It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Sorry for the Silence, but things have been a bit harried around the angelmeg household these last few weeks. On top of trying to get my mom's situation more organized (she is moving into an more severe stage of Alzheimer's and is more and more confused, so we are trying to make sure that she is safe in her home), I ended up having the audacity to catch a virus and have been practically flat on my back for the past few days.

Well, that isn't technically true. I did manage to make some wheat free Christmas cookies that don't altogether taste like cardboard, and I made a scarf for the angelbaby that taxed all of my knitting and crocheting abilities, but she really loves it.

I am on the mend now, so I intend to complete the thousand gifts project, even if it takes well into the new year.

Right now we are on our way to mrangelmeg's sister's house for the evening to celebrate with his father. Tomorrow night his sister's family will come here to celebrate with his mom. (Isn't that neat how that works out.

Then I will have Christmas day to recover before I drive up to see mom on Tuesday and make sure things are running smoothly at her house and deliver presents for her and my sisters.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, or as my oldest daughter has started calling this time of year

Happy ChannuChristmaKwanzaaDan

Pax

Amazing Things Happen When You Can't Sleep OR Angelmeg's Theology Lesson for the Week

My sister couldn't sleep so she was watching a movie in her room with the sound up way too loud and it woke me up.

Anyway I decided to surf the blogosphere anc check out some weblogs of seminarians from my beloved Saint Meinrad just for kicks.

That is when I came across this Blog by one seminarian, John O'Neill, that I have had the pleasure of actually meeting, though I don't know if he would remember me.


What I really want you to read is this paper he wrote for his Theological Anthropology Course.


I know this professor, and were it not for my slavish need to actually graduate soon and being focussed these days on only taking courses that are required for graduation I would have signed up for this course. More's the pity I suppose.

181. My talk went well
182. Running into my old boss and finding that I have no emotion whatever (no more anger, nothing) left over where he is concerned.
183. Being asked to share my love of my faith with others
184. Fresh friut
185. Cheese
186. The fact that there was still a priest available to hear my confession after my talk was over (thanks Fr. Rich)
187. Top Chef, it keeps entertaining even if Marcel won the Quick Fire Challenge
188. sleeping well (This one may come up repeatedly, but when you have insomnia, every time is a gift
189. Having a lazy morning every once in a while
190. getting a little Christmas shopping out of the way
191. Spending some time with my mother in law
192. Finding something you are looking for (Christmas surprise)
193. Fun old movies on AMC
194. spending an entire day away from the computer (hey I do it occasionally)
196. Watching tv with the kids Especially Thursday night's NBC lineup
197. Jamie Presley's portrayal of Joy on My Name is Earl
198. Writing in my journal before I go to bed.
199. Volunteering at the Library at my daughter's school, just as my mom did at my school when I was my daughter's age. Some traditions are good to carry on.
200. Good friends like Deb, the Media Specialist I work with at the School
201. Elementary School kids who can make me laugh every week by doing exactly the same thing.
202. Finding the non-wheat bread that I like at the Organic grocery in town.
203. Flourless Chocolate cookies
204. Driving by just in time to help my son when he had a blowout in his truck.
205. The fact that my son was handling his truck's flat pretty well on his own.
206. Being able to eat a BLT because I had #202 above yummy
207. Getting to sleep in on Saturday, even if it only meant until 9:45
208. Watching the Angelbaby donate her hair to Locks of Love
209. Getting a good haircut
210. Watching a sappy Christmas movie with mrangelmeg about a 50 year old man who wants to join the Senior Tour.
211. Being able to tell mrangelmeg that I would support his wanting to join the Senior Tour if he thought that God was calling him to do it, and meaning it.
212. Mrangelmeg finally getting the title to his jeap and getting the plates so he can drive it.
213. Spending the evening with good friends
214. Dancing with mrangelmeg even if we aren't "stars"
215. Having mrangelmeg say that he would be willing to take ballroom dancing lessons with me at the YMCA (something I have always wanted to do)
216. Not being tempted enough to indulge in one of the brownies that looked so good but would have been very bad for me
217. Getting to see Bill and Aggie, a very dear older couple that I haven't seen for a very long time
218. Staying to help clean up, even if my feet hurt.
219. Never having to wear those sandals ever again
220. coming home to our kids after being out
221. scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, especially when you are really hungry
222. Good homilies
223. Seeing a friend whose mother has recently died, being able to console her.
224. Seeing my prayer partner whom I haven't been able to pray with for a while since I have been going to mom's on Monday nights.
225. Son and husband getting son's truck tire fixed, which took most of the afternoon.
226. Third daughter going to the youth Mass, something I was hoping she would want to do but wasn't going to push her into doing.
227. Getting most of my Christmas shopping done while she was at Mass.
228. Warmer weather for a while
229. finding the rest of my Christmas gifts on the internet, nothing left to buy WOO HOO!!!
230. Dr's who take care of us when we need it
231. Second daughter, who doesn't talk much, but can say what needs to be said and can laugh with me occasionally
232. Good weather for my drive up to mom's
233. Having a good day with mom.
234. Seeing that mom eats her meals, even though she complains about them
235. Making dinner for mom and my sisters


more later

Pax

189.

