Monsignor Chester Michael: Well done good and faithful servant

The funeral Mass was quite beautiful and not surprisingly very well attended for Monsignor Chester P. Michael this past Wednesday, August 6, 2014.  The celebration of his life took place on the Feast of the Transformation, a fitting God-incident since he was instrumental in inspiring change, transformation, and true conversion in countless people throughout our Diocese and around the world during his 72 years as a priest. 

    
Most Reverend Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo presided at the funeral Mass held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlottesville, Virginia.  As is customary for our leader and resident history buff, he gave a homily that compared and contrasted what life was like in the world when Monsignor Michael was first ordained a priest in 1942 and the myriad changes he witnessed from World War II until the present. 

       

The bishop posed three very poignant questions about the 97 years God gave Monsignor Chet on Earth. 

     1.Did his life mean anything at all?

     2.Was his life a waste?

     3.What was the meaning of his life and ministry?

    
Bishop DiLorenzo covered a smattering of the ministries and various levels of involvement and influence Fr. Chet had in them.  Basically, he responded to the above questions with this summation of answers: 1.Absolutely.  2. Not at all.  3.He did so much it would be hard to mention it all, estimate the number of lives he’s transformed, or how his work to spread the Good News will continue to inspire others.    

    
In closing, Bishop DiLorenzo said: “We thank God for his ministry, and we say well done good and faithful servant.” 

    
After the celebration of the Eucharist, Andy Macfarlan offered some Words of Remembrance about Fr. Chester Michael.  He shared some of the stories, themes, passions, quirks, and characteristics of the beloved priest and popular spiritual director.  Looking around the church, I saw dozens of people Kevin and I know through Cursillo.  I found it a perfect Mass for our seminarians to attend even while on their yearly retreat.  What better testimony can you give than that of a good priest who served God’s people in many different ways over the 72 years since he was ordained to serve our Diocese?  He’s been an inspiration to priests, deacons, seminarians, consecrated religious, and laity for quite some time. 

    

Kevin and I never formally met Monsignor Michael, but we’ve heard a number of stories about “Fr. Chet” as many of his close friends and spiritual directees called him.  We are aware of only some of the countless ways this man has touched our lives.  In 1963, he brought the Cursillo Movement to the Diocese of Richmond where it has flourished as a tool for the new evangelization in place long before that term was popular.  Over 8,000 individuals have made Cursillo weekends in our Diocese since then.  That’s a lot of lives to touch and enflame with the Holy Spirit! 

    
But wait, there’s more.  Fr. Chet also created Open Door Ministries and the Spiritual Direction Institute (SDI) to encourage laypeople to grow closer to the Lord, learn about themselves, and how to live the Gospel in new ways through a more intimate walk with Christ.  There have been over 600 people who have gone through the SDI program he developed since it first began.  Kevin and I just began the SDI program this summer.  I read and highly recommend the three books to the left written by Monsignor Chester Michael, and used as some of the primary resources for his two-year course.  

    
It boggles my mind to think of how many souls he’s affected just through Cursillo and SDI.  He’s been involved in so many really powerful ministries over the years, ones I don’t know as much about but which are described in detail on his website.  Kevin and I have been fascinated to read about his life, humble beginnings, ongoing education, and the numerous ministries which he started and/or brought to the Diocese of Richmond over the years.  He has touched the lives of so many different groups of society, I’d venture that when it comes to ministry in Richmond, there could be a game that would probably only show two or three degrees of separation at most between Catholics currently active in our Diocese and their connection to Monsignor Chester Michael and the ministries he’s created and supported.  To read a more thorough biography of Monsignor Chet’s life at least up to 1992, click here.

   

Today is the five year anniversary of my father’s passing which has gotten me thinking about the influence one person’s life can have on so many others.  We don’t know how much time we have left to make a difference.  Fr. Chet had a lot of years to do all the work God intended for him. 

     
What is God calling us to be or do right now?  Are we taking ample time to listen to the whisper of His still small voice?  Are we grounded enough in prayer and edified through study so that we are filled with the love of Our Lord, ready to go out and proclaim the Gospel through our lives?

Screening & Selecting a Child Care Provider (My Nanny Diary)

Do you know the most important questions to ask when interviewing a person whom you’re considering leaving alone with your children for hours at a time? 

  
If not, you're not alone.  Most parents don't know all the pertinent things to ask and look for when selecting the right child care scenario for their family.  Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you.  

 
Below are links to some articles I’ve found that have a good set of pertinent questions to ask when interviewing the person who will be responsible for your child’s health, safety, and well-being while you are at work.  Each list is specific to the type of child care scenario sought after, so some of the questions overlap.   

An Extensive List of Pertinent Interview Questions for Finding the Best Nanny for Your Family

A good list of questions for interviewing a Child Care Provider 

In-Home Child Care Provider questionnaire and checklist

How to Interview a Daycare Provider

A variety of nanny agencies have done well because for a fee, they will take care of the criminal and personal background checks, references, pull up DMV records, and have the individual applying to be a nanny fill out a sea of paperwork indicating her (or his) experience with children, early child development training, her preferred work environment, what licensing and training she has in CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration Training…so parents don't have to do that part of the search.  (I say she, because the vast number of nannies I know are female, but I know there are some males who have also stepped up to the plate to devote themselves to providing excellent child care.)

