Category Archives: Personal Issues

7 Quick Takes: Let’s Pretend This Has An Interesting Title

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Washington bound! I’m flying to Seattle with Daniel tomorrow to see my grandmother. She’s doing OK right now (for the most part) but she’s 94 years old and my mom and I are of the opinion that it would be good to see her before it’s “too late”. (My mom is paying for our tickets and is going to be watching Daniel so I can spend some uninterrupted time with my grandmother and not have to chase him down the hall.) I’ll also get to see my evil twin and his wife again as well as other members of my extended family who I haven’t gotten to see in a really long time.

— 2 —

Ellen Degeneres pwns a critic. A pastor and self-proclaimed cultural commentator published something in the Christian Post about Hollywood and the gay agenda allegedly espoused by the entertainment industry, calling out Ellen Degeneres for “celebrat[ing] her lesbianism and ‘marriage’ in between appearances of guests like Taylor Swift to attract young girls.” Ellen replies in the video below.

— 3 —

Thankful. My mother-in-law offered to let me take yesterday afternoon for myself while she watched Daniel. I was able to get some prayer time in and get some computer work done before heading to something at church. Thanks Victoria! You are the best mother-in-law in the world!

— 4 —

MapMyRun. Is anyone else on MapMyRun? I’m definitely not a runner but I track my walking mileage on the site. If you are, let me know and I can add you as a friend.

— 5 —

Seriously?!?!?!? Seriously?!?!?!?!? I don’t know how many of you heard about the woman’s funeral that was halted 15 minutes into it because the pastor found a picture of her kissing her partner. This is probably not going to be a popular opinion but… I am seriously pissed off by this.

Why am I pissed off?

Because the church where this took place was founded by the pastor and his wife to be a place where people fighting drug/alcohol addictions and gang violence — it’s a place that was founded to minister to outsiders. Yet, the pastor (who could have refused the funeral up until the time it started) decided that this woman was not worth his time once he found out that she was a lesbian. Seriously dude, she was a child of God and you were being asked to help her family pray for her and remember her, not perform her wedding.

— 6 —

Prayer request. This is related to the first Quick Take. I’m flying by myself with Daniel and would appreciate prayers for good travel, ease in getting through security, and ease in boarding the plane with him. Please and thank you! 🙂

— 7 —

Progress on my New Year’s resolutions. Let me just say that I *HATE* planks and my persistence in doing them is due to stubbornness on my part and not actual stamina. On the other hand, the Bible reading is going well and I *am* making it out to walk or at least do *something* most mornings that Daniel is in school.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 11, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 11, 2015

Outside my window… dark. We got some wonderful rain today which was so needed (California is in a severe drought) even if it gave me a migraine and I spent the morning with the covers pulled over my head.

I am thinking… about what I have to get done tomorrow.

I am thankful… for the rain and for a quiet house.

In the kitchen… just put dishes in the dishwasher.

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

I am praying for… a call for Jon, healing for my neck, and some special intentions.

I am going… to drop Daniel’s IEP paperwork off at his school tomorrow morning. I’ll probably wait unti after my walk and core workout so I don’t have to deal with rush-hour traffic.

I am wondering… what 2015 holds for me.

I am reading… Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews. I’m working my way through her body of work which might take me a while so there might be some things read intermittently.

I am hoping… Daniel stays in his own room tonight.

I am looking forward to… seeing my extended family this coming weekend in Seattle. I haven’t been up there in 4 years (since my grandmother’s 90th birthday party) and I’m looking forward to seeing her and some other people I haven’t gotten to see for a very long time.

I am hearing… the springs moving on the bed.

Around the house… dead quiet except for my typing.

A favorite quote for today… “So when a little girl asks her father where the moon came from, he might tell her that the moon circles around the earth and reflects light from the sun. He might tell her that the moon likes to play hide-and-seek with the sun, so sometimes the moon looks like it’s peeking out from behind a black curtain; sometimes all you can see is the top of its head, and sometimes you can’t even see it at all! He might tell her about how the moon has invisible arms that can pull the oceans back and forth, making tides rise and fall. He might tell her that astronauts have walked on the moon and played golf on the moon and collected rocks from the moon. He might tell her that the moon has dimples and craters and basins that we can see only with a telescope and that there’s a special place on the moon called the Sea of Tranquility that isn’t really a sea. Then the father might take the little girl outside, hoist her up onto his shoulders, and let her stare at the moon for a while. He might recite a poem about a cow jumping over the moon or sing a song about a dreamy-eyed kid slow-dancing with it. Soon the little girl will become so lost in her father’s beautiful stories that she will forget she ever had a question to begin with.” — Rachel Held Evans, Evolving in Monkey Town: How a Girl Who Knew All the Answers Learned to Ask the Questions

One of my favorite things… the feeling I get after working out incredibly hard.

