Nostalgic Moments at Unusual Times (My Nanny Diary)

The Tow Truck Derby

   
There are several police cars and tow trucks outside of our place.  They’re clearing the streets of cars so the leaf removal, street-cleaning machines can come in and do their thing.  I had to laugh when I looked out the window and saw all the commotion.  Hank and JG, the boys I nannied for from fall 2004 to summer 2006, absolutely loved watching big trucks, police cars, tow trucks, and any construction equipment. 

   
They’d congregate at the window with awe and fascination when the police cars and big tow trucks would show up, ticketing, then dragging off one car after another parked in front of the signs about not parking there on a certain day for street cleaning.  They remained glued to the window (or if we were outside when the phenomenon occurred), they were leaning forward in the double stroller, absolutely riveted.  They moved only to get another handful of Cheerios or Goldfish crackers from their cups.  I would describe to them what was happening, who was doing what, and then stand back and watch them soak up the free entertainment. 

   
Throughout the day, they’d sometimes look up at me and say something about a big truck or a police car with a gleam in their eye that I knew would show up later in life when they spoke of a spectacular sporting event or a marvel of modern transportation.   

    

 Sanitation Fascination

   
Garbage collection day was also a very exciting time for the boys.  When we heard the truck coming down the street, they’d run to the back window.  If the weather was nice enough, we’d head out the back door to watch the big huge truck come and pick up the garbage and crush it in the back.  The gentlemen from the sanitation department always waved at the boys and got a kick out of being people they looked up to because they got to drive and ride on a big truck. 

   
I sometimes feel bad when Sunshine hears the garbage truck because she can’t see it out the back window, and so far we haven’t been in a position where I could get one toddler and two babies outside fast enough to enjoy the wonders of big trucks and trash pick-up.  Perhaps in the spring and summer, when it’s a bit warmer, it’ll be easier for us to get to where we can see the big truck instead of just hear it rumbling along and beeping when it backs up.  

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 90)

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Faith and Family Together God granted Kevin and me a very special gift last Sunday.  We went to Mass with my uncle Rob, who was down here from Rochester for his daughter (my cousin) Meaghan’s volleyball tournament in DC.  He came to visit my mom, and the four of us went to Mass together at St. Michael’s. 

     Our pastor, Fr. Dan Brady delivered a sermon that fit perfectly with the talk about the Eucharist Kevin had given to the participants of the Men’s Christ Renews His Parish retreat early that morning.  And who was there to speak about their ministry and take up a second collection? One of my favorite sisters from where my grandma spent the last years of her life: Little Sisters of the Poor.  She saw me among the crowd and even mentioned my grandmother’s name, saying they consider their residents as family and make sure that someone is with them, praying at the hour of their death.

     Kevin and I both had tears in our eyes.  In many ways, it felt as if last Sunday was God’s way of granting us time in prayer with family who knew and loved my grandmother, and an opportunity to let her legacy live on in our minds, hearts, and prayers. 

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Homemade Goodness Last Sunday, my uncle Rob made lasagna from scratch, and it was absolutely delicious.  The only other piece of my Gram’s funeral weekend I’d really been sad to miss was time with family and loved ones sharing a meal together, and this made up for that.  It’s always amusing to watch my mom and her youngest brother going back and forth about stuff.  This visit was no different from others in that respect.  God is good!

           

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Leftovers Anytime: The twins have certainly been making sure they get sufficient servings of veggies even if they don’t quite make it in their mouths the first go-round.  I’ve gotten accustom to the girls picking up things from the floor and munching on them.  When they began grabbing things from the floor and I didn’t know what they had grabbed, I would swoop down and get the item from their mouths, much to their confusion and frustration.  After discovering that every time it was a piece of dehydrated pea or corn kernel, I’ve left them to their grazing.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a good portion of their caloric intake each day comes from their preferred version of leftovers. 

 

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Photography & Scrapbooking I’ve had a passion for photography for a number of years which I have celebrated in part by getting lots of photos of the children in my care for their parents to enjoy.  Some of the most fun I’ve had putting together memory books and scrapbooks have been those of favorite little people so they and their parents have a fun record of our time together.  Thankfully my husband has been very understanding over the past few months about how often I’ve had our dining room table covered with scrapbooking materials. 

