Do You Believe In Miracles? Rays Sweep the Yankees, Go to Playoffs

It was pretty intense in our house last night.  First Price gives up 5 runs...yes 5 runs in the first two innings.  Madden doesn't take him out.  Hubby and I were yelling at the TV.  Bottom of the 8th and my Rays are down 7-0.  At the same time Boston is up 3-2 against the Orioles.  "I can't watch them self-destruct like this" so I leave the room.  Top of the 9th and it's a 7-6 ball game.  We're back in it.  Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, 2 strikes, and Dan Johnson, our hero from 2008, hits a glorious home-run!  We're still in the hunt for the postseason.  It took 12 innings, but Longoria hit a single home-run (check out the photo) and the game ended 8-7.  To sweeten the deal, Boston lost in the 9th 4-3.
The Rays began their season 0-6.  They began September 9 games back of the Wild Card.  But the Rays have heart. October's looking like fun.

A Minute In the Church

I don't usually use my blog to advertise for specific products.  But I am privileged to know Gus Lloyd.  He is the host of the morning radio show "Seize the Day" on the Catholic Radio Channel.  That he has a great sense of humor makes time spent with him always enjoyable.  That he is a  knowledgeable true-blue Catholic who feels called to share the faith with others makes time with him almost always informative.  Gus has put together a wonderful book entitled "A Minute In the Church".  It contains short, succinct answers/explanations to some of the most questioned aspects of the Roman Catholic faith.  I recommend this booklet to all Catholics.  It makes an awesome gift for someone going through RCIA, being confirmed, going off to college, for anybody.  I've given a number away as gifts.   Check out his website for details on ordering this, and for further information about his booklet and his CDs.  The booklets are currently at a reduced price.

Homecoming Shoes

I have been reminded by my dad that I have not posted in quite a while.  Too true.  I guess I've been too busy living life, and I've not seen or heard anything that made me feel compelled to write.  That is not to say, I haven't had strong opinions about things I've seen or heard.


The girls had a safe trip to France and Spain for World Youth Day.  The Imp's broken foot has healed, but we are so thankful for her boot that she wore the entire time in Europe.

While the girls traipsed about Spain, Hubby and I made a whirlwind trip up through North Carolina (staying overnight with my brother) then on to Columbus (with an overnight with his brother) on to PA (with the trip from....rain and construction made a 3 hour trip take over 5 hours).  We stayed at his folks for 3 days.  Back on the road to DC to see another brother (an overnighter) and then to South Carolina to see my parents.  We arrived home a week and 2500 miles later.  2 days later, the girls arrived home at and the next day The Singer and I hit the road again to take her and her things back to Belmont Abbey.  I spent a day there helping her set up her room (the most help I gave was my van and credit card for Walmart trips). She loves having her own room. 

 

Yes, pink IS her favorite color.

The Imp spent her first weeks home from Europe catching up on school work.  She missed the first 6 days of school.  She managed to catch up and start crew.  She's loving being a senior.  She's applied to UNF and UCF.  She's managing A's in all her classes except the dreaded Calculus.  Fortunately she has a cousin who is a sophomore at USF and tutors in Calculus.  So she starts spending time with him this week.  Only 2 weeks left in the first quarter.  Hard to imagine.

Homecoming is October 22 and she has a date.  A fellow crew-mate.  She's spent the last 2 years arguing everything from politics to religion, to crew techniques with him.  Not sure Hubby's thrilled with the situation, but they do grow up, don't they.  By the time I was the Singer's age I was on my 3 month countdown to my wedding.  Glad she's not planning a wedding right now.

The Imp got her Homecoming dress a few weeks ago, to wear to a Sweet 16 party.  

Did I mention the Imp got her hair cut right before leaving for Spain?  She cut off over 12 inches (giving it to Locks of Love).  She loves her new 'do and really loves her new shoes.  (Good thing her foot is healed).

Hubby has undertaken a daunting endeavor with a good friend of ours.  The two dads are hosting/running a young adults group (16-20 yr olds) that's basically "How to stay Christian in college"  They meet once a month and their September meeting went really well.  His co-host's wife and I are running a high school girls club.  The focus of our group is for the girls to learn some skill that will benefit them in creating a home in the future.  Our first meeting we made cards (and sent them to a member of our church community that was ill).  Next month we're decorating cakes.  They want to sew, decorate a room, comparison shop, and plan a party.  It's just a lot of fun.  

I'm enjoying teaching US History to my home school-ers.  How can you not love US History?  It's just such a good story to study.  

The US Catholic Church is getting ready to implement changes in the Roman Missal (words are changing for prayers during Mass).  Every parish is phasing in the changes in their own way, but there are many awesome explanations online.  Our parish has links to many of them. (Dad, check it out).

I'm looking forward to getting back into serious scrap booking.  This weekend is a two day event and then Oct 15 is Krop for Kids the most amazing crop ever.  (If you're in Tampa area and reading this there may still be some openings.).

Sad news that a dear friend's father was  diagnosed with lung cancer that has already metastasized to his bones.  If there is any good news in this it would be her close location to her parents so she has been spending lots of time with him.