Latest Post........

....seems to want to be posted on September 30th.......though, for record's sake......it is actually posted on October 13th, 2008.

So, any of you looking to see if I have posted recently..........scroll down two posts.........it is there!

Thanks!

Chari

PS Blogger is still not happy with me. :(

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2008

You can find The Simple Woman here

So, this is the Daybook post I wrote for the last Sunday in September. With Blogger not letting me post and the crazy hecticness of life........which will not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.........this is the first I could get this post to the blog. I imagine I will still have some trouble getting here.........but, I will try.

In the meantime, here is the post........and a few updates in RED:

My Hearts' Haven Daybook
Sunday, September 28, 2008

Hudson's Birthday.............happy 7th birthday to a sweet nephew!

Outside My Window...........quite a warm day, sunny and bright........and smokeless! Did I mention when we returned last week from Disneyland, it was a bit smoky here???? ugh. This will probably be the warmest day of the Fall, near 87*.......after this.......it may be 8 months or more, before we hit 87* again.......it is only downhill on the thermometer for now......and, with such a warm day, I found a bit of energy to hang out a large load of clothes, with some help from the two oldest, which I appreciated very much! How right I was! The leggings and gloves have come out already!

I am thinking........how lovely it is there are still some flowers around here to enjoy. Even though my garden looks past it prime...............the row of flowers is untouched. And they are happy and blooming beautifully, still. And, the few flowering plants under my living room window have taken to a second bloom.....quite a pleasant surprise for me to find on my return home from Disneyland, where the flowers rarely notice the change of seasons. And, the little bunch of Johnnie-Jump-Ups peeking from under the porch are adorable.

I am thankful for........my friendship with Willa.......and the opportunity to have a brief visit together. Oh, why do we have to live so far apart??? It seems kind of interesting when you think about the pain, or suffering, that is just built into our friendship. While we are close friends, there is always pain......pain of separation........even when we are together........the pain of certain separation looms. I guess one has to decide if the pain is worth close, but distant, friendships. In this case, the answer is easy.....of course, yes.

And, then.................there are Gloria & Robynn & Su.........and so on......great friendships.......definitely some pain. All worth it...............even though a year can go by before we see each other again. :(

Excepting Gloria, of course, whom we can often see once a month. Her pregancy has been hard on us here at Hearts' Haven.........a TRUE confinement for us, from Gloria, who could not travel up here since the 4th of July. We are so happy Benedict has arrived.......now we can see them in October! We miss her! We will be visiting them in San Francisco this coming weekend.......and then only 1 1/2 weeks before they come up to see us!

From the kitchen........whatever you can find for yourself. With mom being un-well this last week, and company for three days........that's just what you get. There are leftovers: soup, chili, homemade "Tasha Tudor" cornbread and barbequed tri-tip.

I am wearing........need I say it??? :) Camping clothes........this time, a 4-tiered denim skirt with camping top: faded & flowered & short-sleeved.

I am creating........in my mind: a plan for the next school week. In my reality: not much planning actually going down in hard copy. Well........not sure that amounted to much!

I am going........to skip this question this week......as nothing inspiring is coming to mind.

I am reading.........my children are kind of embarrassed...but I will just come out and say it: Life is Just What You Make It by Donny Osmond. Yes, it is his biography. I found it at Robynn's house......and she lent it to me. I was not a die-hard Donny fan..........but I did watch him every Friday night at 8pm on the Donny and Marie show. :) I would say the fun part about reading about his life is that it provided the back stage scene of a part of the time period I grew up in...........something I rarely get since I am always reading bigraphies of people before my time..........or books written in older days. Also, what a refreshing look at a celebrity that lead a clean life. I am also still trying to finish up The Four Loves by CS Lewis...........I am enjoying it...........it is just talking so long because it is hard to read just a few minutes here and there............I need at least ten- 15 minutes to get a good bite. I am reading The Magician's Nephew by CS Lewis out loud to the two younger boys.

I am hoping.......to gain my full-strength back for this next week, to have 30 hours in a day......NO sleeping deprivations of any sort............and a most efficient school week. PLeeeeeeSE God??? Pretty, please??? :) Hmmm..........got more strength back, but those 30 hour days never did materialize. Gotta talk to God about that! :)

I am hearing......the hum of the computer..... general chattering from five of the six..........the third oldest is sitting here near me on my bed, engrossed in LM Montgomery's The Blue Castle, a favorite around here! She isn't making any noise. :)

I am wondering.......when we will be lighting our first fire of the season, As I have said in the past.......we heat by wood only........with very rare monitor heater use, usually only 0-2x a month.........usually if we have been away from home all day and it is severely cold.....painfully cold. Some of you know what I mean, don't you? :) Well, one day I was gone......at work I think...............and Marty started the first fire. I am glad he did it. I was so unwilling to be the first.........like it was a weakness or something :) We have been quite cold here.....below freezing.....but we kept forgetting to start a fire in time. :)

Around the house.......the mildly scattered mess of visitors recently departed. It is not bad at all.....a bit of putting a few things away..........and then a quick, mop and vacuum. I DO need to go face it though. :) Well, we got some of it cleaned up......but it was not until yesterday that we finally have a decluttered house!

Now Showing..........the kids and visitors enjoyed a few episodes of Jeeves and Wooster over the last few days........oh, and the older ones re-watched Hairspray. And we had friends over to watch Enchanted last night. Anne and I have started a Scottish series called "The Monarch of the Glen" from Netflix.

