More of Simon's Cat

Remember Simon's cat? There are a few more videos out there featuring this fantastic feline and I just had to share this one. My son Jesse and I laugh hysterically everytime we watch it. Enjoy!

I Am Still Laughing...

I couldn't help but post a link at Kari's post from yesterday. It was the funniest thing I have read or seen in a while. And to think...I could have ordered a new one a long time ago. Thanks for the laugh, Kari!

How Much Can I Get Done??

So I was up at 7 this morning, sorting laundry, reading email, planning dinner and trying to remember when I have to go to work. My house seems to be in a permanent state of disarray these past few weeks and I can't stand it. The time has come to get organized, get efficient and get busy. So I thought to myself this morning: Daphne, (that's what I call myself) this would make a good entry for your blog! I was away for so long and I want to get back in touch with my friends. So I put off cleaning and cooking this morning to blog. WTH?

I've reviewed my check list. Laundry, started. Dishwasher, running. Dinner, planned (German-style sweet and sour ribs for my hubby.) Carpets, dirty. Floors, sticky. Furniture, dusty. Clutter, laying around. AAAGGH! When I wasn't working outside of the home I was definitely working INSIDE of the home. Now I don't seem to be. I can't find that happy medium where I manage to balance all of my priorities. By the time I get home from work (normally around 6) I managed to cook dinner and then I crash. Those babies wear me out!

Anyone have a suggestion??????? Help a poor girl out, please!

Realizations on a Rainy Sunday

There are a few things I have come to realize over the past few days, years, hours. And in no particular order he we go:

* I love listening to thunderstorms but I hate the rain.
* Kenny holds my hand so often that when he's not around to do so, I don't know what to do with them.
* I miss my Nunnie more than words can express.
* I have lazy cats.
* My father is the cutest guy I know (no offense, Kenny.)
* I spend way too much time 'googling' things.
* The world was not made for short people.
* Ice cream should have it's own food group.
* I don't know everything.
* My mom is usually right.
* I could never have a modern-styled home.
* I love nuts and raisins but not in anything.
* I have useless information stuck in my head.
* There is nothing greater than the love of family.
* I should have lived in the 50s.
* Laughing is good for the soul.
* I need to read more.
* I definitely need more patience.
* When people tell me I'm nuts, they're probably right.
* My God is an awesome God.

Come to any realizations lately??

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth!

They say the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions. I had every intention to start blogging again. Then 'this' happened one morning. And then 'that' happened one evening.

But anyway...I'm slowly getting accustomed to our new arrangements around here. Kenny started a new position at work which should ease our financial burdens. But it's a steady night turn position. I HATE night turn. It wouldn't be that bad if he worked the "4, 10's" (like the job is scheduled) but he works 11 hours every day and it's never just four days. Last week he work 6 days straight. And this week he went out on Sunday night and will work through next Thursday morning. Yep! That's 12 days straight. I could deal with it if he had the weekends off. But that rarely happens.

I seriously went through the five stages of grief. I told him that money doesn't mean that much to me. We're doing ok. He felt otherwise. I said I didn't get married to sleep alone, damn it - he said it won't always be like this. I said I would try to get more hours at work. He said he doesn't want me to have to work at all. I cried for days (and in front of him.) He would hug me and tell things are going to be better. Finally, when none of that worked - I just accepted it. In order for him to "make a name for himself" out there, he had to take this job. And as much as I hate to admit it, everyone on the maintenance crew (the highest paying job in the yard) was on night turn at one time or another. So, I have to do what my mother says: Suck it up, be a supportive wife and stop making him feel guilty for trying to better our situation. But there is a bright side to all of this. When he still worked at Veka he would be on daylight for two weeks and night turn for two weeks. And I hated it! I never saw him. By the time he got home in the morning I had already left for work. He would get up just in time to eat dinner and then leave again. But now, I can see him in the morning for a few hours. And he gets up about 2 hours before leaving at night. So I can see him then too. It still sucks. But at least it's better than before. And the extra money means we can go to my sister's in August!!!!!

Now on to more fun updates. The boys are in Ohio this weekend preparing to walk their mom down the aisle! Since my cousin is getting married here in PA on the same day, I can't be there. But it's being videotaped and I can watch that. I'm so proud of them. I'm proud of Kerry. And I couldn't be happier for her and Greg. The boys get along fantastically with Greg and with his kids. Things are looking up everywhere!!

And knowing that all good things come from Above - I praise the Lord and His infinite wisdom in knowing what's best for us and our family. And I marvel at His timing. Clearly, His plan is far better than mine.

My plans for tonight - visiting everyone and staying for a cuppa! Much love to each and everyone of you!

Happy Memorial Day!

Good Morning to all my blogging friends of heart! This Memorial Day reminds me of those I have loved and lost. And even though my loss of blogging friends is my own fault...I do miss you all. I want to pay the highest tribute to those who put their lives on the line to protect our blessed freedom. I think of my father who joined the Army before they drafted him. I think of my uncle who served in Vietnam. And my cousin who fought in the first Gulf War; another cousin who was serving on the USS Nimitz in 1988 when a fire broke out on the ship. We were blessed during their time of service and no one gave his life.

