Tuesday, September 30, 2008


by Dave Ramsey

Years of bad decisions and stupid mistakes have created an economic nightmare in this country, but $700 billion in new debt is not the answer. As a tax-paying American citizen, I will not support any congressperson who votes to implement such a policy. Instead, I submit the following threestep Common Sense Plan.

I. INSURANCE

a. Insure the subprime bonds/mortgages with an underlying FHA-type insurance.
Government-insured and backed loans would have an instant market all over the
world, creating immediate and needed liquidity.
b. In order for a company to accept the government-backed insurance, they must do two
things:

  1. Rewrite any mortgage that is more than three months delinquent to a
    6% fixed-rate mortgage.
    a. Roll all back payments with no late fees or legal costs into the
    balance. This brings homeowners current and allows them a
    chance to keep their homes.
    b. Cancel all prepayment penalties to encourage refinancing or
    the sale of the property to pay off the bad loan. In the event of
    foreclosure or short sale, the borrower will not be held liable
    for any deficit balance. FHA does this now, and that
    encourages mortgage companies to go the extra mile while
    working with the borrower—again limiting foreclosures and
    ruined lives.

  2. Cancel ALL golden parachutes of EXISTING and FUTURE CEOs and
    executive team members as long as the company holds these
    government-insured bonds/mortgages. This keeps underperforming
    executives from being paid when they don’t do their jobs.
    c. This backstop will cost less than $50 billion—a small fraction of the current proposal.

II. MARK TO MARKET

a. Remove mark to market accounting rules for two years on only subprime Tier III
bonds/mortgages. This keeps companies from being forced to artificially mark down
bonds/mortgages below the value of the underlying mortgages and real estate.
b. This move creates patience in the market and has an immediate stabilizing effect on
failing and ailing banks—and it costs the taxpayer nothing.

III. CAPITAL GAINS TAX

a. Remove the capital gains tax completely. Investors will flood the real estate and stock
market in search of tax-free profits, creating tremendous—and immediate—liquidity in
the markets. Again, this costs the taxpayer nothing.
b. This move will be seen as a lightning rod politically because many will say it is helping
the rich. The truth is the rich will benefit, but it will be their money that stimulates the
economy. This will enable all Americans to have more stable jobs and retirement
investments that go up instead of down.


This is not a time for envy, and it’s not a time for politics. It’s time for all of us, as Americans, to stand up, speak out, and fix this mess.


Listen to Dave Ramsey explain this plan (and tell you what mark to market is if you don't know), and see what you can do to help. Everything you need to know including addresses for your Senators and Representatives.



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Siberian iris sale for bloggers...

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For my blogger friends....
*Closing for the Season

Inventory Reduction

Free Shipping


Once again closing time at my nursery is approaching. In a few weeks I will no longer be shipping my daylilies or Siberian Iris.

I have never advertised my business on my blog because I thought somehow that would not be right. Over the past few weeks I've reconsidered that position as being a bit shortsighted. My blogger friends should be the first to benefit from a bargain. With no overhead on a blog I am able to actually lower the price of the remaining daylilies and iris that are for sale.

I have over 75 varieties of daylilies (which is a very small nursery by industry standards), most of which are sold out by this time of year. All but a few of the remaining are sold in groups of 5, 10, or 20 to save you money and me time and work.



Shipping:

All daylilies will be double fans and shipping is free for the continental United States. They are dug on the day of shipment, inspected, cleaned, trimmed, and ready to be planted in your garden. For inventory reduction I will only be shipping in the USA.



To order:
Please send an email to adrienne@icehouse.net and I will send you a PayPal invoice. If you wish to pay by check or money order just let me know and I will send an invoice with mailing information.
All photos are from my garden:



Seurat

Seurat is a beautiful rose/mauve with darker mauve speckles. Scape (flower stem) height 24 - 36"
Flowers 4.5 - 5.5"

5 - $19.95
10 - $24.95



Bonanza
Large, light orange flowers are distinctively marked with a bold, deep red eye zone. Each bloom may be 5-7” across. Repeats blooming daily for weeks. Straplike foliage is great looking all season and into fall.
5 - $19.95
10 - $24.95
(for larger quantities please email for quote)

Rocket City

Rocket City has huge 6" and larger blooms that are a bittersweet orange with a burnt orange almost red eye. Throat and midribs are lighter orange-yellow. This daylily just glows in the sun
5 - $19.95
10 - $24.95


Ed Brown
Ed Brown is a beautiful pale ice pink daylily with a heavily braided and extremely tight ruffled quarter inch gold edge. Repeat bloomer. I have a fresh crop blooming right now in zone 4. Scape height 28" and the blooms are over 6".
1 double fan - $19.95




Red Rum Red Rum is the longest blooming daylily I have ever seen. I've actually had blooms when snow was starting to fall. It has a smaller overall plant and flower but rewards you with months of blooms.

