Wow

This is well worth thinking about. What is Social Networking Doing to Our Brains?
Are Facebook friends real friends? Is Twitter a "really" friendly way to communicate? Are we eroding our capacity to communicate in a meaningful way by networking on Facebook and Twitter and message boards? I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that questions like these keep me up at night as I ponder the answers for myself and for my children. Who should have a Facebook page? Can teens navigate the same emotions and intricacies of friendship that they've navigated for generations, while being limited (or not limited?) to text mesages and writings on a virtual wall? Where is this all going? How is that someone can have 400 friends and still be very lonely? Can we really express ourselves in 140 characters or fewer several times a day? Should we?

HT: Danielle Bean via Twitter
And that Hat Tip itself is a conundrum because Danielle is most definitely a REAL friend and she just got me thinking for REAL via a tweet...hmmm...

Small Successes ~ Volume 6

1
I made a plan for Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday and managed to get to every meaningful activity and conversation I wanted to have. Hopefully, we've set the tone for a peaceful and productive Lent.

2
I made my peace with Facebook and Twitter. After almost two weeks playing with both, I've decided that Twitter works to fill in the gap since I stopped posted to Faithful Over Little Things. I installed a Twitter update on the lefthand sidebar and will occasionally let you know what's happening in our house. some days, I'll focus on the academic pursuits, some days the homemaking, some days the domestic church. and sometimes, I imagine, it will be all mixed together. Twitter updates Facebook, which is fine with me. I'm not a huge fan of Facebook and would prefer to just hang out here on my blog. If you want to talk to me, I still think e-mail works best. Or better yet, we could talk. Like with our voices.

3
I have absolutely no housekeeping successes at all this week. But I have held and rocked and comforted a needy baby. And I have had endless conversations with restless, emotional teenagers. I've given this vocation my very best effort and I've trusted that God's grace is sufficient. It doesn't look like much on the outside, but that's the mystery of God's inside. And I admit that I am holding fast to the fact that Katie told me in all seriousness that I am the best mom she knows. What she doesn't know is how nice it was to hear.

~

What are your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the back. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes. Share them at Faith and Family Live! 

New Menu Plan for Lent

I'm on a roll! There's a new menu plan for Lent at Kitchen Comforts. Now I have the foundation for a grocery list. I'll link recipes when I get a few minutes (or I can get Mary Beth to do it).
Did I mention that the lesson plans are ready for the week? Makes a big difference to have Mike home on a weekend day. I'll take it.:-)

Barbara Curtis Thanks You!

So many of you responded with graciousness and generosity when I posted about Barbara Curtis and the challenges her family was facing late last year. Barbara sent me this note weeks ago and it got lost in my hopelessly disorganized email. My apologies to you and to Barbara!

To Elizabeth and your readers -

Thank you so much for makingthis the richest Advent/Christmas season of our lives. As new Catholics, Tripp and I rejoiced in your boxes and gifts which helped us learn to celebrate with our children the feasts and remembrances which will now have a special place in our hearts.

It has been an incredible experience to receive such spiritual riches from members of the Body of Christ - humbling and terrifying, perhaps the way Peter felt when Jesus knelt to wash his feet.  So unworthy, yet with no choice but to accept.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.  May God bless you and your families for blessing others this way,

Love,
Barbara Curtis

Keep on Praying

Some of you will remember praying for Elizabeth, a mother of five who is battling breast cancer. She's gotten news in the last week that is discouraging and the hill she has to climb looks steeper. I know the online Catholic community to be one of untiring prayer warriors. As Lent approaches, won't you please grab the button and put it on your sidebar as a reminder to yourself and to all your visitors to offer prayers and sacrifices for this dear mother and her family?

For today, Elizabeth is in surgery at noon, east coast time. Your prayers are so appreciated!
Copy the button directly and save it to your computer to upload. If you have problems or need the code, please contact Michele Quigley, who so graciously designed a button that's "so Elizabeth."