Halloween - my least favorite Hallmark holiday or Boo Humbug!

No offense to the fine folks at Hallmark, or to the manufacturers of chocolate (I would never want to offend them), but I have to admit that my least favorite day has to be Halloween.

Even as a child, I would dread Halloween. As the middle of October rolled around, I would start to panic about a costume. I really disliked trying to figure out what I wanted to be. As the third and last child in the family, I think my parents were about "Halloweened" out as costumes were left up to me from about 4th grade on. More often than not, my costume was thrown together at the eleventh hour and usually fell into either the "hobo" category or the "old lady in her robe" category.

And my passion for Halloween did not increase when my son was little. I struggled too with helping him to pick out a costume. By the time he was in 5th grade, he began to be scheduled to serve the vigil mass for All Saints Day, so his trick or treating ended then. For the next several years, his costume consisted of a baseball jersey, sweatpants pulled up to look like baseball pants, a pair of socks that looked like baseball socks and stirrups and a hat. That costume was retired last year and did not make the trip to college.

So where will I be tomorrow night. Not home, but out with my husband enjoying a night out on the town! Sorry kids, no candy at my house.

Baring my soul

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are very passionate and quite temperamental. While you can be moody, you always crave comfort. You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds. You believe that people see you as a bit small and insignificant. People pay more attention to you than you think. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

This was an interesting "quiz." For the most part, I have to agree with the outcome, except for the part about my head in the clouds - I don't think that I am much of a daydreamer.

A good weekend for movies

This weekend was the first in about two months that we didn't have something to do outside of the home. So my husband e-mailed me from work on Friday afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go see a movie and go out to dinner. Wow, I can't remember the last time we went had a "date" night. And better yet, I got to pick the movie!

Not being as big a fan of movies where most of the action is caused by car crashes or dynamite, I chose the new movie "Dan - in Real Life" and neither my husband, nor I were disappointed by my choice. It was a wonderful movie about falling in love. I don't want to go into details, but I will say, if you want to see a good movie that has a happy ending, this is one to see.

Saturday night, after a day of puttering around the house and doing some much needed cleaning out of clutter in the house, my husband and I sat down to watch "Evan Almighty." Again, we chose a winner in this movie. It was a wonderful movie about putting your faith in God and doing his will. This was one movie that will remain in my DVD collection!

We finished off the weekend by going out to dinner with my parents and my brother and sister-in-law who are "up from Texas" for the funeral of my sister-in-law's mother. Although the reason for their trip north was a sad one, it was good to spend time with them, especially my brother who has a totally twisted sense of humor. We enjoyed dinner at a local seafood restaurant where the draw is definitely the food and not the decor. Suffice it to say, it is all American tacky, but the food is awesome!

And now the weekend is over and it is time to get resume the normal weekly routine (except that I am not one for routines) of doing things around the house. All good things must come to an end!

Has fall finally arrived?

The weather has changed here in South Jersey. Just yesterday I was over dressed in long pants and a three quarter sleeve shirt, today I am under dressed with a three quarter sleeve shirt and no socks. At least the blue jeans are the right weight. I need to make an airport run in a few hours and I think a change of shirt and the addition of some socks are in order.

I love the fall. I love living where there is a distinctive change of seasons. I don't think I would want to live some place where the trees don't change colors and the longer nights are crisp and cool. The colors of fall make me long for making applesauce and baking pies. I change the candles in the house to scents of cinnamon and coffee cake. The bright t-shirts of summer are packed away and the long sleeve shirts in warm colors like red, green navy and gold are brought out. And the warmth of fleece feels so good on a chilly evening.

Welcome fall. Join me for a cup of coffee and a piece of apple pie.

No surprises here

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You're a friendly person, but not the life of the party. You like making someone else's day - and you'll dress up if you think of a really fun costume. You often feel invisible when you're in public. And it's a shame, because you're really quite a character. Your inner child is stubborn and a bit bossy. You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope. You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal. You are a traditionalist with most aspects of your life. You like your Halloween costume to be basic, well made, and conventional enough to wear another year.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

A beautiful and sad day

It was a beautiful and yet sad day today. It was the funeral for our dear Sister Rosemary. It was so sad to say good bye to her, but as a Catholic, I know I will see her again when it is my turn to go home to God. And knowing that made it a beautiful day.