But Memorial Day, to me, is for more than remembering the men and women who served in the Armed Forces.

I remember my Nunnie whom I miss dearly. She was my first best friend. I learned how to cook watching her in her kitchen. I wish my husband and children could have known her. They would have loved her just as I did, just as everyone who ever knew her. She was a saint on earth and my heart aches for the day I can hug her again.

I remember Nancy Jane, my other mother. Nancy was Holly's mom and she kept me in line just as my own mother does. I had more coffee at her table than any other, talked more gossip and laughed big-bellied laughs when she was around. She died on my father's birthday 3 years ago and I still talk to her when I make my first cup of coffee in the morning.

I remember my Grandma. A strong Irish woman whom I see every time I'm around my sister. From her hands to her work ethic her spirit is embodied in Carrie and I thank God for that. When I see my sister furiously cleaning her floors - I see my Grandma.

I remember my Paps. The two were as different any two could be with one exception: their love for their families. One was easy-going and one as tough as nails (not to me, of course.) I think that God knew what he was doing when he gave them their spouses. My grandmothers balanced out their personalities and I kinda like to think that's what He had in mind when he gave me Kenny.

And even though I never met Kenny's dad (he died when Kenny was 7) I remember him today. He served in Vietnam and was pretty easy going. I think Kenny got his temperament from him. And I'm pretty sure he would have liked me. I hope so anyway...

May you all have a memorable Memorial Day keeping your loved ones close to your heart.

Blessing of the day: I blessed because I come from a long line of heroes in my heart!

Special of the Month

Nunnie's Attic Special of the Month

Our special of the month for May is this beautiful Church Wind Chimes which retails for $39.95. It is regularly priced at $31.95 in our attic but for the month of May we are offering it at $28.75

http://www.nunniesattic.com/store-products-34596-Church-Bells-Tuned-Wind-Chimes_40837826.html

My Apologies

Good Morning Everyone!
I must first beg your forgiveness for how long it has taken me to post. I am so sorry. My mom sends me an email anytime someone leaves a comment. When I checked my email this morning I found them, along with over 300 other emails that I hadn't checked in a while. I have no excuse. But allow me to explain what's been going on...

Two weeks ago I started a new job. It's part time, afternoons. I am working in the day care center of the YMCA. I am playing with babies! There are 4 rooms in the day care: infants, young toddlers, older toddlers and pre-school. I work in the infant room where the oldest child can only be 13 months old. I'm having a ball. And of course I have my favorites. But let me tell you, they're kicking my ass. At the end of the day...I'm whooped. On average we have nine babies/day. But there are days where we have eight and there are days when we have eleven. Since my clearances haven't come in yet, I'm not allowed to be left alone with any of the babies. That makes it hard when poor Cathy (my afternoon co-worker) has to use the rest room. We have to find someone to step in the room for her to leave even for just a few minutes. But, rules are rules. There's a baby named Ryan whom I just adore. He's eight months old. Unfortunately for me, his mom will soon be working part-time herself and will no longer need our services. Bully for her...but I'm devastated. He looks like the pictures I have of my Austin as a baby. So I hold him...a lot!! It's my way of playing with Austin as a baby. And he loves me. I know I will cry on his last day.

Another one of my favorites is a little girl named Alaya. She's 10 months old today, as a matter of fact. So in 3 months and a week she'll be moving to the young toddler group. But at least I'll still be able to see her everyday. She's absolutely adorable and I spoil her. The moment I walk in she lights up. She drops whatever she's doing and waddles over to hug my legs, look up at me and smile. She knows I will pick her up. She's my princess and I call her that. She doesn't get much love at home. I have never met her mother. I've met her father who picked her up once, her aunt who has picked her up a few times and her mother's boyfriend, the drug addict, who picks her up a lot. From what they have told me, her mother (just 19 herself, with another daughter in the older toddler group) doesn't pay too much attention to the girls. Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever heard?? So I try to make up for it. And if that means spoiling her, oh well. I could snatch her up and make her my own daughter in an instant!

Jesse went to Washington, D.C. with the school at the end of March. He had a great time. We bought a throw-away camera for him to take. I was going to give him my digital camera but I was afraid that he might lose it (he's famous for things like that.) And he wasn't too confident in that area anyway. I think he was relieved to take the throw-away. That way if he did lose it, no harm done. Well, in the first hour and a half he took 27 pictures and ran out. He had to buy another one down there. He was NONE too happy about that. The cost up here? $6.99. The cost in DC? $14.95. But now he has over 50 pictures of his trip. Priceless!!

