Examination for Wives (update)

My last blog post included a examination of conscience for a wife/mother.

This was not my own writing. I found this pamphlet.

I merely thought that this would help when you are examining your soul before confession.

I am not here to say that any of you ladies have done these things.

I am not including the husband/father side to it.

(how in the world you would give him a copy of it, without raising suspicion and counter acting what you are trying to do in the first place is beyond me!)

If you find it useful, use it.

I can not make my children saints. I can give them the proper tools, make sure they are surrounded by good things like; good friends, books, good movies, atmosphere, and of course pray and make sacrifices for them! It is up to them to make that choice to be good.

I can not make my husband a saint. I can again surround him as much as possible with a good atmosphere, prayers, example, etc. However, it is up to him to make that final choice.

If you are offended by this examination then don't use it. However, if you find it useful...then use it.

Examination of Conscience for Wives

I found this little old pamplet in the bottom of a box at our Parish bookstore. This is a great reference for a wife/mother when you are preparing to make the sacrament of Confession.

It is also good for us to read and to make sure we are on the right path ;)

My Home

1.Is my home neat and clean?
2.Is my home attractive?
3.Is my home comfortable?
4.Do I make attractive use of color in the curtains, draperies, etc?
5.Do I allow my family to relax, to use their home?
6.Is my housework done early in the day?
7.Do I leave soiled dishes piled up in the kitchen?
8.Am I on the look out for ways to improve my home? Do I read magazines that might help me in this regard?
9.Are my husband and children proud to bring their friends home?
Do I welcome their friends?
10.Is there a genuine religious atmosphere in my home? Are there:
a)pictures of Jesus,Mary, etc?
b)crucifixes?
c)things necessary for a sick call?
Is my work done systematically?
12.Am I careful about money?
13.Do I keep a record of my expenses?
14. Am I trying to save money for the future?

My Table

1.Are the meals served promptly?
2.Do I consider the nurtitional value of foods?
3.Do I introduce variety into the menu?
4. Am I on the lookout for new and appetizing recipes?
5. Are my meals appetizing in appearance?
6.Do I cook the same things week after week?
7.Do I prepare everything as attractively as possible even when there are to be no guests?
8. Is the table set attractively and completely before the family sits down? Or am I constantly jumping up for something that is needed?
9.Is the main family meal a real family affair?
10.Is the table conversation pleasant? Or do I rehearse all the unpleasant circumstances of the day?
11. Is grace said before and after meals?
12.Do the children ask to be excused,if they must leave early?
13.Am I teaching my children the rules of good etiquette:
a)by my good example?
b)by an occasional gently reminder?

Myself Physically

1.Am I careful about my personal cleanliness and neatness?
2.Do I try to keep myself attractive looking?
3. Do I choose clothes wisely:
A)price?
b)pattern?
c) color?
4. Do I try to keep my figure neat and trim?
5.In general am I as careful about my personal appearnace now as I was before my marriage?
6.Is my husband proud to be seen with me?
7.Are my children proud of their mother?
8. Do I try to look my best when my husband comes home?
9. Do I dress according to my age?
10. Am I always modest in my dress?

Myself intellectually

1. Am I intellectually stagnant?
2. Have I tried to imporove my mind?
3.Have I kept up the practice of reading good books?
4.Do I read good magazines?
5. How much Catholic reading do I do:
a)books?
b)magazines?
c)pamphlets?
d) newspapers?
6. Do I keep up with current events?
7. Have I tried to develop my talent as a conversationalist? Or are the sujects of conversations merely personalities and jokes?
8. Do I speak grammatcially?

