Becoming Empty Nesters

July 25, 2022 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Please note, I’ve updated the name but not the URL for my blog. In a world full of Catholic Bloggers, I just want to be me. I’m unapologetically Christian/Conservative, but I’m a lot of other things. I’m not the great writer others are…. and I am just going to journal and play here. I hope you like the new lightness of the blog (ok, not always light). LOL

August 3rd, we will have been in Italy for four years. I can’t believe how fast and how slow it’s gone. You know what I mean?

On July 6th, our youngest left for Texas to go to Engineering School. He got into so many schools, it was hard for him to decide where to go. We landed at a small school in Texas. I say WE because we had tons of family conversations about it. And although pop culture tells parents they have no say, I beg to differ.

You see that young man… he’s going places. And his daddy, friends, a few teachers, coaches, family and I all worked as a village to make sure of it. He did the majority of the work, but I won’t be dismissed.By the grace of God, he is continuing to stay focused and spread his wings. We could NOT be prouder.

My cousin Laurie and her hubby and our family friends Andi & Jay are standing in for us in Texas. We also have my bestie Kelly and approximately a zillion family/friends (ok – I’m exaggerating). We couldn’t be more thankful and blessed with their influences in his life and their love for all of us – I mean – it’s not an easy task I’m sure. We’d all do it for others too… but it’s amazing and scary in some ways. Sigh.

So anyway, today is the 20th day we are living alone. It’s weird currently. There is so much to do. Let me catch you up…

MAJOR TASKS/LIFE CHANGES:
- Bud graduated
- Sorting Through 19 years of stuff.
  - The big toss
  - Shipped the rest
- Bud left for Texas.
  - Orientation – Andi took him
  - ROTC Camp – we will drop him off
  - Buying lists of things – Andi & I
  - Driver’s License – Andi & Fam are helping him
  - Gym – they take him daily
- Tarleton Conversations and emails…
  - I will say this. I literally sent the Prez/VP of the college an email after how great the entire Admissions/Advisor/ROTC team treated us. They answered a billion questions and called us, emailed us – and yes, even heard back from the VP. Can not say enough.
- Planning our Trip to Texas
  - Getting Bud to FW
  - Graduation Party – Thanks Laurie & Mario
  - Visiting Friends & Family
  - Visiting Lake House – and fishing trip – Thanks Mario & Laurie
  - Finding dog sitter – Check! Thanks Rachel.
- Finding a New Place To Live
  - We did it. We found a new Realtor. We told them exactly what we wanted, and how much we wanted to pay. We looked at half a dozen places and found one that we are super excited about.
  - We are moving to a town called Teverola. Many Americans live there, but it’s also very Italian. And we are happy. It’s a one-story, bottom floor apartment. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, fireplace, pizza oven, nice porches, living area and kitchen are open. And plenty of storage. It’s nearer to the Support Site and we are going to start going to the gym there. Very excited about that.
  - But mostly – it’s a small Italian town with little shops and people say they walk everywhere, etc.
- Marque’s Job
  - We are now hoping our contract is renewed.
  - The word is, no matter who wins, Marque will stay.
  - Pray for us, my nerves are continually shot here. LOL
  - Marque is not worried at all.
- Pet Update
  - Gianna is going to live in England at the end of July. There is a group there who works with dogs who have behavioral needs. It’s best for her… also, it’s best for us. She has never allowed us to bathe, brush, or even pet her. She was abandoned, and she just never came around. And she’s gotten progressively aggressive – but she can’t help it. The vet said she is the most anxious dog he’s ever seen. Who knows what she has been through. We have nearly had her for two years and have tried everything. Trust me.
  - Melvin has been with us since January. He was about 5 weeks old when he was found on the streets of Gricignano and we have had him since that day. He’s 7 months old now. Strangely – they look like siblings, except Melvin won’t ever weigh over 7.5 Kilos (16 lbs). It’s been so nice to have a dog who greets us and wants to play, love, etc. You know? Sigh.
  - Goose & Mavericks are outdoor cats and we rarely see them. They are neutered but it’s so common for cats to be outside here. Unsure if they will come with us to new place. Doubtful. Being outside has thinned them up. Funny because they love the puppy and Gianna continually tries to eat them. LOL
- Health Updates
  - Marque has Type2 Diabetes. After his colon cancer he got thin, and was being careful. But with the pandemic stress, senior year stress, etc… he gained it all back. He’s currently working with our doc to get it straightened out. All diet and exercise related. And trust me, we are working on it.
  - I am working on truly getting over past trauma. It has affected my blood pressure, and anxiety in ways that I have to prayerfully and purposefully learn to control. Sigh. I’ll tell you about the book/workbook another time. Once we settle in our house I will have plenty of time to work on me. Blah.
- Em’s Volunteering
  - No CCD this year. Parents here don’t take it seriously and it’s frustrating. In fact we have taken a step back from the base Parish. Gotta find a good Mass and Parish experience. It’s super sad. But I am continuing to work on my relationship with God. Need to talk to the new Priest. I miss a Parish to get involved in and make good friends. It’s not how it works here. Sigh.
  - IC Club – all is well there. I’m the Events Coordinator for this next year. So exciting. Happy to say that we have a positive and helpful team. So thankful.
  - NMCRS – I am hopeful to get back involved there.

