Category Archives: Southern California Dreaming

7 Quick Takes: Seriously Wanting Friday to Come Soon!

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Sadness. We had to put my in-laws’ cat Nicholas to sleep today. We brought him into the vet for what we thought would be an antibiotic shot and they found a tumor in his abdomen. Given that he had lost something like 2 lbs in the last month and was very noticably in pain, it was actually not a hard decision. I am sad for my in-laws though and we seem to lose at least 1 cat per year and the rest of the cats in the house are relatively young — I think the oldest one now is maybe 13 years old and the second oldest is 12 with the rest being between the ages of 6-8. (Nick was 15.5 years old.)

— 2 —

Seriously?!?!?!?!? We were leaving the $tarbux parking lot today when my battery light flashed on and I couldn’t restart the car. Daniel commenced having a meltdown as I tried to find a tow truck company that we could afford. (Thankfully, my auto insurance comes with Roadside Assistance so we didn’t have to mortgage anything to get towed to my mechanic.) Jon came and got Daniel and I settled in to wait for the towing company. Apparently, I was blocking the way for a delivery driver because he told me he was going to give me a push aside. Well, I was suddenly in the bushes in the parking lot of the Chevron station next door. The delivery driver didn’t speak much English and I had to tell him to leave me alone to keep him from pushing me out and messing my bumper up more. Thankfully, I managed to get the information off of his truck while he was making deliveries so my insurance company is pursuing the claim and I will have a rental car while they fix mine. (I’m pretty sure the underside of my car has some damage as a result of the push and my bumper has a new dent.) Not the best day by far!

— 3 —

A good reason for the rules prohibiting the marriage of two people if one (or both) are intoxicated. A few people here know that my husband is a pastor who performs weddings as a way of paying the bills. When I saw this article, I had to send it to him. I don’t think either the bride or groom was intoxicated while the wedding was performed but they sure were after! It’s probably not a good thing to leave your wedding in police-issued handcuffs or in an ambulance to the hospital with alcohol poisoning.

— 4 —

Joy joy joy! My in-laws have been singing “I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy” to Daniel every day to teach him about God (because his mother totally doesn’t listen to *ANY* Christian music in the car EVER) and a few days ago, he said “joy joy joy!” so they sang to him. He now requests the song every day and I told him that we would sing it at VBS next week… which led to him starting to sing it (or at least try). It was seriously cute but that’s normal for my seriously cute boy.

— 5 —

Daniel and VBS. At the VBS meeting on Monday, I asked my priest if there was any way that Daniel could attend because we’d need someone to shadow him and I didn’t know if we had enough people. It turns out that one of the dads can do it… and the woman running VBS is also willing to have him be her “helper” if need be. (Daniel likes to help.) I also have some church members who are former special ed teachers who will be there and others who are totally excited about finally meeting Daniel. (He goes to a church closer to the house for Sunday school because my mother-in-law is the one who takes him most of the time.) I am so thankful to be part of a church which really wants to make it so that EVERYONE can participate and has clergy who absolutely love my kiddo.

— 6 —

We are family. Some of Jon’s relatives on his dad’s side are in town for a wedding this weekend (including his aunt who reads my blog — HI AUNT JANICE!!!!! *waves*) so we all had lunch on Wednesday. It was the first time meeting a couple of them for Daniel and the first time seeing others in a few years. He came home to a house with 10 people when he got off the bus and he did extremely well at eating at the table (better than many adults) and he was pretty calm the whole time. He did love it when we sang “I’ve Got the Joy Joy Joy” to him and started banging the table in rhythm.

— 7 —

Prayer request. If you could pray for a special intention for Jon and me, I would greatly appreciate it. Please and thank you!

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

7 Quick Takes: More on Water Restrictions, House Fires, and Hobbes’ Adventures in Tampa

Posted on by

a7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Apparently, the rich are different. For those who came back this week after my snarky post on the drought and water restrictions, I have a somewhat funny story for you: after Gov. Jerry Brown (all hail!) called for serious water restrictions, usage in the rich enclave of Rancho Santa Fe actually went *UP*. The reason: residents are of the opinion that “we’re not all equal when it comes to water.” I find it funny in a “you can’t make this up” way, not in a humorous way. The joke is on them, however, because serious water restrictions will be enforced on them starting on July 1st. I think I’ll have to grab a cooler, some snacks from Trader Joe’s, an iced vanilla latté, and go watch peoples’ heads explode when they realize how much water they have to cut that day. And because I’m going to have to turn in my liberal ID card if I don’t post this [/sarcasm], here’s an opinion on this from the Daily Kos.