Myself Spiritually

1.How often fo I go to confession and receive Holy Communion?
2.Am I on time for Mass on Sundays and holy days?
3.Do I ever go to Mass on weekdays?
4.Do I remain in church until the Mass iv over?
5. Do I try to participate fully in the Mass?
6.How often do I say the rosary?
7.Do I say my morning and night prayers?
8.Do I say grace before and after meals?
9. Do I avoid in my language:
a)vulgarity?
b)obscenity?
c)cursing?
d) blasphemy?
10. Is the spirit of chariy manifest in my:
a)thoughts?
b)words?
c)actions toward my family?relatives? friends?neighbors?enemies?
11.Am I catty?
12.Am i really tring to midel my life on Our lady?
13.Do I keep confidences that are given me? secrets?
14.Do I lose my temper easily and frequently?
15.Am I selfish?
16.Am I generous?
a)to the poor?
b)to the church?
c)to the missions?

What kind of Wife am I?

1. DO I still love my husband?
2.Have I made it a point to do those ittle things for my husband which keep the fires of love alive in the human heart?
3. Am I really interested in my husband's progress and success?
4. Do I encourage him?
5. Do I overlook his faults? Or do I highlight them?
6. Do I dicuss his faults and short-comings with my friends?
7. Am I constantly trying to reform him?
8. Do I aceept cheerfuly the scarifices that are demanded of him and of me by his business?
9.Am I jealous of him?
10. Do I belittle him before others?
11. Do I hold grudges against him and refuse to talk to him?
12.Do I hug the purse strings?
13.Do I demand a strict accounting of:
a)everthing he does?
b)everything he spends?
14.Am I kind and gracious to his friends and relatives?
15.Have I done my best to help him in his business?
16.Have I given him good example?
17.Do I complain about:
a)the care of the children?
b)household chores?
18. Do I without a very good reason refuse my husband the privileges of married life?
19.Do I grant my husband the privileges of married life only reluctantly?
20. Am I happy about sharing this intmacy with my husband?
21.When differences arise between my husband and myself, am I willing to discuss them calmly and honestly?
22. When moral problems arise, do I consult a competent priest, or the lady next door?
23.Do I nag my husband?

what kind of mother am I?

1. Have I tried to realize the beauty of motherhood as God sees it?
2. Have I accpeted the sacrifices of motherhood willingly and cheerfully, without complaining?
3.Have I shirked motherhood because:
a)it might curtail my social life
b)it might mean that we would have a less expensive car?
C) I might lose my figure?
d)I am afraid ot what others might say?
4.Do I realize that motherhood is a life career demanding all my energy and all my talents?
5. Have I tried to improve myself by:
a)reading?
b) asking questions?
c)discussing with my husband the development and progress of the children?
6.Have I reallly tried to make a success of my job as a mother?
7.Do my husband and I discuss in private and after the chidren have retired our differences with regard to discipline?
8.Do I see to it that my children receive a Catholic education?
9.Do I discuss teachers, priests, nuns, ect.,in the children's presence?
10.Do I in their presence take the children's part against the teacher?
11. Have I tried from my children's earliest years to win their confidence?
12.Have I tried to get their point of view of life?
13.Have I always answered their questions honestly?
14.What have I done to teach them the virtue of purity?
15.Have I prepared my daughters for the age of puberty?
16. Have I made home a very happy place for my children?
17.Have I encouraged them to bring their friends home?
18.Do I know my chilren's companions?
19.Do I know what my children are reading?
20.Do I know what movies and other places of recreation they are frequenting?
21.Do I Know what time they get home at night?
22.Have I done anything to encourage recreations:
a)within the family?
b)within the home?
23.Have I made it easy for my children to approach me with their problems?
24.Do I invite other families to visit us so that my children may have a chance to meet good Catholic young people?
25.Do I help my children with their homework?
26.Do I encourage them in their efforts and praise them when they succeed?

Sunshine on Fire and some stash bash fun

Today is the feast of the Purification. I did not plan anything special besides going to Mass today.

Today was a high sung Mass, complete with candle blessing and the distriubution and lighting of the candles at various time during the Mass. Everyone was given a candle. Everyone.

I sat in the cry room with Angel (he is at that age where he loves to hear himself shout in church). From this vantage point I can watch Mass and watch my family.