If you made it through that – you’re awesome. I will tell you this… as much as we miss our son (and for that matter all our people), we are loving hanging out, and working together to sort through things to downsize. It’s so easy to cook for two people. Y’all, I’m serious. If you want to know the truth – it’s only been 20 days that we’ve been alone. But we are a great team. And we know once we get through actually dropping him at college, the process of downsizing our stuff (which thanks to black mold won’t be hard – you’re welcome)…, moving again, getting through contract renewal… it will be smooth sailing.

We will likely be overseas until bud graduates college. But we hope to travel and spend some time in the states, and have some visitors over here.

Enjoy these pics of Melvin and Gianna – wait till you see how alike they are –

More soon…

Love & Hugs,
Lady Em

#LadyEmCrafts · Catholic Faith · Davis Family · Italy · Lent · StampinUp · SweetnSassy · Valentines

Shrove Tuesday And A Couple Valentine’s Cards

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 LadyEm636 Comments

Dear Readers…

How I wish I was a more regular blogger. I will make attempts to do better, and stop apologizing. Because I’m bored with the apologies. HA I hope you are all well. Life is life… Sigh. Hugs.

Today is Shrove Tuesday. Do you know what Shrove Tuesday is? Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras – they all mean the same thing. Today – historically – WAAAAY BACK. People would empty their pantries of eggs, milk, and sugar so that they could fast for 40 days of Lent. In my house, one wants pancakes and the other wants waffles. I’m low carb, so I will figure it out. LOL Breakfast for dinner is NEVER a bad thing though. Information about traditions below.

Tomorrow – we kick of Lent with Ash Wednesday – this year we will be sprinkled with Ashes instead of receiving on the forehead. UGH But we know everyone is doing the best we all can. Of course, NOTHING I ordered for Lent is here. But never fear, let me give you a list of Free or Inexpensive Lenten Printables. This way, if you are in the same predicament with mail (with all the weather in the states, the delays must be similar), you can still get your Lenten Plan together. Here are a few things I love:

And perhaps my Favorite – Prompt Me To Pray Through Lent via Monica at Arma Dei. She has so many Lenten Printables from her Lenten Pack of Prayers to a Lenten Quest to her Stations of the Cross. You really should check out her site!

Plus I have a couple books here with readings and devotions for Lent. I’m disappointed that the NEW hasn’t shown up, but it’s ALL GOOD! Catholics are versatile and able to overcome. LOL

Now – I think it’s ok to show you a few Valentine’s Cards I sent to lovely folks I know.