— 2 —

Excuse me while I puke. Rick Santorum used the shooting in Charleston to try and score some political points. I’ve heard a few people excuse it saying that he was speaking broadly about assaults on religious liberty in this country but I’m not buying it unless he wants to add on shootings at a Sikh temple and a mosque onto it. Besides, the gunman very clearly made statements to the people in the church about how it was aimed toward them as African-Americans.

Seriously, co-opting this to score “religious liberty” points sickens me. It’s highly inappropriate and it devalues the deaths to the family members.

— 3 —

Hot weather food. As I’m sitting here eating my sushi from Trader Joe’s because it’s too hot to cook, I’m wondering what y’all do for “hot weather food”. Mind sharing in the comments? Please and thank you. 🙂

— 4 —

Hobbes tours Tampa’s airport without Calvin. A boy accidentally left his stuffed tiger at the Tampa airport and the airport staff took it on an adventure.

— 5 —

I swear that I am not making this up. Last Monday, a house around the corner from my parents caught on fire and when I was googling the link to send to my in-laws, I found this story. The title (“No Joke: Doctors, Realtor, Pastor Go For a Run, Extinguish House Fire”) sounds like the opening to a joke but it’s legit.

— 6 —

Because I am a COPS junkie! During that house fire in my parents’ neighborhood, various streets were blocked off (including the entrance to ours) due to the fire trucks present and this meant that people couldn’t get between two major streets. (The street with the fire goes between them and a lot of people take it at warp speed to shave off a few minutes. It’s why there are a ton of traffic cameras and speed traps on it, considering that it’s a pretty quiet residential street otherwise.) Anyway, a woman tried to shoot between two fire trucks and got pulled over. She then decided to argue with the cop. My mom was standing on the corner with some neighbors watching the fire and happened to catch this exchange and she told me that said cop took his sweet time running all of her information and getting back to her. I’m kind of bummed to have missed it because I would probably have been sitting there with some granola (it apparently took place around 8 a.m.) and watched the drama unfold. Then again, it’s probably better that I wasn’t there because Daniel would have been with me and both of our lungs would have been pretty irritated by the smoke. (We took a walk after the fire was out and I realized halfway through that I needed my inhaler pretty badly… because I have absolutely no common sense. Mr. Preemie Reactive Airway, thankfully, was fine)

— 7 —

Prayer request. Could you please pray for a special intention? Please and thank you!

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

#FiveFaves: Miscellanea (XXXVIII)

Posted on by

#5Faves

One

Electricity. The power was off today from 8 a.m. until probably 4:00 p.m. so things like surfing the web and using the washer/dishwaser/machines was out of the question. I’m dead tired but I’m still attempting to get this post out as I had no opportunity to work on it today.

Two

Ice packs. I re-injured my calf muscle in my left leg so ice will be my friend for the next few days. I’ll be doing core exercises and weights if I can avoid dragging myself back to bed after getting Daniel off to school. (His bus comes at 7:10 a.m. which means a 6:40 wake-up call for me… and I am most definitely *NOT* a morning person.)

Three

Quiet. I’m the only one up at the moment and I’m seriously enjoying it. I’m incredibly introverted and this is how I get to recharge.

Four

Prayer walks in the morning. I find that I get my daily prayer time if I can take a walk so that’s what I try to do in the mornings, especially since it gets so hot here so early these days.

Five

Jessica Beck. I didn’t realize that she pretty much self-publishes all her stuff. I’m reading her Classic Diner series right now and loving it.

Go love up Jenna and the others.

