We use technology for good, not evil.

I found this particularly interesting, Families Against PP has been really savvy with its use of the Internet.

I guess I will keep my cruddy Verizon Phone contract another year, and will write them a note to tell them how I support their policy.

h/t: Sheila Liaugminas

UPDATE: So much for the note I was going to send...

According to the Internet Broadcasting Systems/Associated Press, also this morning:
Verizon Wireless has reversed course and will allow NARAL Pro-Choice America to use its mobile network for a sign-up text messaging program.
Company spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said the decision not to allow text messaging was incorrect.
Nelson had said Wednesday that abortion was among topics barred from mass distribution based on the company's code of content.
However, the code was developed before text-messaging became a mass-market phenomenon.
NARAL lets people sign up to receive its text messages by keying in a message to a five-digit number.

Where HAVE you been?

I hear Mrs. Weasley's voice in my head as I said that! How is it possible to homeschool when you are never home? Well, that is the beauty of homeschooling. We have been so busy, living and enjoying life, ignoring the laundry a bit, and skipping the workbooks. Life is for learning. Beauty surrounds us and teaches lessons that Saxon never could (I'm having Saxon issues this week).

We've been to the beach, to see the marvels of Lake Michigan. I've been beaten up the biggest dune by a nearly three year old, mom needs to get in better shape, clearly! Fun was had by all. Nothing refreshes the soul like a day of relaxation to appreciate the beauty God places all around us.

We've been to the Art Institute of Chicago, with Brother Maximilian Mary, CFR. We had a great time. Note to parents, if you are friends with a religious who likes kids, and frequently acts like one, do NOT, under any circumstances let him convince you he can be trusted to sit with them on the train, during rush hour, with 3 kids under 10. They will squeal, he will make them shriek, they will draw looks from every adult on board, and you will find the nearest newspaper to hide under as the conductor asks if those children can Possibly behave on the train. He will then laugh at you and then, as you are ready to strangle them all, he will have them do evening prayer with him, and you will get teary at how lovely it is.

We've also begun all the usual back to school activities, Russian Style Ballet, Master Gardner Classes, and Homeschool Band. I never wanted to be one of those families that spent more time in the car driving than at home, but it is happening. Overall it is not bad, we listen to audio books, and take walks while waiting for the child who is in lessons.

So, that is what life is like in our small corner of the world. I had a deadline Monday, I sent it in today. My husband had to stay out half the night selling copies of Halo 3, such is the life of retail. But we got to have a picnic on a water fall yesterday, so life is very good, and full of many simple joys.

We won in Court, for now.

I know it is not the end of this battle, but for now, the death center will not open. I have Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow stuck in my head. I think I will take that as a cue, to give Him the praise due today.

Looking for more Books

I desperately need a history book that will look at European and early American history from a Catholic point of view. The new history books arrived for my children, and this year we get to sing the Guy Fawkes song. Yippee. I bet it makes the French Revolution a great thing, too. Those bad Catholics oppressing people again. I wish that the books were not this way, because they are good in most regards, but I do have to "supplement" anytime they mention the Catholic Church, popular ignorance prevails.

I did not learn, in my bad public education, anything that was from a Catholic point of view, and if I did I was not listening. I call my late high school and early college years my "bad Catholic" phase. Short, thankfully, but I am still trying to make up for it in my education. In particular I would appreciate recommendations that pertain to the French Revolution, British history after Elizabeth I, and the founding of the United States. If I can get it from the library, even better, because the book budget (and shelf space) has been exhausted for the time being.

Um, what about the 5th Commandment

I guess I'm just too simple, but I cannot comprehend how anyone who calls themselves a Christian, and a minister at that, could be pro-Planned Parenthood.This quote just gets me.

The Rev. Greenfield was even more blunt.
"To deny somebody choice," he said, "is contrary to what I believe to be the teachings of Jesus as a Christian."

