Category Archives: Gold Country Life

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: April 7, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY April 7, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was in the 80’s today.

I am thinking… about stuff I need to get done this week.

I am thankful… for Daniel’s 5th birthday today.

In the kitchen… dishes to do. *sighs*

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

I am praying for… my knee to heal, about how to handle Daniel being defiant, for a special intention, for the ability to forgive…

I am going… to try and get some writing and copy-editing done tomorrow.

I am wondering… when PG&E is going to fix the cement they knocked out in the backyard.

I am reading… The Alpine Yeoman by Mary Daheim. I finished Killer Physique by G.A. McKevett this weekend and Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Fr. Jim Martin is still on hold until I get through all the murder mysteries that showed up for me all of a sudden. I’m also still reading through A Season for the Spirit by Fr. Martin Smith as part of my Lenten discipline.

I am hoping… I’m not having to rest my knee for too long — Daniel is on Spring Break next week and I don’t want to be limping after him.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

I am hearing a podcast by Frederica Mathewes-Green on “toxic charity”.

Around the house… dishes to do, laundry to fold, and vacuuming to do.

I am pondering… too many things at the moment.

One of my favorite things… iced tea/lemonade from Trader Joe’s.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ABA therapy every afternoon this week, haircut on Thursday, counseling on Friday morning, and massage on Friday afternoon.

A peek into my day… This was the first time I got to hold Daniel in April 2009.

Me holding Daniel for the first time in April 2009.

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 30, 2014

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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.

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 24, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 24, 2014

Outside my window… dark. I’m writing this at midnight. I think it’s supposed to be 80F tomorrow. (Before you Midwesterners and East Coast peeps tar and feather me, I’d like to point out that we’re having severe drought conditions in California because all those storms you had completely missed us.)

I am thinking… about my talk for the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia.

I am thankful… for a fun time at Miwok Park in Elk Grove with Daniel.

In the kitchen… dishes to do. I just had some vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt.

I am wearing… charcoal v-neck shirt from Old Navy and navy/white-stripped pajama bottoms from Target.

I am praying for… Katie, discernment about some things in my personal life, for Daniel to develop speech, and for the grace to get through this week.

I am going… to hopefully fall asleep soon.

I am wondering… where the heck the parents were of the toddler who was aimlessly wandering around the playground when we were there with Daniel.

I am reading… Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, S.J. and I’m also reading A Season for the Spirit by Fr. Martin Smith as my Lenten discipline.

I am hoping… to get all my errands done tomorrow morning.

I am looking forward to… seeing my evil twin on Saturday. I haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving because he moved up to Washington with his wife.

I am hearing “Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective. I heard it on KLOVE today and fell in love with it.

Around the house… the Roomba finished vacuuming an hour ago.

I am pondering… too many things in my head.

A favorite quote for today… “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” — Romans 8:26-27 (I was quoting it to a friend as a way of explaining how to pray in the midst of a spiritual desert.

One of my favorite things… silly house panthers with glowing eyes.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands on Monday, Daniel’s audiologist appointment on Wednesday, WIC and a meeting with one of Jon’s colleagues on Thursday, massage on Friday, and seeing my family on Saturday.

A peek into my day… An wedding picture as yesterday was my 12th wedding anniversary.

My parents, evil twin, and grandparents.

Back (L-R): my dad, my mom, my grandfather, and my evil twin.
Front (L-R): my grandma, me, and Jon

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 17, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 17, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It’s 1:30 a.m. as usual when I’m writing this. You’d think I’d be asleep but I’m needing to get out of my head so I’m blogging.

I am thinking… about the mess that was my experience with worship today.

I am thankful… for the people that stepped in and helped.

In the kitchen… sushi from Trader Joe’s.

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

I am praying for… so very many things.

I am going… to ponder taking a break from the baby blanket I’m working on to do some quickie projects.

I am wondering… what God is calling me to.

I am reading… Jesus: A Pilgrimage by James Martin, S.J. and my Lenten reading is A Season for the Spirit by Fr. Martin Smith.

I am hoping… I get some sleep.

I am looking forward to… getting through my week.

I am hearing Nadia Bolz-Weber on iTunes. I may not agree with her but she is someone that should be listened to.

Around the house… the kitchen needs cleaning.

A favorite quote for today… “Have peace in yourself, and thousands will find salvation around you.” — St. Seraphim of Sarov

One of my favorite things… quiet. I never get it but I love it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s IEP today, ABA therapy every afternoon from Monday to Friday, Morning Prayer on Tuesday, coffee with one of Jon’s colleagues on Thursday, and parent team meeting for Daniel on Friday morning.

A peek into my day… I have a cat who refuses to participate in cat shaming.

Edda being 'cat shamed'.

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 9, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 9, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was a mix of sun and clouds today. We’re supposed to be getting rain tonight which will be good for our drought in California.

I am thinking… that I shouldn’t have allowed Daniel to take that nap today even if it meant that I got to take it with him. I have a feeling that getting him to sleep tonight will be interesting.

I am thankful… for a peaceful afternoon with Daniel.

In the kitchen… dishes to do tomorrow. Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!

I am wearing… charcoal v-neck shirt from Old Navy and black capri sweats from Lands’ End.

I am praying for… discernment, the ability to forgive, sleep tonight, everything going on this week, and for my toes to heal.

I am going… to try and get a bunch of errands done tomorrow.

