Talking fruit

I like to browse the web to see what information I can find on certain things. Sometimes I find it even when I'm not looking for it on a particular day when I was unsuccessful another time before.

I want to give a tip of the hat to Marion Owen where I found her site here:
http://www.plantea.com/genetically-modified-foods.htm

I was always wondering how I'd be able to tell the difference with foods that have been genetically modified. From everything I read about it...frankly, it scares me. I had just finished canning nectarines and peaches yesterday and of course I had to peel off the stickers and wash and I always thought it was annoying having the stickers on but it is used to scan them of course at the checkout.
Those stickers do more than that! It tells you how the fruit was grown!

Here is basically how it works:

For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8. For example:

A conventionally grown banana would be:   4011
An organic banana would be: 94011
A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011

So of course I went right to my box of peaches that I still had left and checked the stickers...thankfully they were conventionally grown. Now that I'm a better informed consumer, I can make conscious choices about the foods I buy and eat. And it puts ease to my mind that I can tell the difference...all thanks to these little stickers that I don't think I find so annoying anymore!

May is here!

May is finally here! With it brings warmer weather, birds singing early in the morning, spirits seem more lifted, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
My parents celebrated their 42nd anniversary on the 3rd and Mother's day has come and gone. My two older kids got up earlier than usual just to make me breakfast in bed...a bagel and a glass of milk. :) They were pretty excited to do it. lol! Then they gave me their gifts that they made at school. Then I just relaxed most of the day...at least when I could. lol! Being a mom is a 24/7 job. ;)
My older daughter will be making her First Communion this Sunday. I don't know if she truly understands the significance...don't get me wrong...she knows what happens and the bread and wine truly become the body and blood but I often wonder if they truly understand it. I pray she does and if not now then soon. It's a wonderful intimate time when one receives Jesus. Though I can only remember snippets of my first Communion back in 1978. I remember my parents borrowed a white dress from friends of theirs and they bought me new white shoes. There were many of us kids there and afterwards we all went to a building on the base (I lived on a military base) and had cake and pop. I remember both my parents were there. My dad never went to church even though he is Catholic but for the special times in my life in the church like baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, my dad was there. My mom was the one who took us to church every week and took us to Sunday School classes.
I was lucky to find a white dress for my daughter...a friend was selling a white flower-girl dress cheap and it fit her perfectly. It seemed just when I was looking for a dress for her, the opportunity just seemed to fall in my lap! :) Praise God! He is so good! I'm glad I was looking for one last year when I did as I didn't know how long it would take for me to find a white dress. :)
The weather has been getting better. I remember last year one day a week for each week in May it snowed. My grandmother always thought that when it snows in May it's blessed because May is the month of Mary. My mom told me about being sent outside when it snowed to eat some snow whenever it snowed in May. I guess we needed lots of blessings last year as it snowed often in May. LOL! ;)  This year so far it hasn't snowed so we shall see.
Another good thing about the month of May is the Farmer's Market starts. We always have one in the nearby mini-mall indoors but this one is outside and I love it! I can't wait till the fruit and vegetables come out on sale among other things that people make and craft.
Oh...about the washer that we were waiting for the part to come in...well after a few weeks the guy said he just ordered it. (even though he told me after he looked at the washer he ordered it) Then it came in and it was the wrong part. He ordered it again and again it was the wrong one. So after talking with the manufacturer, etc. they are going to give us a new washer to replace the one that broke only after having it for 6 months. Not sure when we are going to get it and I'm not in a hurry as I prefer the older models than these new technological gadgets.

One thing after another

Ever have one of those days, weeks or even months if you are so unfortunate to have one thing after another happen...or it seems like it. My household this month has had dealing with teachers and bullies, everyone being sick at one point with colds, flu and most recently my daughter is getting over pink eye.
Then there are the household things that go wrong...the door to one of the drawers came off...not sure how I'll fix that yet, the bottom drawer of the stove is busted and our new washer even though under warranty is busted. The repair man informed me that the part that is needed is on back order and can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. So I had to wash the clothes by hand and wring them out. My hands became raw but I managed to get four small loads done and the dryer was working over time trying to dry them. One good thing...a friend who works at a furniture store was able to get me a used washer on loan till I can get my new dryer fixed. The dishwasher doesn't work either. That's no big deal right now...I'm used to washing dishes by hand all my life. :)
My older 2 kids got their 2nd term report cards. The oldest, my son had a wonderful report card. My daughter...not so good. Compared to her 1st term she did alot worse this time round. I'm not sure how I'm going to get her to improve. I've asked her to try harder but it's not enough. I have a meeting with her this afternoon after school to see what we can do to help her to improve.
She is doing fine with her lessons for preparing for her first communion though and I'm hoping after the retreat and her interview that she will be ready to recieve communion in May.
This summer I will have to find a way to get up to the city (as I have no vehicle) with my son and get new orthotics...if I can manage saving up for them. He grows so fast and they are four hundred dollars each time we get new ones when his feet grow.
This is just some of the things I am working with and I know being a single mom isn't easy. Prayer and going to Mass keeps me going as well as just writing it down...despite my burden being heavy and I feel tired most of the time I'm doing okay. :) I just have to remember to ask God to help me carry it when it's too heavy for me. Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest..." I can also turn this over to God and offer it up to him for others. We all could use a helping hand in some way and I know there are others who are worse off then I am. Look at all those who are in Japan who are suffering...earthquake, tsunami and radiation.
Another thing that helps me is to think of the blessings I have in my life...things that bring me joy...that bring a smile to my face. My children bring me much joy and those far outweigh the difficulties that being a parent can bring. To hear the news of a friend whom I've been praying for because of tremendous struggle can see a light at the end of the tunnel and by next month will be starting a new life...like a clean slate and will be there in spirit when she celebrates with her close friends and family. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