7 Quick Takes: Water-Saving Tips from a Californians Who Is *ACTUALLY* Experiencing the Drought

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

Normally, I’d be giving you passive-aggressive Quick Takes about how Spain had to import diptheria anti-toxin emergently from Russia because a 6 year old boys parents fell for the anti-vaccination scheme and how he’s in the ICU as a result. (Seriously people, VACCINATE YOUR FREAKING KIDS!!!!) Instead, you get to see me blog about water-saving efforts in my normal tonge-in-cheek fashion. (I’ll try to make it entertaining, m’kay?)

— 1 —

Give up your lawn. That beautiful green grass that you spent a fortune putting in last year is a waste of water that could be better spent keeping the greens at the local country club in tip-top shape. Not to mention, ye olde city council has sacrificed the running of the beautiful fountain in front of the municipal offices so you’re just going to have to let that nice lawn go brown and spend the money to re-sod it next year. Just remember: it’s a violation of city code to have those weeds making everything look shaggy so make sure you remember to cut the grass every week in the hot sun!

— 2 —

Catch wasted water in your shower by using a bucket. Do you know how much water gets wasted by running it until it reaches a temperature that will not freeze you to death or boil you??? A lot of it! Stick a 5 gallon bucket in that shower and use that water to water your garden which you have redone with all drought-tolerant plants! Well… if you haven’t offered up your dashed gardening hopes on behalf of people in sub-Saharan Africa who have no clean water, that is.

— 3 —

Take “camp showers”. You know how you were only allowed to have the shower on for 30 seconds at camp to wet yourself down, rinse the shampoo out of your hair, and rinse the soap off? Time to implement those at home! You only need like 30 seconds to wet yourself down, 30 seconds to rinse the shampoo out, and 30 seconds to rinse the soap off, right? Think of all the water you’ll save that Nestle can extract and bottle for their corporate profits!

— 4 —

Use the bathroom outside the house. Do you need to make a Target run? Combine it with answering the call of nature and make a stop in the fabulous Target bathrooms! The alcohol gel you’ll want to douse yourself with afterwards (that is, if your Target’s bathrooms are as foul as the ones at my local store) is on aisle F27!

— 5 —

Shower at the gym. What? You don’t have a gym membership? Don’t you care about personal fitness?!?!?!?!?

— 6 —

Replace all your appliances (mainly your dishwasher and washing machine) with more efficient ones. Trust me… you can’t wash dishes by hand more efficently than a dishwasher can wash them. You know you needed new appliances anyway, right? What else are credit cards for?!?!?!? (Seriously, I’m kidding on this one.)

— 7 —

Move. Apartment buildings aren’t subect to the serious water restrictions placed on homeowners by municipalities. (Homeowners are being told to cut 25-35% of their 2013 usage depending on the municipality.) Better yet, move to a state where this weird phenomenon called “rain” exists!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 31, 2015

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 31, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It’s been quite warm here lately with temperatures around 80F but humidity that makes it feel hotter.

I am thinking… about my week and if I should ask my physical therapist to work on my leg tomorrow as I’ve got a muscle that is severely tensed in it and not relaxing.

I am thankful… for the concert celebrating Dr. Wilbur Held’s memory that I was blessed to attend yesterday. It was mostly organ with a little bit of choral music and a BIG piece at the end which involved, choirs, organ, and hand bells.

In the kitchen… I had some trail mix as my pre-bedtime snack.

I am wearing… my Run for the Little Flowers 2014 shirt and capri sweats.

I am praying for… my father-in-law, a call for Jon, relief from the muscle pain I’ve been having, and for a bunch of special intentions.

I am going… to take my car in to figure out what is up with the A/C on Tuesday morning. I’m hoping I’m not car-less for too long or that I can borrow Jon’s car if I need anything on Tuesday.

I am wondering… what I did that is stressing out my back and my calf muscles.

I am reading… Powdered Peril by Jessica Beck and I finished Killer Crullers a few days ago. I’m taking a break from Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey to keep up with Beck’s Donut Shop Mysteries.

I am hoping… the issue with my leg isn’t something nasty like a blood clot.

I am looking forward to… seeing my family on Friday. We’re spending a week with them while Daniel is off school before Extended School Year (summer school) starts.

I am hearing… various YouTube hymn videos.

Crocheting… nothing new — still the big boy blankie and the amigurumi stuffed animal.

Around the house… I managed to push this until a late hour yet again so I’m the only one awake.