  
The first two nanny positions I found out of college were through a local Christian nanny agency that took care of screening applicants and then passing a brief summary of their info and qualifications along to families in their database looking for an independent child care professional.  From there on out, it was up to me to decide with and for whom I wanted to work, the number of hours per week, terms, conditions, fees, etc. of the contract we agreed upon. 

  
I was impressed by how thorough the questioning, scanning, and screening process was on the agency’s side.  As I believe should be the case, those at the agency and the parents who hired them knew enough about how important it is to hire someone who is reliable, responsible, capable, hard-working, experienced with children and infant development, and basic safety that they wanted to make sure they asked the right questions and got the necessary answers. 

  
Of course, not every family can afford to pay a fee so someone else will do the proper screening and background checks, so that is often something that falls on the parents to take care of as part of their interviewing process.

The above links can help get you going in the right direction and may very well bring up some issues and concerns that might not have occurred to you.  Also, talking with friends who have found child care they're happy with and networking with other parents in your area can help you narrow down what it is that you're looking for and may help you figure out the best way of finding that person.

In a blog post that will appear in May 2016, I will explain and give links to specific agencies and websites that will tell you how child care providers in your area rate in terms of safety and quality of services provided.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 121)

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Grace is…the patience needed to take care of others when severely deprived of sleep, the inspiration to offer up your struggles united with Christ’s on the Cross for those who are suffering in mind, body, and/or spirit, soaking up the precious moments when all three kids are playing together, laughing, and giggling, a loved one who you’ve had on your mind a lot calling you out-of-the-blue…

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Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) was a wonderful experience for Kevin and me.  It gave us the opportunity to get away from the daily grind and really focus on one another and our vocation of marriage in a way that nothing else has—even vacations!  I invite you to consider and pray about attending this powerful retreat designed to strengthen the vocation to marriage or the priesthood.  Without much time to devote to just the two of you as a couple, this is a great opportunity for strengthening your marriage, rekindling your faith, and giving you the tools and energy to continue being a loving couple and great parents.  To learn more or to find a WWME in your area, click here.

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This Is How We Do It! I couldn’t agree more with the Applebaum Training Institute FB post today: “Children must learn to be responsible to succeed in life. If they get everything they want, whenever they want it, they don't learn the joy of earning it, & think everything will always be handed to them on a silver platter.” 

     I find this to be so very true! One of the great things I've learned from working at a Montessori school is how many things children are able to do if shown how, given the tools they need, and held responsible for the things they are reasonably expected and able to do on their own from a very young age.

           

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Make Jesus Happy Here’s a great article about how the mother of a beautiful child who happens to have Down Syndrome entices her daughter to go to Mass caught my eye.  What a great way for us to think of how and why we do what we do to love and serve God.  I can’t think of a better, more simplistic way of explaining why we gather to break open the Word and share the Eucharist.  If you enjoy this story and this woman’s writing, you will love the Lily Trilogy she has written.  Check out my reviews of the books here: Until Lily, Wherever Lily Goes, and Life Entwined with Lily's.

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Life-giving Choices This is a message from a woman who took great joy in having each one of her children and strongly believes that women deserve better than what society offers as a solution for unplanned pregnancies: “Last night, several were blessed to attend the fundraising gala for the new East End Pregnancy Test and Help Centerin Richmond. The organizers of the evening were so inspirational! But the news that they bring is serious. In the 23223 area code where the new Center is located, the abortion rate is over 60%. Yes, this is very serious. The pastors who attended are sure that their congregations are being targeted for abortion. Please pray for all those who have opened their doors and who are working to assist the families most vulnerable to abortion in our communities, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Catholic Charities, and now the East End Pregnancy Test and Help Center.” –Ann Niermeyer (aka my mom & Richmond, VA 40 Days for Life leader.)

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Manipulated Again Kevin had a shoulder procedure, a “manipulation” is what they call it, on Wednesday of this week.  When they did his left shoulder many moons ago, he neglected to read all of the paperwork, so he ate a banana that morning and had a cup of coffee in the waiting room, so they numbed his arm, waited a bit and did the whole thing with him completely awake and lucid, with me standing there watching and listening, before taking him back over to the house where I was taking care of “my little guys” for the rest of my work day.
     At least we learned from some of our mistakes, but not all.  This time I had an entertaining book to read and took the entire day off of nannying, but we ended up sitting in the waiting room the from before 11am to after 5pm, because this time Kevin ate on purpose the morning of (though instructed to fast from midnight on) in an attempt to keep them from putting him under as well as keep his blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.  Worked last time.  Why not do it that way again?  Didn’t happen, but the procedure went well.  Kevin’s recovery and pain management has gone far smoother than last time.  Thanks to all who kept us in prayer!

