October prompts: siblings

 

My siblings.  Best Friends.  This is from sometime in the later 70s.

Here we are in 2021.  Sadly, our brother (the oldest) and our older sister have both passed on, but live forever in our hearts. 

This picture is from sometime in the mid to late 70s.  The 6 girls with our mama. 

We girls started a tradition in February 1996 to have dinner every 3rd Tuesday of the month. We call it our sister night dinner.  Oh my gosh, this would make a fantastic chick flick, us through the years. The ups and downs of life with kids, husbands, each other and everything in between. I'd go see it!  

It's still going on 28 years later!  We've had a few bumps in the road, be it illnesses, weather events, etc. But everyone makes every effort possible to be there. 

My motto has always been:  The greatest gift Mama ever gave us was the gift of each other!  

Until next time my friends, take care of yourself ---- and each other.  Love, kellie   

October prompts: Friends

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.   Proverbs 17:17  

Friendship is such a special gift.  One day you meet this stranger, and the next thing you know, you're no longer strangers, but besties.  

I like to think our friends are extra siblings we got to choose!  😊 (I mean that in the nicest possible way, sisters.)  

I have been blessed with many special friends throughout the years, and have lost them way too soon.  May they rest in eternal peace.

Currently, I don't know what I'd do without my 2 besties.  In fact, I've spoken to them both within the last hour updating them on Kastl's surgery.  As I type this, he is in surgery.  I'm glad to have the distraction at the moment, popping on here to post for today.

I've had these two wonderful friends in my life for quite some time now, and pray we have many more years together.  

Until next time, friends.  Take care of yourselves.  kellie   

 

October Prompts: Prayers for a grandson

 

Good afternoon, dear readers. Today's post is just going to be a humble request for prayer for our newborn grandson.  Tomorrow, a few days shy of being 3 weeks old, he will be having open heart surgery to repair some heart abnormalities that developed in utero.  

I am a woman of deep faith; and believe in prayer and the power of trusting in God's Divine Providence. 

The surgery is scheduled for 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, and the family would appreciate any prayers you could offer for him during this time.  God bless you in your charity.  

His name is Kastl. 

Til next time, dear friends.  Prayerfully,

kellie    

October prompts ~ the power of music

 

               Tommy and I dancing to theme song of Mannequin at our 40th wedding anniversary party. 

Happy Tuesday everyone.  I hope your week is going well.  Today's prompt is interesting to me.  I love music.  I don't play an instrument, but wish I did!  Music is such an integral part of our lives, isn't it?  And if you're like me, you have a few genres from which you draw for your listening pleasure, depending on mood or surrounding circumstances.  

I mean, I wouldn't be playing Beethoven at a Halloween party or a BBQ, right!?  There is a specific sound to which I enjoy dancing.  Mainly 70s, 80s and 90s soft rock sounds.  If you know me, you know who my favorite band is.  In case you don't, it's the Bee Gees.  I've listened to them since the 70s.  My first band though, was CCR, Credence Clearwater Revival.  Oh! that sound to 14/15 year-old me was electric!  Then, there was America (anybody remember them, Horse with no name, Ventura Highway, Sister Golden Hair?).   Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Chicago, Lobo.  More recently, I've been listening to Phil Collins, Back Street Boys, Ed Sheeran, Louis Capaldi. 

Ahhh, but the true love of my life (musically) is Gregorian Chant!  At two parishes I have led a women's schola (choir) for many years.  I came across a Chant CD in the 80's and I have been HOOKED ON IT EVER SINCE.

I mean, the music is heavenly --- literally!!  Gregorian chant dates back from the 9th century.  So, it's been around- and is not going anywhere any time soon.  

I don't know Latin (per se), nor do I read music, but that doesn't hinder one's ability to sing it.  After some basic training on how to read (and pronounce) the Latin, understanding the musical notations, and some practice - anyone can do it.  If I can do it (can't read music!), anyone can do it............with minimal singing abilities. (can you carry a tune?) 

Listening to chant is such a surreal and calming experience.  If you've never heard it, give it a try.  On you-tube, just search Gregorian Chant and BOOM! There it is!  

I'd say all music has its place. Music, like any art can move us and make us feel emotions immediately.  Often, just hearing notes of a certain song can take us back to a time or place of joy or even pain.  It can make us miss someone.  Or remember a special memory.  Music hardly ever makes me feel angry!  (There are certain genres I absolutely do not listen to i.e. extremely hard rock or heavy metal - they'd probably make me feel very angry!)

I'm on sabbatical from leading the schola right now.  After finding cancer in my thyroid, both sides were removed.   Needless to say, my voice hasn't come back.  It might not ever.  But I can still listen to that beautiful chant, which is also prayer by the way!  Chant not only lifts our voices to God, but also lifts our hearts to Him in prayer.  

It is said, "he who sings, prays twice."

Until next time~ all the best.  kellie 

Oct Prompts - All is grace

 Today's topic didn't interest me, so it's a free-to-choose day (my rules).  It's going to be a 'journal' entry similar to one of my older blogs, and one I borrowed from a friend's blog I used to read regularly.

