Category Archives: Memes and Link-Ups

7 Quick Takes: Russian Adoption Issues, Apocalyptic Rainstorms, and Classless Individuals

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

This little girl needs your help. Her name is Kaia and she needs a mama. Is there a chance you might be her mama? Click on her picture to go to her profile.

Miss Kaia

— 2 —

Please help if you can. The Wade family got special permission from a Russian judge to come back and get Ivan ASAP but they need to raise the funds to do it. If you can spare any money at all, it would help immensely — I know that my donations have been in $5 and $10 increments.

— 3 —

The state of the bear. Daniel has recovered from the excitement of last week (febrile seizure, high fevers for two nights, Urgent Care appointment…) though it meant that he was extra cuddly this last weekend. I didn’t make it to church on Sunday because of him nor did I make it to Christmas worship because he and Edda were both asleep on my lap. The Christmas morning snuggle was wonderful because I could just watch TV and enjoy the quiet. We’re with my parents right now and he has all his normal energy back so he has been running around, opening and closing doors, and being silly. Currently, the little bear is eating Cheerios in the booster seat next to me which is why I’m getting these done. 🙂

— 4 —

Mmmmmm! My mom made these cookies and added dried cherries. They are totally wonderful and quite addictive. I might have to make them for church one of these days.

— 5 —

Need an ark, please. We were wondering if church was going to be cancelled last Sunday (the 23rd) because we were having serious rain with wind. The same thing happened on Christmas Day — serious rain with lots of wind. Apparently, I missed the newscast where the Christmas rain was in the forecast because it was a nasty surprise when I was having to head to the laundry shed to get clothes to fold. It followed us to San Jose and was around yesterday, which made it hard for Daniel (wanted to go OUTSIDE and run around) and me (needed to go for a walk to stretch out my back). It was clear today and chilly for everyone except for Jon and me. Apparently living in Montana and Minnesota toughened me up to cold because all the other moms on the playground were in parkas and I was pushing Daniel on the swings in just a long-sleeved shirt.

— 6 —

Pottymouths. Jon and my dad are watching The Big Lebowski and it seems like every other word is an f-bomb. Seriously guys? Is it necessary to the plot of the movie? This is probably why I rarely see movies ever, either on TV or in the theater.

— 7 —

Parenting fails. On Monday, I was at Les Schwab (a tire shop) getting an alignment done and a mother and son came in. The woman grunted at her son to move the coffeetable in the waiting area and put her feet (which were in really disgusting-looking Crocs) up on it when he moved it. I was sitting there looking at her with complete revulsion and shock. Really, wench? Do you think this is your living room at home? Are we conveniently ignoring basic rules for how to act in public? It got better after she chastised her son for using the word “sucks” because it “wasn’t classy”. I would probably have said something (and my Twitter peeps heard ALL about it) except that her tattoos were a bit menacing (thanks to all the prison shows I watch, I know what some of them mean) and my self-preservation kicked in to keep me from opening my mouth. But seriously… epic parenting FAIL!

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 24, 2012

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 24, 2012

Outside my window… sunny after a few days of apocalyptic rainstorms beating down.

I am thinking… that I really should clean the kitchen and pack but I’m so tired!

I am thankful… that Daniel’s illness didn’t result in a hospital admission.

In the kitchen… dishes to be done.

I am wearing… burgundy shirt and jeans.

I am creating… crocheted squares and snowflakes.

I am going… to try and get everything done tonight before I go to bed.

I am wondering… if Daniel is planning to nap.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans.

I am hoping… everything gets done.

I am looking forward to… getting out of Dodge for a few days.

Around the house… *ignores the question*

I am pondering… everything I have to get done.

A favorite quote for today… ??The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God. What we try to keep for ourselves is just what we are sure to lose.?? ? C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

One of my favorite things… the quiet when Daniel naps.

A few plans for the rest of the week: cleaning and packing today, worship and heading to be with family tomorrow.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Things I Wish I Had Crossed Off My Bucket List Before the Mayan Apocalypse

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

We pretty much know already that the world isn’t ending tomorrow as New Zealand and Australia are OK. However, I’m doing these tongue-in-cheek Quick Takes anyway as a way of getting my mind off of Daniel who ended up in the pediatric ER at UCD Medical Center last night with a febrile seizure. From what we can tell, it’s the flu. I’m vaccinated against it but he isn’t. (I’m not anti-vax by any stretch of the imagination — I just completely dropped the ball this year.)