      
       May angels gather round your door and bring you peace forever more.
     Some people love this day...other's don't. I can understand not liking some of the things that goes on this day...like all the drinking. My friend has to work tonight (he's head bouncer) at the lounge because last year he had to literally toss out a couple drunks being unruly and have one arrested. Why people feel the need to get plastered on this day is beyond me. For fun? There are better ways to do that. Though there is one woman I know who is pagan and doesn't like this whole day at all...and she is Irish too. I don't bother try to argue or get into a discussion about St. Patrick's day as she gets so angry and riled up about it all.
      In Ireland I believe they have the day off and many go to Mass on this day. I have made sure my kids know who St. Patrick was and then I let them be kids by having a little fun with them. Last night my two older kids made their own traps to catch a leprechaun. This year I couldn't find any chocolate gold coins for them to find at the end of the treasure hunt. So I had to use a box of Lucky Charms cereal. Their traps didn't catch any leprechauns but a piece of his clothing seemed to have been caught in one. ;)
     The treasure hunt was they had to find the coloured envelopes which held clues to the next one till they find the "treasure". They also had Green day at school so they tried to find green to wear. My son had me spray paint his hair green with the halloween green hair spray as well as wearing pins, hats and the like. So they will probably have fun today at school. :)
     So play safe out there today and enjoy it. :)

Bullies

     I was planning on posting sooner but the way things go in life that needs to be taken care of first...like almost everyone in the family becoming ill. Of course when mom gets ill she can't really stop to take care of herself much as we have things that need to be done...especially when there are kids that need to be taken care of. :) I have managed though and even though I'm still feeling a little off today, I do feel better than yesterday. Praise God!
     Thurday after my older two returned from school my son was upset. Poor guy...he wears his heart on his sleeve so when something upsets him or is flustered, he cries...alot like the way I was and still am. He is dealing with bullies of not only kids but his teacher. My son tries to deal with it as best he can as per his request like when his teacher insulted him. He wanted to deal with it and told her not to say things like that to him. So far she hasn't but he will tell me if she does. This time though I had to step in. I spoke first to his teacher about dealing with the bully. She said she would talk to him. So I will have my son let me know if the bully continues to bother him.
     His teacher doesn't believe him with anything he says it seems. Despite the fact he received a certificate for honesty and trustworthiness she seems to not take this into consideration about his character. I raise my kids to be honest and trustworthy and they do try to do this...and obviously my son is doing it well. But she won't believe him. Whether they be small things...or things that are a bigger deal.
     I don't know if his teacher has been mean to other kids or she is just targeting my son and just doesn't like him but I will be writing a long letter to the principle about her conduct. Writing things down helps me to remember things as if I just walked in to her office to discuss it there will be things I will forget that I want to make a point of letting her know.
     It's hard enough with my son dealing with bullies who are kids but he should never have to deal with a bully who is a teacher. I have been stewing in anger over this so I've been praying to God to help me release this anger. I pray other kids in the past haven't had to deal with such treatment from this teacher. I've never come across a teacher like this. Last year his marks were high, as well as his spirits. His last teacher was so wonderful...she listened, she cared.
     I know what it's like to be bullied and more and more kids I find are killing themselves because of bullies than ever before and I won't stand for it with my kids...I will make sure it is taken care of. If the teacher or principle won't do anything then I will be banging on doors to speak with the parents if I have to. I just hope the parents are not as bad as the children if I do.
     Kids can be so mean and horrible that those who are victims of being bullied are affected for many years to come. And...its not just kids that are dealing with bullies now-a-days. Adults as well are getting into it. You would think they would be old enough to know better but they don't.
     This is what I posted in my status on facebook...
"The one you just called fat? She has been starving herself and has lost over 30 lbs. The one you just called stupid? She has a learning disability and studies over 4 hrs. every night. The one you just called ugly? She spends hours putting on makeup hoping people will like her. The one you just tripped? She is abused enough at home."
     As St. John Chrysostom once said, "Be kind to everyone you meet - they are all fighting a great battle." And we need to...with kids as well at the adults.

Ash Wednesday...

Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we begin the discipline of Lent, make this season holy by our self-denial. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

     Yesterday was Ash Wednesday...the start of the season of Lent. Many Christians use this time to observe this period with fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline which prepares us for Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Last night I took my 2 older kids with me to this Mass. We go every year of course and as we received the ashes we are told, "Remember, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shall return." or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." The ashes are a symbol of penance and contrition and we receive these out of devotion and remind us of our mortality. They also remind us that God is gracious and merciful to all who call on Him with repentant hearts. The ashes originated in the Old Testament times
     The ashes are made from the blessed palms used on Palm Sunday from the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water before being placed on our foreheads.
     My kids asked me almost as soon as they got to their seats if they could wipe them off...they didn't like the ashes on their foreheads. It seems like it made them fidget more. I guess for many it can make us do just that...makes us stop and look deep inside us...for many its a place they just don't want to look.
     Lent can be a good time to take that closer look that we might be hesitant or even afraid to do. It can teach us humility...to realize that there are things we need to work on. I know I have a few I'd like to work on. ;) But we need to remember that we can't do this alone. We need to pray to God to help us know what needs to be changed and to help us do it. Something all of us can do is to commit ourselves to be more reflective this Lent. When you find something to work on, pray about it, ask God to help and don't give up if you fall. Just pick yourself up and keep going. Failure isn't in the falling...it's when you don't pick yourself up again that you fail.