(Vol. XIV for Me)
I’d like to begin and end this week’s Quick Takes installment with a quote. Here’s the first one.
Yesterday we attended Our First Baseball Game of the Season. (This is an event of such significance and magnitude that you must put it all in caps.) My oldest son Joe is playing on not one but two local teams, and tell me how crazy that will be?
No, you don’t have to tell me.
We hadn’t been there long when I noticed Second Son Jem scanning the parking lot for his father, who would be arriving shortly from work and who had promised to play catch with him.
“Ahem.” I nudged my son to get his attention. “Don’t you want to watch your brother?”
“Mom.” His response was matter-of-fact. “I’ve been watching Joe for years and years.”
There is no drama in this family, no sir.
No drama at all.
Work continues on our new room(s) with a view.
You may recall that we’ve been installing hard wood floors. In the case that you don’t recall and are not on the edge of your seat with these renovations, here’s a “before” photo to prompt your memory:
I don’t think I want to put the rest of the furniture back in when we’re finished. I rather like the uncluttered look.
Here’s a photo of my handsome hubby hard at work:
(I like a good construction shot, don’t you?)
And here’s what we found under the carpet this time:
This pile included (but was not limited to) a cigarette butt and a razor. Thanks, guys!
And that is all you need to know about why we’re installing hard wood floors.
In other blog-related news, I have been chewing on Charlotte’s honest reflection of two days ago and wondering how—and if—it applies to me. I did, after all, just show you a picture of a pile of dirt.
Seriously, though, I wonder sometimes if I share too much.
Still wondering…
One of the reasons I do “keep it real” from time to time is that I can be a horrible perfectionist. For example, that informal garden party that we had on Monday?
It bothered me that I hadn’t made all the menu items, and so we had “Part II” the following day.
And that should tell you plenty about my perfectionism.
Thank goodness, then, for spiritual aids like this one.
This is my very favorite book at present. It is like God speaks to me every time I open it…every single time.
For example:
“My child, do your best to follow My words in your daily life. Do not depend on human sympathy or admiration to go on living a good life. You know what is right. Do it regardless of the pleasure or pain which it gives you. Let your faith and charity be your strength.”
I really, really love this book. Technically it belongs to my brother, Michael, but because my kids saw me reading it all the time when we last visited, they assumed it was mine and packed it up when we were leaving.
Sorry, Michael! And yet, thank you.
Every Thursday, on our way home from piano lessons, we drive past the cathedral. Every time we drive past the cathedral (or any church, for that matter) we call out, “Hi, Jesus! I love you, Jesus!”
Yesterday I got to thinking. What if our friends had a weekly appointment in our neighborhood and never, ever stopped to visit? Would it be good enough if they merely waved when they drove past?
No, it wouldn’t.
Yesterday I made a u-turn and we stopped to say hello to Jesus. We went in to say hello.
And finally, a nice springtime quote to start your weekend. This one’s from my 5-year-old, Angela.
Oh, how I love my 5-year-old.
Have a great weekend, everyone! To see all the Quick Takes from today, visit Jen at Conversion Diary here.
Haha… I love the Angela quote. I am often gifted with dandelions b/c they are growing aplenty around here. And while I only see the weed, my precious middle child sees the flower and offers them as to me all day long 🙂 I'd be a fool not to accept such tokens of love! Even if it means all those dandelions that were blown and wished upon will create a field of weeds in my yard.
I love that book too. It is full of great stuff. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find mine since we've moved.
I'm part of a weekly formation group through Miles Christi and we just had a talk about visits to the Blessed Sacrament. How wonderful that you could actually stop at the church and GET INSIDE! We talked about the fact that it becomes difficult to go inside when passing by because so many churches are locked 🙁 When we drive by a Catholic church, one of the kids usually yells out "Church" and we all make the sign of the cross.
Have a great day (and I love your blog – especially the pictures!)
God Bless.
your #6 is beautiful – absolutely.
and, in regards to sharing too much – i love all that you share, so keep it up! and, um, if its perfectionism to make the cupcakes the next day…. sign me up. you ALwAYS need more cupcakes :-p
Your number 6 has been on my mind, too. My solution still hasn't been made clear.
As always, love the kid quotes. They brighten the day & make it warmer.
Ugh! Seeing what remains after removing carpet makes me wish we hadn't installed ANY carpet. Thank goodness it can be replaced … later.
Keep in mind, Suzie, that we've lived in this house for over a decade! It's been building up…
My Daily Bread…a fav of mine also.
I like how you keep it real. That is why I come back!
I hear you on take #6. Sometimes I wonder if I would be much better about stopping the Adoration chapel (that I drive by at least 3 times a week) for a quick hello if it were only available 2 hours a week instead of 24 hours a day. And I think I certainly would. Sad, isn’t it?
I hate to think what is under all of our carpet! The wood floors are looking great!
I did notice you need to update your family photo above the piano. I'm only counting 5 kids in there. 🙂
What happened to your baby? He looks like a little boy now with his haircut. Did that about make you cry?
Janet
your wood floors are beautiful. I only hope you don't live on a main road. we did in our last house, and also had a basement under the house. I swept up piles of dirt and dust like in your photo twice a day and was constantly dusting, washing the floor, etc. I was so happy to move into a house with carpet again! And my daughter's allergies receded. But I know all that dust isn't gone, just hidden! Hard floors are the best choice if you can get them in a clean environment.
1) Floors – gorgeous and yes, the yuck you find that has been living under your carpet is enough to make you want to do the whole house (we did).
2) Cute cupcakes and cute lamb muffins. 😉
3) I'm the friend by ballet lesson, just sayin'… No guilt. Really, just ribbing you!
Have a lovely day…I miss you!
Margaret, thanks for stopping at my house after my good natured ribbing. You are the greatest. I think Jesus was probably just as happy to see you as I was.
Weekly we drive past a Catholic Church on the way to and from piano…we should stop instead of just making the sign of the cross…excellent idea!!
Thats a great favorite book of mine! It really keeps one thinking and yet living.. if that makes sense. I enjoy your blog very much. God bless you!
I have that book and really enjoy it, too!
I have a 9-year-old daughter who still loves to give me dandelions and any other "wildflower" she finds. I think she likes them for the same reason — she's allowed to pick them. She just argues with her brother who loves to remind her that they are weeds. So wildflowers it is!