Bella The Movie, My Review

To be fair I have to preface with a few bits of information, the first being that I saw this movie in January, and being that I have been suffering from motherhood inflicted brain loss, I have forgotten some details. But the movie left an great impression on me, so I still remember quite a bit. The second has more to do with my movie related background. I really like art films and foreign films. I think in my high school and college days (it wasn't THAT long ago), I saw pretty much everything that I could. I still would pick an art film over a big budget film any day. Why is this important? Well, Bella has all the qualities of a really good art film. It has won awards(Hello, SXSW? HUGE indie fest!), it was made quickly on a small budget, and word of mouth is what will make this film.

From the very beginning of the film, I knew I was in for a treat. It had that rough quality I enjoy, pure beauty, used as a way to draw the watcher in. The colors were perfect, like a painting, so appealing to the eye, so much attention is given to the look of this film, but not in an over-done way. The visual beauty of the film only enhances the beauty if the story. The Film looked real.

The story is one that all can relate to. A man seemingly has everything, loses it all, only to gain all that he really needs. I really do not want to divulge too much of the actual story, because it is so worth seeing, without any preconceived notions. The story follows two main characters, who I'm sorry to say, names escape me. The male is a scruffy looking cook in a Hispanic restaurant, the female is a waitress in the same restaurant. The female has just discovered she is pregnant. They spend the day, away from their jobs, together discussion life, and her pregnancy.

Bella has been hyped in Pro-life circles, for good reason, but it should not be limited by this label. It is so much more than a "pro-life" film. It is a film about hope, sorrow, regret and promise for the future. Is it a Catholic movie? Yes, in the true sense. It is not overt, but pure. The family of the man exemplifies a Catholic family. They are not perfect, but welcome the stranger (the young woman)with open arms. They really are a great example of the beauty that is many Hispanic families, joy, love and familial devotion.

The movie is not complicated, even though it deals with a very complicated matter, the story moves quickly, but not so quickly that one will get lost. I mentioned color before, which seems so trivial, but the fact that the colors are bright, helps keep the movie from being like so many films today, bright colors show hope. While the film was being made the crew stayed with the CFR's, and the CFR's are featured on the subway. Br. Maximilian, CFR, my very dear friend, was able to spend a little time with them. He reported that they live and breathe their faith, and want it all of their work to reflect that. Beauty is an exceptional way to reflect the Catholic faith.

What really sets Bella apart from other "faith based films" is that it is not one. Sure, faith motivated the team making it, and it is based on Catholic truths, but, through an artistic eye, it avoids the many pitfalls "faith based films" have. For one, the film does not preach, but shows the glory of personal freedom to choose good or evil. Secondly, many recent faith based films have had the tendency to be very slick, forgoing quality of the story for a very glossy look. As previously stated, Bella is not glossy, but exhibits true beauty.

Bella is a great little film, and I truly pray that is does well, many hearts will be touched, mine was. It is a great film for older teens and adults, the subject is a bit beyond younger people. My husband thought my initial description points to a "chic flick" but I tend to think he is wrong, even if he is not, many men get dragged to chic flicks. In meeting with the director and actors, I was even more convinced that this film has such great value, they are potentially sacrificing their careers for this movie. If Bella does well, they will make more films like it. Please see Bella, it will make you cry, and laugh, but you will leave the film with a sense of hope.

Planned Parenthood Clinic Update

All I can say is keep praying, fasting and making little sacrifices. Ask Our Lady to intercede for the many women and babies that this clinic will hurt if it ever opens, ask Her that it NEVER open.

Harry Potter, and A Bad Homeschool Mom

I guess I have to finally say something on this subject, because after some of what I've read this week, I'm embarrassed to be a Catholic Homeschool mother. Let me just preface all I say with many in my HS group consider me a heathen, Harry Potter is one of many reasons. It used to bother me, but I'm pretty sure that my confessor would disagree with them, so who cares.