— 1 —

Finding Kaia a mommy. See this cute little girl? She needs a mama.

Miss Kaia

Click on her picture to be taken over to her profile on Reece’s Rainbow. If you’re in the mood to do some charitable giving this Christmas, her adoption grant would be a lovely cause.

— 2 —

Getting certified to scuba-dive. My evil twin and his fiancée are PADI-certified and it’s been on “my list” forever. My college’s chapter of Intervarsity used to have our Chapter Retreats on Catalina Island and one of the things I loved doing was snorkeling. I’d like to actually be able to dive under the water someday.

— 3 —

See Loreena McKennitt live in concert again. I saw her in concert in 1994 and again in 2007. At the concert in 2007, I actually *met* her, got a hug from her, and got her autograph. She’s toured in Europe and eastern Canada so I’m hoping 2013 is going to be a U.S. tour year as she put out a new album two years ago.

— 4 —

Have Daniel develop speech. I fully believe this will happen someday — it just hasn’t happened yet. He’s great with his PECS book and we’ve got some sign language worked out. Still, it would be wonderful if he could learn to speak. It would definitely make my life easier.

— 5 —

Go on all the cool rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I actually went to college in Santa Cruz and only went to the Boardwalk once during that time, something I’ve regretted for a long time because I love amusement park rides. Daniel is too young for most of the rides (and too short) so I may have a while to wait for this one.

— 6 —

Sing Bach’s Mass in B minor with a choir. I’m a huge fan of Bach and this is an amazing work of art. It’s complex enough to challenge me and it’s the reason why it’s my bucket list piece. (I started singing Handel’s Messiah when I was 15 though performing the work in its entirety is also on the list.)

— 7 —

Publish a novel started during NaNoWriMo. Granted, the years I’ve “won” by getting 50,000 words written during that month were years when I needed to kill people off to vent some anger but it would be kind of cool to actually “win” again and turn what I write into a novel that I can sell to a publisher.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com. In the meantime, enjoy the tsunamis, earthquakes, and fire falling from the sky!

What I Wore on Sunday: December 16, 2012

Posted on by

What I Wore Sunday

I missed worship on the 2nd because I was sick and the world was ending outside. I missed worship last week because I had a sick little bear. Despite me having bronchitis and not having slept well, I managed to drag myself out of bed and prep both myself and the bear child.

Props to parishioners Tawnya and Tara for being my paparazzi.

Head to toe pic

OK… A lovely blurry pic of me. You can see the claret-colored shirt, black slacks, and black clogs.

The bear child and I.

A clearer view of the top part of me as well as a view of the bear child.

OK… the details on my clothes:

Top: Lands’ End from Sears
Pants: Kohl’s
Socks: (not shown) Christmas kitty ones that my mom gave me.
Clogs: L.L. Bean

I like this to be a family affair so I got one of Jon in his alb:

Jon in his alb

Alb: Augsburg Fortress.
Stole: it belongs to the church so I’m not sure.
Clerical shirt (visible under alb): Autoun, Almy, or Augsburg Fortress — it’s one that he inherited.

And it wouldn’t be complete without a decent bear child pic!

Daniel being oh so compliant!

Such a compliant child!

Jacket: Sears, I think.
Shirt: Carter’s
Pants: Osh Kosh
Socks: Target
Shoes: Cars ones from Sears

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 10, 2012

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 10, 2012

Outside my window… dark. It was decent today though I was indoors for most of it being sick and taking care of a sick bear.

I am thinking… nasal congestion is the pits.

I am thankful… Jon stayed home today so I could sleep.

In the kitchen… apples and peanut butter.

I am wearing… white v-neck and plaid shorts. (I’m doing laundry, OK?)

I am creating… snowflakes and Christmas shopping.

I am going… to try and take care of errands tomorrow.

I am wondering… if I will ever be able to eat normally again.

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband “Master” by Rachel Held Evans.

