Just some personal thoughts.

While this was Valentine’s Day weekend, it really took a back seat to everything else that was going on.  First of all, we had Little Red’s birthday party that we were planning with a Star Wars theme.  We had pool noodle light sabers and lots of cake and kids smacking each other with pool noodles for about 2 hours.  I’m betting that everyone slept well that night!

However, things were a little overshadowed as our Parish Priest passed away and the weekend also became filled with prayers and visitations which culminated in his funeral today.  I don’t know if you have ever been to a funeral for a Priest, but I and Small Blonde attended one this morning.  It was pretty amazing. Why Small Blonde?  Well, he was fairly upset to hear of Father’s passing and he attends parochial school where Father also made appearances.  We made a dessert for the luncheon (for which they were expecting 250 if that gives you any indication on how big this ended up being) and headed to the church so we could be sure to get a seat.  As Small Blonde and I paid respects and found a seat and chatted a bit, the church began to fill.  We watched the Knights of Columbus (in total 16) come in wearing their full regalia complete with swords, but I was unprepared for the numbers of Priests that were there to assist in the officiating.  I stopped counting at 30.  Yes, 30+ Priests, a Monseigneur, numerous Deacons and a Bishop to officiate the mass sending one of their brethren home.

With so many surrounding the Altar, you would think there would be plenty of rooms in the pews, right?  Except there was standing room only with as many squeezed into a pew as could fit and still they came to honor Father.  I think he would have been proud of the job that was done today.  It was held in one of the 2 churches he ministered in, and while it was not our home church the African choir that sometimes sings at our masses was  present and sang after Communion.  Honestly it made me smile to hear them.   I don’t think I have seen anything quite like it and I’m sure the enormity of what we witnessed this morning was lost on Small Blonde, but that’s okay.  I’m just happy that he was able to hold his good behavior together through the whole thing.

As far as I’m concerned, well, I find comfort and power in the ritual of our mass to the point where sometimes (like today) the power of it is a bit overwhelming (and maybe Hattie feels the same?).  The enormity of today was not lost on me.

<whew> To end on a lighter note, Little Red was super excited for his birthday party (he asked Santa for one for Christmas) and he has been singing Happy Birthday to himself for a week.    So, here are the cakes I made for this party.

And also the light sabers.

I have to admit I did not get any further along in my UFO’s and have not yet started my paper pieced star.  I’m hoping for a stellar week this week where I can get lots more done…we shall see what tomorrow brings.

And please, hold each other a little tighter tonight….

But save a rose for Mother

We had some exciting happy news just prior to our last retreat that we couldn’t let go unpunished, I mean celebrated.  Hattie graduated with her Associates degree in accounting.  We were all so happy for her as we had helped her with or been the subject of a homework assignment or two.  She really deserved it and it deserved to be celebrated in true monkey style.  With the help of Blanche (who is in charge of meal assignments) we managed to snag the first dinner and to work together as a group which we don’t normally always do.    We very carefully planned a special dinner with lasagna, garlic bread, salad and for dessert a graduation cake.  Again with Blanche’s help we made our meal choices based on her favorites.

  As I said, we were very proud of her.  However, the punishment didn’t stop there.  We managed to get our hands on a cap and gown, Pomp and Circumstance and as at every graduation party, we had gifts.  And in case you were wondering, we did take The Picture that seems to be taken at every graduation party since the beginning of time, the graduate with her cake.

Remember when I said that the Monkeys could get a little racy?  The gifts weren’t all like that, but it made her wonder if they were.  Now, I should also mention that the location of our beloved retreat is at a church campground so there is no alcohol allowed.  Often we have wished for a pitcher of margaritas but unfortunately we would have to go sit outside the gate to enjoy them.  Plus, we are working with rotary cutters and other sharp objects so it really is to our benefit that we don’t have alcohol.  At this function instead of toasting her with champagne we turned to sparkling grape juice.  Everyone was waiting with bated breath in the dining area as we blindfolded Hattie to robe her and pass out our glasses of our mock champagne for our celebration toast to Hattie.  We also made pretty short work of the lasagna and garlic bread and put a pretty good dent in the cake.  However, the cake remains were left out for everyone to snack on during the rest of the weekend but Hattie stood on diligent duty as the sheet cake became smaller and smaller that she had to save a rose for Mother.  Perhaps you remember Mother from earlier with her door and butcher issues.  I suppose with the weekend she was having she deserved some sugary confection.  No matter how we tried to gain more of the frosting, the last rose was dutifully kept for Mother.  I hope she enjoyed the rose.