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Singing and Dancing Another two things I’ve found that energize me and are also lots of fun for the girls are singing and dancing.  I sing a rather wide variety of songs to them.  One of the ones I’ve done has been some of “Rockin’ Robin.”  This week when Vivi requested we listen to it, I played her both the Jackson 5 version as well as the original Bobby Day version.  After playing these, Youtube videos for a few times in a row, I decided we’d move on to something else.  I selected a song we hadn’t listened to five times in a row, before I went up to get one of her sisters who’d woken up from her nap.  I come down the stairs to a near three-year-old Vivi telling me with an extra helping of sass: “This is NOT Rockin’ Robin!”  My total request live does have its limits.  When I’m tired of the song, we move on to something else, a certain “noisy toy” might go missing, or the batteries in something might cease working all of a sudden. 

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Heading North "It's always an adventure in Holly-world!" True dat! We'll certainly miss you Holly Moskowitz, one of my best friends ever since high school, but we do expect to hear and read regular updates and the same brand of endearing silliness now that she’s moving up to Malone, New York for her new position as nurse practitioner at an Ob/Gyn’s office. Kevin and I can honestly say we've never watched anyone else pack up their stuff while sporting a pair of hoop earrings (that they needed help from a neighbor to put on), randomly found rings and jewelry, a glittery magenta cowboy hat, and pearl lookalike beads. We love you!  You are in our thoughts and prayers as always!
     

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Respect Life Talk Wow! Glad I was given the opportunity to talk with the middle school religious education classes at our church this week.  It's interesting to find out how many middle school students know what abortion is but don't know that our current president supports it wholeheartedly or that the HHS mandate is an infringement of our religious freedom because the official and forever teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion is that it's taking an innocent life. Many didn't realize Obamacare will force to pay for abortions and contraception and violate our consciences (or pay astronomical fines) stand up for our beliefs and fight against a direct infringement of our religious freedom. 

     I only had ten minutes to talk with one of the groups, so I started out by asking them what the leading cause of death is in the United States and the world.  Guesses ranged from smoking to heart attacks, but both the kids and most of the adults present were surprised to learn that it isn’t either of those health complications or hunger that’s the biggest killer: it’s abortion. 

    My mom and my grandmother are certainly two of the most prominent pro-life advocates in my life.  I am very grateful for both of them.  My mom is yet again leading the 40 Days for Life campaign in our city.  I know my grandma’s prayers are joining ours from Heaven. 

    Lord, thank You for the many people you have put in my life who have taught me the value of a human life from conception to natural death.  

Head over to host Jen Fulwiler's fun tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 89)

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Trisha Needs a Nap It's been a long, busy week.  So long and tiring that even Vivi could tell I needed a nap and must be sleepy.  She knew this even before we made it to Friday. 

     At least it was nice enough the girls and I could all go out in the backyard for a bit on Tuesday.  One of many precious moments that day was hearing Vivi sing the French song I've been singing to them (without any prompting).  Later she charmed me with her version of "Sing Sweet Nightingale" from Cinderella.  Her rendition is quite endearing in an incoherent extra-consonants kind of way.

     The twins are still too flipping cute and interested in exploring for their own good.  They’ve been spitting, spraying, and chattering up a storm this week.  They’re both crawling around with ease and a determined curiosity that keeps me on my toes.      

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Way Off Broadway A good chunk of songs that I pretty much know by heart (ones that are of the fun to sing and dance to with kids variety) are Broadway show tunes.  My mom, sisters, and I have been known to burst into song at the dinner table, to the confusion and amusement of any first-time guests. 

     There’s really something to be said about learning the Broadway classics, as they are so often alluded to and parodied in countless genre.  If you haven’t taught young children some of the classic songs from, say White Christmas, Singin’ in the Rain, Funny Girl, or The Sound of Music, you’re really missing out on some wonderful educational opportunities, not to mention, magnificent free entertainment.  One of my favorite alternative renditions this week, Vivi sang out: “There’s a star in my heart, and I’m ready for love.”    