In the schoolroom.........Matthew has been sleeping there while we had company.......so, there is a futon on the floor, socks strewn.....oh, oops.......this is supposed to be about what we are currently studying.........NOT what the schoolroom literally looks like! :)

Well, we have had the majority of the week light due to ill mama, recently returned from a trip and company for a few days........today I hope to put out some energy to prepare for the upcoming week...........so, I actually have something to write about here.

One of my favorite things.........Minute-Maid's Frozen Lemonade.........tastes best when consumed at Disneyland......one a day, if you can manage it.

Signs of the season...........we changed the summery tablecloth to refect the fall season and pulled out a very large orange candle that I have been using for many years.......just has not burned down yet!....as a centerpiece. The garden SO LOOKS DONE.....SO sad...........though there are few things not minding these cooler nights..............and that freeze mid-September. One tree in our mini-orchard is changing colors.........and the MOST abundant apples and pears our orchard has ever, ever produced. Well, that tree changed colors, and with the first wind, was blown bare.

I was sitting chatting with Willa the other day, and I said: I am hungry! As I thought about what to eat, I decided on an apple, and dragged Willa outside to pick an apple right off of the tree! Then, we tried another variety.......mmmmm! the best ever! How cool is this???

Hey, if you are a local friend, you can come eat an apple right off of my tree, too, if you want.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.......

Let's see.......

I work on Tuesday......and it is homeschool mom's night out (it is so nice to be able to write that....it just was not possible when my kids were little....not enough moms!) the same night.....hopefully I can get off in time to attend. I did not work that day...........and I DID go to mom's night out. mexican food.

Soccer games and practices. Oops...........I missed one of Malachy's games.........I memorized the wrong date for it! Poor guy!

Play practices for the play at the charter school, twice.

A run up to the state of Oregon for orthodontist appointments for four......and a routine check-up for the wee fellow. It will be a very quick trip........in order to get Matthew back in time for class.......none of that all-day-long shopping stuff. Aw, man! Someone in the office wrote the date of the appointment in their files........but it never made it to the calendar. So, we never made it that day..........which I was kind of glad about.........as I was SO not in the mood to go up that day. We re-scheduled for last Saturday.

Our dear friend Sierra is turning 16yrs on Friday........there will be TWO parties...one with just girls, including my three.....and then a barbeque the next day, for lots of families. Sierra is the oldest of 8......though #8 will not be here till a couple of weeks after her birthday. My family loves to socialize with their family.....we are really looking forward to this! We had a wonderful time that weekend. And, they were the family that came to watch a movie with us last night...........though the kids only, aged 21 months to 16 years........because mom and dad went to the hospital to have baby #8......awaiting news this morning! We had 13 kids here last night. :) I told Gloria it was to prepare me for her more frequent visits. :)

Good health!

Special prayer requests on my mind this week........good health for our whole family........for the Saint Gerard post..........getting back on our feet, educationally............and for private intentions........for Willa's travels and for a wonderful family reunion with her parents and brothers. This she had! And, Garrett is now recovering from his cold.


Do you have any special intentions to share with us?

I am currently scrapbooking.........no actual work this week......but I did put big order into Creative Memories......even though I am such a geek, and forgot to order the papers for the opening scrapbook page of our Star-Spangled Adventure 2007! Sheesh........ I did order an album and 6 refill pages to get started........and then I forget the first page. I set a few dates to go scrapbook with Louise...starting tomorrow. With Anne turning 20 next week.........it would be fun to be only 20 years behind, to the day! Though, that is very unlikely to happen...........Well, Louise and I had to re-schedule.....probably not til I get back from San Fran........and, we are planning to have at least one day be a mostly all-day-er. I have been going through my Creative Memories magazines looking for inspiration for the SSA album.......and marking the pages. My Creative Memories order came so fast......in about 48 hours! I also ordered that one item from a local gal and I have that now, too. Now, to get started!

Here is picture thought I am sharing........

Taken at the Getty Villa on our trip down south to Disneyland.

Blessings and love...........

Chari

Saint Gerard List

After reading my last post........and thinking of all of the pregnant moms I left off the list......I think I will add a Saint Gerard's prayer list permanently to my Daybook posts.

But, I will begin it here now.....and then just add it for Monday's Daybook post.

EDC is the term for "expected date of confinement"...........a bit old-fashioned term :) ......some use EDD, "expected date of delivery"........but not me. :)

My local friends Maria #8, EDC mid-October, Sherry #3, EDC early Dec

Elizabeth #9, due the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, and experiencing complications as I write......and is now on strict bedrest.

Kim of Starry Sky Ranch, #10?........we visited her family while on our Star-Spangled Adventure 2007

Best friends, Alice #8 and Lissa #6

Another sorta-local mom, Gloria #8?, EDC January, I think.

Internet friends, DonnaMarie #9?, due any moment, and with other issues in life to deal with.........Stefoodie, hmmm........when is Stef due?

Can you think of any others???

Thanks be to God for the healthy delivery of.......

Jaylen Reeves to my sister Jennifer & Rob #4...um, that would be a girl :)
AND
Benedict Michael to my "sister" Gloria & John #6 :)

Go to Jennifer's blog above, to see photos!

AND, to the mom expecting her sixth and was overdue, she delivered her second girl last week, using the same name as one of my girls!

Please let me know if I forgot someone........or if YOU would like to be added.

Saints Anne & Gerard,

pray for us!

