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| Monday, November 16, 2009 |
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| ANOTHER "WISH I HAD WROTE IT" PIECE [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/16/2009 |
Danielle Bean has a great piece loosely called "I love homeschooling, I hate homeschooling". Could have written this myself (tho' not as eloquently).
Check it out:
http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=738&Itemid=48
I feel the same way about homeschooling and for that matter, on any given day - large family life and being a Catholic. None of these vocations are easy but they are what will help me get into heaven. |
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| "POOR" SOULS IN PURGATORY [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/16/2009 |
My love for these holy souls is something I have written about in the past but I've always wondered about this name for them. Our priest mentioned this term at yesterday's Mass and it made me wonder again.
While I can understand calling them 'poor', I will admit I've always found it a bit off-putting. I know, I know - there is a good deal of suffering that occurs in Purgatory but surely, being there beats being in hell so why call them 'poor'?
I've always thought that being in Purgatory - with Heaven as your confirmed destination - offers a bit of satisfaction and contentment doesn't it?
And while I know we are all to strive to achieve heaven, I seriously doubt my capacity to do so, so getting to Purgatory is my probable end.
Just wondering.
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| PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM HG HYPERMESIS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/16/2009 |
From a good friend who recently announcer HER pregnancy (not mine) -
"I have what is called (HG) Hypermesis which is a rare 'disorder' that takes the usually morning sickness and multiplies it by 100 at least.
If you want to check it out there is a lot of good info here http://www.hyperemesis.org/ and the overview is here http://www.hyperemesis.org/hyperemesis-gravidarum/
So- I definitely appreciate any prayers you send my way. I'm particularly hoping that things might improve around 21 weeks or so. The last 2 weeks have been pretty intense and the last few days particularly challenging.
I am still really happy and feel blessed to be able to suffer in this way particularly because women with this condition do choose abortion and can even be encouraged to do so by their doctors. I have personally seen women from the HG discussion boards "choose" to have abortions because of the severity and the inability to work. So please keep all women with HG in your prayers!!! "
Rachel here - I had never heard of this before and in checking it out was surprised. What heroes these women who choose life are! May Mary bless them and their babies! |
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| AUSTRALIAN GOV'T VICTIMIZES 500,000 CHILDREN PM APOLOGIZES [Gregory Popcak] |
| 11/16/2009 |
This is an appalling, shocking story. It makes the Church scandal look like a day at the park.
If only bureaucrats were allowed to marry....
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a historic apology Monday to thousands of impoverished British children shipped to Australia with the promise of a better life, only to suffer abuse and neglect thousands of miles from home.
The programs, which ended 40 years ago, were intended to provide the children with a new start — and the Empire with a supply of sturdy white workers. But many children ended up in institutions where they were physically and sexually abused, or were sent to work as farm laborers.
Rudd also apologized to the "forgotten Australians" — children who suffered in state care during the last century. According to a 2004 Australian Senate report, more than 500,000 children were placed in foster homes, orphanages and other institutions during the 20th century. Many were emotionally, physically and sexually abused in state care. |
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| Tuesday, November 17, 2009 |
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| ATTACHMENT PARENTING BEYOND THE BABIES [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/17/2009 |
We've talked about this before - attachment parenting must extend beyond nursing and infants!
Here's a quick look at some of the advice I'd offer to parents who are beyond the baby stage and seeking to stay attached to their kids. Listen carefully for the words such as engaged, involved and committed - all words necessary to be a good parent:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33987966#33987966 |
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| NICELY SAID GREG AND RACHEL! [Michael Jarecki] |
| 11/17/2009 |
| I couldn't agree more in regards to the support voiced of Bishop Tobin's loving, charitable and very fatherly approach to shepherding one of his flock. Bishops have the very heavy task of being responsible for the guidance of the many that are in the diocese - a burden I would never want to have to bare. Just as parents shoulder the responsibility of "shepherding" their children, bishops have to lovingly form and discipline their "children". Unfortunately, discipline is too often seen as another word for "punishment", but in fact, is better understood as the training or "discipling" of another. Our bishops will be held accountable to a higher standard before God because of this very important and heavy responsibility they bear. All the more reason to be praying and fasting for our earthly shepherds. |
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| SLAVERY IS REAL AND HAPPENING NOW [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/17/2009 |
The tragic story of Shaniya Davis, the 5 yr. old from North Carolina, apparently sold by her mother is just one of the thousands upon thousands of stories told every day.
For Americans, It may shocking to hear of such a thing but it is a reality for many people all over the world. This evil is overwhelming done to girls and women who have no protection and often few, if any, legal rights.