A few plans for the rest of the week: whatever happens to come up in the next few days and flying to Seattle on Friday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 5, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 5, 201

Outside my window… dark. It was pretty warm today — warm enough to wear short sleeves. *ducks the flying debris thrown at her from places in the country with windchill warnings around -40F*

I am thinking… about the silliness surrounding Kanye’s announcement of his collaboration with Paul McCartney. Generation gap, anyone?

I am thankful… for a good visit with my family and for Daniel going back to school today.

In the kitchen… the dishwasher is running.

I am wearing… plum-colored shirt and running shorts.

I am praying for… Mary Lenaburg, some special intentions, a call for Jon, and a few other things.

I am going… to have a full morning of meetings on Wednesday. Whee!

I am pondering… the comma in the first article of the Nicene Creed: “of all that is, seen and unseen” and the theological ramifications of most people skipping the pause it signifies. (I’m serious… it’s hard being a grammar nazi with 1.5 degrees in Religion and Theology!)

I am reading… Scorched Eggs by Laura Childs. I think I was the first one in the LA County library system to get to read it, given that I called up the main number and requested it before it was even officially listed on the website..

I am hoping… I don’t wake up with too much of a kink in my neck.

I am looking forward to… my mother-in-law’s Birman coming in so I can go to bed. (I offered to stay up and wait for him.)

I am hearing… the humming of the refrigerator and the Mint cleaning my bedroom floor. (If I’m going to be torturing myself with my yoga mat and Core ball tomorrow, I’d kind of like a clean floor on which to beat myself up whilst working out.)

Around the house… my mother-in-law and Jon moved the dining room and kitchen furniture around. I think it looks fabulous.

A favorite quote for today… “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” ? William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

(Wasn’t that line at the beginning of the Veggie Tales video on Esther?)

One of my favorite things… a quiet house.

A few plans for the rest of the week: walks with Daniel, working out for me, triennial IEP evaluation meeting and paperwork on Wednesday, choir practice on Wednesday, and a few phone calls and errands thrown in for good measure.

A peek into my day… So a few things came in for me at the library while I was in San Jose…

My library holds.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 31, 2014.

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 31, 2015

Outside my window… cold. According to my dad’s weather station, it’s in the mid-40’s outside. I wondered how I managed -20F (not counting wind chill) when I lived in the Midwest until I realized that I never spent any significant time outside when it was that cold.

I am thinking… about the various things I might attempt to change about myself in the new year.

I am thankful… for many things: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood episodes on YouTube so I can catnap in the mornings while Daniel is off school, a shopping trip to Kohl’s for new jeans that fit (my old ones are falling off of me), and an opportunity to go visit my grandma in Seattle over MLK Day weekend. (I haven’t seen her in 4 years and she’s 94 years old.)

In the kitchen… instant breakfast for me, oatmeal with various stuff for Mom, and various greasy things for Dad. I had to politely veto him making bacon and potatoes for me (no eggs due to my allergy) because my body does not do well with grease. (My gallbladder gave up the ghost 9.5 years ago.)

I am wearing… my jammies (my Run for the Little Flowers shirt and black sweats) and my Jameson fleece because I had to go out and take something to the trash this morning.

I am praying for… the Lenaburgs as they bury Courtney today. I’m grateful for Mary’s honesty (especially during this time) because I think it’s a ministry to a lot of us mamas who don’t know how we’re going to parent our kids with special needs and scary conditions. I know she gives me a lot of hope and encouragement and I’m wishing I could do the same for her.

I am going… on a walk to the store in a bit for milk. Long walks with Daniel to do errands are a benefit of visiting my parents.

I am wondering… about how my SSI appeal for Daniel will go.

