"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
Oh my goodness, what a week you have had!!
I’m so glad you found out what it is and I’m very glad to know that this can happen and what to do for it, you sure do learn something new and useful every day!!
I hope you have a terrific and peaceful weekend.. as peaceful as one can have with kids!!
Blessings
WOW! I am so glad that you got a handle on that infection before others in the family caught it! I have prayed for healing for your son.
I am a homeschooling mom to 8 and just wanted to stop in and say hello!
Visit my blog sometime!
MamaArcher’s Blog
Poor Sam! My family also deals with MRSA. It is awful, just awful. We’ve all done the ointment in the nose. Tasted terrible to me (I have a sensitive pallette), but the husband couldn’t taste it at all, he just found it annoying. My baby (now 14 months old) had a terrible infection when she was just 2 weeks old! My older one hasn’t had one since we fixed her iron deficiency (something you might want to check with your doctor on for Sam, since those things can also go whacky during adolescentce). Iron deficiency taxes the immune system like a chronic illness. The baby just had a second, very minor one, but it was small enough (I’m now super-trained to see them), that it was just drained and then her body fought it off.
One of the funny recommendations my doctor gave me was to put some bleach (1 tsp per gallon) into their bath water. It smells to be about the concentration of a swimming pool. Since all of our infections have been skin-based, we tried it for the first time last night.
And I don’t know how much this had to do with it, but we used to have seriously old carpet in the main living areas of our home. My older daughter also had ringworm (yes, we had a really rough winter last year) which was mistaken for eczema, alond with several of these MRSA infections. I threw up my hands, looked around, and thought, “I wonder what is living in this carpet!” We ripped it out in January and replaced it with Pergo flooring. Since the switch, we have only had two infections considering the entire family! Kasandra (my older one) hasn’t had one since March!
I’ve always tried to keep stuff clean, but I’ll admit I’m also more liberal with the bleach, especially in the bathroom. I do hope you don’t deal with this as often as I have! Although it is a small comfort that all of our infections have been under our clothes.
Wow! I am really glad to know all that.
Elena, your family is in my prayers. Sending extra energy your way!
Wow, I saw a few different articles in waiting-room-magazines on MRSA and it was scary! I’m glad Sam was able to get diagnosed right away.
Oh, I was afraid it was MRSA. That’s nasty, and now it out in many communities. I’ve never heard of putting ointment in your nose, though. I know we have it in the house, but there’s no point in my trying to disinfect for it, my husband works in the ER and would just bring home a fresh batch the next day. Oh good luck with it, you and your family are in our prayers.
PS- You have reached heights of “uncool mom”ness for blogging about your teenager’s acne. 😉