Love, C

Haven Heartbeats

How about a few updates from my last Daybook post........

Current illness...........I woke up this morning feeling a bit more conjested, but much better. WAY less fog in the head. Thank you, God. And, now that the day is over, and I never had a nap.......I still do not feel too bad.........just tired. Think I shall pop into bed early, maybe with Malachy.

About pregnant ladies...........Gloria gave birth about 2:30am this morning, on the feast day of Our Lady of Ransom, to Benedict Michael, my new godson. :) Thank you for the prayers.

Another good link for Our Lady of Ransom

Oh, and one more, also really good.

And, here is a list from my favorie saint website:

SEPTEMBER 24
Anathalon
Andochius
Anton Martin Slomsek
Bercthun
Chuniald
Colomba Gabriel
Erinhard
Gerard Sagredo
Geremarus
Gislar
Isarnus of Toulouse
Martyrs of Chalcedon
Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Ransom
Our Lady of Walsingham
Pacificus of Severino
Paphnutius
Rupert
Rusticus
Terenzio of Luni
Ysarn


Also, the mum past due with her six is now in labor, too! Please pray for a healthy delivery.

Now, of the three moms closest to me.....only one to go, Maria, with number 8!

Oh, wait, I almost forgot, my friend Sherry is due between Thanksgiving and Christmas........and I told her I would come be laobr support if she wants me. She said yes at the beginning of the pregnancy......I hope she still wants me. :) I need to call her!

About cars..........I heard a funny noise while on my trip and it sounded worse yesterday..........I took it in today...........we need a new break job. I can't wait to tell Marty. :/

On friends...........you know you have a very special friend, when.....

*she agrees to take your youngest at the last moment for a play date

*when she returns your phone call, twice.......even though you don't answer, because your phone is on silent.......for some unknown reason (I did see one of the kids playing with the phone earlier today)...grrrrr

*she calls you an hour later inviting your whole family to come watch the President's speech tonight at her house, because she knows you have no access to television (see previous post)

*AND, she invites to share her yummy "leftover" meal (oh, it was really good!)

*and her hubby gives all of us a lesson on the current economic status of the country AND play-by-play comments on the President's speech (they Tivo-ed the speech) ......which was much appreciated, truly

*she chuckles at the yucky mess your presence brings........and gives you everything needed to clean up

*AND, still, she invites the whole family to partake of dessert of their first homemade pumpkin pie and homemade whipped cream of the season

*And still can laugh when it unexpectedly appears the mess is not yet cleaned up all the way......and requires hosing a rug in the morning...ugh

*And finally, when you tried to leave, what, TEN times???, and you come back in the house because you realized you were barefoot getting into your car....and you leave again after getting your shoes.......only to have her laugh, hand you your keys and cell phone...and give you a hug goodbye

Anne thinks said friend is now going to be afraid to invite us over anymore for one of those "quickie" visits. :) I hope not. :)

I have got to get to bed............goodnight!!

Love, chari

PS Since I have company..........I expect to be mostly gone till Sunday.......though if I find time, I may post some random pictures........we'll see, I guess. :)

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2008

You can find The Simple Woman here

My Hearts' Haven Daybook
September 23, 2008

Tuesday evening......delayed entry due to traveling and illness........

Outside My Window.......lots of butterflies!

Not sure what kind. They are all over my yard, the soccer field and the roads........from one town to another.

Also, we must have had a freeze here while I was gone........my basil is ruined :(..........no pesto this year :( ...............my garden looks so unhappy, and so done for the season. :( That sure went by too fast!

I am thinking........I sure hope I can rid myself of this minor cold.........I have company coming this week!

Oh, I am also thinking: it SUCKS, that my all-time favorite camera gave up the ghost at Disneyland this last week. Those of you that know me.........KNOW I LOVE my camera.............one of the few material possessions I jealously protect. I do have the kids' camera to use till I figure out what to do to replace it. Cannot really afford a new one right now. But it is SO hard to use the kids' camera after using my GREAT camera. :( Anyone LOVE their camera and have recommendation for me???

I am thankful for........so many things.........I almost want to make a post just for my current thankfulness!

For now, here is a list of the folks I need to thank:

my husband
my dad
my sister & her husband
my other sister & her husband
Gloria & John
Gloria S
Jennifer & Pete E
Robynn
Patty
Sheila
I am sure I will think of more.............just too foggy for now.......

From the kitchen.......rye toast is about all I can handle right now....no appetite for me. I am also drinking a cup of STASH's Pumpkin Spice tea.....mmmm. The kids ate a pasta dish......

I am wearing........a long, cotton tee-shirt dress.

I am creating........this.

I am going...........to get as much rest as possible for the moment.

I am reading.........kind of the same as last week: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin, Augustine's Confessions by same, The Four Loves by CS Lewis, Haystack Full of Needles by my friend Alice Gunther.........and yes, I am actually reading all of them at the same time...................though I just finished Three Cups of Tea yesterday. I enjoyed it very much, "visiting" a part of the world (Pakistan & Afganistan) I do not know much about. I was afraid it would be a very "liberal" (politically speaking) book.........but that only happened in the last few chapters. Just slightly offensive to my conservative self.........but not enough to not enjoy the read overall. In fact, I did not necessarily disagree with their points............just kind of offended they threw them in at the last minute at the book...........and that they were worded in such a way as to be jabs at conservatives. In the end, I DO recommend this book as a good read.

I am hoping............tomorrow I wake up, ready to face my world, healed of this cold.