    

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A Hilarious Parody & Video by Weird Al Yankovic

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 115)

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A Montessori Mindset One of the kids at school fell on the way to carpool and got scraped knees.  After tending to the booboos, I was asked a question that I believe to be clearly indicative of this young person’s Montessori education: “What kind of wood do you think those steps were made out of that I fell down?  Are they made of oak?”  Wow!  That was the last thing I expected to hear post scraped knee experience.  The knowledge and questions of children, in general, tends to amaze and amuse me. 

 

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The Loss of Loved Ones Last Saturday Kevin and I went to Mass, prayed the Rosary before the statue of Mary in the garden at Little Sisters of the Poor where he and I have gone and sat together since I was in high school. I went to Reconciliation, then spent some time praying at St. Michael's grotto. Someone had stolen the matches and scattered all the envelopes, so I couldn't even light a candle for my dad. He knows I've been thinking of him a lot lately.
     Lord, I give you this day and all of the prayers and tears mixed together in it, to be used as You wish for the salvation of souls in time and eternity. Amen.

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You Got Mail! This weekend, I figured out how I’m going to display some cards Kevin and I sent each other over the years in a collage so they can be opened and read while hanging up.

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Empty Nest Errs It feels a bit strange going to St. Benedict’s for daily Mass now, knowing that the two people Kevin and I most often attended Mass with at that church have moved to new places as they continue on their faith and vocation journeys.  I won’t hear from Michele until Christmas and that’s if she feels like sending me a letter.  Fortunately, we keep in touch pretty much daily with John in one way or another, even though he’s been on summer assignment in Hampton, Virginia, and is heading back to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore very soon for his second year of seminary.  

     
Kevin and I have felt in a sense like we’ve had two leave the nest over the past year.  What’s funny is that this summer, we’ve started actually decorating our place a bit.  We now have our dining area devoted to a Rochester, Lake Ontario, beginning of Kevin and me becoming friends and dating theme...Read the rest of this reflection here.   

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Gelati Celesti Kevin and I have been enjoying using our St. Michael's Scrip for Gelati Celesti (and the other bazillion places they have available.  

  

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Step Up Yes, I know I'm silly, but now we have all four of the Step Up movies.  Some of the acting is corny at best, and the stories are very predictable, but I'm really inspired by dance, and Kevin loves it, too, so we've had fun watching the movies and the making of the movies and the choreography.  You can make fun of us if you like, but then you better bring it!  
    

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But I'm on Vacation! For the first time this summer, Kevin and I are both officially on vacation.       

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Parlez-vous français? Mais, oui!

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have some fun with French.  Since I took French from fifth grade through college, and I spent an academic school year my junior year at Hollins studying in Paris, France, I offered to have some conversations in French with my sister before she went back to Burkina Faso (where she’s studying West African dance this month).  She wanted to brush up on the basics and learn some key phrases that wouldn’t likely be in a textbook.

    
I began with one of the few things Kevin learned to say in French before he came over to visit me:

Est-ce que tu m’épouseras?          Will you marry me?

   
This was not my response when he asked, but is one I suggested for my sister to use if it turns out to be a more appropriate answer in her circumstances.

Non, ma mѐre va me tuer.    No, my mother will kill me.

    
Actually, when Kevin said, “Je t’aime du fond de mon coeur Patricia Niermeyer.  Est-ce que tu m'épouseras?” He was down on one knee with a ring box in his hand which by itself got me crying so hard I hadn’t heard him.  He looked at me, waiting for my answer, and I looked at him not having heard the question.  He asked quietly, “Did I say it wrong?”  I told him, “I didn’t hear you.”  He laughed and asked again.  I said yes and gave him a big hug and a kiss.  I was thrilled!! 

This phrase I thought of because it’s a pretty cool French song that we learned when I took a French music course in college.  I still listen to the CD sometimes.
“Je crois que ça va pas être possible."    I believe that will not be possible.

These I included because they'd probably be useful: 

Dégage-toi!      Free me!  Let me go!

Aidez-moi!        Help me!

Je dois allez aux toilettes.       I need to use the toilet/go to the restroom.

Où se trouvent les toilettes?  Where is the restroom?

J’ai mal (à + le, la, or, les, l’) _____________                        My   _________________ hurts.

Combined becomes (au, à la, aux, à l’)                                           (part of the body)

    

J’ai soif.                I’m thirsty.

J’ai faim.               I’m hungry.

J’ai assez mangé.     I’ve had enough to eat/have eaten enough.

Never say: Je suis pleine.  (word for word translates to I’m full, but in French means I’m pregnant unless, of course, that’s what you mean to say.)

Je suis fatigué.        I’m tired.

J’ai chaud.              I’m feeling warm/hot.

J’ai froid.                I’m feeling cold/cool.

J’ai perdu…mon billet, ma carte de crédit…                I lost…my ticket, my credit card…

     I hope this has been a fun learning experience for you.  

Glimpses of Grandma

Hanging in there

In an ongoing effort to clean out, organize, and clean up our apartment, I dropped several donations off at various places today.  I started by dropping a load of things off at Goodwill.  I’ve made a number of trips over there and hope to make many more in the days and weeks to come.  It helps me to sort through things and part with them knowing that something I haven’t touched in months might be exactly what someone else is looking for and would use daily. 

