7 Quick Takes: Answered Prayers, Cat Drama, and Science Geekery

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Answered Prayers. Do you see the precious child on my sidebar? Yep… Brett. His adoption is fully funded now and his prospective parents are ecstatic. They head overseas later this month to meet him. I’ve been praying for this for two years now. My deepest thanks go to Becki who has loved him so incredibly much for these last two years, partnered her prayers with mine, and convened a panel of a bunch of us to find him a mama about two months ago. Girlfriend brought his FSP from $7612 to $14000 with her advocating for him and her networking. I’m grateful that she could succeed where I couldn’t.

— 2 —

Happy birthday, Nicholas! Dwija at House Unseen blogged about the first anniversary of her son Nicholas being born into Heaven. I unfortunately have at least a few blogging friends who have lost children and many of them never cease to surprise me in their joy, even on really painful days for them. This is one of those occasions.

— 3 —

Prerequisite baseball take. The Giants are one game behind the Dodgers and it popped up on my Twitter tonight that Lincecum was about to “no hit” the Padres again. I started obsessively refreshing Twitter and found nothing. It turns out that they weren’t playing tonight and the tweet was just letting people know that the specific game from this year was on CSN. Oh well… it was worth a shot. Hopefully, the Giants will flatten Miami and the Dodgers will start cellar-dwelling again so Jon can stop gloating.

— 4 —

Congratulations Marie and Brian! Mi amiga Marie of Catholic Coffee Talk is getting married this weekend in Ohio. Go leave her comments to congratulate her. Do it now!

— 5 —

Cat drama. On Tuesday night, I came in after sitting on the porch and talking to my mom on my cell phone to find out from my mother-in-law that Edda had sat at the door and meowed for me for a good 15 minutes. (Someone is a bit of a mama’s panther.) Last night, we had one cat fight after another with FOUL language uttered. Today, Freya went out and refused to come back in. We eventually ascertained that she was hiding under the water tanks and mother-in-law dispatched Jon with cat treats to go get her. No luck. She crawled under my car and after I got something to poke her out, she ran under the fence into the backyard. Eventually, I sat down 5 feet from her on the back steps and the little monster surrendered but it was unnerving, especially after she vanished for a day or two a few weeks ago.

I just went to go see if my in-laws’ orange tabby patch male cat Arthur (referred to by me as “the citrus cat”) was ready to come in and the Birman that adopted my in-laws decided to waltz into the house. He saw Edda and hissed at her but I informed him that proper Birmans do not use such language. (It’s a very strange cat-centric household.) He jumped up on one of the tables in the living room and allowed himself to be petted and cajoled into staying. (There is no doubt as to who the superior creature is here.)

**UPDATE** Arthur is in and the Birman went back outside after sitting and howling at the door for 5 minutes straight. (He’s an in/out cat and has so far escaped being eaten by something so I’m hedging my bets.)

— 6 —

Geekdom. In one of the black cat groups on Facebook, someone asked if our cats like boxes. Someone replied, “My cat is called Schrodinger!! OF COURSE SHE LIKES BOXES!!!”

I think my brain just exploded. #sciencegeek #catlover

— 7 —

Prayer request. If you’re following along with the whole “special intention” thing at home, keep praying and add on that I need help praying to forgive someone. Please and thank you. 🙂

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes: Fundraising for Eastern European Ventures, Lincecum’s No Hitter, and Other Things From This Week

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Supporting a Missionary. My husband’s cousin Kelsey is going to be living in Lithuania for a year as the Resident Director at LCC International University. She needs to raise the $14000 for her living expenses, travel to Lithuania, etc. If you’d like to help, click here.

— 2 —

Adoption fundraiser. My friends Jake and Dalas and their two biological kids are in Eastern Europe adopting a little boy and a little girl. They have only a small amount (under $500) to go until their adoption is fully funded. Given that things could start getting more expensive if their daughter Janna doesn’t get a court date on Tuesday, they are seriously going to need the money. The plan was to be home by July 19th when their bio son turns 2 (and stops flying free) but things are getting fouled up. If you can kick a few bucks their way to get them fully funded, click here. In any case, keep them in prayer.

— 3 —

Speaking of orphans… Do you see this precious sweetling on my sidebar? Brett (the little boy on my sidebar) needs a mama. If you think you might be his mama, click on his picture with all possible speed. Currently, I’m crocheting a baby blanket to raffle off to raise money for his grant.

— 4 —

Timmy’s No-No. Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum pitched a no-hitter against the Padres last night. (Yes, I’m aware the Padres beat them the previous two nights. Hush!) I’m not surprised given that these are the Padres and he pitched one almost a year ago against them just before the All-Star Break. I’m conveniently ignoring the fact that the Giants fell to the Reds tonight and that they’re only 2.5 games ahead of the Dodgers. (Please, O Lord, let them not fall behind the Dodgers. Jon would not let me live it down! #mixedmarriage)

— 5 —

A funny. Someone posted the story of Shane, the Walmart deli guy on my wall and I just about died laughing this morning. Strangely, I could see my evil twin doing all these things.