Card #1 – Card Recipe
Stamps: Sweet ‘N Sassy Stamps: Some Buggy Loves You, Texture Tiles 5 and Texture Tiles 7
Paper: PaperTreyInk, StampinUp, and Scrap DP
Ink: Jet Black Amalgam Ink-Gina K Designs, Various Copic and Spectrum Noir Yellow Sparkle Pen.
Embellishments: Blue Scrap Ribbon

Directions: I have bins with scrap paper and precut layers in it. I stamped the X’s and O’s on a piece of chartreuse paper (PTI) and I believe the DP with dragonflies is from StampinUp. I just layered it and tossed some ribbon on. I wish I’d have taken a picture of the inside, because I stamped Happy Valentine’s Day, and Somebuggy loves you! Put it all together with tape adhesive and dimensionals.

Card #2 – Card Recipe
Stamps: Sweet n Sassy Stamps: Kitty Image – from Lots of Love, Sentiment from Valentine Critters, and Background from Rose Background.
Paper: PaperTreyInk and StampinUp
Ink: Jet Black Amalgam Ink from Gina K. Various Copic Markers, and Wink of Stella
Embellishments: Pink Scrap Ribbon.

Directions: I cut and layed out layers from scrap paper. I stamped the Rose background and colored with comic markers… then I used the teeny hearts from the Sweet n’ Sassy Donut Worry set and stamped in various colors with SU Ink, and used a water brush to move the ink around to give a little dimension. I stamped the kitty and colored her with Copics, then put it all together with tape adhesives and dimensionals. Scrap ribbon from my bin. Easy Peasy.

Card #3 – Card Recipe
Stamps: Sweet n’ Sassy Stamp Sets: You & Me, Donut Worry, and Texture Tiles 9
Paper: PaperTreyInk and StampinUp
Ink: Jet Black Amalgam Ink from Gina K, Various Copic Markers, and Stampin UP Inks: Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso and Soft Suede.
Embellishments: Red scrap ribbon.

Directions: I stamped the coffee words image on a scrap of ballerina pink paper, and stamped the coffee and donuts in various browns, and sprayed with water for a spill effect. I colored the main image with copic markers and used a piece of pink/red gingham paper for a layer. Then I added the red ribbon and put it all together with tape adhesive and dimensionals.

It was one of my funnest evenings in a long time. Music, mess and fun! I get messy in my craft room. I hope to do it more. Anyway – I got them into Military Post, but who knows when the receivers will receive.

We’ll talk about Lent tomorrow. Ash Wednesday Y’all.

Happy rest of your Tuesday.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm

Catholic Faith · Catholic Mom · Davis Family · Gospel Reflection · Quarantine2020

Gospel Reflection – Endless Eucharist

January 6, 2021 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,

Pretend, if you will, that today is January 5th and I remembered to post my Gospel Reflection. Sigh – clearly I did not. But First, a picture of my husband, in who’s honor I chose the January 5th Date. LOL We tried to make his 61st Birthday special and I think we succeeded. We ordered take away for dinner, had some neighbors stop by for a drink, and I made his favorite cheesecake. We are on lockdown, so the decor is brought to you by packing tape and streamers, and craft wax markers I knew I could clean off the windows – HA!

Here is the January 5th Reflection!

Daily Gospel Reflection – January 5th, 2020
Today’s Gospel: Mark 6:34-44 – Memorial of St. John Neumann

The Apostles were heading to a quiet retreat with Jesus to go over their mission work and discuss the murder of John the Baptist. When they saw the throngs of people waiting hear Jesus preach and to be served, how do you think they reacted? Sure, they knew that the people were hungry for the truth about who Jesus was and what He could do for them, but, disappointed at not being able to spend time with just Him, they probably thought “Please leave!” Sound familiar?

Jesus knew His Apostles were weary, and He had to have been grieving and in need of a break as well. However, the moment He saw the crowd of people, Jesus knew that He must lead these “lost sheep” and teach His Apostles to be shepherds…and so He taught us all.