I am hearing......Maddelyn singing in the shower..........and Voi Che Sapete on my computer.

I am wondering.......at how interesting I had TWO people I know fairly well, come up to me today at the soccer game to ask about homeschooling. Pray I can help them, especially the one that is my co-worker I asked for prayers for a few weeks ago, for her little boy.

Around the house.......a mess from just getting back from our travels.......and no well mama to make sure it gets clean. I do have the laundry moving, at least. There was a lot! Oh, and all of the Legos all over the living room floor.

Now Showing..........we watched the Emmy's Sunday night at my sister's.....my dad's choice. Luckily, my sister Tivo-ed it so we skipped commercials. My kids and I have no idea of what's on TV these days, not actually having access to television. We HAVE a TV.......it is only used for movies.............not access to any tv shows, at all.

In the schoolroom.........(I borrowed this topic from my friend Michele) not much since we only have returned yesterday really.......except Legos for the younger two and their soccer. Sarah and Maddelyn have been trying to come up with their first assignment for their voice class. Matthew had a American Lit exam today...........and Anne is just plain college-busy. Actually, Sarah has been reading some of her history, too.

One of my favorite things.........listening to Celtic music. Part of my heritage.........my grandfather was an O' Connor.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week........

Quickly gather learning samples to meet with my friend Shelly, who is also our charter school educational facilitator. We meet once a month during the school year.

Tidy the house........company is coming.

Visit with our company Thursday thru Sunday............Willa and only 4 or 5 of her kids. Matthew is bummed Sean can't come....due to football, and thus school responsibilities. We all are.

Sean & Matthew on a visit this past summer

Soccer practices and games for the two little boys.

Start play rehearsals on Wednesday afternoon, for the charter school play.

Work two days. And attend a mandatory meeting.................we need prayers for this meeting, please, as it is a "we" vs "them" kind of meeting.

And, anything else, school-wise or declutter-wise that I can fit into my life. :) Ha, ha!

Special prayer requests on my mind this week.......

For a healthy delivery of Gloria & John's son, Benedict Michael........she is in early labor as I write. Looks like she may deliver on her due date...........which only happens about 3% of the time. Anne was born on her due date.

Healing of my cold, and my lung issues which popped up again with a vengenance at the hotel we stayed in.

For a local homeschool mom, 11 days past due date, with her 6th child.

For a few internet friends: one about to lose her home.........and another with pregnancy complications.

For my private intentions.

I am currently scrapbooking.......nothing since last week............it will be at least a week or more before I can get back to it.......in the meantime, I AM putting in an order for Creative Memories for refill pages, an album and pages to start my Star-Spangled Adventures scrapbook.

Here is picture thought I am sharing........

Sarah holding little friend Jade, Winona, one of his 4 big sisters and Malachy with Mickey Mouse, of course!

This was the first picture I have ever taken at Disneyland with one of the characters in several decades of visiting......we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time......and, it is my favorite Mickey Mouse: The Sorcerer!

Blessings on your week! And, mine, too!

With love,

Chari

Exciting Things Happening Today!

First, let me make an announcent:





It's a..............well, let's just say that my 4 1/2 year old niece Avery said today: Yay! I finally have a sister!

It's a GIRL!!!!!!

The sweet baby girl was born at 1430 today.....no name or measurement to announce yet.....though I did tell them that Chari was a fine name. :) I recommended Charlotte as an alternative if Chari did not work for them....but Jennifer said I already had a Charlotte in my life who was already special to me. I guess she is right.......I adore Charlotte and I know she really likes me. :) Well, she likes to come visit me anyway. :)

Jennifer has the best inductions, EVER. Trust me, I have seen a lot of inductions. So, mom and baby and dad are doing well. Grandpa, aka Papa, is happy he can go to Disneyland and not worry over Jennifer and baby anymore.

And, then, the other wonderful and amazing thing that has happened in my life today is this:

John and Gloria have asked me to be Benedict Michael's (due any day now!) godmother. I am so excited, privileged, honored........NOW we can really be "related" to the G family! :)

Thank you so much, John & Gloria, for this blessing in my life. I pray I can be a blessing to you and Benedict.....

........hmmmm, does this mean I can have some say in the wee fella's nickname???

And, now.....I must get packed up for the busi-ness of tomorrow!

Wonderful Blessings!

love, chari

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2008

You can find The Simple Woman here

My Hearts' Haven Daybook

September 14, 2008

Sunday Morning......far away form home......


Outside My Window.......it is a sunny and cool morning here in Lancaster, CA....the calm before the 90's* arrive. :) Good thing for the kids Robynn has a pool!

I am thinking........I sure enjoy my visits to Robynn.......wish she did not live at the other end of the state!

I am thankful for.......all of the homeschooling moms and families we have met and visited all over this great state, the West Coast and the whole United States.....and, for new babies! :)


From the kitchen.......I can smell sausages and eggs! YAY!

I am wearing......a pink nightie with little pink flower print. I decided two years ago that I wanted to look a bit more feminine for my husband and family at bedtime......instead of the sweats and oversized tees I had been wearing. Plus, I am less likely to stay in a nightgown all day on a lazy day, than in sweats. Of course, if I am changing into camping clothes, I guess I am still a bit sloppy. :) But, they are feminine camping clothes. :)

I am creating........not sure if I am :)...........I guess I am creating scrapbook pages.

I am going..........to Disneyland! Yeah, I said that last week, too. :) But, first, we are going to mass today.

