Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

What I Read October 2019

November 4, 2019

I thought I might title these book posts with a real date in case I want to revisit them someday. I do keep a small list, but these posts enable me to expand on that. With that in mind let’s begin.

After my Sidetracked Home Executive binge in September, I decided to keep the cleaning theme going but with more of a spiritual slant. So, I took out “A Monk’s Guide To A Clean House and Mind” by Shoukei Matsumoto. It is a very quick read, however you don’t want to read too fast to miss the lessons this man teaches. Sure, it’s with a Buddhist perspective, however, I am Catholic and this still spoke with a hint to the monastic life. Tips on cleaning and also how to keep God close within the work of the home. I really enjoyed it and it’s lessons are sticking with me.

After that I read “Liturgy of the Ordinary” by Tish Harrison Warren. This one isn’t so much about cleaning as it is about sanctifying the ordinary moments in our day. Again, not Catholic, but really close (she’s Anglican I believe). One of the reasons I am Catholic is because of the liturgy – the mass, the church year – I love all of that. Some people think it’s too routine, but that’s what I like about it – it keeps me grounded. There were so many gems in this one that I’m going to have to actually buy it so I can underline and dog ear it to my heart’s content.

I also started “Holiness For Housewives and Other Working Women” by Dom Hubert Van Zeller. This is written by a Catholic monk who was also a great spiritual director – I can see why. Much practical advice for women who want to grow in holiness through changing diapers and washing dishes. I’ve only just started but so far so good. There are also basic prayers in the back including one for when you are tired of all the housework and ready to throw in the dish towel. That’s worth the price of the book right there. :-)

I am currently reading “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” by the late Rachel Held Evans. This book has intrigued me for a long time, so when I saw it on the sale rack at B&N I knew I had to get it. This is Rachel’s record of her year of living as close to biblical womanhood as taught in the bible (or elsewhere) as possible. So, so good and I’m only half way through. There is a LOT to think on in here and it is also funny. Thank you Rachel – RIP.

In the spiritual reading category, I am still in the Psalms and Part 4 of the Catechism (Prayer). Once I get through the Catechism, I may read “We Pray” by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr for an expansion on that. I have several other books on prayer including “Interior Castle” by St Teresa of Avila that I may try as well. We’ll see. I feel like this month’s reading was very much Spirit led and I’m glad I listened. It all went together so well.

For the future I may take on some classics that I’ve never read (but have seen the movies of) like “Little Women” and “Pride and Prejudice”. Maybe one every month next year? Hmm – that could work. I’ll let you know.

Anywho – hope you are reading something good too and I’ll see you at the end of this month with more good reads. :-)

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The month that was October

November 3, 2019

So, last month was kind of crazy in some ways and fairly normal in others. Let’s start with the weather. Summer (temps in the 90s) hung on until the first week of October. Several cold fronts and tornadoes later, winter decided to make an entrance even though it’s only early fall. The trees are barely colorful and between the overheated September and too cold October, I think the leaves will all just turn brown and fall off. :-( The foliage and cool weather make fall one of my favorite times of year, but this year? Not so much.

I stocked up a lot on food and last week I had to have a stay out of the stores and eat from the pantry challenge. It wasn’t hard to do and it felt good to not shop as much. I am having a crisis of meals so I ordered a cookbook and will start cooking out of it. I won’t have to think about what to eat because it will all be done for me. It’s also got some vegetarian options and I’d like to get more into that as well.

I made a few mini Sephora hauls both in store and online and am using only my Fresh products until they run out. I tried a few foundation samples but still haven’t found one I really like. That said, I am kind of trying out Cover Girl ones and there’s a couple that are pretty good. So, may stick with those for awhile.

One of my kiddos broke their glasses so I made appointments for the eye doc for everyone. Well, almost everyone, but that’s a story for another day.

I still mourn not homeschooling, but I’m keeping the higher level books until everyone graduates from public school. Because you never know.

I am doing the Christmas Countdown again this year. I realized today that I don’t take a month to do it, I really take two. That’s not a bad idea though because the holidays take a lot of planning and doing.

I spent a good portion of the month crying. There is so much going on in my life and I’m overwhelmed by it all. Life is changing so fast, there are so many things that need to be done around the house, and I’m supposed to be making self-care a priority. How to do it all? I cry. I’m hoping that in January I can have a hibernate month and regain some inner calm.

So, that was my month. I’ll have a books post soon because I read 3 gems last month. They all went together with the prayer theme as well. Very Providential how that all worked out.

Well, here’s to the approaching holidays and making decisions and getting things done. Cheers!

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» 2019 » November » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

What I Read October 2019

November 4, 2019

The month that was October

November 3, 2019

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