    
After all, in some ways, I’m definitely my grandma’s girl.  She rarely tossed stuff out if it could be recycled or reused by her or by someone else.  I am absolutely certain she’s quite tickled that Kevin and I currently have hanging in our bathroom a turquoise (her favorite color) shower curtain that my grandma must have had for 30 some years.  When I found it and realized it had never been used and was still in its original box from a department store that went out of business awhile ago, I couldn’t bring myself to toss it, knowing my grandma would have wanted someone to use it. 

Re-Gifting         

I swung by the Pastoral Center to see my mom and gave her back a couple of the framed pieces of handmade artwork I’d done for her years ago.  I have a number of things back in my possession that I originally made, wrote, and gifted to different family members over the years.  I’m not sure how many of the items would ultimately have been trashed or donated when my sister and her husband bought a house, when my dad passed away, my youngest sister went off to college, my mom moved out of her house into an apartment, then my grandma passed away, but it was easier for me to box these things up and bring them to our place rather than wonder and worry if something I’d spent so much time and energy on would just end up in the garbage.

     
I’m not sure if it’s out of plain old nostalgia, sadness, regret, or hope that I hold onto gifts from me that were left behind.  I don’t know what would have become of the letters I wrote and gifts I made for my mom, dad, sisters, and/or grandparents.  My mom assures me that many of the things I’d made for her over the years she’d had no intention of getting rid of when she moved into her apartment.  I believe her, so when I unearth such things again, I offer them to her. 

Life-long Learning

I swung by school with a bag of assorted books and arts and craft supplies well before the insanity of after-school carpool began.  I always end up using a vast hodgepodge of materials from home and from school when I teach summer camps there, so some of the things I came across I figured they would make use of at school before I’d do something with them at home.  Others were books and things that had gotten grouped in with the children’s books I have, ones my mom kept from when we were little, in addition to some French ones and favorites I’ve added so I can share them with the kids at school and when I nanny.  I got a few minutes to catch up with the program director, who’s been a good friend and supervisor for the five years since we both started working there.  Even though I came in during the post-rest story-time, I still got a couple of spontaneous hugs from kids who remembered me.      

Good Food, Nice Weather, Many Thanks

Next, I stopped by Cook-Out for a grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and a Heath Toffee milkshake too thick to drink through a straw—good thing they included a spoon.  I drove to Little Sisters of the Poor, a stop I wasn’t really looking forward to, as I hadn’t been back there since going to collect my grandmother’s things after she passed this January.  It went fine, though. 

I sat in my car and ate my lunch, remembering one beautiful day when I’d picked up a chocolate shake and fries from Cook-Out to share with my grandma.  I’d brought her outside in her wheelchair over by the swing in front of the entrance walkway to the building and angled her so she could see the garden while we visited.  I’d gotten an extra cup so I could give her some of the milkshake, which I deftly spilled spots of on the swing and my pants.  (Getting spots on clothing while eating is another trait I picked up from my grandma, truth be told.)    

    
This afternoon, while eating, I thought about what my grandma would say on a day like today if she were sitting out there with me.  She’d make mention of the lovely garden and the beautiful colors all around.  She’d comment on the trees, the landscaping, and the gentle breeze.  She’d be grateful for a visitor, for time outside, for fun foods she can’t remember having tasted before…

    
When I finished eating, I took in the body lotions, a wide assortment of handmade jewelry, plastic organizers, and a large supply of beads to make more jewelry.  I left them with the receptionist, who I am certain recognized me.

    
I still have a number of things from my grandma’s, mom's, and my dad’s I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with, yet.  They’re here with lots of memories I haven’t sorted through, but I’ll get around to them sometime, possibly soon.

Thank You, God, for a beautiful day, for the opportunity to share with others, to remember loved ones lost, to be thankful for little pleasures, and be reminded of the many ways that You are able to use what others cast aside to create a masterpiece of each of our lives.  Amen.            

Note: This post is linked to New Evangelist Blog's June Issue of Catholic Bloggers Best Posts from the month of May.

Once Upon a Potty Training (My Nanny Diary)

Potty Seats

    
Having children sit on the potty either directly or on a seat that’s a little smaller, perhaps padded, and maybe with some fun fictitious friends on it in primary colors, seems to make the most sense to me.  A potty chair that has to be emptied and cleaned every time which sits next to a real toilet doesn’t seem like a good solution in my book, because the kid’s going to know that the toilet can be flushed and the lid opened, so toys and books, jewelry, pets, etc. would likely end up in there, especially if that’s not where their pee and poop went directly.  Who knows?  I may very well change my mind when it comes to spending several blocks of time each day potty training two or more children at the same time. 

Lockdown

I must emphasize the importance of showing any visitors, nannies, childcare providers, babysitters from up the street how to use any and all toilet cover locks.  I was really in a state of panic one day when both toilets had been fitted with new locks I was having trouble figuring out how to operate, while eyeing the bathtub with dismay.  I did manage eventually to determine how the swing/lever contraption thing worked before I had to resort to desperate measures.