I am hoping… my face decongests.

I am looking forward to… working on stockings tonight.

I am learning that I can actually read crochet patterns.

Around the house… *sticks fingers in ears* I can’t hear youuuuuuu!!!!

A favorite quote for today… ??Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning…?? ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… Coke — it’s so bad for me but it’s my comfort substance.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finishing stockings, WIC tomorrow, and hopefully not much else.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes: Introducing Kaia, Starching Snowflakes, and Cats Playing with Ribbons

Posted on by

7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Brett now OFFICIALLY has a mama and papa. You know my Reece’s Rainbow kid Brett? Court was held on Monday in his region and his parents’ adoption request was granted. There’s a 10-day waiting period so the verdict can be recorded (this is Eastern Europe — things move slowly) and then they can spring him. Meanwhile, they’re preparing to go to court for his adopted sister Delilah. So… prayers answered!!!

— 2 —

As Brett is now taken care of and will be in the States in a few weeks, I asked to be allowed to have another child for whom I could advocate as a Guardian Angel. I had seen Kaia mentioned in the Reece’s Rainbow group on Facebook and her picture stuck with me as did the words in her profile:


Kaia has pretty green eyes, what a little dolly! She should be heading to kindergarten next year, not the institution.

She is the beautiful little china doll on my sidebar. Her adoption grant is currently only $5.00 — can we increase it this week? Please and thank you. (As of midnight on 12/8, her grant is now at $15. My deepest thanks to whoever donated to do that.)

— 3 —

My snowflakes were a hit last night. I starched them on Tuesday using this method and as they weren’t completely dry by Wednesday afternoon, I spent some time with a blowdryer on them while exhorting them to stiffen. The blowdrying worked and the person who received them in the ornament/decoration exchange loved them. She’s a fellow crocheter so I’ll be sticking the pattern and starching instructions in her box on Sunday.

— 4 —

At the same ornament/decoration exchange during Ladies’ Night Out, I got a beautiful ceramic angel. It was wrapped beautifully and had a long green ribbon which immediately went into my purse. All my crazy cat ladies can probably guess the rest of the story: Edda and her siblings got extra playtime last night. It was comical to see Freya (our little butterball gremlin) going absolutely crazy and Finian (my fluffybutt) was also pretty funny.

— 5 —

I’m “occupying Advent”. I decided to take on blogging as an Advent discipline and am following Beth Anne’s tasks as my subjects. You can find other people’s efforts using the hashtag #AdventPhotoADay.

— 6 —

This is disturbing. My mom sent me a video from the Today Show about a trick thieves are using to get into hotel rooms. It disturbs me that the makers of the locks used by most hotel rooms has known since July and is suggesting band-aid solutions and not upgrading the locks free of charge. Hotels are also feigning ignorance which irritates me.

— 7 —

Who’s up for meatless Fridays? Thomas of Identified Catholic is hosting a link-up of what people are eating on Fridays as an effort to do communal penance during Advent. The USCCB is pondering a return to the practice and I’m participating during Advent in solidarity with my Catholic friends who are taking it on.

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

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 4, 2012

Posted on by

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 4th, 2012

Outside my window… dark. It’s just past midnight here.

I am thinking… about what I need to get done tomorrow. It totally makes sense that I’m up crocheting and blogging, right?

I am thankful… that I finished ornaments yesterday. I just need to starch them tomorrow. Also, I’m immensely thankful that Brett’s parents prevailed when court was held yesterday and he is now officially theirs.

In the kitchen… dishes to do.

I am wearing… Old Navy shirt and fleece pajama bottoms.

I am creating… stockings for two adorable kids.

I am going… nowhere if I can help it.

I am wondering… which kid to take on as a Guardian Angel once Brett is home. Possibly Kaia?

I am reading… A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband “Master” by Rachel Held Evans. I’ve gotten through the introduction and first chapter and I’m loving it.

I am hoping… tomorrow goes well.

I am learning how to starch my snowflakes.

Around the house… *places fingers in ears* I can’t hear you!!!!

I am pondering… too many things to list.

A favorite quote for today… ??The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things — praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts — not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs.?? ? C.S. Lewis

One of my favorite things… simple double crochet.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook