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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 20, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 20, 2016

Outside my window… dark. It was cloudy and around 71F earlier today. We had a couple sprinkles in my area and I think there was some rain in the hills.

I am thinking… that I’ll be happy with some more rain to tamp down the pollen. Everyone in the house who is awake is having to lie back propped up on pillows because we’re all coughing from allergies.

I am thankful… for a chance to be a reader for the Passion reading at the end of worship today. I did well enough that my priest is going to put me in the rotation to be a lector. Woohoo!!!

In the kitchen… my dad made steak tonight and it was incredibly tender. So good.

I am wearing… charcoal v-neck and black sweats. (I’m lying in bed in my jammies.)

I am going… to Target tomorrow for my prescriptions and some more cough drops!

I am wondering… when Jahi McMath’s family is going to accept that she is not going to wake up. I remember when her case happened in Oakland 2 years ago — there were pediatric intensive care specialists from all over northern California who were brought in to do tests (three who were not affiliated at all with the hospital) and all of them declared her brain dead. If they were to take her off of life support, she would be dead in a very short period of time. Her mom is arguing that her kid has the same rights as any other disabled kid and I understand her argument; but her “disability” isn’t the same as a kid who has cerebral palsy or Tay-Sachs or a kid who just needs oxygen at night. The machines are breathing for her and keeping her alive and at a prohibitively high cost of care. (Seriously, I don’t know how her family is affording that level of care.) It would be nore merciful to just her go gently into this good night… and I say this as someone who has had to sign paperwork for ECMO and who has watched their kid code.

I am reading… Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I’m only at about 20% completion so my Holy Week is going to involve a bit of reading!

I am hoping… this bleeping cough goes away!

I am looking forward to… quiet tomorrow while Daniel is at school.

I am hearing… my dad knocking on my bedroom door. He just handed me a bag of Ricola and told me to start sucking on those because obviously my cough drops aren’t doing squat for me!

A Daniel story for today… Kiddo ended up with contact dermatitis as a result of playing on grass in shorts for a long time on Friday. The hives are better but I feel so bad for the kid that it even happened!

Around the house… people trying to go to sleep. So far, I think only my mom and Daniel have succeeded!

A favorite quote for today… “If you’d like to experience a profound #passionlive, please attend a local Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, or other church for the Triduum.” — a tweet from Rev. Laurie Brock while she was live-tweeting “The Passion”

One of my favorite things… my parents’ grey cat Homer who was asleep on my bed up until a few minutes ago. (He had appointments…)

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands tomorrow, collateral services meeting on Tuesday, Morning Prayer with Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, possibly Maundy Thursday worship on Thursday (I would have to bring the kid and it’s during his bedtime), Good Friday worship at noon on Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday.

A peek into my day… regardless of whether or not you believe in evolution, this is an interesting video.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 13, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 13, 2016

Outside my window… rainy. It’s absolutely spectacular to have a rainy weekend here.

I am thinking… about some of the things that are happening this week. It’s not going to be as abnormal as last week but it will be relatively busy.

I am thankful… for the Dimetapp which finally helped get the kiddo to sleep at 1 a.m. after he woke up coughing. *shakes fist at all the pollen in the air*

In the kitchen… I think Dad is making steak tonight.

I am wearing… burgundy top from Old Navy and black sweats from Target.

I am going… to try and get caught up on my temperature afghan this week or at least get caught up with recording the temperatures. (My illness threw me off a bit.)

I am wondering… the structure of the readings in the Coptic lectionary. (Laura will have an email in her box tonight. :))

I am reading… Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I still have Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber on my NOOK and got a little bit of that read this past week.

I am hoping… to get some walks in this week now that the bronchitis is (almost) gone and the rain should be going away. Now if only the bursitis would take a hike!

I am looking forward to… the games night on Saturday. Bob is making red beans and rice and someone else is bringing corn bread.

I am hearing… Coptic liturgical music (I’m keeping their Lenten fast so I’m checking out their music) and my dad drilling various things into walls.

A Daniel story for today… when I took the precious sweetling to Target on Friday to get his happy meds refilled, I was telling him “first shopping, then toys.” (First/then statements are an ABA thing.) Daniel’s response: “OK. Buh-bye.” I seriously need to record myself saying it the way he does because it was ADORABLE.

Around the house… Dad is attaching towel rods now that the painting of various bathrooms is done.

A favorite quote for today… I found this on Facebook and thought it was appropriate.

Political wisdom from the Lakota.

One of my favorite things… a fire in the fireplace on a rainy night.

A few plans for the rest of the week: catching up on things tomorrow morning, psych appointment for the kid on Tuesday, knitting/crocheting group on Tuesday night, morning prayer/Bible study/choir on Thursday, psych appointment for me on Friday, and games night on Saturday.

