Category Archives: Books/Magazines

7 Quick Takes: Temperature Afghans, Chuck Jones, and Why I Don’t Homeschool Daniel

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Temperature afghan progress. My yarn finally arrived yesterday and I did all the calculations on how many to chain for the correct width for this pattern. Let me tell you… it’s so much easier to chain 402 stitches in groups of 16 than it is to count to 400 and then have to put stitch markers in various places! (Don’t worry — I just counted to 16 every time and then counted the stitch markers, 25 in all, plus the two extra chains for turning.) I’m in the part I hate most right now (the first row) but when I’m done with that, things will be a lot easier!

The chain last night with stitch markers:

The chain with stitch markers.

The first row (yarn is Herrschner’s 2-Ply Afghan Yarn in “Forest”):

Row #1

What I have left to do on the first row:

What I have left on Row #1

— 2 —

Beep-beep! I did not know that Chuck Jones had 9 sacred rules for every episode with Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. This explains *SO* much.

— 3 —

The immigrant experience. Reddit users were asked what the most pleasant surprise they experienced when they came to America as immigrants. Here are their answers.

— 4 —

A political sign I can stand behind. Godless in Dixie shared this on Facebook and it cracked me up!

Anyone but Trump 2016!

— 5 —

To the twits who give me a hard time for not homeschooling Daniel. Seriously, I still get people asking me why I don’t homeschool Daniel because he’s autistic. For the last time…

#1: I don’t have a degree in education with specializations in special education and rare conditions. I believe that whoever is teaching my kid needs to have a 4-year college degree in the subject and the specialized knowledge to do so. (Most of the people I know who turned out brilliantly from being homeschooled were that way because their parents had college or graduate degrees which gave them the mindset and skills to teach them well. I’ve also seen some people come out almost completely illiterate when the parents have barely a high school diploma and decide that it’s enough to be able to teach their children.) This would apply even if Daniel was neurotypical — I’d still send him to school because… I DON’T HAVE AN EDUCATION DEGREE.

#2: I have the patience of a Marine drill sergeant. Can we say “not a good combination with a kid who does not respond to conventional tactics”?

#3: I am a serious introvert and already am pretty taxed by the amount of intensive time I spend with Daniel and what that time constitutes. You can’t give what you don’t have and if I don’t have some Daniel-free time to myself to recharge (even if that means I’m working a 9-5 job outside of the home), I have a really hard time being the mom I need to be. I’m good with spending time away from my kid — it means I get to miss him a little bit and it makes the time we do spend better.

— 6 —

For those who love to read. There’s a reading group over at Liturgy of Life and it looks interesting. I’ve got too many balls in the air to participate but I wanted to put it out there for those who are interested.

— 7 —

Because Geraldine is AWESOME. For those who are into yoga and fitness, go read this. You will die laughing.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 10, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 10, 2016

Outside my window… gray and about 57F out right now according to Weather Underground. We had sun this morning and it started getting grey while Rebecca and I were having coffee.

I am thinking… about the things I have to get done this week and the places in downtown San Jose I have to go.

I am thankful… that we were able to get Daniel’s ADHD meds filled for one more month. It gives us a tiny bit of flexibility so we can get him to a specialist who can track him.

In the kitchen… my stomach is in knots so probably a frozen dinner, if anything tonight. I don’t much feel like cooking.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and jeans.

I am going… to bed early tonight if I can help it. I’m exhausted and it’s only 3 p.m.

I am wondering… if UPS will actually deliver my yarn this week without sending it on a surprise journey through some other states like they did with my Christmas card order from Shutterfly. It’s sitting in San Pablo right now and San Jose needs to be the next stop. I’m also waiting impatiently for my copy of Kelly’s planner.

I am reading… still Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs. I haven’t had a lot of sit down time without something else to do in the last week or so and that cuts into my reading time. Accidental Saints is still on hold until I get through my library backlog.

I am hoping… my stuff arrives on time because I *REALLY* want to be able to start my temperature blanket.

I am looking forward to… Bible study this week.

I am hearing… my dad watching TV and Daniel playing with Legos. It’s a perfect and calm afternoon, something I desperately need after this past week.