As evening fell, the Apostles became worried about food for the crowds. They were looking for a practical, worldly solution and Jesus found a heavenly solution. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, raised them into the air, and called on His Father, Our Almighty God, to ensure there was enough to eat.

We all know the story about Jesus feeding five thousand, but do you understand what it means to us as Catholics? It’s an introduction to the Eucharist. The endless Body of Christ, that we partake in and which sustains us above all else.

Jesus knows there are many lost souls in this chaotic world. Sometimes it’s me (you too I suspect). Yet He will stop every time and shepherd us back onto the path towards eternal life with Him, and He calls us to do the same for others. I cannot imagine a more perfect gift to us and am thankful for what this passage teaches us.

Ponder: When we are weary and in need of rest, we are often presented with arduous but godly work. We must learn to look to Jesus for a solution that He has gloriously placed within us: our gifts and talents. Think about how you have grown spiritually through serving His lost sheep, when all you want to do is rest.

Pray: Dear Lord, I praise You for bringing me through trials and tribulations that I can now help others through. Let me see You in others so I don’t miss an opportunity to serve Your lost sheep.

Anyway – Please subscribe to the Daily Gospel Reflections on Catholicmom.com and leave comments.

Also – Happy Feast of the Epiphany. I’m not a big fan of moving Feast Days to the nearest Sundays for convenience. We do so much for convenience, our Faith and important days should NOT cater to the “convenience” of society. My opinion. And so – today, on the 12th day of Christmas, I wanted to wish you a fantastic rest of your day and year.

May everyone seek our Lord, every day, as we use each day as a clean slate to start again.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
Lady EM

#Catholic Bible Journaling · Catholic · Davis Family · Italy

HAPPY NEW YEAR! No Resolutions Here!

December 31, 2019 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Dear Ones,

Life got busy and I haven’t been around much. I really do have so much to share with you. Recipes, Christmas pics, and a plethora of other things. But first – I wanted to talk to you about my pledge to not share my New Year’s Resolutions here. WHY? Uh – because when I don’t accomplish them (which – happens A LOT), I feel awful about me. And since I am the queen of putting pressure on myself, I Aint Doin It!

Let me wrap up my attitude about how 2020 is going to be in a few words:

Now, my prayer for 2020 is simply one by Saint Francis of Assisi. When you see the picture, as you are reading it, You WILL sing the song. Yes you will. I do it every time. And if you don’t know the song, I will find it for you – just ask.

Oh please let’s make a year of peace, pardon, healing and moving on to happier times. Amen!

Many of you know, but some don’t, that my friends and I started a Bible Journal group on Facebook. – Catholic Women’s Bible Journaling. We are hoping to grow it and make it more interactive, and have giveaways, etc. But for now, I’ve created a January Bible Prompts sheet to share. I have it in .pdf form AND in picture form. But because of my limited Tech Knowledge, I’ve placed it here as a picture. If you need it as a file, please email me. And if you want to join our little group – please click on the word Catholic above.

Because I love ya, I’m keeping this short. Here’s a picture of my family and I after Christmas Mass. And a couple other things.

May you have a blessed Celebration tonight.
May our Lady’s Feast Day comfort you tomorrow.

Happy Happy New Year.
Praying for you all!

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
LadyEm

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Leftover LaLapalooza – Or Do you Repurpose Food?

February 25, 2018 LadyEm63Leave a comment

Happy Sunday Morning All,
Happy Second Sunday in Lent!

I’m hopping on really quickly with some frugal pantry advice.

Do you Repurpose Food? Some people call it leftovers, but my people don’t like “leftovers”… so I call it repurposing food. HA! They even help invent meals. Aint’ NOBODY got time (or money) to be snobby around here!!

Last evening, as I was purposing to use what I have for dinner I thought – “I have GOT to blog about this.”

