Category Archives: Gold Country Life

7 Quick Takes: A Smelly Box, Pick My Lenten Discipline, and California Rain

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Pick my Lenten discipline! I’ve decided to take a page from Fr. James Martin, S.J. and allow *someone else* to pick my Lenten discipline for this year. To enter the contest, click here to find the lovely Rafflecopter. The pre-reqs are super easy: leave me a comment and like this blog’s page on Facebook. I suck at updating it so it’s minimal as far as impact to your Facebook wall.

— 2 —

Orphans. Do you see these sweet 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.

— 3 —

Rain! I replaced my Old Navy flip-flops a couple days ago and wore them out. It started raining shortly after. You’re welcome, northern California. It’s not stopping me from wearing my flip-flops though. 😉

— 4 —

Sibling rivalry. Daniel climbed into my lap a few minutes ago, wrapped in the afghan my mother-in-law made for my husband when she was pregnant with him 36+ years ago. I sent Jon to go fetch Daniel’s own “mommy blankie” which I made for him when he was a red panda cublet in utero 5 (!!!) years ago. Daniel followed after him, dragging Jon’s afghan like Linus with his blankie. The little monster is back on my lap snuggled up with his own blankie. Edda is sitting on the back of the recliner meowing at me to make Daniel go away because I am *HER* mommy.

— 5 —

Smelly box. One of Daniel’s ABA tutors noticed him smelling his feet and getting excited about me putting alcohol gel on his hands so she suggested a “smelly box” where I put stuff like lip gloss, lotion, and other things he can smell instead of his feet or a pen. (He gets a rather “colorful” face from markers.) Any ideas for things to stick in there or what scents to put in?

And yes, I did get “Smelly Cat” stuck in my head while typing this.

— 6 —

Interesting idea. I was reading Beth Anne’s site and saw this on her sidebar. For those needing a system for keeping track of bills and mail, go check it out!

— 7 —

Special intention. For those praying for my special intention, especially in regard to forgiveness, I wanted to let you know that the prayers for forgiveness are working. Please continue praying for discernment. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 23, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 23, 2014

Outside my window… dark. As usual, I’m blogging after everyone has gone to bed.

I am thinking… about the wife and kids of a family member who passed away this weekend.

I am thankful… for a good weekend with my parents.

In the kitchen… lots of dishes.

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

I am praying for… family members, the ability to forgive.

I am going… to start campaigning for the Promise Walk this week.

I am wondering… what is possessing me to do the 7 posts in 7 days challenge from Jen @ Conversion Diary.

I am reading… The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher. It’s pretty good.

I am hoping… my counseling appointment goes well tomorrow.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

I am hearing the space heater in the bedroom.

Around the house… lots to pick up.

A favorite quote for today… “Reality, in fact, is always something you couldn’t have guessed. That’s one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It’s a religion you couldn’t have guessed.” — C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… purry black cats, even when they are sitting in front of the keyboard being a pest. (Can you tell that Edda is helping me write?)

A few plans for the rest of the week: counseling appointment tomorrow, ABA for Daniel in the afternoons, Morning Prayer on Tuesday, trying to get devotions compiled, and I have a massage appointment scheduled for Friday. (Lest it sound like I live a spa life, the massage is to help treat my fibromyalgia.)

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 16, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 16, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It was in the 60’s today though and it rained overnight in San Jose where I was this weekend.

I am thinking… about too many things that I can’t change right now. I’m reminding myself that nothing looks good at 11:30 p.m. at all.

I am thankful… for the weekend with my parents and that Mom took over Daniel care this morning when I fell asleep on the couch.

In the kitchen… nothing as I’m too stressed to eat.

I am wearing… light blue v-neck and running shorts.

I am praying for… peace, strength, consolation, and discernment concerning a situation in my personal life. (Translation: I can’t talk about it on the blog.)

I am going… to hope Daniel sleeps in tomorrow as it took an act of God to get him to go to sleep tonight.

I am reading… nothing this minute. I read In Good Company by James Martin, S.J. over the weekend and need to charge my NOOK.

I am hoping… to be productive tomorrow.

I am looking forward to… my nail appointment on Wednesday.

I am hearing the Roomba vacuuming the living room and hallway.

Around the house… Jon will be cleaning as my Valentine’s Day gift. (My “love language” is acts of service.)

A favorite quote for today… “I think I’ll invite a curling team over, equip them with Swiffers and a Roomba, see how clean my house can get.” — my friend Ann

One of my favorite things… ginger ale. My mom sent me home with some to see if it would help my stomach.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ABA therapy in the afternoons from Tuesday to Friday, Morning Prayer on Tuesday, nail appointment on Wednesday, and heading back down to San Jose on Friday evening.

A peek into my day… Daniel with my parents’ cat Homer.

Homer and Daniel

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 9, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 9, 2014

Outside my window… dark. It’s only 6:45 p.m. instead of midnight like it usually is when I’m doing this. It was lovely and rainy today. I don’t know how much this will help us with the drought but it’s at least something.

I am thinking… that I need to go on Pinterest and find some stuff for Daniel to do tomorrow. He doesn’t have school and it’s too wet to go outside. He’s been acting out all day today because of boredom.

I am thankful… for the rain.

In the kitchen… dishes dishes dishes. My kingdom for a dishwasher!

I am wearing… my online debate team shirt and black leggings.

