I prayed for over a year every time I drove past my neighbors empty house while we waited to see who God would send as their replacement. My prayers payed off big time because our new neighbors are wonderful.  (Sometimes they send me/us high quality snacks. I love snacks!)  So far so good and Holly doesn't hate me yet. (Way to go Belinda!!)

I laughed this morning when I saw her husband throw their duck into the water trying to coax it to swim. Can you imagine - ducks afraid of the water! hahaha   Please God help my neighbors to tolerate me.
 

Here's a recent home video of our new neighbors from the big city.

* Disclaimer -Holly's not ditsy and she's a superb cook . She's  embraced her new country life with enthusiasm and grace. ( Watch your step Holly, learn to look for snakes, mice, duck crap and dead things.)

BTW - Holly, I'm a morning person. I'm up around 5:30 and in bed around 8:00 if I'm lucky enough to make that happen. I'll call you tomorrow morning around 5:15 to check on you ;-)

Mr.Misery, loves company.... and I was great company too!

I put something together for my entertainment director to wear for a party that we went to last night and he looked fabulous, but yikes , what a grumpy attitude.

In fact his attitude was rather Grinch like if you ask me. (What a freaky role reversal.)

I had a great time even though the food was terrible and cost us about $60.00.

I went with pre -conceived ideas about some of the people which was sinful on my part.

The person who I thought that I would like the least was my favorite person to talk with during dinner. The man was surprisingly very conservative and as he began to irritate another woman in our party with his views , I laughed out loud and said , "oh, well she doesn't like you very much, but she still likes me and the man said ,"well that's because you haven't said much yet. I said ,"I really don't need to say anything because with me having eight kids that pretty much screams conservative dont you think?"

Then the people at the table nodded in agreement.

(I love Democrats, they're deeply caring people . They're also charming , funny and delusional.)

*I had a lot of trouble narrowing down the perfect ensemble for my blog administrator/entertainment director, but I finally chose the one below on the far left with the extra long collar because it was so cold outside and he would be able to wrap it around his neck a couple of times for added warmth.

I usually bring this guy (anxiety) with me where ever I go , but I left him in the car this time , though he taunted me again when I got back into the car. I really hate him.

Walking the Oregon trail in Guernsey Wyoming.

The wagon ruts left a lasting impression in the soft sandstone here in Guernsey. Some ruts were nearly five feet deep. Over 400,00 people walked and rode the trail . Many were buried along the trail. At first there was a trickle of people then it became like a wave. There was free land in Oregon. One hundred and fifty acres per man and if he had a wife she could have 150 acres too and in her name !

Once droves of people started heading west it began to displace the wildlife/buffalo . The animals took different paths to avoid the travelers. Indians had little to eat. Discord began in earnest.

Art project

Sarah our oldest- our very ,very old daughter

( I'm just teasing !)

took Ana and I to Kansas city's "Strawberry Hill" to visit a Priest that we're friends with,

but golly sakes he gave us a job to do!

We will be repainting the communion rail this week so I won't be able to post very much.

It's driving me crazy too because

I have lots to say especially after I come home and read the news.

I'm still blogging , but I am very busy.

Thanks Father Peter it's an honor to paint for you.

I hope that we make you proud.

I need a cab.

Ana has lost her voice from public speaking. Awww, poor Ana.

Ana your a lot braver than I would be , and I am so proud of you. I love you, Mom

Fathers mean the whole world to their children, and children don't thrive well without them.

The Cameraman with Buster Keaton is one of my favorite movies.

Love at first whiff. Don't worry Buster gets the girl in the end, and she's a very sweet girl.

Our son likes to swing like a monkey , and he also likes suckers ;)

Father Klingele looks like he's about to hit the pavement.

Do you know how you can tell if a Priest is really wonderful ?

The children love him, and they certainly do love Father Klingele.

Father tried to convince my son that if he became a Priest

he would get to extinguish fire with holy water.

My kids enjoyed the star wars conversations that they had with Father,

and they thought his "dead on" light saber imitations were amusing.

Father asked me not to put up a goofy video to go along with these pictures.

So I won't, but it's pretty hard to resist.

Especially after the embarrassment I had to endure over my blog and for one of my posts.

My social anxiety was killing me. I need some meds, and I am serious about that.