5 -$14.95

10 - $19.95





Houdini


Houdini is one of my favorites. It is very deep violet with a cream halo and an almost red eye zone. Scapes are 18 - 24" and the flowers are extended (repeat) and can measure over 6". It looks great with Gentle Shepherd.
5 - $19.95
10 - $29.95



Gentle Shepherd

Gentle Shepherd is a creamy white (considered to be one of the best whites). It's scapes are 18 - 24" and the blooms are huge - often over 6".
5 - $19.95
10 - $29.95


Frans Hal
Frans Hals is a prolific bloomer and a showy addition to any garden. Cinnamon petals are accented with pronounced lemon midribs, drawing the eye into the wide yellow throat. The bicolor impact is best when this variety is planted in groups of 3 to 5 or more. An excellent choice for long sweeps, where the colors create a lively pinwheel effect over an extended blooming period. Bright, eye catching and very vigorous.
5 - $14.95
10 - $19.95
20 - $29.95
(for larger quantities please email for quote)


Custard Candy

Reblooming Custard Candy is creamy yellow with a maroon band and darker yellow edging on the petals which make a striking combination in landscapes, container plantings, or naturalized areas. Scapes are 30" and the flowers are 5.5" and up.
1 double fan - $14.95



Sunshine Splendor
Sunshine Splendor is a bright lemony yellow with lime green throat. It looks best in mass planting. The foliage is a bit more strap like and airy.
5 - $14.95
10 - $19.95
20 - $29.95
(for larger quantities please email me for quote)



Prairie Belle
Prairie Belle, a deep rose pink with wide silver-tan band, makes a smaller fan if your garden size is challened. It has white midribs which accent the flower nicely. I have it in combination with Gentle Shepherd next to my back deck. Blooms are very large at over 6".
26" Midseason 6.5" bloom daylily
5 - $19.95
10 - $24.95

Little Missy

Little Missy is a smaller or dwarf daylily. It is only about 16" tall with scapes that rise to about 18 - 20". It is a light purple with a white wire edge.
5 - $14.95
10 - $19.95



Siberian Iris


Siberian Iris (Iris Sibirca - not to be confused with German bearded iris) are a most outstanding, maintenance-free species of plant. These graceful, but rugged plants bloom in late spring and maintain their beautiful grass-like foliage all season. After bloom, the mature seed pod and stem are excellent in dried arrangements. They prefer sun to part shade in evenly moist acidic soil. They are rugged, vigorous, smothered with bloom. Not fussy about soil, they take a wide range of conditions, quickly forming large clumps. Give them plenty of water until established. They love mulch, just like daylilies. This very hardy iris grows in zones 3-9




Percheron
Standards violet veined & dappled; falls purple violet veined & dappled; heavily ruffled with green signal & aqua styles fringed at midrib.
5 - $19.95

Butter and Sugar
Standards white with greenish yellow veins; falls yellow with similar veining as on stds; styles white with yellow midribs; this was historically the first yellow Siberian; Morgan Award
5 - $19.95
Sally Kerlin


Sally Kerlin is 27" tall with pale blue flowers in late May - June. Round falls with ruffled standards.
5 - $19.95

Cherry Lynn

Cherry Lynn (sometimes incorrectly called Cheery Lynn) is a gorgeous lilac with blue lined standards, white style arms. It has an unusual curled shape and is absolutely a standout in the garden. It is my all time favorite Siberian iris because of its beautiful curled shape.

