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June 09 Squeaky Clean Summer The Catholic Family and I are officially on Summer Break '09 and finding ourselves going all crazy with activities. So what's new with us anyway? This is what we do! Tennis lessons, basketball camp, pottery classes, library reading program, etc. But wait - Catholic Mom smartened up this summer and added one big category of activities to the agenda, and it's called: HOUSECLEANINGThat's right, my friends. Those Catholic Peeps of mine are learning from the master how to clean bathrooms, floors, laundry, you name it. And to borrow a famous motto coined by McDonald's: I'M LOVIN' IT. *Ahh* the smell of a clean house. April 05 Holy Spring Break 2009 One question: Who in the world scheduled Spring Break for the youngsters in such a way that it overlaps Holy Week? Well, it wasn't my idea. But really, the whole thing might just work out all peachy despite the insane scheduling we need to do in preparation for Easter Sunday. We're giving it our best shot anyway with the following 'To Do' list:
April 03 Dusting Off the Space Stopping in to post something on my "Live Space" is like visiting an old friend, one that kept me going when I was busting at the seams wanting to share all the craziness that was my world back in the day. I remember back when I started this online existence while working at the administrative office for a certain order of Catholic nuns as the IT Guru and youngest employee on board. While I enjoyed working for the Sisters, like the office of the President of the United States, that job was the loneliest position imaginable. But this blog carried me through several years as I plugged away handling computer networks at multiple locations, dealing with a multitude of personalities along the way. For that I must thank the MSN Spaces team - thanks! Meanwhile, I haven't left Spaces completely; but rather, I've been off exploring the blogosphere and finding it larger than life. So many endless possibilities when it comes to blogging, but the content is always unique to the author. The voice stays the same. It doesn't matter where a blogger blogs, all that matters is the site feels comfortable. I must admit, MSN Live Spaces started getting uncomfortable for me back when I moved to Wordpress as I.T. Catholic Mom, but then that whole feeling of discontent snuck back in again and the blog went dormant. But the need to blog is always there. Moving on seems to be the way to go, yet returning to my original blog gives warm fuzzies all over again. Full circle? Hmmm... December 28 Merry Christmas & Happy New YearHere's wishing you and yours exactly what we pray for each and every day:
Faith... Hope... Good Health... Happiness... Success... Prosperity... Joy... Comfort... Warmth... Contentment... Peace... Friendship... Family... Cheer... Balance... Security... Pride... Patriotism... Strength... Loyalty... Confidence... Wisdom... Vision... Laughter... Love... And a whole bunch of afternoon catnaps:
 September 24 Fog WonderlandToday I woke up to find the Catholic neighborhood immersed in big huge tufts of FOG. Amazing how driving the kids to school became so much more difficult when the usual landmarks were no longer visible to the naked eye. Being the ever geeky IT'er, flipping on my Garmin nuvi 205 made my drive a piece of cake once again. What a nerd ball I am - and loving it. September 12 Hey, look! Fall is here! Ok so we went to Vegas, I came down with some buggy virus thing, I blogged about it, and then I just let this Space of mine collect dust. Meanwhile, bloggerville had visions of me kicking the bucket or something, right? Garsh, did I really leave without posting ANYTHING all summer long?! I did. Sorry about that, but things just kept happening around the Catholic Homestead and blogging was the very last thing on my 'To Do' list. And it was a very. long. list. So here we are settling into a routine again, with me all creating a brand new 'To Do' list with things on it for Fall. Only this time blogging is not at the bottom! See? Re-prioritizing is a very good thing, especially when I'm completely in charge of shuffling my to do things around. Kinda makes a person feel powerful. Now where was I, anyway? June 21 Down for the MomentSomehow, somewhere (actually my instincts are pointing to the flight home from Vegas), the Catholic Family and I contracted some sort of cold/flu-like virus. It's trying to keep us down but isn't quite doing the job, completely that is. I'm the last person on the totem pole to get over the dreaded upper respiratory threat, so Catholic Hubs took on the take-the-kids-to-the-pool job today. He also did the take-the-family-to-mass at our local parish to pray for my personal wellness today, as I stayed home in total guilt. And then he did the take-himself-to-the-grocery-store to stock up on items needed to grill me a pre-birthday BBQ dinner tomorrow. *sigh* If anyone deserves an appointment for sainthood, you guessed it - the nomination goes out for Catholic Hubs. June 18 We Went to VEGAS!Just to be consistent, here's a little blurb about our recent trip to Las Vegas - our first ever:
