Category Archives: Southern California Dreaming

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 14, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 14, 2014

Outside my window… muggy and humid and hot. It feels like the Midwest instead of southern California. It rained on us a bit when I was at Trader Joe’s earlier.

I am thinking… about the issues we’re having in finding an ABA program down here for Daniel. The school is required to provide one but it might not be in this school district so they’re having to make a referral. And no, homeschooling is not an option. We’re already dealing with a home teacher and I’m having to figure out how to structure her time so that it’s actually useful. I have the patience and temperament of a drill sergeant which is why I didn’t become a teacher in the first place. Additionally, I’d prefer not to have to get a Master’s in Education focusing on ABA in order to educate my kid correctly so I’d really rather find people who already have the training.

I am thankful… for my mother-in-law who made me vegan chocolate-peppermint cupcakes yesterday and who is doing everything in her power to support what I’m doing with Daniel. I am seriously blessed to have her and my father-in-law.

In the kitchen… I finished up my scampi from Saturday night for lunch today. Dinner has yet to be decided.

I am wearing… my Run for Courage t-shirt and jeans short.

I am praying for… a special intention, grace to forgive certain people, wisdom to know how to structure Daniel’s days at the moment, for friends who are dealing with a lot right now, and for Hevel’s safety.

I am going… to hopefully go visit my boys this week with tuna so that their new mommy can get them acclimated to her. (Tuna will bribe them to come out.)

I am wondering… how to teach certain things.

I am reading… A New Song by Jan Karon.

I am hoping… the house cools down. My mother-in-law just turned on the A/C so that should help.

I am looking forward to… finding out where God is calling us to go next.

I am hearing Daniel and his teacher working on counting. I’m having to intervene and make him actually say the names of the numbers because otherwise he’s not getting any speech connection or practice.

Around the house… laundry going and my mother-in-law is probably cleaning something.

I am pondering… too many things to list.

A favorite quote for today… “The Christian idea of marriage is based on Christ’s words that a man and wife are to be regarded as a single organism—for that is what the words ‘one flesh’ would be in modern English. And the Christians believe that when He said this He was not expressing a sentiment but stating a fact—just as one is stating a fact when one says that a lock and its key are one mechanism, or that a violin and a bow are one musical instrument. The inventor of the human machine was telling us that its two halves, the male and the female, were made to be combined together in pairs, not simply on the sexual level, but totally combined. The monstrosity of sexual intercourse outside marriage is that those who indulge in it are trying to isolate one kind of union (the sexual) from all the other kinds of union which were intended to go along with it and make up the total union. The Christian attitude does not mean that there is anything wrong about sexual pleasure, any more than about the pleasure of eating. It means that you must not isolate that pleasure and try to get it by itself, any more than you ought to try to get the pleasures of taste without swallowing and digesting, by chewing things and spitting them out again.” — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… Trader Joe’s Iced Tea-Lemonade

A few plans for the rest of the week: speech therapy for Daniel on Tuesday morning, lessons with his home teacher Tuesday – Friday, and various errands.

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7 Quick Takes: Sunburns, the State of Affairs in Israel, and Getting Brett Funded

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Everything is fine. To those who emailed me about the strange comments on my last Quick Takes, everything is fine. Yes, fine. You might want to re-read my comment policy. (Hint.)

Also, thank you to everyone who emailed me and offered to go defend me on the other site. It would not have been appropriate (or needed) but I appreciate it nonetheless.

— 2 —

Get this kid fully funded! You know the precious boy on my sidebar? Yes, Brett.

Brett

He has a prospective mama and papa going to Eastern Europe to meet him. The problem: they need to be fully funded before they go. As I’m sitting here and typing this at 10:56 p.m. PDT on July 10th, they need $590 until his FSP reads $14,000 and they are fully funded. Can you help? Even $5 or $10 will do the trick. Click here to do so.

