Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Music Monday

April 11, 2011

Okay, I know I’ve reviewed mostly modern music, but this time it’s going to be something more spiritual (although The Key by REO is actually spiritual for me). Today I’m going to talk about Beth Nielsen Chapman’s Hymns.

I first heard Salve Regina on Pandora about this time last year and I fell in love instantly. Actually, I probably started crying too – the Hail Holy Queen is one of my favorite prayers and songs and it always stirs my soul deeply when I hear it. So, I’ve been eyeing this album for a long time and, since my Amazon gift card was burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to go ahead and buy it on MP3. Of course I listened to it immediately after it downloaded and I just let the tears flow and got some inner peace for myself. After Saturday’s meltdown, I needed to find some peace!!

What I love about this album is that the arrangements are all either acapella or just guitar – so simple and so incredibly beautiful! Also, most are in Latin so these are the traditional Catholic hymns many of us grew up on – how can you go wrong?? To me, it’s like listening to angels in heaven. So, let’s go through the songs:

1. Ave Verum Corpus – This is a Mozart piece and that in itself makes this great.

2. Veni Veni Emmanuel (AKA O Come O Come Emmanuel) – The traditional song of Advent and especially sung during O Antiphon week in December, this is a haunting rendition. There is guitar backing, but it also has some of the English words to it too. This is also one of my favorite Christmas hymns. Old and steeped in Catholic tradition.

3. Tantum Ergo – This is one of the greatest Eucharist hymns in my opinion. If you haven’t ever sung it or don’t know the English translation, you must look it up – incredibly beautiful! Usually sung during Benediction and written by St. Thomas Aquinas.

4. O Salutaris Hostia – Okay, I have to admit I’ve not heard it sung this way before but it is still a traditional setting and wonderfully done. It is also a Eucharistic hymn, but it is also a Lenten hymn: “O Saving Victim opening wide, the gates of heaven to man below”.

5. Adoramus Te – Also a Lenten song and usually sung during the Stations of the Cross, this is prayed before each station: “We adore you O Christ and we bless you, by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.” This is so beautiful it gives me chills!

6. O Sanctissima – A Marian hymn and one of my all time favorites. You really don’t hear it sung much anymore and what a pity that is!

7. Panis Angelicus (Bread of Angels) – Now you usually hear this being “sung” by the great opera tenors like Luciano Pavoratti (RIP), but I much prefer these arrangements of simplicity to the other. You can hear each word clearly and really meditate on their meaning.

8. Salve Regina – This is the one that I fell in love with and encouraged me to look at the rest of the album and say, “Gotta have that!” This is also my favorite favorite Marian hymn and I really feel sorry for those at church who have to hear me sing it during Mass. Nevertheless sing it I do – can’t do otherwise. Do those who sing badly pray twice too?

9. Hymn To Mary – An original song of Beth Chapman’s and a beautiful prayer to Mary with the innocent faith of a child. It is almost a lullaby – just beautiful.

10. O God of Loveliness – This is the tune to Beautiful Savior, but I know that it is often that way with hymns – same melody different words. So, I don’t really know this one, but it is all sung in English and it is a probably a classic.

11. Dona Nobis Pacem – These are the ending words to the Agnus Dei said before Communion at Mass. It means literally, “Grant us peace”. Short, sweet and uplifting.

12. Ave Maria – The great hymn by Schubert is sung with guitar accompaniment and is a great ending to an incredibly meditative and wonderful album. Quiet, relaxing, classic.

So, that is my take on this album and I know it’s not nearly enough. If you love traditional Catholic music, if you are looking for something to add to morning or evening prayer, then you may want to check this one out. You won’t be sorry!

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Bad Mommy Day *sigh*

April 9, 2011

Yeah, it’s been one of those weeks so I decided to cap it off by throwing a tantrum today. Well, why not? Becky has thrown a tantrum a day every day for almost two weeks now. Yeah, I’m getting kind of tired of that.

So, let me recap for you my timeline since last night:

1. Looked like we were going to escape bad storms, but no – one really nasty one had to show up around bedtime. And it was tornadic. So, it was stay up, watch storms, and get kids ready for the storm closet until it passed. I did not get to bed until 2am.

2. This morning I took Chris to work and then came home and had a cup o’ Joe. Then, at 9am, I went to Aldi to do the grocery shopping. I also snuck in a trip to the libray, Hastings, and a quick trip to my mom’s while I was out.

3. I get home at 11:30 and do not eat a decent lunch. I’m tired, but still have stuff to do…

4….Like get the leaking bag of chicken out of the drawer in the fridge, cook the chicken, and clean the drawer.

5. I also go to another store for a meat run – they have really good meat and it’s time for a stock up.

6. Oh, I need to mention that the girls are all peeved at me because I’m not letting them play computer.

6. When I get home I’m even more tired and Katie asks for a snack – graham crackers. I say yes, she reaches for them and before we know it the opened bag of pretzels dumps on the kitchen floor. Yes, all of them on the floor.

7. I lose it.

8. I finish cooking the chicken, apologize to the kids for yelling, and eat some chicken hoping that maybe feeding myself might help.