ITCM (me): By far, the biggest WOWEE! moment for me happened when we stepped into the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace and witnessed the sky ceiling. Amazing. Given more time, I could've wandered through that place all day (and night) long. The fountains, sculptures and shops actually made my heart skip a beat as I walked around in complete awe. Next time, if there ever is one, I'll be sure to add more time to my personal agenda dedicated to the Forum. CS (Catholic Son): Never had we seen CS light up as much as he did when we found the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Up until that point in our vacation, we thought Vegas was completely lost on CS, then we entered the elaborate aquarium where we viewed rare and exciting sea creatures never to be seen before. All wide-eyed, CS looked at us and said, "I'm really having fun now!" His comment was made even before purchasing a stuffed shark at the gift shop, so you know he was being sincere about it. CG (Catholic Girlie): Everything. CG simply couldn't put her finger on any one thing enough to call it a favorite, because she enjoyed every single thing about Las Vegas. From the Circus Circus hotel pool, to the resorts, rides, food, etc. CG loved the entire experience. Personally, I think the pool was her favorite. But that seems to be a given no matter where we stay. CH (Catholic Hubs): After touring many of the resort casino/hotels, the Venetian was one that really stuck out in Hubs' mind above all. I really can't blame him, especially after walking into the grand lobby entrance so lavishly adorned from ceiling to floor with Italianesque paintings and sculptures. The Venetian folks spared no expense in duplicating a look & feel reminiscent of Venice, Italy. Having been to Venice myself, I can attest to that fact - even though the gondola moat-like canal was a little lacking IMHO. But I digress. It really was breathtaking. All: The best part of our Vegas vacation on which we all agreed was sharing an experience with family traveling from all points of the USA just to meet. I mean, how fun is it to complete a bungee jump and run into Catholic Uncle walking by with Catholic Grandma & Grandpa? Or step out of the hotel pool to find Catholic Cousin ready to play water ball? And then to see Catholic Sister-in-Law while picking up a Cinnabon roll in the airport on departure? Those are the kinds of memories you just don't experience every day, and we'll treasure them always. And I only lost $3 in a slot machine. Go figure!
June 03 Water LoggedWe're exactly 2 days into summer break and have already been to the pool, let's see... how many times? Oh yes - TWICE. The weather chick predicted gray skies with intermittent, possibly severe thunderstorms, and yet we've had no such thing. Warm days + sunny skies = pool time! Here's a favorite photo that I captured yesterday:
Catholic Mom gives that jump a perfect 10. June 02 School's Out for SummerThat's right, school is finally out for summer, and the Catholic Family & I are all geared up for it. How's that? Well, let's just say plans have been made and things are already getting checked off my big 'ole honkin' TO DO list - the one with 14 activities ready and waiting for us to actually do them. Excitement is the overwhelming feeling for all of us as we embark on another summer break, well deserved after a school year jam-packed with work, play, work, play, WORK. Time for rejuvenation!
Which brings me to this here Windows Live Space that I've all but abandoned. My plan is to keep it a little bit busier with a posting and/or photo here and there, mostly to keep a running blog-like journal of our ongoing summer fun. That's exactly what I liked about my Space to begin with, as I shared all kinds of news about the goings-on in the Catholic household and with the Sisters. And looking back, I'm glad I did because all of those little things in life can so easily be forgotten, especially those that make you smile and laugh quietly to yourself as you relive it in blog form. I miss that.
LET SUMMER BEGIN! February 24 Calling New ReadersDo you like to read? Interested in winning prizes?
If you answered Yes to both questions, then I have a deal for you. By joining the 'Chicken Lit Bookclub' and reading our next book, you may be entered into a free giveaway! Yes, indeedy. Here's how to join:
It's that simple. Join and win! February 12 Still Here?Wow... I've forgotten all about this here blog - yet it's still around! Although, the poor thing looks all lonely. *sigh* Perhaps I need to brush off the dust and breathe some life back into it? Just a wee bit anyway, because I really am enjoying the freedom of my 'I.T. Catholic Mom' blog over there. The feeling of having that blog is like that of moving out of your parents' house for the first time and having absolutely no curfew. Free. Dom. Stop by and visit! March 14 Can't Stay... Must Go.Well, unfortunately I had no guessers on the "Major Milestone" post so there goes that
*Let me tell you, I've really hung in there, but it just doesn't jive anymore. Sorry MSN. Good luck with that.*
Copyright © 2007 CatholicMom
Major MilestoneYou just can't have a blog here on Live Spaces without checking the "Statistics" page. Frequently. It's true! That thing is a total magnet for bloggers who want to see if people are actually looking at their posts, and I've been one of them since the very beginning. (No shame whatsoever.) And you know what? Today I'm reaching a major milestone when it comes to statistics, that is if I haven't already as I write this entry.
Any guesses?
A screen capture with the answer will be posted here by the end of the day. Closest guesser wins a prize!
Copyright © 2007 CatholicMom
March 10 The "Scoop"I started blogging on what was once known as MSN Spaces on May 9, 2005 (almost 2 years ago!) no knowing what direction it would take me. And why exactly did I start blogging? Deannie asked me that same question last year in response to MochaMomma's Blogher networking party, and here's what I said about that. See? Little did I know I'd be jumping into the world of "Social Networking" where I would establish friendships with so many fantastic bloggers worldwide when, really, I was only checking this place out.
Now looking back over the @2 years of blogging, I can honestly say that I'm completely shocked over what has transpired here and in my blogger existence. Look at all of the names in that list below! My world is enriched by reading their blogs and comments. It's like they've opened a window for me to peek into their lives letting me see that I'm not alone in the daily struggles with family, work, and life in general. This is reality, and it's shared by the strongest network of people around. Wow.