Overflow

At daycare centers and schools, they often have tiny potties which are low to the ground, have smaller seats, and well, smaller everything.  I can’t tell you how much worse it is to clean up an overflowing toddler toilet(s).  There are often two little toilets in one bathroom.  When they both are overflowing, it traditionally means one staff person will have the privilege of spending the next 20+ minutes cleaning up the bathroom (while going through one or more pairs of gloves) after the ridiculously small pipes have been plunged and the ridiculously large poop (for such a little person) is dislodged.    

Flushback

My mom tells me that the first time she brought out a potty chair and tried to explain to me how to use it, that I was a bit young.  She gave me a brief tutorial, then she went into the kitchen.  I came out before long with the bowl from the potty chair (which was still empty and dry) and asked her for “Green beans?” my favorite vegetable at that time.  She wisely discerned I wasn’t quite ready to use the toilet. 

Princess Panties 

The two funniest communications I’ve received recently from a parent regarding misplaced items have come to me via text message.  One was to ask if I knew the whereabouts of a pile of princess underwear and the other one was to inquire where I had last seen the pink kitty.  Don't get me wrong, these were both totally legit questions, I just found it amusing to get texts messages asking me about princess panties and pink kitty whereabouts.  I knew the answer to both questions, but the pile of princess panties took longer to find because someone else had moved it from where I had set it.  The pink kitty was found without my further involvement.  (I knew it had made it up into her bedroom at naptime and hadn’t come back down.) 

    
Across the 20+ years since I first began babysitting, I’ve gotten all sorts of strange urgent calls from parents seeking something essential for their child’s peace of mind (or their own).  Sometimes, a parent might call me later that evening or perhaps over the weekend to inquire about the location of a certain item.  Frantic calls around bedtime to see if I know where they can locate the one and only soft, cuddly thing a child will deign to fall asleep clutching aren’t uncommon.  Missing blankets, books, toys, bottle tops, shoes, socks, hats, Gladware containers…some or all of which have been sources of anxiety for certain mothers (and therefore causes of stress for me) who itemize everything and/or inventory a few things every single day— once in the morning and once at night.  I’m talking about some mothers doing this—not me!    

Can you spare a square?

Since things are generally pretty hectic keeping up with the twins, the times are few and far between when I can spend an extended period of time with their older sister in the bathroom without one of them getting into trouble.  They make a beeline for the bathroom whenever the door is open.  They want to crawl on the stool their sister uses, hang on her, etc.    

    
I have only had a limited number of toilet paper tutorials with her thus far, and at this point, my main goal is to get her to pee in the potty instead of on the carpet in the living room, the bathroom floor…so I’m not quite as concerned about her toilet paper consumption provided the toilet flushes without a problem.

When I’ve been present for when she’s ready to wipe off, she’s often taken a single square of toilet paper.  I’m not sure what has led her to believe that this will be sufficient; it could be that when she has used flushable wipes, we have her use one, but I’m not sure.  Naturally, I’m led to think of the Seinfeld episode where a woman is asked if she can “spare a square?”

    
I don’t want her to use half a roll or just one square.  I figure four squares are about how many would be reasonable for a little person still learning proper top-to-bottom wiping technique.  Lately, when I’ve come in to turn the water on so she can wash her hands (she’s not quite tall enough yet with her present plastic stool to reach the handles herself), I’ve noticed a trail of toilet paper on the floor.  It’s unused, which is good, I suppose, but I’m not sure if she uses the one square then pulls out some more to dump on the floor or what.  Maybe when the girls are both napping, and I’m not cleaning up from one of our three to four meals during the day, I’ll witness the whole process and provide helpful insight into the number of squares of TP to use. 

Tricks of the Trade That Have Worked for a Time:

Telling the toddler: “It’s your turn!” to use the potty right after I’ve gone can sometimes make it a smoother transition.

    
For a while during the earlier stages of potty training, she could be persuaded and encouraged that I would put a smiley face sticker on her chart for each time she sat on the potty without having a knock-down/drag-out fit.  Sitting on potty post knock-down/drag-out made me frown, and depending on the level and decibel of the drama might also cause her sisters to fuss, so there would be no sticker.

    
I once would resort to singing what can very easily become an annoying song to the tune of the of the Peanut Butter Jelly Time song, but we’ve veered out of that level of desperation at least in terms of songs to sing incessantly while on the toilet or in the bathroom. 

    
I flip on the light on in the bathroom and let her know it’s her turn and close the door so her sisters aren’t in there taking a header into the toilet, playing with the trash, etc. 

    
Tune in again to read more about potty training and other adventures in the wonderful world of nannying. 

Fashion Faux-Pas

People who know me well and/or see me regularly are probably laughing that I would write a blog post on fashion anything.  Trust me, this is one area of fashion I know a lot about, and frankly find it amusing instead of tragic.  There are some who go out wearing unflattering clothing that isn’t even close to what’s in, but they genuinely think that they look nice, presentable, even chic because they match or are wearing expensive name brands or whatever.  I am not one of those people.  I go out in public wearing comfortable clothing, and I know that I don’t look stylish, cute, trendy, fashionable, or anything like that. 