Consider giving this travesty your attention this upcoming Advent. Advent is a time for sacrifice and additional prayer so perhaps you might want to direct your spiritual energy and efforts for relief for the many victims of this crime.
www.humantrafficking.org |
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| MAMMOGRAMS NOT NEEDED UNTIL 50'S [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/17/2009 |
Most news sources are giving this same info:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-11-17-1Amammogram17_ST_N.htm
With no history of breast cancer in my family, my long term nursing, etc. I am not a 'candidate' for breast cancer but my docs had been mentioning this recently.
I'll happily put this off a few more years as right now I am trying to juggle a few other health issues such as my MS and perimenopause issues.
Getting old isn't any fun! |
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| BALTIMORE CITY IS HARASSING PREGNANCY CENTERS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/17/2009 |
Be careful as this bill may be coming to your city.
In Baltimore City, which has 4 crisis pregnancy centers, there is a bill making its way through the city council that requires these centers to posts clear signs about services they provide.
In other words, they must post clear signs that state they do not provide abortion services or contraception or face a daily fine of $150!
Archbishop O'Brien and others have clearly stated the silliness of the this law. Do you need a sign at Toys R' Us to let you know they don't sell automotive parts??
The crafter of the bill, Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, states it is necessary to prevent misleading information and abuse.
Apparently the hour long hearing had a number of women who stated as much (tho' I'm told these women were 'encouraged' to come forward by bill supporters).
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33982065
If you are involved in crisis pregnancy work - keep watch on this and perhaps do what you can to keep this from happening in your city. |
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| DO YOU FACEBOOK? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/17/2009 |
Then you'll be happy to know that "unfriend" is the word of the year.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/17/us/AP-US-ODD-Word-of-the-Year.html?_r=1 |
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| THOUGHTFUL GESTURES DURING MARITAL CONFLICT IMPROVES PHYSICAL HEALTH. [Gregory Popcak] |
| 11/17/2009 |
When people used words in a conflict-resolution discussion with their spouse that were indicative of a rational, calm and thoughtful discussion — words like think, because, reason, why — the researchers found lower amounts of cytokines, the stress-related proteins. The researchers suggest it is because these kinds of words suggest that people are either making sense of the conflict, or at least thinking about it in a deeper, more meaningful manner.
Virtually the same research team led by Gouin et al. (2009) looked at the same set of couples’ attachment style in a separate study. Attachment style refers to Bowlby’s (1982) theory about how babies reacted to their parents in times of stress or danger: “Securely attached children exhibit distress upon separation from their mothers, but are quickly comforted when reunited. In contrast, anxious children exhibit intense distress upon separation, and are not easily soothed following their mother’s return. Avoidant children do not display signs of distress upon separation, and refrain from seeking contact upon reunion with their mothers.” The researchers note how this corresponds to adulthood relationships: MORE |
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| Wednesday, November 18, 2009 |
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| REMINDING OUR READERS OF A GOOD ATTACHMENT BOOK [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/18/2009 |
Katie writes:
I would like to suggest a wonderful book on attachment parenting. It's called Hold On To Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate. This book gives some principles for how to develop a healthy attachment with your kids (works for spouses too). This book also gives ways to keep the attachment strong. Along with this, it gives ways to help correct the situation if you have made mistakes that have pushed your kids away from you. I love the book.
This book has helped foster alot of peace and joy in our home.
Thanks, Katie! |
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| A DOCUMENTARY I'LL TRY TO FIND - "WAR ON KIDS" [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/18/2009 |
And one every parent (both homeschooling and not) perhaps should see.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/movies/18kids.html?_r=1&hpw
The difficulty will be that for homeschooling parents we might be tempted to say 'that's why I'm homeschooling' but this leaves parents who do have children in school without any comfort or recourse.
Problems in a school system are everyone's problem as these the current school system is the manner in which the majority of children are taught (and thereby raised). These children, often poorly taught or in some cases psychologically harmed, will become our children's future co-workers, bosses, friends and perhaps spouses.
Shouldn't we all want the best for all kids? |
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| DOES ANYONE HAVE ONE OF THOSE ELECTRONIC READERS? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/18/2009 |
I am wondering if anyone has a Kindle (amazon.com) or similar reader for downloading books?
Are they a good idea? Making reading easier, more likely to occur or just a gadget?
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| FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATING THE OBVIOUS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/18/2009 |
Co-ed dorms are a source of greater risks to both guys and girls.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-11-17-coed17_ST_N.htm
My own college history would support this newest study. I went to a SUNY college for my first two years and lived in one of the last all-girl dorms (back in the early '80s) on campus. The entire atmosphere of my dorm was much different from any of the co-ed dorms my friends lived in. Can I mention ours just generally seemed cleaner and smelled better? That might be my imagination but it was always quieter and as a result many of the girls in my dorm were seeking relocation by mid-semester. Interestingly enough, there were always other girls seeking entrance.