There they were...aw..how cute. Mary, Daddy, L.L., Mr.Lashes, Sunshine, and Nature Boy.

In the cry room were a couple of other ladies and their small children. One lady in the cry room is a good friend of mine.

I got busy nursing Angel when I hear my friend gasp. I looked up and through the cry room window, only to see my husband reach over and gently smack Sunshine on the head. He looks at me through the window and shakes his head like "can you believe that?". I instantly knew what had happened. Do you?

Yep, Sunshine held his lit candle too close to his head and being a dreamer sort of fellow lit his hair on fire. (I might start eliminating hair spray)

Too say the least, after I got over my intial shock, a bit of quiet snicker went through the cry room. I have to smile too....the things that happen.

He is perfectly fine. Only a bit of hair got singed.

On to some stash bash fun.

My sister gave me these picture frames.

They will hold a picture about 2" x2". I am thinking about spray painting black but for now I embroidered some bee pictures on leftover quilting blocks.

I was going to leave the bee just in black, but Mr.Lashes was insisting on some colour.

It was a quick and satisfying project. (I did have to buy some embroidery thread as I ran out of black and I have another project in works.....)

I am not a great embroiderest...is that a word? But I had a lot of fun doing this (and cheering fans too), and isn't that a big part of crafting, enjoying the making of it?

I also love bee embellishments. I hope to finish this other project soon, so I can share that one with you as well.

I am still on the fence about spray painting black or leaving it off white. It was for my dining room and I have some black frames in there, but I guess I could go eclectic.

I have another 2"x2" bee picture to finish, and I hope to update this with that one later, but for now, here you go!

Having the bloggy blahs

I don't know what's wrong with me lately, just haven't felt like posting.
I start (I actually have some drafts saved) and for some reason or another I don't ever publish it. I figure...nah, this one doesn't have a picture, this one is boring, this one is like the last one, this one sounds preachy....

Anywho, I am around from time to time. Hopefully, I will get over this blahness and post something...maybe even something amusing or inspirational.

For now, I have been curling up in bed with some good books. I read "Wuthering Heights" for this first time. (can't say I did enjoy it.)That sent me off to another kick with the Bronte sisters and now I am reading "Jane Eyre" again. I do enjoy Jane Eyre. On my nightstand is a plethera of books from classics (like the ones mentioned) to health books, to home management books to spritual books. Did I mention I LOVE books. Are you a book lover too?

That's not to say I don't ever get rid of books. I do. But if anyone is interested to know, books make the top of my list for a birthday present request.

I hope my children will enjoy reading as much as I do. I know Nature boy will pick up a book to find out information on an animal or bug or such. I do find Sunshine reading on the story chair (you really must have a story chair you know)and laughing over something funny. Mary will sit on the playroom floor and look at books for a good long time. Mr. Lashes will, if tired, cuddle up and listen to me read especially, "Curious George" books. L.L., well not really.

I will have to let you in on an idea I did for Christmas. I purchased a very large basket (picnic size worthy) at a thrift store. I bought books from thrift stores, consignment shops, and a few online over the course of 6 months. On Christmas day I filled the basket with the books.

Now, of course they did not go to the basket of books first, on Christmas morning. They went to the other toys.

(we don't wrap presents for the kids we simply make sure batteries are in, things are put together and ready to be played with...I mean who really wants to be putting a bike together or rummaging for batteries on Christmas morning?)

Once the glitter and glow have lost their luster, and batteries have died down, the kids are reminded of their new books. Yes! (usually about 2 weeks later)

We have implemented an only twice a week watch a video rule. This was hard a first, but I have grown to love it. I have seen an increase of them meandering over to the library and picking up a book! I might write a post about that too.

Oh my goodness, look at that, I just posted. cool beans.

St. Agnes' feastday and some stash bash fun.

ST. AGNES’ Eve—Ah, bitter chill it was!