           

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Play-Doh: A wonderful toy with endless possibilities was mostly a saving grace this week.  Vivi enjoyed sitting in her high chair doing something her sisters aren’t old enough to do but try desperately to reach without success.  Only trouble is I made Play-Doh versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse some day last week when it just so happened that the twins were both sleeping and Vivi had me all to herself.  Ever since playing with Play-Doh has become another occasion during which I am asked every few seconds to participate, even though I’m usually in the middle of doing something, such as changing a poopy diaper, feeding a hungry child, removing curious hands from cords, wires, and plastic bags… 

 

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Time to Clock Out I knew I was really worn out on the way home Thursday when I found myself thinking that it would be awesome if I could use some of Vivi’s Play-Doh to make a mute button, then wave her magic wand over it and have it work for maybe just five minutes at a time so I could collect my thoughts, go to the bathroom without a running interrogation or commentary on what I’m doing.          

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Motivational Speaker I can’t help but laugh when Vivi hears me peeing and starts cheering and clapping, like we do when she goes peepee sitting on the toilet.  Oh, would that such words of heartfelt encouragement declared so boldly weren’t simply for my prowess in correctly using a potty.

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Valentine’s Day: My Heart’s Desire Kevin asked if I wanted to meet him somewhere for dinner. I said yes, then called him back upon a few minutes reflection, and told him that all I was up for was to go directly home. I woke up with a sore throat in the morning, and the day was crazy/insane enough with the girls that I totally forgot about it. Fortunately, my loving husband understood and brought dinner home where it's mostly quiet and usually less hectic than a three ring circus.
     

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Feeling the Love Thanks to everyone who has called, sent cards, e-mails, and expressed their condolences regarding my grandmother’s passing.  I’m very, very grateful to have so many loving family members and friends!  I’m sorry I haven’t responded or let you know how much your love and prayers mean to my family and me.  I’ve been sick ever since last weekend, and I’ve barely had any energy by the time I get home in the early evening.  I’m praying that I’ll be completely refreshed over the three day weekend and can reconnect with everyone once I’m in a less zombie-like state.       

Check out Jen Fulwiler's stellar tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her super-popular blog Conversion Diary.

Lessons in Empathy (My Nanny Diary)

Because I've had lots of experience taking care of children of all ages, I sometimes think that I shouldn't become impatient, tired, exasperated…because I know what to expect, to some extent, and I don’t have the responsibility of raising the kids from conception to age 18.  I do feel a very strong sense of responsibility being the adult in charge of such precious, dependent, lovable, vulnerable, and impressionable people.  I can’t think of many more important vocations than being a nurturing, loving parent and/or caregiver.       

    
I know that moms and dads often feel worn out, even knowing what to expect, but I think I tend to get in trouble by falling into thinking that because I'm taking care of the kids for a designated amount of time in a day, instead of being responsible for them 24/7 like their parents, that I somehow shouldn't experience any of the same negative emotions, challenges, and such when faced with the natural struggles that ensue with teething infants and tantrum-prone toddlers.  Upon closer examination, the notion is quite ridiculous that anyone would be able to endure such situations and circumstances at length without feeling the least bit worn out, tired, confused, exasperated, and/or stressed.   

    
It doesn't really make sense to think that any job will be without conflicts or crises.  There will always be trials and days that are more problematic than others.  Ultimately, I know that beating myself up for not being Mary Poppins isn't going to help the situation or make me more relaxed.  I do know that it’s utterly impossible to put everything I’ve read and learned about children over the years into practice every minute of every day, so at least I’ve gotten that particular lesson through my head and have removed it from my unwritten childcare goals. 

A really big problem is that I tend to discount the fact that, although we don't have children of our own, we do have an awful lot going on in our lives outside of work that requires a great deal of time, energy, work, and such that isn't necessarily part of other people's lives. 

    
We each have our own crosses, challenges, and difficulties in life, and saying ours are worse than someone else's instead of just being different (while likely trying in other ways) doesn't seem to be wise or very compassionate. We rarely, if ever, know all of the factors contributing to someone's suffering, so who are we to say ours is more significant or deeper? There is something to be said about being grateful for what we're given as well as for the things we don't have to deal with, but that can be done without making light of another person's pain, be it in mind, body, or spirit. 