Christmas Meme

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate??

Egg nog spiked, hot chocolate without

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Wrap (let me put you straight though, on December 24th, Mrs Santa -me- and Santa -himself- have a traditional wrapping party, we get all of the presents ready ; I wrap everything while he reads the paper and helps with one or two gifts. Actually he is getting better and better at wrapping now that we have fewer gifts to wrap)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

We tried all white one year and didn't like the way it looked, we have colored twinkly lights

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

I have done in the past, but to be honest I really don't need it so why bother

5. When do you put your decorations up?

I try to wait till the third week end of Advent, sometimes I can't wait, usually I am too busy to get to it till then or I can't get himself to drag everything out till then.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Hmmm...besides the husband, oh you mean food!!! I really like cranberry relish and yams

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

One year it began to snow as we went into midnight mass and when we came out everything was blanketed in white, it was like magic.

8. When and how did you learn there was no Santa?

Do you mean to tell me there isn't a Santa Clause? Who have you been talking to?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

We have a tradition with the kids of opening a gift of a book and jammies on Christmas Eve and the rest of the presents on Christmas day. The Jammies were supposed to be magical and help them to get to sleep so Santa could get to our house more quickly.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

Twinkly lights and lots of angels and bells, and then mauve bows and streamers that match my livingroom.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

Love a white Christmas, so long as it goes away by January 2nd and warms up from then on

12. Can you ice skate?

yes, haven't been in years though

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I got the Complete Winnie the Pooh when I was a little girl and I absolutely loved it, I had the entire book read by New Years Day.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Midnight Mass!

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

Mexican wedding cakes, I love to make them, I am going to have to see if I can find a way to modify the recipe so that I can actually eat them this year, I wonder how they tase made with rice flour.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

We have a set of Santa Mugs that we get out every year to use for our after Midnight Mass cocoa, That is probably my favorite thing

17. What tops your tree?

An angel who is holding a string of garland and helping to decorate the tree, hey I will take all the help I can get.

18. Which do you prefer: Giving or Receiving?

definitely giving, I don't much like to shop, but I love to find just the right gift

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Nat King Cole singing the Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roastin')

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?

Love to see them but don't much like to eat them

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

Duh, this one is a no brainer Die Hard!!!!!
Seriously The Christmas Movie or It's a Wonderful Life

I tag anyone who wishes to join in the Christmas spirit

Pax

166. My third daughter, whose birthday is today.
167. St Nicholas, whose feast day is today.
168. Shoes by the fireplace in anticipation of treats from St. Nicholas
169. Shoes filled with treats.
170. Morning talks on the way to school with my two youngest daughters.
171. Finding just the right gifts for my duaghter's birthday.
172. Sharing a budding love of knitting with my oldest daughter.
173. Still marveling at the Pro Life storyline on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on Monday evening. (more on that in a future post)
174. Morning communion services when the Priest is too ill to make it to the church. We are still a worshiping community in the absence of the priest.
175. Prayers for the comfort of our Pastor who is nearing retirement in just about a month.
176. Wrapping Birthday gifts.
177. Finding the exact kind of cake daughter wanted (especially because I didn't have to bake it)
178. Warm gloves on a cold morning.
179. Piano lessons.
180. Lunch with my birthday girl since I won't be home for the family celebration.

Pax

151. The feeling you get from finishing reading a novel.
152. The writings of Nicholas Sparks, I like his characters.
153. A Warm Blanket (hat tip to Linus Van Pelt for that one)
154. Not getting a migraine after not taking my medicine last night which I forgot to pack.
155. Another pleasant day with mom, full of laughs.
156. Visiting with a colleage and talking about many things. I don't miss my old job, but I do miss some of the people I used to work with.
157. The act of driving home. It seems to take less time each time I drive home.
158. Ariving home to a well ordered house thanks to mrangelmeg
159. A late afternoon nap.
160. Surprising the angelbaby by picking her up at the Boys and Girls club (I wasn't supposed to be home till tomorrow morning)
161. Rice Pasta, which doesn't taste all that bad and means occasionally I can eat spaghetti again.
163. Preparing for St. Nicholas Day tomorrow.
164. Getting more ideas for my talk tomorrow night.
165. Breyers All Natural Coffee Ice Cream