The liturgy was very moving and our pastor gave a beautiful homily. There were many Sisters from her order in attendance and their voices filled the church like a choir of angels. I was honored when my friend N and I were asked to help place the pall on her casket along with two of her relatives. It truly made me feel like I was a part of her family. I only wish that my husband and son could have been with me. But work obligations and mid-terms made that impossible. So I mourned alone in church, but I knew that she was in the thoughts and prayers of both of them.

When I read her obituary in the paper yesterday, I marveled at the many places that she had been assigned and thought about all the lives that she must have touched over the years. And I was so lucky that I had been touched by her kindness and gentleness and love too.

And through her illness and passing I met her family and was finally able to connect faces with the names I heard so often over the years. And I met many of her Franciscan family who opened their hearts to my family and N's family too. I will miss her, but I will carry her in my heart forever.

On a lighter note.....

So you want to know where I was on my vacation? Well, my husband and I went to Florida for a week. We stayed at a timeshare that was owned by my brother and his wife and as of today, is now owned by us. We stayed at this resort 12 years ago when my whole family went to Florida and that is when my brother and sister-in-law purchased the unit. Now it is ours and we hope to put it to good use and do some traveling.

And what did we do on vacation you ask? Well, we spent two days visiting Disney parks, a day at Sea World and a day at the Kennedy Space Center. In Disney World, we spent a day at Epcot where I highly recommend Soarin'. We went to the newest park - Animal Kingdom - which was interesting and to MGM Studios. It was my first trip to Sea World and enjoyed it thoroughly.


The Tree of Life


Enjoying Shamu

By far, my favorite part of the trip was Kennedy Space Center. I hadn't been there in thirty years (yes, I am well over thirty) and when I was there in 1977, it was called Cape Canaveral and was only the military base. A lot has change! It was more user friendly, less technical and way more fun! I would definitely go back again.


Space shuttle Discovery on the launch pad.

Another angel in heaven

Sister R went home to the Lord last night. She died peacefully around midnight with Sister C by her side.

We were on vacation last week which is why my posting has been almost non existent. We received word on Thursday that Sister R had taken a turn for the worse and that it was just a matter of time. We returned home yesterday, landing in Philadelphia around noon and by 2:30 we were at the hospital. I could see that time was short. Most of her immediate family was with her except for her brother in law and her niece's husband who were en route to the airport to pick up her other niece. Her sister felt that she was waiting for that niece to arrive. She was right.

It is hard to believe that just two short months ago we were helping the Sisters move back to our town. We were so excited that they would be close by again and that we could spend time with them. Little did we know that the Lord was just bringing her back so we could say good bye. We thank God for bringing this ray of sunshine into our lives. She was a beautiful servant of God and will be missed by so many.

God bless you Sister Rosemary. We love you and miss you already.

Things are not good

I just got word this evening that Sister R is not doing well. It appears that she is terminal and it is a matter of time. Pray that the Lord will not let her suffer.

Sister R update

I visited with Sister R yesterday. Things are not as good as all of us would like. She found out on Wednesday night that she has more cancer. She was successfully treated for it about 16 years ago, but unfortunately she has developed more in a different place. Her nephew/doctor is optimistic that it can be treated with radiation and chemo, but this will need to be confirmed by the oncologist. Please continue to pray for this kind and gentle servant of God.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Tomorrow, October 7th is my parents 57th wedding anniversary. What an accomplishment. At almost 20 years of marriage, I still can't imagine being married for 57 years.

I love you Mom and Dad. Here's to another 57!

Update on Sister R

I spoke to a friend of Sister R and Sister C who accompanied Sister C to the hospital tonight. Sister R is in the ICU, but is doing pretty well. She is sitting up and hungry (a first in the past several weeks). While she is in pain, it is from the surgery and not from the headache.

Prayers Please

Our good friend, Sister R had surgery this morning to relieve pressure on her brain caused by fluid build up.

Sister R is a Franciscan Sister whom we have known for many years. She and her roommate, Sister C, lived in our parish convent and worked in our parish school while our son attended it. A few years ago, they were asked to move to northern NJ when another order joined their order. They were sent to provide support in the transition of the merger. Recently (mid-August) they returned to our area.

Sister R has been feeling poorly the past few weeks and spent a week in the hospital, being discharge on Wednesday with no definitive diagnosis. Yesterday, after a good morning, she awoke from a nap and felt quite poorly. Sister C called me to come and help her get Sister R up the stairs and into her room. By the time I got there, she was in her room, but had no strength to move herself around in bed. A phone call to her nephew who is a doctor, sent her back to the hospital by ambulance.