5 - $19.95

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

~~~ Catholic Contest Winner ~~~
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I know I could have awarded the winner and the runners up with some wonderful Catholic item like Paramedic Girl did for her contest, but instead I chose to labor away at my PhotoShop program (about which I know nothing), and made a special badge for display on your blog.

In my typical ADD fashion I waited until the last moment before tackling a job I am woefully unprepared to accomplish. Thanks to my newly acquired Photoshop Elements 6 The Missing Manual, I was able to barely eke out this sort of cute little badge. I know all you PS wizards - (you know who you are Mary Rose, * Carolina Cannonball, * Vincenzo, et al) are probably rolling on the floor laughing your "you know whats" off over this paltry little task. Trust me - it was HUGE for me.
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Starting in true Dancing with the Stars fashion -
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the second runner up is:
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who logged in with 73 Catholic items


The first runner up is -

with a count of 79 Catholic items


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...and the winner is - ta da and a drum roll please:
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with an astonishing 124 Catholic sacramentals

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Just so no one will be left out (Angela in particular, cries when she doesn't get something) we have this badge that proclaims to the world, "I don't have nearly enough Catholic Stuff".




  • Tom in Vegas - who has an undetermined number of sacramentals
  • Uncle Jim - who is struggling with his count. I suggested he get help from Aunt Roz, but in true male manner he refused. He was last seen sitting in the hall with his shoes and socks off to facilitate his counting.
  • Kasia - 38
  • Paramedic Girl - 38
  • Rita - 27
  • Angela - 22 (Although she is minting her own Miraculous Medals so the count may well be higher by now)
  • Paula B52 - 19
  • Irene - 16
  • Cathy of Alex - 15
  • Kirk - 13
  • Emily - 10
  • Roses & Jessamine - not sure but she does have hundreds of Holy Cards
  • Karen in Canada - 9
  • Mark in Spokane - 5 Being an honest attorney type (which is a whole different contest), he refuses to include his wife's sacramentals.

Display your badges with your heads held high knowing that you are contributing to the notion that "Catholics worship statues"

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Just in Time

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So I'm sitting around feeling like a big lazy loser and Father John Speekman (my favorite Aussie priest), gives me an award. What great timing.



The wonderful Therese at Aussie Coffee Shop awarded it to him and now I must pass it on to a 7 others. This is going to be tough because I love all the blogs I frequent.



First I must answer the questions below with ONE word answers as all the awardees must also do. After that follow the directions on the bottom of the post.




1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? office
3. Your hair color? black
4. Your mother? heaven
5. Your father? heaven
6. Your favorite thing? food
7. Your dream last night?none
8. Your dream/goal? creating
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your hobby? life
11. Your fear? height
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. What you're not? tall
15. One of your wish-list items? Italy
16. Where you grew up? St. Paul
17. The last thing you did? pack
18. What are you wearing? sweats
19. Your TV? old
20 Your pet? four
21. Your computer? essential
22. Your mood? good
23. Missing someone? Mom
24. Your car? Chrysler
25. Something you're not wearing? Hmmmmm
26. Favorite store? Costco
27. Your summer? wonderful
28. Love someone? hubby
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? years





Now, for you recipients of this award, here's the deal:



* Display your award.

* Link back to the person who gave you the award.

* Nominate at least 7 other blogs. (I know that's a lot so just do what you can do)

* Put links to those blogs on yours.

* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.

* Enjoy your award!





  1. Angela Messenger at Where Angels Go 'cause I hate it when she cries and her smile lights up a room

  2. Jeffrey at Roving Medievalist II - the original cuddle bear who takes much time and effort to bring us a plethora of wonderful pictures and history.

  3. Carolina Cannonball who hangs out at The Crescat - the most under-appreciated wit in blogdom

  4. Laura at Laura's Place who cares so much for others

  5. Deb at Ukok's Place - a wonderful photographer and lovely lady and mother

  6. Tara at Loved Sinner - mother to the beautiful Stella

  7. Tom in Vegas over at thereallylongblognamethatIcan'tspell my cyber-nephew

  8. James at The Heelers Diaries - my new Irish friend who makes me think outside the box

I know that's eight instead of seven and I could go on and on, but time does not permit that indulgence today.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Catholic Stuff Contest Extended



Due to the overwhelming requests from folks for a bit more time to count up their Catholic sacramentals, I have decided to extend the deadline for the Catholic Stuff Contest until Wednesday. Quick now - count up all the Catholic "stuff" in your house and enter to win. Angela asked if we were going to have second, third, fourth, and so on places. You bethca!!!



and now.........
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the truth
(which I heard will set me free)
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Ya gotta admit that "overwhelming request" part sounded pretty good!
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Saturday, September 20, 2008

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Winner
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Catholic "Stuff" Contest
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Announced Tomorrow
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My husband said this was me.
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Should I be insulted?

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Monday, September 15, 2008


Another Catholic Contest