— 6 —

Bedtime routine for Daniel. We’re trying to get a bedroom routine down for Daniel who is adjusting to life now that we’re living with our in-laws temporarily. Jon has been out of town all week so this is falling to me. I instituted the “at-8:00-we-start-winding-down” rule… which almost never works and we’ll lie on one of the beds in his room and go through flashcards as a way to (theoretically) calm down and then look at books. This almost worked tonight until he heard the front door open. At that point, he snapped awake and I had to restrain him and get him resettled while reciting hymn lyrics in a soothing voice. (It’s also at these times that I can’t *remember* large amounts of hymn lyrics when they take over my head at other times.) Repeating the Jesus Prayer ended up working. Currently, the little monster is asleep on the end of my bed with his feet hanging down. I will have to move him, lest he wake up in the middle of the night from all the blood pooling in his feet.

— 7 —

Cat wars. Up until now, I was under the impression that my black cat Edda was the mellowest little girl in the world. Not so much. She has been hissing and growling at my in-laws’ cats. Freya (my corpulent tabby patch cat) has also been attempting to supplant my father-in-law’s corpulent tabby patch as the queen of the master bedroom. Let’s just say the fur has been flying here.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes: Only 5 Takes This Week

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

My crisis of the week. I’m having to get rid of 3 of my 4 cats (I can’t go into the reasons on this blog at this point) and I’m in agony over this. I’ve had the boys and Freya since they were 8 weeks old and it’s killing me to have to give them up. (We’re keeping Edda, partially because her beautiful black fur makes her hard to re-home.) In the case of the boys, they really do deserve a quieter home than we have at the moment where there isn’t a screaming child and moves every 2-4 years. Still, I’m pretty sad.

— 2 —

Awesomely bad worship. One of my Confirmation kids from Minnesota posted this link which has 6 horrific worship song videos. Here are a few other ones that are beyond awful and make me thankful to be part of a church that worships with traditional hymns.

— 3 —

Baseball. My boys (the Giants) just beat my other NL boys (the Cardinals) 6-5. I’m glad Sergio Romo got the save though I would have been just as happy if Jason Motte (closer for the Cards) had gotten it.

— 4 —

Auction for Brett. Do you see the precious child on my sidebar? Someone loves him enough to auction off some Frozen dolls to raise money for his adoption grant. Click on over to check it out!

— 5 —

Stopping here. It’s been that kind of week.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes: A Melange of Things

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Someone needs a mama. Do you see this sweet boy?

Brett

Brett needs a mama. Are you his mama? Click on his picture for more information.

— 2 —

Prerequisite baseball take. My boys (the Giants) are at the top of the NL West… and the Dodgers are five games back. Yeah… trying not to be annoying toward Jon.

— 3 —

Big Bang Theory. OMG… season finale!!!! I wonder what we’re going to see when the show returns in September with regard to Sheldon’s train trip. I was also bummed out to see that the comic book store burned and I’m kind of amused that Stewart is now joyfully taking care of Howard’s mom when every other nurse quit on them.

— 4 —

Leverage. I freaking love Leverage!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am up WAAAAAAAAAY past my bedtime watching it. I do still adore Parker but I also love Eliot (the hitter) as well. I’m watching the one where they’re scamming the Bernie Madoff guy and they’re doing the science fair-musical thing.

— 5 —

Ginger-flavored Altoids. Unfortunately, they don’t sell them here so I’m imbibing large quantities of Trader Joe’s Ginger Mints to help with inflammation. My stomach has been happy in addition so yay?

— 6 —

The weekend. My evil twin and his wife will be down this weekend for the communal birthday celebration. I haven’t seen Sean (the evil twin) since March and I haven’t seen the girl since Thanksgiving. They used to live about half an hour north of us so we used to do the communal birthday celebration at our place. They moved up to Tacoma last August so now my parents are the most centrally located people. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing them.

— 7 —

Books. I finished Something Other Than God (Jen Fulwiler) and Girl at the End of the World (Elizabeth Esther) this week so I’m now re-reading A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans. If you haven’t read it (or any of them), I recommend all three of them.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes: Catching Up on News

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

#BringBackOurGirls There have been people posting the names of the girls that were kidnapped in Nigeria. Some have decried that, saying that it could put the girls in more danger and also stigmatize them if they are found and the Boko Haram have raped them. Here is a link that has the names and a call to pick a name and pray. In the name of keeping the girls safe but also picking a name to pray for, I’ve chosen Mairama Y. as the girl for whom I’ll be praying.

— 2 —

Mixed marriage. It’s baseball season which means that there’s a friendly rivalry in our house between my boys and Jon’s team. Currently, my boys are at the top of their division. Wait… what’s that, Jon? Your team is 2.5 games behind. *slaps forehead* I had no idea!

