Weddings

We had a family wedding this past Sunday and we have a friend's wedding this upcoming Saturday. This weekend's was lovely at a historic home done in a Spanish Mission Style. I love that kind of architecture!

Us with DH's parents before the ceremony


Pearl with her Papa


Twirling on the dance floor


Make some room, this girl knows how to party!


One of my friends stopped by last night and helped look through my outfits to see what we could put together for this weekend's wedding. I have a little work to do as she gave some great ideas, but I'm excited to see how it all comes together:)

Weekend Plans

Today is going to be a whirlwind day.

On the agenda:

-put dinner in the crockpot--Split Pea Soup
-finish up all house chores (including vacuuming and mopping the floors)
-pick up special food needed for in-laws visit
-work on newsletter for Campus Ministry(putting articles in template!)
-Adoration in the evening

It's mainly getting the chores done and grocery shopping that are getting to me. I normally don't shop for groceries on Friday, it's all done earlier in the week. But the in-laws are coming so we need some certain items.

Also I normally stagger my cleaning chores so I don't feel the full brunt of them. However, I want to have the highest possibility of having clean floors for their visit, so I decided that doing that today would be best.

I'm still deciding what to wear to DH's cousin's wedding on Sunday. A little odd with a wedding on Sunday evening, but I'm sure it will work out. We are planning on attending Mass on Saturday since DH is on for the sound ministry. That should make Sunday easier too.

Anyways, back to fashion. Since I started purging through my closet my options are becoming increasingly limited. I hope to do some shopping after the New Year, but that doesn't solve my problems today. I have a navy blue dress that fits--it's a nursing dress but you'd never know. The key is to accessorize it well. I can definitely wear pearls to dress it up, but I kind of want to use some of my other jewelry to jazz it up a bit.

I put a call out to a friend to stop by this week sometime to help me. I'll probably "play it safe" this weekend at the cousin's wedding, but we do have another one to attend next weekend. Totally different crowd so I'll wear the same dress.

I've never felt confident with fashion. As of late, it's all about wearing a style that is modest, feminine and classic. I feel comfortable when I keep that as my mantra.

Our Team

We are a family of long-time Pittsburgh Steelers fans. DH's extended family is all in the P-burgh area and I went to college within an hour of there as well.

So it was great fun when I came across an interview with Troy Polamalu at Faith and Family Live!

Traveling around Tuesday

American Papist is bringing attention to this story, about a PP Director who resigned. Could be very interesting soon.

Danielle has a new article out, about husbands and wives, writing a series for the Knights of Columbus.

Kristin made the cutest pj's! K's blog is definitely motivation for me to want to learn how to sew. She has made the most adorable outfits for her girls. Take a looksey.

Anybody else struggle with sloth? Faith and Family tackles sloth today.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside My Window ...the sun is beginning to rise; albeit, it looks a little cloudy.

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I am listening to...silence. Just got up for Pearl's early nursing and then put her back down. Hopefully she'll sleep for a little while longer.

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To Live the Liturgy...Today we are praying for All Souls; special prayers and perhaps a treat. Treats are still hard to plan since Pearl is still a toddler and taking in mind her food allergies.

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To be Fit and Happy...Hopefully we will make a play group this week. They are walking a nature trail near here. I want to take our jogging stoller and get some exercise while still being able to visit and let Pearl play with the other littles.

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I am thankful for...the knowledge that teething will soon be over. Pearl is cutting two canines and two molars right now...all at the same time.

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From the kitchen ...I hate shopping on Sunday, but yesterday was desperate. So we trooped to the store to stock up since five weeks in October depleted us.

Monday: Grilled Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, and Apple Crisp
Tuesday: Zucchini Pasta Alfredo (sans sauce for Pearl)
Wednesday: Taco Night
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Split Pea Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Saturday: Something in the slow cooker; still deciding, but family will be in town.
Sunday: attending a family wedding (I know, weird that it's on a Sunday)


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I am wearing...denim skirt and a green polo shirt

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I am creating ...Christmas Lists. So far, I have finished about half of what I hope to do. A few more presents to put together and then I need to start our Christmas letter. We did a picture this year so the letter will be tucked in with that.

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I am reading...Nothing at the moment. I NEED to be working on the Campus Ministry Newsletter. So better hurry this up and move on to that.

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I am hoping for...relief for Pearl and the teething this week. Last week was extremely tough on her (and us). Also hoping that I will get the time needed to finish up the newsletter.

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On Keeping Home ... I'm so happy with how I've been able to maintain our home lately. The file box from S.H.E.'s has been very good for me. Some things are already habits and others, it's nice to have a reminder card:)

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One of my favorite things ... Finding something at the Goodwill for an amazing price. I stopped by the other day and came across little brown suede shoes in Pearl's size; little scuff on the toe but absolutely no wear on the tread. Brand name; probably over $20 retail. I paid $1.99! I normally don't like to purchase shoes used, but these looked as if they were barely touched.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Taking some items to the consignment shop and also looking for a snow suit for Pearl (we have a trip North in a few months), nature trail play date, finish up the Campus Ministry Newsletter, lunch date with a friend, and prepare for family in town for DH's cousin's wedding.

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A Picture Thought: Pearl as a Cowgirl. We decided last minute to attend a party, so it was scrounge around the house for costume ideas. This time we all matched: Pearl was the cowgirl, DH was the bull, and I was the rodeo clown. No pictures of the grown-ups though:)

Small Successes

1. In the middle of the last week of October. There is no more money in the food budget for the month, so this week is very frugal. But we're doing it and staying strong!

2. Made awesome "Pearl-Safe" Zucchini muffins. Her favorite breakfast right now. They really are pretty good. I think the cloves give it that extra autumn taste.

3. Did a Christmas picture card this year. Picked them up today; the photo is a little blurrier than I thought it was going to be. I'm hoping it comes across as a "cool effect" :) But this is the first year we did this, so go us!

Finding the right words

I'm trying to.

We are working on the Fall newsletter for the Campus Ministry and I'm brainstorming ideas right now. Gotta figure out the wording. When I talk it out loud, I really like how the message gets across, but when I sit down to type it all escapes me or it doesn't look right. Hmm.

Maybe I should get a tape recorder and then transcribe?

Ahh! I know it will come together, but I'm losing confidence in my intellectual abilities.

Irksome

Dear Lord, I lift up to you all persons involved in making computer viruses. Please transform their hearts...

...please let the anger subside in my own.

AMEN!

Bugs

Apparently we've got some.

They've infilfrated my computer. In the words of DH, "This is bad...very bad."

So I'm offline till further notice.

Reflection

Have y'all read this?

I came across this reflection and have some awesome thoughts to take with me into prayer time. I am totally getting the book she mentions!