company. Well, for a couple of months the boy did not come around so much. Then when he did come back, he had grown about a foot taller. From then on Ratzinger has been very leery of the boy. Whenever he comes over, Ratzinger barks at him, but cowers behind me with his tail between his legs.

Ratzinger, the defender...

Often, my husband and I will rough house or play fight. Whenever we do Ratzinger will immediately come to the rescue. He will run over to us barking, as if to say, "Break it up people. There will be no rough housing on my watch!" For some reason Ratzinger will not tolerate violence (or what is violence to him) of any kind.

Despite his grand size he is the most gentle yet clumsy dog. Sometimes we (as in myself and Erin, not Tim) wish he were smaller, but all in all we love our big galoot!

Back from PA.

Well, I'm back from PA. Actually, I have been back since late last Thurs. night. I'm just a little slow on updating my blog.

We were on the road about 8 hours on Wed. The scenery was beautiful. We were caught in the rain a couple of time. Once, it was raining sideways. All those hills going up and down. And the tunnels through the mountains. I think we went through 4 different mountains. The drive back was about a half an hour to 45 minutes shorter than the drive there. Less stopping along the way. The hotel or motel was horrible. We made the most of it though, since we were only staying one night anyway.

My appointment went well. I expect to have surgery, to hopefully fix my fertility problems, sometime in either September or October. Either way, I'm on the list.

A funny thing happened in the doctor's office, while waiting to be seen. My mom was telling me a funny story, and as she did my eyes became watery from laughing. Completely forgetting that I had put makeup on that morning, I started rubbing my eyes. Rubbing and rubbing, and finally my mom said, "You're smearing your makeup!" She started laughing, and then I started laughing. I looked like a raccoon, only there was no mirror for me to see the damage I had done. I rushed over to the sink and in the midst of my laughter, I said in a more serious voice, "Mom, help me before the doctor comes in!" I finally started washing my face with soap. That did the trick. My raccoon face disappeared, but the laughter didn't stop. Finally, we pulled it together and as we sat there, we wondered if the doctor had come to the door during our laughing fit, and just decided to come back a little later. Mom said, "They had to have heard us out there, and just wondered what the heck all the commotion was about!" Later on, during the drive home, mom just busted out with laughter. I asked her what was so funny, and she said, "I just keep picturing your face with all that makeup smeared all over." It was definitely the most comedic part of the trip.

Here are some picture from the drive home...

Road Trip

Well, I'm off to Pennsylvania today. I found out yesterday that Dr. Stegman wants me to meet him in person for my consultation, instead of by phone. Apparently it will be a detailed consult. So now my mom and I will be off for our 6 hour drive to Harrisburg where we will stay the night at the luxurious Econo Lodge. My appointment is tomorrow at 1pm. Hopefully I will find out when the surgery might take place. Please say a prayer for us, that we may have a safe trip to and from, and that the appointment will be telling of what is to come.

A Day with Mom

On Saturday, my mom and I celebrated my birthday. She had asked me to come over Sat. morning and to bring my camera. She wouldn't tell me anything else. Mom knows how much I enjoy taking pictures, and she knew I had wanted to go to Lancaster to photograph the sites and old buildings downtown. So that's what we did.

First we went to Annie's Cheesecake and Tea Room for a spot of tea and some lunch. The food was very good and the atmosphere was so cute and cozy. We then decided to walk off our meal while photographing the sites downtown. We saw the mural of General Sherman as well as The Sherman House. We also saw that pink house above, that I always thought would be so neat to live in. The pink house is actually The Fairfield Heritage Association. We saw The Fairfield County Veteran's Memorial, and St. Mary's Catholic Church. The weather, by the way, was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Finally, we went to this huge antique store called The Olde Shoe Factory. There were no shoes at all. It was an old warehouse in which they kept the name from when it actually operated as a warehouse. There were 3 floors to look at. The 2nd level had the most antiques. The 3rd level was a flea market (not that interesting). By the time we left The Olde Shoe Factory, our feet were killing us (pun intended). But, of course we could make it through a couple more stores. We briefly went through JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, and finally TJ-Maxx. For my birthday, mom bought me some really pretty picture frames from TJ-Maxx. Then we finally took our tired selves home. Thanks mom, for a really wonderful day. Hope to do it again sometime soon.

Birthday Greetings

Hi everyone! Well today is my birthday! I am 28 years old. Nothing really exciting to report about today. It was gloomy and raining this morning, but is nice and sunny right now. Not too hot either.

Above are some pictures of an outing we had on Wednesday morning. I went with Erin and my brother-in-law's girlfriend, Ashley. We had a good time. Actually we went to Canal Winchester for an oil change, and while we were waiting we decided to walk around the town. We went to Harvest Moon first, where we sipped on some cool iced coffees. Then we went to a jewelry store to look around. Always a fun thing for girls to do. Then we went in the cutest shop called Victoria's Attic. It was full of fancy teapots, cups and saucers, teas and tea cozy's. So many beautiful and girly things. It was a very fun morning.

Later that afternoon, I went to pick up my brother-in-law from the hospital. One month ago from today, he fell out of a 40 foot tree. He had surgery on his back and a week later went to an in-patient rehabilitaion center for 4 weeks. He is 19 years old. He is doing very well mentally and physically, but he is paralyzed from the calves down. Please pray for him and especially for his increase of faith. I know so many of you are praying for him and we thank you very much for your continued support.

Hail Mary full of Grace....