Category Archives: Books/Magazines

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: Superbowl 2016 Edition

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 7, 2016

Outside my window… dark. It was in the 80’s today which is crazy for February in northern California. The Super Bowl was being played in my area so I have a feeling there were A LOT of prayers being lifted for good weather. The Blue Angels even decided to come party in my neighborhood… TWICE! #flyover #NorthernCaliforniaFTW

I am thinking… about how my week is looking and what I need to add to my planner.

I am thankful… for a relatively chill weekend.

In the kitchen… steak, baked potatoes, and caesar salad for dinner with spumoni and Lofthouse cookies for dessert. I think my parents have caught wind of my Lenten plans this year and are trying to make sure that the lead up to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday is fabulous.

I am wearing… navy shirt and black capri sweats.

I am going… for a walk tomorrow morning if I’m not in too much pain. *shakes fist at fibromyalgia*

I am wondering… about how to best blog on this. I wrote about it in 2012 when the lawsuit was cleared to go to trial. I feel horrible for the woman’s daughter — how awful must it be to know (if nobody has told her yet) that her mother views her as an inconvenience and sued because she didn’t get to abort her? It’s not like the daughter isn’t going to discover all of this later on if she ever googles herself.

I am reading… Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. I had to put A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley down because it was due at the library and I also wasn’t in a good place mentally to read it. Lenten reading is shaping up to be Calmness by H.H. Pope Shenouda III and Seven Last Words: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus by James Martin, S.J. which just came out in February.

I am hoping… for some direction as to how my life should go.

I am looking forward to… Lent Madness! It is, like, SOOOOOOOOO much cooler than the Super Bowl.

I am hearing… the TV on in my mom’s office.

A Daniel story for today… when the little monster wakes up in the middle of the night (usually when I’m trying to fall asleep), he turns to me and says “hi” before demanding milk/cheese/my credit card.

Around the house… the hall got painted on Friday and I think my parents are painting the hall ceiling on Tuesday.

A favorite quote for today… “But it was true. I was constantly surprised how the storied names of biblical locales popped up in the most familiar of circumstances: on a simple map, on a graffitied street sign, or in everyday conversations. ‘The traffic to Bethlehem was terrible last night!’ said a Jesuit over dinner one night. Which still didn’t beat ‘Gehenna is lovely.'” — James Martin, S.J. in Jesus: A Pilgrimage (which I *HIGHLY* recommend if you need Lenten reading this year)

One of my favorite things… people-watching during worship. Anyone who has ever sat with me in church should not be remotely surprised.

A few plans for the rest of the week: crocheting while watching Super Bowl commercials, making phone calls on Daniel’s behalf, ashes on Wednesday, Bible study/choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… This is just funny. #HoneyBadgersFTW

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now

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Colleen of Martin Family Moments posted her list of things that are saving her sanity so I’ve decided to join her and the others who are doing the link-up with Anne at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

[+] My temperature afghan. I’m still behind but it has given me something to do with my hands while I process other things happening in my life. It also helps me to focus at Bible study.

[+] Lent Madness. I am seriously looking forward to Lent Madness and the silliness that usually ensues as saints and holy people are pitted against each other to determine who wins the Golden Halo.

[+] Emergency Kittens. I’m not sure that people who hate this Twitter account actually have souls. Watching cute kitten videos and seeing wonderful cat pictures is the whole point of the Internet, right? It certainly cheers ME up! #crazycatlady

[+] Walks. When it isn’t raining and I’m not spending mornings at the federal courthouse curating Daniel’s SSI file, I love being able to go for walks and have some quiet prayer time. It also keeps the fibromyalgia at bay.

[+] Iced vanilla lattés. Because coffee needs to taste like ice cream.

[+] My NOOK. I love that I now have a portable library that fits in my purse. Currently on my NOOK: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

[+] Cross-Stitch World. Cross-Stitch World is the weirdest idea for a game/app ever but it works for me. It does for me what coloring does for other people apparently.

{five favorites}: Lenten Disciplines

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#5Faves

Unless you live under a rock or don’t attend a liturgical church, you probably know that Lent starts next week for the Western Church. (Those in the East have another month to go.) As I’ve now been at this for 20 years, I thought I’d share some of my favorite Lenten disciplines. Also… if you want a shot at picking mine for me, go here before Friday and enter by leaving me a comment.

One

Spiritual reading. For the last few years, I’ve had some kind of spiritual reading component as part of Lent. I’ve done Igniting Our Values, Bread and Wine, and A Season for the Spirit before.

My recommendations if you want some Lenten reading this year: any of the above as well as Jesus: A Pilgimage by James Martin, S.J., Seven Last Words by James Martin, S.J. (I haven’t read this yet but am looking forward to doing so based on his other works), A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans, and Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans.

