Naked again

The last time I tried Naked juice, it was the Mango flavor and it was good.

Today I tried the Pomegranate flavor ... yecht!!

So Naked Pomegranate is not recommended.

Cheers.

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Maybe one day I'd have the time to play around with CSS ... like maybe learn the stuff.

just taking a break from studying for the CCNA cert ... it's painstakingly slow progress for me on that front ... I'd rather be studying something else like Dominican stuff

trying to get back to the groove

There are two parishes near my job that I can visit. There's one that has morning mass at 8:10; I can probably make that one since my shift doesn't start until 9.

The other one has morning mass at 6:45. To make that, I'd have to get up around 5 and head out at 6. I would prefer that parish but I don't think I'm disciplined enough for that. However, they do have perpetual adoration - I should be able to go visit at any time. If I start getting swamped on the job and need to go in at 8 just to catch up, then this parish would be an option.

I think I've ignored my Lord long enough. Now that my work schedule has stabilized, I ought to attend daily mass. Jesus awaits me daily, I ought not to forget what a privilege it is to attend mass. So beginning on Monday, I will try to make mass a part of my routine. God knows I desperately need Him.

on the vocations front...

Woke up with a little tummy ache. It made me a little late to meet with Sr. X of the Dominicans. I took a lunch break but still didn't eat. Intended to grab a snack at the end of my shift, but as I was walking to my car, I realized that I hadn't snacked. Yeah I'm on the edge with my new job. Fortunately I'm not alone; there are other newbies. Funny how us humans can't really take being "alone;" we find comfort in just being able to share--no matter how little the sharing.

Well, I didn't get laughed out of the convent at my revelation to Sr. X that I wanted to join them. I don't think they were surprised. Sr. X suggested that I do some Dominican reading when I have the time, and of course, I'd have to get rid of my debt before entering.

Dear God, you've brought me this far. Please continue to work your miracles ... I need them on my job, in my volunteer stuff, just in my life in general, but definitely it will take a miracle to get me into the convent.

Tonto in the mean time is going a little banannas. "So you'll give me a few years to forget about you?" Look, I'm not going to be cloistered and the Dominicans have been very open. "I won't be able to afford xxx." Sigh...Dear God, please don't make it my problem.

checking in

Been crazy busy; falling asleep exhausted at the end of the day. Moneybags, thanks for your greetings; been meaning to reply but too busy.

Tonto made a doc visit today. A friend did the chauffeur service. Very good and positive reports from the doc. Maybe Tonto will drive self to physical therapy starting next week.

Still not quite setup at work to do work. Maybe tomorrow. This is weird. How is it that you knew you'd have new hires, you knew that they'll be in training for two weeks, and yet you don't have what they need to get started after all that time? Did I mention that one of the things that frustrated me on my last job was that I didn't have the resources I needed to do my job?

Meeting with a Dominican next week to talk about where we take things from here. Dominicans invited me to their Triduum services. I could only make the Holy Thursday with them. I stumbled over the "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his [God's] name, for our good and the good of all his [God's] church" -- they said the version in brackets and I, not. I winced, not so much at the inclusive language, but rather at my failure to blend in. Yes, inclusive language abrades me, but I wanted to set that aside while I am guest.

They did a washing of hands. Being my usual social klutz, I failed to observe and when I got up there, I was clueless as to what to do. My poor paired Dominican kinda floundered with me for a moment then she grabbed my hands and we got through it. Somewhere in that awkward moment, she carved a niche my heart as well.
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When my work schedule is set, I will need to re-start spiritual direction.

Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER

to all!

Last night we had about 15 newly minted Catholics, five of whom were newly baptized.

get Naked

I was in the fresh veggie section of the grocery store this evening and spotted the Naked fruit smoothies. I grabbed the Mango flavor. Not bad. So I hereby recommend that y'all get Naked [fruit smoothies].

At $2 a pop (15.2 fl. oz. bottle), it's not cheap in my book; but I think I can splurge once in a while. I didn't look at their website, but it's at www.nakedjuice.com

PSA and blurb

Happy Palm Sunday to all!

PSA...

Just a friendly reminder that blessed items (like palms from Palm Sunday) are never to be disposed of by putting them in the trash. Proper means of disposal are incinerating or burying. There's a very good chance that religious items that are inherited from relatives are blessed, so better to handle them as such.

