Want to see some photos Scott and I took of our hooligans and of the "wildlife" in our yard (which are sometimes the same things)? Check out my Flickr page!

Look at the image at left. Now read this:

Bubba after Mass yesterday:

Daddy, why do all the people in heaven wear helmets?

Scott and I just got back from seeing Iron Man. It was awesome!!!!!  I am not a huge comic book fan, although I did get into the X-men as a teenager and I have attended at least one Star Trek Convention, but I knew who Iron Man is.  This was a great movie.  I hope it does well because I want a sequel.  Fanboys, stay till the end of the credits.  You'll hate yourself if you don't.  And girls, Robert Downey Jr.  is way hotter in this movie than Patrick Dempsey.  Do your husband/boyfriend a favor and suggest this movie.  Don't make him go see Made of Honor.  Pay to see Iron Man then next weekend, rent My Best Friend's Wedding.  

The Questionnaire by Bernard Pivaut

You've all seen it at the end of "Inside The Actors' Studio." James Lipton asks these questions of the celebrities (because not all of them are stars, or for crying out loud, Actors-I'm looking at you Billy Joel!) he's been cozying up to for the last hour.

You've probably answered these questions yourself while watching the show. Now you can answer them on your blog. And I will be tagging this time. Get ready!

1. What is your favorite word? yes.

2. What is your least favorite word? no.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? positivity

4. What turns you off? complaining. Doesn't keep me from doing it, though!

5. What is your favorite curse word? Hmmm.... should I be like Faye Dunaway and say something like, "Oh Heck!" or should I be truthful? This is a family blog, after all. OK: s*&t.

6. What sound or noise do you love? Laughter

7. What sound or noise do you hate? Three: the alarm clock, jackhammers, whining

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? professional singer

9. What profession would you not like to do? firefighter. God bless those of you who are firefighters. I just don't think I could do it.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Not too shabby, kiddo. Come on in.

I tag: Aimee, Barb, Penni, Kate P., and Maureen (who can answer as her real self or as "Maureen" would. I'd love to see how "Maureen Martin" would answer some of these questions.

And now for your viewing pleasure: Will Ferrell as James Lipton:

Yesterday, one of our diocese's bishops came to the parish for Confirmation.  It was a great day all around for everyone.  I'm glad the stress of getting ready for this day is over.  But I wanted to share with you something that happened yesterday that made me just stand back and praise God.

In our parish, the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred in 8th grade.  The kids are all 13 and 14 years old and they bring with them to their classes and other sacrament preparation all of the things that 13 and 14 year old people are into (and not into).  

There is one young man who I had the pleasure of working with one-on-one for some of his Sacrament prep.  And he seemed really serious when he and I worked together.  

Then there is his other personality: the one he has when he is with his other 13 and 14 year old friends.  This is the personality I am a little bit more familiar with.  The "Why do I have to stalk you to get you to turn in your paperwork" personality.  The "Can I go to the bathroom 50 million times so I can meet my friend in the bathroom to talk" personality.  This "split personality" is pretty typical of the teenage animal  (But indeed, when it comes to "God stuff," don't we all suffer from this a bit?).  It doesn't bother me as much as it used to.  

Well, it being Saturday, Confessions started at 1:00.  Confirmation Mass was at 2.  This young man was in church at 1:30, when the kids and their sponsors were to be gathering to process into Mass.  I was sort of taken aback.  I thought at first he was hanging out, but none of his friends were there.  I thought about telling him to go on downstairs, but I'm glad I didn't.  He was there for confession.  When I talked to his mom after Mass, she said that he wanted to get to church early so that he could go to Confession.  I was surprised that he even knew that confession was going on then.  

You've really got to hand it to mom and dad.  They are doing it right.  They have set an excellent example for their son and they ought to be quite proud.  

Let's pray for T. that he will use the gift of courage that he received sacramentally yesterday to stand up for what is right, to set an example for his friends to stay close to Jesus in His Church.  Let us pray for his mom and dad that they may never tire of doing the right thing by their kids.