One of the perks of working at the YMCA is that they give their employees a membership for free. I chose to upgrade and include my family on the membership for just $18/month. The boys are having a blast! They're playing things they couldn't possibly play outside: basketball, racket ball, volley ball. I tease them all of the time. But they're having fun and that's all that matters. They'll really enjoy the Y this summer when it's hot and they want to go swimming.

So that's what's been going on around here. I have no excuse for not posting or visiting other than now that my "blogger block" has passed due to my new job...I'm tired. And I know that's no excuse. I hope that everyone is doing well. I have never forgotten anyone . And I still pray for all of you. Please keep my family in your prayers and I love you all!

Spring Sale

Spring, a time for redecorating. Nunnie’s Attic is
offering you 20% off everything for your home, yard
and patio.

Take time to look over all the beautiful products we
have to offer. www.nunniesattic.com and use coupon
code “20%” to receive 20% off your entire order.

Hi,

I would like to take this time to wish ALL of you a very Happy Easter.

Julie right now is having Blog Block. Just be patient I am sure she will be back soon.

Today is the day our Lord died for us and I wanted to leave you with this prayer.

My good and dear Jesus, I kneel before you, asking you most earnestly to

engrave upon my heart a deep and lively faith, hope, and charity.

With true repentance for my sins, and a firm resolve to make amends.

As I reflect upon your five wounds, and dwell upon them with deep

compassion and grief, I recall, good Jesus, the words the prophet David spoke long ago concerning yourself:

“They have pierced my hand and my feet, they have counted all my bones.”

From all of us, to all of you, have a Blessed Easter.

Love, Margie (Mom)

I've Been Tagged!

Willzmom tagged me to write a 6 word Memoir. Enjoy!!

Nowhere to turn? Kneel Down. Pray!!




Here are the rules:
Write your own six word memoir. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere. Tag five more blogs with links. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!"

I tag: Anyone and everyone. It's a fun one to play!!

Hello Everyone!

Good Afternoon Everyone!
Well, things haven't been working out all that well for me these past few weeks. This past Friday, things got even worse. As many of you know, our finances have been in a rough patch lately. And I could deal with that. I am dealing. Praying very hard, but dealing. But that's nothing compared to what happened this past Friday.

My husband woke up at 4 in the morning with an irritation of sorts in his eye. He went downstairs to put eye drops in but couldn't do it himself. Not wanting to wake me up he just came back upstairs and tried to go back to sleep. Well of course I was awake and I asked if he had brought the drops upstairs. He hadn't so I went down and got it. I came back up and put a big drop in his eye. Unfortunately, it turned out to be SUPER GLUE!! I super glued his eye shut.

Now let me explain how that happened. It was 4 am. Jesse had left the super glue out on the coffee table. The bottle is cone-shaped. It also had ZERO writing on it. I was confused and it happened. I took him to the ER and they did NOTHING for him. Actually said there was nothing to do. Well I had called Poison Control and they said that they most certainly should have done something. They could have applied Lubricon which is an oil-based ointment to get the eye open. Or Vaseline or mineral oil. They also should have contacted the opthamologist on call. Well I called him myself and made an appointment for Kenny on Saturday. Dr Zambelli himself called me back and talked with Kenny. Explained again to us what we should be doing and then called back later that evening. He wanted to see Kenny first thing in the morning. At 6:40 am Kenny was in the doctor's office and he got his eye open. Gave him 2 different antibiotics and he goes back again today. But PRAISE THE LORD, there was no damage to his eye. I was hysterical. I thought for sure I had blinded my own husband.

So that's what's been going on here. Please say a prayer for him (for us) and I'll check in again soon. Thanks to everyone for your prayers already. We need them!

Problems Again

Hi, once again this is Julie's mom here to tell you Julie once again has that problem cloud over her head. I will let her tell you about. I will say things are better today then yesterday. Keep her in your prayers.

Love, Margie

P.S. Someday this one might be funny, as our family says a lot "Only Julie"

Dork Fish

This is for my mother...



Lenten Scriptures: Mat 20: 17-28 "Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Thought for the Day: Pray a Rosary for vocations today, and consider how God is calling you to serve.

So I've had better days...

Let me first start out by saying thank-you to everyone who dropped by while I was out. It touches my heart. Remember the styes that I kept getting? Well, it got a lot worse before it got better. I had one on my upper right eyelid. It went away and then I had one on my upper left eyelid. It went away. But then...I got yet another on my lower right eyelid and this one got badly infected. I called the doctor on Monday after my mother practically threatened me, haha, and he called me in a prescription for an antibiotic drop. By Monday night I couldn't see out of my right eye anymore, it had swollen so bad. Tuesday was just as bad. Wednesday was a little better. And then suddenly it got a lot better. I could finally see without any problems yesterday. You can still see it. But it's just a little bump now. Instead of it covering my entire bottom lid, it's just this little thing now. Moral of the story...don't let them get out of control.