Back in the Day

I didn’t used to be that way, and it’s still within my capability to dress nice and put make-up on for special occasions, but when it comes to the daily grind, I usually don’t, and that’s okay with me.  There was a time in my life when I would pour over magazines and was very interested in fashion, make-up, jewelry, and all of that.  The first period in my lifetime that jeans in a rainbow of colors were popular, I had quite the spectrum in my closet: red, black, magenta, purple, turquoise, navy, green…  I also had many pairs of leggings, brightly colored socks to mix and match, and wore white canvas Keds. 

    
Part of the dilemma for me is seeing things come back into fashion that I wore when I was in elementary and middle school (such as the above-mentioned items).  It amuses and confuses me to see my youngest sister (who I’d consider to be a bit of a fashionista) wearing tight jeans, white canvas Keds sneakers, brightly colored mismatched socks, leggings, etc.  She looks great in them, but I don’t feel compelled to run out and get similar clothes.  Denim shirts and jean jackets, been there, done that and can’t really figure out why they ever came back as hot commodities, though there are certainly much more disturbing flashback fashion items on the market.  Others can pull them off and look nice, but I feel that for me to do the same would be regressing, in a sense.        

Maybe it’s My Alma Mater

I went to Hollins University (which isn’t an all-girls school where there aren’t any men, but a women’s university where there aren’t any boys—undergrad is all women & grad programs have a few good men).  It is a long-standing tradition for Hollins to have Tinker Day some time each fall.  It’s announced the morning of as a day off of classes.  There are Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast, then students, faculty, and staff wear outrageous outfits to climb Tinker Mountain.  This legit reason to look incredibly tacky includes a hike, watching and/or performing hilarious skits, having a yummy picnic, and the subsequent community building that comes with such activities.

   
Just so you know, I wasn’t one of the “pearl girls.”  I don’t own a set of pearls, but even if I did, I wouldn’t wear them for everyday stuff and certainly wouldn’t pair them with a T-shirt and jeans.

Nannying Attire

For the past eight and a half years that I’ve been married, my day job has involved taking care of infants and young children as a nanny and/or as a program lead, summer camp instructor, or tutor at school.  I can still remember the hilarious look I got from one of my employers (who is definitely into the latest fashions and such) when I walked in wearing an outfit that I’d put together purely for comfort, warmth, and ease of movement that could be machine washed and dried.  I would not be surprised (just amused) if my attire was part of the gossip at her office and maybe in their neighborhood. 

    
My deal then was pretty much the same as it is now; the clothing I wear when taking care of infants and small children in their homes is going to be seasonably appropriate, comfortable, easy to move in, simple to wash, and something that will take a beating.  Pockets are nice.  Layers are helpful.  Name brands are not really a concern for me.  (I can be pretty hard on clothes, shoes, and jewelry, so form and function tend to appeal to me more than style.)

Pants Are Optional

I have adopted my mom’s philosophy for young children: let them be comfortable and easy to clean up.  Fortunately, the family for whom I nanny is of the same mindset when it comes to clothing.  On a normal day, the twins go from their pajamas into a Onesie (which for those of you who don’t know is basically a baby bodysuit).  A diaper and Onesie are pretty much what they wear every day unless we go for a walk or go out somewhere and more layers are needed.  Vivi often hangs out in her nightgown or a T-shirt and a pair of Pull-ups.  If you come to hang out with us and are under the age of 5 years old, pants are optional upon entry.  That’s not to say that there aren’t some days when you’ll come in and see babies in pants, it’s just to say that comfort, warmth, and being able to move, roll, bounce dance, fling food, get stinky, get messy, etc. are most important. 

My Wardrobe

I have a number of hand-me-ups, downs, overs…in my closet that I wear regularly.  Several sweaters, a pair of jeans, and a pair of khakis are from my youngest sister. I held onto a couple pairs of workout pants from my dad.  I was delighted to be given a hand me over comfy red fleece with pockets from my best friend from high school, and I’ve added a number of Goodwill finds still in very good condition…you get the idea. 

   
I do own some nice clothes, but I don’t find that they’re quite conducive to rolling with the down and dirty little people crowd.  It is not uncommon for me to be spit at, drooled on, sprayed upon, splattered with food and/or paint.  I frequently collect a pocket full of trash given to me by sticky hands while engaging in the seemingly endless process of cleaning bottoms and wiping noses.    

    
I can still remember getting strange looks when I ran errands one day after work.  I was wearing a white short-sleeve shirt (which I’d forgotten during our time at the Children’s Museum had gotten some green and purple paint smeared on it).  It took me a few people giving me strange looks since I was walking around dressed like a mom or nanny without any children in tow before I realized why they were likely amused and confused. 

Lounging at Home Attire

It has become a major source of amusement to my husband and me how outrageous my hanging at home attire combinations can get.  If it’s clean and comfy, then I’ll combine plaid pajama pants with a flowered top or two solid colors or patterns that clash so bad it’s comical while the two of us are chilling at our place.  I don’t go out of our place wearing these things (unless I have a coat over them and am just going down to get the mail or do laundry or something).  It cracks us both up.  I’m warm and comfortable.  Everybody wins. 