I am reading.........Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin, Augustine's Confessions by same, The Four Loves by CS Lewis, Haystack Full of Needles by my friend Alice Gunther.........I think that is it.....and yes, I am actually reading all of them at the same time.......though I need to rush Three Cups of Tea, as it is due on September 23rd at the library. I am really enjoying it so far..........5 chapters into it.

I am hoping.........to somehow give up this heavy fog I am in........I feel really wiped-out. It would help if I did not stay up past midnight the last few nights.......but it is so hard to give up the pure quiet. Maybe I can get some rest at Disneyland. :)

I am hearing......The hum of the ceiling fan above me with the quiet jingle of the light moving back and forth while the fan rotates......and some distant kitchen noise......which I am going to go inspect now........I am feeling a little familiar tug in my tummy........hunger. :)

I am wondering.......what the gender of Jennifer's baby is going to be. As I write this, they have just started the pitocin. I could hear the fetal heart monitor in the background of our phone conversation. I LIKE having a cell phone, especially for occasions such as this. Just think, if the induction "takes," we could have a new member of our family added to the tree today.

Around the house.......not mine, of course......but Robynn's. Kids dressing for mass........munching on breakfast......me, here, pretending I am well-rested. :)

Now Showing.........I am not watching any movies here with Robynn, because I would rather chat with her.....even though she has still not seen Enchanted and she has a Disney movie with Donny Osmond in it. :)

One of my favorite things.......is drooling over all of the wonderful book titles on the shelves of my homeschooling friends' shelves. I just love looking over bookshelves, any book shelves.......and homeschooling moms' shelves are the most fun! But, I have to admit, sometimes, they have all the same books I have :) ........in which case, I usually feel very much at home when I visit their shelves.......uh, I mean, homes. :)

Special prayer requests on my mind this week....my sister is being induced today! Gloria is due any moment. For some private intentions of mine.......and definitely some prayers of thanksgiving for some answered prayers through the Rosary novena I am praying. Please pray for our continued safe travels.......and that we can manage to stay within our budget!

I am currently scrapbooking........ I decided to bring my current chronological album of "Our story......continues" with me to So. Cal. The last few days, I have been working on doings in the first half of 1988. It seems much of the doings are more MY story than OUR story....but, hey, I had the camera.....and I went to DC and Pittsburgh and I graduated from college. The summer should become more fair since we attended a family reunion together. :) After that, though, I went to Ireland with my mom and my very pregnant belly. :) Oh, and I almost forgot! I scrapbooked the photos of my first "blood" niece.....born 20 years ago last February. I even happened to be chatting with her mother while I was putting the photos on the page. I have a handful of photos of Marty helping his brother David to build a root cellar. They were so proud of that project. It still stands today, though no longer utilized by family members. Robynn finally gave me the Minnie Mouse punch she was supposed to get for me two years ago! :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week........

Monday we leave Robynn's Lancaster home and take a drive to a special store on Sunset Blvd the kids have been begging to visit. Then, they are planning a long drive down Sunset Blvd, while we listen to the music from the musical of Sunset Blvd, by Andrew Lloyd Webber. We plan a visit to a favorite museum followed by a romp at the beach......a yummy dinner and then a ride over to Disneyland.

The rest of the week will be spent exploring Disneyland and California Adventure Park.......while we try not to be bummed about so many rides being closed. What? No Small World, again????


On Saturday, we head home to Nevada..........to see our newest niece....or, is it a nephew???? Definitely a cousin! :) We will know later today, eh?


Sunday, mass and maybe a visit to our Catholic homeschooling friends in Carson City, and my mom. Spend the night with Jennifer and newest cousin and "old" cousins, too. :)

Here is picture thought I am sharing............as I am "out of town yet again" I am unable to find a photo for you! Just know I am taking lots of photos while I am "out of town yet again" :)

Love and blessings to you all!

Chari

On the Road: Disneyland or Bust

We have arrived in Southern California safely, in spite of the fact that my body wanted to go horizontal the whole time I was driving.


On my arrival here in Lancaster, I did in fact go horizontal within minutes of my arrival. No nap, just rest.

Even though I broke up the drive by driving only part way the first night........and the other half the next day, it was still quite a trek. Yeah, I know......it is not like it was cross-country or the like. :) But, we live in a very loooong state.......and I feel it every single time. There is just no easy way around it. Makes me nuts. And, it annoys me that my friend Willa, who lives half-way down the state, lives in too inconvenient a place to stop and visit. :)

Lucky for me I now have friends in Tracy! We met several Catholic homeschooling families from this area a couple of years ago when they joined us for our WestCoastFun Camping trips. We stayed with the S family and then the E family came over for a visit. It was too short....but we all had a great time and look forward to more quality time spent together. Thank you so much, G, for your wonderful hospitality! And, thank you so much, J and P, for being good sports and sticking around till I arrived, late. I just love your sweet little baby, what a doll she is! Can't wait till we all get together again!

And now, I am exhausted, and will get this posted now, as I am up way too late, and need to head to bed.

But first, my sister is being induced tomorrow. Please pray all goes well!

Love,

chari........away from Hearts' haven, for the moment, yet again :)

We Are Headin' Out.......

We are going out of town, yet again. :)

We are heading to Southern California.

We are going to Disneyland.

Yes, I know, AGAIN.

But, my dad is treating.

And, I NEVER turn down a FREE trip. :)

Would you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Dad!

Thanks, Georgie-Pop!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

See you all soon!