9. One more thing – the drain in the laundry room is backing up which means a call to the plumber on Monday.

Dear God – just one lottery win – pleeeeaaaassseeee?? I really need a vacation!!

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Box Day 2011

April 6, 2011

Yes indeed, on Wednesday March 30 we had our first official BOX DAY!! For those of you who don’t know, Box Day is the term used by those of us who use Sonlight to refer to the day our big box of core materials arrives. Although my box was not from Sonlight directly, it did come by my good friend Johanna who sold me her used 3+4 One Year Condensed American History core. It had every History, Reader, and Read-Aloud book as well as a couple from Bible. Also got the IG (Instructor Guide) for the History and Language Arts. It’s a complete core in every way so I indeed did have a Box Day and I am thrilled!!

I met the UPS guy at the door and he put the 30 pound box o’books inside the door for me. Then I gathered the kids around and we opened that wonderful box. Inside was book upon glorious book and we took them all out, laid them out side by side, and later I looked at each one individually. The kids also started looking at them right away. Kate immediately grabbed the book on the Constitution – she knew about that from a cd we have called Take Your Hat Off When the Flag goes by. Hehehe – gotta love it!! Later, I got the IG and skimmed through that – this is going to be a great core and I am probably as excited as, if not more than, the kids. We will start in May.

On a side note, I had a mini box day a couple of weeks earlier when I got the Science 4 books from Sonlight. Also to arrive will be new math books as well. This is one of the funnest parts of homeschooling – getting the materials that we use. My kids can tell you how crazy I get when catalogs arrive in the mail or when the school supplies show up in the stores. I may have said this before, but Matt told me once that homeschooling works for us because, “you enjoy it so much”. Yep, he’s totally correct there!!

So, here are pictures of our first Box Day!

The box arrives!

Steve opens the box with his pocket knife. Even Maggie's cat Sally is anxious to see what's inside!

Books - glorious books!

Second layer of books

Another layer of books and the IG at the bottom. Sally is checking out The Wright Brothers.

48 Books plus the IG - WOW

Becky loves Sonlight!

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Music Monday

April 4, 2011

This will be a little different because it’s not about any specific music, but the fact that my music seems to follow me everywhere I go. I know you think it’s crazy, but my older kids have witnessed this so they know what I am talking about. Let me explain.

I go into a store, say Hastings, and I’m browsing the books and what do I hear? One of my favorite songs! What makes it really creepy is when that song is followed by another of my favorites and usually these are together on one of my homemade cd mixes. Even creepier? Every store you go in that day is playing those songs!! Yes, this has really happened! I’m not talking about a one off here, it happens A LOT. Matt even said that when he was in college (1500 miles away), he’d go into a store and what would the music be? Something of mine! It drove him crazy – hehe.

Here’s another example. Matt and I were out shopping on Saturday and went into Ci-Ci’s for pizza. We paid our money and sat down and then I noticed the music – “Some Like it Hot” by Power Station – now that is NEVER played anymore so only us “old” people would recognize it. What song was next? “She Blinded Me With Science” by Thomas Dolby – that’s when I knew it was happening again!! Then, “Planet Earth” by Duran Duran!! Both Matt and I were ecstatic and practically yelled, “YES!” at the same time!! And on and on it went – one great 80’s tune after another. I really wanted to ask the manager sitting at the table across from us if it was his collection although he was much younger than me. :-) At any rate I’m sure he thought I was crazy. BTW – here’s the rundown:

“Some Like It Hot” – Power Station (RIP Robert Palmer)

“She Blinded Me With Science” – Thomas Dolby

“Planet Earth” – Duran Duran

“Eyes Without A Face” – Billy Idol

“Look of Love” – ABC

“Sexy and 17” – Stray Cats

Now that’s a lineup I can love! So, next time you hang with me in a store or the mall, guess what music they’re probably going to play?? Just warning ya!

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It’s Break Time!

April 1, 2011

Phew – it has been not just a long week, but a long three months as well. Well, four or five months really but….all right, all right, I’ll quit brining it up!! Anyway, this is our last day of school for a month – we’ll resume in May – and I’m ready! Don’t get me wrong I LOVE homeschooling, but I am just really tired and needing a break and since we do three months on and one month off it’s time and I’m ready! Besides, April has Easter and two birthdays in it so I’ll be plenty busy.

I also plan to do a little decluttering around the house as well. I’ve already started a list and I took a book out of the library – The House That Cleans Itself – looks interesting. I already have my house ordered as I like it as I read Organizing From the Inside Out and she told how to get areas in your house organized into zones of sorts. I did that and it made a huge difference! I also did the FlyLady thing and, again, it was life changing. The only thing I need to do is hone down my daily routines and declutter again (because stuff builds up again to some extent) and I think I’m good. For awhile.

I will also be planning for Joe and Maggie’s new school year – US History with Sonlight’s Core 3+4 (although I think it’s now called D+E – whatever). I had my first BOX DAY on Wednesday (more about that later) and I am really excited about all the great books we’re going to read!! I enjoy the cores every bit as much as they do. Possibly more :-).