This ends the PSA. Thank you.
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My pastor mentioned this morning that we may at times hear the name of Jesus used in a non-prayerful manner or otherwise irreverently. He suggested that we quietly counter that with "Blessed be the name of Jesus."
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I've been very fatigued. New job. New commute. Study training materials, study for certification test, help Tonto, do everything at home that Tonto can't ... just tired. I was wondering how I was going to handle Holy Week. In the past, I'd always attended the entire Triduum plus the Chrism mass. This year, I've not even given much thought to Lent and have missed every reconciliation service, fish Friday, and soup Monday.

If I attend the Holy Thursday and Good Friday services, I'd be leaving Tonto to fend for self practically the whole day, so I'll have to see how Tonto wants to handle it. Chrism mass is probably out of the question (then I'll REALLY be gone the WHOLE day without stopping by the house because it'd make more sense to leave work and go straight there). Else I've decided to drop the study for certification since Holy Week only comes once a year and I ought not to let anything stand in the way of properly "celebrating" the week. Will have to see how it goes.
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Wishing all a most Blessed Holy Week !!!

navel gazing ABC's

as seen at various blogs...

Accent: I think none. But some say I have a Texan accent.
Booze of choice: Powerade
Chore I hate: cleaning house; I suck at it; if I live alone, I'd have next to nothing so that cleaning would be simpler
Dog or cat: both
Essential electronics: watch
Favorite perfume(s): none
Gold or Silver: what's the occasion?
Hometown: somewhere in U.S.A.
Insomnia: the extreme opposite
Job Title: um...it's salaried non-management
Kids: 0
Living Arrangement: 1 story house w/yard in the 'burbs
Most admired trait: in me? dunno
Number of Sexual Partners: 0
Overnight Hospital Stays: once, for 2 days
Phobia: public speaking
Quote: "Seek first the kingdom of God."
Religion: stone Catholic
Siblings: 4 older bro
Time I wake up: Usually between 7-8am on my own. This past week it was 6am or a little after. But next week I have to be at work at 7, so I'll probably get up at 5 or 5:30am.
Unusual talent/skill: nothing unusual about me
Vegetable I refuse to eat: lima beans, green peas, black beans
Worst habit: I'm friggin forgetful I don't drink enough fluids, water or anything else.
Xenophobia or Xenophilia?: how about neutral?
Yummy foods I make: uh...cornbread dressing?
Zodiac Sign: virgo

1st day

OK, I'm officially hired. I got the employee badge and parking sticker. I was told that I passed my background check. One guy feigned surprise when informed that he passed his background check. hee hee

On my old job, the rule is to never act surprised. If it breaks, at least make it look like it was either designed to do that or you knew about it.

There is about half a dozen of us new hires. The company promotes from within, so they have to backfill the bottom slots.

I don't think they have a dress code. I'm trying to decide whether to maintain office casual as a reminder to them that I'm professional and should be promoted (as soon as fitting), or to go jeans/t-shirt to show that I'm a team player and good sport, willing to blend in. I think the rule is to never out-do your boss, dress or otherwise.
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Visited with Tonto in the hospital after work. Brought home as much as possible, leaving only what Tonto needs for tomorrow. A friend will provide the chauffeur service. Got home later than I wanted. Made chicken vegetable soup so that Tonto and friend would have something to munch on if desired. I'd classify the soup as "light," not much flavor but certainly edible. I might pack some for lunch.

We've been rather unsatisfied with the nursing staff. General complaints would be untimely response, loud talking, unconcerned attitude, and general lack of attentiveness, sometimes downright rudeness. At night, they're rather free to do as they please since they're not under supervision. Tonto no longer relies on the night staff for anything and would rather suffer doing things self or do without. When I was there, I'd be the one helping. So good thing Tonto is coming home Tuesday.

zzz

Didn't even hear my alarm this morning, but Tonto woke up and needed my assistance so I was up in time, though later than planned. The first of my two volunteer gigs started half an hour later this morn, giving me time to get home and shower. I snoozed through part of both volunteer gigs. One of them was during mass, causing me to miss part of my pastor's homily -- my favorite pastor who gives great homilies! I've been quite tired the past several days and just couldn't really wake up this morning.