I am praying for… discernment related to my special intention.

I am going… too many places this week.

I am wondering… if Daniel will go to bed at a normal hour tonight.

I am reading… nothing at this moment. I just finished Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. last night and haven’t chosen the next book. It will probably be The Tao of Martha by Jen Lancaster though — my mother-in-law sent it to me and I need to start it.

I am hoping… for less drama in my life this week.

I am looking forward to… my massage on Friday.

I am hearing “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher.

Around the house… *puts fingers in ears* I can’t hear youuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!

I am pondering… the difficulty of being a saint.

A favorite quote for today… “I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun – not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else.” – C.S. Lewis

(This was my email signature for a long time.)

One of my favorite things… lamb gyros with onions, tomatoes, and extra tzatziki from the Kabob & Gyro Grill.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ABA therapy for Daniel every afternoon this week, Morning Prayer and PTM on Tuesday morning, peds appointment on Wednesday morning, WIC on Thursday morning, date breakfast, massage, and heading to my parents’ house on Friday.

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The Simple Woman’s Daybook: February 4, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 4, 2014

Outside my window… dark. I’m usually blogging late at night these days. 🙂 (Technically, it is morning but it’s 12:30 a.m.)

I am thinking… about church things.

I am thankful… for a good weekend with my parents, for a good “park date” with Rebecca and Daniel, and for the rain we got that California desperately needs.

In the kitchen… dishes. Too many dishes.

I am wearing… purple shirt from Old Navy and black yoga pants.

I am praying for… things in my future, for the loved ones of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and for the intentions of various friends.

I am going… to have my work cut out for me as I try to declutter this week.

I am wondering… if we have rain in the future.

I am reading… Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, S.J. which is amazing thus far. I read and finished Miss Julia to the Rescue by Ann B. Ross this past weekend.

I am hoping… for a calmer week and for this irritating cold/laryngitis to go away.

I am looking forward to… coffee with Sara on Wednesday.

I am hearing “Marie’s Wedding” by the High Kings. As soon as I got my laptop, I got their CD on iTunes. As they’re a group that are fun to watch, I’ve put the video of it below.

Around the house… lots to declutter.

I am pondering… way too many things internally.

A favorite quote for today… “There have been some who were so occupied in spreading Christianity that they never gave a thought to Christ. Man! Ye see it in smaller matters. Did ye never know a lover of books that with all his first editions and signed copies had lost the power to read them? Or an organiser of charities that had lost all love for the poor? It is the subtlest of all snares.” – C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… needy black kitties. (Can you tell that Edda is “helping” me right now?)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Daniel’s ABA therapy in the afternoons, various things in the mornings, and hopefully coffee with Sara on Wednesday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Short Entry This Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Orphans. Do you see these darling 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.

— 2 —

Stopping here this week. We got some really tough news today (don’t worry — Daniel is fine) and I’m really not feeling like writing right now. Do me a favor and pray for our special intention (related to the one from yesterday). Please and thank you.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: January 28, 2014

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY January 28, 2014

Outside my window… dark. Then again, it *is* 1 a.m. so this isn’t surprising. It was in the 60’s today. We are *hopefully* going to get rain on Thursday — something that we pretty desperately need here in California.

I am thinking… about tomorrow (today?) and what needs to get done.

I am thankful… that Daniel is finally asleep so that I can blog, do my examen, and go to sleep!

In the kitchen… dishes to be done. Yippee.

I am wearing… charcoal shirt and black yoga pants.

I am creating… this entry. 🙂

I am listening to… a Matt Maher playlist on Youtube.

I am wondering… if we’re ever going to catch up rain-wise this season.

I am reading… How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny. I finished My Life with the Saints by James Martin, S.J. on Sunday and devoured all of The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson that day as well.

I am hoping… Daniel goes down at a reasonable hour tomorrow night (tonight?) so that I’m not up late trying to get quiet and private prayer time.

I am looking forward to… Wednesday morning when Daniel goes back to school and when my laptop should hopefully be arriving!

I am learning patience with the whole laptop sitch. Jon has the patience of a saint to be sharing with me.

Around the house… cats sleeping or walking across my keyboard being needy. (Ahem… EDDA!)

I am pondering… why Fed Ex had to ship my laptop from China to Alaska (that part makes sense) and then to MEMPHIS!!! Seriously, wouldn’t it be easier to ummm… ship it to California next????? (Actually, I should know why they did it as I’ve worked in shipping and logistics but it still makes no rational sense.)

A favorite quote for today… “God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change,
which is pretty much everyone,
since I??m clearly not you, God.
At least not the last time I checked.

And while you??re at it, God,
please give me the courage
to change what I need to change about myself,
which is frankly a lot, since, once again,
I??m not you, which means I??m not perfect.
It??s better for me to focus on changing myself
than to worry about changing other people,
who, as you??ll no doubt remember me saying,
I can??t change anyway.

Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up
whenever I think that I??m clearly smarter
than everyone else in the room,
that no one knows what they??re talking about except me,
or that I alone have all the answers.

Basically, God,
grant me the wisdom
to remember that I??m
not you.

Amen.”
–James Martin, S.J. (borrowed from The Jesuit Post)

One of my favorite things… orange cats with good motors.

A few plans for the rest of the week: ABA therapy for Daniel, the rest of the week, errands on Wednesday morning, massage on Friday, and Respite Night on Saturday.

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