Two

Crocheting a square every day. For fiber junkies like me, crocheting or knitting a square a day toward a blanket to be put together after Easter is a good way to be mindful of the season and also get some creativity in. Bonus points if you can pray while doing it.

Three

Dietary changes. I’ve given up meat, chocolate, and Coke before. It sounds really pathetic in comparison to the fasting guidelines that Eastern Christians have but it’s been an exercise in mindfulness to me as I’m forced to think about Jesus every time I get a craving for whatever it is.

Four

Blogging. I’ve done faith-blogging every day, blogging about Christian music daily, and blogging about music every Monday in the past. It was a good exercise in journalling and got me thinking about my faith and how I live it.

Five

Prayer. Two years ago, Beth Anne challenged me to find a church to pray in twice a week and Kelly challenged me last year to pick someone to pray for daily including 5 “enemies”. Both stretched me and improved my prayer life.

Go love up Ashley and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 31, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 31, 2016

Outside my window… sunny. The sun came out while I was at church this morning and it’s warm enough for shirt sleeves outside. Weather Underground says it’s in the low 50’s.

I am thinking… about the data I’m putting into spreadsheets for tax purposes. I’m trying to get them done super early in case we owe so that we have time to come up with the money.

I am thankful… for the lady in my Bible study who rang my doorbell on Thursday night and handed me $tarbux cards that she had gotten for being a science fair judge. She’s not a coffee drinker so she passed them on to me. I appreciate that she thought of me.

In the kitchen… nothing from scratch tonight. I’ll probably heat up something frozen.

I am wearing… a blue-green shirt and jeans.

I am going… to take Daniel for a haircut in a little bit. The local barber does well with him.

I am wondering… about a lot of things right now.

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. I’m hoping to pick Accidental Saints back up before too long.

I am hoping… my week goes well and I can get done what I need to get done.

I am looking forward to… the knitting/crocheting group that meets at my church this coming Tuesday night.

I am hearing… Daniel chattering.

A Daniel story for today… he will point to the CD player and say an approximation of “music”. There is one specific CD by Altan that he loves and that CD needs to be the first in the rotation. (He is *TOTALLY* my kid.)

Around the house… mom is painting, Dad is puttering, Daniel is playing, and I am doing taxes.

A favorite quote for today… “You know you’re an adult when you can be right without proving the other person wrong.” — #1 on this list.

One of my favorite things… club soda. It’s standing in for Coca-Cola right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week: haircut for the kid, intake interview for the group managing Daniel’s meds tomorrow, mental health screening for me on Tuesday (my doctor up here doesn’t prescribe psychiatric meds so I’m having to get a psychiatrist referral through the county), follow-up doctor’s appointment for my lab work on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Someone in the Temperature Blanket Group on Facebook was sharing about a woman whose kids took a crochet hook and a chain she had made and framed it for her. I thought it was a fabulous way of remembering her and remembering her crocheting.

A crochet hook and chain framed.

Post Script…

You have four days left to pick my Lenten discipline. As much as it seems like I’m making a game out of this, I have honestly been stretched and have grown because of the disciplines people have assigned me so go pick one for me! It’s also open to everyone regardless of religious tradition.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 24, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 24, 2016

Outside my window… sunny after several days of heavy rain. It’s in the high 50’s and I took Daniel for a walk without a jacket.

I am thinking… about the income analysis and tax prep from which I am taking a break.

I am thankful… for the opportunity to be a part of the ordination of my parish’s deacon yesterday as a priest in the Episcopal Church. It was at Trinity Cathedral in downtown San Jose and it was fun to be part of the choir which had members from the different parishes with which she had been affiliated. There was no incense but we had serious organ music, a harp prelude from our administrative assistant who plays harp professionally, torchbearers, a crucifer from our parish, a verger making sure we were all where we were supposed to be, and the bishop presiding.

In the kitchen… probably leftover shrimp pasta from Friday night. I was too full from lunch yesterday to eat last night!

I am wearing… blue-green shirt and jeans. As is my usual custom, I am barefoot.

I am going… out later to get more wipes for Daniel.

I am wondering… if I can get the curating of Daniel’s exhibit file done tomorrow and set the date for the appeal.

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. Accidental Saints is still on hold.

I am hoping… to get all the income analysis done today so I can start doing the taxes once I get all of Jon’s W-2’s and 1099 statements.

I am looking forward to… Thursday morning Bible study with my ladies.

I am hearing… some Bach being played on my laptop.

A Daniel story for today… kiddo came to me last night and said, “Mama, beyuh.” (Translation: “Mama, bed.”) I asked if he wanted to snuggle up under the fleece blanket with me out in the living room to fall asleep and he said, “No, beyuh.” So I went and tucked him (and myself) into bed. I thought I’d be getting up later and working on the income analysis but I fell asleep instead!

Around the house… Mom is painting, Dad is in the kitchen, and I’m in the living room with Daniel.