School was canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the snow and ice. The boys were thrilled! But we could have been in big trouble. Let me explain. Remember a few months ago when the sensor went on our furnace? Kenny replaced it and we've been fine. But then Monday night when we were getting all of that snow, the furnace cut out again. We woke up to a 58 degree house. Kenny said that he would bypass the sensor for the day and fix whatever the problem was when he got home that night. The furnace would just have to run all day. He showed me the pin (bypassing the sensor) and said that if it got too hot in here to pull it. That was about 5:30 in the morning. Well, unbeknown to my sweet husband, when he bypassed the sensor...the flue didn't open. Carbon monoxide was pouring into the house. About 10:00 the boys and I were deathly ill. Our heads were heavy and pounding. We were dizzy and sick to our stomachs. Hearts pounding out of our chests. We could hardly stand. As a matter of fact, Austin laid down in the hallway upstairs. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how we could all get so sick. Same symptoms and everything. Then it dawned on me. Could this be carbon monoxide? I sent the boys outside and pulled the pin. I opened a window. And waited. Unfortunately, the house was freezing again. But we were alive! When Kenny came home I explained what I did. He went down to check and came running back up. He said the flue didn't open and I was right. Austin said good thing Mom was here. Or you would have had a hard time waking us up, huh Dad? Kenny said no...you would have fallen asleep forever. Austin's head spun around and said...Good thing Mom doesn't go to work anymore! Kenny winked at me and said yep.

I'm taking that as a sign from God. Times are rough right now. But yet every time I question our decision for me to stay home, God sends me a sign that lets me know I am supposed to be here. The last sign was when an old outlet caught fire and I was here to put it out. So while we may be struggling financially right now...I still know we made the right decision. I have turned this problem over to God and He will get us through this. Oh and I don't really know what the problem was, but Kenny fixed it. He knew immediately what to do but just didn't have the time in the morning. And the moral of this story...Trust in God!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Lenten Scriptures: Mat 5:20-26 "...go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Thought for the day: Meditate today on Jesus' call to forgive others just as God forgives us.

May You Be Blessed

Please take a minute and watch this beautiful movie - receive the message - and share it with others. Have a blessed Sunday!

Lenten Scriptures: Mt 4: 1-11 - "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, buty by every word that comes corth from the mouth of God.'"

Thought for the Day: Take time to meditate on the many ways God speaks to you daily.

Just Can't Get it Together

I must apologize to all of my blogging friends for my inability to get it together long enough to visit everyone. I don't remember how I did it before. Yesterday, I lectored for Ash Wednesday services. Then when I got home I tidied up before having to make dinner. After dinner I left for ...Bingo. Now I am not a bingo kind of gal. My mom is. She and her best friend go every Wednesday down to our church hall for "award winning bingo." But I am not a good Christian in that setting. I know this. I accept this and since I never seem to win, only donate - I stay away. But last night I was on a mission. I needed signatures.

I wrote a letter to our bishop regarding our parish's need for a permanent pastor. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you'll know that Father Jim was assigned to another parish. We do not have a permanent pastor at this time. Father Steve is the pastor at St. Philomena's in the neighboring town and he has been assigned as our "Pastoral Administrator" until a replacement (if any) can be found. As for "Replacement Ministry" (meaning when Father Steve has responsibilities at his own church) Father Mark comes from yet another parish to fill in. Our church is entirely too large to not have a permanent pastor. Due to the pastoral shortage the days of each parish having her own pastor is becoming a thing of the past. However in our area, there are 3 parishes in Beaver Falls (the next town over) with 3 permanent pastors. And I want one of them! So I went looking for signatures and I found quite a few.

The plan was to leave once I got the signatures. But since "Aunt Patty" was sick last night, my mom would be playing by herself. So I stayed to play. She paid for it, ha ha. So technically I didn't lose anything. When I called home to tell Kenny that I would be late, he reminded me to swear quietly - HA HA! I didn't win anything. But I didn't completely lose my senses. I behaved appropriately! I left for bingo at 5:30 so that I wouldn't bother anyone while they were playing. If you've ever gone to bingo, you know that they'll scratch your eyes out if you're bugging them while they're playing. I didn't get home until after 10. And the whole point in mentioning all of this is that my visits to everyone have suffered. I'm not visiting like I used to. For that I apologize! I'll get it together. I just need to work the kinks out. Please be patient with me.

Lenten Scriptures ~ Luke 9:22-25
Thought for the Day: ~ Pray that you will always be attentive and responsive to God's will.

Season of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday. It begins the 40 day liturgical season of prayer and fasting before Easter. As Catholics, we're called to sacrifice. My kids and I struggle every year with what we're "going to give up." Last year Austin said that he was giving up ice cream. Sounds good. But then I thought about it. "Austin, how often do we eat ice cream? That's not really a sacrifice, is it?" I am very good at pointing out the hang-ups in my children's Lenten sacrifices. But what did I give up last year? Uhmmm, nothing. Yep friends, I'm a hypocrite.

I gave up chocolate one year and I was a complete and nasty witch. I tried to give up pop one year. But the headaches were awful. I could try to give up smoking. But I don't even want to think how miserable everyone would be around here. So everyone can forget that. Decisions, decisions.

