The Smell of Nostalgia

I find it fascinating how one scent can remind me of so much.

It reminds me of Christmas 2004. It reminds me of having my cousins, RJ and Eddie, at our house (always a huge treat for me). It reminds me of working as an art teacher at PSMA. It reminds me of the first month of owning my Thunderbird (the Democrat). It reminds me of driving to work at 7:00 am during Christmas break. It reminds me of listening to the Beatles in the car on the way to work, like I did every morning. It reminds me of all those hours I spent on Redhill. It reminds me of the first time I commuted on Christmas Eve. It reminds me of my first Christmas with Sean. The first time I went to the Christmas party with the Reagans. It reminds me of playing dominos. It reminds me of Toys R Us. It reminds me of when I thought cell phones were novel. It reminds me of movie nights at the Larsens. It reminds me of the first time I drove to church by myself. It reminds me of Nativity and the song "Today the Virgin."


Wondering what scent this is? Blistex. I guess I wore that chapstick all throughout November/December 2004. I hadn't used this chapstick for 2 1/2 years and last night I bought some and I started to remember all of that. What can you call a scent that reminds you of so much? The Smell of Nostalgia? Now, I ask my readers :), do you have a scent that triggers your memories? If so, what is it?

Day *Sigh* Eight

My Blog is acting funny. I apologize for not keeping up with the 30 day picture thing. My computer is not uploading my pictures. I'll probably keep it up after Lent. Till then...I'll have Random Thoughts.

Back To You O God

When I was a little child
my parents taught me how to live
a life of love and prayer.
In the beauty of my innocence
simply I believed in you,
knowing you are there.
But those days are far behind me now;
I'm far past that age.
Sometimes, I don't know
how to get beyond the haze to you, my Lord;
you seem so far away.

Help me Lord, take me by the hand.
Help me know the things I do not understand.
Lord, you're far away, and yet you're by my side;
like Adam I have often run away and tried to hide.

But I'm coming back to you, my Lord,
if you will help me, I will be there soon
(O, yes I will, wait for me!)
Like the prodigal, I'm coming,
you see me from afar and meet me in the field,
and you embrace me.
Then you kill the fatted calf,
you place a ring upon my hand,
and suddenly, I understand

that your love isn't measured by my faith.
I am welcome home, no matter where I stray.
Lord, I praise you, I will try to give back all you've given me;
help me be the person you created me to be.

When I wake up in the morning,
I dedicate my day to you,
I pray, 'Lord, guide my steps in your will.'
But like the desert fathers falling down and getting up again
my journey to you, O my God,
has its valleys and its hills.
Yet I hear your voice through all the noise,
your light guides me through this isolating world!
Lord, you help me!
Lord, you are my God!

Jesus Christ, the things you ask are hard to do;
help my unbelief that I might follow you.
Hold me close, don't ever let me walk far away,
or else I'll stumble and I'll lose my way
back to you, O God.

Alleluia!

Day Seven

That's not me but that was what my day was like...sorta. It was relaxing---not very exciting. Except for watching home videos of the "good ole days" at the Braun's.

We happened upon Fr. Wayne's elevation to Archpriest and believe you me if Sean was the one with the beard, vestments and glasses he would be Fr. Michael's clone!

Day Six ---Just Barely

Exciting day. Very busy. Definitely not a normal day. Good night for now I will blog later about it.


(This picture is of my family and our close friends the Fogles.)

Day Five

Sean and me having our farewell to steak dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Happy Meatfare!

You're My Honeybunch

You'll love this video

Day Four

Today, The Dr. Laura Doll says, "Please don't argue with me...it makes me testy."




Spent lots of time studying anatomy today. Oh, joy.

Day Three

I made meatloaf!!!! Yay!!!!

You Are...

I took a personality test online. 30 questions, etc.

You Are An INFP

The Idealist You are creative with a great imagination, living in your own inner world. Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships. It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close. But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop. You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

What's Your Personality Type?

Well, no big news. I thought that it was cool.

Day Two

Babysitting-for-Allister-day. Isn't he sweet?

Day One

For the next thirty days, I'll be doing a "daily life photojournal." (Sara had been doing this but her camera had a tragic accident.


Basically this is what I'll do: Titled 30 days of living, the series is meant to capture daily life over a period of thirty days. I may use words, as Sara did, to explain the picture or pictures.

(I'll still post some random thoughts)
Laundry Day



Ahhh a breaks from school. I spent most of the morning reading.

Gave three massages.














Well, I never said my life was interesting.