    
Lord, help us be compassionate to all we meet.  We often have no idea of the crosses they are carrying, the attention, love, affection, understanding or the healing they are in need of.  Open our eyes and our hearts this Lent so we are aware of the suffering around us and are willing to let You work in and through us to alleviate it.  Amen.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 88)

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Grounded-Winter Storm Nemo We can’t be there with snow. Before 9:30pm Thursday evening, they had already cancelled our flight from Philly into Rochester, New York, due to the latest blizzard that has caused it to "just keep snowing, snowing, snowing." This last part would, of course, be said in the tone of voice used by Dory (played by Ellen DeGeneres in Finding Nemo).  

     Fortunately, my mom left a day early, so at least she’s made it up to her mother’s funeral even though Kevin and I won’t be able to get there.  I have written a number of posts in honor of my grandmother and intend to write something for the memorial service we'll have for her here at a date still to be determined.  Here is the link to Marilyn Lohwater's obituary.  Thank you, everyone, for your many prayers, cards, phone calls, and love!        

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In a Sunburned Country I don’t want anyone to worry that I have ceased to be a voracious reader.  I still am.  I just haven’t been reading as many books that I have committed to write book reviews of for my blog.  For example, I finished a hilarious and quite educational travel book by Bill Bryson, author of A Walk in the Woods. 

     After reading that wonderful look about wading through the wilderness, I subsequently checked out Bill Bryson’s other books from our local library.  Because my mom went to Australia this past fall, she had gotten In a Sunburned Country and liked it so much that when I asked to borrow her copy she said she would get me my own.  As often happens when I’m fond of a passage in a book or exceedingly amused, I ended up reading several sections of it to my husband as well as sharing excerpts with some of my close friends.           

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Going Outback: My mom came back from her trip with a renewed appreciation for our family and the United States, which can hardly be considered a bad thing.  She’s shared some quite hilarious stories with us about her time there, ones that are even funnier knowing more after having read about the historical background of Australia’s flora, fauna, and people.  When we were out to dinner at the restaurant Outback nearby, my mom saw a large map of Australia, and made the comment: “Been there, done that, and I couldn’t afford the T-shirt, so I got the potholders.”            

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DONE Kevin and I are quite smitten with our new potholders, not just because our old ones had many scorch spots and had snowflakes on them though we used them year-round, but also because they are quite beautiful.  The images on them are copies from paintings by an artist with a very cool last name: DONE.  This is often how I feel at the end of a long project, draining crisis, and/or difficult day, that I am for all intents and purposes DONE. 

     We are presently praying for our friends Chris and Catherine, who are moving to Australia this week, that they make it there safely, and that they are brought closer to the Lord and one another in this next chapter of their lives as a married couple.   

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Boom Chicka Boom After a prolonged period of time working extra hours at work and as a volunteer for a variety of different ministry endeavors, I found myself dragging earlier in the day than is good for someone responsible for the care of three small children.  I remembered some of the songs that we used to dance to when I would lead indoor group dance/exercise at school on days when it was too rainy, cold, or scorching hot to go outside to play.  I couldn’t get the CD player to work, so I looked up some of our favorites on Youtube.  Vivi, Livie, and Sophie were thoroughly amused to watch me singing and dancing to such songs as: “Boom Chicka Boom,” “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” and “Bop ‘Til You Drop.”  It’s amazing how quickly I forget how much singing, dancing, and moving around brightens everyone’s mood, including mine.
     This particular picture was taken during another one of the activities that generally makes everyone smile and laugh--a visit from my husband:   

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The Lord of the Rings At the end of last year, I asked for prayers for a writing piece audition that I was working on in order to become part of a team that’s writing a Catholic Young Adult series that’s really impressed me. 

     The one “downfall” part of my informal interview was having arrived at the editor/author’s house without ever having read The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.  I had a sense this was a grave mistake when another member of the John Paul 2 High team in attendance asked me where I would rank the series in terms of the Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings.  I told her with considerable embarrassment that I hadn’t read The Lord of the Rings trilogy.      

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Just Do It! To make matters worse, when I went upstairs to help set up the room in which we would be meeting to discuss the John Paul 2 High series and what my involvement in future books might be, I saw that the top part of the walls of the homeschool classroom was painted to look like Middle-Earth (minus Mordor, of course). 

