All of the Catholics I know need to get a calendar. It seems that every year Ash Wednesday sneaks up on all of us. Everywhere I went yesterday I heard people saying, ” I can’t believe it is already Ash Wednesday!”

Shocking as it maybe, it was Ash Wednesday and off we went in droves get our ashes. Like every other busy mom in the world I tried to find the closest prayer service as opposed to the mass so we could be in and out and on with our busy lives. What I discovered was that some churches were doing literal “drive thru” ashes. People weren’t even getting out of the cars! I couldn’t believe it. Being some what old school I made my kids get out of the car and actually go inside the church. For some reason that seems okay to me even though it’s only a smidge better than the drive thru. What can I say I hate change.

Once we figure out how to get ashes we have to contemplate what sinful thing we would like to give up for the next 40 days.  Twitter compiled a list of the top 100 things people tweeted about giving up for Lent this year.

2014 Twitter Lent Tracker: Top 100 

Some of the ideas are pretty typical like food items like chocolate, sweets, fries & soda. Food is always the most popular thing to give up. Other top choices were swearing, instagram, selfies & facebook.

Clearly some people were not really paying attention in religious education class because they tweeted they are giving up religion and catholicism. However, since everyone on Twitter things they are hilarious I am sure those were in jest.

I think my favorite tweet was the person who is giving up snow. I think we can all relate to that one.

My middle daughter has decided to give up candy. Too broad of thing in my opinion. I tried to get her to be more specific like skittles or starburst but she is adamant. This morning she wouldn’t eat breakfast because all we had were Cocoa Pebbles, I know, I know not so healthy but not candy! However she refused because they are chocolate flavored and therefore: candy. Love having a heated debate while we are getting ready for school and work over whether or not cereal is candy. If it is chocolate flavored than clearly it must be candy. In the end she won and I think it is going to be a long 40 days.