The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold;

The hare limp’d trembling through the frozen grass,

And silent was the flock in woolly fold:

Numb were the Beadsman’s fingers, while he told

His rosary, and while his frosted breath,

Like pious incense from a censer old,

Seem’d taking flight for heaven, without a death,

Past the sweet Virgin’s picture, while his prayer he saith.

By Keats



Hello there on the feast of St.Agnes! St.Agnes is one of the virgin martyrs mentioned in the mass and just happens to be a patron saint of mine.

After mass we had some lamb cake. (this cake mold has become handy on this feast day and on Easter;)

We colored some pictures of St. Agnes and I hope to read the story of her life to the kids.

On to other news. I have started off several times to write up a post, but I can't seem to fit in the time. In fact, now, I might have to get off the computer because the baby is fighting sleep and Mary finds that sitting right behind me on the computer chair is the place to be:)

I do in fact think of many things to blog about (especially while washing the dishes) but the time passes and ....well... you know.

Crunchy Catholic Momma was/is hosting a stash bash to use up your leftover craft items to make something new.

Well, my old tiered skirt decided to get a hole in it. Of course I have to make that into a dress. Like I have said before using an old tiered skirt takes half the work away! You already have the hem done, the tiers are in and it's all lined.

As you can see here I cut the skirt basically in half. The bottom half I use for the top of the dress. (this is the only part of the dress that I will use a pattern for)

Here it's cut and here's the bottom half.

Using the pattern for the top only.

It's not perfection, but it's a perfectly good play dress and I think even a trip to the store dress. I might add some pink bias tape to the bottom. It's not quite finished as you can see( do you see the elastic waist peaking out there?). I am super excited that this tiered dress had an elastic waist it totally cut my gathering time down.

and now the back. I used the snap buttons from an old maternity shirt. I simply clipped the band of material that held the snap tops and snap receivers.

I think I paid 2 dollars for the skirt and the blouse was throw-away worthy, but I salvaged the button area (used the pockets in a different dress if you remember).

If you are afraid to sew, this dress is the one to do! The material is cheap and chilren generally look cute and anything and don't mind being a "guinea pig" as mom learns to sew!

I hope to write soon. God bless you.

Calling All Mother's who have had C-sections!!

Hello!! Have any of you had a c-section?

I have not experienced this. I have a close friend who needs some information, advice, suggestions and most importantly advice.

She is very welcoming to life and wants above all do God's will. She is asking for information on strengthening the uterus (red rasberry tea is not working for her). She has had three c-sections and wants to make sure her body is in top shape to welcome as many blessings from God as He deems fit.

I have read that kegal exercises are good and vitamin C.

Do you have any suggestions or advice on strengthening the uterus or your thoughts on this matter? What have you gone through? Do you have a blog of your own that talks of this? Do you have any spiritual advice you can give.

Thanks in advance

Prepping for Tomorrow's feast day of the Epiphany

Tomorrow after Mass we are heading for a park play date with the cousins to celebrate that feast day.

Of course the wise men brought gold. So, chocolate coins were a must!

Frankincense and myrhh....well Frankincense is a perfume and myrhh is a spice used for burial, a very aromatic one(a spice given to the Divine infant that would give a hint at His destiny).

How about making some potpourri?

I went to Target and bought two boxies of potpourri.

The boxes were marked on clearance for $2.50. My mom will bring some cinnamon sticks and rose petals to add to the mix.

Using a handkerchief as a cutting guide and a new flat sheet (from walmart about $3.00) I will cut out at least twelve squares.

Mary tried out this idea for me and she did enjoy adding and sniffing all the different smells (well actually, they all smelled pretty much alike). I would love to one day get some drops (if they do sell them) of frankincense to add.

Now add a ribbon and voila!

My sister hopes to make some Three King bread and I am wondering if I should make some sugar cookies in the shape of a star.....hmmmmmm.

Wishing you a happy holy feastday. May we all like the wise men adore him on bended knee. Don't forget to get some chalk and have it blessed! Remember to mark your door posts.....for the Epiphany Household Blessing.