A Daniel story for today… he has a new sentence: “Mama bye!!!” Translation: “Mama, go away. I’m doing something you don’t want me to be doing and I don’t want you thwarting me.” When I left for a games night at a friend’s house last night, he was pushing me out the door and saying “BYE!” Apparently, he prefers my mom putting him to bed even though she is a drill sergeant when she does.

Around the house… paint fumes which will hopefully go away.

A favorite quote for today…

My thoughts on the Starbucks line this morning.

One of my favorite things… Cross-Stitch World on Facebook. It’s soothing.

A few plans for the rest of the week: dealing with various Daniel legal things, trying to get into a doctor up here for a refill on my thyroid meds, Bible study on Thursday morning, and choir on Thursday night.

Post Script…

These two songs have been stuck in my head for the last week.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 3, 2016

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 3, 2016

Outside my window… dark and showering a little bit. It was sunny and 61F when I went to church and $tarbux with Rebecca today. It got grey later on when the storms started rolling in and we ended up getting some sprinkles. The fun is supposed to be Monday night into Tuesday. Bring it, El Niño!

I am thinking… about the temperature blanket I’ve planned to do. Herrschners hasn’t shipped my yarn yet so I might have quite a bit to make up when it finally does arrive! I’m thinking I’ll do either this pattern or this pattern as I’ll have 366 rows plus edging to do!.

I am thankful… that my kiddo went to sleep around 7 and has largely stayed asleep. It meant that I could get my mom’s help in getting the fleece cut for my dad’s Christmas present which will be tied on Tuesday while I’m sitting and meeting with someone.

In the kitchen… I’m feeling so crummy from this mutant death cold and fibro flare (because nasal congestion is just so much more enhanced with moving fibro pain, right?) that I just heated up some frozen pizza. Thankfully, I didn’t have any eating resolutions for the New Year!

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black sweats. (They’re my jammies tonight.)

I am going… to go back to watching Viperkeeper videos when I finish this post. Well… it’s either that or draft one on Titus 2 women.

I am wondering… if I’ll be able to make the necessary appointments for Daniel and I this week or if I’ll have to take the kiddo to Urgent Care to get more Adderall. (Our insurance changed and I spent the afternoon of the 31st working out who our doctors will be because all the ones near me or admit to my local hospital that are on Santa Clara Family Health Plan aren’t taking new patients.)

I am reading… Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs. After that, I’ll tackle A Lesson in Hope by Phillip Gulley. Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber is on hold until I get through all the stuff from the library. Thankfully, it’s mostly essays so it’s OK. *pets my e-reader*

I am hoping… I win at least extra stars in the Starbucks for Life contest.

I am looking forward to… Bible study with my ladies on Thursday and the Eucharists for Epiphany on Wednesday.

I am hearing… silence as Daniel is asleep, my mom is asleep (though her TV is on), and Dad is at the other end of the house watching something on PBS.

A Daniel story for today… When the kiddo wakes up after falling asleep on the heating vent, he’ll crawl into bed with me; and for some odd reason, his feet have to be touching me for him to sleep… and they’re usually cold! As a result, I’ve been having to make kind of a blanket fortress to protect myself and keep myself warm.

Around the house… the painting continues. Mom got her bedroom closet done this weekend.

A favorite quote for today… “Praise youth and it will prosper.” — Irish proverb that I think is very true, especially after hearing some of my husband’s former parishioners grousing about “young people” in his last parish. (The “young people” in question were 50-60 years old!)

One of my favorite things… uninterrupted sleep. I rarely get it these days.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Target and errands tomorrow, long drive for a meeting on Tuesday and possibly Knit Wits, Epiphany worship on Wednesday, Bible study and choir on Thursday, doctor’s appointments at some time during the week, and a games night with friends on Saturday. Oh yes… the kid goes back to school on Tuesday which is a good thing — he needs more structure than I can give him, especially when I’m this sick and barely able to adult on my own.

A peek into my day… Daniel asleep on me right before our trip to Washington for Christmas

Daniel sleeping on me.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Some New Year’s Musings

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Appropriate music. Rather than find a new and cool version “Auld Lang Syne” (which I think I have maybe sung once in my life, if at all), here’s a beautiful song for the New Year sung by Golden Bough, one of my favorite Celtic ensembles in northern California. You’re welcome. 🙂

— 2 —

Final update on resolutions. If my sweet angel decides to sleep tonight, I’ll be reading the last chapter of Zechariah and all of Malachi tonight. I recommend reading the Bible in a year and two good programs for that are here and here.