I'm what many call a "Bad Catholic Homeschooler". I wear jeans, I run errands while listening to my Ipod, I watch TV, and enjoy some of it, I stay up some nights drinking a beer with my husband while playing our Wii, but none of that is as bad as some find Harry Potter. I too, used to be Anti-Harry, before I read the books. I had been lulled into the Michael O'Brien Way of thinking, after all he had some good things to say, and I, a former punk music loving young mother had been raised out of the church, what did I know. So I blindly followed, shame on me! I banned Dragon Tales, can't confuse the kiddies, I talked badly about Harry Potter, I just wanted to fit in with my homeschooling peers.

Then one day, I happened to be the day that the Sixth Book came out, something happened. Our town turned into Hogsmead. I had no idea what that was honestly, but we had some friends who walked through over, and they brought up the alleged comments by then Cardinal Ratzinger. These friends are Catholics, but "Sunday" Catholics. They were not interested in Harry Potter, frankly, but thought it was concerning that the Pope would speak on such a trivial thing. I tried to soften the blow a bit, but without having read the books, I pretty much looked dumb.I then decided to borrow the books from my niece and read them. At least I could tell everyone how bad they were.

I read them all in a matter of three weeks. They were great, nothing in there even hinted of "join the occult" . Wait, then, maybe I missed something. I had my husband listen to the audio books with me. Again, nothing illicit, certainly nothing as offensive as some Catholic children's books we have been given over the years.

For years I had tried to be a "Good Catholic Homeschool Mom", no pants, only good Catholic music and film, shun culture basically. I failed and was not happy. Thank goodness I have a few good priests to turn to for direction! We as Catholics are given FREEDOM. We can choose good. We can learn, through formation what is good. I am not to live a cloistered life, I am to live in the world, but not be of it. I have chosen to read the Harry Potter books, I have chosen to not let my children read some of the books, based upon age and maturity. I respect my many friends who do not allow many of the things I allow.

I guess the thing that has bugged me the most about the way Harry Potter, and many other issues related to culture are handled is the meanness with which those who have chosen to keep them out of their family act. There are teenagers in our HS group who are not allowed to talk to me, I am clearly a bad influence. My kids have been taught to be respectful, and if we are with friends who do not allow certain things, they go out of their way to not mention them. We have to ask ourselves if the energy being used to slander the name of many good people, like Nancy Brown, could be used to bring more people to heaven with us? Is the behavior causing other to be lead away from God or the Church? If it is, that is truly sinful. Oh, and By the way, I still ban Dragon tales, because it is just plain dumb, and that has nothing to do with Dragons.

Now I'm off to play Wii Sports while listening to rock music with my kids. and continue being an embarrassment to my homeschool group.

A Day of Prayer and fasting

September 7 has been declared by my Bishop as a day of prayer and fasting against abortion. It is only two weeks until Planned Parenthood is scheduled to open their new death and deception factory. Please join us in Prayer. I know that this might only seem to effect my "small" corner of the world, but it effects us all. Babies will die, women will be hurt, a communities will suffer. Those babies will not grow up to be YOUR doctor, teacher, Priest,where ever you live. Those women will suffer depression and regret, and be at greater risk for breast cancer. I've known many women who have had abortions, they suffer, in ways you would never think. Men suffer from abortion, too. The CFR's have done a good deal of work to bring this to people's attention. How many families suffer because of abortion? How many living siblings suffer from the joy of a sister or brother never known? Please join my family, friends and community in praying to end this suffering, pray to end abortion, even if it is just in my "small" corner of the world.

Off Babysittin'

One of my dear friends, a mother of nine, has gone to Seattle for a much needed, much deserved second/ didn't really get a first honeymoon. I am at her house enjoying the last days of summer in her pool, with 7 of 9 (I hate Star Trek, so don't ask) of her kids and my 3, making me the mother of 10 and a very old dog this week. I'll be back next week with our summer memories. It was a great summer, sad to see it fade away. Hopefully I'll *finally* finish The Man who was Thursday this week, I've had too many interruptions for such a good book.