(as she watched me scrub out the toilet)

Gabby: That is my favoritest job and you never let me do it.

***Updated to share this cute comic (one of my favorites!) that Shauna sent by email (click on image to see it larger).

I am not alone! I heard from more than a few of you after my last post about grammar and proper word usage, and so I thought maybe it would be fun to share some of our pet peeves here.

It’s a rainy Saturday, there’s nothing else to do, and we all might learn something new anyway. Let’s be language snobs. What mistakes bug you when you see them? The word “infer” when a writer really means “imply”? Mispronunciation of “mischievous”?

To get us started, I’ll share this one that makes me laugh and want to bang my head against the wall every time I hear it — misuse of the word “literally.” As in “When I told him the news, he literally blew up in my face.” Really? Wow.

Technorati Tags: mispronunciations, grammar mistakes

The part about “begging the question” in the cupcake post below, that is.

Did you know that when you write online, small words and phrases that you use with little thought to their proper usage are left up on the screen for people with altogether too much time on their hands, like my brother, to scrutinize and then email to correct you?

I stand corrected.

I accept this correction and hereby withdraw my previous begging of the question. But only because I want to reserve the right to remain snobby and smug about the proper use of “affect” and “effect,” “it’s” and “its,” and “lose” and “loose.” And please, big-time blogger whose name I will not mention, don’t ever let me catch you typing the words “deja view” again. Unless it’s a seriously clever play on words.

Technorati Tags: grammar, begging the question

You can read my latest column at InsideCatholic today:

Being There

I saw these beautiful butterflies in a recent issue of Woman’s Day and was tempted by them. Then this morning I was re-organizing some of our school stuff (read: throwing out a bunch junk papers and half-used workbooks) when I re-discovered the magazine. And here they are again online in all their temptingness. This is dangerous stuff. I am apt to plan a party just so that I can have an excuse to make them. Which begs the question: Which raises the question: Which comes first, the party or the cupcake?

Technorati Tags: cupcakes, butterflies, creative baking

Did you watch? Are you gratified?

Personally speaking, I was totally paid back for all my hours and hours of watching, all my hours and hours of “What the … ?” when Desmond and Penny kissed. For real. Does it get any better than that?

Have they hooked you enough for next season? I am easy and I admit it — I am so there.

Technorati Tags: lost, television series

Have you and your spouse survived serious marriage trouble? Have you ever considered divorce, but ultimately saved your marriage? Might you be willing to share your story (anonymously if you like) with Faith & Family magazine?

If so, please email me.

1. First, check out the School’s Out Sale (doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?) at Adoremus Books. Use coupon code “SUMMER8” to get 10% off your entire order. As always, there’s free shipping on all orders over $25.

2. Then, I have a reminder: There are only three more days to use the DanielleBean.com coupon code at HearthSong, Magic Cabin, ProblemSolvers, Plow & Hearth, or Wind & Weather.

You can get 10% off your total purchase by using the coupon code “DANYLBLOG” but the code will expire after May 31, 2008.
Just click on the links above or the buttons below. Happy shopping!

Technorati Tags: bargain shopping, online deals, coupon codes

From a woman whose husband struggles with an addiction to pornography:

We help one another. We’re faithful Catholics, we love God and we want nothing other than heaven. But we struggle, we are tempted, we fall, we hurt one another, and we forgive. We lift one another up in prayer. I am glad to know about his temptations, because now I can pray for this specifically every day. He has assured me that he loves me, wants only me, has no emotional attachment to anyone else, and I believe him. This has helped me a lot.

This anonymous commenter was reaching out and writing in response to another woman who shared that her husband has a similar problem. And this, my friends, is why I love what you all do with our weekly Coffee Talks. This is real help for real people who are struggling and hurting. This is so much bigger and more important than anything I could ever hope to accomplish on this blog.

So, even for the silly sharing, the small-problem sharing, and the not-quite-so-heavy sharing you do here each week: Thank you. And God bless you.