Pax

111. Getting to know some new friends.
112. Learning about Francis and Clare
113. The chance to have a long conversation with a friend I hadn't seen in a while.
114. Having Sr. Barbara as the Workshop facilitator, I love her knowledge of scripture and spirituality
115. Sleeping well away from home (and no strange dreams even on the 4th floor)
116. Waking up with the bells
117. Fruit for breakfast.
118. Seeing Fr. Damien at Breakfast.
119. Great Breakfast conversation.
120. Our workshop start time being 9:00 (10:00 my time)
121. The little Gas Station/Grocery store being open in Saint Meinrad, because I really needed gas and a few things.
122. A fun morning of music lyrics asides with Tom.
123. A great prayer from Francis that will help me with my mom.
124. Awesome lunch conversation.
125. Seeing an old professor at lunch.
126. Trader Joe's Chocolate Truffle Candy Bar
127. Playing guitar before class began in the afternoon.
128. Spending the afternoon immersed in Ignatian spirituality at a Benedictine House
129. Being able to share my love of Ignatian spirituality with my classmates
130. Having Sr. Barb thank me for my input and help with the Ignatian part of the workshop.
131. Making it to where I was going in the evening without losing my way.
132. A wonderful dinner with friends.
133. An evening of conversation, and consolation from two people who love me.
134. Staying the night at their house and being pampered beyond belief.
135. Waking up to the smell of coffee brewing that I didn't have to make myself.
136. Sharing in John and Pat's worshiping Community
137. Getting to hear John Lector at Mass.
138. Hearing Fr. Dan's Homily for the First Sunday of Advent.
139. The Good News of Jesus: I am not God!!!!! woo hoo!
140. A great breakfast, made lovingly for me by my hostess.
141. Helping John with some ideas for the class he is going to teach in the spring.
142. Beautifu weather for the drive home.
143. More clean laundry.
144. Spending the afternoon with the whole family here before I have to leave again.
145. Getting back in sync with my sister on planning for mom.
146. FInding a prayer to end my talk for Wednesday's RCIA session.
147. Being able to cook dinner for my family.
148. Doing the dishes (now that is a surprise, not usually something I consider a gift, but being home to do them today was a gift.)
149. Losing this list once and having to retype it.
150. Getting to sleep in my own bed, next to mrangelmeg, before I have to head back up to mom's tomorrow.

Pax

101. Safe Driving
102. Clear weather (even if it was a bit windy)
103. Getting my paper written
104. That first view of Abbey Church when you come into Saint Meinrad, it makes you feel as though you are safe.
105. being able to drag my bags up the hill from the parking lot (some people will realize how much of a gift this is)
106. Watching the angelbaby on Tiger Talk TV this morning at her school. She did a great job.
107. Having people who will pray for you when you need it.
108. Having a room far enough away from the bells, so that you don't really hear them.
109. A good friend to have dinner with when I am away from home.
110. Seeing friends again after a long absence.

Pax

81. Supportive friends whose loving counsel is only a phone call or email away.
82. Running into people from the parish where I used to work while out doing errands (happened three times yesterday).
83. Having some one's advise while I was trying on outfits at the store. (I hate to shop, so someone else's opinion was really nice to have)
84. Helpful employees who actually know where to find the stuff you ask them about. (Kate from Borders I am talking about you in particular)
86. Being able to find everything on some one's birthday list without pulling out my hair.
87. Or going broke.
88. Finding out that said list was also her Christmas list, which means I am done shopping for this particular child. ***see # 83 above ***
89. Finding the readings I need for a workshop I am in this weekend in a book I already have when I don't have time to get the book that is suggested.
90. Spending the evening with family at a Christmas party that had nice food and a fun activity and no one fighting.
91. My Name is Earl
92. The Office
93. Scrubs
94. Not waking up to a blanket of snow.
95. Having a husband willing to do the afternoon pickups so that I can leave earlier for my drive to St Meinrad so that I don't get caught in bad weather.
96. Having heat in my car before bad weather hits.
97. Our daughter calling to let us know when she would be home so we wouldn't worry.
98. Answered prayers.
99. A Charlie Brown Christmas Album
100. The Media Specialist (Librarian) at my daughter's school, for whom I volunteer on Fridays. We have become friends, and I love my time there more for the conversations with her than anything else.

more later. This has been so much fun, and so good for me. I highly recommend it for everyone. It is never too late to start.