After a battery of tests, the diagnosis was fluid on the brain which was not apparent just 10 days ago. So this morning she had surgery to drain the fluid. At leas report, she is doing well.

Please remember Sister R in your prayers. She is a very special woman who has become a big part of our extended family.

Wow, I'm Cool!

I always thought of myself as a nerd, but maybe I was wrong! I know I am an accounting geek and I do pretty well watching Jeopardy, so I guess there si hope for me yet!

Another Blog Meme

Barb had this meme on her blog and I thought it would be fun to apply it to my names and likes. Feel free to join in the fun!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Tifi Highlander

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Toffee Toll House (okay, this is not scary!)

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME:(first letter of first name, first three letters of last name)
E-Tie (that sounds more gansta than my gansta name)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Pink Puppy (I don't trust that name either)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Ann Phoenixville

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Tieel

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The blue water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Michael James

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Therese Joseph

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Griffin Greenwich

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Winter Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Shorty

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Cider Maple

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Swimming Sun Tour

A Blogger Quiz

My blogger buddy Barb tagged me for this quiz. Read on -

Here's a fun quiz made up especially for bloggers. The rules are easy. Just post the quiz on your blog and answer the questions, then pass it on to five other bloggers, and link to them in your post. Be sure to link back to the one who sent it to you.

1. Do you attend the Traditional Latin Mass or the Novus Ordo? Novus Ordo for me. I vaguely remember attending Latin mass as a child.

2. If you attend the TLM, how far do you drive to get there? We had Latin mass at our parish several years ago. I had no desire then or now to attend Latin mass. And I actually took Latin in school!

3. If you had to apply a Catholic label to yourself, what would it be? A conservative Catholic.

4. Are you a comment junkie? Not really. I will comment if I have something to say, but not just to see my words in print. I do, however, like to read other peoples comments on blogs that I read.

5. Do you go back to read the comments on the blogs you’ve commented on? Yes, I do.

6. Have you ever left an anonymous comment on another blog? Once or twice.

7. Which blogroll would you most like to be on? It doesn't matter to me. I write my blog because I enjoy it, not because I want to be on any blog roll.

8. Which blog is the first one you check? I don't check one specifically, I just jump around my favorites to see what's up.

9. Have you met any other bloggers in person? Yes! I have met Barb and Christine. And they are the nicest ladies you could meet!

10. What are you reading? I just finished the latest James Patterson and started on the newest Faye Kellerman.

Bonus Question! Has your site been banned by Spirit of Vatican II? I never heard of it so I don't know. And I don't care!

If it has, who do you think Father Tim really is? Don't know, don't care! But I wouldn't be surprised if I learn about him after completing this!

I don't know if many read this blog, but if you do, please play along!

Our weekend up north

This past weekend, hub and I (and the mutt too) traveled to Connecticut to visit our friends and join them at an Army football game. We got to see our son too as he provided child care services for our friend's young son.

It has become a yearly tradition to join our friends for a game at West Point. They took over a block of four tickets from a former neighbor several years ago and have invited us to join them each year for a game. This year, Army won which was the first time we got to see them win a game.

The most important part of the game is, of course, tailgating. We arrive in time to enjoy mimosas and a light breakfast. This year the game was early, so we had a shorter time to tailgate before the game. After the game, we enjoy dinner cooked on a camp stove, followed by mass at the college RC church. One year, we were lucky enough to be there the weekend that the Archbishop for the Military was visiting and we enjoy hearing him say mass and the choir, which was made up of cadets and civilians, sing so beautifully that it gave me chills.

We didn't see much of our son, as he was anxious to return to school after we returned back to our friends home after the game. I had mixed feelings about that - I am glad that he has settled in to college life and made many friends, but I was looking forward to spending a little time with him. He is supposed to come home next weekend for the Columbus day holiday, so hopefully we will see more of him then.

By the way, our son ran for a senate seat on the student governing board and won. Ten students will represent the freshman class and he is one of them. I wonder if we have to call him Senator?

Happy birthday hub and dad

Monday was my both my husband's and dad's birthday. My dad was 85 years young and my husband, well for the time being, he is the same age as me. But only for a few months. I like to say that he married up - age wise that is. We are just about 9 months apart in age, with me being the "older woman."

Happy birthday Dad from your favorite (and only) daughter. I hope you enjoy many more years of good health.

Happy birthday Hub! I love you.