Hair Dos

A while ago I dyed my hair or had it cut in a way that was trѐs chic.  I’d curl my hair and style it different ways when I was younger, use hairspray, gel, and other styling products.  I haven’t colored my hair in years, and I get it cut so that it is out of my eyes, doesn’t take too long to blow dry, and is easy to put up in the summer.  These days, I get it cut at an inexpensive place called Great Clips.  The extent of my hair care most of the time is to wash it, blow it dry, and brush it (unless I’m rushing and miss that last step). 

Make-up (or rather a serious lack thereof)

During my sophomore year of high school, I never went to school without at least wearing powder foundation on my face and having my fingernails painted.  I wouldn’t even go sans make-up during Spirit Week when we had Pajama Day.  I own some makeup and know how to use it, but most days I just put Vaseline on my lips and I’m good to go. 

         

Jewelry

The only jewelry I wear regularly is that which has sentimental value and/or some health benefit.  I don’t even have my ears pierced.  For years, I begged my mom to let me get them pierced, and she made me wait.  By the time she said I could do it, I didn’t care anymore and actually liked being one of the few women who doesn’t have her ears pierced.  I have worn a Nikken necklace for a number of years ever since Kevin gave me one when we were dating as much for the wellness advantage as the romantic appeal.  (I got a new one recently because my other one fell off in our place because the clasp was so worn, and neither Kevin nor I could find the necklace.)  When I am changing diapers and washing my hands a bazillion times a day at work, it’s easier for me to leave my wedding and engagement rings at home.

It’s Gotta Be the Shoes 

I firmly believe that having comfortable, supportive, durable walking shoes is important.  I am very hard on shoes, and wear the same ones pretty much every day, whether or not they really go with my outfit.  Again, I have a few pairs of low heels and dress shoes, but most of the time, even if I’m wearing an outfit that would be considered business casual, I often wear my walking shoes.  Happy feet are important.  I’m tall enough as it is.  It’s hard for me to run in flip-flops.  Screwing up my feet, knees, and back by wearing heels on a regular basis doesn’t make sense to me. 

Looking Good

Just so there’s no confusion, I appreciate it when people look nice, wear flattering clothes, do their makeup, and have a knack for looking stylish.  Many of the fashion trends I’ve mentioned that I don’t feel inspired to follow are ones that others pull-off with panache.       

    
I was actually really impressed when I went over to bring my sister and her husband dinner one night this week.  She is eight months pregnant and had been getting things done around their house, but she was dressed fashionably with her hair done and makeup on.    

     
I think, rather than feeling really intimidated or lazy for not taking as much time on my appearance as some do, I might be getting to the point at which I can accept that’s not a major priority for me and, more importantly that my sentiments and approach to appearance are fine for me.

Trespasses Against Us John Paul 2 High Book 2

Trespasses Against Us is a compelling sequel to Catholic Reluctantly (Book 1 of the John Paul 2 High Series).  This awesome series is definitely meant to be read in order.  To read a review of the first book, boldly click here.

   
You’ll love this fast-paced second book of the series.  The teens attending John Paul 2 High School (JP2HS) have a lot to figure out as some students begin to pair off into couples and all of them discover that great temptations and grave danger are much closer than they imagined. 

A school shooter who has evaded police is still on the loose.  No one was killed.  No bullet found.  The victim changes schools, but is she far enough away?    

    
Allie Weaver, the blond bombshell who just transferred from the public high school, arrives at JP2HS feeling completely out of place.  She’s dating the captain of the Sparrow Hills High School wrestling team, Tyler Getz who has a certain image to maintain.  His Casanova act lasts much longer than their relationship does.  

    
George isn’t the only guy at JP2HS who’s enamored with the new girl.  When he learns a stalker has been haunting Allie with obscene text messages and e-mails, he thinks he knows the culprit and takes matters into his own hands.  Has he got the right suspect?  Would he be safer letting the police take care of it?   

    
Celia Costain, George’s best friend since childhood, is left heartbroken and confused when he begins dating Allie.  She wonders whether George is trying to protect his new girlfriend or if he’s really more interested in exacting revenge on someone who went too far with hazing him.

    
The JP2HS students must band together to make it through alive, though not unscathed, when they attempt to find out if all three criminals are the same person.

     
I highly recommend getting all books available in the series as you will want to pick up the next book in the series immediately once you finish the one before it.
     
To find out more about the books, the characters, read the John Paul 2 High blog, chat with other readers on the Facebook page, check out the latest on Twitter, and be the first to find out about upcoming books, click here.

Catholic, Reluctantly: John Paul 2 High Book 1

I enjoyed this Young Adult (YA) novel for a number of reasons, not the least of which it inspires me with excellent examples and encouragement to continue working on my own manuscript of one.  The characters in Catholic, Reluctantly: John Paul 2 High Book 1 are interesting and complex.  The high school drama, personality clashes, conflicts, cruelty, and questions are appropriate for the age/grade levels discussed, the circumstances described, and what’s at stake.   There’s a sufficient amount of suspense and surprise to keep the reader intrigued throughout. 