As I typed this post I began to think about some changes that I could make. Make the necessary changes to be a better person. I opened my bible today. It fell open to Psalm 50: The Acceptable Sacrifice. I kid you not! Verse 14-15 says: "Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High. Then call on me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall honor me."

I remembered this morning that God already knows my heart. He already knows my fears and His plan for my life is laid out before me. He already knows what I will ask of Him. But I have to remember that while my God is a merciful God, St James reminds us that faith without works is dead. (James 3:26 - "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." It is not enough that I have faith in God and in His merciful nature. I must change the way I view the world and others. I am turning my problems, fears and worries over to God this morning. He will deliver me from them. And I will praise God and bring Him glory.

Lenten Thought for the Day: Do something kind for someone anonymously.

Spring Will Come!!

I'm sure everyone is getting tired of me complaining about the cold weather. And it's really my own fault. I'm ready for Autumn by Sept.1. I decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. By February my attention has turned to spring and all the glory it brings of the earth's rebirth.


I'm so excited for spring this year. This will be my first year at home. I will have time to really clean all of the leaves out of my yard. Incidentally, I don't have trees in my yard. But directly behind me are woods. I have more leaves than a forest. This year I want to plant a garden. My kids aren't going to be too happy about that. Takes up their playing area, you know. But for the past 5 years all of the neighborhood kids have played in my yard. Pick a new one. I want to plant my flowers and enjoy my front porch again. Spring is coming!

Nunnie's Attic has a whole category dedicated to your garden needs. We have hand selected our inventory. We stock our webstore with items we want to own. But always remember that if you're looking for something specific and you don't see it, just ask. We will do everything in our power to find what you're looking for to best suit your style.


Can't you just picture yourself lying on this hammock? Basking in the warm sun. Reveling in the beauty that surrounds you while taking a much needed break. Won't you take a peek inside the attic and see what treasures you can find?


**click on the images for a description of the item**

Well I Finally Fell Asleep!

I only slept for a few hours Wednesday night, maybe 3 hours. Thursday night I didn't sleep at all. I heard the freezing rain fall. I watched TV as over 300 schools delayed. I decided at about 5:30 that I wasn't going to send the boys if our school didn't delay. Every other school in the area had delayed already by that time. But about 5:50 the notice came that they had. So the boys enjoyed an extra 2 hours of sleep. I tried all day long yesterday to sleep. I put on soothing music. I tried my bed. I tried my couch. I tried my reclining chair. But I couldn't find a comfortable position. Isn't that just the worst thing? I was completely exhausted and yet unable to sleep. I went up to bed last night at 11:00 and the last time I looked at the clock it was 2:00. I woke up when Kenny's alarm went off at 5:30 and I thought for sure that was going to be it. But he sat on the edge of the bed and played with my hair for a little bit. And lo and behold...I started to relax again. He shut off the light and I fell back to sleep. And I slept until 9:15. I could feel what I call the cats' "Hunger Stare" on me. Sure enough, I woke up to 3 of them just staring at me. But that's ok. 7 hours is better than nothing.

Now on to other matters! My sweet friend, Alexandra from Silver Bell Cottage, tagged me to play 4 Things About Me. I always like these little memes. I enjoyed learning a few more things about Alexandra. I'm supposed to tag 4 other people to play. But, I have done that a few other times already. So, if anyone wants to play along - please do so. It's fun. I'm trying to give completely different answers this time. So if you have read one of mine before and the answers are different, that's why.

4 favorite movies ~
I Remember Mama
Imitation of Life
Pocket Full of Miracles
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

4 places I've lived ~
With my parents
By myself
With Kenny
With my husband and my boys

4 shows I watch ~
Project Runway
Monk
Paula's Home Cooking
Lakewood Church

4 people who email me ~
My mother
My sister
My friend Cindy
Proverbs 31

4 favorite eats ~
Anything made by my father
Bacon-wrapped Saltine crackers
Pulled pork sandwiches
Chocolate Derby Pie

4 places I'd rather be ~
The beach
Spending my millions
Cooking with Paula Deen
Lounging at my villa in Italy

4 things to look forward to ~
Watching my sons graduate
Watching my sons marry the love of their life
Being able to play with my grandchildren
Enjoying retirement with Kenny

And We're to Trust Our Children to Know Better??

I found this article on Comcast this morning. Can you believe this? We pray that we've taught our children right from wrong. We pray that our morals and ethics have been instilled. We pray that when faced with adversity our children will know to take the high road. And then some stupid ass in authority comes along and does something like this. This is one of those times when I could seriously forget my upbringing and punch someone.

Pa. Teacher Accused of School Threats

2 hours ago

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — A teacher who was upset because she didn't get her preferred classroom assignment left more than a dozen scribbled threats at her elementary school and a suspicious device in a student's desk, authorities said.