So, here’s to a good break and even though I’ll be busy I will get time in there for rest and relaxation as well because I definitely need to recharge my batteries!

Happy Friday!!

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When Past and Present Meet

March 31, 2011

I was relating this story to my brother Dave last night and realized it is just the kind of story to share on a blog. So, it’s kind of a belated Music Monday of sorts.

Back in 2006 Matt started working at Wal-Mart and meeting all kinds of new people. One of the persons he met was Jack, a guy who I had gone to school with. I had seen Jack from time to time late at night when picking Matt up from work (and probably before that too), and when he found out that Matt was my son, he asked him a question:

“Does your mom still like Barry Manilow?”

UGH!! I can’t believe he remembered that!!! Of course Matt was laughing his butt off about it too. Swell, just swell. Don’t ever think people won’t remember really embarrasing stuff from your teens when you are all grown up.

On a secondary note, I don’t care so much for Mr. Manilow anymore, but his song “Mandy” will forever remain one of my very favorite songs of all time.

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First Frog of Spring!

March 22, 2011

Last Friday, the kids were playing outside when suddenly, they came running in all excited to tell me that they had found a frog. So, I went out to see this little guy. He was in the weater in a sandbox and looked like he was trying to climb out. So we watched as little by little he made his way up the side, on to the edge, down on the cement, and finally crawled under some leaves and grass to rest. It always amazes me to see the details on even the smallest of creatures. So, of course you know I ran out with my camera to capture this first frog of spring. May he and his buddies return many times over this season to rest and play in our yard. Happy spring!!

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Music Monday

March 21, 2011

I was at Wal-Mart last weekend (geez, like I’m never NOT at that store!), and was browsing the cd’s when I found this little treasure: Soft Rock 70’s. So, I looked at the songs on it and there were alot of them that I love and haven’t heard in ages! And a few I can’t stand :-). At $9.99 I figured I couldn’t lose, so I bought it. Besides, I’m starting to pull my 70’s songs together now that my 80’s collection is mostly done. As you remember, I’m still trying to replace all those singles that I tossed out on the curb that day.

Here are the songs on it – see how many you remember:

1. Let Your Love Flow (meh)

2. I’d Really Love To See You Tonight

3. Just Remember I Love You (love, love, love)

4. Dance With Me

5. Baby Come Back

6. Don’t Give Up On Us (blech)

7. When I Need You (blech)

8. Just When I Needed You Most (blech)

9. I’d Love You To Want Me

10. I Go Crazy (love, love, love!)

11. Sad Eyes (Robert John is the artist and he also sang “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” – no kidding) (oh, and blech)

12. Summer Breeze

13. Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

14. Laughter In the Rain

15. Can We Still Be Friends (meh – don’t really know this one)

16. Kiss You All Over (meh)

17. If You Leave Me Now

So now I’ve started my 70’s collection and I guess I’ll have to go to Napster and start adding music to my collection again. Which reminds me, I did get “Little Willy” by Sweet and “Spirit In the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum from Napster recently – great tunes. I’ve got a running list of songs to work with as well, but the choosing will be difficult.

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Cha-cha-cha-changes!

March 17, 2011

So, this has been of week of changes for us.

First off I want to say that the changes in Japan are devastating and leave me so sad – my prayers are with them all!

Secondly, we had that nasty thing called Daylight Savings Time return – blech. I wish they would just leave it alone and go back to standard time year round. It took me four days to feel normal again!! Four days that zipped by in a blur. Four days of interrupted sleep. Last night was my first night of good sleep, getting up on time this morning, and starting everything I needed to do on time today. I feel like I had a normal day again!

Lastly, Jeff and I took this time during his spring break to go to the hair salon and get our hair cut. No, not a trim – a CUT – as in lots of hair coming off. Both of us. Jeff had grown tired of his long hair and wanted to get back to his old shorty short style. I had also grown tired of my hair, and needed a style consistent with my age and personality. I should have taken a lot of pictures at the salon (the amount of hair that fell was incredible), but at least I did take before and after pictures so see what you think!

First off - I'm willingly getting a picture taken of myself. That is a huge thing for me as my family (kids and siblings) will tell you.

And here's Jeff with his mop - just about as long as mine.

Now, drum roll please, time for the transformation photos!!

Yep, that's me!! It is a great style and I feel it reflects my personality so much more!

Here's a side view - I just love my new do!! BTW, yes that is my real hair color.

And here's Jeff!! The difference is incredible!!

Our hairstylist did a fantastic job and we will be going back to her so I hope she stays where she is (or if she moves, lets us know where). I feel like I finally have a stylist again after many long years of trying to find one who listens to me and cares about my hair.

So, let me know what you think – dramatic, no?!

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Weekend Gallery – Meow Is The Word

March 13, 2011

I recently found a paper of Maggie’s from her bad day of school. The story is, she was in a mood one day and refused to do her work. I was trying to get her to do her spelling page – putting contractions and the words they stand for – and instead she did this:

Yes, that’s right – her stuffed cat Sally apparently took over and wrote “meow” in every spot. I had to laugh – it was so cute and clever! For what it’s worth, I let her have the day off school and the next day she was just fine.

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