The Things You Learn

Sometimes what we think sounds true simply isn't. Such is the case way back when I repeated information concerning stickers on produce. The idea was that the numbers help discern whether items are grown commercially, grown following the organic code, or if grown from genetically modified seed. Alas, it isn't true. If you'd like more information:

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/utility/showArticle/?objectID=4725

In many ways I get caught up in what perhaps is best called secular gnosticism. I enjoy having the satisfaction that I know the inside scoop, live it, and hence am protected. This can be with good things, like choosing to exclusively nurse our children as infants, all the way to actively not using the cfl bulbs. Over time, though, I have also come to realize that it doesn't matter whether I do the "right thing", make the "wise choice" if I haven't become a more humble person.

Pride is my deadly sin. It sneaks up on me, sideswiping me before I realize it has reared up. This Lent I am seeking a humble spirit. Oh, but when those opportunities come how they can sting my sensitive ego.

If you've followed my posts, you know that I was part of creating a beautiful quilted banner for our parish's Advent decorations for the sanctuary. It was nice to hear positive feedback anonymously. Last night, I visited with a group of women from my parish to present information about ENDOW ( http://www.endowonline.com - if you are interested). One of the women said, "Oh, you were one of the women who made our Advent banner." Truth. My ego was really wanting to proclaim how much of a role I actually did play, but I refrained. It jarred me deeply, when I realized I really wasn't content being anonymous. My pride wants to shout out how much "I" contributed, how much work "I" did for the project.

This is good to happen during Lent. A humble spirit is not a natural part of who I am. I was raised to be proud of my accomplishments. I was raised to compete. I was raised to seek recognition. Those are the old ways. Learning new ways, a humble spirit that is rooted in true anonymity, a true spirit of service comes in fits and starts. Last night jarred me out of my assumed humbleness and laid bare my own struggles.

Look for the next quilted creation.. and yes, I design them. But, in all practicality, it isn't simply my work. Without the help from several other women and our quilter (a man) it wouldn't become reality. When it is finished, I'll share. In the meantime, your prayers that I really can learn and become humble would be appreciated.

Cold January Day

This morning, much earlier than usual, I went to the airport to drop my husband off for a two day business trip. New snow was falling as we drove, making the roads a bit slick, and erasing any lane markings. By the time I turned around to get back home the snow had stopped, and the drive back was uneventful. In fact, my morning was rather uneventful.

In the course of the morning our son negotiated a paying job with me. Normally we encourage our older teens to get work outside the home. Unfortunately, our visas do not allow either of our two children to take outside employment. Nor do they allow for enrollment in the schools ... which is fine since we had planned to homeschool through high school before we moved.

I digress ... things sped up when I heard my son yell, "Mom, I cut my finger. Meet me in the bathroom." With blood pouring from his left hand ring finger, we rinsed as well as we could, then applied more pressure. Next came a nonstick dressing, gauze and first aid tape. Had to get him seated because of sudden light headedness.

I called our family doctor, and because we were unsure about the depth of the wound, they suggested we visit the Urgent Care. We gathered up our insurance cards, doctor's card, etc. and headed back onto the snowy streets. Angels must have been in front of us because traffic was slower than usual for noontime.

Dropped the kids off at the door of the Urgent Care, and then went to get a parking spot in the garage. When I got back to UC, they had not checked in, wanting to wait for me. I was surprised to see no other folks in the reception area, so we walked right up to the receiving clerk. She reported the injury and then took our insurance information.

Less than 5 minutes later we heard a faint "Peter Rinaldi" and saw the triage nurse. She unwrapped our hasty bandage, looked at the wound, checked for nerve damage, bending, etc. Finally she rewrapped it (much neater than I had done.) Bleeding was still evident, but had slowed considerably. Next came blood pressure and temperature, then instruction to visit the 3rd window.

At that window we had to verify address, my name, doctor's name and phone number. At that time we were told that pediatric patients have their own urgent care. Who knew? We were told that the lack of patients was very, very unusual. Okay, back to waiting, for about 10 minutes.

Next stop was an semi-private examining room. The nurse unwrapped the wound again ... bleeding increased, and she covered it again with a non-stick gauze. Another 10 minutes, and the doctor came in. He had a student paramedic with him. This was great, as it was a quick lesson for us, too, in what he was checking for. He determined that because of the location and depth of the wound stitches were in order.

That probably took a total of 10 minutes, perhaps less. I'd say we spent less than 45 minutes in total from the moment I dropped the kids off, until we drove the car out of the garage.

One side note. We want our children to adopt charitable attitudes. When I came into the Urgent Care reception area after parking the car I commented that it had taken a while because there were no spaces until the 5th floor. Then I mentioned that it was irritating to see several instances of one car occupying 2 spaces. My daughter commented that maybe all the handicap spaces were taken up, and that was how the drivers compensated. Though I disagree with her theory, it was a very kind and charitable attitude to take. I think she is ready for her Confirmation on Sunday, bless her soul!

We're back home, and ready to read the next chapter of "Death Comes for the Archbishop." Hope your own day is running without injury!

In Anticipation of Christmas

From our family to yours ..... Merry Christmas!

Advent Banner

Last August I was asked to design a quilted banner for our parish for Advent. Here is the finished project. It involved lots of hours of loving labor from myself, and four other women from our parish. The quilting was done by machine. The finished size is a little less than 24" wide by almost 20' long! My intention in designing it was to bring a sense of the joyful anticipation of Advent. Symbolically, there are the purples and pink with the "light" of the candles. The star is paper pieced with 12 points in order to symbolize the crown of 12 stars associated with Our Lady. The star was also designed to "fall" toward the crucifix, pointing the way to Christ, the same as Mary does for us. Quilted on the banner are the seven "O-Antiphons."

"O Sapientia" or Wisdom is the first one. At the top is "O Emmanuel."

Our next project will be a banner, same dimensions, for Pentecost. Any comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Singing and Dancing

Last weekend Mary was a bit rushed with both a ballet recital, and singing with the Sweet Adelines' "Christmas in Vegas." You can see a bit of the strain on her face. Both shows were enjoyable and a nice way to begin December.

Painting!

Quite a few years ago we resolved to paint before we moving into new digs (when possible.) This new house is no exception. All the bedrooms, except Peter's were various pastels. The other two bedrooms were pastel green, and baby pink. Mary's was lilac, ours was a nursery baby blue with an equally offputting wallpaper border. Those two are now a light tan, and our bedroom is a darker brown.

Peter added dark gray to the slanted ceiling. Mary opted for "Jamaican Sea" instead of purple!

Slowly the boxes are being opened, stuffed, errr ... I mean put away and we are getting used to all our new elbow room! Woke up to a covering of snow on the ground, but it has now become a steady drizzle. Just hope that doesn't freeze on the roads before Mary and I get back from her Young Women in Harmony practice this evening!

Thanksgiving, Painting, Moving

We celebrated our US Thanksgiving, with plenty to be truly thankful for. Here are some shots of our meal, and how our house looked! We closed on our house the Tuesday before, and spent Wednesday and Thursday morning painting. A few more pictures of the house will follow in my next post.