Susan Romanyszyn, 45, was charged Thursday with 17 counts of making terroristic threats in connection with the incidents at Longstreth Elementary School in Warminster in October.

Authorities said the fourth-grade teacher scribbled messages on school walls and on paper that threatened bomb and gun violence. The messages were written in sloppy handwriting with numerous misspellings and some with crudely drawn cartoons, police said.

A prosecutor said the actions stemmed from Romanyszyn's assignment to teach fourth grade rather than fifth grade. "She was upset or disgruntled at not getting the classroom assignment she wanted," Bucks County District Attorney Michelle Henry said.

Police also allege Romanyszyn put a water bottle containing white power and screws into a student's desk and scattered nails around the lot where teachers parked, leading to school trips and activities being delayed or canceled.

In an interview with police, Romanyszyn denied having anything to do with the incidents and said she wasn't upset about not getting a fifth-grade teaching position, according to a court document. Her attorney rejected the allegations.

"In a case like this, you go on a person's character, and the character of this woman is out there for inspection," Sara Webster said. "Nobody says she's an angry person. She loved what she did, and she loved her students and she always got good evaluations."

Romanyszyn was arrested after authorities interviewed students, administrators and teachers and reviewed footage from school surveillance cameras, Warminster Police Chief Michael Murphy said.

Romanyszyn, who has been on administrative leave since Oct. 22, turned herself in to police and was released after posting $100,000 bail. She faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

Romanyszyn was previously a middle school teacher at Eugene Klinger Middle School, where in 2004 she was one of two elementary mathematics teachers selected as a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

A Loss for Words

I struggled with creating a post this morning. I guess being away for so long had a greater affect on me than I first realized. I couldn't think of anything yesterday and it was hard for me today. I thought, I could post about this nasty weather blowing through town today. Wind gusts of 50-60 mph. But then everyone has weather issues. I thought I could talk about my oldest son who complains every morning about having to get up for school and has repeatedly asked that we start homeschooling. I had no real purpose or plan about what to post. And in searching for my purpose I turned to God.

Now, I didn't ask God to send me an idea for a topic. What I mean is that I was feeling lost and uncertain about what to do, how to speak, where to go with all of this. And normally when I'm feeling uncertain about anything in life, from the smallest problems to the seemingly insurmountable ones, it means that I have turned my attention away from God and it's time to make a U-turn. It's time to turn my attention back to the One who is always present in my life and ask Him to guide my path.

Psalms 143:7-10

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

How easy it is to stray. To get caught up in our own sorrows and problems. To feel as if there is no one to turn to, no one willing to help. Drawing a blank when it comes to blogging is in no way equatable to the afflictions others may be facing this morning. But all things, great and small, can affect our lives. And I realized that if I was struggling to come up with a topic, then surely there were others out there with problems greater than mine. I knew that if I couldn't come up with something to say, a regular chatter-box, then something was holding me back. That something was that I was not focusing on giving glory to God. And for my own self, when I turn my back on God so-to-speak, when I don't focus on fulfilling His plan for my life, I become lost. The focus in this house hasn't become anti-christian, mind you. But it definitely hasn't been completely on doing the will of Christ. So maybe that was His intention all along. Maybe I was called to remind not only myself that when all else fails - turn to God. I was struggling with what to say and God turned that opportunity into a way to glorify Him. I'm reminded to look at the animals: DOG - depend on God, FROG - forever rely on God.

So my post today seemingly wrote itself. No longer was I struggling to come up with an idea. The idea was there all along. I had just lost focus...

What Season Are You?

So I finally get the sty in my right eye cleared up and doesn't one form in my left eye over the weekend... It's enough to give a person a complex, you know. My grandmother always said that you get styes from peeing in the alley. HA! I swear I haven't done that in years. Just kidding. I've had eye infections my whole life. I think it's because I have such nasty allergies. And I'm constantly rubbing my eyes. Terrible habit, I know. But I think therein lies the problem. And tea bags taped to my eyes is a big pain in the old patootie. Anywhoop - Kari from Just Living Large suggested rubbing my wedding ring over it. Something about the metals and it being all better. So I'm waiting to see how this turns out. Thanks for the tip, Kari!

I know that I mentioned this before. But I hate winter. I am so sick and tired of being bundled up. I'm tired of our gas bill. I'm tired of having to wear shoes (I'm a barefoot girl in the summer.) And I'm longing for the day. You remember "day" don't you? We only see it a few short hours now. I'm so looking forward to sitting on my porch until well past 5 o'clock and being able to enjoy the sun. I miss the sun. That stupid groundhog will probably see his shadow this Saturday. Interesting fact about old Phil. Did you know that the way they determine if he has seen his shadow or not is based on his desire to mate? Doesn't that just take the cake? If the little bugger is horny and anxious to jump Philomena - spring is right around the corner. If he is listless and not too terribly interested in his partner's needs (typical man) then it's 6 more weeks of winter folks. YUCK! Well at least Lent is right around the corner. That's something to look forward to.

