— 1 —

So I didn’t bake my polka dot cake that I wanted to last weekend, but I did buy the cake pops pan so when I get around to baking it, I’m ready. I’m finding that I’m absolutely exhausted by the end of the day, part the long hours, a large part the added responsibility of being the “senior” person in our little research division, but without the commensurate knowledge to give me confidence, and just the usual end of the summer, bad economy, in-law issues that crop up. I feel very estranged from my husband right now, which is part of my desire to push away the people I love because it’s better to know when you’re going to get your heart broken then to have it sneak up on you. I tell you, my husband is a saint to have stayed for 19 years. I’m glad we don’t both fall apart/down/away at the same time. I want to be a good wife but I think that I am not successful.

— 2 —

I’ve volunteered to look into training to function as our parish marriage tribunal advocate. I’m very good with deadlines and paperwork. I like following rules and having the weight of an institution behind what I say. Since school is winding down for me this fall, I’m looking for something to fill my time that will challenge me and will add to my knowledge about the Church. My ultimate goal is for my husband to enter into the permanent deaconate and I think it would help him if I were more involved and more knowledgeable about the Church.

— 3 —

I don’t know if you’ve been following what’s going on with the LCWR conference in St. Louis, but there is a link here regarding their keynote speaker, Barbara Marx Hubbard. I’ve noticed a tendency on some conservative blogs to mock the LCWR members for their appearance. I’m happy to read critiques about choice of speakers, concerns about adherence, or lack thereof, to Catholic dogma, but I really despise when we mock others for their age or appearance. I especially hate the term “biologic solution.” I don’t feel any joy in thinking that these well-meaning but probably misguided sisters will eventually die and we won’t have to be confronted with the question of how to deal with them. We will always have groups of Catholics who are struggling to find how they fit into the Church and hoping they will die rather than work with them doesn’t seem to be the answer.

— 4 —

My oldest is 17-1/2. I love him dearly. I think he is turning into a fine young man. I am looking forward to him going to college. I don’t care if goes someplace far away or stays at home, but I must admit I’m looking forward to less responsibility regarding him and watching him fly. I think my husband will have more of an empty nest problem than I will.

— 5 —

We have peacocks in our neighborhood. They’ve wandered over from a few blocks away. I also think a cat is being strangled when they make their distinctive cry. It’s odd to walk out of the house and see one strutting down the street or perched atop a neighbor’s roof. I don’t know how they get up there, okay I know they fly, but I’ve never seen them fly so it remains a mystery. They seem a little bottom heavy to me.

— 6 —

I don’t know how moms with more than 2 kids manage. I feel as if we have 3 or 4 when we lump the dogs in with the kids. I noticed a couple of days ago that one of the dogs could probably be entered into the Guinness Book of Records for longest toenails. The Heir dropped him at the vet and when he picked him up later it was as if we had a new dog. He was jumping and skipping around. It would be more helpful if he would learn to talk or would walk over and show me his paws.

— 7 —

Once again, I’ve run out of items, so hop on over to Jen’s and read some really great blogs!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!