In our home, we have three people, so there are often leftovers. And when my husband travels, that number goes down to two. Y’all it would be so dang easy to blow the budget and order pizza or Chinese Food, but a) it’s Lent and we are supposed to sacrifice, and b) we are holding ourselves more accountable for what we spend. SOOOO the long and short of it is, I had to find something to cook.

Additionally I am on my 3rd day of Antibiotics, recovering from Strep and Sinus Infection – you know, because one thing is not enough. I always have to overachieve… Anywhooooo…

Last night, I made a goulash of sorts. A perfect food for cold, rainy winter evenings. Filling, but not too fattening. Semi-Healthy (if you laden with veggies).

Do you know what Goulash is?

When I say, goulash of sorts, let me be clear… my definition is loosely based on the above, however, I am not a Hungarian, nor do I play one on TV. (hahaha) AND there is no Paprika in this stew-ish meal. But, it is teenager approved. So it works in our house.

Here is what’s I did:

In the fridge, I found two oversized chicken breasts that my husband cooked. I cubed the chicken, then cut about 3/4 of one of the breasts into smaller cubes and set it aside (see repurpose #2 below).

For the Goulash I put about a tablespoon of olive oil into the bottom of a pan, chopped roughly half an onion up and used about a tablespoon of minced garlic and put those in the pan, let the onions cook a while and added the chicken, diced tomatoes, and cubed one yellow squash ad added it. Then I thought, Huh… what else can I add? I quite literally walked to the pantry, put some baked bbq beans in the mix, added cumin, garlic powder, and half a cup of water. I let it all simmer together, had the boy taste it, and he gave it the thumbs up (which frankly y’all is ALL that matters). He asked for it over bowtie pasta… And I served it layered, in bowls. Pasta, goulash and sprinkled some shredded cheese on it. You could add cilantro or whatever you want.

Here’s a picture of it.

Emily Davis’ Use What You Have Goulash

For the 2nd Repurpose of the chicken breasts, I made chicken salad for sandwiches (or crackers, or by it’s-self). Here’s what I did.

I took the smaller cubed chicken, added two grated boiled eggs, three small Vlasic dill pickles, and some garlic salt, Italian spices, basil and grated black pepper (all to taste), and lastly about three tablespoons of mayonnaise. Mixed it together and it’s ready to go for a day or so of lunches.

Here are a couple of pictures of it:

Those of you who have children of cooking age, you can really engage their imaginations by challenging them to come up with a meal. It can’t be too funky, or no one will eat it. I was nervous about the bbq beans (which I had picked up a year ago, by mistake, thinking they were baked beans).

Lent is a good time to use what you have. With the extra we have, we are searching weekly adds, and purposing to fill a box with a certain $$ amount of groceries weekly. And… the money has to come from somewhere. Ya know?

A few years ago, I wrote this post: Frugal Pantry Tip – Repurposing Food. It’s a pretty decent post. We have always been the kind of people who, even if we had the money, we hated to toss out food. It’s just so wasteful. We both grew up in practical and poor-at-times households. And we make a practice to use what we have.

Plus there’s this. I mean – how true is this quote from Pope Francis.

I also found this. Y’all it is STUNNING to me how much food is wasted. We really need to do a better job of using what we have, not buying what we don’t need, AND thinking of others and what we could do for them if we don’t waste.

We need to teach our children about not wasting and about how blessed they are to have enough food to eat. Christopher started volunteering and being involved in our local Foodbank at the age of three. YES three. He has packed back-packs for children who don’t have. And though, he has never been hungry, he’s heard the stories.

It is not my intention to bring you down, but to educate you and remind you of what we can all do better. You aren’t alone if you waste, clearly… But here and now, decide to waste less. That’s all.

I hope you enjoyed this.
And while I have your attention, let me know how you repurpose food. AND let me know if you would be interested in linking up to a regular recipe post about how to repurpose leftovers? It might be fun to share our made up recipes. ❤

I hope to hear from you!

Love, hugs & Blessings,
Em