I am reading… Cast On, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton. It’s the last of the murder mysteries in that series. After I finish, I’ll probably re-read something on my NOOK.

I am hoping… for an easy drive back home on Saturday.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going back to school on Monday. As much as I love spending time with him, he needs to get back into a routine… badly.

I am hearing… Daniel playing with his trolley from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. He is bringing me the characters individually and telling me their names as best he can. (For those not familiar with Daniel, he deals with apraxia due to his autism so him attempting to speak and tell me all of this is beyond cool.)

Around the house… smelling wood smoke from my dad’s fire in the fireplace last night. It’s a wonderful smell that I associate with my grandparents’ house.

A favorite quote for today… “The Incarnation is the manifestation of the love of God, not merely in the person of the Child of Bethlehem, but in the persons of all whom Christ attaches to himself. We are each of us incarnations of divine love, since we are members of Christ.” — Richard Meux Benson, SSJE

One of my favorite things… my silly boy snuggling with me.

A few plans for the rest of the week: decorating a gingerbread house, walks with the boy child, driving home on Saturday, and whatever else comes up.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Three Days into Christmas…

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7 Quick Takes

Kelly is taking some time off of blogging for Christmas but I thought I’d do Quick Takes anyway.

— 1 —

Saint for 2015. I decided to do Jen Fulwiler’s Saint Generator to see who my patron saint should be for next year. When I first did it, I got St. Paul Chong Hasang, a Korean martyr. I did it one more tme and got St. Rita who is a little less obscure. We’ll see how 2015 unfolds and how these two figure into it.

— 2 —

Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday. I had the blessing of being able to attend both performances of the You-Sing-It Messiah put on by the Claremont Symphony Orchestra. My mother-in-law, bless her, watched Daniel for us so we could go. I had a fabulous alto behind me for the first performance but had to hold my own for the second performance because the altos were scattered. (They had seating by vocal section and the altos were supposed to all be behind the sopranos instead of scattered.) My choir director is the conductor of the symphony and he pitched it to the choir members as a way of practicing for Christmas Eve. I got lots of practice and was able to firm up some sections that were giving me problems.

— 3 —

Handel’s “Messiah” on Tuesday. Our Christmas cantata on Christmas Eve was the Christmas section of the Messiah and we had an extra practice session on Tuesday because our regular choir night is Wednesday which was Christmas Eve. The awesome alto that was behind me on Sunday turned out to be the professional mezzo-soprano that was singing the “Messiah” with us. She was absolutely fabulous to work with and I appreciated hearing someone else singing who was on-key and not getting lost.

— 4 —

Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday. Ohmigosh… I can’t believe how completely amazing it was. I got to sing it with four opera singers from all around southern California who were so much fun to sing with and who sounded better than some of the professionals on the recordings that I own. We also had a bass player from the Claremont Symphony Orchestra joining us and the richness of his bass seriously rocked. Of course, the glue in all of this was my awesome choir director, Dr. Sage, who pulled all of this together. There is seriously nothing better than good church music sung by people who believe and affirm that about which they sing. Midnight Mass was wonderful and it took forever to get to sleep when I got home because of all the adrenaline. Our priest’s homily was fabulous (she preaches like an NPR commentator) and so incredibly relevant. Jon made it to church after the worship service he was part of and was able to join us for the Hallelujah Chorus during the Offertory.

— 5 —

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My sister-in-law Joanna, her husband Chris, and my incredibly cute nephew Patrick came up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve to hang out. They brought Daniel one of Patrick’s toys that is interactive and has doors and light switches. That kept him occupied pretty well that afternoon, evening, and the next day. 🙂 Patrick is in that stage that seems to occur around 18 months where kids flip out if a parent leaves the room so he was not a happy camper; but it’s all good — at least we got to see him.

On Christmas Day, I got to sleep in which was good — I’ve had a crazy week taking care of sick people and I needed the sleep. We opened presents in the late morning and Daniel got some books and craft stuff from various relatives. Jon and I went and had dinner with some family friends who also brought dinner over to my in-laws who were watching Daniel. It was nice to have a dinner with adult conversation.

— 6 —

In San Jose now. Yesterday, Daniel and I drove up to northern California to spend time with my parents. It was a vastly easier drive on I-5 than it had been at Thanksgiving. It’s good to see Mom and Dad again. We have no firm plans for the week other than church on Sunday and possibly having a coffee date with my friend (and Daniel’s godmother) Rebecca.

