Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day, Lent

All at once--so much going on.  Class on Ash Wednesday was very good, though a bit long since we were given a mission of picking music for church services Sunday.  Even that provided fodder for good conversation.  Still, by the time I got home, figured out what to "do" for dinner, and looked at the clock I didn't really want to do the dash to church for the Ash Wednesday Service.  Some regret there, as I always enjoy Taize and the placing of the ashes on my forehead is a seriously sacred moment.  But if there's one thing I'm learning lately, it's that I can't do everything and keep my family life on an even keel at the same time.

So, for Valentine's Day I treated my husband to a day for "just us."  I did go to the gym, but afterwards was coffee and scones and relaxing back home before going to lunch (his favorite, soup and salad at Olive Garden) and topping off the afternoon with a movie.  We don't do "date" days very often so it's always special.

And Lent.  When I last visited my brother and his family in California I discovered hidden object games on the computer.  Keith and Jenny both like them and Jenny did warn me that they could be addictive--and she was 100% correct!  A wonderful combination of logic, hidden object screens, puzzles, and just plain "figuring things out."  My husband, by the way, was not enamored with this new distraction in my life and I've literally had to set timers when I get on the computer to "play."  So for Lent I'm giving up computer games and will be devoting the time instead to study or reading.  This will be a very good thing!