   
Of the John Paul 2 High characters, some actually try to live out their Catholic faith while others are Catholic in name only.  The different personalities and varying levels of understanding the Catholic faith intellectually and spiritually create a considerable amount of tension and challenge those involved to figure out where they stand and why.  The highly controversial struggle over whether it’s most important to keep the letter of the law and/or to live by the spirit of the law comes out in a slew of tricky circumstances.         

   
Many of the facts and stereotypes about the Catholic faith, its followers, Catholic schools and other institutions, traditional practices, and prayers are covered in thought-provoking ways.  The subject of seeking Truth in all circumstances and letting it be the guide is one that’s explored in-depth. 

    
Some of the situations are quite hilarious and others very ominous and foreboding, giving the novel a good blend of the humorous and harrowing.  There are many big questions left unanswered by the end of the first book, definitely leaving room for more to come.  I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.  For more information on the author and other books in the series and other interesting extras, check out this website for the John Paul 2 High series.

     
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Catholic,Reluctantly: John Paul 2 High Book 1. The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your family Advent activities and supplies this year, such as Advent wreaths and calendars for kids, as well as Christmas decorations such as nativity scene sets and religious Christmas gifts for the whole family.
   
This post is linked to the Catholic Bloggers Monthly Round-up.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 71)

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Election 2012 and Christians I don’t often post things that are political as I’m quite sick of hearing all sorts of slander against all candidates.  I don’t want anyone else calling me and asking me who I’m going to vote for.  I would like to offer my suggestions as to how you come to your decision of which candidates to support for public office: research the issues, find out where the candidates stand on them, take the whole matter to the Lord in prayer, listen to Him, then go vote for whom your well-informed conscience and the Creator and Savior of us all guides you.

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Want a Few More Voter Guidelines? Check out this great article of “Ten Things Christians Need to Remember This Election."

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How Do You Tuck in a Superhero? You tuck in a superhero with cleverness and creativity, loads of love, heaping helpings of humor, and gobs of grace.  After babysitting, teaching, tutoring, and nannying boys, I knew I would totally appreciate and find great hilarity in the antics recorded by a mother of five wild and crazy boys (and since the book was published one sweet little girl).  I laughed hysterically at Rachel Balducci’s pithy writing, straight-up observations, and comical quotes.  If you have taken care of boys or spent any length of time around them, you will likely identify with this book and find it highly amusing as much as insanely accurate in describing the temperament of many young boys. 

     How Do You Tuck in a Superhero? is a wonderful collection of true short stories, funny bullet-point lists, and some absolutely priceless quotes directly out of the mouths of her own testosterone-driven brood…Read more.

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Elementary Flashback: This week while substituting at school in one of the lower elementary (grades 1-3) classrooms, I saw the absolute opposite of what I experienced when in third grade when we had to do our math time tests. 
     Before the group began, the teacher reminded them that several of them had tests that were different lengths and not to worry if others finished before they did.  The kids were given as long as they needed to finish the problems and they recorded the time it took them.  The papers were scored and recorded in the grade book without ceremony.  

     This sent me in memory drift to the desk near the back of the classroom where I was sitting when my teacher returned my latest times table test which I’d aced and loudly announced to everyone in the room in all seriousness, “I guess this means I’ll have to take away your crown as Queen of Doing Everything Wrong.”  Yeah, ouch!  It's kind of funny how I’m now speed checking all of these math problems as a substitute teacher.  Take that mean math teachers! 

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Everyone Loves a Baby Though it’s been a good, busy, exhausting week, I’ve made a point of catching up on some of the blog posts by some stay-at-home parents who make me laugh.  This one about Matthew Archbold taking his Godson to a young girls’sporting event caught my attention and gets my vote. 

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Back on the Shelf Vivi has a keyboard that she loves to play.  She can play the keys, have it play different beats, speed up or slow down the tempo, and even sing nursery rhymes.  It’s quite a neat set-up, except for one little button: No, not one marked Off.  The problem at least for those of us over the age of four is the “Loop” button.  I can handle listening to a string of different children’s songs, nursery rhymes and such and even sing along several times a day (obviously, or I would never make it taking care of young children), but my patience and tolerance for hearing the same thing over and over again runs thin when I hear the same 20 second clip of music, not that great of a recording either, of children singing “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” literally 30+ times in a row.  I feel like squashing the spider and pitching the keyboard.  When I reach that point, I calmly ask Vivi to push a different button.  If she refuses, the keyboard is re-shelved way out of reach.

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Nanny with a Passion for Photography As anyone who knows me can attest, I love children and have a passion for photography, so the two come together nicely when I nanny.  Capturing the cuties on camera is fun for me, something the parents appreciate when I hand them CDs filled with adorable photos of their kids from their daytime adventures, and it’s a lot of fun for Kevin, too.  Honestly, he can get a bit jealous that I get so much time with little ones.  He’s genuinely interested in hearing the stories about our day and seeing the pics I’ve taken of little ones having fun.  Who wouldn’t, really?  The kids I’ve nannied for have a penchant for doing and saying hilarious things, and they were then and are now all so flippin’ cute!

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.