Paramedicgirl over at Salve Regina has started a contest for those out in cyberspace who have the fewest "sacramentals" - what I call "stuff."


To quote her:


"Ready, set go! Count up your items while I search for an appropriate prize to award to the person who actually owns the fewest sacramentals. You didn't think I would give it to the one who has plenty, did you?"


Contest Here for Most Stuff


Without doing a new count right now (it's too late "to brain"), I'm thinking Jean Heimann at Catholic Fire is leading. Jean also spends quality time at Behold Your Mother, One Came Back, and the Good Health Blog. I call this blogging on steroids and I have nothing but admiration for someone that can keep that much going.


Now our very own Adoro is right up there with Jean. Angela is still busy shopping to catch up. Some folks have raised the concern about this shopping thing after the initial count. I'm going to allow it because anyone needy enough to go to those lengths to win must really, really need to win. Just a warning to Angela - if you go shopping for Miraculous Medals, you won't find any. Adoro has them all.

Rita over at Tigerish Waters was surprised at the number of things she had stashed in her house. They do become part of the background after awhile.

It reminds me of a phone conversation I had with a Presbyterian friend. I asked him if he actually thought Catholics worshipped statues. He assured me that was nonsensical and no, he never for one minute thought that. After hanging up the phone I took a quick survey of my house and promptly called him back and said, " Guess what? We do worship statues!"


Isn't being Catholic fun?


Friday, September 12, 2008

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Our Moral Responsibility
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Catholic Citizens

Joint Pastoral Letter – September 8, 2008

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph

The Catholic Key Blog from the staff of the newspaper for the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph in Missouri has printed this statement from their Bishops.

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Entries so far:

Angela Messenger at Where Angels Go - 22

Irene - Since Irene lives in a itsy bitsy area we will count each of her entries as two. - 16

Emily at Randomability - 10

Roses and Jessamine - thinks the Vatican has her beat. Yes, but R&J - last time I checked the Vatican hasn't entered....just saying.

Esther of a Catholic Mom in Hawaii ( and gazillian other blogs) - hasn't had time to count up all her Catholic goodies. That sounds promising.

Paula B52 (I've missed you, babe) - 19

Kasia hiding out in the Clam Rampant - 33

Karen in Canada think she is at the bottom of the heap but I think her numbers are pretty darn good - 9

I'll keep the contest running through this upcoming week to give me time to figure out the prize. It will also give Angela M. time to run out and purchase a bunch more stuff. She hates to lose.

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If you haven't watched this video of Father John Corapi take a few moments and hear what he has to say. The transcript is available at Father Corapi's website. My husband printed it out and it almost more powerful when it is read.

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Sunday, September 7, 2008

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A Catholic Contest


Since rearranging my prayer space I started thinking about all the religious pictures, crucifixes, palm branches, and holy water fonts in my house. I think it would be fun to have a contest over who has the most Catholic "stuff" in their house. Books are not included in the count. Rosaries count if they are on display or visible at all times (like on a shelf or tabletop)



You may email me with your total or put it in the combox. I'm not even sure what the winner will win but I promise it will be cool.
Even though I can't win my own contest I will start off by giving my count. Ready?

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  1. Crucifixes - 9
  2. Statues - 10
  3. Pictures - 14
  4. Holy Water Fonts - 2 plus a large bottle of Holy Water for refilling fonts.
  5. Rosaries - 4 (on display)

I'm sure I've skipped some stuff ........LOL

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Saturday, September 6, 2008

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Just for Fun Sunday


My Prayer Table

I dragged a shelf in from the barn this evening to replace one that was just too small. Very girlie prayer area. Sort of Shabby Chic meets Our Lord.





Our Lady of Grace was rescued from the church storeroom. She was teetering on the top shelf just waiting to fall. The tip of her nose has a tiny chip so I told Father I would take it home and do repairs. That was 8 years ago. I think she found a new home. Oh yes, the chip? Still there...


I made a tiny little flower crown with ribbon streamers for May. I liked it so much I decided Our Blessed Mother could wear her crown all year.





My Mother has pride of place on Our Lady's right side. She has two angels that watch over her.






The "prayer bowl" with prayer cards of people I pray for every day. Most of these cards were purchased on ebay. For you newer readers I do have an adoption program for these people. Just drop me an email with your address and I will send you someone to pray for. Most of these folks passed away 30 - 60 years ago and probably don't have anyone praying just for them. As you can see the bowl is overflowing with wonderful people. I call them my "bowl people." God understands...






This is a beautiful framed French holy card that I picked up in a shop on Grand Ave. in St. Paul about 7 or so years ago. The glass is curved and the back of the frame is solid metal.







This is where I keep my incense. I did this covered bowl when I was learning to porcelain paint and gave it to my father. When he died I brought it back home with me. Learning to porcelain paint after doing quite a bit of oil painting was nerve wracking. You paint the foreground before the background and even worse you have to fire it between painting sessions. This piece was fired about 8 times before it was completed.




Stuffed Prayer Bowl