A peek into my day… I love this cover of “The Sounds of Silence” by the artist Disturbed. I’m a huge Simon & Garfunkel fan so I appreciate how he was faithful to the original song while giving it kind of a metal spin.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

{five favorites}: Miscellanea (LIX)

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#5Faves

One

Progresso Creamy Roasted Chicken Wild Rice Soup. When I went to Target on Saturday for Sudafed, I picked some of this soup up as well. Yes, I realize that it is not vegan and totally not siyami. Oh well… bronchitis trumps fasting.

Two

So Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Milk “Creamer”. My mom has been making me lattés with this since I got sick last week. It is awesome and saves me money by not depending on $tarbux for my coffee.

Three

Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I haven’t gotten super far with this yet because I’m reading it on my phone but I’m liking it and will probably read a fair amount tonight after the kid goes to sleep.

Four

This post from Jamie. Jamie of Jamie the Very Worst Missionary posted on having to take Zoloft 3 years ago and shared it again this week because she decided to go off her meds. That did not go well. As someone who has spent close to half her life on various meds for depression and anxiety, I recommend reading it.

Five

Bunmi Laditan. If you don’t follow her on Facebook, run and do it! She is hysterically funny. She’s the amazing mind behind Honest Toddler.

Go love up Ashley and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 6, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 6, 2016

Outside my window… sunny after getting smacked by a monster rainstorm with high winds last night. We even lost power briefly. This meant my dad built a fire in the fireplace last night which brings back childhood memories of power outages where we’d be playing cards around the fire or reading around the fire.

I am thinking… about whether or not to try and find an urgent care today that will take my Medi-Cal or waiting until tomorrow and taking the chance that my doctor can’t see me during Daniel’s school hours. (My allergies are now full-on bronchitis.)

I am thankful… for my parents. My mom has Daniel outside playing so that I can be in bed resting right now. My mom also made me one of the best coffee drinks ever this morning.

In the kitchen… Dad is making shrimp pasta tonight which is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, my Lenten discipline of keeping a Coptic fast is suspended until I heal from this because I’m seriously needing chicken soup.

I am wearing… charcoal fitted shirt from Old Navy and navy/white striped pajama bottoms from Target.

I am going… to be doing the lectionary reading for today and listening to a friend’s sermon later.

I am wondering… if I can get a nap in this afternoon.

I am reading… Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. I’m not very far into it but I am liking it thus far.

I am hoping… I can see my doctor tomorrow and don’t have to spend the morning calling around to find an urgent care that will take my Medi-Cal.

I am looking forward to… not coughing up a lung or having to swallow shots of Robitussin every 4 hours.

I am hearing… a game on Daniel’s Kindle Fire.

A Daniel story for today… I attended the kid’s IEP meeting on Wednesday and discovered that someone can say “I want iPad” when he goes to see his speech therapist. We are now requiring him to use “I want” whenever he asks for something and he said, “I want a cookie!” on Wednesday afternoon after we started requiring it.

Around the house… the usual cleaning, painting, etc.

A favorite quote for today… “Vestry retreats do not need exercises with yarn. Yarn does not sow seeds of transformation. Jesus does. Yarn is good for knitting scarves.”– tweet from Rev. Tim Schenck of Clergy Confidential and Lent Madness

One of my favorite things… naps.

A few plans for the rest of the week: seeing a doctor in the next day or two, avoiding painters at home, meeting on Tuesday morning for collateral support for Daniel, Bible study and choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

Post Script…

Thank you to everyone who has continued to offer me support right now. It means the world to me.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 22, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 22, 2016

Outside my window… dark and in the low 50’s. It hit 71F this afternoon which is nice… but I still want some rain.

I am thinking… about what I have on tap this week. I’m *STILL* flattened from Saturday’s events.

I am thankful… that Saturday went off almost perfectly without any problems. For those not aware, I flew down to Ontario, met my twin brother at the airport (he had flown in from Tacoma) took a taxi to get the U-Haul truck, and found out upon arriving that they had given away our truck. We ended up having to take Uber from Ontario to Pomona, pick up the truck there, head to my in-laws’ house in Claremont, pack up my stuff, and drive the truck back up to San Jose. The U-Haul sitch stunk but it was what it was and they gave us a $50 credit which was way more than we needed for the Uber ride. I’m glad I got the extra time with Sean (my brother) as we don’t see each over very often and it was some good one-on-one time.

In the kitchen… Dad found me some *interesting* Tofurkey sausage so I had that for dinner and it was pretty good.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black capri sweats.

I am going… to try and get to bed early tonight. Saturday still has me flattened.