— 7 —

Sarah’s stockings. I am so glad I can finally share this story on this blog now! For those not in the know, my parents are University of Washington alums (as are some of my extended family and adopted family) and Sarah is at the OTHER school (Washington State University) where she plays in the marching band. The two teams play each other in the Apple Cup on Thanksgiving weekend and the family Facebook walls get pretty humorous during the week beforehand.

Anyway, we usually have a family gift drawing and as I usually organize it, I was going to cheat and give myself Sarah. The plan was to crochet two Christmas stockings, one in each team’s colors. I was going to stick the Washington State one into the University of Washington one along with some of Sarah’s favorite candy. The drawing didn’t end up happening but I had already made one of the stockings, so I just made the other one and my Mom used them to house Sarah’s present from her. Ironically, I finished them on the night of the Apple Cup… which the University of Washington won by a decent margin of 31-13 and Washington State didn’t even score until the 4th quarter. (It was pretty brutal.) My mom and my sister-in-law Jeanette had the idea to stage them on either side of the TV:

The stockings were hung by the TV with care, in hopes that an Apple Cup win would be there.

I had wondered if Sarah had liked them and saw this on my Facebook wall this morning:

Sarah and the stockings.

Had a wonderful Christmas with my family! I got some beautiful crocheted stockings from my cousin Jen! I’m just going to consider the purple one my high school stocking.

🙂 Whatever. Love you too, sweetie!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 22, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 22, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It’s almost midnight.

I am thinking… about what I have to accomplish in the next few days. Daniel and I are heading up to be with my parents for a week or so and I’ll need to figure out what to take up with me.

I am thankful… for the opportunity to sing the Christmas section of Handel’s “Messiah” with the Claremont Symphony Orchestra yesterday.

In the kitchen… nothing as it’s past time to eat.

I am wearing… my Online Debate team shirt and capri-length sweats.

I am praying for… relief from my fibro flare, for Daniel to pleasepleasepleaseplease sleep in tomorrow, for Mary/Jerry/Jonathan, and for some special intentions.

I am going… to go to sleep as soon as this posts.

I am wondering… too many things to mention.

I am reading… Skein of the Crime by Maggie Sefton. I also just finished Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews

I am hoping… for sleep.

I am looking forward to… sleep. (Do you sense a theme here?)

I am hearing… my laptop fan.

Around the house… things are out away for the most part

One of my favorite things… ice chips! I gained an appreciation for them when Daniel was born.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT for Daniel tomorrow, visit with family tomorrow and Wednesday, rehearsal for Messiah tomorrow night, Messiah concert and Christ Mass on Wednesday night, Christmas stuff on Thursday, and heading up to San Jose with Daniel on Friday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 2, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 2, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It’s about 1:30 a.m. right now and between the fibro and the PMS, I’m not sleeping well.

I am thinking… about the sermon I heard on Sunday regarding the sitch in Ferguson — very well-articulated. balanced, and thought-provoking.

I am thankful… to be back home in Claremont. Also thankful for the rain we’re supposed to be getting today.

In the kitchen… cleaned up but I did baked potatoes for dinner — quick and easy comfort food.

I am wearing… grey v-neck shirt and black capri sweats.

I am praying for… a call for Jon, healing for my father-in-law whose cancer numbers have doubled, and some special intentions.

I am going… to sleep once I get this posted.

I am wondering… why the St. Louis police feels they have any business trying to punish the St. Louis Rams for the “don’t shoot” posture. There is no crime against free speech.

I am reading… Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton. I finished A Killer Stitch on my long drive on Sunday in addition to reading all of The Long Way Home by Louise Penny. It was, as are all her books, haunting in a literary chiaroscuro way. (“Chiaroscuro” is honestly the best word to describe them.)

I am hoping… to be able to put together my Christmas cards this week and send them out.

I am looking forward to… choir on Wednesday and working on Handel’s “Messiah”.

I am hearing… what I think is traffic in the distance.

Around the house… silence. I am the only one up.

A favorite quote for today… “The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were “gods” and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… rain. We’re supposed to have a massive world-ending storm in a few hours.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands whenever they pop up, choir on Wednesday, possibly a concert later in the week.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.