With love,

Chari

PS.......I may get around to dropping a note.......we'll see.

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2008

You can find The Simple Woman here



My Hearts' Haven Daybook
September 7, 2008

Sunday afternoon....................



Outside My Window...........sunny, fairly warm, slight breeze and a bench where may gazebo will one day go.

I am thinking........I am WAYYYYYYY tired. I will be heading for a nap here in a moment.

I am thankful for......the lovely visit we just had with Marty's cousin Debora and her husband David and their offspring, Josh. Malachy and Josh had so much fun.......and I think the highlights for them were the kittens in the garage and the light saber "fights" after dark. Those two boys are exhausted! I think their parents are, too! I think we all enjoyed "getting back into nature" as we showed off a few of our favorite lakes, rivers and waterfalls. We even took a hike new to all but one of us and what a surprise of a waterfall scene with which we were rewarded. Oh, my!

From the kitchen........Malachy just made some Madagascar Vanilla Red herbal ice tea. Wonder how it will taste. :)

For dinner tonight......any leftover anyone can claim. After our company, and all those company meals, there is plenty to be had. In fact, I told the kids they will be feeding themselves every meal between now and when we leave on Thursday. I will barely be home. Sad face.

I am wearing........what I wore to mass.............a nice double-sided rayon skirt: dark blue with white, blue and periwinkle flowers and green leaves......a nice shirt, periwinkle.

I am creating........an updated packing list for my trip.......eventually!

I am going..........to Disneyland! I AM going to PASS this class. I AM going to be well-rested!

I am reading.........the same as last week. But, I have decided to take Three Cups of Tea with me to Disneyland. I ordered it from the library at the beginning of summer to read at the same time that my friend Sierra was reading it.............but it just now came, and she is already finished, of course. She had to read it for a pre-college assignment. I talked to my friend Cindy (who, for some reason, cannot figure out how to reach this blog) about the book since she just finished it. She recommends I go for it. It is unusual for me to read modern literature..........but, every once in awhile.....

I also "heard" God tell me today after Mass while I was praying that I need to begin reading Augustine's Confessions. I just pulled it off of the shelf. We will have to see if it is over my head. :) I hope to read it slowly and savor the wisdom.........

I am hoping.........for the PACE to SLOW down around HERE! I am SO tired! Maybe after the second week of October............how far away is that????? :)

I am hearing......peacefulness, a few birds twittering, the hummm of the computer, a movie Malachy just put on while I nap...........it almost sounds like Disney's Robin Hood. Nope.....it is Disney's Davy Crockett.

I am wondering.......what to eat for dinner.

Around the house.......Anne is studying at the dining room table, Matthew is studying in the school room, Sarah has voluntarily begun cleaning the Yukon XL inside and out, and in some amazing feat, has recruited Maddelyn.....and this when both are probably exhausted from visitors and getting up early for mass and the long drive that it entails............Malachy is watching a movie......and I think Garrett has join him. The house is NOT messy..........just slightly disorded, easily cleaned up.....and still clean from cleaning for company.

Now Showing..........The Girl in the Cafe, a strange HBO movie. It was going along okay and then had its one rated R scene, which was blessedly short. Just an odd movie. Not sure how it ended up on our Netflix queue. I did kind of enjoy the oddity. The rest of the movie was PG.

One of my favorite things.........is spending quiet time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament after mass. Everyone leaves and I always light two candles and sit and pray........I pray for each one of my family members and any other special things........and then I try to sit and "listen" to God. I read once that sometimes we do not sit still and hear Him.........we are too busy pouring out our thoughts to Him, that we cannot hear Him speak to us. So, I always try. It is hard......and sometimes I am not sure if I hear anything.....but today, I DID hear I need Saint Augustine. :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week.......omigoodness......not sure if I can look at it in writing......but, here goes: deep breath...........

Monday: Drive kids to the college, study, piano lessons, cast meeting for the latest play, study, pick kids up at school, Malachy's soccer game, study and take the pre-test fo my class.

Tuesday: Take a class from 8am-4:30pm......then teach a childbirth class from 6-9pm. The kids have lots to do........and guess who is driving them.....not me.

Wednesday: Take class (mostly tests) 8am-4:30. Garrett has a soccer game.

Thursday: Drive kids to the college...............make sure car is packed.....pick kids up at 3pm and head south to visit friends overnight in Tracy. I think it is at least five hours away.

Friday: Drive from Tracy to friends' in Lancaster.........at least a six hour drive.

Saturday: I am undecided.......or, non-commital......... about how I will spend this day. It is making the kids nuts, as they want me to commit to a visit to the ocean or maybe their favorite museum in California.

.....are we tired yet?

In between all of this..........laundry must be done.........house cleaned and organized........and packing..........and all of the other little things required like food, sleeping and showers.


Special prayer requests on my mind this week...........for my pregnant friends and relatives.........for my cousin and uncle as they continue to grieve over the loss of their mother and wife...........for passing this test.......for our travels......for the complete healing of my ling issues (things have been better!) and something else dear to me....but I cannot remember what that was........I just knew I planned to write it today. :)

I am currently scrapbooking.........trying to decide whether to take my current scrapbook with me that I am working on.....the one from 1988 or start my Disneyland scrapbook. Any thoughts? I am leaning toward 1988.......I am thinking I am too tired to begin a new theme album right now........even with the inspiration of going to Disneyland.

Here is picture thought I am sharing........