I am wondering… what the exact purpose of Daylight Savings Time is other than to torment me.

I am reading… Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin, S.J. — it’s a re-read before I tackle his book on Jesus that comes out this week.

I am hoping… to get to sleep before 3 a.m. tonight. Stupid fibro flare-up!

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

I am hearing the 10:00 news.

Around the house… lots to clean tomorrow.

I am pondering… various things related to the special intention for which I have been asking prayer.

A favorite quote for today… “Those who reject Christianity will not be moved by Christ’s statement that poverty is blessed. But here a rather remarkable fact comes to my aid. Those who would most scornfully repudiate Christianity as a mere ‘opiate of the people’ have a contempt for the rich, that is, for all mankind except the poor. They regard the poor as the only people worth preserving from ‘liquidation’, and place in them the only hope for the human race. But this is not compatible with a belief that the effects of poverty on those who suffer it are wholly evil; it even implies that they are good. The Marxist thus finds himself in real agreement with the Christian in those two beliefs which Christianity paradoxically demands – that poverty is blessed and yet ought to be removed.” — C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

One of my favorite things… big orange scaredy cats.

A few plans for the rest of the week: errands tomorrow, meeting on Tuesday morning, haircut on Thursday, massage and rheumy appointment on Friday. Also ABA therapy for Daniel every afternoon from Monday to Friday as usual.

A peek into my day… Pharrell’s song “Happy” done at Boston College.

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7 Quick Takes: Best Week Ever

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Orphans. Do you see these sweet children?

L-R: Brett and Iris
BrettIris

Brett still needs a mama. Iris finally has a family who have adopted her (I think they passed court this past week!) and they will hopefully be on their way home with her and her new little brother in a week or so.

— 2 —

Special intention. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us for the last month. Please continue to pray for discernment for all who are involved and for me to be able to forgive people for the ways that they have wronged me.

— 3 —

Lent. For those who missed it, Beth Anne won my “Pick Jen’s Lenten Discipline” contest. I’m glad it was her because Kelly of This Ain’t The Lyceum had threatened promised to buy me a hair shirt if she won. Beth Anne assigned me the disciplines of finding a church to pray in 1-2 times a week and getting a devotional to do daily reading during the next 40ish days.

— 4 —

#AshTag Here’s my #ashtag from Wednesday. It’s the only selfie I take pretty much ever unless it’s to stick my tongue out at certain people.

Daniel and me.

— 5 —

Raindrops falling on my head. I think we’ve had storms every couple days for the last week or so. It’s not enough to get California out of the severe drought we’re in but it sure helps. We even had thunder and lightning up in my neck of the woods last night! That was pretty exciting. (It’s not as common here as it is in the Midwest.)

— 6 —

The title of this post. It wasn’t my best week ever — I’m a VH1 addict… or at least I was back when I had cable or satellite and I used to watch the show “Best Week Ever” all the time. I used to watch stuff like “I Love the 90’s” and “Celebrity Fit Club” all the time which I cannot imagine watching now! I kind of wonder if it and MTV even show music anymore.

— 7 —

“Son of God” People are astonished that I have no desire to see the “Son of God” movie. I keep telling them… the book is better! *rimshot* In all seriousness, I’m not a film person — I’d rather read a book than watch someone’s attempt at recreating it.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: March 2, 2014

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FOR TODAY March 2, 2014

Outside my window… dark. We’ve gotten some storms coming through this weekend and are supposed to have more tomorrow. I’ve got at least 4 hours of driving to do so I’m hoping the roads stay safe.

I am thinking… about my trip to San Jose tomorrow.

I am thankful… for good interactions with parishioners in the last week.

In the kitchen… dishes though I did several sinkfulls today. (My kingdom for a dishwasher!)

I am wearing… beige v-neck and black capri sweats from Target which are super comfy.

I am praying for… traveling mercies as I head to San Jose tomorrow, discernment for people involved in my special intention, and for patience with regard to Daniel.

I am going… to $tarbux on my way out of town.

I am wondering… how tomorrow will go.

I am reading… This Our Exile by James Martin, S.J. which I highly recommend if you have any interest in Africa or missiology.

I am hoping… to sleep well tonight.

I am looking forward to… seeing my parents tomorrow though I wish it were happier circumstances. (Nobody died — I have to go deal with a family matter.)

I am hearing the Roomba trying to dock. It’s like having a Dalek moving around the darkened living room.

Around the house… cats are scattered haphazardly. (In other words, everything is normal.)

I am pondering… what to take with me tomorrow for the time that I’ll spend sitting: crocheting or just my NOOK?

A favorite quote for today… “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” — C.S. Lewis (How true this is right now!)

One of my favorite things… quiet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: trip to San Jose by myself tomorrow, Morning Prayer on Tuesday, Ash Wednesday stuff on Wednesday, meeting on Thursday morning, and Ladies’ Night Out that evening.

A peek into my day… Daniel and Cullen taking a nap together. When I was pregnant with Daniel, Cullen used to settle on my baby belleh and purr… only to be kicked by Daniel. My mom and I have been joking for almost 5 years now about them having a Calvin and Hobbes type of relationship someday. (Cullen is a gigantic scaredy cat so he’ll hang out with Daniel if Daniel is asleep or in my lap being sedate.) Maybe that day is coming soon?

Daniel and Cullen taking a nap together.

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