     My immediate thought was: “Oh, sh*t!  There is no way someone with Middle-Earth painted on her walls is ever going to want someone who hasn’t read The Lord of the Rings on her team.  It was a little late to panic, so I meekly admitted I hadn’t yet read the masterpiece(s), and the woman in charge, kindly let me off the hook. 

     The minute I told this story to our dearly beloved brother in Christ, John immediately ran upstairs and got me the 1137+ page volume of The Lord of the Rings he had so I could begin reading it right away.

     I dove in and absolutely loved it!  (This is another explanation of why I haven’t been devouring as many books and writing as many book reviews lately as I usually do.  I was taking time to do the unofficial mandatory reading for working with the editor and authors at Chesterton Press.)     

     Check out Jennifer Fulwiler's awesome tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday hosted weekly at her blog Conversion Diary.

Déjà-Vu All Over Again

There We Go, Again

We received a notification from the airline we’re taking to get to my grandmother’s funeral that there's a winter storm advisory for Boston, MA (where we were originally scheduled to get our connecting flight) that might make it a good idea for us to change flights.  Kevin said in response to this: "If I have to, I'll just take a whole day. It's bereavement; they'll get over it!" That is my dearly beloved husband and one of the reasons I find him so hilarious and endearing.

     
Thankfully, after speaking to a number of not-so-helpful customer service people, Kevin was able to get our flights changed so that we are less likely to get stuck in Boston, MA on Friday.

Flashback ‘92

There are some things that I don't think need to be repeated, but they are anyway. Nana (my dad's mom) passed away when I was 11 years old.  She lived in Florida, but she was visiting us for the holidays.  My nana, dad, and I stayed up late on Christmas Eve watching the movie Home Alone and laughing hysterically.  My nana had the sort of laugh that was like a cartoon character, and her laugh made my dad crack up even harder.  The next morning Nana went into the hospital near us, where my youngest sister had been born less than three months before, and that is where my paternal grandmother passed away.  Her funeral had been planned for quite some time, so, of course, we all made the trek to upstate New York in the middle of a blizzard at the beginning of February to go to the Mass. 

Back to 2006

Seven years ago in January, Kevin had just had foot surgery and we got a call that his mother’s health was failing.  She’d been in a nursing home for years with Alzheimer’s, so getting worse for her meant she wouldn’t likely live very long.  Kevin was able to speak to her on the phone to tell her he loved her and that it was okay to let go.  As soon as the 48 hours was up that he had to be off of his foot, we were able to fly to upstate New York (thanks to the help of one of the families for whom I nannied at the time letting us use their frequent flyer miles) for the burial of Kevin’s mother (Joyce) and father (Harry Potter).  His father had passed away the year before and per his request had been cremated and was to be placed in his wife’s coffin.   

Then and Now

My maternal grandmother miraculously lived through a number of brushes with death.  Doctors told us numerous times she only had a matter of months, if not days, to live.  They were wrong for sixteen years about that.  Despite having an advanced stage of cancer and having a pacemaker put in, she returned home and was able to live on her own for several more years. 

     
In 2009 when my dad was also in hospice care, we admitted my grandma as well.  My grandma, however, had the blessed experience of getting well enough that she got kicked out of hospice.  The nurse figured she probably didn’t need their care anymore when they kept trying to come see her, and she wasn’t in her room.  She was off playing bridge or at Mass (in the building), but she was clearly doing significantly better. 

     
The prayer that if this was my grandmother’s time to go to the Lord that it would be quick and painless for her was granted.  Kevin and I went and visited her last Wednesday evening and saw that she was on oxygen and exhibiting many of the symptoms that Kevin and I have come to recognize in those whose death was going to happen very soon.  I thought she would at least make it until the weekend, but that wasn’t to be. 

     
I was at the family’s house where I nanny when I received the call from my mom about how Grandma had passed away during the night.  My mom and some of the nuns had been with her praying at the time.  Because I’d had my initial cry and mourning period a couple weeks earlier, I was able to take the news in stride.  (I was cheerleading at a St. Mary’s basketball game held at Benedictine High School when my dad and uncles came in to tell us that Nana had passed away.)