What I'm wearing:  Khaki shorts and a light-weight blouse.  Even though it's Oct 7, it still feels a little 'summery' in these parts.  

What I'm currently reading: Every day, reading from Father Ripperger's Deliverance Prayers, and my own personal (put together) notebook of daily prayers and intentions.  I'm in a season right now I'm spending a lot more time in praying than reading for my own entertainment. 

Listening to: at this moment I only hear the chittering and twittering of my parakeets.

What's cooking:  I don't always completely plan ahead for the week, but I do plan to make enchiladas and chili this week.  They are both a family favorite.  The enchilada recipe is based on one from my husband's family - tweaked a bit to my own liking.  And the chili I have made forever.  We saw fritos on sale yesterday and I knew we had to have chili this week. 

Prayer intentions: prayers being poured out in a BIG-BIG way for Tommy, all my children and their intentions, the newborn grandson who is having open heart surgery on Thursday, all the sick and suffering both in body and spirit, the souls in Purgatory - most especially those who are forgotten and have no one praying for them due to passage of time or neglect of those living. For our country, our upcoming elections.  Gratitude for my improving health daily after two surgeries this summer.  Everything.  Just every little thing.  Life is hard.  We can't make it without Him. 

Current project(s):  I'm a crocheter and just started a gift for a winter wedding coming up right after New Year's.  I had started a knitting project but put it aside for the time being to start on the other.  I really don't do well with more than one WIP going at the same time.  (WIP = crochet language for 'work in progress')  See! Now you speak a little crochet.  :)

What I did recently:  Painted both my front and back doors a beautiful shade of light teal (tree swallow).  Made new curtains for my 3 kitchen windows. (2 windows and the door).  And the highlight of my summer:  Went to Branson with two of my friends and we saw BACK TO THE BEE GEES, a tribute band.  

They are all so talented, and do a great show.  Yea, I'm always the shortest person in the room...........

Oh and the resort we stayed at was really, really nice.   

Well, that's probably enough for now.  I have dishes to wash and haven't even had my coffee yet this morning.  

Please keep baby Kastl in your prayers for his upcoming surgery and healing.  Sweet baby Kastl.  

Til next time, my friends; peace be to you. kellie

Oct Prompts: Happy wife, happy life

 

Today's prompt was happy single life --- HAAAA.

Well, I wouldn't know anything about that subject.  And, seeing how this is my blog, my rules, I can mix things up any time I want! 

Here's a little rundown of how things went:

* Dated 4 years before we got married. 

* I planned and executed my own wedding details and paid for stuff little by little with my paychecks for several months.  While it was a beautiful ceremony and reception, the meal was a pot- luck.  Everyone who came brought something.  I know that makes a lot of people cringe hearing that!  And we had to be out of the church basement (hall) by 11 p.m.  While the men wore rented tuxedos, I made my own and my attendants' dresses, even the flower girl's.  Special indeed. 

* We have five children, 2 girls, 3 boys.

* We have 20 grandchildren, 2 currently on the way. 

* We worked TOGETHER in our careers for 43 years, running our own business.  I was the office and business end/ he was the manpower. And we're still together!  haha (trying to keep this light)

* In 2003, we renewed our wedding vows in a traditional Latin Mass, followed by dinner and dance.  This time we provided the full meal: spaghetti dinner with salads, breads and dessert. 

* We've lived in a total of 5 homes together, with the majority of that time spent on the property where we live now. 

* We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary several years ago with, yes, another party!  This one, we went ALL OUT, rented a venue, hired entertainment and everything. Fancy.  While we provided the meats, everything else was from the guests.  A semi-pot-luck!  That was a special night to remember.  All of our children were there, except our oldest, who was away on a job.  Good times were had.  

 

* We're still a handful of years away from 50th, and yes there will be a celebration, God willing. 

* 3 years ago, we entered retirement life -------- and never looked back!  Grateful we had an amazing job all those years where we could raise our family and provide for them, but enough is enough, you know??

* In 2022 we attended quite a "fancy soiree" event and had to dress up big time.  The United States Marine Corps Ball.  That was so fun!  

Well, I didn't mean to make this so long, but that's pretty much it in a nutshell.  I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, friends.

Until next time, Peace.  kellie 

October prompts, Day 5- My parents

 

What can a person say to those who first loved you, cared for you, gave you a childhood that you felt was blessed and graced with joy and happiness?  

I didn't know it, but we were a lower to mid - income family.  I thought we were rich beyond measure because love was always there in such abundance.  We had food, clothing, a home.  We never did without.  It was a different time, it seems.  The good old days. 

I miss them beyond words.  This post is bringing up a lot of emotions and memories.  Thank you, Mama and Daddy for all your selfless love, support and guidance.

Thank you, Almighty Father, for giving me to them.  Thank you.  

Until tomorrow, friends.  Take care of each other. kellie