The incense burner. Yes folks - I'm one of those "smells and bells" kinda people. Can't get any incense at church so I just burn it at home when I pray. I have those cute little charcoal thingys that start themselves and I buy my incense at a church supply or online. One night I was really getting into the incense and not only had the burner cranked up but also fired up a few extra sticks of some special hand-dipped incense. I was praying away when all of a sudden my eyes started to just drip and run. I looked up and saw a layer of smoke just floating about midway between the floor and the ceiling. It looked like flying into Denver on a bad day.





My favorite picture of The Good Shepherd. Yes, I know this would not be considered "fine art" but I love the image of the black sheep in Our Lord's arm. See the little black sheep peeking from behind His robe? That would be me......





My grandma's rosary is on the top shelf. She died when I was 9 and I still miss her. Before my Mom died she told me that not a day went by that she didn't miss her mother (my grandma.) I was 36 when my Mom died. And guess what? I have missed her everyday for the past 26 years.





And, of course, a picture of hubby.





I would love to see some of your special prayer tables or altars.


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H/T to Jay over at Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate

Thursday, September 4, 2008

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John McCain / Sarah Palin
2008


"My friends, if you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist...

Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an -- an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed.

Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier, because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."

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"Fight with me. Fight with me.
Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other, for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up, and fight.
Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up.
We never quit.
We never hide from history. We make history.
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America"


John McCain September 4, 2008 St. Paul, MN
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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

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Sarah Palin's speech was brilliant!



"This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan?"
Sarah Palin September 2, St. Paul, MN
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Fun Meme

OMGosh! Mac over at Mulier Fortis has saved me from having to "brain" today. This is a really fun meme.


It's a "what were you doing, and where" meme... Now Mac, being Mac, put these events in chronological order (which I would have done, too.)



1. President Kennedy's Assassination - 22 November 1963.


I actually can remember this like it was yesterday. I was at home in St. Paul, MN and my brother called me from work and announced that President Kennedy had been shot. I thought he was joking and almost hung up on him. He finally convinced me to turn on the TV. Those of us that were "of age" (I was 17), remember this as the event that changed our world view.

Walter Cronkite was the first on-air news person to announce President Kennedy's death, which he did while choking up with tears. I was in shock, as was most of the country. I clearly remember being in front of the TV almost 24/7 as the events and funeral played out. I will also never forget the sight of Jackie Kennedy in her blood stained suit that she refused to change. "Let them see what they have done," was her reason for not putting on a different suit.

The photo above is Black Jack, the riderless horse that was part of the funeral procession.

2. England's World Cup Semi Final v Germany - 4 July 1990

Not even on my radar. And since I didn't quit drinking until the 25th of that month I was probably drunk.

3. Margaret Thatcher's resignation - 22 November 1990

I don't remember what I was doing at the exact moment it was announced, but I remember following it in the news. July 25, 1990 was when I became a "card carrying" member of A.A. My husband entered the program in November just days before this happened, so I'm sure we were very busy with meetings as we started our journey into the world of sober folk.

4. Princess Diana's death - 31 August 1997

I heard she had been in an accident while I was driving home. About an hour later I was out in front of my house and my neighbor drove by and said Diana had died. My shock was immediate. I always had great admiration for Diana and was deeply affected by her death.

The royal wedding took place not too long before my Mom's death from cancer. My Mom was living with my husband and I so we could care for her. In order to watch the wedding live (we lived in Arizona then), we had to get up at some weird time like 2 or 3 am. Both my Mom and I put on fancy hats and our gloves (while still in our jammies), and sat on her bed drinking tea while watching the festivities. I can still see my husbands face at the bedroom door. He was in complete disbelief that two grown women would do such a thing. I miss my Mom and I miss Diana. My prayer is for them to be drinking tea together in heaven.

5. Attack on the twin towers - 11 September 2001

I had just arrived at work as an optician. The doctor had that day off so I was alone to run the office for the day. I turned on the radio right after arriving so it must have been about 9:00 am our time when I heard the announcement. I could not wrap my brain around what I was hearing and because I couldn't leave the office I didn't see any TV coverage until I went home at about 3:30. I will never, ever, ever forget the first time I saw the footage of those planes flying into the WTC or the sight of people jumping from the upper floors. Ever!!! And none of you should, either.

6. The election of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger to the papacy - 19 April 2005

Oh yes, indeedy! I was glued to the TV and when I heard his name I exploded with glee (even though I had guessed wrong. Nothing that has happened since has changed my mind. God sends the right man at the right time.







I'm not going to tag anyone, but I will make strong suggestions for who should do this meme. No extra purgatory time if you decide to not do it. Promise!



1. Jeffrey at Roving Medievalist 2

2. Paramedic Girl at Salve Regina

3. Christine at A Catholic View

4. Mark at Dominican Idaho

5. Anyone who thinks this would be fun. Let me know if you decide to participate

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