     
Interestingly enough, a couple weeks before my grandmother’s sharp decline, I walked into Mass at Little Sisters of the Poor, saw her asleep in her wheelchair and having difficulty breathing, and I just knew she wouldn’t be with us in body as well as spirit for much longer.  I cried throughout the Mass, much the same as I did the evening a couple weeks before my nana’s death when it sank it that she wouldn’t be getting better this time like she had the other times doctors told us she wouldn’t make it. 

  

Funeral Arrangements & Prayers Requests  

This Saturday, February 9, 2013, my grandmother, Marilyn Lohwater’s funeral will be held at 10:30am at St. Charles Borromeo Church.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

     
Please also pray that all of us will make it safely to and from yet another female family member’s funeral in upstate NY at the beginning of February during a snowstorm.  They’re saying that the storm could end up dumping 2 feet of snow in the Northeast.

Note to reader: we weren't able to make it up for the funeral, but at least my mom got there before the worst of the weather descended.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 87) Grandma Edition

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May She Rest in Peace: My maternal grandmother (and last living grandparent) Marilyn Lohwater passed into eternal life January 31, 2013 early in the morning.  Fortunately, Kevin and I had gone to visit her the night before.  I’d held her hand, prayed for her, told her I loved her, and kissed her goodnight, thinking she’d at least make it to the weekend.  Instead, she passed away peacefully that very night with my mom at her side and the Little Sisters of the Poor nearby lifting her up in prayer. 

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Miracles and Cause for Celebration My grandmother led a remarkable life for many reasons, not the least of which, she had very strong will to live, a deep faith in God, a devout Catholic prayer life, a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, and she lived through a number of serious illnesses and complications during her 89 years on this planet.  Here are just some of the miracles and causes for celebration. 

           

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Choose Life: My grandmother was a strong pro-life advocate in all senses of the word.  For years, she took care of sick and elderly family members and joyfully welcomed each new baby and grandbaby. 

     She also was very proactive about her own health.  She ate nutritious foods, took vitamins, exercised (even when it meant taking an hour long walk around her neighborhood using two canes), kept up an active social life, engaged in some fun hobbies, developed an attitude of gratitude, prayed fervently, enjoyed a good laugh, and never gave up. 

     When doctors told her that she wouldn’t live less than a year, she was determined to do whatever she could to get better and keep on going.  When her oncologist basically told us it was pointless to keep treating her, we fired him and promptly got a physician who would respect the fact that she was still coherent and was not going to give up hope that she would recover. 

     She would join us at the 40 Days for Life vigils when she was still able to leave the nursing home without too much trouble, but once that became too difficult she’d pray in the Chapel or in her room for the international campaign. 

    

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Very Thrifty Since my grandmother lived through the Great Depression and World Wars I and II, she had a special knack for being frugal, reusing, and recycling things.  I can remember her re-wetting a paper towel and laying it out to dry.  She would reuse aluminum foil.  She laughed at expiration dates: those on food and those doctors gave her.  She saved little scraps of paper to use for lists, bridge scorecards, or phone numbers.  She would pick up things off of her carpet and put them in the trash for the exercise value and to keep from having to vacuum as often once she was getting up there in age.    

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Her True Colors Grandma loved the color turquoise.  She was also a fan of deep brown and dark orange.  For a number of years, the one house we returned to no matter where we moved because of my dad’s job was my grandma and grandpa’s split-level in upstate New York.  We were always excited to pull into the driveway of the dark brown house with orange trim. 

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Well-Read My grandmother was one of the first women in our family to go to college at a time when that wasn’t something most women did.  She was an active member of the Rochester chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  She absolutely loved to read books, magazines, newspapers, letters…which I’m sure greatly influenced my mom as well as me.  Another thing my grandmother and I had in common was our rather atrocious handwriting.  I’m not sure exactly what chicken scratch looks like, but one of us probably comes close. 

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Hope in the Lord Of all of the gifts my grandmother has given us over the years, her faith and hope in the Lord is the one I value the most.  She clung to God throughout her life, and though she had a number of life-altering challenges to face, losses to mourn, and illnesses to overcome, she stayed strong in Him. 

     Lord, thank You for the gift of my grandmother.  Help those of us whose lives were touched by hers honor her legacy by drawing ever-closer to You.  Amen.

  Check out Producer and Reality TV star Jennifer Fulwiler's blog Conversion Diary for this weeks dose of her tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.