A favorite quote for today… “The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… the smell of anointing oil.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT and errands tomorrow, taking my car to the mechanic on Tuesday, VBS music meeting on Wednesday, Daniel’s last day of school on Thursday, and heading up to San Jose on Friday.

A peek into my day… I love how Twila Paris does this particular old gospel song.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

#FiveFaves: Miscellanea (XXXV)

Posted on by

#5Faves

One

Vacation Bible School. I get to help lead the music for VBS at my church at the end of June and I’m seriously excited. I’m going through all of Wee Sing Bible stuff on iTunes and my CD’s of church camp music for songs to sing.

Two

Mission Bible Class songs. I’ve been using the following playlist from Mission Bible Class to learn some hand motions and new songs for VBS because we’re creating our own VBS curriculum this year.

Three

All my former Fundamentalist friends. Some of my ex-Fundie friends like Elizabeth Esther and Melissa are being quoted on the Josh Duggar issue. Eschet chayil!

Four

Phillip Yancey. I’m reading his book Vanishing Grace and it’s an interesting answer to his 20+ year old book What’s So Amazing About Grace?. One of the major premises is that it helps to think of the “lost” as the “thirsty”. As with What’s So Amazing About Grace?, he is unfortunately not having to struggle to come up with examples of Christians failing to treat others with grace.

Five

The “Arky Arky” Song. My church choir director hates it (or loves to claim that he hates it) and I’m sorely tempted to add it my list of VBS songs because he’s helping with music.

Go love up Rachel and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 25, 2015

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 25, 2015

Outside my window… dark. I was planning to get this done early but ended up having to spend 5 hours in the dark fighting a migraine. It was cold this morning but it seemed to get nicer later.

I am thinking… about VBS and what songs to teach because I’m co-leading the music and trying to come up with appropriate songs for the day, especially on the days that I’m leading it all. (We’re coming up with our own VBS curriculum this year which involves Legos and creativity.)

I am thankful… for Wycliffe, Lutheran Bible Translators, and all those who work with similar organizations that translate God’s Word into languages that others do not speak.

In the kitchen… I made myself some leftover pulled pork and baked beans for dinner.

I am wearing… grey v-neck shirt and navy/white-striped pj bottoms.

I am praying for… a call for Jon, the water sitch here in California, my father-in-law who is fighting cancer, and a few special intentions.

I am going… to physical therapy tomorrow. I’m seriously looking forward to it.

I am wondering… about so many things at this late hour. This must be why I’m still up! 🙂

I am reading… I finished Tragic Toppings, Drop Dead Chocolate, and Illegally Iced this week and am taking a break from murder mysteries (I had some Livia J. Washburn ones that I just couldn’t get into) to read Vanishing Grace by Phillip Yancey.

I am hoping… to get all the Jessica Beck books I’m missing through the library.

I am looking forward to… seeing my parents on the 5th for a week and getting to spend some time with Rebecca.

I am hearing… various VBS-type songs on one of the Mission Bible Class YouTube channels.

Crocheting… blankets and amigurumi stuff from the last few months.

Around the house… quiet as I’m the only one up.

One of my favorite things… silence.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT tomorrow, Bible study/errands/choir on Wednesday, and a concert on Saturday in addition to whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… One of my favorite Bach pieces (the “Fugue” movement from the Concerto for Two Pianos BWV 1061). I wish I could make this my ring tone for my cell phone.

Post Script… At Bible study last Wednesday, my priest was talking about how she doesn’t like to do Pentecost readings in multiple languages at once because the point was that everyone understood despite the myriad of languages present. She then said that she’d love to post different languages up on the walls of the sanctuary and I offered to help because languages/linguistics is one of my geeky pleasures. While putting Daniel to bed on Thursday night, I compiled a bunch of interesting languages and sent them to her, thinking that she’d pick 4-5 of them.

I walked in on Sunday morning and found all of them — 35 in all — posted on the walls. I was seriously jazzed and also kind of wishing that I’d gotten them in every language off of Bible Gateway and Unbound Bible. People were impressed and it was honestly a really fun way to serve my church in helping to put it together.

I think my next task is going to be going in there and getting every language possible to post.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.