Here's a little quiz for this gloomy Monday morning. I had suspected this all along...

You Belong in Summer

Energetic, creative, and very curious about the world... You're not going to let anything hold you back, especially a cold day. Whether you're chilling out at the beach or partying all night, you live for the warm weather.

What Season Are You?

You Make My Day and Spotlight Saturday!

While I was away, kicking my computer, Linda at Restyled Home gave me an award. Can you believe her generosity? I am always so proud of any award I receive from my fellow bloggers. But this one is extra special because I wasn't even blogging when she gave it to me.

I'm sure you all know Linda. But let me fill you in on a few things about this special lady. She is the one who helped me vision how I wanted my house to look this Christmas. She is the one who gives us such dreamy ideas and inspirations from Matthew Meade. She's the sweetie who so refinely spells words like favorite as favourite. She's the wife, mother and business owner we can all look to for guidance. And I just adore her. To think that I make her day is quite a boost to my ego, I don't mind saying. So my Spotlight goes to Linda as I humbly thank her for honoring me with this award.

If by some freak of nature you haven't met Linda and basked in the beauty of the Restyled Home, stop over and tell her I sent ya!!

I Hate Winter!

I hate winter! We were running late this morning. Either I didn't set the alarm last night or I shut it off and don't remember. Either way my husband is normally on the road by 6:15 and we woke up at 6:13. OOPS! Still had plenty of time to get to work. Austin still had plenty of time to get ready for school. No real harm was done. Except that every Friday morning Kenny puts his paycheck in the night deposit drawer at the bank. For numerous reasons we do not have direct deposit. Too many people he works with have had their accounts screwed up on a semi-routine basis. So, we just fill out a deposit slip and chuck it into the box. Since he was running late, I drove down to deposit the check which is right over the hill. GOOD GAWD is it freezing out. It is currently a balmy 7 degrees with a windchill factor of -5. Going from the truck to the window and back to the truck took all of about 30 seconds. And I thought my finger tips were going to break off. I HATE WINTER!! Did those asshats at my children's school think to delay? Oh hell no. Let them stand at the bus stops in -5 degree weather. Let them walk to school. No reason to delay. Jack asses all of them. I think that I will be calling the school. Pardon for the outbursts but I'm a little jacked this morning!

Now, as for my eye. It is about a 1000% percent better than it was yesterday. It's still a little puffy. But it's open! And I don't feel myself blinking this morning. I used warm tea bags last night. Kenny taped it over my eye and my sons walked around the house saying "ARRRRR." They also got a kick out of saying "Hey it's Tea." Now let me explain why that is funny. All of my nieces and nephews call me 'T' for reasons we don't know. And I have always had dark circles under my eyes. Kenny said I had tea stains. General jocularity at my expense last night. But whatever, my eye feels better. So my tip to anyone who feels a stye coming on - use tea bags. Works like a charm!

Now that I'm done ranting like a total lunatic...let's focus on something a little sweeter. This morning in a Proverbs 31 email I found this verse. How perfect is it? It's what I try to relay in my posts, just not so eloquently. Have any of you found a hidden blessing? Polly found quite a few that could simply be lost on someone else: the rain, not the mud...the sun, not the glare... the children, not their arguments. Even this stinking winter weather can be construed as a blessing, I guess. The earth needs it's deep sleep in order to awaken in spring with all it's glory. So look for your blessings, share them with us and experience the glorious love of our Lord.

"...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together will all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled up to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)

Hidden Blessings

A stye has formed in my right eye. Funny thing is, I had one forming in my left eye earlier in the week and I managed to stave it off with warm compresses. I could feel myself blinking. That's never normal. And I applied warm compresses all day yesterday but I woke up this morning looking like I had been in a huge fist fight. I told Kenny that he "should see the other guy!"

I was so overwhelmed by the number of people who welcomed me back yesterday. That means more to me than you will ever know. I wasn't able to visit everyone yesterday as I had hoped. But I will be making my rounds again. Doesn't it amaze you the friends you find through blogging? Kenny was pretty proud of himself when I told him that you all sent your thanks. And I thanked him properly myself this morning, ahem.

I spoke with a friend yesterday who has been going through a rough patch these last few months and during our conversation I began to appreciate the blessings in my life. But more to the point, I began to look to notice the hidden blessings we take for granted. For example: Austin has been sick lately with a simple cold. His nose is running like a faucet and he has a cough. I hesitated sending him to school yesterday but he got his shower and got ready for school anyway. Evidently they have a new bus driver because he never stopped to pick them up. Drove right past them. All those kids had to walk up the hill in the bitter cold yesterday if there was no one home to drive them. I took that as a sign to keep him home. I notified the school the bus driver isn't stopping for these kids, explained Austin wouldn't be in school and we had a delightful day at home together. He took a nice nap and his coughing has decreased. Small blessing from God wrapped up in an incompetent bus driver.