**UPDATE** Finished at 11:45 p.m. Boo yah!

My planking challenges were craptastic at best. Not to mention, who the heck does planks for fun?!?!?!?!?

— 3 —

Another Golden Bough song. This one is the song I associate with Golden Bough. The ensemble has been around since the time of my birth. My parents used to hear them perform at an Irish pub in Campbell. Enjoy!

— 4 —

Book suggestions for 2016. Kelly asked for book suggestions for 2016. My suggestions: anything by Rachel Held Evans (I read Searching for Sunday by her this year and loved it), Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson, and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber if you can deal with the profanity. (Nadia is nothing if not fluent in cursing like a sailor.) For murder mysteries that are completely absurd, check out Donna Andrews.

— 5 —

Resolutions for 2016. Here are some resolutions for 2016:

-Make a temperature afghan. Thankfully, Herrschners has good sales because my local Michael’s is sub-par and my ethics don’t allow me to shop at Hobby Lobby.

-Potty-train the munchkin. Because autism and living skills.

-Finish the various yarn things on my plate and make my parents their Christmas presents. I’ve got sock yarn for my mom’s striped socks and fleece to tie for my dad’s John Deere blankie. (My dad is a retired mechanical engineer and loves farm equipment so I get him all manner of John Deere things.) I also need to finish a stuffed animal for a friend who had a baby last year (aiming for the kiddo’s 1st birthday because I’ve managed to miss their birth and 6 month birthdays) and finish the munchkin’s big boy blankie.

-Get my prayer life back on track.

There are some others but I can’t talk about them yet.

— 6 —

Coming up on the blog. I’d like to do a series on parenting kids with special needs and get some guest posts (*coughcoughcough* Kelly *coughcoughcough* Kathleen) on the subject as well.

— 7 —

My plans for the evening. Dinner will be served as soon as I hit “publish”. Dad grilled up some steak and there are tater tots and Caesar salad. Dessert are some double chocolate Magnum bars. There’s a party and dancing at church tonight but I’m kind of looking forward to a quiet evening at home. If I beg hard enough, Dad might even make me a fire in the fireplace. I’ll be up at midnight but no champagne — I can’t drink.

**UPDATE** Dad fell asleep in his recliner early so little Miss Gold Award Girl Scout here tried to build her own fire, the first one in 17 years… and failed. I uttered the magic word (“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!”) and he woke up, shook his head at me, and opened a secret case that had special aged tinder used to start a fire. Thankfully, he did not comment on how I should know how to do this.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 28, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 28, 2015

Outside my window… gray. Daniel and I walked to the library earlier and Mom and I did a Target/Costco run; but it looks like anything else will require a car, headlights, and windshield wipers. Bring it, El Niño!

I am thinking… about things I have to get done this week, emails I need to write, and calls I need to make. Thankfully, Daniel is being quiet right now so I can get things done.

I am thankful… for getting to eat pizza with my parents in front of a fire in the fireplace last night while Daniel played in the living room and eventually fell asleep next to me. Good times.

In the kitchen… probably a frozen dinner so I can get caught up from being gone for 5 days and not have to think about food.

I am wearing… black shirt and jeans. I’m discalced as usual.

I am going… back to Target later to drop off my prescription.

I am wondering… why the Saint’s Name Generator gave me Josemaria Escriva for 2016.

I am reading… the last part of Zechariah and all of Malachi this week in my read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. I’ll probably be starting Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs this week as well.

I am hoping… to have a peaceful New Year’s Eve at home.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going back to school on the 5th.

I am hearing… the fish tank behind me.

A Daniel story for today… kiddo has been falling asleep on the heating vent in our room and gravitates there any time the furnace is on, especially in the morning.

Around the house… fairly quiet as my dad is in his office and my mom is watching TV in her room with the cats. Daniel is in a closet in Mom’s office playing.

One of my favorite things… being home.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands with the kid and whatever comes up.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 21, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 21, 2015

Outside my window… drizzly and in the 50’s. I’m loving it.

I am thinking… about what I need to do in the next few days.

