Yesterday we had a fun afternoon picking over-priced apples (3 bushels worth) to make lots of homemade applesauce.  Yum!!!

Peter helping Dad with the first batch of applesauce…

After I had my beautiful Peter, my historically borderline blood pressure went up rather than down.  I finally was unable to dodge the “blood pressure pill” bullet that I had avoided for years.  I took it very hard but basically adjusted to the idea over time.

Over the last three and a half years, my BP medicine has had to be increased and decreased as my weight went up and down and as my exercise level improved and decreased.  So unlike some, my blood pressure and my need for medication is really in my own hands. 

Well I am very grateful that I went to the doctor today and had my BP medicine reduced!!!  God is indeed good!!!

Outside my window. . . a little gray and cloudy which matches my mood unfortunately.

I am thinking. . . about how to regain my peace.  I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and am reduced to tears rather easily.  We just “celebrated” my daughter, Mary’s fifth birthday (September 10) in heaven.  I thought that I had dealt with it very well this year but I think that it has gotten to me more than I’d like to admit.  Everything seems like a struggle right now.

From the schoolroom. . . Today the children are making their projects for the Long Island Fair that begins later this week.  Our submissions are due tomorrow.  It just sort of crept up on us this year but they are doing a beautiful job.  I’ll post their submissions later in the week.

I am thankful for. . . Peter’s napping!!!

From the kitchen. . .boneless chicken thighs that didn’t make it in the crock-pot so I am going to just wing it, in addition to leftovers from the weekend.

I am creating. . . 

I am going. . . no place. Lenny is off to soccer training but he has a ride so I don’t have to go out.  Yeah!!!

I am wearing. . . a flowery pink skirt and a pink sort of peasant blouse, both of which are too big due to losing weight.  Another yeah!!! I am also wearing sneakers in order to nurse a bum leg.  I am quite an odd sight!!!

I am reading. . . Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen.  Just love it!!!

I am hoping. . . to break out of my funk!!!

I am hearing. . . Hope and Lily listening to a book on tape as they sew.

Around the house. . . I am happy to report that things are mostly in good order because I had a Creative Memories party on Saturday night and we cleaned for it.  Now I am concentrating on keeping it picked up.

One of my favorite things. . .walking.  Never thought I’d say that but I love my morning walk.  About a week and a half ago I injured my leg and have been struggling to balance healing and my desire to walk.  Prayers would be appreciated!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . organization, less activity, more sleep, more holy silence (”Be still and know that I am God”- Psalms 46:10).

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you. . .

This is Peter at his first soccer clinic.  He wasn’t too thrilled and mostly just sat on his soccer ball crying.  But isn’t he cute?

Heather

While struggling to get his to fly, Lenny(12) lamented that he had forgotten how to make them.

When I suggested that he have his sister, Lily, show him how to do it, he just smiled and said, “That would be TOO humiliating!!!”  Well at least he’s honest!!!

So she diligently kept him awake by asking him questions.  She started with the usual fare, “How old are you?”, “How many dogs do you have?”, “What are your dog’s names?”, etc. 

Running out of questions, my mother asked Peter, “What is Mommy’s name?”  He seemed confused by the question.  Didn’t everyone call her “Mommy”???  So she rephrased the question: “What does everyone call Mommy?”  To this he responded without hesitation: “Boss!!!”  Boy, did that give us all a major belly laugh!!!  Out of the mouth of babes…  

Picture courteousy of Nightfire Graphics and Alan Ayers

Michele and I

Maggie Quigley blowing bubbles - it was quite a test of my poor photographic skills to finally capture a bubble on film 

Other thrills included meeting some of the bloggers that I “know” through their blogs.  However, I came home and added some new blogs to my Bloglines subscriptions after having met those bloggers in person.   Here are some more picnic pictures:

Margaret (Minnesota mom) and Maryellen (Tales from the Bonny Blue House)

Michele and Tim Quigley

Michele with a beautiful St. Anne’s chaplet (made by Kimberlee of Beads of Mercy), given to her by Alice Gunther (Cottage Blessings)

Margaret, Karen Edmisten (Karen Edmisten), Meredith (Sweetness and Light), and Diane (Journey of a Mother’s Heart)

The next morning we arrived early (of course!!!) at the Liberty Place Conference Center for an inspiring day of talks.  The day just flew by as I participated in the opening mass, listened to so much wisdom, shopped at the vendor tables, visited with old and new friends, and of course ATE!!! 

Maryellen (one of the wonderful speakers) with her very best friend, Chris Volpe (and my friend IRL)

Alice Gunther (Cottage Blessings and featured speaker), Meredith (another of the gifted speakers) , and Kimberlee (Pondered in My Heart and Beads of Mercy)

Hope and I

Sweet Erica Sanchez from CA - not a blogger YET!!!

So at 8 p.m. we hit the road to head back to Long Island.  We arrived home at midnight after experiencing heavy traffic in NYC, stopping at a most hideous gas station bathroom (I didn’t take a picture of that!!! Ugh!!!), and listening to the Mets lose a heart-breaking game in 14 innings.  But most of all, Hope and I arrived home happy that we had gone and looking forward to our next trip to PA to visit the Quigleys and next year’s Family-Centered Learning Conference (hint, hint, Michele!!! ;)).

-Divine Intimacy, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, p. 742

-Divine Intimacy, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, p. 742