— 3 —

The O.C. Today, I headed down to Orange County to visit my sister-in-law and my incredibly cute nephew Patrick who is 13.5 months old. We met at the Beach Club and Lagoon by the lake in her town and it was pretty cool — the outer part was sandy like a beach but within a swimming pool. (Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures.) While she and my father-in-law talked, I took Patrick for a “walk”. He’s at the stage where he’s pulling himself up on furniture and coasting along so I had him standing up with his feet on the ground and my hands holding onto his. He was able to confidently take some steps and when his mom wasn’t praising him, she got to (hopefully) have a decent conversation with her dad. It was fitting, given that I was sorting papers from the last three years into treatment/therapy/IEP binders yesterday and I came across all the PT notes from three years ago when Daniel was learning how to walk.

Daniel and Jon had an incredible time in the lagoon. I think the cutest part was when Daniel started splashing Jon and Jon started splashing him back.

— 4 —

Oooooooh burn! Anyone who has seen pictures of me (or knows me in real life) will attest to the fact that I’m incredibly fair-skinned with freckles. Since I moved back down to the land of endless heat, the place where I part my hair has been getting fried if I spend any measurable amount of time (say, 20 minutes) outside. I was amazed that it didn’t turn red and blister today. It might be because a.) I finally have enough of a tan there that it isn’t burning or b.) I sprayed it well with sunscreen. I’m leaning toward B myself.

— 5 —

Prayer request. Things have been moving along with the special intention y’all have been praying about since the end of January. I can’t talk about it but all I’ll say is that it’s an unexpected place and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep praying.

— 6 —

The sitch in Israel. My friend Hevel of Kosher Kola has been blogging about the situation in Israel… in person. He’s posted a few pictures showing the alert for rocket attacks against Tel Aviv. Say a prayer for his safety and the safety of those on BOTH sides of the conflict who are in danger of being civilian casualties.

— 7 —

Quiet weekend. I have no plans for the weekend other than hearing Jon supply-preach on Sunday. I’m kind of liking not having any plans – it makes things easier down here.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 6, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY July 6, 2014

Outside my window… cooler. It was 96F in Claremont today. I hate July in the desert…

I am thinking… about the organizing of all of Daniel’s therapy notes, IEP’s, goal paperwork, ABA reports, etc. that starts tomorrow for me.

I am thankful… that I have a really good relationship with my in-laws, especially my mother-in-law. People have commented upon meeting us that they’re kind of shocked that we’re not mother and daughter. (She’s been my “other mother” for 14 years now — we’d better be getting along well.)

In the kitchen… just cleaned it. My mother-in-law made a peach/raspberry cobbler today with the peaches off of her tree. I’m not a fan of cobbler but it smelled pretty good.

I am wearing… my preeclampsia survivor shirt and black running shorts.

I am praying for… discernment, some special intentions, Daniel’s school time to go well this week, for another call for Jon, and for healing for various people.

I am going… to Target tomorrow to pick up the scripts they couldn’t fill today because of computer problems.

I am reading… A New Song by Jan Karon. I finished Out to Canaan yesterday.

I am hoping… the weather is much much cooler tomorrow.

I am looking forward to… finding out where God wants us next.

I am hearing my mother-in-law’s Mints and Roomba running. It sounds (and looks) like “Robot Wars” going down in this house.

Around the house… laundry to fold once I get Daniel to sleep.

I am pondering… aspects of the human condition.

A favorite quote for today… “There are two kinds of love: we love wise and kind and beautiful people because we need them, but we love (or try to love) stupid and disagreeable people because they need us. This second kind is the more divine because that is how God loves us: not because we are lovable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but He delights to give.” — C.S. Lewis (from today’s email — I’m on a mailing list in which a piece of his works appears in my inbox every morning)

One of my favorite things… Daniel asleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week: “school” for Daniel Monday – Friday, speech on Tuesday, and various errands sprinkled throughout the week.

A peek into my day… Felicity (one of my in-laws’ cats) asleep in the laundry I have to fold.