I am wondering… about who will get the nomination from each party… and why we can’t just skip to that right now!

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber and Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

I am hoping… to get caught up on everything this week.

I am looking forward to… coffee on Thursday with Rebecca.

I am hearing… Dad watching TV.

A Daniel story for today… the little monster had a wonderful time playing Legos with Uncle Sean while I was at church yesterday. This warms my heart.

Around the house… the usual sorting/packing/painting.

A favorite quote for today…

Drama llamas beware!

One of my favorite things… iced vanilla lattés with whole milk. Easter cannot come quickly enough!

A few plans for the rest of the week: calls, coffee dates with friends, sorting slides for my parents, and whatever comes up for the kid.

A peek into my day…

If this video doesn’t make you smile, I doubt you have a soul.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 15, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 15, 2016

Outside my window… dusk. According to Weather Underground, it was 77F today. I’m sure people on the east coast will throw things at me for saying this but… I miss rain and cold. It’s freaking February!

I am thinking… about my trip to southern California this coming weekend and various logistics associated with it.

I am thankful… for my dad working on mechanical engineering projects with Daniel (translation: playing Legos) while I slept this morning.

In the kitchen… tofu dogs and tater tots for me tonight. #lent #copticfast

I am wearing… burgundy Old Navy shirt and black capris.

I am going… to try and get some serious park time with the kid this week while he’s off of school for Winter Recess. I think it might rain on Wednesday or Thursday so that may not work.

I am wondering… if the kid will sleep through the night tonight. He was up at 6 or 6:30 this morning.

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. My Lenten reading is Calmness by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

I am hoping… for decent sleep tonight.

I am looking forward to… seeing my brother this weekend.

I am hearing… Daniel being whiny. It’s kind of amazing how a largely non-verbal kid can whine!

A Daniel story for today… we ran into my priest at the grocery store today and Daniel charmed the pants off of her.

Around the house… the buzzer just went off for laundry and my dad was doing some stuff in the garage.

A favorite quote for today… “The Son of God did not want to be seen and found in heaven. Therefore he descended from heaven into this humility and came to us in our flesh, laid himself into the womb of his mother and into the manger and went on to the cross. This was the ladder that he placed on earth so that we might ascend to God on it. This is the way you must take.” — Martin Luther

One of my favorite things… getting my taxes done early.

A few plans for the rest of the week: intake appointment for mental health services tomorrow morning, meeting with a therapist on Wednesday morning, psychiatrist appointment for the kid on Thursday, and flying down to southern California to pick up my stuff from my in-laws on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Pretend This Has A Cool Title, OK?

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Customer service shalom. This is a fabulous article on receiving customer service with grace. (HT:Thomas) I’m wishing that it had been around when I was a barista during the summer of 2000 as there were some pretty nasty customers that came into my Barnes and Noble.

— 2 —

Prayer request. Please keep the family of baby Aiden Hall in prayer. Aiden was the nephew of one of my church kids from Minnesota and was born last month at 29 weeks because of his mom’s preeclampsia and weighed in at 1 lb 14.2 oz. (Does this sound somewhat familiar?) Anyway, baby Aiden started having seizures this morning and passed away this afternoon. Please keep parents DJ and Lisa and big brother Liam in prayer as they deal with this heartbreak.

— 3 —

Celebrating life as well. In better news than the last take, Agnes had her baby!!!!! She is a serious cutie pie too. 🙂

— 4 —

For Ash Wednesday This Week. Rachel Held Evans posted a chapter from Searching for Sunday on ashes. I recommend reading it even though Ash Wednesday was yesterday.

— 5 —

*facepalm* In the “Trending” column on Facebook are articles on how state Medicaids are having to ration Hepatitis C medications because of the cost. Huh. Other first world countries don’t have this problem. Guess why? BECAUSE THEY REGULATE THEIR PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES!!!! Tell me again how deregulation is a good thing. I dare you.

— 6 —

Lent update. We were talking about Jesus being tempted in the desert today at the lectionary Bible study and we got into a big discussion on food. It was a good reminder that my hunger pangs last night were something that Jesus went through when Satan was tempting Him. It also brought to mind Laura’s post on how to fast like a grown up. (A reminder: Laura won the right to pick my Lenten discipline so I’m keeping a cheater version of her fast.)

— 7 —

Valentines for Daniel’s class. As soon as I get these posted, I’m off to create some Valentines for Daniel’s class at school. If I was actually being a cool mom this year, I’d do something from Living Locurto like last year. Instead, I’m putting address labels with hearts onto bags of Mott’s® Medleys Fruit Flavored Snacks and calling it good. #slackermom

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.