..............apples on one of our apple trees, in our mini-orchard.


With love,


chari

Haven Heartbeats

Malachy:.......Ahhh......My little guy is growing up.....he does not need assistance anymore in the bathroom AND he is taking showers now.......two so far, to be exact. Sheesh. I miss my five year old........and next month he will be seven...........sigh.

On Sunday, after mass, I was helping him with his thanksgiving prayers...........and I was giving him suggestions of things to talk to God about.......just trying to share with him that God is interested with all parts of our lives, even the everyday things:

Mama: You can ask God to help you play soccer good...... (please ignore the grammar).

Malachy: Hmmph! Mama! I already AM one of the goodest players on my team (this after only two practices???)......

Mama: Well, then, pray for humility.

Malachy.......look of confusion. :)

Always funnier in real time.

And, on the way home......discussing the fact that we saw THREE sandhill cranes on our way to mass.

Malachy says to Anne: Why do they name a bird with a bad word? ....with shock that people would be so ridiculous.

Anne: What are you talking about?

Malachy: You know.....Sand HELL cranes???? :)

On the side: the lesser sandhill crane is my favorite bird...........and our way to mass is right near a bird reserve...........and we get to see amazing birds on the way, even if we cannot see the reserve. Swans, pelicans, sandhill cranes, Bald eagles, golden Eagles, etc.......This is the FIRST year we have ever seen the sandhill cranes on our mass roadtrips. It is SO exciting!

Guess what? While I was sitting here typing this up, he came in and hugged me and started kissing my face all over. SO sweet.......now, how long will that last??? Never long enough. What do we do when no one wants to hug or cuddle anymore?

Well, I guess there is always Maddelyn. :)

Internet Update: Marty has contracted to get us high speed internet in our home, for the first time ever. YES! We should be up and running by the end of the month, IF things go smoothly :) And, we will get set up for wireless. YES! And, then....you will see more photos.........because the way it works now, I have to shrink each photo before I can upload it here.....and then that takes a few minutes to ten minutes each time. sigh.

More on Malachy:

before I got a chance to post this.......

Malachy: I am glad I am not a girl so I do not have to have a baby in my tummy. :)

I reminded him that Gloria was going to have a baby very soon........

and he says: You know who else has a baby in their tummy?

I say: who?

He says: Aunt Jennifer!!!! We saw her tummy, remember? :)

that's it......a lot from some one who was not going to be posting. :)

Well,

My hallway is a mess and I need to get it fixed back up.........sometimes cleaning is a MESSY business!

God bless your week!

Chari

My Littlest Sister is Blogging This Week......

The Kittrell Kronicles......cute name, doncha think?

First, stop by here to see a photo of her new babe, as yet to be born.....but due any week now......... After seeing the photo, take the poll on the right-hand side of the page and vote BOY or GIRL

We think it looks like a boy! But, we are hoping for a girl! Malachy said tonight he hopes it is a girl so Avery has someone to play with her. Isn't he a thoughtful cousin? :)

The wee one DOES have very kissable lips!

And, then, Jennifer was featured with two other wives in a newspaper article. They are all married to High School football coaches. Cute photo and funny article.

And lastly, she has posted sweet pictures from Where they spent their summer vacation.

Can you tell which one is Jennifer in the photos?

HINT: She is near her delivery due date. :)

Check out the photo I swiped........

I just could NOT help myself!

VERY SWEET!

I LOVE this "action" photo :)

Keep the blogging going, Jennifer...........we love it here!

You are in our daily prayers for a healthy delivery!

Blessings,

Chair

(NO, this is NOT a typo)

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2008

You can find The Simple Woman here

My Hearts' Haven Daybook

August 31, 2008

Sunday afternoon....................

Outside My Window.........the sun is shining.......looks warm, but on our way home from mass this afternoon the temperature outside was 58*....it was quite chilly last night and this morning. Yesterday was quite warm, at 86*...........Tomorrow is supposed to be 70* and 86* by Thursday..........I am glad, I am not quite ready to give up the warm summer weather.....not yet.

and...........my garden is lush........short, but lush :)

I am thinking..........I am WAY TOO BUSY for the next two weeks! Ha! Make that THREE weeks.......or, should I just generalize and say LIFE! :)

I am thankful for......my co-workers. I may not like going to work.......but the people I work with are wonderful. I appreciate them so much. And, it is nice that we can pray with and for each other, too. Please pray us as we deal with things like mandatory classes and exams and a few other issues. Thanks!

From the kitchen.......I can smell a squash soup, made especially for us by Anne. So, that means it is vegan, right? :) We have been eating A LOT of squash lately. :) That is why I grew 8 different kinds........so we can have variety, while we eat our lack of variety. :) No time to make bread, so Rudi's Organic Rye will have to go with it! I LOVE this brand.......it tastes just like the rye bread I grew up with eating at my Jewish (not practicing in my lifetime) grandparents home. We always had little cups of black tea, too!

I am wearing........a nice rayon skirt with flowers and a nice shirt........leggings and socks :) it is chilly, remember? Hey, at least it is not camping clothes this time!

I am creating........ a cleaner home......for the moment. It will only last so long. :)

I am going...........to be enjoying my completely scrubbed and polished living room.......cleaned from ceiling to floor, every single square inch! Every single part is dusted or scrubbed...........even behind and under couches........and IN couches, too! Behind and in front of pictures............I even went outside with a bucket of soapy water and scrubbed the outside windows. Boy! did that need to be done! I can see my views again! I used the excuse of company coming......but we never did any REAL Spring cleaning.............so I REALLY needed to clean up in there. YES!