Felicity *helping* with laundry

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7 Quick Takes: Independence Day, GetRather.Com, and The News from Here

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

A better way. Someone decided to send me Elena’s post on the recent Supreme Court decisions. (To those who are doing this: cut it out. I’ve got better things to do with my time and my energy than block you on here for trying to start a flame war.) Rather than expressing my true feelings on what she has to say (which I will just say are not complimentary to her), I thought I’d tell y’all about a better way that removes the issue entirely: go to GetRather.Com and download the version for your browser of choice. You can put in the terms you want to not see in your Facebook/Twitter feed (for example: Hobby Lobby, Tea Party, Abby Johnson, Matt Walsh, and Obamacare) and the app/add-on will either mute those specific statuses/tweets or replace them with something pleasant like pictures of cats. You’re welcome.

— 2 —

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.

— 3 —

Read this. Hevel posted some pretty poignant Quick Takes related to the kidnap and murder of 3 Israeli teenagers by Hamas. I highly recommend reading them.

— 4 —

And while we’re at it… Can I just say to those who have published screeds on how Bowe Bergdahl is un-American because he *might* have deserted (it has not been definitively proven) that y’all suck? I mean, seriously, people are acting like they would have preferred that he shot himself which truthfully, he could have easily done given the level of depression and mental illness he was suffering. I’ve read accounts from both sides of the coin (both “right-leaning” and “left-leaning”) and the behavior described leading up to his disappearance was clearly suicidal behavior.

As tomorrow is Independence Day, I will definitely say that I’m glad to have a commander-in-chief who doesn’t leave anyone behind, regardless of how much crap people will give him for it.

— 5 —

Independence Day plans. There’s a festival and parade in the town where I’m living but it’s supposed to be 97F here so I’ll probably stay indoors until things cool down significantly in the evening. There are a number of civic fireworks displays visible from my in-laws’ porch so I’ll probably watch those. (I live in a tinderbox so setting off my own is soooooo not happening.)

— 6 —

Update on Freya. The day after her return, the little deviant jumped onto my father-in-law’s bed, chased his obese orange tabby patch cat Alyssa off the bed, chased her around the room and under the bed, and finally into the closet. Freya then cuddled up to my father-in-law, offered to help him eat his torta (as he was telling me this, her tail was on the dirty plate), and spent the day kissing up to him. She helped him nap, helped him with setting up some speech-to-text software (which now has commands for “Freya” and “meow”), and tried to supplant Alyssa at every turn. We are hypothesizing that her time away was for “plotting and conniving” rather than the “mental health day” suggested by my mother-in-law.

— 7 —

Show Kelsey some love. Jon’s cousin Kelsey is headed to Lithuania for a year as a missionary. She’ll be working at LCC International University as a residential director. If you’d like to show her some love, here is one of her fundraising updates.

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

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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.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: June 24, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY June 24, 2014

Outside my window… sunflowers. It’s nice right now but should get to 88F today.

I am thinking… about the errands my mother-in-law and I will be doing with Daniel this afternoon.

I am thankful… that the move is over and we’re settling into things here.

In the kitchen… my mother-in-law is making salmon packets for my father-in-law.

I am wearing… black polo shirt, jeans, and flip-flops from Old Navy.

I am praying for… Daniel’s school situation to resolve, for some special intentions, for grace and guidance as I process the last month or so.

I am going… to drop off my little black dress to be mended on my way to pick Daniel up from summer school.

I am wondering… what our status will be at the end of the summer.

I am reading… These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon. I also read A Common Life last week.

I am hoping… Daniel goes down peacefully tonight and that we can get a new routine in place here for bedtime.

I am hearing my mother-in-law’s Roombas.

Around the house… Roombas are running, laundry is cycling, and I’m sitting in my room with my needy black cat.

I am pondering… too much mentally. Will have to journal some things out tonight.

A favorite quote for today… “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… a place and time where my mind can be quiet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands on various days, sorting through boxes, shredding old papers and bills, and living where my feet are at the moment.

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