The whole point in relaying that story was to serve as a reminder that there is a bigger plan for our lives. Our plans may go awry. Even the carefully executed ones. But it is at those times, more than ever, we should step back and ask for God's guidance. We've wandered off His path and will need a Light to find our way back. We have to trust that "this" is happening for a reason and realize that He knows better.

So this is my challenge for the new year. I am challenging myself and you as well to look for the hidden blessings in our lives. Who will join me in this effort? I have a "Blessings Button" on my side bar. Please feel free to use it on your blog and share your stories with us. Each one of us is a Success Story, if we only looked for our hidden blessings!

Good Morning Everyone!!

HI!!! I'm practically giddy! I think that Kenny (my sweetheart of a guy) may finally have the kinks worked out. He has spent the last 4 nights working on the computer. And, knock wood, it appears to be working. So how the hell have you all been????

Goodness, it's been a long time. I was able to change the background picture. I wanted something spring-y. The winter scene just wasn't cutting it anymore. I am done with winter. I'm so impatient for the upcoming season. I am ready for tulips and daisies. But, unfortunately, I can't remember the user name and password for my playlist right now. I requested an email giving them to me, but it hasn't arrived yet. So - please pardon the Christmas music playing in the back ground. WAIT - Tell you what....I'll move it to a spot lower in the page and it shouldn't play unless you pass by it.

I had 282 emails in my inbox this morning. Sorry guys - but I just deleted pages at a time. If you have sent me an email, I probably got it...but I deleted it. That was a little overwhelming. 18 pages of emails to go through? No way.

I received my bracelet and earrings (an extra bonus) from Shelbi yesterday. I won her giveaway and I couldn't be more excited. The bracelet is a little big but it still stays on. Hee hee! And the earrings are gorgeous. What a nice treat!! Even Austin commented on the earrings this morning. They were still sitting in the box on the dining room table. So, you know something is truly beautiful when your 14 year old son comments on them. I wore the bracelet last night. HA, I had on sweatpants and a Dierks Bentley T-shirt and this GORGEOUS and very delicate crystal bracelet. But I tell ya, the combination was working for me. Hee hee. Thank you again Shelbi for the beautiful creations. I absolutely LOVE them!!

Austin's infection has cleared up nicely. Thank you to everyone who said a prayer for him. He's such a handsome kid. And that huge 'thing' on the side of his nose looked just like a witch's wort. The kids who had picked on him when they just thought he had a huge pimple were very apologetic when he returned to school and found out what he actually had. I think it humbled them a little bit which is always a good thing. Ain't God slick? An old friend of mine used to say that all of the time. And it always seems appropriate.

Well, cats and kittens...that's about all for today. I wasn't expecting to be able to log on so I really had no post in mind. Just rambling today, I guess. I will have to work on a schedule for blogging again. HA HA HA! I've been away for so long...my routine had changed. And now I'll have to implement blogging again. But have no fear - I'm back!! Whoopee!! Love you!!

Nunnie's Attic is haveing a Sale

Hi,
Margie here. Since Julie is not able to post, I wanted all of you to know that Nunnie's Attic is having a sale. An additional 10% off of your entire order. Use the coupon code 10%. Offer good untilJan. 31st.
To you and all your family's I wish you a very blessed New Year.
Love, Margie (Mom)

Hi Everyone!!

Well, I'm still having computer issues. So I came up to my mom's to use her computer. Do you know how frustrating it is to be completely without a computer? I can sometimes log-on but then within a matter of minutes this little window pops up telling me that Firefox has encountered an error and will need to shut down. But they always apologize for the inconvenience. Isn't that nice of them? So I thought maybe it might be Firefox. So I tried just using Explorer and that is no better. And until we can afford to have someone look at it, I remain in anguish. Kenny can't even download spyware because the "administrator is locked."

So how is everyone???? Did you all have a wonderful Christmas? Ours was delightful! Extremely busy and hectic but that's what it's all about, right? I had 20 people over for dinner. And everything went off without a hitch! Kenny surprised me with "The Journey" diamond pendant and stud diamond earrings. AND an MP3 player which is sitting around collecting dust because I can't download any music right now.

Please know that if you are sending me any emails, I'm not ignoring you. My mom tells me what everyone is saying in the comments. But if you're sending anything to my home email address I can't access it right now. And I miss everyone so much! I went 5 months posting and visiting everyone every day and now I'm blocked. I hate that! I am still remembering you all in my prayers and thoughts though. And I look forward to the day I can log in at home at visit everyone!! I'll come up here to my mom's again next week for sure and maybe then I'll have enough time to do some visiting too. I can't wait to see what everyone has been up to! Big Hug and Love to you all!! Keep us in your prayers.

Julie has problems!

Hi,
This is Julie's Mom. Just wanted all of you to know, Julie's computer is not working. I don't have to tell you how upset she is. I am glad I am not Kenny.

She will be back on as soon as she can. Hope you all had a Happy New Year.

Love, Margie