I would think that making single sex dorms should be an option and might end up being a draw on many campuses. I bet if they offered it, they would have waiting lists as my dorm did.
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| Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
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| DO YOUR KIDS LOVE EGGO'S?? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/19/2009 |
Apparently there's a shortage. My kids like them but I don't buy them exclusively as the store brand is good enough and on the weekend we regularly make homemade.
Just want to warn you - perhaps you need to stock up??!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34023372/ns/business-food_inc/
The cynic in me is considering that Kellogg's might be 'creating' the shortage to increase interest and sales. |
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| BEN WIKER AND REAL ADVENTURE [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/19/2009 |
I've posted about the Balloon Boy Hoax and Mr. Wiker has a great article:
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/balloon_boys_sham_adventure_vs._christian_derring-do
What adventures are we offering our children? Ourselves?
After I recently posted about Purgatory, I got this from Matt W.:
"Related to what you wrote, I was listening to Catholic Answer's radio show yesterday and they had Fr. George Rutler as a guest. At one point he was talking about confession and mentioned that everybody walks out of the confessional a saint. I tend to walk out relieved or rejuvenated, maybe, but I've never thought about it terms of, "I am now a saint," something that I should be guarding jealously. He said a number of other really good things, but unfortunately that is the only one that stuck with me."
Do we ever offer sainthood as the an adventure our children can pursue - really and truly? The pursuit of sainthood is an adventure we are all called to, so why don't more of us pursue it?
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| HEALTHCARE INTERACTIVE [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/19/2009 |
NY Times has a good look at the health plan, piece by piece comparing the options. Worth a look:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/us/politics/1119-plan-comparison.html?hp |
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| FRONT LOAD WASHER? [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/19/2009 |
I have an LG which I love but do experience some of the struggles mentioned in this article - water and ick in the door seams, etc.
If you have one and have encountered some issues, this article might help you:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33997384/ |
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| Friday, November 20, 2009 |
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| HEALTHCARE CONCERNS [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/20/2009 |
It seems it is all we are talking about and this story illustrates some of my concerns:
Here's something to forward about the nightmares of bureaucratic healthcare. At the bottom I have given a link to a page with little Jayden's story, some photos and and their fight to change the UK's legislation.
(from the "While We're at It" column in Dec 2009 "First Things," by Joseph Bottum:)
"• Meanwhile, back again in Britain, doctors at an national healthcare hospital left a newborn baby to die because he was born too prematurely—and, when challenged, they perfunctorily cited national guidelines for limiting perinatal care. According to the guidelines published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, for babies born before twenty-two weeks gestation, it “would be considered in the best interests of the baby, and standard practice, for resuscitation not to be carried out.”
Jayden Capewell was born at twenty-one weeks and five days—just two days before the cut-off. Disregarding the assurance of the Nuffield Council that it would be in her son’s best interest to die, Sarah Capewell begged that doctors help him, but they refused even to see him. She was told to consider the birth a miscarriage, and in reply to her demand, “You have to help him,” she was frankly told, “No, we don’t.” Two hours after his birth, Jayden died in his mother’s arms.
In their endorsement of the guidelines, the British Association of Perinatal Medicine assures the public that “the care of the mother, her fetus, and the baby, will always need to be individualized and should be led by senior staff in all disciplines. The parents’ hopes and expectations need to be explored with honesty and compassion in a realistic way, drawing upon the available evidence.” That seems innocuous enough, but clearly, in practice, innocuousness is not the primary feature. The guidelines become mandates, providing doctors the authority to ignore the wishes of patients and their families. And why should they listen when the guidelines have already determined what is in the “best interest” of the patient? What more could a patient—or the mother of a baby—add to the discussion?
At the same time, national guidelines provide hospitals and doctors immunity from any culpability, for they are, after all, just following the rules. Moreover, the danger of using guidelines dictated from on high is that they are particularly resistant to being “individualized.” Rather than acting as a flexible framework that must be tailored to each individual patient, national guidelines force the patients into categories and, in the process, erase their individuality. In this case, because Jayden was under twenty-two weeks, the living, breathing baby held in his mother’s arms was “just a fetus.”
LINK: http://justice4jayden.webs.com/jaydensstory.htm |
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| Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
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| ON VACATION [Rachel Watkins] |
| 11/21/2009 |
Visiting my older girls up at their college and spending Thanksgiving there! Blogging will be sporadic at best!
Have a blessed time with your family! |
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