— 3 —

OMG Big Bang Theory!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can I avoid posting a spoiler alert regarding what happened on the Big Bang Theory tonight? I know! I’ll use Pig Latin. eonard-Lay oposed-pray o-tay enny-Pay and-ay e-shay aid-say “es-Yay”.

— 4 —

Special intention. For those who have been praying for our special intention, thank you. Please keep praying for it.

— 5 —

Blankies. Daniel already has a blankie my mother-in-law made for him out of Dodgers fleece so I tied one with Giants fleece last week. He is currently wrapped in it… next to Jon. I may or may not be snickering over here.

— 6 —

Orphans. Do you see this darling boy?

Brett

Brett needs a mama. Are you his mama? Click on his picture for more information.

— 7 —

Jen Fulwiler’s book. I’m in the middle of Something Other Than God and it is A-freaking-MAZING. I’m a convert from atheism to Christianity and I’m having some “OMG-her-too?????” moments.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 30, 2014

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 30, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was nice today though — in the 60’s.

I am thinking… about everything on my plate this week.

I am thankful… that my trip to see my parents yesterday went well and that I was able to see my evil twin.

In the kitchen… apples and peanut butter for dinner. Food is still icky at the moment.

I am wearing… Online Debate Team t-shirt and black sweats.

I am praying for… the strength to get through unpleasant things between now and Friday, for discernment, for the ability to forgive, and for various people.

I am going… to try and get my taxes done tomorrow.

I am wondering… what the heck is with Brian Wilson’s hair! He also totally blew the save tonight against San Diego! #BeatLA

I am reading… Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, S.J. (which is on hold for a couple days), A Season for the Spirit by Fr. Martin Smith, and assorted murder mysteries from the library that have been on hold for me. I finished Blackberry Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke yesterday on the way down to San Jose and got partway into The Chocolate Book Bandit by Joanna Carl.

I am hoping… that either Daniel’s eye appointment or the PTM on Wednesday get cancelled and unable to be rescheduled because I’m not feeling like dealing with either one. I’m probably out of luck on both counts though.

I am looking forward to… Date Night on Saturday.

I am hearing the Roomba.

Around the house… dishes to do, laundry to do and fold, and a kitchen to clean.

A favorite quote for today… “A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” — Douglas Adams
One of my favorite things…

A few plans for the rest of the week: doing taxes tomorrow, eye appointment for Daniel on Tuesday, PTM on Wednesday, possibly Ladies’ Night Out on Thursday, counseling and (possibly) massage on Friday, and Date Night on Saturday. Oh yes… and ABA therapy every afternoon from Tuesday to Friday.

A peek into my day… When we were down with my parents yesterday, my mom asked me to hold on to Daniel so she could take something out of the oven and not have him get burned. I decided to hold him… upside down.

Me holding Daniel so that Mom can take something out of the oven.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Secret $tarbux Menu, Health Grumping, and the Olympics.

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Secret menu at $tarbux. This is probably not as cool as the secret menu at In-n-Out but it’s cool to know that $tarbux has a secret menu of drinks that baristas can make.

— 2 —

Tom Brokaw. Tom Brokaw is battling multiple myeloma which is the same cancer that my father-in-law has been fighting for 4 years. I’ll be interested to hear the various ways he will treat it, having been privy to what is going on in research on this cancer in the last few years.

— 3 —

Olympics. The Opening Ceremony was interesting and I’ve had fun watching the snowboarding and slopestyle-skiing. I’m kind of meh about the figure-skating in all honesty though I’m kind of amused that Yevegny Plushenko had to drop out, especially because there was a controversy with him being given too generous scores in the team competition. I’m kind of rooting for the Filipino male skater who qualified for the medals round because it would be cool if he made the podium.

— 4 —

Grumping. The mutant death cold that took my voice away last week evolved into a respiratory infection so I was put on Augmentin. Well, Augmentin caused ummm… a secondary problem so I had to have two doses of Diflucan called in. Have I mentioned that taking Augmentin and Diflucan together does not do good things to my stomach? I’m hoping that all of this eventually gets cleared up — I’m not getting much done on errands because I’m so tired and needing to sleep. Let’s not even go into why my fibro started flaring at this point…

— 5 —

Special intention. For those praying for my special intention, we’re still needing prayers for discernment. Please and thank-you. 🙂

— 6 —

The Jen Lancaster book. I’m having to put The Tao of Martha aside because it’s just really not holding my attention. I mean, it’s funny in its own way but it’s not really piquing my interest because I hate domestic things and Martha Stewart falls into that category. I’ll be sending it back to my mother-in-law who is a Martha Stewart groupie and will get a whole lot more out of it.

— 7 —

Orphans. Do you see these beautiful children?

L-R: Brett and Iris
BrettIris

Brett still needs a mama. Iris finally has a family committed to her and they were supposed to have met her on the 29th.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.