So for those of you reading this post who've been reading all of the blogs I've posted over the past couple of years, I want to thank you for understanding that I have no desire to be a writer. (Obviously!) You've listened (ok, you read my stuff) when I needed to share all of those tales about the Catholic Family and work-related events with the Sisters. You forgave me for deleting some of that "too much information" that could've gotten me fired, disowned, or excommunicated from the Catholic Church. You understood that I have no desire to attend Blogger conferences and give acceptance speeches for the many times I was featured on MSN Spaces. (Kidding!) And you kept coming back here. Now that's love.
Come over here and let me give you a hug. ((hug))
Will somebody give me a Kleenex, please? *sniff*
Copyright © 2007 CatholicMom UPDATE 9:00 PM: Apparently I've been stuck in my bubble over the past 5 days after JUST learning that Mocha Momma's blog is closing down. OMG. No. This can't be. It just can't. Ok well fine. I completely understand that if the new job opportunity doesn't "jar with the blog life" the blog must go. But I was expecting big things from Mocha in the authoring arena. Yes, she's THAT GOOD. Amazing even. Oh no... now I'm having flashbacks to Mad Suburban Dad. Wait, I still haven't quite recovered from that yet either. This is all just too painful for me. 'Scuze me as I'm all vaklempt inside and need a moment to myself...
 January 16 Resolution Progress Report #1Back to post an update, and that's all. I'm holding strong on my New Year's resolution to move over to my new blog. So I just wanted to take a minute to post names of bloggers who followed me by leaving a comment over there (in no particular order):
Did I miss anyone? If so, send me a message and your space will be added to the list.
Copyright © 2007 CatholicMom UPDATE 2/4/07: Just popping over to update the timestamp on my "Contact Information" list over there to the left, and what's this? 'Embed videos' is now an option? I might have to try this out later... December 31 Resolution for 2007I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions. For me, I find it easier just to set goals and go after them wherever or whenever needed. However, this year is different. In talking to Catholic Hubs over lunch today, I've decided to make a resolution to do something that I've been avoiding all year:
MAKE THE FINAL BLOG MOVE
I've been itching to do this for almost a year. So why haven't I made the final break? It's obvious. The reason I've kept up with my Catholic Mom Space alongside my I.T. Catholic Mom blog is because of YOU. That's right. The people I've met and continue to meet by way of MSN Spaces is phenomenal, and I just do not want to lose contact with a single one of you. But time constraints have caused me to make a decision, therefore I'm making it my New Year's Resolution for 2007. There. Done with that. Finito!
After the stroke of midnight tonight, December 31st, 2006, Catholic Mom's Space will continue to exist here, but all of my blogging content and attention will be focused over there at http://www.itcatholicmom.net. (Note the ".NET" in the address. I own the ".COM" but ".NET" is better for Technorati purposes.) Sure I'll keep an eye on any riff raff here, and my daily blog walk will include favorite sites that are listed on my blogroll. (Please give me a shout if you're not linked on it. I want you there.) But with so many plugins and blog tools out there, I fully expect my I.T. Catholic Mom blog to be smoking with cool stuff when I focus more attention on it. Excited yet wistful... that's me.
Cheers to a Blessed 2007!
 Copyright © 2006 CatholicMom
December 29 Blogger in the HouseLast weekend, I checked out a book from the library by Debbie Weil titled The Corporate Blogging Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Get It Right. The main reason I brought it home was for "Cover Your A.." (CYA) purposes, but I found a little more information than expected. For example... (oh yes, here comes one of those famous lists):
Reading on, the author focuses on ways to make a good case to the boss in support of blogging. It's obvious that she didn't check with me first, because I would've shared my story about how my blog is a tactful way of looking at the day-to-day by way of an online journal. And if my blogging creates good PR for my employer, then it's well deserved. On the flip side, if a company is afraid that a blogger will leak negative secrets, well... perhaps the truth hurts, doesn't it? But again, I digress. That happens. Goes with the territory. Enjoy the weekend! UPDATE 12/31/06: The book author, Debbie Weil, left a comment on my itcatholicmom.net site. Click here to read it. Copyright © 2006 CatholicMom
December 28 Where's that draft coming from?Back at the office today. It's quiet, especially considering the large number of people who showed up for work. So as I dig out of the little pile of IT-related requests that has started to accumulate, I came to a huge realization:
You know you've had too much holiday cheer
when you find your zipper down... MID MORNING.
'Scuse me as I retrace my steps and congratulate myself for not working on the President's computer this morning, because that would have nipped my existence in the bud around here. I'm quite sure of it.
Copyright © 2006 CatholicMom
December 26 Missed My CallingToday Catholic Girlie and I tried our hands at spiffing up the My Bling Bling styling head that Santa so graciously delivered to our house yesterday. After viewing the final product, I'm quite sure that I missed my calling as a beautician. What the heck was I thinking by pursuing a career in Information Technology when I can do this? Copyright © 2006 CatholicMom |
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