I am reading.........still: Advanced Life Support Provider manual.............as I and my colleagues are being forced to take this class in September. ugh. Please pray I understand! I mean, WE understand.............we all feel kind of lost. :( (yes, it is a repeat of LAST weeks' post.) When I have something like this going on, I usually have to put myself on a reading fast. We leave for Disneyland in two weeks.............got to figure out what book to bring........any recommendations?

Oh, and the last chapter of The Horse and His Boy will be read tonight! Then, no Narnia till we return from our trip! I think! :) I am sure the boys will beg......and I just may relent :)

I am hoping.......I PASS that test! :) AND, I get everything done that I need to get done!

I am hearing......wonderful Celtic music.......love that fiddle and the rhythm. I REALLY want to get up and Irish step dance. I will have to settle for a dancing head and shoulders, for now. I sure miss my girls and their Irish step dancing. :(

It is Celtic Faire by John Whelan, a Hallmark CD I have always loved.......a great mix of Scottish & Irish music.

From the inside of the CD holder:

From the glimmer of morning's first light
till the very wee hours of night--
may you laugh loud and long,
may your soul sing a song,
and your heart dance with joy and delight!

Now, you know how this music makes me feel :)

Around the house.......still A LOT of spiffiness needed to get done for company. I really want to work on the dining room and hallway. Think I will try to prep some of the food ahead of time so things are easier to "build."

Now Showing......... We just watched Mrs. Miniver with Greer Garson......I mentioned before she was one of my favorite actresses to see onscreen. "The Irish-born, red-haired Miss Garson won an Academy Award for "Mrs. Miniver," the 1942 drama about a British housewife courageously guiding her family through the blitz bombings of World War II." We liked the movie very much. Very well made. She amazes me with her range of emotions. I SO believe her! :) Based off of a novel of James Hilton by the same name.

One of my favorite things.........Stash's Chai Spice Tea......I drink a cup sweetened with fructose every morning. Please come join me some morning..........

I am wondering.......why oh why it is always (almost) windy when I hang my clothes out on the clothes line!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week............

Let's see........playing chauffeur, for sure :) STUDY. I teach a childbirth class on Tuesday night, Marty takes the boys to a soccer practice the same night.........we have Marty's cousin Deborah and hubby and 8 year old son coming for a visit for a few days at the end of the week. They are going to set up their tent on our property and hang out. We, they and us, are pretty excited about this........as they have never come to STAY with us, but have only stopped by for GREAT visits on their way to or from somewhere. This will be concentrated time together. STUDY. The kids have auditions on Wednesday for a musical with our charter school. Five are auditioning, and the oldest is one of two people casting the play. STUDY. Sarah has a heart check-up on Friday. It is routine and should go just fine. STUDY. The first soccer games start on the 6th. Take our vistors on a couple of hikes to rivers, falls and such. Did I mention that I will need to STUDY???? :)

Special prayer requests on my mind this week: The boy I mentioned last week with the broken neck.......according to the paper, they will not know for about 18 months the true extent of the damage. In the meantime, I hear his spirits are high and he is being strong and brave. All of this is hearsay.

I have a local friend who has a little guy who has some serious issues. Could you please pray they are resolved, at the the least, they find out how best to help him?

And, of course, the three pregnant women I know.........esp my sister as she has to deal with severe headaches and backache thses last few weeks.......plus she is still working.

Gloria is having a boy: Benedict Michael

Maria is having a boy: Liam Michael

Jennifer, my sister is having a surprise :) The boy name looks to be picked out........but that will also be a surprise.......though I am in the know :) I hope she has the baby before we leave for Disneyland............so no one will be so far away from her, worried about her. :) PS Check out her blog........she has been writing lately.........AND, I suspect will be doing more of it once she gets time off of work for having the baby.

Oh, and as long as we are praying for expectant moms.......there's my friend Lissa from Here In the Bonny Glen, too, and her best friend Alice, from Cottage Blessings. I know there are more......just having a blank right now.....but we pray for all of them anyway, right? :)

Oh, another Gloria just found out she is due! I think she reads my blog sometimes....so let's add her to the Saint Gerard prayers. She is due in January. For non-Catholics.....he is the patron of expectant moms.


I am currently scrapbooking...............my friend Su and I buy our Creative Memories products through my sister Jennifer's consultant account. I was glad to hear that I still have till the end of September to put in my huge order. I thought it was the end of August. Last week at Louise's I was able to scrapbook four pages.........funny, I cannot remember the topics of the pages! But I do know it was 1987 photos. That makes me only 20 years and 8 months behind........as I continue to point and shoot. :) Now, I am forced to take a scrapbooking break due to the need to study for my exam and to prepare going out of town.....and to enjoy my company.......who, will love seeing my scrapbooks. It is Marty's cousin..........she and I are the same age and have known each other for over 20 years. She will love seeing old photos of her family.

I am considering taking my scrapbook stuff with me on our jaunt to So Cal.....hey, did anyone just hear my children moan? groan? :)


Here is picture thought I am sharing........

Our table centerpiece this week.

I have so much I want to share........but for now, I need you to keep in mind I may not post at all, or much, between now and September 25th. I have just too much responsibility for the next few weeks. I will really TRY to post my daybook next week and a post or two while on our trip. We will just have to see.......

Have a lovely week!

God bless!

Chari