Pax

Gifts Galore

61. Hugs from kids I haven't seen in a few days.
62. Especially being hugged by an autistic daughter.
63. Not having to cook dinner because the kids are so good at doing it themselves.
64. Coming home to piles and piles of clean laundry (thanks mrangelmeg)
65. Not needing the inhaler I left at my moms.
66. the feeling of accomplishment at having taken care of so much in the afternoon through phone calls and conversations.
67. Social Service people whose job it is to help when you don't know where to turn.
68. My comfy TV watching chair.
69. Salty potato chips.
70. The staff at the Starbucks that I frequent.
71. The church community I am involved in on Wednesday evenings for RCIA.
72. Realizing that I will always find new things to learn about this awesome Catholic Faith.
73. Being able to take correction, and grow from the experience.
74. Seeing my faults and hopefully not repeating them (with God's help.)
74. Realizing that I am good at helping people to understand theological concepts.
75. The comfort of using my own computer for a few days.
76. Good Night kisses
77. Sleeping in my own bed.
78. Having mrangelmeg's arm around me in the middle of the night.
79. My title to my car finally getting here so I can get the plates before the temporary runs out.
80. Watching my son's maturity level increase as he takes on new challenges every day.

I will write more later today, but I have a ton of errands to run if I plan to stay on track. You all have a blessed day and keep your eyes open for the fingerprints of God on your life.

Pax

More Ironic Reasons to be Catholic

Ironic Catholic has posted 10 more resons to be Catholic.

Being a Catholic with three names (angelmeg is my pseudonym, don't-cha-know) I have to choose that one as my favorite. I personally chose Loretta as my Confirmation name, and until I was ten I thought that the Church had named a saint after me because there was a saint in the Litany of Saints with my exact first and middle name; Margaret Mary. I was crushed to find out she was a real woman, until I read about her and saw how awesome she was.

Enjoy

Pax

Oooh, Oooh, More Gifts!

36. Sweet Potato Chips
37. The Company of friends at dinner, especially when they happen to be family
38. Being with mom on one of her good days.
39. laughing.
40. Hearing the same family story told over and over.
41. Cold Iced tea
42. Baileys Irish Cream
43. The Council of good friends.
44. Talking to my sister until we fell asleep, just like we did when we shared a room as kids.
45. A warm house.
46. Reading PD James' The Children of Men.
47. House, the television show.
48. Being able to work together with my sister to do what is best for mom.
49. Knowing, and being able to experience a GOOD Homilist like Deacon John-- Preach it Brother!!!!
50. Waking up and not feeling achy from arthritis.
51. The taste of Hershey's extra dark chocolate
52. cell phone plug in's for cars
53. web sudoku
54. The thrill of seeing your name in print for the first time.
55. enjoying the writing process.
56. the anticipation of going home after being away.
57. The Daily Show
58. The Colbert Report
59. The taste of morning coffee
60. Morning prayers

Pax

More to be Thankful For

26. The Readings at Daily Mass Today.
27. The sound of children singing (it was the school mass for my mom's parish)
28. The Grace of Tears (some will understand this better than others)
29. St Margaret Mary
30. My husband's voice, and his common sense which can calm me down.
31. Friends far and near, even when you can only spend a few minutes on the phone with them
32. Being given the gift of patience in just the moment that you need it, especially when you are dealing with someone with my mother's disease.
33. Having a sister who has worked in nursing homes most of her life and has the moxie to call and ask for help when she feels overwhelmed about what mom is going through.
34. Being able to work with mom, even to do something as simple as getting a haircut.
35. Christian music in my CD player.

more later.

Pax

Gimme Gimme . . . Tis the Season After All

I have decided that what will help me the most right now is to participate in this little blogger project. If you click on the picture above you can read more about it. I will be counting my blessings between now and the Feast of the Nativity, when we celebrate the greatest Gift of all, our salvation. This is supposed to help me get in touch with how blessed I am and how carefully God is watching over me. The way the past few days have gone I really need this.


