4 Peace...

We could all use a little peace at Christmas... Here is something I was sent in an email a while back, which I just came across yesterday... I hope it's helpful, especially at this time of year, which can be very hectic and chaotic for some.

Wishing you all a very peaceful Christmas. :-)

Just in case you've had a rough day, here's an 8 step stress management technique recommended in the latest psychological texts. It really works....

1. Picture yourself near a stream.

2. Birds are softly chirping in the cool mountain air.

3. No one but you knows your secret place.

4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called "the World".

5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

6. The water is crystal clear.

7. You can easily make out the face of the person you're holding underwater.

8. See, You're smiling already.

1 Blog Blessing Award

I got a Blog Blessing Award from Dana.... Thanks, Dana! :-) Here is the blessing that Dana bestowed upon me...

You can go here to read about the blogging blessings that were started by Deb at Ukok.

The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for 3 blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!


I want to bless the following bloggers:


1: Éamonn from Peregrinus Hibernensis

Éamonn has been an incredible blessing to me throughout this last year and has made me the happiest and most blessed girl on the face of the planet... So, naturally I want to bless him!! I might do something a bit more concrete than posting it on my blog though... Oh, if I could only think of what to do... ;-)


2: Dana from Umm, where am I?
(It doesn't say you can't bless the person who blessed you!!)

Dana has been amazing over the last couple of years and has been a wonderful support through my aunt's death and all sorts of other trials. She's always been at the other end of an email, or rather, a "PM" on DCF, with advice, prayers, laughs, hugs... just whatever is needed at that time! And she does happen to have two of the cutest children I've ever seen in my life...


3: Margreet from Margreat's Blog

Margreet is one of my dearest friends, and I want to bless her because:
(a) she's been a huge blessing to me over the last few years,
(b) she's had a rough year and I think she could certainly do with the blessing!! and
(c) it's an excuse to see her update her blog!!!
Seriously though, I consider Margreet to be one of my "nearest and dearest", and I still haven't quite gotten over the fact that she isn't as near as she used to be, now that she's not in Belfast anymore. :-( This girl is one of the few individuals out there who really has the knack of making me quite literally "LOL" when I'm really down. She's had her fair share of practice, in all fairness! ;-)


A prayer for Éamonn, Dana and Margreet...

Lord I thank You for all You give to me. I especially thank You for the friendship I receive from Éamonn, Dana and Margreet. I pray Your blessing on all of them everyday. Grant them strength, peace and joy. For they let You bless me with these things through them every day.

GLORIA Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

2 An Irish Ghost Story

I got this from a friend and thought I would share.....


This story happened a while ago in Dublin, and even though it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's true.

John Bradford, a Dublin University student, was on the side of the road hitchhiking on a very dark night and in the midst of a storm.

The night was rolling on and no car went by. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car slowly come toward him and stop. John, desperate for shelter and without thinking about it, got into the car and closed the door... only to realise there was nobody behind the wheel and the engine wasn't on!!

The car started moving slowly. John looked at the road ahead and saw a curve approaching. Scared, he started to pray, begging for his life. Then, just before the car hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and turned the wheel. John, paralysed with terror, watched as the hand repeatedly came through the window, but never touched or harmed him.

Shortly thereafter John saw the lights of a pub appear down the road, so, gathering strength, he jumped out of the car and ran to it. Wet and out of breath, he rushed inside and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he had just had. A silence enveloped the pub when everybody realized he was crying and... wasn't drunk.

Suddenly, the door opened, and two other people walked in from the stormy night. They, like John, were also soaked and out of breath. Looking around, and seeing John Bradford sobbing at the bar, one said to the other...

"Look, Paddy... there's that flipping idiot that got in the car while we were pushing it!!"

1 Smells & Bells!

I spotted this over on Fr Z's blog... who in turn got it from The Roman Sacristan!

"Smells & Bells"

(to the tune of "Jingle Bells")

Processing into church
It’s the TLM today
Doing liturgy right
Chanting all the way (Glo-ri-a!)
Bells at the sanctus ring
Raising our spirits high
Oh how great to have Mass and tradition back in line!

Smells & Bells
Smells & Bells
Liberals cough and fuss
Oh what fun it is to serve in cassock and surplice
Smells & Bells
Smells & Bells
Hippies start to fume
Thanks to the 16th Benedict for Summorum Pontificum!

3 8 Random Facts Meme

I have been tagged by Ivar over at Musings on the Divine...

... Here’s what you do:
~ Each person starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves and post these guidelines.
~ At the end of the post, choose 8 people to be tagged and list their names.
~ Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they are tagged and to read your blog. Have fun!

1. I have a degree in computer science and work in IT, though I have virtually no interest in it and haven't a clue how to fix a printer...

2. I'm a fussy eater who won't eat things that I don't like the look, smell or thought of... and I think peanut butter is eeeeeeevil.... I do love chocolate, however. Lots.

3. When I was younger, my favourite foods were apple and Mars Bar sandwiches (don't knock it until you've tried it!) and banana sandwiches. However, bananas have since headed the same direction as peanut butter.

4. I have a wonderful collection of books that I have never read and will probably never get around to reading. I always insist I am not going to buy another book until I've read the ones I've got, but that never happens. ;-)

5. I am a total coffee snob. I absolutely hate instant coffee -- only ground coffee will do! If I am in a café, or even at someone's house, and am not sure if the coffee is going to be instant or not, I will order tea rather than take my chances. In saying that, since meeting Éamonn, I've turned into a bit of a tea snob too... Earl Grey tea leaves all the way!!!

6. Every time I eat a bag of crisps or a bar of chocolate or anything like that, I always fold the wrapper up into a little square. I don't know why, but I've been doing that since I was in my teens and the world just doesn't seem right if I don't!!

7. I'm claustrophobic and tend to get rather upset with people invading my personal space when in busy places, like shopping for example, especially when I'm tired. I get really cold when I'm tired, too. Actually, it's probably best you just stay out of my way altogether when I'm tired, lol! Unless your name is Éamonn and I am engaged to you, of course.

8. I am really looking forward to spending Christmas with my wonderful fiancé... (I'm looking forward even more to spending next Christmas with my husband...) :-D

I tag:
Éamonn (now that was totally unexpected!)
Lilder (who has probably been tagged already!)
Bonaventure (who hasn't even GOT a blog!)
The DCF blog ring (if there is anyone left that hasn't yet been tagged by someone else)

8 people is a bit optimistic, hehe!

P.S. I've just noticed that half of my answers are about food or drink... Hmmm... I don't have an obsession, honest!! I'm just a bit hungry right now... ;-)