Letters, Fall, School, Sanity, Sewing

This is probably a 7 quick takes but I may only have enough steam for 6! Joining up with Kelly and the ole gang because she hosts the best party on the internet. 1) Letters If you haven’t joined the 41, 538! 38,718 Catholic women on the internet who wrote to Pope Francis, I don’t know what’s holding you back. These are women from across the spectrum of politics and social justice, education levels and employment. We are the wide tent of the Church respectfully requesting answers. Please, check it out. 2) Fall It’s sweater weather, on a much lighter note. My favorite very short season. I love autumn in Saint Paul. I love the crisp mornings, brisk walks, and cool evenings. I love that…

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Musings on our sweetest summer

It was my best summer as a mom. I finally figured out why. Our days had just enough flow and just enough ebb. We only had a few activities: swimming/tennis down the street and violin for our oldest. We did a few sessions of the rec league gymnastics we signed up for but enthusiasm ran low on that so we just stopped. And that was part of the peace: if something wasn’t working, I had the flexibility to say, let’s not do it anymore. In sharp contrast to years past when I thought we paid so we must go. If it’s taking years off my life, meh! Also: don’t pay extravagantly for anything you aren’t willing to suffer through forcing your children to do. And I’m only…

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Writing to Our Priests, Bishops, and the Pope

Edit: I wrote these before the Vigano report came out. I’ve re-written to the Pope, asking him to respond and allow full investigation into the matter. This letter here is most beautifully and respectfully worded as well. There are 41,000+ signatories to date.  I wish I didn’t have to write this. I wish our end of summer was all filled with popsicles and baseball. But the findings of the grand jury in Pennsylvania cannot go undiscussed, lamented, cried over. So these are my responses. First to participate in #sackclothandashes led by my friends Kendra Tierney and Bonnie Engstrom on fb and ig. Prayer and fasting and offering things up: the best foundation. Second to writing letters. Here are my letters I’m sending. I share them if…

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Looking into a week of madness and excitement

Well if it isn’t Nell, posting on SUNDAY, for her seven quick takes. Check out what Kelly and the gang have rolling over at her blog. 1. WILD I’m in an adrenaline holding pattern for the Minnesota Blessed is She WILD retreat this upcoming weekend. Seriously, cannot even stop being jumpy about it. We sold out a few weeks back and I’m just so bummed for the people who weren’t able to get their ticket in time. We always sell out at these retreats and this one was no exception. I’m the ground person so the last 8-9 months have been checking my list, talking to Beth, the director of retreats, checking back in with Saint Marks, the hosts, and then telling AA my head…

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purse

Newest Purse and Loving It

Lily Jade was so kind as to send over a complimentary purse. YET, as always, all views are my own (and my fierce competitors for the bag: my girls wearing Whole Parenting Goods). I am a sucker for a good bag, one that can really tote and haul. Long gone are my days of dainty, cute purses. Nope, I need something that’s a workhorse and can handle spills, spits, and squirts. But I also really don’t love the plasticky-diaper bags. I had a few the first few years of babies and always felt like they were designed by some dude out to make me look as rookie mom as possible. Years ago I met the founders of Lily Jade at a blogging conference: they were…

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What Did I Buy Online in the Last 6 Months?

It’s maybe the free shipping, or mostly saving me the hassle of trekking through a store with my four small children, but yes, most of my purchases for me, the kids, and the household, have been online in the last #forever Amazon prime day is some kind of celebration/deals day for Amazon? Trying to get people to sign up to be Prime members? I haven’t read the fine print. But I did think it would be interesting to see what I’ve bought on Amazon lately. So all of these are my affiliate links meaning I get a few cents based on what you buy through the link. Doesn’t cost you anything! H O U S E Shelves. These, these, and these. Finally hung more of this in…

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