1. Taking a long walk with my mother in the park.
2. Having a conversation with mom that was at times very lucid and present.
3. Having the patience to be here when she is in this condition.
4. My cell phone, which keeps me connected to my husband and children when I am here with mom.
5. Internet access, so that I can email friends for prayers and support.
6. Watching the dvd of pictures of the family with mom and being able to help her remember names.
7. The smell of Rose perfume.
8. Cooking dinner for mom and my sister.
9. Sleeping most of the night without waking up.
10. The taste of dark chocolate truffles.
11. The news that they have a professor for my summer class I need for graduation.
12. a portable keyboard so that I can practice piano while I am here
13. Warm weather these past few days.
14. The new story idea I have been working on.
15. The ability to laugh, which makes the harder things I have to face seem at least bearable.
16. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a show with writing that is intelligent and stimulating.
17. Perpetual Adoration Chapels, mom's church has one we visited Sunday. It was a calm hour that gave me a lot of strength.
18. The life and writings of Walker Percy thanks to my pals at Korrektiv who first introduced me to him
19. Alarm clocks.
20. Daily Mass.
21. The smell of coffee brewing.
22. The medications that keep my body working the way it should so that I can function as well as I do.
23. warm socks
24. Priests who do the work they do because they are called by God to a life less ordinary.
25. the ability to read, anything, anywhere (mom was reading the signs in the park as we walked. she may not be able to read books anymore, but she can still read)


I will be continuing the list as I see God's fingerprints over the next days and weeks.


If anyone feels compelled, they are welcome to join in. What an antidote for this season of excess than to be excessively thankful for all that we already have.

Pax

Update on my time with mom

I am still here taking care of mom. I am having some limited success getting her to do her daily bathing and care -- moreso than my sister who has been taking care of her and my sister who was staying here earlier in the week. I haven't really spent an evening here when she has been in full blown sundowning all by myself though.

For the past two days we have been taking advantage of the nice weather and taking a walk each day, something elese that my sister that has been living with her hasn't been doing (because of a weight/health issue on my sister's part more than any other reason). Mom has enjoyed the walk.

Mom is much more confused, but we have gotten along really well. I really don't want to put her in nursing care, but I suppose if she is this confused about where she is, to the point of not really knowing where she is, or continually asking when she will be going home, perhaps it is the right time to move her.

I know that in my work in the parish I visited enough nursing homes to know that I don't want my mother to be one of those people who are tied to their beds because the staff doesn't want them wandering around, or who is drugged up all the time to keep them docile.

I am praying and trying to listen for the voice of God so that I know that I am making the right choice for mom.

Keep praying for me.

Pax

Just in Time for your Hoilday Needs

When you can't find the right words to suit your needs look to the Divine Word.


The Biblical Curse Generator


hat tip to Ironic Catholic for the link.


Happy Cursing

Pax

I Must be Getting Smarter

Because I wasn't this smart in High School, I promise you . . .

You paid attention during 100% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

hat tip to Tony at Catholic Pillow Fight for the link

Pax

Humility Goes Where I Go

I wrote this a long time ago about a shift in my way of thinking about service and something as simple and humble as changing the toilet paper roll without complaining or having to be asked to do it.

I think that at home I have done a pretty good job of changing them without saying anything to anyone about the number of times I change the rolls in not only the master bathroom, but in the girls' bathroom and even my son's bathroom.

This evening when I got to my mom's and was getting ready for bed, what did I find when I sat down to go to the bathroom, but an empty toilet paper roll! I guess God was just allowing me to serve my sister and mom as well.

It just made me remember to do it without complaining that the person who used the last piece hadn't thought to change the roll after she was through. I suppose I was just lucky there was some tissue left in the Kleenex box.

Pax

Finding a New Way to Love

I have run away from home . . .


I am spending the next few days at my mom's house because my sister who does the 24/7 care for my mom needed a mental health break, so she went away for the holiday and was supposed to be back on Sunday the 26th. Only she called on Friday to inform us that she cannot get back until Thursday, so another sister and I are tag teaming to make up the full time care. Jeanne has been there since Friday morning and I am going to stay through the first part of the week and then Jeanne will be back on Wednesday afternoon.

I have stayed with my mom before, but this will be the first time I have been the primary caregiver. When you are dealing with someone with alzheimer's disease this can be very, very challenging indeed. You have to keep reminding yourself that the person you used to know is no longer there. Even though she may look and sound just like my mother, she can't reason, or remember in the same way.

She gets very upset when her routine is changed, so I have to be very careful to do things the same way they usually are done. Lucky for me that my other sister who lives here will still be here most of the time to help me out.

I know I can do this, one woman with alzheimer's can't be as challenging as my five kids and husband -- well at least can't be challenging in the same way. I have my daily mantra of prayers all set out.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference

and help me make it to Wednesday with some of my wits and most of my sense of humor.

pray for me if you get a chance.

Pax

I keep telling them I'm not a hoosier . . .

But when you have lived here for over half your life sometimes you begin to wonder. At least this quiz reminds me that I am not, in the deep dark reaches of my speach centers, a hoosier.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Midland
The South
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

hat tip to God Spede ye Plough for the link.

Pax