I am thankful… for a warm and sheltered place to be during the rain. Dad made a fire in the fireplace last night and Daniel fell asleep snuggled up against me watching it.

In the kitchen… probably a frozen dinner of some nature. It’s about time for me to figure all of that out for today.

I am wearing… charcoal shirt from Old Navy and jeans from Kohl’s. I’m fairly simple in terms of my fashion tastes.

I am going… to the post office either tomorrow or Wednesday to drop Christmas cards into the mail.

I am wondering… how easily Daniel will go to bed tonight. I’m hoping he’s not too much of a live wire. I’m exhausted from sleeping badly last night.

I am reading… nothing but my read the Bible in a year program at the moment. I read and finished A Place Called Hope by Phillip Gulley last week. It felt a little too close to home but it was still pretty good.

I am hoping… my Shutterfly cards arrive today. *shakes an achy fist at UPS for sending my package to Kalispell and back by way of Helena, Salt Lake City, and San Pablo*

I am looking forward to… seeing my extended family.

I am hearing… a Celtic Christmas CD that Daniel likes. He is currently curled up in my mom’s lap listening.

A Daniel story for today… when I got home on Wednesday from Daniel’s 30-Day IEP meeting, Daniel was sitting on the love seat listening to the Celtic Christmas CD. He then pulled Mom and I onto the love seat with him and just wanted to be cuddled and have his hair stroked. We’re wondering if it was related to it being the first time that I hadn’t met his bus here. (Mom met his bus because I was at the meeting.)

Around the house… the kitchen is almost done being redone. All we need is the tile which will arrive tomorrow.

A favorite quote for today… “In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!” — Dave Barry

One of my favorite things… S’mores ice cream.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting out of the house tomorrow for the time when the contractor is putting up the tile, doing some last minute shopping at Target,

A peek into my day… A flashback to 6 years ago!

Grandma with Daniel at Christmas 2009.

Post Script… There is an app on Facebook called Cross-Stitch World where you can complete cross-stitch patterns with your mouse. It sounds like a weird thing but I find it very soothing. Go check it out!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 13, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 13, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was in the mid-50’s with rain today. I found it positively delightful. Next weekend is supposed to be rainy as well. El Niño is more than welcome in my humble opinion.

I am thinking… about what I need to get accomplished this week.

I am thankful… for the chance to sleep in until 9 a.m. yesterday. I sorely needed it.

In the kitchen… Dad made steak, potatoes, and salad tonight. He also got Cherry Garcia for dessert. Yum!

I am wearing… my VBS shirt from this year and black capri sweats.

I am going… to be working on Daniel’s SSI overpayment appeal this week.

I am wondering… if we’ll have the kitchen back to normal this week. *crosses fingers*

I am reading… some Jessica Beck murder mysteries and Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber.

I am hoping… the counters arrive this week so the sink and stove can be installed and I can cook again.

I am looking forward to… seeing family at Christmas.

I am hearing… The Bells of Dublin by the Chieftains. It’s my favorite Christmas album and what we used to put on while decorating the tree.

A Daniel story for today… Mr. Boy curls up on the heating vents in the morning so I curled up with him on the one in the living room this morning and wrapped a blanket around us to keep the heat in. He is a wonderful cuddlebug.

Around the house… people sleeping. I think I’m the only one awake.

A favorite quote for today… “How can God stoop lower than to come and dwell with a poor humble soul? Which is more than if he had said, such a one should dwell with him; for a beggar to live at court is not so much as the king to dwell with him in his cottage.” — William Gurnall

One of my favorite things… Coca-Cola. I know how bad it is for me but it’s irresistible at times.

A few plans for the rest of the week: organize my Christmas card list, work on Daniel’s appeal, knitting group on Tuesday, Daniel’s 30-Day IEP meeting on Wednesday, Bible study on Thursday morning, choir on Thursday night, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Our anthem from this morning:

Post Script…

My friend Carrie also blogged about gluten-free life for 31 Days of Writing and she compiled all her recipes into a new cookbook. She offered me a copy and after reading it, I am excited about cooking!

I should warn people that it isn’t grain-free in the event that people are following the advice of renowned quack William Davis of Wheat Belly. (I’m not linking to his blog because I don’t want to give him any more hits than necessary.)

Anyway, go check it out!

Hosted by The Simple Woman.