Isn't it funny Father that children like to wear watches when they can't even tell time,

much less identify numbers?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*Our good Priest does not in any way endorse my silly blog nor does he give out suckers for Mass , and he doesn't like the fact that people that I don't know can read my blog.

Meet Earl...... My frozen foods sample guy.

He asked me to sample the Kashi Veggie bake.

(I took the fall for my 3 blog readers)

So I did , and after I tried it

I whispered to Earl , "it's really, really bad, and he said,

well maybe you don't like it because it isn't hot anymore.

I replied, "No Earl , it's not that". It's okay that it's just warmish,

but "hot" wouldn't help this anyway.

It just tastes really really terrible.

It's health food Earl..... See read the box.

It's pretending to be something that it's not...... and that would be - something good.

He let me throw it into the trash, and he smiled , and whispered sweetly to me.... "I know".

Then I asked him if he had any barbecued meat samples,

(We're from Kansas City, and that's what we like to eat)

and he said , "I wish".

I also happened to notice that the store carried electronic mouse traps,

and I thought that those traps probably have a little voice recording inside of the trap

that tries to reason with the mice to go outside.

Love ; It isn't easy when you find it either.

A lot of dying to self is required.

Passover begins at sundown tonight.

Thanks be to God.

Jesus heals.

Thanks Lord for showing me the log that was in my eye.
Say, did you remove all of it ?

I am trusting that you will repair these ocular delusions, and any other

"Belinda Brain rot" issues that happen to magically appear in my future .

Jesus I really do trust in you.

Just pretend it's normal.

I was at Walmart last week , and I saw a woman who goes to our church.
Her hair looked at least as tall as this womans hair who is pictured here only our "church lady's" hair was frosted too.
While we spoke I tried to ignore her hair , and pretend that everything was alright, while staring intently at her eyes .
I considered saying something , but I have enough people on this planet who are unhappy with me. So everyone that she meets in her life pretends with her that her hair is normal.

As Christians we do this all of the time. We ignore the obvious for various reasons. I remember back in the 70's when my Mom was courteous , and kind to the neighbor woman who was pregnant with twins by her boyfriend , and that was while he was still living with his first wife. Mom didn't want to hurt her , no one did.
In 1978 I remember working with a very sweet gay man, and never ever saying anything to make him uncomfortable , yet often times he made me uncomfortable.
You see the problem is that Christians have for decades exhibited "good christian behavior" by ignoring the sins of their neighbors under the guise of "Don't judge", "live , and let live" , "do unto others" , and don't forget ,"love your neighbor as yourself", but when you really love someone you tell them the painful things that they don't want to hear for the good of their souls even if they hate you afterwards.

Human-like robot teaches in classroom.

Now students will pay attention in class, but can these robots scratch on the chalkboard ?

Oh , how I love Ben Stein !

The school that the "force" built. (George Lucas aka Uncle George)

Our Daughter Elizabeth (far left - red head) at the opening of their new animation studio , with fellow students , and teacher ; Leonard Malton.

Modern Day Mortification's Day 11

We get only 5 ish television channels , and "PBS" is the only station to watch , and so if it's "Pledge" week we're screwed.

Better luck next year Elle !

Adrienne had prepared Elle for the Valentines competition at the Westminster dog show ,

but poor Elle was beat out by Stump the 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel.

"This year we were rooting for Elle,

who was attempting her comeback after being so sick several weeks back",

said an unnamed source close the the pair.

Even some of our other contestants were rooting for Elle our underdog competitor.

Better luck next year girls.

Maybe you could purchase a picnic basket , and go as "Dorthy, and Toto" next year.

http://adriennescatholiccorner.blogspot.com/

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2009/02/11/2009-02-11_10_fun_facts_about_the_westminster_dog_s.html

I love Catholic schools, and Grace really hates Spanish class.

Grace told me during dinner this evening that she was hoping that someone would barf in the chapel tomorrow morning, or at the very least have have another candy fight in there. I said, "that's an awful thing to say, why did you say that?" She replied to me , "I really hate Spanish" ,"and I have that class after Mass in the mornings" , "and because I am a sacristan I have to clean up the messes in there,and I would have to miss Spanish."
Gracie, be careful of what you wish for, and take some rubber gloves that your sister Sarah left in the dryer from her work at the lab. I think you might just need them.