A favorite quote for today… “God’s grace is not defined as God being forgiving to us even though we sin. Grace is when God is a source of wholeness, which makes up for my failings. My failings hurt me and others and even the planet, and God’s grace to me is that my brokenness is not the final word … it’s that God makes beautiful things out of even my own sh*t. Grace isn’t about God creating humans and flawed beings and then acting all hurt when we inevitably fail and then stepping in like the hero to grant us grace – like saying, ‘Oh, it’s OK, I’ll be the good guy and forgive you.’ It’s God saying, ‘I love the world too much to let your sin define you and be the final word. I am a God who makes all things new.'” — Nadia Bolz-Weber

One of my favorite things… my daily latté from $tarbux and the people who have been sending me money on Paypal to fund my habit.

A few plans for the rest of the week: curating Daniel’s SSI file on Monday, possible coffee with Rebecca on Tuesday, Bible study and choir on Thursday, and whatever else comes up.

Post Script…

I fixed the Rafflecopter box for those who want to pick my Lenten discipline. It’s open to everyone regardless of their religious tradition.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Trying to Come Up With These At 1 A.M.

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Temperature afghan update. I’ve gotten a few more stripes added. I’m still about 2 weeks behind but if I can get some sit-down time this weekend, I should be able to rectify that pretty quickly after my switch to straight double crochet. The big thing is remembering to get the high temperature off of Weather Underground daily!

The current state of the temperature afghan.

— 2 —

The sitch with the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Unlike what the Washington Post article said, the Episcopal Church did *NOT* get kicked out of the Anglican Communion. (The body who would decide that sort of thing was not meeting at the time. Seriously, what is it with the mainstream media and getting religious doctrine and polity issues wrong?) If you want a decent article that does a good job of addressing the nuances of what happened, read this one.

— 3 —

Srsly?!?!?!? When I went downtown on Wednesday to curate the exhibit file for Daniel’s SSI appeal, my file was locked in the office of someone who was out for the day so I had effectively wasted my time. I was standing on the light rail platform calling my mom to let her know I’d be home in about 30 minutes when a gentleman walked by and decided to comment on my sighing, chastising me for expressing my displeasure and telling me that God was here in that space at that time. When I told him that I believed in God, he responded that if I did, I wouldn’t be sighing.

….

OK… my belief in God is separate from the fact that the ODAR office downtown just wasted my time. Also, dude might not want to INTERRUPT A PHONE CALL next time he wants to correct someone’s religious beliefs.

— 4 —

It’s that time of year again! My “Pick Jen’s Lenten Discipline” competition will be starting tomorrow or Saturday or whenever I have the time to create the post and put up the Rafflecopter. I’ll update this take with the link as soon as I have it. It’s here.

— 5 —

Thing I’m Not Doing in 2016 #1 I am not giving up coffee for Lent. My kiddo is having sleep issues and I’m already puking from sleep deprivation.

— 6 —

Thing I’m Not Doing in 2016 #2 I am not reading the Bible over the course of a year. I did this last year and while I’m thankful I did, I’m happy to be able to switch around between a bunch of different devotional reading sources.

— 7 —

Thing I’m Not Doing in 2016 #3 I am not giving up gluten unless I actually have to do it on doctor’s orders for my health. I did this in October and had a heck of a time with it.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 17, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 17, 2016

Outside my window… gray and rainy. According to Weather Underground, we topped off at 60F around noon. It was lovely.

I am thinking… about the SSI and legal stuff for Daniel I have to do this week.

I am thankful… for the creators of Legos. Their projects enabled me to get some crocheting done today by occupying Daniel while I worked.

In the kitchen… a frozen dinner. Not much appeals to me food-wise right now.

I am wearing… a charcoal v-neck shirt and black sweats. I’m waiting for the kiddo to go to sleep so I can shower.

I am going… to the store tomorrow to get more milk. Daniel wants some and is being irritable because I told him there was none left.

I am wondering… how much more rain we’ll get for this 3-day weekend.

I am reading… A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley.

I am hoping… Daniel sleeps through tonight. I’m not happy at getting woken up at 1 a.m. for cheese or milk.

I am looking forward to… the kiddo going to sleep so I can shower, do the readings for today (I missed church), and go back to crocheting.

I am hearing… the rain on the roof.

A Daniel story for today… kiddo would build Lego creations today and then come and sit on my lap so I could disassemble them for him.

Around the house… silence. I am a fan of this.

One of my favorite things… sleep though I am not getting much of it these days.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel is off of school tomorrow, SSI work at some point this week, possibly Knit Wits on Tuesday night, Bible study on Thursday, choir on Thursday, and singing for an ordination on Saturday.

A peek into my day… progress on the temperature afghan after frogging it and redoing it in straight double crochet. It has taken me the same amount of time to do almost 5 rows of double crochet as it took to do 1 1/2 rows of the pattern.

Current progress on the temperature afghan.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.